Category Archives for "Leadership"

The path to fun and fulfillment

The world beats a path for all to follow the fun and fulfilled life!

However, there are a few issues people encounter along the way they neglected to tell you about! The composite picture I created to illustrate this fantasy world I titled, “Eat It All” has something of a double meaning.

What path are you following in life? How is it working? Is there be a better way?

Great questions! Do you really want answers, or are you comfortable enough where you are right now? There are some wild rides and tasty temptations out there, but there are more that seem to float away in the air than offer stability over the long term. What path do you choose or avoid? What rides do you take along the way? What is the price you will pay? I see a landscape of more dry bones than real success stories, so where do we turn for the real answers and victories we dream of seeing?

The Old Testament prophet Ezekiel saw a strange vision of Dry Bones coming to life! He was told to prophesy to those dry bones, or to speak life back into them.

Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. (27) “I will put My Spirit within you…

Many times God gives us visions, pictures, dreams or ideas that are not always clear at first. Daniel, Joseph, and Paul all had visions like Ezekiel’s “Dry Bones” (Ezekiel 37:1-14), but in time clarity came. Then these men knew what to do, and so will you. How will you know? The same Holy Spirit who led them will lead you! When you start to speak or prophesy what God gives you, those dry bones start coming together. Life starts returning to what you may have given up on as dead and gone. Suddenly, life comes back into some idea or business venture. Suddenly, you see what you have been looking at with a whole new heart! Suddenly, you see the traps in front of you, and the wisdom of how you really can get to “Eat it All!”

There is a path to fun and fulfillment as the world offers it! (Be sure to read the fine print! “Some restrictions apply.”)

2 Corinthians 5:17-21

17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

18) And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

21) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

The true fun and fulfillment of life is to discover the path that God has for your life — to be reconciled to God and to be given a word of reconciliation and a ministry of reconciliation. Dry bones are out there waiting for you to show up and start speaking!

The Holy Spirit is in you waiting to show you how to speak life into people and bring a word of reconciliation. As you go and function in the ministry of reconciliation God has given you, the answers and direction you need will come. If God can get something through you, He can get something to you! Trust God!

Blessings!

Fred Hughes, M. Photog.

Relationship

Let’s talk about relationship!

There are many different kinds but three basic types that I want to point out. Choosing the type is critical in establishing a relationship that actually works out for both, or all parties. Before we start talking about the three types, allow me to make a brief statement about intent first. The intent is the foundational set of values that all parties must agree upon. The bedrock of this relationship is for the purpose of _________. Filling in that blank is massively important. Before you can build anything, you have to draw the plans, buy the lot, level the ground, and pour the foundation. Omitting the foundational development is deadly to the success of any relationship, especially long-term relationships.

1. Agreement – The basis of this type is to accomplish a task or an event. An agreement is personal and can be powerful, but usually it has a specific term, duration or goal. The agreement ends when accomplished, completed or there is a loss of agreement.
2. Contract – A contract is often legally binding and very specific rules and requirements are reached and held. A binding contract is signed and set into action. Termination is reached in the fulfillment of the contractual terms, or legal breach of the contract occurs. A contract is a deeper level of agreement and often has more resources involved, thus the legal aspect.
3. Covenant – Like the other two, it is an agreement. However, that is where the distinction takes a major turn. It is more than an agreement, more than a contract, it is a life commitment that involves vows that make all parties one new entity. The individual rights are dismissed, and those entering the covenant are made one. All parties are equal in rights and obligations. As an example: Covenant would be cut between two tribes of people. One tribe was agrarian and good food producers, but poor warriors. The other tribe were great warriors but were often hungry. Covenant was cut. This means an animal was cut into two halves, and the two tribes would assemble in the middle of the divided carcass. They would vow a union and exchange garments, weapons, and other identifying articles, so they were one people. The weaker would usually take on the name of the stronger, or they together establish a new name together. This practice is called a blood covenant and in most civilizations was common practice up until modern times. Needless to say, a covenant is the deepest, most intent relationship people enter.

I point out these relationship types in order to ask the question, “What foundation are you laying? What type of relationship are you building — a friendship, civic organization, company, marriage, church or family?” You may be building several at the same time!

Allow me one final thought. I recommend that you should set a priority on the most important relationships and that in turn will have a positive effect on the others.

Your relationship with God is the highest covenant level union you can build. and if you are Christian it is Jesus who shed His blood for a relationship with you. When your covenant with God through Christ is healthy, your relationship with your spouse is better, and your children benefit from your healthy marriage.

If you are building a marriage relationship, by its nature it must be a covenant. Contracts and agreements do not possess the strength to endure. The central differentiation is laying down self in order to form a new selfless “we.”

