Which of the following are similar to the ways you've served Christ in your family? [check all that apply]
• Taught your kids to see God's glory in nature
• Washed the dishes without being asked
• Played a board game with your kids
• Encouraged your wife to finish her master's degree
• Attended a child's open house at school
• Worked fewer hours to be with your family
• Set an example of a godly prayer life for your children
• Held a crying child
• Swung on the tire swing with your daughter
• Told your wife why you're still in love with her
• Told your son he's got what it takes
• Coached soccer
• Let you child correct you now and then
• Fixed the vacuum cleaner
• Taught your sons to ride a bike
• Listened patiently to a complaint of your wife
• Taped your child's artwork to your office wall
• Admitted to your kids that you were wrong
• Told your children how Christ entered your life
• Cleaned up vomit
• Taught your children to love books
• Been romantic without expecting sex
• Told your daughter she's smart/beautiful
• Set standards for your kids and stuck to them
• Dealt graciously with a busybody neighbor
• Peeled carrots
• Watched movies together
Overlooked Foul Theme of the Week: Leadership Ingredients Friday, September 13, 2002
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September/October 200255Overlooked FoulTheme of the Week: Leadership Ingredients Overlooked Foul Theme of the Week: Leadership Ingredients Friday, September 13
Key Bible Verse: I had to oppose him publicly, speaking strongly against what he was doing, for it was very wrong (Galatians 2:11). Bonus Reading:Ezra 9:1-15
Two rival high school basketball teams were going at it fast and furious. Late in the first half, a guard for one team stole the ball and headed for an easy layup. But before he could shoot, an opponent caught him and sent him crashing to the floor.
For some reason, the referee failed to call this flagrant foul. But the coach of the offending player noticed. He pulled him out of the game, put his arm around him, and told him that kind of play is unacceptable.
Leadership like that is rare. It takes a person of courage to stand up in a crowd, admit that there's wrongdoing on his side, and then take steps to correct it.
Ezra was that kind of leader. When he was told "Many of the people of Israel, and even some of the priests and Levites have not kept themselves separate" (9:1), he reacted with deep sorrow. He confronted the wrong and identified with the people, confessing the sin.
"Oh my God," he said as he fell on his knees before the Lord, "I am utterly ashamed; … our guilt has reached to the heavens" (v. 6).
You can follow with confidence a leader who'll take responsibility—even in a bad situation.
—Dave Branon in Power Up!
My Response: A wrong that I need to acknowledge and address is …
Thought to Apply: Do what is right, not what you think headquarters wants or what you think will make you look good. —Norman Schwarzkopf (general in the Gulf War)
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