One important leadership skill I have learned is asking questions. This also involves developing the key skills of listening, evaluating, responding – and then possibly asking even more questions! In his book “Good Leaders Ask Great Questions”, John Maxwell says: “If you lead a team, start asking questions and really listening. Start valuing the contributionsContinue reading “Good leaders ask great questions!”
Author Archives: Matt Parker
God sets the lonely in families
“God sets the lonely in families” (Psalm 68:6). Orphanages and children’s homes are not the solution for the world’s orphan crisis. On the surface, this may appear to be an odd statement coming from someone who has, for a quarter of a century, worked with organizations that have run children’s homes for orphans and vulnerableContinue reading “God sets the lonely in families”
The gift of lament
Lament is not giving in to despair. It is not withdrawing and becoming silent as the storm rages around us. Instead it is a bold demonstration of our faith as we recognize who God is and express our resolve to draw closer to Him rather than pull away.
How will they know…?
I wonder if the disciples even managed to find time to catch their breath in the days following Jesus’ ascension. The opening chapters of Acts provide something of a roller coaster narrative as the Holy Spirit makes his sudden, powerful appearance, paving the way for Peter to declare the gospel message to crowds of people,Continue reading “How will they know…?”
Pray for the world’s most vulnerable as coronavirus spreads
As sickness spreads, as the death toll rises, and as the length of stay-at-home orders are extended, anxiety and fear about the coronavirus pandemic continue to grow. Could this situation really get any worse? Tragically, the simple answer to this question is a resounding “yes”. The number of cases is beginning to rise in Africa.Continue reading “Pray for the world’s most vulnerable as coronavirus spreads”
What are you grateful for today?
“Everything looks hopeless these days”. The young man being interviewed on the television news grimaced and shrugged his shoulders. “When is it all going to end?” he mused. As a pandemic sweeps the world, as friends and relatives fight for their lives, as the death toll rises, as businesses and nonprofits collapse, as people loseContinue reading “What are you grateful for today?”
Expecting the Unexpected
Sometimes God appears to us in unexpected ways, at unexpected times, giving us unexpected tasks that yield unexpected results. Imagine the scene. Dawn is just beginning to appear on the horizon. The darkness is fading as the fishing boat drifts closer towards the shoreline. I imagine that it was fairly quiet on that boat. ThereContinue reading “Expecting the Unexpected”
Shouting for Barabbas?
As the “trial” of Jesus draws to a close, Pilate offers to have Him released. Instead, the people call for the release of Barabbas – a common murderer – and for Jesus to receive the cruelest of death sentences in his place.
And so often we can be like the people in that crowd…
Recovering from the avalanche
Have you ever felt as though your life is out of control? As if suddenly, unexpectedly, violently, you have been hit by an avalanche that swept you away, and there was nothing, absolutely nothing, you could do about it? It might be the result of losing a loved one. A cherished relationship that went wrong.Continue reading “Recovering from the avalanche”
Replenish: the need to lead from a healthy soul
Leadership is not easy. It can feel like a hard and lonely trek at times. As leaders, we must all make the time to “replenish”, seek the Lord and His wisdom, and do all that is needed to cultivate a healthy soul.
Matt Parker 