My Epic Journey

I am going through Dr. Henry Cloud’s book, 9 Things a Leader Must Do.  The book has been a great challenge for me and I would recommend everyone to read it who finds them self in some type of leadership position, either at work, church, or a parent at home.

I thought I would share just a little of what I am learning through this book journey.

#1—Leaders MUST Excavate their soul.

God has put into every leader the talents and gifts to be the leader He wants them to be.

Leadership success is the process of digging up the treasures of the invisible soul in order to bring dreams, desires, and talents into the visible world  –Dr. Cloud

In order for a leader to optimize his leadership he/she must:

• become aware of his/her dreams, desires, talents, and other treasures of the soul.
• Listens to them and values them as life itself.
• Takes steps to develop them, beginning in very small ways.
• Seeks coaching and help to make them grow.
• Does not care as much about his/her results, just continues to express his/her soul-treasures where they can.

Avoidance of risks is the greatest risk of all!!!!  –Dr. Cloud

Key passages to study:

• Matthew 25.14-30—Parable of the talents.
• Proverbs 4.23—Wellspring of life.

This morning, I had the opportunity to speak at Hyatt Middle School to their Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) group.  It was a lot of fun.  Below is an excerpt from FCA coordinator and teacher, Jonathan Juravich.

This morning we were blessed to have Ryan Smith, from Grace Point Community Church, come and speak with us!

Ryan read to us "Horton Hatches an Egg." in the story Horton the Elephant is tricked by a lazy bird to sit on an egg. He sits through rain, snow, being made fun of, captured by Hunters, sold to a circus… and the horrible list goes on. But at the end, Horton is rewarded by the egg hatching…and out comes a very unique Ele-bird! He is 100% happy.

When he was sitting on that egg he did not give up, he is loyal and dedicated to his cause: sitting on that egg. For so many of us we are nearing the end of the year (and for some, the end of middle school) and we can’t get lazy. We have a hard time putting in all of our time and instead want to just give up. But then we never get that satisfaction (or in Horton’s case the 100% happy!).

In James 1:12 we read "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial." Don’t just take it from Dr. Seuss, it is in God’s word… plain as day. If we hold true, if we persevere…at the end we are so greatly rewarded. (also check out James 1:2-4!)

Thank you for coming today Ryan and for sharing your awesome message!

A BIG thanks to Tom Houser for the message idea!!!!!