courage | Heartstone Journey

Armor Up

We are with you, sire! For Sparta, for freedom, to the death!

-Stelios (From the movie 300)

The essence of this “rise up” theme is embedded in many narratives; a theme that bears an unshakable source of inspiration for those of us who dare to face evil with unwavering courage!

I love the scene from J. R. R Tolkien’s “The Return of the King” where Aragon is desperately outnumbered. He looks fear right in the eye and finds the strength to inspire his men against what seems like an almost certain defeat against the massive forces of the enemy. Standing firm and riding in front of his army, Aragon addresses these words to his men:

A Reflection in Time

I connected with James on Google+ and recently we had a conversation on gathering strength on life’s storms which he shared that he lost his daughter to cancer back in 2001. He then shared a piece that he wrote about this tough experience. I was so touched by his powerful story that I asked him if I could feature what he wrote on Heartstone. Here is the first part of that story.

Turning Point

Through the tears, I found the courage to shout out with a battle cry to the enemy: “I have allowed you to take much from me, but as long as I stand I will defend my children!”

Conviction is worthless until it converts itself into conduct.

-Thomas Carlyle

Servant Leadership

Whats your definition of servant leadership?

During a management presentation for CIO‘s, I offered this up as a definition of servant leadership.

Approved

I was consumed in justifying myself apart from God, and it left me worn out, tired, and empty. Every day, I would run as hard as I could trying to find value and worth in everything else but where it was all the time—in God. I looked for it in the approval of my father, my mother, in others, in two marriages, in money, in achievement, in position and in power…I’m sure there are more places.

I spent so much time pursuing acceptance in these places that I lost everything that mattered. I became the sum total of all the expectations that I placed on my life giving up my identity, my true self just to belong. I discovered that many of the places I looked for love and acceptance never truly accepted or loved me back. What I did discover in the journey out of the midnight of my soul was that loving God is what my heart desired and what’s really awesome—He accepts me for who I am and…loves me back.

Armor Up

A Reflection in Time

Turning Point

Servant Leadership

Approved

Favorite Quotes

Cool Scripture

Never Out Of The Fight!

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