The "L" Word

"Learning is a life-long lesson."

My parents taught me this when I was a child and I have been learning this lesson thus far in my life, ironically enough. Of course, me being sometimes rather unintelligent, I have often had to learn a life lesson the hard way. To illustrate this point, let me share with you a true story:

One day a family decided to visit some friends from out of town. Little did they know this day would be a very special and memorable day for years to come. After arriving and spending time with friends over food, the children of the two families decided to go outside for some exercise, to burn the calories they just ate of course. There they were outside playing when one of the children got a little too excited and competitive. While running to avoid getting tagged, he ran right onto the road. Notice: He ran onto the road. Shortly afterward he fell onto the road as well. Yes, this child was careless and didn't look both ways before crossing the street and was hit by a truck, but you know what? This child is still alive! In case any of you are wondering who this story is about, it is me.

But here is the really cool part (aside from living to tell the story). God is sovereign even in the bad times. Yes, I was stupid and yes I was hurt and could have died, but I didn't. So here is what I want you to learn from this: Learn from me. Listen to your parents. And for goodness sake, look both ways before crossing the street!

Making pens and making a difference!
Daniel Patrick

www.facebook.com/PatrickCustomPens
www.stellasvoice.org

Mold

I am told that one of the greatest and hardest parts of teaching is that you learn so much by teaching. I can honestly say I am beginning to understand that concept. Continuing with the latest post on leadership, we are called to be like Christ as believers. Lately, I have been studying and being taught a lot in Romans. Paul writes, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

You might be thinking, how does any of this so far have anything to do with mold? Well, believe it or not, this  passage is actually painting a picture of two different molds: the one is set by the world while the other is set by Christ. The one set by the world is natural and easy for us to follow, but the one set by Christ is supernatural and very difficult because we want to make this life about us. But the Gospel is the opposite. If Christ is indeed who He says He is, then our lives are not our own, but His. This means that our lives are to be lived for Him, which is exactly what John argues. "He must increase, but I must decrease."

So, which mold are we allowing to shape our lives?

Leadership Lessons Learned from Lecrae and TED

I'd like to say I am a man of few words, but those who know me at all know that isn't true of me at all! I like to talk, that's for sure, but I also like leadership! So here is a perfect opportunity for me to talk about leadership... kinda cool how that works, huh?

Again, those of you who know me, know that I am a pretty big fan of Lecrae and other Christian rap artists. Anyway, in his song Just Like You, Lecrae makes this statement: "All men were created to lead but we needed somebody to lead us." Of course, context goes a long way and in this case he is referring to how since we are created by Christ, we are saved by Christ, and called to be like Christ!

Another really cool quote for me about leadership is "Leadership is over-glorified." In case you are curious as to the source, Derek Sivers makes this quote in his TED talk. If you want to know more about the context of either of these quotes, I strongly recommend both!

All of that to say this, though. To me, the lessons I learn about leadership from these two quotes can be summarized this way: Good leadership is required and requires humility!

Making pens and making a difference!

Daniel Patrick

www.facebook.com/PatrickCustomPens

www.stellasvoice.org