What is passion? by Dr.Sammy D.James

In my work helping people create careers that energize and inspire them, I've come up with a simple definition for passion:

Passion is the energy that comes from bringing more of YOU into what you do.

Simply put, it's being who you are and doing what comes naturally. When what you do is in alignment with who you are, you get energy from doing it. It's like water flowing along its natural riverbed. It actually gains energy from the path it's taking (compare that to what most people experience in their work, which is more like trying to force it up and over a mountain).

How do you consciously, consistently bring more of YOU into what you do?
One simple approach that is at the heart of my process is to go beyond what you love and ask why you love it. Do some reverse engineering to identify the underlying characteristics that tend to be in place when you're on fire.

Gathering the resulting insights in one place gives you a passion-focused decision tool. Think of it as an internal compass that takes the heart-based passion decision and puts it in the realm that the analytical mind can understand as well.

It takes the guesswork out of the process and lets you make a more concrete evaluation. For example, you can look at a potential job and ask, “How well does this align with these underlying characteristics?” You can do the same with any choice you make. Simply ask the question, “Will this bring me closer to alignment with what energizes me, or farther away?

If you want to dig into this approach more deeply, check out my e-book, call believe in yourself. In it, you will find a step-by-step process to help you identify what lights you up, generate ideas for potential career paths, evaluate those paths and choose one, and make it happen.

The seat of knowledge is in the head, of wisdom.Dr:Sammy D.James

W V M I.It is an Organization non profit
World Vision Ministries International.
working an Education,Health,Agriculture,infrastructure, Micro-Finance,and we build church,and support other ministries.We make Conferences and Seminaries.
Are you in the right place to help your Brother or Sister?
W V M I is a Global Vision organization.By associating with wise people you will become wise yourself.
Dr:Sammy D.james holds a Masters Degree in political science and P H D in Theology,business owner.

.Prayer by,Dr:Sammy D.James

Welcome to W.V.M.I.World Vision Ministries International.
We are Located:Republic of Haiti,Port Au Prince,and america latina,Caribbean
Petion Ville,Rue gregoire.Tel-509-257-82-87/ 829-892-41-00/ 829-728-58-01
1-786-439-50-86// 1-561-202-43-85/E-mail.sammydestiny@hotmail.com/ wvmiseminarytheologieschool45@yahoo.fr
Father in heaven, your love for us never falters in spite of our sins and failures. Please show your mercy and care for me in my difficulty. For the sake of Christ, our Savior, have pity of me. Amen.
Awake and be vigilant in my defense, my God.
Loving Father, you are not far from any of us since in you we live, move and have our being. Kindly increase my awareness of your presence, and take care of my pressing need. Christ, our Lord, assures us you will. Amen.
Action: For this day, cast all your cares upon the Lord.
Your ways, O Lord, make known to me.
Teach me your paths.
Father almighty, your ways and mysterious purpose are often hidden from us; guide me now, I beg you, in my sorrow, and by your power aid me to know your will. May I do it in imitation of Christ, our redeemer. Amen.
Action: Consider seriously today how best you can do God's will.
Now will I arise, says the Lord.
I will grant safety to him who longs for it.
In you, heavenly Father, I confidently place all my trust. In your hands I leave all my anxieties with faith in your care for me. From you alone I away relief because of Christ, your Son, who pleads for us. Amen.
Action: For God's sake, help some person today whom you may not like.
Lord, reprove me not in your anger,
Nor chastise me in your wrath.
Merciful Father, you know my sins and disobedience, my weakness and ingratitude which have deserved punishment. Yet, you are ever ready to forgive, and gracious to all in trouble. In Christ's name, come quickly to help me. Amen.
Action: Hold back today the harsh word; banish the unkind thought
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,
A stronghold in time of distress.
Father in heaven, you never reject those who seek your help, and are ever ready to comfort the sorrowful. Have pity on me in my needs, and rescue me from all my afflictions. In Christ's name I implore your compassion. Amen.
Action: In imitation of Christ, do good to those who dislike you.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted,
And those who are crushed in spirit, He saves.
Your goodness, heavenly Father, responds speedily to our wretchedness. In my distress I call upon you to hear and answer my prayers. In you alone, O God, I will continue to trust despite everything. In Christ's name. Amen.
The Lord came to my support.
He set me free and rescued me because He loves me.
Gracious Father, I will thank you each day for your merciful goodness to me. With your help I will ever praise your kindness in my trouble. Please assist me now in faithfully following Christ, my Savior. Amen.
Action: In gratitude, be good to others today and always.

What’s the difference between telling and showing? Dr Sammy D.James

The education of the intellect and the training of the morals should go hand in hands . The devising brain and the The devising brain and the feeling heart should,never be divorced, and the question worth asking is not simply, What will education do for us ? what will it help us to do for others.Please help me to realize Center for Visionary Leadership An Haiti.I believe intellect work together with vision.

Helping us to realize this projet.Dr:Sammy D.James

In Jer 1:5, God says “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.” This is rather surprising. God knew Jeremiah before he was born. It follows that God knows all of us even before we are born.
gives purpose to life, and brings out the best in people life.
Proverbs 29:18 - Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.Matthew 5:8 - Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.Isaiah 55:8 - For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
The notion of social change is complex it covers a broad range of social structures: Technological, economic, political, agricultural, industrial etc. In the field of “technology” for instance “the change occurs from simple and traditional techniques towards application of scientific knowledge” In agriculture the transformation in seen through the shift operating through “evolution from subsistence farming toward commercial production of agricultural goods” The industrial aspect is the “transition from the use of human and animal power toward industrialization proper or “men aggregated at power driven machines working for monetary returns with product manufacturing process,In the ecological field change is the movement from farm and village toward urban centers.’social change depend on what we take society to be, and we take society to be what our purpose and position dictate.
For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in.
I have a projet to build a great center an rep of haiti.For two reason .
1-haiti is the first black nation free from slavery
2-an reality not.
why,because lack of visionary leadership.
Vision is hope in life.
Vision is the energy of progress
Sight is the fonction of eyes,but vision is the fonction of heart.
Center for visionary leadership.
I need {one million USD Dollars.} {$1.000.000 USD Dollars} to build Center for Visionary Leadership an Haiti.I know I'm not alone
how You one of haiti friend,please be a part of this projet.
I already have contact with haitian government in this projet, and government give me guarantee.I need your financial help and your support.
Are You Living By Sight Without Vision?
If you are operating by sight, you see the problems and challenges all around you.
You see how many bills you have to pay; you see that your company is downsizing; you see things that threaten your security.
Sight without vision is dangerous because it has no hope.
Many people have been living by sight alone, and that's one reason they have all kinds of medical problems- muscle tension, migraines, high blood pressure, heart disease, ulcers, tumors, and so on.

Living by sight can kill you.
Life is so full of depressing things that you need to learn to live by vision and see with the eyes of faith.
Remember that sight is the ability to see things as they are, and vision is the ability to see things as they could be. I like to go a step further and define vision this way:
Vision is the ability to see things as they should be. Maybe you are going through a hard time right now and you're disheartened.

You've lost your vision edge.

Perhaps this is because of your surroundings. Sometimes, the environments we live in are not the best for fostering vision. What people say to us is not always encouraging and can be very discouraging.

