Apalling Leadership - Learning from Saul

Leadership begins with followship. Followship begins with knowing who is in the lead.

If God is leading, you can trust him to make you a good follower and ultimately, a great leader. 

                                                         ~ Shantae A. Charles ~

As I was heading off to sleep, and dialing down for the day, God began to speak to me. This is our regular routine. I agreed in 1997, that if God would speak to me, I would listen. I did not say, I would listen between the hours of 9 to 5, so God chooses when he decides to invade my space and my sleep. I notice that as we settle ourselves, God speaks into our heart timeless truths. I found it very striking that in this day and age God still wants to talk to leaders about leadership. It's important to God where His people are headed and who is leading them towards him as well as away from him. But he spoke these words: Saul's Apalling Leadership. Yes, even now, Saul is forever remembered in the sight of the Lord as a leader who failed to fully carry out and fulifll his purpose in life. So, I rolled myself out of that comfortable state of quiet time, and wrote down what the Lord wanted to highlight. I won't give you a full study lesson, but if you want to study the life of Saul, read 1 Samuel 9-13.

An excellent background article on Saul can also be found here: http://groundreport.com/theres-a-lesson-people-can-learn-from-the-life-of-king-saul/

Here are the facts that the Lord wanted to highlight concerning Saul's Appalling example:

1. People pleasing- Saul's concern for pleasing people overrode his devotion to the will of God- this was a key in his downfall

2. Half obedience- Saul's refusal to wipe out two enemies of Israel later plagued the Kings that cam after him and almost led to the extermination of the Jews (see the Book of Esther); Haman was a descendant of the King Saul was ordered to kill.

3. Unfinished work- Saul constantly made excuses as to why he had not fully obeyed the Lord. This pattern of "not finishing" was seen throughout his life.

4. Murdering the Priest- Rather than honoring spiritual God-ordained leadership, Saul had them executed. Anyone who went against his brand of being and doing was dealt with. Interesting enough, Saul never pursued fully the actual enemies of God and Israel.

5. Baiting & Switching (daughter)- Saul promised many things but did not deliver on them, and partially because of his disobedience to the Lord. He also promised King David a wife with the intention and hope that he would be murdered in the process.

6. Warring without God - Saul was very concerned with 'saving face', wanting Samuel the prophet to bless him and act as though nothing had changed in Saul's leadership position with God (and really, if God no longer approves your leadership, you may as well hang it up).

7. Skulking &Sulking- Saul turned into a very temperamental, sulking man, on many occaisions due to his demonic oppression. Having been rejected by God from the position of King, he never sought to restore his position relationally with God. This brought on feelings of envy and murderous jealousy when he realized he had lost the benefit of God's anointing on His life. He became a King in title only, lacking the authority, personal drive, and the Hosts of Army of God to really back his War Campaigns.

8. Consulting witches- Seeking power from any other source, seeking out any other source but God for counsel, even if it is your dead mentor, is unholy. God does not treat this as a light thing. He sees it as idolatry, judgement has come upon many leaders for looking to vodoo, gurus, and 'spiritual guides' rather than God.

9. Hunting, not helping the Next Generation- Saul is known mainly not for his leadership skill, but for his relentless pursuit of David, future King of Israel: a younger, skilled, gifted, and good looking man that God had been grooming in his father's fields to be the next King of Israel. Saul began to look at David differently, the moment the attention for military skill and prowess was shifted away from him and onto David. After David had proven he could and would take on giants, rather than Saul seeing him as a successor, he saw him as a threat. Why? Saul had already been deposed by God spiritually. It was only a matter of time before it was revealed naturally. Saul wanted no exposures to his private dethroning. With David publicly winning military battles and doing exploits, this would shed light on Saul's lack of ability.

10. Fighting losing battles- Saul was notorious for attempting war campaigns without God, and focusing on the wrong battles. His fight should not have been with David, yet Saul spent his entire life fighting a losing battle. God had chosen David. There was nothing he could do about that.

11. Only seeking God as last resort- A scripture every leader should have ingrained in their heart? "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." Mt.6:33 Saul chose not to recognize God as preimminent, first, only, or even as his priority

12. Impetuous & Hasty Decision Making- Saul was not known for his patience. When it appeared that Samuel was late in coming, Saul stepped into the role of Priest (not his office) and tried to offer God a sacrifice. He did it for the people, not even in obedience to God. Leaders have to be careful of moving for the people rather than moving because God commissioned it.

