Leadership Killers

Leadership Killers — overview

From the lovely mind of Matt McGill






posted using ShareThis

A Kingdom increasing without end, standing forever.


Glory.
Glory.
Glory.

Lack of Lacrimation.

Lacrimal glands, are you in drought? Emotions are running wild. You've left me with no physical manifestation. You are not a reflex. I cut my trigeminal. You are supposed to give me a downpour. You aren't reciprocating. I am crying without weeping. Uniquely human, so they say. Am I an animal? I feel joy. I feel anger. I feel sadness. I mourn. I laugh. I get frustrated. I have a broken heart. I am thankful. I am remorseful. I am...


tearless.

Not one.
Not one drop.
Not one drop escapes.

I am human. Fully human, but your drought makes it hard to feel. I don't want crocodile tears. I'd be a fake. A hypocrite. Teeming lies. When will the drought be over? Emotions don't subside. You don't reciprocate. Please, I beg of you, make it rain.

Heart: Running with Thought

As I woke up from a restless night of rolling thoughts, I slipped on my trainers and ran headfirst into the crisp morning air, determined to work out my thoughts. I thought. And I thought.

I thought about God's love. I thought about the cross. I thought about how much bigger the cross gets to me as I mature in my faith and realize how sinful I naturally am, how short of His glory I fall. I thought about the trees, about God looking down at me standing amongst His creation--I hope our eyes met, even for just a moment. I thought about the wind--I know it's there. I can feel it. I desire God's presence to forever be wind in my life. To be what I feel, even when I cannot see. I thought about the bench I passed--the people that have sat there, the conversations that have been brought to life upon its seat. I thought about Emily and Jessi. I thought about Natalie. I thought about how beautiful these women are. Their smiles, laughs, hearts. I thought about family, about mine being saved, about how it would look to see them love Jesus--I paused, shed a tear, and pleaded with the Lord.



//pause/


I thought about Tom. His family. How much I love him. How encouraging he is to me. How he listens to those around him, his heart for those around him. His LOVE for the Lord. I thought about Jesus' righteousness. Overwhelmingly powerful: the Truth of His righteousness having been imputed upon me. Grace: abounding. Praise Him! I thought about how much He loves me. How elders will surround the Throne with angels in song, praising Him and how He loves me. I got lost in my thoughts.

/////
\\\\\

I thought about parenting. I can't wait to be a mom. To dance with my son in my arms under falling leaves. To cradle my baby girl, and lose myself in her eyes. To watch the wonder in their being overwhelm them as they meet new parts of the world. To teach them. To nurture them. To love them more than I love myself. To tell them about Jesus. To tell them how much Jesus loves them and how their life is to bring Him glory. To watch them fail and give them grace. To stand firmly beside them through all of their trials. To make it known that I will always turn an ear for them. I will always have loving arms for them to collapse into. I will discipline them when it is necessary, but I will seek the Lord and do so with discernment and wisdom. I will make it known that I can be trusted, becuase I trust the Lord. Oh blessed creations: children!

I thought about more children. Children in this world. Children with no arms to collapse into, with no eyes to trust, with no one to guide them. Children with no one to nurture and to teach them. I thought about the children that's deepest sense of affection came in the form of a slap. Once upon a time, I was there. I thought about the children that never experience love. The children that are neglected. That have parents more concerned with their own well being than their children's safety and security. I became filled with a JUST rage. A JUST anger. A part of my heart broke.

I thought about music. How it has the ability to color the world. How we can worship God through music. I thought about singing a song to God. I thought about what words I would have to say: hallelujah. Repeat. Hallelujah. I have no other words to say.

I thought about worship. About our lives as worshippers of God. About how we trick ourselves into thinking that we can do just "anything" as a form of worship. I thought about the posture of heart. The posture of a heart in worship. We must worship with intention. With knowledge and intention. I thought about how well I know God. Do I know God? Do I know His character. Can I describe Him? Can I worship something I know not of? I thought about the posture of a heart in worship. I thought about the posture of a heart in worship. I thought about...



...the POSTURE of MY heart in worship.


Grace. Praise God for His endless Grace. Grace and blessing. I don't deserve. I don't deserve His grace. I don't deserve His blessings. Yet he continues to bless me and continues to show me His grace. I thought about Romans. I thought about wanting to read and wanting to soak up the Word. So badly. What a beautiful desire. To be in the Word. Surely that desire comes not from me, but You. Praise! For You are at work. I thought about the work You have done in my life. The work You are doing in my life. I thought about how beautiful it is to KNOW that I can take no credit. It is You in me. Silence.



/do not speak//



I thought about LOVE. Your love me for me. Your love through me. Your love for Your creation. Your love for justice and righteousness and humility. Your LOVE of LOVE. You are love. As simple as it might be. Your Word tells us. I want to soak in Your love. And remain in Your presence.

I am sick and tired of this fascination with sin.

We flirt with sin--
she is tall, slender, high heeled
she is beautiful, luring, tempting;
he wears confidence, he charms,
his eyes are piercing; smile is weakening.

We say something profane here
and maybe there.
We make that joke, about what she said.
We inhale, exhale, intoxicate bodies and minds.
We lust, desire and need...
We walk the fine line, we push the limit.

And what do we say? It's funny.
We say that You know our hearts.
We make excuse after excuse.
We limit the You in us.

