Leadership Lessons from Romans 12

Even for Non Christians Romans 12 holds a lot of wisdom that can make us all stronger as leaders. Follow me as I break this chapter down and show you what I mean !

First look what it teaches us in verse 3 where it says, “… to every man that is among you, not to think more highly than he ought to think.” Here it talks about humility, which can be a very important quality in a leader. Certainly we have to be confident and decisive. However we also have to be humble enough to recognize the needs of our members, customers, team members, and other stake holders. We cannot truly discern these needs if we become to self absorbed.

Verse 4 tells us “ For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office.” What this reminds us as secular leaders is that no matter what the size of our team is, not every body has the same part to play on our team. Just as in the spiritual world, we must be sure that each role is properly supported, and done by the right person. In Romans this thought continues all the way to the end of verse 8. It’s that important !

Verse 9 touches on the need for us as leaders to be ethical in all our dealings when it says, “ Abhor that which is evil, cleave to that which is good.” All those in our circle need to be able to trust us as leaders. This holds true for those we lead, those our organization serves, and everyone else we come into contact with. Trustworthiness is a key quality of any effective leader, and we should constantly be in pursuit of it.

Next let’s look at how to deal with people who are difficult, or don’t treat us fairly. Verse 14 tells us, “ Bless them who persecute you: bless, and curse not.” Verses 17 and 18 reinforce the same idea, “ Recompense to no man evil for evil, Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18: If it be possible, as much lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” These verses fit well with what I have taught in both the Christian and secular world for years, “ Its not about them or what they did, its about you and the kind of person you want to be.” This has never been more true than it is of us as leaders. Notice also that it speaks of honesty tying in with what we spoke of above. These concepts are much more interlocked than you would think. They become even more important when dealing with those who are not being honest with us. Morton Blackwell the Founder of The Leadership Institute, which as trained hundreds of congressmen, state legislators, etc. put it this way, “ Don’t get mad except on purpose.” If we allow the other side through their behaviors or tactics to drive events, we are no longer leading, but following their lead. Think about that for a long moment !

As leaders in today’s world we have to be ready to lead people from a wider variety of backgrounds than ever before. Because of that we have to seek input from the widest possible range of sources. One of the things I hope I have shown you in this article is that faith, particularly the Christian faith has a lot to offer in terms of what people believe what they believe, do what they do, and how we are to respond to it all.

Internationally Known Christian Writer Reflects on the Passing of Barbara Bush.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Katy, Texas: Rev. Robert A. Crutchfield founder of FaithInspires.Org released the following statement on the death of Former First Lady Barbara Bush.

“Nancy Reagan has been remembered for her talent, grace and dignity. Barbara Bush on the other hand will be remembered by most of us in a far different way. Barbara Bush is one of only two women in American History to be both the wife of a president, and the mother of a president. You have to go all the way back to the father and son Adams duo for the last time that happened. But that is not what we will remember about Barbara Bush either !

Barbara Bush will be remembered as everyone’s grandmother. The contrast between her and Nancy Reagan was striking. Bush came off as much more approachable. She was the everyone’s first lady. Someone most Americans could both admire and identify with. We will long remember her advocacy for reading, and education. She will go down in our memories as a champion of the family.

Her passing certainly saddens me, and many, many of you. My prayers and condolences go out to the Bush Family, and everyone who knew or admired this great lady. May God’s comfort and strength be with the Bush Family, and you all as you travel through your grief.”

 

REV. ROBERT A. CRUTCHFIELD is an internationally known Christian writer, who also served as Chairman of the Republican Party for the Sixth State Senate District (Texas) in the mid-nineties.  It was by nomination from the Office of then Governor Bush, that he was named a Local Board Member with The U.S. Selective Service System. Crutchfield’s work has appeared on Linkedin, SelfGrowth.Com, Katy Christian Magazine, and Motivate Amaze Be Great among other places. In October 2016 he was named Scriggler Author of the Month from among hundreds of writers from multiple countries.

Godblessyoutalkingcarhorn.com Makes its Debut in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 5, 2018 /Christian Newswire/ — Chris Corso, creator and owner of Godblessyoutalkingcarhorn.com, says, “GBYTCH is not in the business of selling horns, but in the business of making smiles. God bless you talking car horn’s doors are open to all – Christians, Catholics, Baptists, Presbyterian, Muslims, Jewish and even the non-religious. It is a very unique car horn, like no others.”

 

Owners of Godblessyoutalkingcarhorn simply press the remote on their key tag and listen to “God Bless You” at just right level, not too loud- but not intrusive.