13. Treating people as commodity- To Saul, people were expendable. One example of this, is his use of his daughter Michal as a bargaining tool to bring David into his household. Anything that could not be of use to Saul for his plans, was not worth anything, including his own heir apparent, Jonathan.

14. Unrepentant and prideful- These two characteristics describe Saul's personality, how he handled his personal and public life, and ultimately what led to his death.

15. Paralyzed by Fear yet moved by Popular vote- Saul spent most of his life as a fearful man:
* Fearful of People
*Fearful of Perceptions
*Fearful of other Leaders
*Fearful of losing His Status

There is much more to learn from Saul. I encourage you to dig in further. Finally, we must examine ourselves, our leadership styles and see if we are in alignment with God and Jesus as Lord over our leading.
We can have good graphics no Grace, a charming personality, and no Charisma (anointing) for what we are leading. We can have a super marketing and media team, yet no spine to say no to ungodliness. I don't want to be that kind of leader. Let us learn from Saul's appalling leadership, and more importantly, let's not be the ones to repeat it.

Entreprenuers: False Assumptions People Make About Business Owners and "Work From Home"

                   

What we hope ever to do with ease, we must learn first to do with diligence.

~Samuel Johnson~

I believe in business. I believe in small business. I believe in the Mom & Pop business. I believe in 'start-ups' that start anywhere. I am a small business owner and entreprenuer myself and I find great joy in what I do. I also find great encouragement from fellow small business owners. Until you are in business for yourself, leading yourself, guiding and directing and organizing people and schedules, you may not realize some of the challenges that entreprenuers face...and some of the false assumptions that can be quite frankly, insulting to someone's goals, purpose in life, motivation and drive. In talking to some fellow entreprenuers and through a few lack luster experiences of my own, let me share a few of the false assumptions that many of us have faced, are facing, and are also overcoming as we continue to make impact in our chosen fields. Our diligence and determination, our "stick-to-it-ness" are mowing down these assumptions. Hopefully after reading, you will have re-thought your own impressions if you work for someone else, and as an entreprenuer, you can share this article to enlighten 9-5 ers. Although, with the economic policies rolling out, a whole new class of "work-at-home" businesses may need this boost. In this life, you might come to realize that some people see kindness as a doormat in business, not a courtesy. Here we go!

False Assumptions People Make About Entreprenuers and those who Work from Home:

1. That you are not "really working"- We love what we do, but if we have chosen to do it we are working often times 200% percent at our craft.

2. That you have "flexible time" or "time on your hands"- Most entreprenuers are spending time working, networking, researching, or gaining further knowledge in their field.

3. That you can afford to do "free work" and "quite frequently"- If time is money, and we do every project for free as a for-profit company, how can you expect us to earn money or increase earning or hire additional staff?

4. That you have no overhead costs to consider- There are always overhead costs to consider. If you work from home, you may not have the overhead cost of a building, but there are soft costs involved with keeping a business running.

5. That you're not "really busy" so their "small project" can fill time for you- This can be seen as insulting to a small business owner. Time is money.

6. That your time does not cost. Again, time is money. If a business volunteers Pro-Bono work, sign off on their in-kind work, time, and man-hours, as well as materials they are donating to you. This helps that business during tax time.

7. That you should be willing to be late with paying clients to "fit them in" or "do favors" for family and friends - If you are not willing to compensate for services rendered, do  not demand to be first in line.

8. That you have no social life or any other obligations- We work hard and we need time away to spend with family, go to trainings and conferences to stay current in the field, and simply regroup.

9. That you spend a lot of time sleeping (true entreprenuers will LAUGH at this one)- Just don't insinuate this to any business owner you want to remain friends with. Period.

10. That you're not a "real Business" or a "true" Professional.- Most entreprenuers carry a degree or certfication in the services they provide and have gone through proper legal channels. If there is a question about qualifications, ask. You might be surprised how qualified they really are, and that could be the reason they struck out on  their own. Ask Bill Gates and Warren Buffet (who worked from home for years, according to his interview).

11. That you are available at the beck and call of any "emergency service need"- Assuming that anytime you want something done, your friend or family member who has a business can drop everything and do it, is not good. Treat them like the professional they are.

