The Plumbline

If you are anything like me, then your thoughts don't always go down the right path! I've got a pretty 'broken past', so there are times when my thought life doesn't always conform to the way I believe God wants me to think. There are times when I go down the path of being envious when I know full well that isn't the path God wants me to be traveling. There are other times when I too focused on me to see there is anyone else around me - again not the path God wants me traveling. Yet, there are times when my thoughts go immediately to the path I know God sees as the 'right one'. Instead of envy, I head down the path of sharing the other person's excitement with their accomplishment and rejoice in their new experience. Instead of going down the path that only has eyes focused on me, me, me, I see those around me, finding joy in entering into their lives and participating in all the goodness, kindness, and beauty that is in those individuals just waitin...

Crucial Conversations - have you read the book? Crucial Confrontations - have you read that one? These are pretty much 'required reading' for anyone desiring to promote up through the ranks, as the leadership skills of having those 'tough conversations' or saying what may be 'uncomfortable' to say is needed if you are to lead well. Seeing things and then knowing what to do about them is quite different, isn't it? We can all observe things in others, but how do we go about 'doing' anything about what we see? Some of us shy away from those confrontational kinds of moments as though they might be similar to the 'plague' of ancient days! We just aren't comfortable with them and we know the other person won't be either! Brothers and sisters, someone in your group might do something wrong. You who are following the Spirit should go to the one who is sinning. Help make that person right again, and do it in a gentle way. But be careful, bec...