In their book, Leaders: The Strategies of Taking Charge, Warren Bennis and Burt Nanus explain this important principle as “empowerment.” [Leaders] empower others to translate intention into reality and sustain it. This does not mean that leaders must relinquish power, or that followers must continually challenge authority. It does mean that power must become a unit of exchange—an active, changing token in creative, productive, and communicative transactions. Effective leaders will… Continue Reading…
September 16, 2019
Delegation is a leadership must. It provides empowerment and ownership to those on our team. Delegation is not passing off unwanted chores. Rather, it takes place when a leader empowers the right person to accomplish a significant task with the appropriate direction, support, and accountability. Here are seven benefits to delegation that I’ve learned over the years. Benefits of Delegation Delegation opens opportunities. No one person has all the gifts… Continue Reading…
September 9, 2019
Delegation is one of the leader’s most important activities. It does not entail passing off unwanted chores. Neither does it involve passing off “busy work.” Delegation takes place when a leader empowers the right person to accomplish a significant task with the appropriate direction, support, and accountability. Theodore Roosevelt said it this way, “The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what… Continue Reading…
August 26, 2019
As Christians, we are going to be faced with doubt, fear and discouragement. We live in a culture of greed. There will be those who threaten us, intimidate us and try to distract us from following hard after Christ. How do we deal with these things that try to tear us down and paralyze us? Here are five things we need to do. Understand your position in Christ. In… Continue Reading…
August 19, 2019
Everyone hears voices … voices trapped in our mind…voices of criticism…voices of ridicule…voices aimed to hurt. The voices you hear may have come from the lips of a parent, teacher, coach, spouse, child or friend. These voices spring from our memory when we least expect them and can knock us for a loop. Sometimes the voices are not trapped in our mind but projected from the person standing next to… Continue Reading…
August 6, 2019
A text from my son Garrison was the first thing I saw when I turned off the alarm on my phone. Garrison is an avid Oklahoma Sooner football fan and receives all the OU news. The press release he sent me that morning, announced that Mickey Ripley, a former OU quarterback, had died. Garrison never met the man but knew all about him. Ripley was my hero growing up and… Continue Reading…
July 29, 2019
In the past, the Supreme Court has heard arguments for and against changing the definition of marriage. Christian cannot be silent on this issue. Here are five arguments for traditional marriage from God’s Word. God’s Design of the Body God formed the man from the dust of the ground. The word “formed” means “to shape or fashion.” It gives the picture of a potter working with clay to shape… Continue Reading…
July 15, 2019
Sex is not simply a physical act. The one-flesh relationship that God intended involves a spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical oneness. That’s why sexual tension in a marriage is much more that what is going on under the covers. Here are ten sex issues in a marriage. Criticism: Sexual attraction and enjoyment is diminished when he/she is regularly torn down by words. Anxiety: When sex is viewed as… Continue Reading…
June 24, 2019
I confess that sometimes prayers for my children become wooden and repetitive. “And Lord, help our children to have a great day at school,” and “Lord, help them to do well on their math test,” while sincere are hardly specific. Here are some requests from Ephesians 1:15-23 that asks for some serious spiritual stuff. Here are nine things to pray every day for our children and grandchildren. Thanksgiving: Children are… Continue Reading…
June 17, 2019
So…we want our children to grow up with the virtue of respect embedded in their hearts. How do we make that happen? How do we plow the ground for respect to grow? How do we mentor, model, and monitor respect? My friend, Dr. Robert Freado, has served as a teacher, coach, and principal at all levels of the school system. I have the privilege of teaching a parenting class with… Continue Reading…
June 10, 2019
1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. In his first letter to the Thessalonians (2:11-12), the Apostle Paul likens his dealing with believers to a father’s interaction with his children. From this passage we learn from three… Continue Reading…
June 3, 2019
Parenting is not for sissies! Raising children is hard work. Parents who desire to be popular with their children and their children’s friends will live to regret the compromises it takes to make that happen. But parents who love their children enough to lead them will have to make some tough and unpopular decisions. There are three essential ingredients to effective love. Just like baking a cake, leave out any… Continue Reading…
May 27, 2019
Check out these startling statistics about children and money: Advertisers spend $15 billion a year on child-focused advertising. The average American child sees 40,000 commercials a year. Children recognize brands by 18 months and by two years ask for them by name. American kids get an average of 70 new toys a year. Children spend over $30 billion of their “own” money Children influence some $650 billion of parental purchases… Continue Reading…
May 20, 2019
A godly parent is a teacher, model and an unconditional friend. These responsibilities are like a three-legged stool. If one “leg” is missing, our effectiveness becomes minimal at best. Each “leg” is supported and held together by the Lord. A Teacher Our role as a teacher means that we must impart knowledge in a way that each of our children can understand – at every stage of his/her life. While… Continue Reading…
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RON’S SERMONS