12. That you are recieving support, encouragement, or supplemental income.- This is an area that rubs raw with a few. Most entreprenuers are not recieving supplemental income unless they hold a full-time or part-time job. Some are blessed enough to get small biz loans or have private investors, but most do not gain that until 3-5 years into their business or more. A lot of personal income goes into starting a business. This makes it bittersweet to be celebrated on the tail end, and have people wanting to borrow money from what they never invested in.

13. That you are paid on time or at a fair rate for contracts. - Many entreprenuers give initial discounts as a way to get in the door or network, so they many times may be working for less.

14. That you must be "rolling in the dough" now that you work for yourself (another Laughable Point)- Self explanatory.

15. That you have no "real bills" or responsibilities with your business. - Every one has bills and people they need to pay on-time. The greatest favor you can do an entreprenuer is pay them fairly and on-time for services rendered.

16. That volunteering a service demands that you should offer the same level of time you would a paying client.- Entreprenuers may have to scale down what they are offering you simply to avoid cost that you as a volunteer cannot afford.

As an Entreprenuer

What I learned and re-learned recently:

1. Never volunteer for what you do not have time to give your best to.

2. Never repeat volunteer service for those who are ungrateful.

3. Never repeat volunteer service with people who do not respect your time, your boundaries, the word NO, your deadlines, or the fact that they are recieving FREE what costs you time and money to produce.

As Les Brown would say, You Deserve! (so much more than that)

You probably have more to add. I would love to hear your thoughts! Post a comment below.

UNgreat Expectations

Today, I had to do something that I have not had to do since last year. In school time, that's pretty long. I had to pull a young male to the side. I had seen this gentleman  before and he always seemed to be doing the same thing. He was horseplaying, walking with a cool "limp", mishandling materials, and acting unseemly. Society had already formed an opinion about him and he was completely unaware. So, why did I feel compelled to speak to him? He was African-American.

Yes, that's right. I pulled him to the side and asked him one question: "You know the perception that exists about Young African American Males, right?" He did have the temerity to look ashamed as he nodded his head. I told him: "Don't fulfill a negative expectation. You can do better." That was it. he immediately straightened up, walked back into his class and responded differently.

You see, sometimes that is what it takes. Addressing the behavior before it becomes something that is addressed by the wrong person who has already formed an opinion about you. I called him to the carpet on the behavior. Maybe he doesn't behave that way at home. Maybe he does. But what has been planted as seed in his mind today, is that someone noticed how he was getting his attention and encouraged him to take an alternate route.

I'm not a parent, but if I were, I would want someone to encourage my son or daughter to not fulfill the stereotypes and negatives perceptions that surround them.

Here are some startling statistics compiled by Tavis Smiley Reports:

These stats show the impact that structural inequality has had on Black men and boys in America.

-  54% of African Americans graduate from high school, compared to more than three quarters of white
and Asian students.

-  Nationally, African American male students in grades K-12 were nearly 2½ times as likely to be suspended from school in 2000 as white students.

-  In 2007, nearly 6.2 million young people were high school dropouts. Every student who does not complete high school costs our society an estimated $260,000 in lost earnings, taxes, and productivity.

-  On average, African American twelfth-grade students read at the same level as white
eighth-grade students.

-  The twelfth-grade reading scores of African American males were significantly lower than
those for men and women across every other racial and ethnic group.

-  Only 14% of African American eighth graders score at or above the proficient level. These results reveal that millions of young people cannot understand or evaluate text, provide relevant details, or support inferences about the written documents they read.

-  The majority of the 2.3 million people incarcerated in U.S. prisons and jails are people of
color, people with mental health issues and drug addiction, people with low levels of
educational attainment, and people with a history of unemployment or underemployment.

Young Black men — across the board — score below their counterparts in other racial and ethnic groups when it comes to graduation rates, literacy rates and college preparedness. And many African American men, in turn, are virtually locked out of employment and are filling up the nation’s prisons in disproportionate numbers.

We can step up to the plate as leaders now or we can continue to let these statistics be the norm. They don't have to be. It takes one person at a time to make a difference. Let's be the difference makers!

March On Washington Anniversary: A Young Leader In The March Reflects

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." - Martin Luther King, Jr. 