I have been tempted to be disillusioned and discouraged many times.
Even though we know that the discouraging things we see and hear are temporary, they still can distress and depress us. We must keep our visions constantly before us, however, because the visions in our hearts are greater than our environments.
God gave us vision so we would not have to live by what we see.
The Bible is very clear that "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews
11:6). If you try to function in any other way than faith, you will malfunction. That is why worry is ungodly and fear makes your vision short-circuit.
You were never meant to be afraid.
Jesus was filled with faith, and He was the calmest person on earth. He slept soundly in the middle of a storm. When His frightened disciples woke Him up, He asked them, "Do you still have no faith?" (Mark 4:40). He was telling them, "If you have faith you will be able to sleep during a storm, as well." You may be saying, "This doesn't sound very practical."
It is, however.
I have been living this way-by faith instead of fear-for over twenty years, and it's been so much fun. I don't worry for very long about anything, because I believe that, ultimately, everything is on my side.
Even the schemes of the devil work to my benefit.
All things work for my good because I am called according to God's purpose. (See Romans 8:28).

Helping our Orphenage an Kingston jamaica.Spanish Town,Portmore,St James.

Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica and is located on the southeastern coast of the island country. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island. In the Americas, Kingston is the largest predominantly English-speaking city south of the United States.

Religion


There are a wide variety of Christian churches in the city. Most are Protestant, a legacy of British colonization of the island. The chief denominations are Church of God, Baptist, Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Seventh-day Adventist, and Pentecostal. Afro-Christian syncretic religions such as Rastafarianism are also widespread.

There is a Jewish synagogue in the city as well as a large number of Buddhists and Muslims. There are several Islamic organizations and mosques in Jamaica, including the Islamic Council of Jamaica and the Islamic Education and Dawah Center, both located in Kingston and offering classes in Islamic studies and daily prayers in congregation



E-mail us at.sammydestiny@hotmail.com
E-mail us at.wvmijames@gmail.com

Vision Without Action...Is Just a Dream.
Action Without Vision...Just Passes the Time.
But, Vision and Action...Can Change the World.


What is child sponsorship?
Wonderful things happen when you make the choice to sponsor a child. For only about $25 or more a month, you'll show your child God's unconditional love by providing them with access to critical resources such as:
Clean Water
Nutritious food
Health care
Education
And more!Haiti need you,ll help.

E-mail us.sammydestiny@hotmail.com

All of our children have so much potential. All of our children deserve a chance at life.
Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities... because it is the quality which guarantees all others.
Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees the others.A house must be built on solid foundations if it is to last. The same principle applies to man, otherwise he too will sink back into the soft ground and becomes swallowed up by the world of illusion.Let love flow so that it cleanses the world. Then man can live in peace, instead of the state of turmoil he has created through his past ways of life, with all those material interests and earthly ambitions.
Life is a song - sing it. Life is a game - play it. Life is a challenge - meet it. Life is a dream - realize it. Life is a sacrifice - offer it. Life is love - enjoy it.
Love one another and help others to rise to the higher levels, simply by pouring out love. Love is infectious and the greatest healing energy. The life ahead can only be glorious if you learn to live in total harmony with the Lord. What is new in the world? Nothing. What is old in the world? Nothing. Everything has always been and will always be. Rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men.The successful pilots succeeded because they did not open fire until they were close to the target.Give the children an opportunity to make garden. Let them grow what they will. It matters less that they grow good plants than that they try for themselves.
Science may eventually explain the world of How. The ultimate world of Why may remain for contemplation, philosophy, religion.There are two essential epochs in any enterprise - to begin, and to get done.
I believe without exception that theory follows practice. Whenever there is a conflict between theory and practice, theory is wrong. As far as I'm concerned, we make theories for what people have done. What that book does for me is give me the tools in the same way that I had the tools when I learned the regular scales or the alphabet. If you give me the tools, the syntax, and the grammar, it still doesn't tell me how to write Ulysses. When I thought about the calibre of people in the room I realized we might just have a credible candidate for Mayor who will would finally enforce the laws of the city. It was almost too good to be true.
It was always said that the big distinction between the French and the English is that the English are intelligent and the French are intellectual. To get rich never risk your health. For it is the truth that health is the wealth of wealth. A dark and terrible side of this sense of community of interests is the fear of a horrible common destiny which in these days of atomic weapons darkens men's minds all around the globe.Industrialization based on machinery, already referred to as a characteristic of our age, is but one aspect of the revolution that is being wrought by technology.Probably people always feel that they are living in a time of transition, but we can hardly be mistaken perhaps in thinking that this is an era of particularly momentous change, rapid and proceeding at an ever quickening rate.Technology gives us the facilities that lessen the barriers of time and distance - the telegraph and cable, the telephone, radio, and the rest. Beauty is the disinterested one, without which the ancient world refused to understand itself, a word which both imperceptibly and yet unmistakably has bid farewell to our new world, a world of interests, leaving it to its own avarice and sadness. Even if a unity of faith is not possible, a unity of love is. Paul would say to the philosophers that God created man so that he would seek the Divine, try to attain the Divine. That is why all pre-Christian philosophy is theological at its summit. When are we going to say cancer is cured? I'm not sure when that will happen, if that will happen because cancer is a very slippery disease and it involves a vast number of cells in the body and those cells are continually mutating. When we talk about stem cells, we are actually talking about a complicated series of things, including adult stem cells which are largely cells devoted to replacing individual tissues like blood elements or liver or even the brain. I learned at an early age that I was given something special when I was born, and that was the gift of love.The fact that the internet is so active; people can now speak to me indirectly. Let him who would enjoy a good future waste none of his present.
When we are flat on our backs there is no way to look but up.The characteristic of scientific progress is our knowing that we did not know.The great function of poetry is to give back to us the situations of our dreams.
Every moment of resistance to temptation is a victory.
Kindness has converted more sinners than zeal, eloquence, or learning.
The buried talent is the sunken rock on which most lives strike and founder. They always win who side with God.
Leadership is particularly necessary to ensure ready acceptance of the unfamiliar and that which is contrary to tradition.
So long as large armies go to battle, so long will the air arm remain their spearhead.
The very exercise of leadership fosters capacity for it.Bertelsmann understood our vision when they first invested in us... They still believe in that vision.
No taxation without respiration.So just as I want pilots on the planes that I fly, when it comes to monetary policy, I want to think that there is someone with sound judgement at the controls. Democracy no longer works for the poor if politicians treat them as a separate race. You do not have to be superhuman to do what you believe in. Everybody is talking today about the economy.I don't believe, in the 21st century, in the balance of power system. This is a European idea of the 19th and 20th centuries,Solutions must be based on compromises. You never know what you're going to get as a receiver.
Be sure you positively identify your target before you pull the trigger.In whatever position you find yourself determine first your objective. My center is giving way, my right is in retreat; situation excellent. I shall attack. The will to conquer is the first condition of victory.It looks like business, and people are much pleased.
William.A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have. For millions of men and women, the church has been the hospital for the soul, the school for the mind and the safe depository for moral ideas.
History and experience tell us that moral progress comes not in comfortable and complacent times, but out of trial and confusion.