 

“It’s a quiet retort to an angry horn, most of the time it’s a smile maker,” observed Corso. Pulling out of a parking space into traffic, toot the GBY horn to the person that gives you a break, It’s a smile. Stop to allow a family to cross the street, toot GBY it’s a smile. A sneeze by someone as you sit at a red light…toot GBY it’s a smile. And if you can handle a little extra attention at church on Sunday, toot GBY in a church parking lot, many smiles.

 

These are just some of the examples founder Chris Corso offers up. Test marketing is being done in Texas, Oklahoma, as well as in Southern California. Comments such as “Amen, and I want one,” have been received.

 

At $49.95 “You can create miles and miles of smiles, coming and going, theirs and yours, day in week out.” Corso says, “It’s in God’s hands now or should I say, in God’s horn?”

 

Instagram profile on Godblessyoutalkingcarhorn.com

NRB Mourns Passing of R.C. Sproul

WASHINGTON (NRB) – Dr. R.C. Sproul, founder of Ligonier Ministries, went to be with the Lord today (December 14) at the age of 78, the ministry announced. “He died peacefully after being hospitalized twelve days ago due to severe respiratory difficulties exacerbated by the flu and complicated by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),” reported Chris Larson, president & CEO of Ligonier, a longtime NRB member. The ministry said it will publish details about the memorial service and provide an opportunity to leave a note of appreciation for Sproul’s ministry at RCSproul.com. “This popular teacher is now with the One who loves him most, and we both rejoice for Dr. Sproul and mourn for all who will miss him,” said NRB President & CEO Dr. Jerry A. Johnson. “For more than five decades, the Lord has used Dr. Sproul to spread the life-changing truths of biblical Christianity and to expose people to the grace and the knowledge of the Lord. From the inquiring skeptic to the growing Christian, Dr. Sproul has impacted countless lives. And so, today, we give thanks to God for his life and for his ministry.” An ordained teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America, Sproul was heard on the radio program Renewing Your Mind, which is broadcast in the United States and around the world. He wrote more than 100 books, including The Holiness of God and Everyone’s a Theologian. In addition to serving as founder and chairman of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian education and discipleship organization located near Orlando, Sproul was co-pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Florida; chancellor of Reformation Bible College; and executive editor of Tabletalkmagazine. He also served as general editor of the Reformation Study Bible. Earlier this year, Sproul was one of five speakers who delivered an address on a “Sola” of the Protestant Reformation during the annual NRB International Christian Media Convention. Sproul spoke on the topic of “Sola Scriptura” (Scripture alone) – one of five Latin phrases that emerged during the Reformation to summarize the Reformers’ theological convictions about the essentials of Christianity. In February 2016, Sproul was inducted into the NRB Hall of Fame – NRB’s most prestigious award. The Hall of Fame award is presented to an individual NRB member for invaluable contribution to the field of Christian communications, exhibition of the highest standards, and evidence of faithfulness in Christ.

Happy Thanksgiving 2017

Moments ago international award winning Christian Writer, and Faithinspires.Org Founder Rev. Robert A. Crutchfield released the following brief Thanksgiving message.

” There are those who will argue that Thanksgiving is not a religious holiday. Part of the argument is the holiday has no direct connection to scripture, or the first century church.

However as Christians, if we are going to set aside a day to make a point of being thankful, who else should we be more thankful to than Almighty God and his son Jesus who died on the cross for us all.

Its been an historically tough year for all of us in the Katy/Houston Area. Last night I learned that there are still 2,700 students in Katy ISD alone who are without permanent homes following Hurricane Harvey. And that just scratches the surface of the suffering going on around us.

Even so, if we look hard enough and long enough I’m sure we can all still find things to be thankful for in this day. Given what we have all been through these last few months, we need to look harder and loner than ever for such things.

May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with you all, and power your gratitude toward him and our Heavenly Father.”

Pastor Crutchfield is also a Christian Healing Expert at SelfGrowth.Com, the world’s leading self help website. In addition he can be found on Youtube.

Internationally Known Christian Writer and Minister Comments on Texas Church Shooting.

(Katy,Texas) Rev. Robert A. Crutchfield,founder of FaithInspires.Org released the following statement after hearing about today’s mass church shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas. ” It is a sad day for Texas, for all Christians, and all people of sincere faith. Anytime violence strikes a  place of worship, particularly on the Sabbath, the hurt burrows deep. Any motive if known has not yet been made public. Even so we cannot remake this world according to any one tragedy. Neither can we regulate such tragedies away. We can however rededicate  ourselves to what our faith teaches us.  We live in a fallen world, one which desperately needs our example. What we can do is rededicate ourselves to reaching out to those around us. To sharing Christ’s compassion to those who are hurting. To befriend those who are struggling and feel alone. The root causes of such tragedies must be discovered and met head on with what scripture has taught us.”