On the day of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, I had the distinct honor of interviewing Mr. Alonzo Batson, an educator selected to serve on the Governor's Task Committee for the state of Virginia. Mr. Batson was a youth who attended the March on Washington and offers some great insights in this interview:

 What was the context of your attendance at the March?
 

I was a 13year old student. I was the President of the Oklahoma State Chapter of the youth NAACP. The Black leaders in the state met in Oklahoma City and decided that we would participate in the March. I was part of that meeting.

 What was the emotional atmosphere at the time?

Oklahoma, at that time was a totally separate but not equal state. Black were supposed to go to the back doors for food service at white restaurants, bathrooms and water fountains were segregated. There was only one day of the year Blacks could go to the city amusement park. In Tulsa, the city of my birth and growth was a city that flourished with the separate but equal policy. We really didn't have to interact with the Euro-Americans.

 Did you feel like you were making difference?

Sure, I felt that the numbers and attitude we displayed in Washington on August 1963 let the World know we were serious about equal right for all people, economic equality and unity for America. Alas, I was wrong.

Were there any personal sacrifices you made in order to be there?

Being the Youth President of the Youth chapters, I had to raise funds for us to go. My biggest achievement was that I personally raise enough monies to sent 3 buses of youth from Tulsa, 3 buses from Oklahoma City. 1 bus from Muskogee and one bus from Lawton, Oklahoma.

 How did you get that banner and what made you hold on to it?

The banner was proof I was there. My parents moved to a new house that same year and I pinned the banner over my bed and it has been there ever since. With the upcoming 50th anniversary, I asked my brother, who still lives in the house, to send it to me.

Mr. Alonzo Batson with his original banner.

 Looking back, and looking at 2013, do you feel that Blacks have progressed in terms of what you all marched for or have Black Americans regressed?

Blacks have improved their status. However, the the basis or tenet for The March has not been achieved. Blacks have given up the values and principles that  adherence to the purposes of the march would have brought about. The system of racism has be re-defined and we, Afro-Americans, have been caught as unsuspecting participants in this redefinition.

What would you say to your younger self in retrospect about that day?

Keep focus and be ever vigilant.

What would you say to young Black Americans today about keeping The Dream alive?

"To thine own self be true" - Shakespeare. I say to them reject self hatred, love your people. I say to them that being true to principles and values will bring about achievement in all areas of their life. I say to them to not become available to become a statistic. This country is a country that profits from slavery of the body in the past to slavery of the mind now. I say to them that it's not too late.

 What are some things you took away from The March about society as a whole?

Our country is truly a melting pot. At The March all components of this country were in attendance. We blended as one then. We have been separated in today's reality through class, gender, economic warfare.

 Did you face any negative repercussions for participating in the March?

None; we returned to our respective towns and cities and became active in our pursuit for equality and justice. But as I've said before, we have got a whole lot of work to do.

My Take Away from the interview: 

Because that moment on the Washington Mall brought about a oneness in this Nation, since then, there has been an underlying and systematic attack on seeing that level of unity. I believe this generation is poised to either be the Great Reconcilers  or the Great Dividers. Only time can tell which route we will take. Martin Luther King, Jr. was one who lead going before the people not from behind. We must not make ourselves an available statistic, but stand up for our rights, not be silent or indifferent to injustice, and like Mr. Batson, make our mark on history in a positive way, no matter how young or old, no matter how small or great our contribution. Everyone had a part to play in showing the fabric of this Nation as One Nation Undivided and that we can stand for justice. A very key part of being Undivided that many leave out is Martin's faith in God. His natural leadership was driven by the his spiritual leadership. You see, we can only lead so far without God's divine guidance and help. May this Next Now Generation fully embrace that truth!

The Tell The Truth Generation

If I could categorize the generation that I grew up in, I would call it
"The Tell The Truth" Generation. 

~.~

This generation did not lie to you.
They also did not spare you any feelings of uncomfortableness. 

If you could NOT sing, they told you.

If you had no rhythm, they told you.

If you were not particularly good at an academic subject, they told you.

AND it was NOT called "bullying" or "emotional abuse"

People recognize it as TRUTH.

~.~

But my generation also 

STEERED you in the direction of your gifts.

They CHEERED you for following your dreams.

They ENCOURAGED & URGED  you to strengthen your weak areas.