I am Dr:Sammy, not Dr: Myles. I had a lot of experience with people smarter than I am. A hero is someone right who doesn't change.Everybody wants to be somebody. The thing you have to do is give them confidence they can. You have to give a kid a dream.I don't know if we ever fully get over the pain of watching a child trying to find their way through a world that too often doesn't understand.
Anne Ford
The country needs the political work of women today as much as it has ever needed woman in any other work at any other time. America does not fight for land, glory or riches.
I am responsible only to God and history. Black and white are the colors of photography. To me they symbolize the alternatives of hope and despair to which mankind is forever subjected. Education in the past has been too much inspiration and too little information.I would rather be poor in a cottage full of books than a king without the desire to read. Many politicians are in the habit of laying it down as a self-evident proposition that no people ought to be free till they are fit to use their freedom. The maxim is worthy of the fool in the old story who resolved not to go into the water till he had learned to swim. Misery loves company, but company does not reciprocate.
Addison Mizner.Ignorance of the law excuses no man from practicing it. God gives us relatives; thank God, we can choose our friends. The biggest impact I can have for what I want to do, the results I want to have with what God's given me, is to help as many people as possible get to heaven. Everybody is ambitious. The question is whether he is ambitious to be or ambitious to do. If we look to the history of other nations, ancient or modern, we find no example of a growth so rapid, so gigantic, of a people so prosperous and happy. God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand tempests and floods. But he cannot save them from fools.Take a course in good water and air; and in the eternal youth of Nature you may renew your own. Go quietly, alone; no harm will befall you. Teachers can change lives with just the right mix of chalk and challenges.
Joyce A. Myers
A BMW can't take you as far as a diploma.
Joyce A. Myers
A #2 pencil and a dream can take you anywhere.
Joyce A. Myers
I personally believe that those who are leaders with political power over the world will be forced some day, sooner or later, to give way to common sense and the will of the people.
Alva Myrdal
It is only too clear that man is not at home in this universe, and yet he is not good enough to deserve a better.
Perry Miller.


Value of Writing a Personal Mission Statement.

1. It forces you to think deeply about your life, clarify the purpose of your life, and identify what is really important to you.
2. It forces you to clarify and express succinctly your deepest values and aspirations.

3. It imprints your values and purposes firmly in your mind so they become a part of you rather than something you only think about occasionally.

4. Integrating your personal mission statement into your weekly planning gives you a way to keep your vision constantly before you.

Process of Creating a Personal Mission Statement

1. Identify an influential person in your life. Define the qualities you most admire in that person. List those and then ponder the qualities you would need to practice in order to achieve the future you desire.
2. Define who you want to become; not just what you want to have and do.

3. Define your life roles. You may have roles in relation to your profession, family, community, or other areas in your life. Describe how you would like to be described in each of these roles.

4. Write a draft of your personal mission statement. Carry the rough draft with you and make notes, additions, and deletions.

5. Write a final draft. Refer to it frequently. Use it as a standard by which you judge all your activities.

6. Periodically review and evaluate your personal mission statement to keep yourself in touch with your own development and keep yourself in harmony with your deepest self.

7. The final test of the value and effectiveness of a mission statement is: DOES THIS STATEMENT INSPIRE ME?

Developing a personal mission statement.

A personal mission statement answers questions like these:
-What do I want from my life?
-What do I value?
-What are my talents?
-At the end of my life, what do I want to have accomplished?
A personal mission statement is the beginning of personal leadership. It sets guidelines for life. By referring to it and internalizing its meaning, we make choices that serve values and reject the things that oppose them.

A mission statement often includes a set of personal beliefs.
A mission statement often answers another important question: What do I believe in?
Writing a personal mission statement is as much an act of discovery as an act of creation.
A mission statement is not exactly a piece of creative writing. We write what we sense to be true about ourselves, although often it seems we are writing what we would like to be true.
Writing what is true about ourselves isn't as easy as it may seem. We sometimes don't know ourselves as well as we think we do. We perhaps believe things because we are expected to believe them. We feel inclined to pursue a certain path because it is socially approved. We may fear other people's criticism if we do what we feel is right for us.

So writing a mission statement is really an adventure in self-discovery. We are working to uncover our talents, our interests, and our deepest desires for life. Writing a mission statement can be a tool for clarifying things that we otherwise might not know. Most people, at some point in their lives, long for a sense of meaning and purpose. They sense that they have talents and contributions to offer but are not sure what their talents are. The mission statement is a way of discovering that sense of purpose by coming to know ourselves better.

We clarify our personal mission by dividing it into roles

A mission statement gives us general guidance. We can make it more specific by applying it to specific roles. A role is a function that we serve in life.
Some of the roles we may have are family member, student, worker, or community member. The idea is to find some sense or order about life by dividing it up into meaningful patterns of related activities.

Roles are key to creating balance in life.

Perhaps the most useful aspect of roles is that they can help us maintain balance in our lives. For example, if, as we plan our day, we consider each role and ask what ought to be done within it, we will be more balanced in our effectiveness than if we simply attend to the most pressing problems. In fact, the way we define our roles can help us maintain the balance that is so critical to effectiveness in life.
Goals define what we want to achieve within each role.

Roles are more specific than our mission, but they still aren't specific enough to let us make clear plans. We need to take another step, this time breaking our roles into goals. We do this by asking, "What do I want to accomplish within this role?" In answer we create goals, specific results we want to accomplish at specific times.
These goals become the basis for our weekly and daily planning. Goals are the building blocks of our mission and our roles. From these goals we can create specific action plans that will help us succeed in our roles and fulfill our mission.

Goals can be lifelong, intermediate, or short term.

Goals have a deadline. They are broken down into steps, with each step having its own deadline. When all of the separate deadlines are reached, the overall goal has been achieved.
Some goals are lifetime goals-, meaning that we intend to achieve them before we die. To achieve them, we break them into smaller steps, perhaps ten year goals or five year goals. These intermediate goals are then divided into smaller steps, until we have subdivided the lifetime goals into immediate goals that we can work on today.

The best goals are consistent with our personal mission.

Goals serve us by organizing our actions and by giving them meaning. When we sense that our actions bring meaningful results, we have greater incentive to perform those actions. Our mission provides the purpose for our goals and actions, and goals that are backed by a sense of mission tend to be both more satisfying and more motivating.

Au-thor-i-ty: power to influence or command thought, opinion or behavior.

Authority is an interesting and important word, as it applies to an individual's ongoing quest to be a more effective leader. Those of us who aspire to more effective levels of personal and professional leadership need a clear understanding of what the word means practically, as well as literally. Consider Webster's formal definition above, and then consider the two workplace applications which can be fraught with either unexpected problems or untapped potential.

Formal authority: the organizational power that comes with the position that one hones or occupies; being able to ask (or tell) someone to do something and then expecting that it will be done. No matter what job or title we may hold in an organization, all of us have some formal measure of power or authority associated with that position. As is the case with most things, the level of power entrusted to us can either be used or abused, depending on our chosen actions or motivations.

During the course of an average day, every one of us makes dozens of different decisions. Besides the obvious business decisions required of our positions, we also make personal decisions regarding how we will act, speak, think, listen, respond, etc. If we become too enamored with the "power of our positions," it can become very easy to disregard, or overlook entirely, critical input that we might otherwise receive from followers, peers and superiors. Typical "managers" are notorious for this. Their attitude says, "I told them what I wanted them to do. Now it's their responsibility to do it - without asking questions." Informal authority: the personal influential power that comes as a result of others voluntarily granting their support. On occasion, all of us have encountered individuals who did not have the luxury of the power of a position to fall back on. They may have been assigned to labor in low profile, seemingly insignificant positions. Yet, in some amazing way, they were able to successfully lead others to consistently above average levels of performance. These individuals seemed capable of leading despite their positions and circumstance. How did they do it? How were they able to entice others to voluntarily support them and their actions even though the organizational hierarchy may have been stacked against them? Simply put, they do so by committing themselves to helping their followers/supports get the things the followers/supporters can secure for themselves. People voluntarily choose to follower another individual because they ultimately believe this particular individual, their chosen leader, can take them someplace that they would have never been able to reach on their own.

So how can we create such a bond with our followers? Excellent leaders know the answer to that question. They work to know each of their followers as individuals. They ask their opinions. They listen to them. They allow their followers to disagree - even publicly, if necessary. But they always work to ensure that followers benefit in the end. They use their authority and their common sense.



Dr:Sammy D.James

Sammy 21 st century visionary.With your help i will success.

