I had an interesting thought/insight… well I’m not completely sure what to call it just yet. Regardless, I’ll share with you the 2 people who read this. I have heard many times this leadership quote, “If you need them, you can’t lead them.” I have always interrupted this as if you need their resources or what they have, then you can’t lead them. Always making the “need” and tangible thing. You may have heard stories of pastors doing or not doing some thing so not to upset the congregation, thus them not giving in tithes. But tonight I caught on to the fact that quote goes deeper than face value. After a rough interaction with one of our students, I realized that many times in the past I have excused bad behavior because I wanted to be the nice guy. I wanted all our students to be my friend and like me. I needed their acceptance! Bam-o it hit me… I can’t lead them! I think a lot of leaders fall into this trap. We often try to soften the blow of a bad or wrong situation and excuse poor behavior in hopes that we’ll still be friends. If you need their acceptance or friendship so much that your willing to try and soften the truth your in a lose situation. And what makes me laugh at myself and this mind set is the Bible even says, the wounds of a true friend are better than a kisses from an enemy. Proverbs 27:6 If we are to be true friends then there will be times you will wound the other person, and the bible says that’s better than kissing them! It’s the kiss, or the softening of a bad choice that makes you the enemy. That’s exactly what I was trying not to be. We do no good by not holding those around us accountable for their actions and choices. No gray area and no softening the truth. It’s a hard lesson to learn, however it’s necessary. So it’s true, If you need them, you can’t lead them.
I have the t-shirt design and it is awesome! I’m not going to reveal it just yet, however I do have a question. Would you prefer a V-neck or regular t-shirt?
And remember go comment Here to have a chance at a free shirt!!!
On the count down to “Blog Birthday” I thought I would recall the “best” of the year. So today I will repost the most read post from the past year. Here is my favorite quote from it,
Just like an ox dirties a stable, people cause messes in life. But if you get rid of the mess makers you limit your harvest.
Please don’t forget to comment on the “Blog Birthday” post HERE to be entered in the t-shirt drawing and some other random item that is yet to be determined.
When I logged into my account today I was meet with some interesting facts. Here they are:
April 29th is this blogs birthday! (cards with money accepted) I know this because wordpress wants more money.
In this year we have had over 1700 visitors and many comments.
I lack 7 posts from having 100 posts this year. Witch I plan on posting 7 times before the 29th just to reach the century mark. If I accomplish my goal of 100 posts in 365 days that will mean that over the course of this year every 3.65 days I made a blog post. (the math is correct I did it on a calculator)this news makes me feel really good because I thought I was a terrible blogger – post count wise. Turns out I don’t suck afterall. So for the 100th post I think I’ll give something away & possibly even make a tee shirt. If your reading and want to see a fun tee shirt created leave a comment and if we hit 29 comments by the 29th I’ll make and send 5 random commentors a free tee shirt. (don’t worry the shirt will be something I would wear) So check back every few days and leave your comments!!!
I always feel bad when I go so long in between post, but you know how life goes! Right now we’re in Hermiston OR staying with family. But this past Wednesday I was invited to speak at OneChurch Youth Group in Hermiston. Just one word… WOW! OneChurch has it going on! Right before I got into the word I snapped a quick pic with them.
Me @ OneChurch
This trip has been alot of fun I got to speak in a four square church in 2 morning services last Sunday, and this comming Sunday I’ll be doing a little something in an Assembly of God church. This trip is flying by way to fast but we’re having a great time.
This last Sunday night I heard a quote that has stuck in my head all week thus far, and I don’t think it’s going to go away any time soon. John Maxwell said,
Don’t embrace average… Don’t love it!
He went on to talk about average things and how people don’t pay for average, never have, never will. It’s hard to not be average though. I catch my self saying, “that’s good enough” or “Ahh we can get by with that” all the time. We truly embrace average all the time, and sadly we love it! Or we just don’t care enough to do better. Of course the Bible has plenty to say about the quality and attitude of the work we do. Colossians 3:17 says
”Whatever you say, or whatever you do, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
and then verse 23 says
“Whatever your work is, do it gladly. Do it as you would do it unto the Lord and not for people.”
