JonathanPearson.net

How To Lead A Significant #Movement

Deuteronomy 5:29 Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!

Everyone wants to make a difference.
Everyone wants to do something significant.
Everyone wants their life to count beyond their own time on earth.

Deep down, we all want to be a part of something much larger than ourselves…
Regardless of our beliefs.

I love that in Deuteronomy 5, God gives us some great insight into how to truly lead a God sized movement.

We see what we need to do in order to make a difference.
What we need to do in order to be a part of something significant.

If it were a formula, it might look something like this…
heart + action = blessing

In other words, before you and I will ever be able to lead a significant movement, we must first allow God to work on our hearts. We must come to him open, honest, bare, and willing to change and obey Him… willing to submit to what He wants from us.

That’s what drives us to action. He speaks and moves us to act on what He’s already done in our heart. We become burdened with a God vision and forced to act on it… it’s too deep not to get done when it’s placed in our heart by God.

We sit so we can act.

We seek God and allow him to change our heart.
We do the thing(s) that he places in our heart.
We see the blessing.

That’s where movements are born.

That’s where the world is reshaped.

Feb 2012

POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson

POSTED IN

Blog, Devotional Thought, Leadership

DISCUSSION 9 Comments

1 Way To Honor Your Spouse (or anyone else)

I don’t remember who I heard say this, but for some reason, it stuck with me.

It stuck with me enough that it’s become something I practice regularly when my wife walks into the room where I’m sitting.

I stand up.

I know it seems simple, but it’s just my way of honoring her,
of honoring her presence in the room.

It’s my way of acknowledging that her presence means something to me.

What’s one way you honor your spouse, significant other, or anyone you respect?

Would you RT this post to help spread the honor?

Feb 2012

POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson

POSTED IN

Blog, Life

DISCUSSION 24 Comments

Leading While Breathing

Leadership = Influence

The truth is, no matter who you are, where you go, what you do, or who you’re around, you’re influencing (leading) someone.

Whether you realize it or not, your decisions are effecting (or affecting, I get those confused) other people.
Whether you realize it or not, someone is watching you move so they know how to.
Whether you realize it or not, you’re impacting other people.

Your family.
Your children.
Your spouse.
Your classmates.
Your employees.
Other leaders.

Lead well.

Consider others as you lead.
Pursue relationships that can impact you.
Pursue relationships where you can impact others.

Don’t shy away from leading.
Don’t back down.

Lead well.

Who are you leading?
How are you leading?

Feb 2012

POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson

POSTED IN

Blog, Leadership, Life

DISCUSSION 6 Comments

3 Stages of Understanding

When I come across new music that I like, I rarely just buy one song off of iTunes.

I usually buy the entire album.

After I download it, I listen straight through the CD. My thinking, of course, is that if I like the one song, I may like the entire album.

As I was listening to a new album last week, I had this thought…

I learn music in 3 stages.

And, I don’t think it’s just music that I go through these stages in. In fact, I think much of what I do and understand some how and in some ways tracks through 3 similar stages of understanding…

1. Beat

The first few times of hearing a new song, I get a sense of the beat of the song… I understand the tempo a little. There’s really (at least for me) nothing more to it the first few times. I have a very limited and general understanding. However, I usually make a decision based on that limited information as to if I want to continue to learn the son.

2. Basics

After hearing the song for a few days and weeks, I begin to get a basic understanding. i understand the tempo to the song, some of the instruments used in the song, and some of the words (the chorus mainly). At this point, I have a basic understanding of what the song is about and where the artist is coming from.

3. Details

Finally, after a few weeks of hearing a song repeatedly, I begin to fully understand it. The little things in the song begin to stand out to me. I begin to know what those hard to understand words are (you know, the ones you usually just hum too?). I get the details of it and understand it completely. Now, don’t get me wrong… I still don’t know it as well as the artists.

Why is any of this important?

Because, if we can get through these stages quicker, the possibilities are better. If we can help others understand more quickly, the vision will be closer to becoming a reality.

What about you? Have you noticed this process in any particular life situations? Any unique places/leadership areas?

Feb 2012

POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson

POSTED IN

Blog, Leadership, Life

DISCUSSION 1 Comment

Paint Your Canvas

When an artist stands in front of a blank canvas for the first time, the possibilities are endless. The artist can paint absolutely anything they want inside the parameters of the canvas and the paint that sits in front of them. They determine what goes on to the canvas, the mood of the painting, and what others will see when they look at the finished art.

Each day, you and I sit in front of an empty canvas that is our life. As we go through our day, it’s painted with the places we go, the people we interact with, the way we effect those people, the way we react to circumstances, and the purposes we achieve for that day.

My challenge to us today…

Paint your canvas.

Dont let someone else come in and steal it from you.
Don’t let tough times rob the joy from it.
Don’t let the enemy convince you that your canvas is void of potential because of its painter.

Paint your canvas.

Your life is a canvas too. At the end of it, something will appear.
What will it be? What will people see as they look at it? What will they remember as they see your canvas in full?

Paint your canvas.
Let God determine the picture.

Is your canvas not what you want it to be?

You’re in luck…

Today brings a completely blank one…
Your life’s canvas can be changed for good. No matter what you’ve been painting, it’s not too late to get a new canvas.

Use today’s canvas for what you talked about doing yesterday.
Use today’s canvas to do what you’ve been wanting to do for months.
Use today’s canvas to make that right but tough decision.
Use today’s canvas to help someone you know needs it.
Use today’s canvas to encourage the person beside you.

Paint your canvas.

What are you wanting to paint today?

[Free Stuff - Click the image above to view it full size and save it to your iphone or mobile device. Set it as your homepage wallpaper. The text falls directly below the last row of apps and above the dock. (of course, RT's appreciated #PaintYourCanvas)]