Tag Archives: Wisdom

Message In A Minute: Attitude Reflects Leadership

My favorite line from the movie Remember the Titans, goes something like this.

“Attitude reflects leadership, Captain.” spoken to a team leader who wondered why the team was not united.

For many reasons presented in the movie, that moment is critical in the development of one of the main characters. From that moment on, the attitude of the leader is different and slowly the team responds in a positive way.

If you’re the leader of a small group, a large group, a corporation, a team, or a family, in most cases the overall attitude of those being lead reflects the general attitude of the leader.

If the leader is positive, those being lead trend that way. If the leader is encouraging, those being lead will likely grow more encouraging.
If the leader shows excitement for certain material, most who follow will move towards that material.

Also…

If the leader is apathetic, those being lead will lean that way. If the leader shows little interest in relationships, then the group will follow the example. If the leader is abrasive and harsh, you can imagine the attitude of those being lead.

If you’re a leader and you are frustrated with your group, check yourself first.

Because you may find a familiar reflection. (I’ve been humbled by this a few times.)

And, just as important, be careful who you allow to lead you and your family.

If you have a choice in who leads you, choose wisely. If you don’t have a choice, let your attitude be a positive influence on the leader. Be a team player unless there is corruption. Be respectful, be patient, but don’t compromise yourself for any leader.

I encourage you to follow Jesus in every area of your life. However, even if you’re not a Christian, I recommend following His teachings. The wisdom found in the life of Jesus is overwhelming.

Wherever you find yourself, if you lead, lead with integrity, confidence, and a positive attitude. And, if you have the choice in who your leader is going to be, look for competence, experience, and a healthy attitude.

The words of a leader are important, the actions of a leader are critical, but the attitude of the leader is contagious.

-Tom Wise

Message In A Minute: Protect Your Peace

A few years ago, I was sitting in my car waiting to be shown a building by a realtor.

I was early for the appointment and thought I’d just wait in the vehicle. Listening to the news on the radio, I was generally distracted from anything happening on the street. I happened to look in the passenger side mirror and noticed a young woman jogging in my direction.

She noticed me sitting in the car and she crossed the street to get as far away from me as she could. It was obvious, she made a quick decision, and played it safe. I don’t blame her at all.

We were in a business district of the city and I’m sure it looked suspicious. A man sitting in his car, in a metered spot, not appearing to be in a hurry. This lady made a judgement about the situation and acted decisively. It would be ridiculous for me to be offended by her actions. I hope my daughter would do the same in that situation.

It was a smart move.

This is a good spiritual move as well.

There is nothing wrong with avoiding potentially harmful circumstances or people.

Here’s a quick example, I have a friend who temporarily had to avoid restaurants that served alcohol. He had committed to quit drinking completely and those places reminded him of his partying days. That was a wise decision. He can go to places like that now without a second thought, but he protected his journey in an appropriate way.

Stay away from places or circumstances that tempt, discourage, or threaten you.

Along with negative or dangerous circumstances, there are also toxic people in the world. Maybe you have one in your life, you may need to protect yourself from them by setting firm boundaries, or avoiding them altogether. That decision could be temporary or permanent, that’s up to you and God. You should love everybody, but it’s fine to love some people from a distance, especially if they habitually disrespect you.

You should avoid toxic situations or people if possible.

I don’t want to suggest that you live in fear, in fact, I want to convey the opposite of living fearful.

Live faithful.

Dedicate yourself to spiritual growth, emotional health, and commit to wise physical, spiritual, and emotional boundaries.

Thrive in the opportunities God provides you, enjoy His blessings in your life, and protect your peace.

Live your life in liberty and grace, and at the same time, avoid situations that could compromise your faith.

That is wisdom.

-Tom Wise

Message In A Minute: People Over Politics

Every so often I get caught up in politics.

I know better, I can’t control it, it just happens.
It creeps up on me, and then it creeps me out.

I turn on the news and start absorbing the drama. Frustration quickly takes over. People from all perspectives quote only the statistics that support their view. At the same time, ignoring blatant facts disproving their own theories.