INTRODUCTION
As we look around us today, it's clear that there is plenty of leadership--but we are sadly lacking in visionary leadership—leadership with a clear picture of a future that works for everyone and for all of life on this planet. There are few leaders who can see the big picture and who have a long term, whole-systems perspective.I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

But it's equally disappointing to realize that many of those with vision--those who have a holistic view of the future--also seem to lack leadership skills. They lack the fiery initiative and courage, as well as the practical skills, to make their visions a reality.

There is a growing recognition that without vision--and leaders of vision -- "the people perish." We think we would recognize a visionary leader when we see one, and we constantly complain about the quality of our leaders. Yet how often do we acknowledge that the attributes, qualities and abilities we collectively are willing to recognize and support in our leaders determines the kinds of leaders who can emerge? If we want visionary leaders, we have to be able to perceive them and support them.

This is being confirmed by what physicists call the "participative nature of the universe"--the fact that the act of looking for certain information evokes the information we are looking for. What we see is what we get.

But most importantly, we each need to challenge ourselves to develop greater leadership skills --and to develop a clearer vision. Effective leaders inspire people with a vision, but they also take charge and make things happen. They are courageous in presenting the big picture, but also in providing a sense of meaning for others. They express passion, commitment, and responsibility.

What are the qualities, abilities and powers of true visionary leaders? What is the mysterious inner process within leaders that enables them to work their magic and radiate the charisma that mobilizes others for a higher purpose? We can look for true visionary leadership in four major

areas: values, vision, thinking, and relationships.

A COMMITMENT TO CORE SPIRITUAL VALUES


A commitment to core spiritual values is an outstanding characteristic of all visionary leaders. More self-aware and reflective than others, they follow an inner sense of direction, and lead from the inside out, as Mahatma Gandhi did. Gandhi said, "I must first be the change I want to see in my world." He was a prime example of a commitment to values, as he freed India by appealing to the moral conscience of Britain and using "satyagraha" or non-violent action to reveal the immorality of the British Empire. Great leaders, rather than being corrupted by power, are elevated by power and exercise moral leadership, as best-selling author Stephen Covey notes.

Many successful leaders in business, such as J.C. Penny, have also demonstrated the power of living their values. Tom Chappell, CEO of Tom's of Maine, knew that he could "do well by doing good" in business. Living his values has contributed to his company's profits. Tom's uses all natural ingredients in their products to protect consumers and the environment, and it has been hugely successful-- both financially and in terms of social responsibility. This success has inspired other companies to follow their lead.

Aaron Feurenstein, CEO of Malden Mills in Lawrence, MA, producer of polartec fabrics, values his people as his greatest asset. He says a company has an equal responsibility to its community as to itself. Since his town has high unemployment, he kept all 3,000 employees on the payroll after a major fire destroyed 3 out of 4 of his factories. His loyalty to them repaid itself when the company rebuilt in record time and is now more profitable than ever

An important study by Prof. Curtis Verschoor published in Management Accounting last year found that companies with a defined corporate commitment to ethical principles do better financially than companies that don't make ethics a key component.

Visionary leaders have the ability to see higher spiritual forces at work behind the scenes of events, and they align with these supporting and redemptive forces. Both George Washington and Winston Churchill spoke about the help they received from a "guiding hand." Churchill said, "...we have a guardian because we serve a great cause, and we shall have that guardian as long as we serve that cause faithfully." Sojourner Truth, a former slave, was guided by an inner spiritual experience to preach the emancipation of slaves and women's rights all over the country during the Civil War. President Anwar Sadat of Egypt had a vision of Mohammed who told him to create peace in the Middle East. This is the hidden story behind the Camp David accords.

Visionary leaders embody a sense of personal integrity, and radiate a sense of energy, vitality and will. Will is standing in a spiritual state of being. Will is a spiritual attribute, which allows a leader to stand for something, and allows them to embody their principles. Qualities of intelligence and will are balanced in visionary leaders by a compassionate heart, as Marion Wright Edelman has demonstrated in her work over the years for the Children's Defense Fund. The Dalai Lama of Tibet has been an inspiration to people around the world in his compassion for his enemies, the Chinese who killed his people and destroyed Tibetan culture.

The best visionary leaders move energy to a higher level and inspire people to be better than they already are. They help them identify with what Lincoln called "the angels of their better nature"--as Martin Luther King did with his "I have a dream" speech. Like King, these leaders have the ability to sense the deeper spiritual needs of followers and link their current demands to these deeper, often unspoken, needs. They embody a spirit of service to the greater good, and inspire service in others, even asking followers to sacrifice something for the greater good as Eleanor

Roosevelt did in her work for the poor. John F. Kennedy inspired a whole generation in the '60s with his words, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." The creative power of lighted, inspired words can sound a certain inner note that people recognize and respond to. This can cause dramatic social change.


A CLEAR VISION AND FIELD CREATION

Visionaries who are successful at manifesting their visions base their leadership on an inspirational, positive picture of the future, as well as a clear sense of direction as to how to get there. Vision is a field that brings energy into form, and effective leaders broadcast a coherent message by themselves embodying their vision and their values, as physicist Margaret Wheatley notes in Leadership and the New Science. They keep communicating their vision to create a strong field which then brings their vision into physical reality. Nelson Mandela clearly held a positive vision of a racially harmonious South Africa for over 20 years while he was in jail, and then helped bring it into reality peacefully-- to the amazement of the world.

Compelling visions come from the heart and evoke enthusiasm and commitment from others. They link the current needs of people to their deeper needs. Visionary leaders transmit energy to people, giving them a new sense of hope and confidence in achieving the vision. President Roosevelt radiated a vitality that lifted people out of the fear and pessimism of the Great Depression, saying "We have nothing to fear but fear itself."

Visionary leaders often annunciate great values and principles that become guideposts for humanity, as Jefferson did with the Declaration of Independence. They intuitively draw on the eternal wisdom and present it in a new synthesis to meet the particular need of the times. In recent

years, Gro Brundtland of Norway helped articulate the principle of sustainable development that is needed to protect our environment for future generations.

INTUITIVE, INNOVATIVE THINKING


Visionary leaders are especially noted for transforming old mental maps or paradigms, and thinking "outside the box" of conventional thought. They embody a balance of left brain (rational) and right brain (intuitive) functions. These leaders think broadly and systemically, seeing the big picture, the whole system, and "the pattern that connects," as Gregory Bateson said. Environmental economist and futurist Hazel Henderson is an outstanding example today of an innovative thinker who sees the big picture.

Visionary trainer Peter Senge, author of The Fifth Discipline, has helped thousands of business managers see patterns of interrelationship in their companies and the interconnection of things. They have learned to shift their perception from seeing structures and linear cause/effect chains to seeing processes, and have thus transformed how they do business.

Visionary thinking is long term, rather than short term, and it explores the deeper causes of problems to find workable solutions. This is what Anita Roddick, creator of the hugely successful and innovative business, The Body Shop, has done by addressing with health and environmental problems, as well as poverty in the Third World, through her business. Visionary leaders anticipate change and are proactive, rather than reactive, to events. Their focus is on opportunities, not on problems, and they tend to emphasize win/win approaches, rather than adversarial win/lose approaches.

A PARTICIPATORY, PARTNERSHIP APPROACH TO LEADERSHIP


In contrast to the old style of leadership which tells people what to do, and pushes or dominates them, the new visionary leaders embody a receptive, as well as a dynamic energy. They know how to listen and learn from other points of view, asking questions as much as stating their own opinions and knowledge. The importance of good relationships in manifesting a vision is clearly understood. These leaders promote a partnership approach and create a shared sense of vision and meaning with others. This shared vision is more than an idea-- it is "a force in people's hearts," as Peter Senge notes. They exhibit a greater respect for others and carefully develop team spirit and team learning. Building this sense of shared vision and partnership has also been key to the effectiveness of many feminists such as Gloria Steinem.