It’s easy to fall into the mundane tasks of everyday life, but when you put it in the perspective of I’m doing this for God, I find that I go that extra mile and spend a little extra time to make the tasks go from average to worth it. I know I don’t want an average life, work, or anything. I don’t even like average food. So instead of embracing average in everything I do I’ll do it for God and make it the best I can.
I’m reading proverbs today and this statement slaps me in the face…
“Honor is no more associated with fools than snow with summer or rain with harvest.” – Proverbs 26:1
So here’s the question: What are you associated with? When people think of you what is it they think?
Yesterday I got one of the greatest compliments I’ve ever received. My pastor thanked me for having Integrity. Though I try extremely hard to have integrity I know that I fall short from time to time. But the incredible compliment to be associated with Integrity was huge for me.
Your actions ultimately control what people think about you. I would say that more often than not if people in general think your mean… then your mean. Or if they think your nice… your nice. If they think your a fool… you guessed it, your a fool. I know there are exceptions to this but i think in general this is true. So the question must be answered, What are you associated with? Go ask some people to be honest with you and find out what they think about you. You might be surprised. But it will be good feedback you can use to improve your self and your relationships with others.
Thanks to those who were concerned about Riley. Good news he’s gonna live!! Ok that’s a little over the top… He had a nasty flu bug and the doctor said he hadn’t seen it act that way before. Bottom line, Riley is fine!
Just had to share this. Many of you know about my love for all things taco bell. I found this story and I have to say as much as I love Taco Bell this might be to far.
NORMAL, Illinois – Wedding bells meant the Mexican fast food chain Taco Bell for Paul and Caragh Brooks.
Customers inside the fast-food restaurant continued to order tacos and burritos as the couple sat Friday in an orange Taco Bell booth and exchanged vows.
“It’s appropriate,” groom Paul Brooks said. “It’s an offbeat relationship.”
It’s hard to believe that we are almost half way through January. It’s the 13th and this is my first post… lame!!! I can’t sleep… or… don’t want to sleep right now because Riley our 3 yr. old just went into the emergency room. I’m waiting up to hear what’s wrong with him. It’s the worst feeling in the world to know your kid is hurting and you can’t help. Even worse is when you try to help and your kid just doesn’t want you to touch them. Since I’m sitting here alone just me and my thoughts, I couldn’t help but over analyze the whole situation. As a Dad it breaks my hart to hear my son cry in pain, and when he fights you while your tyring to help, words can’t do justice to the feelings you have. As Christians I think we are some times like a sick 3 year old. We find our self in hurting situations and when our father tries to help, we throw a fit. Now I don’t believe for 2 seconds my son loves me any less, he just doesn’t know how to express his pain but to lash out. Isn’t that exactly what we do even as adults? Instead of calming down and allowing God to help us, we lash out and hurt what ever is in our way. I know I’m guilty of this. My prayer is that I just grow up. My 9 year old wants us to do everything for him when he’s sick. Well maybe not that bad, but as he’s grown up he knows dad just wants to help. He doesn’t fight me while I’m tyring to assess the issue. He communicates where it hurts better. If we can grow up spiritually and understand our father is there to help and tell him what hurts our healing time can be shorter. We won’t damage other relationship out of our own poorly expressed pain. If your hurting let God help, He is there as a loving father. He wants to make it better. Just like I want to make Riley better tonight.
Thad White is the Youth Pastor of Third Place Youth Ministry at the Soldotna Church of God, produces the Alaskan Christian TV show "A Hope For The Future" on KYES channel 5, Loves meeting people, and adding to their lives.
Thad White is the Youth Pastor of Third Place Youth Ministry at the Soldotna Church of God, produces the Alaskan Christian TV show "A Hope For The Future" on KYES channel 5, Loves meeting people, and adding to their lives. 
