You never know what will happen to you. Actually, you’ll be surprised what you’ll become. The truth is that you will never be the same again. 
Recently, I met a man from the UK who lived in various countries from his late teens. After so many years away people now mistake him for various nationalities because of the changes in his English accent. He’ll never be the same again. 
The psalmist said: 

“O Lord who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks the truth in his heart” (Psa 15:1,2).

And he goes on to mention more such characteristics of those who dwell in God’s presence. You can’t remain as you are. The longer you remain in God’s presence the more you’ll be changed to become like him. So just hang around. You’ll see.
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Culture begins at the top. Of course! Where else? 
If culture doesn’t begin at the top then each person will introduce their own. And it can end up in confusion. But you can make it value driven, intentional, and consistent. 
If your culture isn’t value-driven, then it will vacillate. It will become a moving target or ever changing like the weather that changes by the moment. But if it’s value-driven, it will remain constant longer, and will produce the results that you desire. 
Then be intentional about creating and maintaining culture. You can do this by modeling it celebrating it and emphasizing it. By doing these three, you’ll get more people to gradually adopt the culture of your organization. 
Finally be consistent and repetitive. Because culture can fade. Or maybe it leaks. Then before you know it you end up with another culture one that doesn’t line up with your values. 
Keep the culture focused. Then it will be value-driven. Ultimately your values help achieve your mission and vision. Link to Mission Vision and goals
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They never expected it. They never even dreamed of such a thing. They’ve heard of others who experienced such a total disaster. But such horrible things should not happen to God’s people. 
But it did. They lost their land, their identity as a nation, their possessions, and most of all they lost all hope for the future. 
So they cried out. 

“Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad”  (Psa 4:7).

Losses are inevitable. But total loss is a total disaster. Your only hope comes from God. Continue to look to him with hope. Only then can you rejoice and be glad.
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It’s inevitable, but many will walk away from you and from Jesus. Even crowds of people walked away (Joh 6:66,67). Individuals also walked away. They were offended, they disagreed, or they just had a different agenda. Jesus simply let them go. 
Some followed Jesus. They followed for various reasons. They received healing, food, saw miracles, received forgiveness, companionship, good teaching, and other needs were met through Jesus. Although Jesus continued to give to them, he did two things: 1) He gave priority to new seekers in other places (other sheep). 2) He challenged them to go deeper in relationship and obedience. But that’s the point where these people also walked away. 
Then a few are willing to obey Jesus even to death. The demand was heavy. 

“Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple” (Luk 16:27).

Don’t be surprised if only a few obey Jesus and become his followers. 
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I’m not so sure if God hides his face from us. Rather than a reality, it may be what the person is sensing within due to the pain and struggles. 
David experienced such a depth of pain and expressed those words several times. On the cross, Jesus asked: “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” This doesn’t have to mean that God the Father forsook Jesus at the point of his greatest agony. It means that at the greatest point of agony he felt so distraught that it felt like he was deserted by everyone, even his heavenly Father. Thus we also have the words of David: “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” (Psa 13:1)
No, God doesn’t hide. We just get blinded by the intensity of our pain and the depth of our struggles. 
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Ever been the timid type? Afraid? Always afraid? You’re the person who waits for others to take the first step. But, if it’s to run from danger, then you’re first. 
The following words have always been a source of strength for Israel. 

“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength” (Isa 30:15). 

A “fearful leader” can be a contradictory term. But it’s often a reality. The problem is that you’ll end up vacillating, incapable of firm decisions. As you cower under the words of others, you’ll wonder who is the real leader here. 
Sometimes you snap back at others. Maybe out of fear, sometimes out of jealousy, and often out of ignorance of other people’s situations. 
Return to the presence of your Father. Rest in his presence. Quiet yourself in His embrace. Trust in His strength. 
Then lead. 
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Actually their lying duplicity is fine as long as you know their game. You can simply ignore their words. That’s not a problem to ignore such people. 
But flattery is the clincher. Their sweet words of genuine sounding baloney becomes irritating. It comes across as so sweet and genuine that you’re sucked into believing it. Then, when you’re inside their trap, you look out into the world of reality and realize – you’re the sucker. Sorry, it was too sweet to be true. 
Maybe David was experiencing this when he said these words.

“Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; With flattering lips and a double heart they speak. May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, those who say, ‘With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us, who is master over us?” (Psa 12:2-4)

Watch out!
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Doesn’t seem like a good disciple making strategy. It seems like Jesus is saying, “OK, you got what you need. Now go. It seems like he doesn’t care. But of course he cared. That’s why he healed people. He was concerned about them. That’s why he fed them. He loved them. That’s why he forgave sinners. He enjoyed their company. That’s why he hung out with them and ate and drank as well. That’s why he died on the cross. 
With this person and many others, Jesus simply tells them to “go” rather than asking them to follow him. And Jesus said to him:

“Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way (Mark 10:52).

But following Jesus requires self-denial. When you follow, what do you get? You get Jesus. Through him you get the Holy Spirit. And of course, the Father too. Along with this you get the Kingdom.
Now, why would you want the Kingdom? The kingdom is the rule and reign of God. And in the kingdom, you get righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. You get connected with your creator. And, you’re adopted into the ultimate First Family, the family of God as you become a child of the King. Wow!
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Why not? They deserve it, don’t they? After all, they’ve brought it on themselves as a result of their actions. But then, we know that God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin (Exo 34:6-7).
But we still get to express our pain and the resulting struggles. David said, “Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup (Psa 11:8). These words are harsh, but they are shrouded in the merciful and gracious love of God. 
His love is even forgiving of our anger and inconsistencies of our own lives. He knows we are weak and troubled. His mercy extends to us even when we are unmerciful.
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Over focused people may become steam rollers. 
There’s nothing wrong with being focused. In fact, only some are focused enough to make a difference. Most are not. 
Some get so focused on what they are involved in that they become like a steam roller. They get pushy. I think they can become “painfully focused.” The pain is not their own, but they cause pain in others. 
Those who are painfully focused get so set on their personal interests that they forget everyone else. Such people do well with their interests and with that they value. But nothing else matters to them. 
Is that you? Does it ring a bell? Look around you. What do you see on the faces of people around you? Look within you. What is driving you forward? 
Are you painfully focused? 
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