The most effective visionary leaders are responsive to the real needs of people and they develop participative strategies to include people in designing their own futures. This approach has been very successful for Robert Haas, the CEO of Levi Strauss. Rather than confront or avoid conflict, the new visionary leaders have learned how to transform conflict into usable energy. They work to unite--rather than divide-- people.

CONCLUSION

All these different spiritual abilities describe the powers of the soul. When we see a truly visionary leader accomplishing great things, s/he is drawing on the resources of the soul and its remarkable capabilities. An effective visionary leader is someone who has experienced a certain degree of this higher soul infusion.

Today, as we approach the Third Millenium, thousands of new visionary leaders are emerging in all fields of human endeavor around the world, leading a quiet revolution energized by the power of the soul and their spiritual connection to a higher power. It's time we understand the deeper dimensions of these soul-inspired leaders and support them in helping create a more sustainable, just, and compassionate world for all of life. In the participatory universe in which we live, it is time we looked for these visionary leaders among us and supported them and humanity’s evolution

Visionary leadership is transformative. It involves greatness, penetrating the ordinary, and reaching through time to bring out the best the world has to offer. A visionary leader anticipates events, influences the future and enables people to flourish in fundamental ways. In associations this means perceiving challenges and growth opportunities before they happen while positioning the organization to produce extraordinary results that make a real contribution to the world.

Visionary leadership requires total involvement, tremendous work, a willingness to put everything on the line and continuous engagement. Visionary leaders often suffer opposition from all sides. Yet, the payoff is greater than anything imaginable: the personal reward that comes from making a genuine and substantive contribution to humanity.

I remember hearing in the fall of 1997 about the "Comprehensive Development Framework" from President James Wolfensohn of the World Bank. His inspirational idea pulled together concepts from many disciplines and laid out a framework for the effective alleviation of global poverty - no small task. He was calling for a holistic approach that put social concerns on equal footing with economic issues and, most importantly, put each country in charge of its own success. While many heralded these new ideas, they initially received criticism from all corners: denounced as a turn away from the necessary, hard line economic approach. Yet, today this framework has been embraced on a global scale and is often the reference for the creation of new policies addressing global poverty.

Visionary leaders not only have a clear idea of what is possible, they are involved in bringing it about. Mahatma Ghandi did more than recognize the value of religious tolerance and sovereignty for the people of India, he used his life to make it possible. Ghandi drew on everything to instigate the changes he was seeking: his diet, his clothing, his community, his speech. When a reporter asked him to state his message for the world, Ghandi replied, "My life is my message."

Martin Luther King, Jr, did more than have a dream of racial equality in the United States, he advanced civil rights through a critical juncture in American history. Likewise, executives who foresee the great potential in associations can exert their influence, bringing about profound changes in the ways people associate for the benefit of humanity.

Among the qualities visionary leaders cultivate are imagination, engagement, tangible results, and penetrating self-reflection. A strong imagination is needed to envision the future with clarity. This makes it possible for all who share the dreaming to know the courses of action to be taken. Leaders do not shirk from the overwhelming complexity of the world; instead they engage society with its competing, divergent viewpoints. In order to marshal the best possible chance of success they seek to communicate effectively: sharing and listening, building their knowledge through collaboration. Through their personal yearning to make a lasting, social contribution, they put in the time, energy and attention necessary to generate tangible results. They give everything to bring out their best, often plunging their personal depths to build from within.

Let's look at two real life examples that give meaning to these qualities. These stories come from the private sector and provide examples that we can draw from for successful approaches for associations today. We will look at Akio Morita, co-founder of Sony, and Anita Roddick, founder of the Body Shop.

The Power of Imagination
No one "needed" a Walkman before Akio Morita at Sony imagined it, made it and marketed it successfully. Today the Walkman is part of our culture and has evolved into a new industry: portable entertainment. However, this was not the most powerful example of Morita's ability to imagine what was possible and turn it into reality.

In 1946, just following Japan's defeat in World War II, Morita began the effort that would secure the reputation of his country as a marketplace leader. Imagine how tough those times were and the foresight required to envision Japan as a key player in the world economy.

When Morita first opened shop in the 1950s the phrase "Made in Japan" was synonymous with cheap imitations and inferior quality. As a result, most Japanese products were sold under another company's brand name. It was almost unheard of for a Japanese business to achieve brand status for its products. Yet, that is exactly what Morita set out to do. He was able to envision a day when his company, Sony, would be a brand that consumers would identify with the highest of quality. He devoted all of his efforts to realizing that vision.

What are the short-comings in your association today? Can you envision turning them around, setting an example to the entire industry? What achievements would you like your association to become known for? Can you imagine your organization as a leader in the field?

Morita had special alliances that gave him access to new territory. Most important was Morita's longtime partner, Masaru Ibuka. Ibuka brought engineering expertise and a product orientation that allowed the two to bring to market one success after another: the first AM transistor radio, the first pocket-sized transistor radio, the first all transistor television, the first home use VCR and on and on. Together the two of them were an unstoppable force, helping to open up unprecedented growth in the Japanese electronics market.

Rather than standing on his vision alone, Morita found a partner who helped him to turn dreams into reality. This combination was unbeatable and over the decades Sony became one of the top consumer rated businesses in the world. What alliances would enable your organization to excel? Are there companies in the private sector that understand your goals and membership? Perhaps there are overnment agencies that are particularly poised well for partnership. Ask, "What are the strategic partnerships and alliances that would turn our organization's dreams into reality? Who has the most to gain from partnering with my organization's success?"

Morita was able to imagine a future in which he had established his brand and his country as purveyors of excellence. Before he died in 1999 Sony was an acknowledged world leader in the consumer electronics and entertainment industries. He had personally played a leading role in transforming Japan's economy from post-WWII shambles to a superior player in the global marketplace.

Make Social Responsibility your Modus Operandi
Anita Roddick changed the multi-billion dollar global cosmetics business through her company, The Body Shop. In 1976 Roddick opened a shop in East Sussex with a handful of homemade products. Today there are "over 1,700 stores serving over 84 million customers in 49 different markets in 24 different languages and across 12 time zones." Her approach is studied in universities and management schools around the globe. By dedicating her business to the pursuit of social and environmental change, she garnered the support of a massive consumer base and raised the bar of employee engagement to new heights.

Organizations that demonstrate a commitment to improving our world stand to gain a great deal, especially when times feel uncertain. In our interconnected environment every member can contribute to -- or detract from - your association's presence in the marketplace. Make it easy for people to understand how their contribution to the work program makes a positive difference in the world and productivity will increase dramatically.

Roddick is not using social action as a marketing ploy. She says, "This is not about one penny being spent in so-called cause-related marketing which is disingenuous. This is about having a passion to shout out and be persuasive about what you do." Just this last February Roddick stepped down from her corporate position at The Body Shop to more effectively pursue her global concerns.

Let's step back in time and take a look at what happened that propelled The Body Shop into a global presence. Roddick opened the first store with just 15 skincare products that she had concocted herself. She selected her ingredients carefully, choosing those that were especially meaningful to her. The store did well and in less than a year there was a second store. Soon, a new business model was created whereby the stores were franchised and the Roddick's earned their income from the sales of products to the stores rather than charging for the franchise.

Instead of relying on traditional advertising, Roddick pursued marketing through in-store brochures and interviews with the press. The stories focused on the unique nature of her products and the social activism that was at the heart of her business philosophy. When the company went public in 1984 its stocks doubled after one day and continued to rise all through the decade. The store built a reputation not just by adopting global causes, such as saving the rainforest and banning animal testing, but by encouraging their staff to become active locally. The result has been a tremendously loyal customer base that extends beyond traditional consumer interests.

