Heart Touchers

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*Bossing vs Blessing* 11/13/01

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Michael's long awaited book Straight From the Heart:
"A Celebration of Life," is finally here! Close to 200
pages of true short stories filled with love and laughter
await you! Visit our web site to order the EBook, or
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Michael T. Powers
1918 Liberty Lane
Janesville, WI 53545

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Be sure to let us know who you would like it
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for us to sign it and send it on its way to you.

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Bossing vs. Blessing

By Rubel Shelly

"I'll show 'em who the boss is!" he said. So
began a process that angered every person
in the sales group. It also led to the resignation
within thirty days of the first - and fourth - highest
annual producers for last year.

"I hope he's satisfied now," said one of the
team members who stayed -- only because
of a tough employment market in her field right
now. "He proved he could have the last word on
everything. He also cost us the biggest accounts
our company has had for years and put the rest
of us in an impossible situation for this year's
bottom line. We're all looking for ways to get
off this sinking ship."

Sound familiar? Have you ever had to deal with
a similar situation? The unpleasant reality is that
insecure and/or selfish people just don't make
good leaders. Whether in business, family, or
church situations, the rise of that woman or man
to a position of authority means trouble for
everybody in the bunch. The reason why it is
so seems obvious: Most people seem to
understand power in terms of the right to boss,
browbeat, and bully others.

People with that deficient concept of leadership
tend to put distance between themselves and
their group. They worry a lot about "image." Most
of them are big on intimidation tactics. So they
are stingy with praise and generous with criticism.
In their own words, they like to "keep people
guessing" about what comes next. There tends
to be a lot of turnover in businesses run that way,
lots of divorce in families run that way, and lots of
divisions in churches run that way.

Occasionally you learn about an environment
that operates by a different set of leadership
principles. Even better, you are sometimes fortunate
enough to teach at that school or work for that
person. People feel empowered rather than
micromanaged. They sense trust rather than
suspicion. They are treated with respect rather
than contempt and condescension. In these
environments, they both thrive at their tasks and
remain intensely loyal to their leaders.

A lot is being said these days about values-driven
leadership, servant leadership, or spiritual
economics. Whatever we call it, it is simply the
modern rediscovery of the Golden Rule and the
leadership style of Jesus. "The Son of Man came
not to be served but to serve," he said (Mark 10:45).

If you want to upgrade your environment, learn
to use the power you wield for *blessing* instead
of *bossing.* It is a strategy that honors both
God and others.

Rubel Shelly
whcoc@edge.net

Write Rubel and let him know what you thought of his story!

(c) 2001 Rubel Shelly. Used by permission. From Rubel Shelly's
"FAX of Life" printed each Tuesday. See
<http://www.faithmatters.com> for previous issues of the "FAX of Life."

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Rubel Shelly has preached for the Woodmont Hills Church of
Christ in Nashville since 1978. During that time, he has also
taught at David Lipscomb University and Vanderbilt University
School of Medicine. He is the author of more than 20 books,
including several which have been translated into languages
such as Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, Italian, French, and
Russian. He is married to the former Myra Shappley, and
they are the parents of three children: Mrs. David (Michelle)
Arms, Tim, and Tom.

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Reader Feedback!

Hi Jaye and Michael,
Here is a copy of the letter I sent to Jenny just know letting her know how
your story touched my life. Wanted to tell you thanks also.

Jenny,
I just read your story in HeartTouchers. It is fantastic for a number of reasons. First I need to say I just joined HeartTouchers the middle of last week.
I have been having terrible off and on pain in one of my heels for the last few months. Finally went to the doctor who send me for x-rays after shaking his head because he couldn't find a thing wrong with the foot. We got a call Saturday that the x-rays were pretty much normal and they were going to get the paperwork going to send me to a specialist. In my prayers as I went to sleep last night I asked God to give me a clue as to what was causing the pain or direct me to the right doctors. I've already decided, and told the family doctor, I can live with it but I need to know what is happening so I know that I am not making things worse.
Then your story is here this morning! I believe it is my hint that I asked for last night. I was told a few years back that I have rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. I'm 45 and know that this these are a couple of weird diseases that act differently in each person. No one can tell me exactly what is going to happen.
Not only has your story given me a clue as to what may be causing my pain but also encouraged me as to how to handle it. Do what I can when I can and then stop when I need to stop until I can go on again. I have some great friends and family members that try to understand and help to keep my spirits up. I am a firm believer in positive thinking and that you need to take what you are given in live and make the best of it.
I'll tell the doctor your story as a start on what may be causing my foot pain. Even if that is not the answer it's a place to start. I'm also going to forward this letter and your story to my friends and family and hope it touches their lives as much as it did mine. God answers prayers in many ways and I believe your story was an answer to my prayer from last night.
Sue Lockinger
Mesa, AZ
paulandsue@worldnet.att.net

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"A person may sometimes have a clear conscience
simply because his head is empty." -- Ralph Sockman

Verse for the Day:

"In the last times some in the church will
turn away from Christ...their consciences
won't even bother them." -- 1 Timothy 4:2 TLB

Kid's Thought For The Day:

"Mommy and Daddy's bed is always warmer than yours is."

Parent's Thought For The Day:

A MOTHER'S PRAYER
"Oh Lord, give me the patience when tiny hands tug at me with their small demands.
And give me gentle and smiling eyes; Keep my lips from sharp replies. And let not fatigue, confusion or noise keep me from sharing my child's new found joys. And most of all, help me to look above when at times I think I have no love. For you have promised to bear my load as these precious lives unfold."

Coach's Thought For The Day:

"When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers." -- Kikuyu proverb

Deep Thought For The Day:

"Smoking is one of the leading causes of statistics."

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REQUESTS:

Michael,

Thanks for the wonderful stories -- they have been a blessing. I have an
urgent prayer request and will appreciate it if you can send it out to your
subscribers. I am asking for prayers for complete recovery for an 8 year
old boy called Emmanuel. He was knocked down by a car and is currently on
life support. Please pray also for strength for family and friends.
Thanks.
Ngozi from Nigeria
NGOZI.N.AMAH@spdc.shell.com
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_
/_/\/\    MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\ /    HeartTouchers@aol.com
/_/ \    "For I have been crucified with Christ and I no
\_\/\ \   longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I
\_\/   live in the body I live for the Son of God, who
   loved me and gave Himself for me."
   Galatians 2:20
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Video Imagery --Michael's Video Production Business

"I thought of you first after my family sat down to watch
the video we gave them. They loved it, to say the
least! Within thirty seconds my mom was crying
and my dad did too. They said it was the best
Christmas gift we could have given them!! You
did such a beautiful job! They were so surprised
and so touched--they really, really, really loved it.
Thanks for helping to make it so special to us all.
My mom mentioned how the songs were perfect
for the video too! Thanks again!"
Kelli-- College Station, TX

Let me make you a video from your pictures or
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