Mind uncluttered

Ways to keep your mind uncluttered, clear of confusion, free of wandering and unprofitable thoughts:

Learn to:

1. Meditate on God and God’s Word: Joshua 1:8.

2. Renew your mind: Romans 12:2; Philippians 2:5.

3. Set your mind on things above: Colossians 3:2.

4. Keep your mind on Jesus: Isaiah 26:3.

Next would be to control your thoughts:

5. Pray for and have a sound mind: 2^nd Timothy 1:7.

6. Pursue the mind of Christ: 1^st Corinthians 2:16.

7. Develop a grateful/thankful attitude: Psalm 100.

8. Be not doubtful: Luke 12:29.

9. Bring in (reign in) your thinking: 1^st  Peter 1:13; 4:7 (Taken from the Christian Women Council Curriculum for 2011).

Practice bringing your mind in and readjust your thought patterns.  Regardless to what happens or what may be taking place in your life; regardless of what you have thought in the past, focus on Philippians 4:8. “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are a good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things”(NKJV). Paul commands the Philippians to compute over and over what is good and what is pure.  In this way, Christians can renew their minds so that they will not conform to the evil habits of the world.

Then inorder to think on good and pure things, ask yourself these questions:

·         What am I thinking about now?

·         What is in my heart?

·         What is your mindset?

·         What kind of attitude do I have?

·         Allow Jesus and the Holy Spirit to be your guide in your thoughts. Do not allow your mind to be cluttered but focus on the Word of God daily, so that you can renew your mind with God's Word. Annie Dennis Eskridge, author of Sin Abides.

Leading with Integrity

One of the greatest challenge for leaders today is integrity. Many will say things like  walk the talk and lead by example.  This is sad because you can not just lead by cliche.  You really have to lead by the way you live and not by some words that does not mean a thing.

The word integrity can be misunderstood. It is not a positive attribute as many think it is however integrity comes from the same Latin root as integer. We get the word integers from math, they are whole numbers. Integrity simple means whole, or complete.

As leaders we should value integrity, reverence and sanctification. Apostle Paul have written thirteen epistle of the New Testament , no epistle give us a better look at man's heart than the one found in  found in 2 Corinthians. Integrity is the concept of wholeness. Synonyms are honesty, virtue, honor, morality, uprightness, soundness, and sincerity. Proverbs 10:9 tell us,"he who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts hisways will become known(NKJV). This means conforming to God's law as a course of life.  Choosing crooked paths its willfully to disdain the guidance God so graciously provided.

Core Values

Core Values seems to be playing a great significant part in today's society.  We can not develop a Strategic Plan without first determining what it is that we value as individuals and as an organization.  Many fail to ask the question.  The question answer the ultimate question of why do we do what we do? Core Value determines the DNA of an organization.  It also helps us to get to where we want to go.  Once we discover or know our Core Values, we will understand who we are as a person.  If we are a Christian, we should know who we are in Christ Jesus.

It is so important to understand logic to the Core Values.  People must see logic in the Core Values that we offer today.  People outside seems to be more concerned with Core Values.  If you cannot think it, then know that you cannot do it.  You must be a clear thinker also the Core Values will determine how you treat people and it is biblical as well as relevant. In Core Values everyone is important, not just the pastor and his family.

However,  Core Values addresses, what should be considered most important to an individual life as well as the life of the church.  There are five elements that sum up Core Values and they are: values are constant, passionate, biblical, core beliefs and drive the ministry.

To be effective in any organization, Core Values must exist. It is time for all ministers to live what they minister to others.  Core Valves influences our goals, our decisions, our mission  and supports all that we do.  The truth is you cannot get away from Core Values.  It lives in us. Even when we hire people, we look for those with the same character, charisma and chemistry identical to ours. Without those values my friend, it is wise for you to forget about hiring the individual.

We must keep in mind that right Core Values will motivate people.  Values are core belief based on faith but not  always facts. Then what do I believe and will it cause people to connect?  We cannot correct what we have not projected and without Core Vaules we would decline to exist. It is a part of all that we do and we can take it even further and say, in Core Values, we architect our belief from what we value. In closing Habakkuk 2:2 tells us to ,write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it( NKJV).Annie Dennis Eskridge,author Sin Abides email: areskridge@sbcglobal.net