Everyone likes change - except when it makes things different!
Four things we want:
1. Progress - but not the unknown that comes with it.
2. Security and stability - but not the stagnation.
3. Love - but not the risk of rejection.
4. Adventure - but no the unpredictable journey of charting a new course.
What we want is yesterday, today and tomorrow all tied up in one neat little package that does not exist.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad ::: Visit Mark's website at: www.markzministries.com
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Gaining Feedback for Personal & Leadership Growth
As leaders it is important for us to seek feedback from others. I helps us take a pulse on where we are as leaders and how we are doing. There are times that our perceptions of how we are doing are vastly different from the perceptions of others. Or there are times we need some direction to navigate more clearly through decisions.
I think there are right and wrong ways to gain feedback. If you don't do it right, you may only hear what people think you want to hear. To gain the most from honest feedback, you should follow these tips:
1. Ask for feedback in the right environment - comfortable quiet place!
2. Tell the person from whom you're seeking feedback that you want honest input about a particular situation or concern. Emphasize your sincerity, and explain your motivation.
3. Remember, the feedback you are requesting represents an important point of view, so don't get defensive.
4. Listen carefully and ask for elaboration (but be sure not to off-handedly invalidate feedback).
5. Make sure you express your appreciation for your advisor's time and help.
Feedback is important because it helps us face our reality with courage. I have always believed that we must listen to our critics because they are often the only ones who will tell us the truth.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad ::: Visit Mark's website at: www.markzministries.com
I think there are right and wrong ways to gain feedback. If you don't do it right, you may only hear what people think you want to hear. To gain the most from honest feedback, you should follow these tips:
1. Ask for feedback in the right environment - comfortable quiet place!
2. Tell the person from whom you're seeking feedback that you want honest input about a particular situation or concern. Emphasize your sincerity, and explain your motivation.
3. Remember, the feedback you are requesting represents an important point of view, so don't get defensive.
4. Listen carefully and ask for elaboration (but be sure not to off-handedly invalidate feedback).
5. Make sure you express your appreciation for your advisor's time and help.
Feedback is important because it helps us face our reality with courage. I have always believed that we must listen to our critics because they are often the only ones who will tell us the truth.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad ::: Visit Mark's website at: www.markzministries.com
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Common Stages of Victim Cycles
I have been enjoying a book entitled, "The Oz Principle: Getting results through Accountability." This book helps define principles I have sensed, or even began to develop personal leadership philosophies on...however, lacked the ability to define in simplistic ways. I have always believed that as leaders we are responsible for our thoughts, feelings, attitudes and actions...not the thoughts, feelings, attitudes and actions of others.
The book "The OZ Principle's," basic premise is that there is no wizard that will solve all our problems. We have to take personal responsibility for our lives...in other words let's take responsibility for our thoughts...our feelings...our attitudes and our actions! In other words... "IF ITS GONNA BE...IT'S UP TO ME!"
More to come...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad ::: Visit Mark's website at: www.markzministries.com
The book "The OZ Principle's," basic premise is that there is no wizard that will solve all our problems. We have to take personal responsibility for our lives...in other words let's take responsibility for our thoughts...our feelings...our attitudes and our actions! In other words... "IF ITS GONNA BE...IT'S UP TO ME!"
More to come...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad ::: Visit Mark's website at: www.markzministries.com
Location:Anchorage, Ak
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
leadership and Influence
I love the verse in Matthew 5:1 where it states, "One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went to a hillside and sat down."
In the Message it words it this way, "When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a mountain. Those apprenticed to him, His climbing companions also came. When the reached the top he began to teach them."
I like this verse because I think it challenges us as leaders to look at the season we are in. Here are some principles that I believe we can extract from this passage as leaders:
1. We must grow if we see our ministry grow!
2. We must not get caught up in the growth...without getting caught up with the growing!
3. We cannot not take everyone with us!
4. We cannot take others where we have not first been ourselves!
5. If we don't climb...we will continue to see things from perspective we are currently at not the new level God wants to take us to.
6. To grow we must grow!
Just some pondering's for the ponder's! Enjoy!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad ::: Visit Mark's website at: www.markzministries.com
In the Message it words it this way, "When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a mountain. Those apprenticed to him, His climbing companions also came. When the reached the top he began to teach them."
I like this verse because I think it challenges us as leaders to look at the season we are in. Here are some principles that I believe we can extract from this passage as leaders:
1. We must grow if we see our ministry grow!
2. We must not get caught up in the growth...without getting caught up with the growing!
3. We cannot not take everyone with us!
4. We cannot take others where we have not first been ourselves!
5. If we don't climb...we will continue to see things from perspective we are currently at not the new level God wants to take us to.
6. To grow we must grow!
Just some pondering's for the ponder's! Enjoy!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad ::: Visit Mark's website at: www.markzministries.com
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Genesis 9:6-7a, "For God mad human beings in his image. Now be fruitful..."
You have to love this verse. Part of being created in the image of God means that we are created to bear fruit.
Matthew 7:16-19
16
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
17
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
19
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
1. WE ARE RECOGNIZABLE BY OUR FRUIT.
2. WE ARE REPRESENTATIVES OF OUR FRUIT
3. WE ARE REPROGRAMMED BY OUR ROOT TO PRODUCE A FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH THE ROOT.
4. WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR DESTINY
JUST A FEW THOUGHTS ON BEARING FRUIT!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad ::: Visit Mark's website at: www.markzministries.com
You have to love this verse. Part of being created in the image of God means that we are created to bear fruit.