Aligning personal goals with organizational business objectives results in highly leveraged efforts. Word travels quickly through the informal networks that spring up around concerns people care most deeply about. Time and effort to support the cause turn into time and effort that fuels the organization's success and vice-versa. How might your association become involved in both global and local issues, making a contribution to your communities and the world? What issues are relevant to your members and your mission? The answers to these questions point the way toward visionary success.

Increasing Performance
Ultimately, visionary leadership is about increasing performance. Anticipating and influencing the future enables you to position your organization in the best possible way to achieve the results you are looking for. The payoff comes in satisfying organizational objectives while delivering tangible results to your membership, as well as the deep personal satisfaction you derive from making a contribution to the world.

Associations today are positioned well to usher in a new era of productivity. This means being ready to harvest opportunities before they happen while preparing the organization to produce the exceptional results that make a real contribution to the world. This is the transformation that comes through visionary leadership.


VISIONARY LEADERSHIP

Are you someone with a vision burning inside that seeks to manifest? Do you see yourself as a visionary?
What is it that makes a visionary become a visionary leader? A visionary may dream wonderful visions of the future and articulate them with great inspiration. A visionary is good with words. But a visionary leader is good with actions as well as words, and so can bring his/her vision into being in the world, thus transforming it in some way. More than words are needed for a vision to take form in today’s world. It requires leadership and heartfelt commitment.
A visionary leader is effective in manifesting his or her vision because s/he creates specific, achievable goals, initiates action and enlists the participation of others.
What are the qualities and abilities of true visionary leaders? What is the mysterious inner process within leaders that enables them to work their magic and radiate the charisma that mobilizes others for a higher purpose?
Visionary leadership is based on a balanced expression of the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical dimensions. It requires core values, clear vision, empowering relationships, and innovative action. When one or more of these dimensions are missing, leadership cannot manifest a vision.


A COMMITMENT TO CORE SPIRITUAL VALUES

A commitment to values is an outstanding characteristic of all visionary leaders. They embody a sense of personal integrity, and radiate a sense of energy, vitality and will. Will is standing in a spiritual state of being. Will is a spiritual attribute, which allows a leader to stand for something.
More self-aware and reflective than others, visionary leaders follow an inner sense of direction, and lead from the inside out, as exemplified by Mahatma Gandhi. He said, “I must first be the change I want to see in my world.” He was a prime example of a commitment to values, as he freed India by appealing to the moral conscience of Britain and using “satyagraha” or non-violent action to reveal the immorality of the British Empire.
Rather than being corrupted by power, visionary leaders are elevated by power and exercise moral leadership. Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, embodies this type of moral leadership, as does Marion Wright Edelman, founder of the Children’s Defense Fund, who has a deep commitment to children’s welfare.
Many successful leaders in business, such as Jeffrey Swartz of Timberland Shoes, have demonstrated the power of living their values. Swartz pays employees to volunteer in the community and honors the “double bottom line”--profit and values”. Tom Chappell, CEO of Tom’s of Maine, found that he could “do well by doing good.” Doing good-- embodying his values--has made his company very profitable. Tom’s of Maine uses all natural ingredients in their products to protect consumers and the environment.


A CLEAR, INSPIRITATIONAL, VISION

Visionaries who are successful at manifesting their visions base their leadership on an inspirational, positive picture of the future, as well as a clear sense of direction as to how to get there. Vision is a field that brings energy into form. Effective leaders broadcast a coherent message by themselves embodying their vision, as author Margaret Wheatley notes. They keep communicating the vision to create a strong field which then brings their vision into physical reality. Nelson Mandela clearly held a positive vision of a racially harmonious South Africa during his 28 years in jail and helped bring it into reality peacefully-- to the amazement of the world.

The best visionary leaders move energy to a higher level by offering a clear vision of what is possible. They inspire people to be better than they already are and help them identify with what Lincoln called “the angels of their better nature.” This was the power of Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech. The creative power of lighted, inspired words can sound a certain inner note that people recognize and respond to. This then creates dramatic social change. Like King, visionary leaders have the ability to sense the deeper spiritual needs of followers and link their current demands to these deeper, often unspoken, need for purpose and meaning.

Visionary leaders often have the ability to see higher spiritual forces at work behind the scenes of events, and they align with the vision of these redemptive forces. Both George Washington and Winston Churchill spoke about the help they received from a “guiding hand.” Churchill said, “...we have a guardian because we serve a great cause, and we shall have that guardian as long as we serve that cause faithfully.”

Sojourner Truth, a former slave, was guided by an inner spiritual experience to preach the emancipation of slaves and women’s rights all over the country during the Civil War. President Anwar Sadat of Egypt had a vision of Mohammed who told him to create peace in the Middle East. This vision is the hidden story behind the Camp David Peace Treaty between Arabs and Israelis.

Visionary leaders transmit energy to people, giving them a new sense of hope and confidence in achieving the vision. Television host Oprah Winfrey helps her guests believe in themselves and work to create a better world.

Visionary leaders often enunciate a vision based on principles that become guideposts for humanity. They intuitively draw on the ageless wisdom and present it in a new synthesis to meet the particular need of the times. In the Brundtland Report, Gro Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway, helped synthesize the principles of sustainable development that are needed to protect our environment for future generations.


RESPECTFUL, EMPOWERING RELATIONSHIPS

Good relationships are the heart of effective visionary leaders. They embody a deeply caring approach to people, seeing them as their greatest asset. Aaron Feuerstein, CEO of Malden Mills, kept all his employees on the payroll when a fire destroyed 75% of his factories. His employees were so grateful they helped him rebuild and within a year the company was more profitable than ever.

In contrast to the old style of leadership which tells people what to do, and pushes or dominates them, visionary leaders embody a receptive, as well as a dynamic energy. They know how to listen and learn from other points of view and have fine tuned their communications skills. Rita Bailey, Director of Southwest Airline’s University for People, says the secret of the airline’s amazing financial success is living by the golden rule--treating employees as family, with warmth and respect. Employees then treat customers the same way.
Visionary leaders promote a partnership approach and create a shared sense of vision and meaning with others. They exhibit a greater respect for others and carefully develop team spirit and team learning, Building this sense of shared vision and partnership has also been key to the effectiveness of feminist Gloria Steinem.

The most effective visionary leaders are responsive to the real needs of people and they develop participative strategies to include people in designing their own futures. This approach has been very successful for Robert Haas, the CEO of Levi Strauss. Rather than confront or avoid conflict, the new leaders have learned how to transform conflict into usable energy. They work to unite--rather than divide-- people.