~.~

My generation did not do us a disservice by leaving us with 

a false sense of entitlement

a false sense of accomplishment

a false sense of exceptionalism

especially WHERE THERE WAS NONE.

~.~

My generation would NOT

let you dishonor your body

let you disrespect your parents

let you embarrass yourself on any national platform

even if they had to come yank you off stage

and save you from yourself. 

Yes.

~.~

I Believe that SUCH a generation 

can exist ONCE AGAIN.

And I for one have my Poms Poms Out

Rooting For Them 

To RISE UP 

&
Take Back Their Generation 

by 

TELLING THE TRUTH

& shaming the devil!

Be GREAT!

You are the Next generation NOW.

The Statesman- A Call To Awareness

On my way to rest last night, the Holy Spirit spoke something to me concerning the Statesman. 

I believe it speaks to the kind of man God wants to set in office. 

I share it with you now. I know many Statesmen and I am praying that they will rise to the occasion and take back this country's moral ground that has been eroded. 

God is looking for leaders who stand on the Rock

The Statesman

Blessed is the Man 

who blesses His wife. 

For she is His body

Reflecting His Life. 

Blessed is the Wife

Who blesses Her Man

He is Her covering

Her Kingdom Right hand

Blessed is the Family

Whose God is Jesus Christ

Who gives Him His Place

And gives Him Their Life

Blessed is the Community

That thrives in Unity

That calls on the Lord

Before they call on a "Board"

Blessed is the State

That Sees God as Great

That trust Him for Increase

To Bring Surplus Not Decrease

Blessed is the Nation 

Whose God is the Lord

Who is Devoted to Love Him

And serve Him, never Bored

Blessed is the Statesman

that lives their Life

Loving Their Family

Honoring Husband or Wife

Their Family 

Will Bless the 

Community and State

Oh, Bless 

the Statesman 

Who KNOWS 

God Made Them 

GREAT!

-Shantae Charles-

From Generation To Generation: The Power of Generational Blessing

Genesis 26

There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, in Gerar. ² Then the Lord appeared to him and said: “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you. ³ Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants I give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father. ⁴ And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; ⁵ BECAUSE Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”⁶ And Isaac dwelt in Gerar:

______________

 If there is one thing you need to know...GOD is an Oath performing, COVENANT-KEEPING GOD.

What makes this covenant that more incredible was that it was sealed based on faith and not on the works of Abraham.

Romans 4

1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? ² If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. ³ What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

⁴ Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. ⁵ However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness

Abraham left a GOOD CREDIT REPORT with GOD.  Through his Obedience to God, He demonstrated his trust in God. As a Next Generation Leader, here are some lessons we can take from Abraham's Life. 

1."...and I will be with you and bless you...";Isaac had seen and had been an active participant in the obedience of His Father. Obedience had been modeled for him. He had no need to rely on King Abimelech. God was more than capable of blessing him and he had witnessed it in his Father's life.

2. Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness- Could it be that God is speaking to You in this generation because someone in your previous generation was wholly obedient? Their credit report with God may have opened up a line of credit for you. Time after time in scripture we see record of sons who either walked or did not walk after their father's standard and the results. 

3. "...in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; BECAUSE Abraham obeyed..."- Obedience can release not only a blessing in your generation, but it can release generational guidance, protection, provision and encounter to your next generation. We often times focus on the material inheritance that can be left to our children's children, but forget the spiritual inheritance.

4. "...and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father."- God gives the next generation direction based on the previous generation's obedience. As heirs of the promise and as the seed of Abraham through Christ, we can receive the covenant blessings of God through faithful obedience.

5. "Then the Lord appeared to him and said..."- God wants to appear to the next generation. He wants his glory, his mercy, his love, his covenant to never end.

You can leave this generation with an example: You can open the door to Faith. You can show through your life how to live by faith, walk by faith, encounter God by faith, and trust in the Word of God by faith. Or you can leave this generation with a closed door by never living by faith, never walking by faith, hiding your faith in a closet, doubting God's Word, never speaking of God's existence, never testifying of God's power, never giving credit to God's generosity and denying God's power in your life.

I challenge every Next Generation Leader to fulfill these verses today:

Psalm 145:3-5

³ Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

⁴ One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.

⁵ I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.

The "greatest" generation is the generation that recognizes, loves, and obeys the GREAT GOD. - SAC

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