If you are building a business or organization, there are more levels than in marriage. The partnership or leadership may be able to function at a covenant level, while the workforce may operate at the contract level. The clients may be served at an agreement level. Each relationship type has a purpose and can be very effective. Choosing the wrong type may negate the relationship completely.

The value of building relationships the right way for the right reasons is worth the time and investment you put into them.

I sincerely believe that walking in love is the key to any relationship. When you operate in the kind of love described in the passage below, you can rest assured it will strengthen and affirm the relationship.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 (NIV)

4) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5) It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6) Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7) It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8) Love never fails.

Look also at verse 13: And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

John 13:34 (NIV)

34) “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Finally, one factor that destroys many relationships is fear, it comes in many forms, but it is a destructive force at work against most relationships.

1 John 4:18 (NIV)

18) There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Blessings, my friends! My hope and prayers are that you will be encouraged and empowered in your relationships by walking in love.

Fred Hughes, M. Photog.

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3 Basic Principals

Almost all business ventures have 3 basic components that cannot be ignored.

1. Identity

• Who are you? If you do not know, you will have a hard time convincing anyone else. Branding is part of it…. not all of it!
• What goods or services do you provide? Why are you providing them?
• What quality level can be expected at what investment level?
• What availability and timely deliverables or completion rates will be provided?
• What do you give back to the community? Are you an asset to the public or simply a partaker?
• Identity for your employees may be the single most important part of your success and future strength. Never under-estimate the power of unity with-in your company or organization.

2. People

• Who is your Avatar, Tribe, Target Group? Whom are you trying to reach and serve? Who exactly is your audience, you need to know more than simple demographics.
• Who are your team members, both in-house and resources?
• Who are your supply and support affiliations and who are your second choices?
• What are our people saying? (employee testimonials)
• How are you helping people discover the value you are offering?

3. Integrity

• How do you stand behind your products and services?
• What makes you trustworthy?
• Why should anyone do business with you more than once?
• Do you have current, customer/client testimonials, and industry testimonials/awards?
• How you honor people, community, and your industry reveals your intentionality and integrity.

If you regularly check on these three key elements, your business will have a much greater chance of succeeding. Success, especially in the world we live in today, is elusive, to say the least, but not impossible. These three business components are worthy of your attention and can be factors that affect your bottom line much more than branding, SEO, credit scores, marketing style, and funnel design. Sometimes you just have to get back to a little common sense, my friend!

Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding;

Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom, and in all your getting, get understanding.

Fred Hughes, M. Photog.

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God Loves You!

Rom 8:31-39 God’s Everlasting Love

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:

“For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” 

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. NKJV

What a brilliant and powerful view these scriptures portray of God’s intentional love for us. If you are a believer, there are no more comforting words than these. Simply put, God loves you, and there is nothing you can do about it! God does not change, therefore, under no condition will these words not be true. Nothing, not even you, can change the way God loves you. He made you so that He could love you! He made you capable of loving Him back! But, He does not force you to do so.

Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. NKJV

What incredible Love! We cannot earn it, we do not deserve it. We can receive it, or reject it, but we can not be separated from it!

Psalms 139:14-16

 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. NKJV

It sounds a bit like God loves you and has a plan for your life! Oh, I think He said that!

Jeremiah 29:11-12

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. NKJV

Why does God love you so much? Well, for one thing, you were made in His image! When you are born again, you are born from above. In short, you are His kid! There is a family resemblance that He likes! The other reason and the most important one is that it is His nature; it is who He is! It is not dependent upon you at all.

1 John 4:8 God is Love.

Love is not what God does! Love is who He is! And nothing can separate His love from you. Fortunately, there is nothing you can do about it! God loves you.

Fred Hughes, M. Photog.

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Your First Response

Most of the time your first response to a crisis will define the outcome! Your first reaction will move you toward victory or defeat, joy or depression, faith or doubt, expectancy or dread, success or failure. Tribulations, trials and troubles are going to show up in life. They are unavoidable, but what you do with them and how you react to them is your choice! Some people internalize. The pressure inside mounts and eventually explodes outwardly, or it eats away inwardly like cancer destroying your health and life. Others over-react in an emotional rage or lose all self-control. They wind up doing the most foolish and often harmful things making fools of themselves.

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But, God can turn your troubles into triumphs!

The key is to not panic or allow fear to overcome your thoughts and emotions.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

God gives good gifts! Fear, terror, fretting or worrying are not good gifts from God! I think it is interesting that to do battle with fear we are given three gifts from God.