INNOVATIVE, COURAGEOUS ACTION

Visionary leaders are especially noted for transforming old mental maps or paradigms, and creating strategies that are “outside the box” of conventional thought. They embody a balance of right brain (rational) and left brain (intuitive) functions. Their thinking is broad and systemic, seeing the big picture, the whole system, and “the pattern that connects.” They then create innovative strategies for actualizing their vision. CNN founder Ted Turner transformed television news by boldly creating an around-the-clock international news network.
CEO Ray Anderson took courageous action in transforming his world-wide company, Interface Carpets, into the most environmentally sustainable corporation. Interface launched a massive effort to cut its use of energy, replace petroleum-based supplies with vegetable-based substitutes, and reduce emissions by 24%. Customers now don’t buy a wall-to-wall carpet--they rent one--and when it wears out, all its component parts are recycled, and the customer receives a new one.
Visionary leaders anticipate change and are proactive, rather than reactive to events. Their focus is on opportunities, not on problems. They emphasize win/win--rather than adversarial win/lose--approaches. This is the strategy of environmental economist Hazel Henderson, author of Building a Win/Win World, who created The Calvert/Henderson Sustainable Indicators with the Calvert Social Investment Funds.
Body Shop founder Anita Roddick addressed health and environmental problems, as well as poverty in the Third World, through the innovative strategies she designed for her hugely successful products and stores. Products are made of non-polluting ingredients and stores are opened in poor neighborhoods to provide employment and return profit to the community.
When we see a truly visionary leader accomplishing great things, s/he is drawing on the resources of their soul and its remarkable capabilities. Each of us can access our inner resources to become a more effective leader in our own field. First we must be willing to take initiative and stand for something we believe in passionately. We must be ready to take the heat. Many of us avoid the responsibility of leadership primarily because we are too sensitive to criticism. But when we know who we truly are and we live from an inner core of values, criticism can be filtered to take in only what is true and helpful to our growth.
Today, as we enter the Third Millenium, thousands of new visionary leaders are emerging in all fields of human endeavor around the world, leading a quiet revolution energized by power of the soul. By appreciating and supporting those who lead from their core spiritual values, we strengthen those leadership qualities in ourselves.

Visionary Leadership and the Common Wealth.This is my new book Coming soon.Dr Sammy D.James

Visionary Leadership and the Common Wealth
We need Visionary Leaders that will work cooperatively with all the leaders of other countries, states, and major regimes,to deal with the common enemies of humanity.

Common enemies like greed and injustice homeless,that breed hatred represent a costly, deadly, trio we must effectively deal with together.

We can work together with other countries to develop new global economic policies that will empower and make much more self-reliant the economies of each country.

Men of Vision.Dr Sammy D.James

A wise man once stated, "Men of vision do not look through the eyes of today, but they look beyond tomorrow." Those who look through the eyes of today can only see their world crumbling around them. All they see is a government who no longer cares for the people, run by politicians instead of statesmen, whose only interest is padding their own pockets. These will say anything and make any promise to be reelected.

Those who look only with the eyes of today see an economy embroiled in debt with no hope for a future. Many only see a nation whose moral values are that of an alley cat. Their future looks dim and hopeless.

But men of vision who look afar off can see their hope is not in a failed world system. Their hope and future is in an everlasting God and His eternal Kingdom.

The Scriptures give us two reasons why people perish. By the Holy Spirit anointing, the prophet Hosea wrote:

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to Me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." Hosea 4:6

God's creation man is destroyed (will perish) for lack of knowledge. The question then arises: "Why do God's people lack knowledge?" It is because they have failed to read and take heed to His Word. There is a Bible in every home, but many go unopened because they are too busy with the cares of this life, and have no time for God and His Word.

Hosea records, because they have forgotten the law of God, He will also forget their children. This consequence is evident in the children of today who have no knowledge of God. Because the knowledge of God has been neglected in their training, they have no fear of God.

The all-wise Solomon gives us the second reason God's people are perishing:

"Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." Proverbs 29:18

God's people are perishing because they have no vision beyond today. This is why Jesus informs us:

"Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." Luke 21:26

Those who see through the eyes of today can only see corruption, strife, and lawlessness. Because of this they have no hope. Young children die of heart attacks and teens commit suicide because even they can see what is ahead of them - - - and they do not want to face what they see.

Hope has all but faded from our present day society. Those who are in power have no solutions to the problems the world faces. So, those who are living in fear and with no hope continue in the direction the rest of mankind is heading.

If we are to have hope, we must look at the promises. We must develop Spiritual eyes to see beyond today and tomorrow. Jesus informed John on the Isle of Patmos:

"And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful." Revelation 21:5

Jesus stated, "Behold, I make all things new." When Jesus said all things, He meant all things. Four times in the book of Revelation, Jesus stated, "I am alpha and omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." There was nothing before Him, and He will be the end of all things. The truth of the matter is, He is not only the beginning and the end, He is everything in the middle. He is our all in all.

God has promised to make all things new, but first judgment must be poured out on this wicked, sinful world. The prophet Jeremiah prophesied what the earth will be like at the end of God's judgment. Jeremiah was the weeping prophet. Why did Jeremiah weep? It was because God showed him the end of His judgment. Jeremiah cried out:

"My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents poiled, and my curtains in a moment.

How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet? For my people is foolish, they have not known Me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge." Jeremiah 4:19-22

Jeremiah was given a glimpse of our day, and he was pained in his spirit when he saw the world and God's people in the hour in which we live. He was given eyes to see the destruction we are beginning to witness all over the earth with fires, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, erupting volcanoes, earthquakes upon earthquakes, wars and rumors of wars, and one destruction after another.

Jeremiah declared that God's people are foolish. The word foolish means "one who despises wisdom, one who mocks judgment, one who is quarrelsome."

Jeremiah also stated that God's people are sottish. The word sottish means "fools." Today God's people have no vision for the future. They do not understand, nor do they have knowledge. As Hosea stated, this is why God's people perish.

Jeremiah was shown the finality of God's judgment:

"I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light." Jeremiah 4:23

This was exactly the condition the earth was in, in Genesis:

"And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep." Genesis 1:2a

Now we know why God must make all things new. At the end of His coming judgment on this sinful, wicked world, God is going to begin His creation process all over again with those who remain. Jeremiah continues:

"I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled.

I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the Lord, and by His fierce anger. For thus hath the Lord said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end." Jeremiah 4:25-27

God states there was no man. The word man is Adam. All those who have not dealt with their old, sinful Adam nature will not be part of God's renewed earth.

Jeremiah states, ". . . the whole land shall be desolate, yet God will not make a full end. . ." . God has a people who are His overcomers who have overcome the old, Adam nature. These are those who will inherit God's renewed earth. Jeremiah concluded:

"For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black: because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it." Jeremiah 4:28

The heavens above will be black. The prophet Isaiah prophesied that the sun and the moon would be darkened, Isaiah 13:10. Joel also prophesied this in Joel 3:5. Matthew and Mark recorded Jesus' words that the sun and moon would be darkened. Both Matthew and Mark declare when this will happen:

"Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:" Matthew 24:29

This event will take place immediately after the tribulation which is God's wrath, and as Isaiah recorded:

"The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again." Isaiah 24:19-20

Isaiah prophesied the earth would be utterly broken down, and clean dissolved. The phrase clean dissolved means "to split, to crack." The phrase the earth is moved exceedingly means "to totter, to shake, to be dislodged and to slip."

Isaiah continues to inform us the earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and will be removed. What could make the earth act in such a fashion? As we consider the earth in its present condition, we can understand this phenomena. Science tells us the earth sits at a twenty-three and one-half degree angle from true north and south. How did the earth get in this odd condition? Men of vision inform us that at the time of Noah's flood, God shifted the earth, throwing the waters that covered the earth to the poles where it froze instantly. This is why explorers found mammoths and saber tooth tigers frozen in the ice. These animals were frozen instantly, yet still had green grass and daisies in their mouth and in their stomachs.

So what does this have to do with what Isaiah prophesied? Well, we hear about the polar ice caps melting, and how the weight of the ice holds the earth in is present position. So, when enough of the ice caps melt, the earth will move again to its upright position. It will reel to and fro, or wobble on its axis. This will cause the condition which Israel described. The earth will totter and shake causing great earthquakes. It will be dislodged from its present position which will cause the earth to crack and split. The waters of the earth will be moved. Jesus revealed this to John on the isle of Patmos at the opening of the sixth seal:

"And I beheld when He had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; and the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places." Revelation 6:12 & 14.

