Me:  PRODIGAL…..PRODIGAL….

 

Prodigal:  Sorry,  I thought you were right behind me.

 

Me:  I was but you got further away from me because you were going to fast.

 

Prodigal:  Sorry I just trying to lead the way.

 

Me:  Well lets take a break first before we continue and I can share something about leading the way from Chuck Swindoll in his book Start Where You Are.

 

Leaders with power and brains are common.  So are leaders with riches and popularity.  But a competent leader full of integrity and skill, coupled with sincerity, is rare indeed.

Deception creates suspicion.  Once the leader’s followers begin to suspect motives or find that what is said publicly is denied privately, the thin wire of respect that holds everything in place snaps.  Confidence drains away.

The late President Dwight Eisenhower stated his opinion with dogmatism:  “The supreme quality for a leader is unquestionably integrity.  Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is a section gang, on a football field, in an army, or in an office.  If his associates find him guilty of phoniness, if they find that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail.  His teachings and actions must square with each other.  The first great need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose.

 

I know and follow competent leaders and really respect them.  Thank you for your integrity!  It is a breath of fresh air!

 

1 Thessalonians 2:4-5

 

But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who examines our hearts.  For we never came with flattering speech, as you know.

 

Jennifer Van Allen

 

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org