Our minds are not being transformed.
Our bones stand on their own.
Our hearts are hardened,
not seeking your throne.

But we say it's ok.
You shower us with grace.
But I thought we died with You?
We were buried with You.
We have been baptized into Your death.
And through your Glory we should walk
in the newness of life.

We continue to be slaves to what you've
already fought and won.
We continue to turn away, from the brightness
of your face.
We deny the freedom that dying has given us.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
We live in ourselves, not in You.
We live under law, and not under grace.

But today, I hear a symphony.
I want to be an instrument in your orchestration
of righteousness. Waltzing freely in grace....

If I ever get married...

This is what I hope my engagement photos will be like.

How Calm and Beautiful.

The Lord is risen, He lives again.
The Lord is risen, He lives again.

But now in Christ, you live again.
But now in Christ, you live again.

You die in Christ, you live again.
You die in Christ, you live again.

You die in Christ, you live again.

You die in Christ, you live again.

Wondrous Sovereign of the Sea

"Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me"
by Edward Hopper, 1818-1888



Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Over life's tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treacherous shoal.
Chart and compass come from Thee:
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.


As a mother stills her child,
Thou canst hush the ocean wild;
Boisterous waves obey Thy will
When Thou say'st to them, "Be still!"
Wondrous Sovereign of the sea,
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.


When at last I near the shore,
And the fearful breakers roar
'Twixt me and the peaceful rest,
Then, while leaning on Thy breast,
May I hear Thee say to me,
"Fear not, I will pilot thee."




Matthew 8:26

I learned to listen through silence.

I probably would have written this song. I love this little Sara. She is one talented little lady.

The older I get

...the more I want to be alone. Interesting how that happens. I still enjoy people more than you can imagine, but I long for those moments of solitude; moments where silence is my best friend.

Welcome to the Welcome Wagon/Bifrost Arts

Welcome Wagon

Bifrost Arts

Some great music? Thank you very much.

Vegan Lady

So, I've been Vegan for almost a month now. I love it. It's amazing how different my body feels. I can't handle certain smells. I can't handle fried foods. I can't handle the smell of meat at all. I can't handle the smell of grease. I can't handle soda. It's crazy!! I am also extremely turned off by the lack of desire people have to care for their bodies. I'm turned off by things that are unhealthy. I get kind of sad and frustrated when people don't care about the food they are eating or how little they exercise. It makes me sad. Genuinely. I think it's disrespectful to our bodies. I think it's offensive to God. I can't believe how lazy I was and how little I cared about myself. Now things have changed. Greatly. I can confidently say that I will never go back. I know this might sound a little harsh to some people and that some may take offense, but I really do think that this is a big deal. I think our bodies are not only "temples" but they are things that we need to take care of and love and take responsibility for. We can learn a lot from being more disciplined in areas as simple as our diet and our exercise. Oh boy, denying ourselves something we love and want? Who would have ever thought? I dare you to try to be a little bit more conscious about what you put into your mouth and how you spend your free time. ANYWAY, I'll jump off of my soap box.

Proverbs 19

1 Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.2 Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.3 When a man's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the Lord.4 Wealth brings many new friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.6 Many seek the favor of a generous man, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.7 All a poor man's brothers hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursues them with words, but does not have them.8 Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good.9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish.10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury, much less for a slave to rule over princes.11 Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.12 A king's wrath is like the growling of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.13 A foolish son is ruin to his father, and a wife's quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.14 House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.16 Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life; he who despises his ways will die.17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.18 Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.19 A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.22 What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar.23 The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth.25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.26 He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and reproach.27 Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.28 A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.29 Condemnation is ready for scoffers, and beating for the backs of fools.

Day 2

Day one was fantastic! I feel great. It was easy. I did have a minor melt-down when my insane ice-cream craving kicked in, but it was all good, I had a vegan sorbet!! For dinner I made an INCREDIBLE sauté (Thank you LISA-JOON!) and I had some nuts for a snack. It was great. I could get used to this. It's worth it. Especially since I already feel healthier. And my body totally feels like it's cleaning itself out! DETOXIFICATION! Wahoo.

Veganism

Apparently being Vegan is really great for your body. Especially if your name is Yazz. I have been recommended by a few people and doctors to try out a Vegan diet for a little while. I'm kind of nervous about this. I hope that I don't accidentally break rules I'm not supposed to break. A friend of mine took me to Henry's to buy all kinds of new foods to try and eat. We'll see what happens!! I'm excited for the challenge but nervous for my separation from cheese. And ice cream. I love cheese so very much. Oh well. I am giving myself one month. So far day one is pretty easy. It's also only 9 am. Perfect. 

Animal product free,

Yazz

I want to fly.

For some reason I was able to write a couple songs today. They aren't complete, so I guess calling them songs isn't completely accurate? I'm learning more chords. And I'm actually practicing guitar now. So we'll see what happens.

foxes

There are no atheists in foxholes.

Mrs. Darcy

"No. No. You may only call me 
Mrs. Darcy when you are 
completely and perfectly 
and incandescently happy."

I love this kind of romance way, too much. Sometimes I wonder if I was born in the wrong time period, which, for obvious reasons, I know is not true. I am trying to be less indulgent with things of romance, but I'm just a bit of a sucker for some classy love. Oh well!

Kaleidoscope

I can see things changing.

I'm afraid I can't do anything.

    /////it just might be a good thing.

Sorry.

I say sorry, too much.