STRETCH

Stench

Stench is definitely the smell that lingers from our junk.  When the junk isn't thrown out, the stench gets worse.  Becareful to remove the stench, if you don't, you will find yourself all alone.  People will not follow you as long as you are leaving a stench trail.

Stench 1:  SELF-PROMOTION

Proverbs 27:2 "Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips."

I was watching American Idol recently.  I love how they show the worst people first.  Sometimes they are so bad, it makes me cringe.  That is exactly what happens when you sing your own praises.  It sounds awful, out of tune and just plain gross.  It stinks.

But when other people sing your praises, it's beautiful.  The key to having other people sing your praises is to stop singing your own.

Leave that nasty stench behind!

Stretch yourself

Jesse

STENCH pt 3

Stench is the smell that lingers from our junk.  When the junk isn't thrown out, the smell gets worse.  Be careful to remove the junk, if you don't, you will find yourself all alone.  People will not follow you as long as you are leaving a stench trail.

Stench 2:  POWER STRUGGLES

Matthew 20:28  "Just as the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life for many."

Watch out for this obnoxious leadership odor.  Power struggles are played by insecure leaders. Leadership is only leadership when you are 'leading' others.  Some leader's confuse leadership with demandership.  They use their foul charm to demand individuals do certain things.  Youth pastors are great at this because they play somewhat of a parental role to their teenagers.

Instead, true leaders understand that serving others leverages your positional authority.  You are never more like Jesus when you take time to serve those you are leading.  It has always amazed me that Jesus came to earth and in His own words told us he came to serve.  Well, look at Him now:  Estimates are in and there are approximately 1 BILLION Christ-followers.

So, as a leader in your household, church, organization or community.  How can you effectively serve those that follow you?

 
Power Struggles: They're a stinker.  Leave that nasty stench behind!

Stretch yourself

STENCH - pt 2

Stench is the smell that lingers from our junk.  When the junk isn't thrown out, the smell gets worse.  Be careful to remove the junk, if you don't, you will find yourself all alone.  People will not follow you as long as you are leaving a stench trail.

Stench 2:  PRIDE

Proverbs 16:18  "Pride comes before destruction."

Watch out for this obnoxious leadership odor.  It creeps in on us slowly and builds up over time before we eventually collapse under the toxic weight of arrogance.  Decaying leaders often have the 'gift' of blaming things on other people rather than taking responsibility for finding solutions to the issues.

Many successful companies rely on periodic performance reviews to gauge the effectiveness of their employees.  Leaders should evaluate themselves often to combat the stench that prevents us from leading others.

Pride: It's a stinker.  Leave that nasty stench behind!

Stretch yourself

Jesse

STENCH

Stench is definitely the smell that lingers from our junk.  When the junk isn't thrown out, the stench gets worse.  Becareful to remove the stench, if you don't, you will find yourself all alone.  People will not follow you as long as you are leaving a stench trail.

Stench 1:  SELF-PROMOTION

Proverbs 27:2 "Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips."

I was watching American Idol recently.  I love how they show the worst people first.  Sometimes they are so bad, it makes me cringe.  That is exactly what happens when you sing your own praises.  It sounds awful, out of tune and just plain gross.  It stinks.

But when other people sing your praises, it's beautiful.  The key to having other people sing your praises is to stop singing your own.

Leave that nasty stench behind!

Stretch yourself

Jesse