Leading Like Jesus for a Change

Jesus lived and walked in a very different world from the 21st century context of our day, yet He was able to implement profound systemic changes in His world.

Understanding His world enables us to more fully understand the context of His leadership and to better apply these principles to our own leadership realities.

This article briefly examines the context of Jesus’ leadership and looks at how He responded to these realities by initiating systemic change. It offers timeless leadership principles for contemporary leaders.

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Today's Prayer

Dear God, I don't want to labor against you by my own self-efforts. I want to totally depend on you.

Please increase my faith. Forgive my unbelief. James (1:5) tells me that if I lack wisdom, let me ask of you -- God that gives to all people liberally -- and it will be given to me. Lord, give me wisdom and grace and strong faith.

I pray for my friends who need your peace and power in their lives. Please reach down and lift them up by the power of Your Holy Spirit; draw them unto you; change their lives for their good and Your glory.

These things I ask with a loving heart. In the name of Jesus, amen.

New Leadership Books

Here is a list of some of the best leadership books to be released in September.

- A Sense of Urgency by John P. Kotter

- The Encore Effect: How to Achieve Remarkable Performance in Anything You Do by Mark Sanborn

- The Spider's Strategy: Creating Networks to Avert Crisis, Create Change, and Really Get Ahead by Amit S. Mukherjee

- On Leadership: Essential Principles for Success by Donald J. Palmisano

- The Truth About You: Your Secret to Success by Marcus Buckingham

Labor Day

Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September. The holiday originated in 1882 as the Central Labor Union (of New York City) sought to create "a day off for the working citizens."

Congress made Labor Day a federal holiday in 1894. All fifty states have made Labor Day a state holiday.

Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer.

Labor Day has been celebrated on the first Monday in September in the United States since the 1880s. The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday — a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations," followed by a festival for the workers and their families. This became the pattern for Labor Day celebrations. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civil significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.

Today, Labor Day is often regarded as a day of rest and parades, speeches or political demonstrations are more low-key than May 1 Labour Day celebrations in most countries, although events held by labor organizations often feature political themes and appearances by candidates for office, especially in election years. Forms of celebration include picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays, water sports, and public art events. Families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel before the end of summer. Some teenagers and young adults view it as the last weekend for parties before returning to school. However, as of late, schools have begun well before Labor Day, as early as July 24th in many urban districts, including major southern cities in the United States such as Atlanta, Miami, and Los Angeles.

In addition, Labor Day marks the beginning of the season for the National Football League and NCAA College Football. The NCAA usually plays their first games the week before Labor day, with the NFL traditionally playing their first game the Thursday following Labor Day.