1. Power ~ Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you… Romans 8:11 The same power that raised Christ from the dead, dwells in you, by the Holy Spirit.
2. Love ~ 1 John 4:18 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
3. Sound Mind ~ 3 John 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health even as thy soul prospereth. The soul is your mind, your will, and your emotions — what you think, what you do, and how you feel. Philippians 4:8 …Think on these things. “Think on” means: to meditate, think about, have soundness of mind, the ability to manage your thoughts, sound advice, or reason. Wisdom does not operate well in an environment of fear. Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, … Verse 2, For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. I have the Mind and Spirit of Christ. Nothing can separate me from His love. His Word renews my mind.

The Promise, not the problem, must be our focus. God always attaches the provision to the promise, not the problem. Exercise power, love, and a sound mind, and they will keep the solution within your grasp. You choose how you respond and react to trials and troubles when they come. Remember, all of God’s Promises are “yes and amen!”

When trials and troubles come, Christ is the Light that will guide the way. Do not be afraid! His Word and promises are true in every area of your life. Triumph in Christ! Build on the solid foundation, and the storms will not be able to prevail against you.

Fred Hughes, M. Photog.

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www.byfredhughes.com ~ www.decision1.org

photo-By William Bout

The Heart of a Father

by Fred Hughes

The heart of a true father comes from having a relationship with God the Father. We who are earthly fathers are important to our family because we exemplify Christ and his union with the Father.

When we take the hand of one of our children and lead them, we are developing that same union that we enjoy with Christ and that He enjoys with the Father. We become one in the Spirit. We experience the Father’s, heart.

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.  Colossians 1:13 NIV

A father will rescue his family from the darkness and bring them to the kingdom of light. That is our first and most important assignment.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV

Let us never forget that our old selves died with him on the cross that the tyranny of sin over us might be broken.  Romans 6: 6  Phillips

The heart of the father is that his children will grow and prosper in all areas of life. For that to become a reality, they must be born again and develop a relationship, a union with the person who overcame sin and death for them, Jesus, is their redeemer. They need to see, in their father on earth, what their father in heaven looks like. We must help them transfer their trust to a much greater one than us.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2 KJV

I and my father are one. John 10:30  KJV

At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.  John 14:20  NKJV

 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:17  KJV

Discovering the heart of the Father and introducing Him to your own child is perhaps the greatest accomplishment of fatherhood. Knowing He will never leave them or forsake them. Knowing that He loves them even more than you do. What peace and joy!

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians  1:27  KJV

Your heavenly Father Glories in you in the same way you glory in your children.

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3:27 KJV

While he who joins himself to the Lord is one with him in spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:17  Moffatt

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.  1 John 4:4  NKJV

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 4  NIV

There is, therefore no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1  KJV

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pray for true fathers to rise up and have a heart for the children, declaring, Isaiah 54:13  Our children will be taught of the Lord, and great shall be their peace. NIV

Fred Hughes, M. Photog.

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Get Wisdom!

by Fred Hughes

As an entrepreneur, it is my job to evaluate business practices and decide what and where to invest the companies resources. I was considering recently what value all of the self-help and business coaching materials I have acquired and studied, really are worth to me and my enterprise.

Quite honestly, I often consider much of what is out there a lot of hype and recopied clutter. (Anyone, understand what I’m saying?) There is a lot of noise but not much substance to much of the available training. So where do we search? What are the main things we actually need to do well? It turns out the same answers have been sought after for thousands of years. Moreover, the foundational principals and precepts we are looking for have not changed, they remain the same.

3 John 2-4 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

One of the basic understandings of how we prosper, and according to these verses, how we stay healthy is that we need a soul that prospers. Your soul that it is talking about is your mind, will, and emotions. The soul is what we think, how we react or respond, and what we determine to be the truth which we choose to follow. Finally, one of the greatest joys we can experience is to see our children or mentees actually walk in the truth we taught them as we pass to them the same prosperity we enjoy.

One of the true treasures of life is a prosperous soul!

The ability of the father or mentor to establish truth and wisdom into the next generation is called legacy — not only prospering yourself but passing it to generations to come. That will never happen unless it is based upon truth. Truth stands through time and validates the wisdom and understanding being passed!

Proverbs 4:5-13 Get Wisdom! Get Understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her. She will place on your head an ornament of grace; A crown of glory she will deliver to you. Hear oh my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of your life will be many. I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble. Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.

Get Wisdom! Get Understanding! What great advice from a father to a son.

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, without doubting…

Notice that we are talking about the wisdom and understanding that comes from God, not the world. There is a big difference!

1 Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God…

Please understand that the wisdom that comes from God is far better than the wisdom of men. So if you are a Christian (a believer, a son), you have access to the wisdom of God. That wisdom is the truth, and it is the truth that will set you free — free from making poor business decisions and free to build a legacy of truth that can be transferred to others.