Matthew 7:16-19
16
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
17
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
19
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
1. WE ARE RECOGNIZABLE BY OUR FRUIT.
2. WE ARE REPRESENTATIVES OF OUR FRUIT
3. WE ARE REPROGRAMMED BY OUR ROOT TO PRODUCE A FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH THE ROOT.
4. WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR DESTINY
JUST A FEW THOUGHTS ON BEARING FRUIT!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad ::: Visit Mark's website at: www.markzministries.com
Saturday, January 1, 2011
One.One.011
This morning I started again on a journey that took me 365 days last year to complete and today I started on the journey again. That journey is reading the Bible through in a year. I have always heard that to do the same thing and expect a different result is the definition of insanity!
What I find so unique about the Bible is that it is amazing that you can see new things in new ways. This year that is one of my prayers and goals! To see new things in new ways!
This morning I saw an old verse in a new way. In fact I read two books this year on the topic/theme of Christmas and read the Christmas story several times. With that said I still saw something fresh and new today from the Christmas story in Matthew 1. The verse reads:
Matthew 1:19 (NIV)
"Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly."
What leaped off the page and into my pondering's this morning are several leadership principles that we can learn about how to handle difficult situations with relationships. Joseph found out some very difficult information concerning his bride to be Mary. Mary is expecting a child. Here are some principles that spoke to me this morning.
1. Joseph's character charted his course (he was righteous)
2. Joseph allowed his mind to dictate his decisions not his emotions (he had in mind)
***How many times do we allow emotions in crisis to lead us rather than our mind. "If you keep your head when everyone else is losing their's you will stand a bit taller in crisis!"
3. Joseph chose to protect Mary publicly and confront privately!
Great leadership choice. When you are in a crisis to remain calm. Let your cognitive (mind) lead you not your emotions. Always support in public and confront in private.
This year chose during relational crisis to think before you act!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad ::: Visit Mark's website at: www.markzministries.com
What I find so unique about the Bible is that it is amazing that you can see new things in new ways. This year that is one of my prayers and goals! To see new things in new ways!
This morning I saw an old verse in a new way. In fact I read two books this year on the topic/theme of Christmas and read the Christmas story several times. With that said I still saw something fresh and new today from the Christmas story in Matthew 1. The verse reads:
Matthew 1:19 (NIV)
"Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly."
What leaped off the page and into my pondering's this morning are several leadership principles that we can learn about how to handle difficult situations with relationships. Joseph found out some very difficult information concerning his bride to be Mary. Mary is expecting a child. Here are some principles that spoke to me this morning.
1. Joseph's character charted his course (he was righteous)
2. Joseph allowed his mind to dictate his decisions not his emotions (he had in mind)
***How many times do we allow emotions in crisis to lead us rather than our mind. "If you keep your head when everyone else is losing their's you will stand a bit taller in crisis!"
3. Joseph chose to protect Mary publicly and confront privately!
Great leadership choice. When you are in a crisis to remain calm. Let your cognitive (mind) lead you not your emotions. Always support in public and confront in private.
This year chose during relational crisis to think before you act!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad ::: Visit Mark's website at: www.markzministries.com
Friday, December 24, 2010
I wish you a MARY Christmas
The Mary Miracle! Let's look at this this Christmas season:
1. Mary was a virgin
Mary's virginity represents the impossibility, humanly speaking, of life coming forth. We need to see her virginity as the hopelessness of the situation. Can you see yourself in Mary's situation? There is a dark pocket in your life, as with here womb, where life has never entered. The Mary Miracle is something that is available to each of us.
2. The Angel Came @ An Appointed Time | Luke 1:26-27
Just as God had an appointed time to send his son into the word...God has an appointed time for each of us. God has an appointed time to enter the darkness of the world around us to bring his light.
3. The Angel Came to an Appointed Place
The Angel of the Lord came at an appointed time to and appointed place...
I want to encourage you that God knows your address!
4. The Angel Came to an Appointed Person
5. The Angel Said Mary was Highly Favored | Luke 1:28
The word used for highly favored here in this verse is only found two times in the New Testament. Once in this discourse of the Angel with Mary and once in Ephesians when Paul is addressing the saints "...the accepted ones in Christ."
We are highly favored, highly accepted! Every single one of us. The same thing said of Mary is also said of us.
6. The Angel made a Pronouncement | Luke 1:31-33
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad ::: Visit Mark's website at: www.markzministries.com
1. Mary was a virgin
Mary's virginity represents the impossibility, humanly speaking, of life coming forth. We need to see her virginity as the hopelessness of the situation. Can you see yourself in Mary's situation? There is a dark pocket in your life, as with here womb, where life has never entered. The Mary Miracle is something that is available to each of us.
2. The Angel Came @ An Appointed Time | Luke 1:26-27
Just as God had an appointed time to send his son into the word...God has an appointed time for each of us. God has an appointed time to enter the darkness of the world around us to bring his light.
3. The Angel Came to an Appointed Place
The Angel of the Lord came at an appointed time to and appointed place...
I want to encourage you that God knows your address!
4. The Angel Came to an Appointed Person
5. The Angel Said Mary was Highly Favored | Luke 1:28
The word used for highly favored here in this verse is only found two times in the New Testament. Once in this discourse of the Angel with Mary and once in Ephesians when Paul is addressing the saints "...the accepted ones in Christ."
We are highly favored, highly accepted! Every single one of us. The same thing said of Mary is also said of us.
6. The Angel made a Pronouncement | Luke 1:31-33
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad ::: Visit Mark's website at: www.markzministries.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)