Some links and quotes that caught my eye this week.
Romans 8:28 tells us that God uses ALL things to accomplish His purpose for our lives. Too many times I tried to rush through things without getting anything out of it. I have lots of new content every week, which you can check out on my YouTube channel.
He is 98 years old and he’s still busy serving other people! I pray we can all be as selfless and vibrant in ministering to others until the…
In the Bible, Jesus said, "This is my command: love one another." Some people fulfill this commandment daily and in many ways, but how? (Click/Tap the link to read more)
“This is my command: love one another.”
~ John 15:17/NIV
When Jesus Christ walked the earth, He demonstrated love and kindness in many ways: He fed the hungry, ministered to the hurting, healed people with physical afflictions, offered many kind words, provided much hope and encouragement, demonstrated a caring nature to those who did not have a true friend, and He paid our sin-debt through His…
If Teachers Are Not An Advocate For Teaching, Then Who Will?
The other night, I was having a conversation with a future educator, and she was so excited about becoming a teacher. Now, she is a product of a family of educators, but deciding to be a teacher doesn’t always happen with educator’s children.
With that being said, she went on and on about how cool being a teacher was. As I sat there listening, I began to wonder why education does not have more…
Disney movies aren't real. The Hallmark Channel isn't real. The Princess Bride isn't real. Romance novels aren't real. Adult videos aren't real. Hashtag-riddled Instagram posts of celebrity couples aren't real. 80s love ballads aren't real. And, as much as I hate to say it, The Addams Family isn't real.
Most Americans' (and Canadians') view of love is primarily influenced by one or more of these. Before one gets married, one needs to disavow all of these things as remotely realistic depictions of how couples are to love each other. Loving is an action, and if your concept of the act of loving is based primarily in self-fulfillment and emotion, your relationships are all doomed to fail.
Too many people try to impress you with what they have rather than what they have done to make the world a better place.
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君子喻於義,小人喻於利。
The superior man thinks of virtue; the small man thinks of comfort. The superior man thinks of righteousness; the small man thinks of material advantages he may gain for himself.
Took a risk and "HOBY hopped" to the California South seminar...
It was barely over a month before HOBY LA that I knew I would be volunteering this seminar year. Similarly, it was only two weeks before HOBY Cal South that I decided I would be part of their site operations.
As an alumna of their leadership curriculum at the HOBY Los Angeles seminar and World Leadership Congress in 2016, I know the transformative power that this non-profit organization has on high school sophomores— it's the "HOBY magic." My own ambassador experiences are why I will always donate my time when I am able. Since then, I've dedicated myself to intentionally expounding upon my own life experiences in every aspect I can.
Before Thursday, I'd never met anyone on this team. Having previously been on Junior Staff and Facilitating teams, it was on my bucket list to volunteer on Operations at least once. Upon meeting I noticed that aside from the two Ops directors and one other volunteer, much of our team was under 21.
Being a full adult, it felt like I had little in common amongst Ops and worried whether or not I'd feel a sense of belonging at this new site. Nevertheless, we collectively had so much fun. And we grew together by moving mountains to put on an OUTSTANDING seminar whilst learning about ourselves and one another.
This experience on the Operations team undoubtedly embodies the HOBY magic that volunteers feel in every position. The HOBY magic of sharing an experience and growing amongst a team of very different but likeminded individuals that you may have never crossed paths with otherwise.
Though I feel fulfilled with the Operations, I felt far removed from the student ambassadors. I would have loved to have heard and seen more of their experiences from the weekend. Regardless, HOBY never fails to remind me how much life has to offer and how wonderfully exciting youth is. I know I'll volunteer at HOBY SoCal again, but surely in a different role to continue growing as a volunteer.
″‘I am covered with fine gold,’ said the Prince, ‘you must take it off, leaf by leaf, and give it to my poor; the living always think that gold can make them happy.’”
Processing… this old dog still has tricks. I’ve worked for three years to get to a specific work role and turns out I was right! The last couple of months have been challenging but today I had a feeling of delight that has never come from work in the past. I even did a happy dance. More than once. I’m giddy.
If God has given you influence as a leader, it is never to further your agenda but to help others grow. Leadership is about servanthood. If we try to make leadership about others serving me, we will quickly get ourselves in trouble.
Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.
https://craigtowens.files.wordpress.com/2024/03/influencers-give-away-their-power.mp3
If God has given you influence as a leader, it is never to further your agenda but to help others grow. Leadership is about servanthood. If we try to make leadership about others serving…
Have you ever wondered why Christians refer to the Thursday of Holy Week as Maundy Thursday? (Click/Tap the link to read more)
Good Friday Extended Devotion
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”
~ John 13:34
Have you ever wondered why Christians refer to the Thursday of Holy Week as Maundy Thursday? It’s the day we celebrate and observe the events that occurred in the upper room of a building between Jesus and His disciples, including…
Godliness: 7 Characteristics That Define a Life of Purpose
What is ‘godliness’? Rooted in faith and grounded in a relationship with God, the qualities that define a godly person resonate throughout Scripture, offering a blueprint for spiritual growth and transformation. Let’s explore seven key characteristics that help define the essence of godliness:
1. Faithfulness and Trust in God
At the core of godliness lies unwavering faith and trust in the…
In today’s world, where leadership often equates to power, wealth, and fame, there is a growing quest for authentic influence. Grounded in Christian teachings, the concept of servant leadership offers profound insights, prioritizing service over dominance.
Drawing from the teachings of Jesus in Mark 10:43-45, genuine leadership is defined: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your…
"Greatest" Doesn't Necessarily Mean What You Think It Means
Sports fans like to argue about who the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) is, regardless of the sport. Is it Michael or LeBron? Nicklaus or Tiger? Ali or Tyson? Caitlyn Cook or Sheryl Swoopes? Who is the Greatest Of All Time? In sports, it’s kinda fun to argue about who the Greatest is… But consider this, when it comes to true greatness: Our society has many standards, and most of them are wrong. We…