The self-help stuff has some value, but if you want real wisdom and understanding, there is a better source, my friend.

GET WISDOM! MAY YOUR SOUL PROSPER!

Fred Hughes, M. Photog.

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Which way do we go?

How to lead the way when you are totally lost!

Honestly, that is just not going to happen, is it? The baseline definition of a leader is: “One who knows the way.” The world is full of want-to-be leaders, but who really knows the way? The USA where I live has just undergone a change of leadership, and our entire country is prayerfully hoping our new leaders will lead us in the right direction. Some of us are expectant, others are fearful, but all of us should be prayerful!

The following thoughts are intended to challenge your thinking a little concerning leadership. I want to take a look at leadership from two perspectives:

1) You as the leader

• Are you real? Just because you are a leader does not always mean you are the leader. Collaboration is a wonderful concept but useless and time-consuming without real leadership to guide it.
• Are you a leader of one or many? What grows, matures or changes with more people to lead? What stays the same no matter the number you are leading?
• Is there someone with you that has some knowledge, experience, or ability you do not have? If so, do you have the wisdom to utilize it?
• If you do not know the way, do not take the lead. If someone else knows a better way, let them take the point for a while. This makes you more, not less, a leader.

Pride always leads to disaster

2) You choosing a leader to follow

• Do they know the way? Even a bad leader can get you somewhere if they know the way. If reaching a destination is all you need, this leader is able. If you want to arrive safely, morally, ethically, or financially, your search may not be over.
• Follow integrity above intrigue. Is this leader upright and consistent? Can they deliver what they promise?
• Is there any peace associated with the choice? If everything looks good but there is no peace about the decision, wait until there is, or do not follow this leader.

Peace surpasses understanding, trust peace

There are many other things to consider concerning leadership. My hope is that these thoughts will help you in some way.

Let me suggest a great leadership model written years ago about a truly great leader. * NKJV and my own thoughts inserted in ( )

Psalms 23 The Lord is my shepherd (I know who my leader is.)

I shall not want (Under his leadership I will lack nothing. I trust him!)

He makes me lay down in green pastures (Because the grass is green and plentiful, I am full! I can not eat more. It’s nap time!)

He leads me beside the still waters (He does not lead to strife or troubled waters but to peace and refreshing…. life more abundant.)

He restores my soul (My mind, will & emotions (soul) are repaired by Him.)

He leads me in paths of righteousness (He leads the right way at the right time.)

For His name’s sake (Because his name is honorable, He will not lead me to destruction but to life.)

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.(I have full confidence in my leader. He is equipped to guide and defend me, and the integrity of his name is above reproach. What Comfort My Leader Is To Me.)

Follow and mimic this kind of leadership and you will do well!

Fred Hughes, M. Photog.

photo-By Peter Hershey

Which way do we go?

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Have We Lost The Forest In The Trees?

Perhaps we have lost the big picture to all the details of the day. There seems to me to be an inability to see the forest in many ways. What are you seeing?

Mark 10:13-16 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, Jesus was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

“

It seems to me that the main thing isn’t the main thing anymore.

Our culture seems to be missing important things like love, honor, charity, and morality, all because we do not want to offend anyone. We build our walls of race and economic divide or move the ministry to the people out of the way of the TV cameras. Similar to Jesus’ disciples, are we not missing something here?

On a regular basis, I see young couples failing in their relationships and people of all ages suffering rejection and bitterness, because parents and children can no longer communicate at any level. Business and social structures are turned upside down by warped ideologies that are based on greed or control. I propose that what seems right because, “that is the way everyone is doing it,” is in actuality very wrong!

Prov 14:12-16

12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. 13 Even in laughter, the heart may sorrow, And the end of mirth may be grief. 14 The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied from above. 15 The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps. 16 A wise man fears and departs from evil,

NKJV

So, why point this out? Rediscovering the real forest and not getting tangled up in the trees is a high vision that will change the day you live in. Perspective is important, if you want to have a big vision. I believe it is important to pay attention to the details, but ask any artist about the value of stepping back and seeing the big picture from time to time.

The foundations of American life have been attacked and much damage has been done. There is a crossroad, a clearing, a vantage point that is available. His name is Jesus; His word is true; His wisdom and ways are good. Will we stop and rediscover the forest? Or, will we continue being lost among the trees not knowing we are in grave danger!

My friend, unless we become like little children, we will not see the kingdom of God, nor a great nation called America. Unless we run to Him and let His hands and blessings be upon us, we will not prosper as a people. May God grant us eyes to see the forest, not just the trees.

IN GOD WE TRUST!

by Fred Hughes

This and other Posts can be found at our websites.

www.byfredhughes.com ~ www.decision1.org