Imagine a compass north, south, east, and west. Almost every time the word leadership is mentioned, in what direction do leaders instinctively think?

South.

Say the word leadership and most leaders' minds migrate to the people who are under their care. At leadership conferences, people generally think, "I'm going to learn how to improve my ability to lead the people God has entrusted to me."

South. It's ...

Topics:	Calling, Character & integrity, Discernment, Leadership, Management, Prayer, Self-control, Spiritual leadership, Team leadership, Vision
Filters:	Church staff, Discipleship, Elder, Men's ministry, Mentoring, Pastor, Pastoral care, Women's ministry
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	1 Samuel 30, Acts 20:24
Date Added:	July 12, 2007

People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison.
James 3:7-8

It was late on a June afternoon when we pulled off Interstate 94 into a rest area in eastern Montana. Erin, my three-year-old daughter, needed to use the rest room. My mother, Erin's grandma, took Erin by the hand and walked up the paved ...

Topics:	Accountability, Communication, Discernment, Prayer, Self-control, Sin, Transformation
Filters:	Christian education, Family ministry, Pastor, Spiritual director, Sunday school, Sunday school, Youth ministry
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	James 3:7-8
Date Added:	March 01, 2004

Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. She is a loving doe, a graceful deer. Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love. Proverbs 5:18-19

I chuckle when people lambaste the Puritans for supposedly being sexually inhibited. The so-called puritanical attitude toward sex was actually quite progressive, overturning the more ...

Topics:	Marriage, Prayer, Renewal, Sacrifice, Self-control, Spiritual disciplines, Spiritual growth
Filters:	Christian education, Counseling, Family ministry, Pastor, Premarital counseling, Shepherd, Spiritual director
Purpose:	Fellowship
References:	Proverbs 5:18-19
Date Added:	October 01, 2002

Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones. If you cheat even a little, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people's money, why should you be trusted with money of your own?
Luke 16:10-12

Some families tussle over ...

Topics:	Accountability, Administration, Character, Management, Self-control, Soul, Stewardship
Filters:	Christian education, Family ministry, Pastor, Preaching, Sunday school, Sunday school, Worship leader
Purpose:	Ministry
References:	Luke 16:10-12
Date Added:	September 01, 2003

My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. For the lips of an adultress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.
Proverbs 5:1-4, NIV

Occasionally I ask my children to "spot the lie" when we're watching a TV commercial. A sleek ...

Topics:	Discernment, Mistakes, Prayer, Self-control, Sin, Spiritual growth, Vulnerability
Filters:	Adult ministry, Mentoring, Pastor, Shepherd, Singles ministry, Sunday school, Young adults ministry, Youth ministry
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Proverbs 5:1-4
Date Added:	December 01, 2003

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger ….

Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger. …

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.

An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins.

For as churning the milk produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces ...

Topics:	Anger, Christian life, Conflict, Division, Self-control, Sin, Temper, Unity
Filters:	Counseling, Discipleship, Pastor, Preaching, Spiritual director
Purpose:	Fellowship
References:	Proverbs 15:1, Proverbs 29:8, Proverbs 29:11, Proverbs 29:22, Proverbs 30:33
Date Added:	July 30, 2007