Crutchfield went on to say ” As always we engage in ongoing prayer, first of all for the first responders many of whom must live the rest of their lives dealing with the horrors of events such as we saw today. Even more so we pray that God will endure with the families of those killed, the injured and their families, The First Baptist Church family and everyone in Sutherland Springs. May his comfort and strength remain with them long after the headlines have faded. ”

 

Crutchfield is an internationally known bi-vocational minister and Christian writer based in Katy, Texas. He is a Christian Healing Expert at SelfGrowth.Com the world’s leading self help website. He has created many articles and videos dealing with Christians and crisis. He was one of four people quoted by ChristianHeadlines.Com following the death of Nancy Reagan. Find him on YouTube

Christmas Decor Honors Veterans, Active-Duty Military and First Responders with Patriotic Pines

DALLAS, Nov. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Christmas Decor, a leading holiday lighting and decorating franchise, has teamed up with Birds Eye View Project to launch Patriotic Pines in an effort to show support and bring awareness to military and first responder communities across the United States. At a time when our nation seems so much at odds, the partnership aims to play a role in spreading efforts of unity, hope, and appreciation for the country and those who spend their days protecting our way of life.

Christmas Decor and its network of 250+ operators will be donating the red, white, and blue Christmas trees and garland flags to military families, VA hospitals, VFW lodges, military recruiting stations, local police stations, and fire departments across the country this holiday season. Additionally, retail orders can be made at www.patrioticpine.com if individuals are interested in aiding in the awareness effort or donating to local organizations.

“We have taken the humble symbol of the American flag and created a line of products that allow each and every American to show their support and thanks for military families, veterans, and first responders,” stated Rayan Parrott, founder of Birds Eye View Project. “We believe with the help of Christmas Decor, we can spread a message of unity, pride, and support for our brave men and women at a time when our country needs it the most.”

The partnership formed when Dallas-based philanthropist and former Navy SEAL, Ryan Parrott decided to expand Patriotic Pine to a national level by connecting with Christmas Decor’s parent company, The Decor Group. The idea began as a way to honor U.S. military members who cannot be home for the holidays. At a time of year when many spend their days with family and loved ones, others do not have that luxury. They are the brave men and women of our armed forces and first responders protecting our country and daily way of life.

“When we were approached by the Birds Eye View Project with an opportunity to partner with an amazing cause like Patriotic Pines, it was another wonderful opportunity to support a group of people who we admire and aim to appreciate,” stated Brandon Stephens, president of Christmas Decor. “This program complements our existing Decorated Family Program which is in its 15^th year of transforming the homes of servicemen and women each holiday season. These efforts are the least we can do for those who risk their lives of us daily.”

Now a seasonal tradition, hundreds of franchisees nationwide participate in the Decorated Family Program by donating products, resources, and time to decorate the homes of local military families with lights, garland, ornaments, and other trimmings. Following the decorating process, each decked out home is revealed during a surprise ceremony.

Operating in more than 300 markets and 49 states, Christmas Decor, Inc. is the largest professional holiday and event decorating franchise. The company offers complete decorating service programs including unique display design, installation, maintenance, and removal of holiday lighting and decorations – alleviating decorating stress while delivering the look customers want within a reasonable budget.

For more information on Christmas Decor and to find a local operator, please visit http://www.christmasdecor.net/

About Christmas Decor
Since its inception in 1986, Christmas Decor has risen to become the premier holiday lighting and decorating company in North America. The Texas-based company was founded by Blake Smith as an off-season supplement to his landscape business and as a method to provide year-round work for employees. Christmas Decor quickly emerged as a viable business opportunity and today, operates in more than 300 markets in 49 states and Canada. Christmas Decor is highly revered in its field and has received consistent recognition for its efforts, including its popular Decorated Family Programwhich has been featured on The TODAY Show, TIME.com, CNN and FOX, among others. For more information, visit www.christmasdecor.net.

About Birds Eye View Project
Birds Eye View Project generates awareness and raises funds for charities supporting veterans and first responders. Former US Navy SEAL Ryan “Birdman” Parrott, and other Veterans offer an up close and personal look at the extreme needs of veterans and first responders, as well as the people and organizations working to help them realize nothing is impossible, even the most extreme challenges. 2017 Beneficiary organizations include: Sons of the Flag, Carry the Load, 22Kill, Adaptive Training Foundation, America’s Mighty Warriors, Base Camp 40, Rebuilding Warriors, and Rosecrance Florian.  Visit #Birdseyeviewproject and www.birdseyeviewproject.org for more information.

SOURCE Christmas Decor

How even Hurricane Harvey Couldn’t Silence God’s Message to Me.

