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As I read through Revelation, I’m struck by the amount of language that is full of echos from the OT (actually, it’s from the LXX, but that’s another post). One of these allusions is the idea of shaking the earth. You can also see this in the book of Hebrews. This is a reference back to Sinai and the giving of the Law to Moses in the midst of the Exodus. Just as the giving of the Law was a legal declaration of covenant with His people and judgment on all others, so too, the ministry of Christ is a declaration of covenant with His people and judgment on all others. It shakes the earth. One day Jesus will return and exact fully this judgment and fully implement His kingdom on the earth (which has already come & is continuing to come upon the earth). So, tell someone! Shake it up!

1. Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader? Maybe some one who has been a mentor to you? Why and how did this person impact your life?
2. What are the most important decisions you make as a leader of your organization?
3. As an organization gets larger there can be a tendency for the “institution” to dampen the “inspiration.” How do you keep this from happening?
4. How do you encourage creative thinking within your organization?
5. Where do the great ideas come from in your organization?
6. Which is most important to your organization—mission, core values or vision?
7. How do you or other leaders in your organization communicate the “core values”?
8. How do you encourage others in your organization to communicate the “core values”?
9. Do you set aside specific times to cast vision to your employees and other leaders?
10. How do you ensure the your organization and its activities are aligned with your “core values”?
11. How do you help a new employee understand the culture of your organization?
12. When faced with two equally-qualified candidates, how do you determine whom to hire?
13. What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?
14. What is the biggest challenge facing leaders today?
15. What is one mistake you witness leaders making more frequently than others?
16. What is the one behavior or trait that you have seen derail more leaders’ careers?
17. Can you explain the impact, if any, that social networking and Web 2.0 has made on your organization or you personally?
18. What are a few resources you would recommend to someone looking to gain insight into becoming a better leader?
19. What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?
20. What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader?

He was one of King Saul’s younger sons and was made king over Israel by Abner. His name was Eshbaal, which means “the Lord’s man” after Saul left the picture his name was changed to Ishbosheth (2 Sam. 2:8 with 1 Chron. 8:33; 1 Chron. 9:39). Unfortunately, his new name means “man of shame,” so this was not a step up.

Ishbosheth contested the throne of Israel with David for seven years. Ultimately he was deserted by Abner and murdered in his bed by two of his captains. What a shameful end.

What we have in Ishbosheth is a man who was not content to play the role that God had for him. Being the son of a king, even a king like Saul, gave Eshbaal the opportunity to wield great influence. He had a choice, do I support the leadership that God has allowed to be put in place, or do I try to elevate myself? Unfortunately, Ishbosheth chose the latter. At first, he had support, but ultimately, people who will unite with you against authority will turn on you once you get into power.

How often do we fall into the same trap? Maybe we don’t like a Sunday School teacher or even a church, so we leave and go somewhere else, or even start a new church. We feel justified because we have others with us. Well, if your goal is Godly, then praise the Lord, it’s a good thing. But, if your goal is other than honoring the Lord, well, you might just end up like Ishbosheth…

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

-Rom 13

He was one of King Saul’s younger sons and was made king over Israel by Abner. His name was Eshbaal, which means “the Lord’s man” after Saul left the picture his name was changed to Ishbosheth (2 Sam. 2:8 with 1 Chron. 8:33; 1 Chron. 9:39). Unfortunately, his new name means “man of shame,” so this was not a step up.

Ishbosheth contested the throne of Israel with David for seven years. Ultimately he was deserted by Abner and murdered in his bed by two of his captains. What a shameful end.

What we have in Ishbosheth is a man who was not content to play the role that God had for him. Being the son of a king, even a king like Saul, gave Eshbaal the opportunity to wield great influence. He had a choice, do I support the leadership that God has allowed to be put in place, or do I try to elevate myself? Unfortunately, Ishbosheth chose the latter. At first, he had support, but ultimately, people who will unite with you against authority will turn on you once you get into power.

How often do we fall into the same trap? Maybe we don’t like a Sunday School teacher or even a church, so we leave and go somewhere else, or even start a new church. We feel justified because we have others with us. Well, if your goal is Godly, then praise the Lord, it’s a good thing. But, if your goal is other than honoring the Lord, well, you might just end up like Ishbosheth…

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

-Rom 13