Finally I pull myself out of the mire and stay clean for months on end, until some current event drives me back to the same old shows, with the same old people, arguing the same old points.

I need help.

There is another thing that bothers me about the political realm. Christianity mixed with politics makes me uncomfortable. I’m not saying they should never overlap, but I’m sure that God’s grace is more powerful than our views. While I love my country, to me discipleship easily outweighs patriotism, and the flag (as much as I love it) ultimately bows to the cross.

I have my political views, you have yours. 
Let’s leave that alone.

But, I ask you to consider these next few thoughts.

Jesus most likely…

Made the conservatives upset because He spent a lot of time with the fringe of society.

Made the liberals uncomfortable because he raised the moral standard for everybody.

Made the libertarians uneasy because he gave up His rights for the good of others.

Made the moderates cringe every time He made a bold and clear stand.

Made the religious people angry because He broke the law and loved the outsiders.

Made the apathetic take notice by powerfully proclaiming His father loved everybody.

Made the powerful people uneasy because He said that love was the highest goal.

But most of all, His words pierced through all of their agendas.

His words will still do that today, if we are honest with ourselves.

Sometimes, we get too comfortable in our own ideas. Possibly, we define ourselves by our views too much. Often, our comfort zone of being right has become a barrier to serving those around us.

If we follow Jesus, we will be called to love, serve, and encourage all types of people from all walks of life, with many different views.

The more I think about it, if Jesus hasn’t made me uncomfortable recently, then I might not be following close enough.

If Jesus hasn’t made you uncomfortable recently, then you might not be following close enough.

If you are a Christ follower, make sure His message is preeminent over any earthly agenda.

Because, people are more important than politics.

-Tom Wise

Message In A Minute: Burned

On a beach vacation many years ago, I got burned.

I don’t mean sunburned, I was burned in a very surprising way.

We were one street back from the ocean, in one of those beach houses that advertises “ocean view” instead of “ocean front.” I was in the pool with others and I saw a kite come crashing down between our house and the house next to ours. I figured I’d grab the kite and take it back to whomever was flying it.

I got close to the kite and I grabbed the string that was tangled in some shrubbery. I had the string in my hand and kept walking toward the kite. I heard a car go by on the road between our house and the ocean. Next thing I know, I hear a sound like a giant zipper zipping at a high speed and my fingers felt like they were on fire.

The car had run into the kite string and took the string with it. I was holding string that was suddenly attached to a car traveling thirty miles per hour. I couldn’t let go fast enough to avoid the string cutting into my fingers. But I guess the string was moving so fast and the friction created enough heat that my fingers were basically cauterized as they were cut.

There was no blood, but I had the imprint of the string in three of my fingers for over a month.

When something drops into your vicinity, think it through before you go grab it.

Don’t assume when something falls into your life out of nowhere, that it’s meant to be. A person, a job, a chance at something you’ve dreamed about, all that and more could be wonderful opportunities.

Or these apparent opportunities could burn you if you lack wisdom.

The Old Testament has much to say about wisdom. About the success of people who have wisdom, and about the destruction of people who lack wisdom.

Scripture consistently compels us to ask for wisdom from God. It compares wisdom to a trusted friend, a wise counselor, a treasure greater than gold. The Bible promises that if you desire wisdom and understanding, God is willing to give them to you.

There are things in life that you work for, prepare for, and hope for, almost all of the time these things will have a positive impact on your life.

But be careful about things that seem to drop in your life out of thin air. These things aren’t always bad, but I encourage you to pray, seek more wisdom, look into all the details before you pick these things up.

I appreciate everyone who reads these messages, I wish great things for each of you, I hope you experience grace, hope, and encouragement.

But, above anything written by me or anyone else, I pray you seek God’s wisdom in every opportunity that comes your way.

God knows what each opportunity holds, ask Him, trust Him, and experience wisdom.

-Tom Wise

31 DAYS TO A BETTER PRAYER LIFE | DAY 23: PRAY FOR WISDOM

One of the promises in the bible is that God will grant wisdom to those who simply ask for it.  Not only will he grant wisdom, he will give it generously.

James 1:5…If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. Continue reading →