It was just a few short weeks ago that Hurricane Harvey struck the Texas Coast as a category 4 hurricane. It was the strongest such storm to hit this part of Texas in at least 56 years. Many watersheds in our area experienced 500 and 1000 year flood events as Harvey came and just would not leave. My own family and ministry lost almost everything we had.

After the storm we were making one last check through what little was left before leaving our little apartment for the last time. God led my wife to reach her hand into a pile of trash for just one more check. While she was doing this she pulled out a blue velvet box in a white cardboard wrapper. The first part of this miracle was that I had not seen this box since our wedding day almost 13 years before ! The second part of the miracle was that even through the horrific storm, the recovery efforts, etc. it had remained in perfect condition !

 

On the side of the cardboard wrapper was written my name, and the letters ChCKOR-DSR. Inside the box was a gold cross shaped medal suspended from a ribbon. More formally it is known as The Cross of Honor of the Most Honorable Order of the Christian Knights of the Rose. The letters ChCKOR stand for Chaplain Knight Commander of the Rose, my rank within the order. The letters DSR carry great significance in the military community. I was awarded the DSR designation by the Knights of the Rose because I served as a military policeman while a member of the Texas State Guard.

 

I placed the medal where it would be kept safe not immediately realizing myself the significance of what had taken place. Given the circumstances it was very unlikely that my wife would find something so personally and historically valuable randomly searching a pile of what had been deemed trash. It is further unlikely that this decoration would have been found untouched after being hidden away all these years. I am convinced that God’s hand were in these events.

 

The time since has left me only further convinced that I was being mobilized by the Commander in Chief of Creation. I am convinced that it is no accident that the item returned to me in the opening sentences of the toughest chapter my family has ever faced was a cross ! It is not lost on me either that it was not just “any” cross, but a knight’s cross, my knight’s cross ! It is as if God was summoning me to the battle that was just beginning. It was and is as if God himself wanted to reassure me of His confidence in my ability to wage the battle. I was handed a symbol of authority. First of all of His authority.  However also the authority of one who was not only a spiritual leader, but a commander of soldiers, His soldiers ! Since that day God’s people have been comforting to us, and generous  toward us.

 

Our family and community are still battling against Hurricane Harvey. I’m not even sure the end is in sight. However my wife and I have already talked about it. This cross will have a prominent place in our new home when we get there. It will always remind us of His message to me and his presence with us during some of the most trying times we will ever see. There is still much that is uncertain about our future. Of only one thing am I certain. I have been given my marching orders by an authority that neither Harvey nor any other storm can quiet.

God Found the One for Me. ( A Wedding Poem)

I don’t often write poetry, but the muse struck the other night while I was watching T.V. with my wife. The poem below is the end result of what the Lord gave me.  The inspiration I got was that people would somehow make it part of their wedding celebrations. If you find a way to make it part of yours, please email me at ra_crutchfield@yahoo.com and tell me about it. I look forward to hearing about how the Lord’s vision found  a place in your special day.

 

God Found the One for Me.

By Rev. Robert A. Crutchfield, FaithInspires.Org

 

I searched and Searched but did not find.

My days and nights were equally empty

My heart knew you, but we had not met.

God Found the One for Me.

 

People suggested others, but they were not you.

Faint copies were all around me.

None of them came close to being you.

God Found the One for Me.

 

I prayed over and over for my missing half.

I prayed for God to show me his choice for my mate.

I prayed for Him to bring us together at last.

God Found the One for Me.

 

Then finally the moment I prayed for came

From the first instant, it was if I always knew you.

My loneliness and emptiness, died the day we met.

God Found the One for Me.

Statement on 10/1 Las Vegas Massacre.

(Katy, Texas) Rev. Robert A. Crutchfield, Christian Growth and Healing Expert at SelfGrowth.Com and founder of Faithinspires.Org released the following statement after Sunday night’s mass shooting in Las Vegas,

” I awoke a little while ago to news of the horrific massacre in Las Vegas Last night. My heart breaks for the people killed and injured and their families. No word on the shooter’s motive has been released. Even the first thought that struck me was that hearts and minds need to be changed away from the climate of Anger, Frustration, and violence that has been increasing across the country the last few years.
NO ONE can heal or change hearts and minds like Jesus Christ. This is why I encourage so much prayer following tragedies like this. Such events are beyond our understanding, much less our ability to prevent them.
I pray that those killed, injured, and their families receive God’s mercy, strength and comfort. I also pray that God have mercy on our nation and lead us to heal those things that are working so hard to divide us.”

 

Pastor Crutchfield can also be seen on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/RobertCrutchfieldPastor