Again, we see the sun being blackened, and the moon looking like blood. We also see the mountains and islands being moved out of their place. How do you move mountains and islands? An island is a mountain surrounded by water. So, when the earth comes to its upright position, and the waters are moved, then the mountains will be surrounded by water, and will become islands, and the islands will become mountains, because the waters moved. Isaiah continues:

"Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before His ancients gloriously." Isaiah 24:23

This is the day God's men of vision are looking for, when the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ, Revelation 11:15. God also revealed many wonderful things to the prophet Joel:

"Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand;" Joel 2:1

The trumpet represents the prophetic voice, and the prophetic voice is letting all the inhabitants of the land know the Day of the Lord (God's judgment) is nigh at hand. Joel continues:

"A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations." Joel 2:2

The day of God's judgment is a time of darkness, gloominess, and thick darkness. It is the day when the light of God's truths will vacate the earth. It is when man chooses to live like animals, instead of walking in the light of the glorious gospel of truth.

But God has a people of vision who are viewing the morning, the new day, spread upon the mountains. This is God's prepared and overcoming army. These are a group of great and strong people. Joel tells us there has never been a people like this before - - - who have the Kingdom within and who are ready and able to bring His Kingdom rule upon the earth. Let's continue to look at the revelation of Joel:

"A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them." Joel 2:3

This great army is in the midst of the fire of God's wrath. This fire is before them and behind them. But the land before them is like the Garden of Eden. These men of vision are not looking at the situation around them, but they are living by their vision - - - the vision of a renewed earth in which they will rule and reign. Even though the earth is going to become a desolate wilderness in God's wrath, these men of vision are looking to God's promise that, "Behold, I make all things new," Revelation 21:5. Joel continues:

"Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array." Joel 2:5

Joel speaks about this strong people being in battle array, or they have on their battle armament. Paul explained our armament is not physical, but Spiritual:

"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." Ephesians 6:14-17

God's strong people who are arrayed for battle are those who will be able to stand in the coming day of battle, because they are Spiritually ready for any circumstance. They have put on God's truth and His righteousness. Their feet have been shod with the gospel of peace. They have their shield of faith and helmet of salvation. Their sword is the Word of God. Joel informs us:

"And the Lord shall utter His voice before His army; for His camp is very great: for He is strong that executeth His Word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?" Joel 2:11

God is mustering His army today. The Apostle Paul informs us what we must do to become part of this overcoming army:

"Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." II Timothy 2:3-4

We must endure hardness, which means we must suffer trouble and endure affliction. This is why one of the fruit of the Spirit is longsuffering. We must also have love, joy, peace and the other fruit of the Spirit. During the coming time of trouble and affliction, the fruit of longsuffering will be one of the most important fruit in our lives.

Those who are part of God's overcoming army will not allow themselves to be entangled with the cares of this life. This overcoming army of men of vision see the sword coming upon the land and are preparing themselves physically, mentally, and Spiritually for the job ahead. Joel reveals the operation of God's great army:

"They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on His ways, and they shall not break their ranks:" Joel 2:7

These will not break their ranks because they will know their place. Those who are high and lifted up in self will not be part of God's army. Any army can only have one head, and our head is Christ Jesus.

They shall run like mighty men, and climb the wall - - - or they will be able to overcome any obstacle put in their way.

They shall march everyone on His way. This is a Spiritual army, and the only way they know to march is by the orders they receive from their Master and King, Christ Jesus. Joel continues:

"Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in His path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded." Joel 2:8

Joel proclaims, ". . . neither shall one thrust another." The word one is the Hebrew word ISH and means "man." The word thrust means "to vex or oppress." And the word another means "a brother or brethren." This Scripture is stating that these men will not vex or oppress their other brothers who are in God's army. Those in God's army will be endowed with peace and tranquility.

Those in God's army will walk everyone in His path. All God's army will walk in the path God chooses, neither looking to the right or to the left.

Joel informs us when God's army falls upon the sword, they shall not be wounded. No physical weapon will have any effect on God's Spiritual army. The prophet Isaiah speaks of God's overcoming army:

"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of Me, saith the Lord." Isaiah 54:17

Every weapon of war is formed, and no weapon of war that man has formed will prevail against God's army. These promises have been made to all Gods' men of vision. Every tongue that rises up against God's army will be condemned.

God's army will be able to turn the words of their enemies, back upon their own heads. This is the heritage of those who are going to become part of God's army. Looking again to Joel, we discover the ministry of God's overcoming army:

"They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief." Joel 2:9

These are God's ministering army. These are God's two witnesses who will minister during God's three and one-half years of His wrath. [see "The Two Witnesses" by George Kirkpatrick]. Paul wrote of these in his letter to the Hebrews:

"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" Hebrews 1:14

Those who run to and fro in the city will climb upon the houses and enter into the windows as thieves to minister to those who are heirs of salvation. These heirs of salvation are those who love the Lord, but have been robbed of their inheritance in God by the weak and beggarly church system who are still entangled with the cares of this life. But God is going to send His messengers (His angels) to them, that they may hear the true Word of God.

Joel informs us further what we can expect of God's army, and the time of their ministry:

"The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:" Joel 2:10

The earth shall quake before them and the heavens shall tremble. The prophet Haggai revealed this time of shaking:

"For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;" Haggai 2:6

Again we see the time frame God revealed through the pen of Joel. This is the time when the sun and the moon and the stars will be darkened. We need to ask ourselves, "What will cause the sun, moon, and stars to become darkened, and what will the time frame we are to look for?" Joel reveals:

"The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come." Joel 2:31

These are the same words Jesus used to describe what will happen before the great and terrible day of the Lord. Joel also reveals what will bring this about:

"And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke." Joel 2:30

God is going to show wonders in the heavens. There will be blood, fire, and pillars of smoke. When we think of fire and pillars (or columns) of smoke, what do we think of? This is evident in nuclear explosions. But Joel reveals this fire and pillars of smoke will be in the heavens (in the atmosphere). Russia has armed outer space with nuclear weapons, and have positioned these weapons close to our satellites. If they would detonate these weapons, what would happen? Carl Sagan, the world famous physicist stated, "If a medium range, nuclear weapon were exploded in the atmosphere, it would cause giant windstorms on earth - - - as much as three thousand miles an hour - - - causing the dust and debree to blacken the sun, moon, and stars for up to a year." Carl Sagan called this `Nuclear Winter'. The prophet Isaiah described such a time:

"Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it." Isaiah 47:14

Peter, who was given the keys to the Kingdom, also described this time:

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?" II Peter 3:10 & 12

What else will take place when these nuclear weapons are exploded in the atmosphere? Not only will we have giant windstorms, the temperatures of the earth will rise, causing the ice caps to melt even faster. Coast lines will be flooded. Then the earth will let go out of its place and come again to an upright position.

Joel prophesied there would be fire and pillars of smoke in the heavens. Peter asks the most important question:

"Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness," II Peter 3:11

The word conversation means "way of life." What should men of vision do? Joel informs us:

"Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth Him of the evil." Joel 2:12-13

Men of vision who see afar off know these events will happen, and they have opened their hearts (minds) to God to prepare their lives to be part of His overcoming army.

Our God has been gracious and merciful to this sinful, godless world. He truly has been slow to anger. He is only holding back His wrath until He has a people who are without spot or wrinkle, holy and without blame, whom He can put in charge of His Kingdom. God makes many promises to this people:

"Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for He hath given to you the former rain moderately, and He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month." Joel 2:23

Joel writes to the children (sons) of Zion, those who have come to the high place in God. He has given them the former rain which is the first fruit anointing. This is the anointing that came on the Day of Pentecost. This anointing has been revealed many times: the outpouring in 1906, again in the latter rain movement, and again in the charismatic movement of the `sixties and `seventies. But these were only examples of the anointing that is coming on God's overcoming body (His true church). Joel continues:

". . . He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. Joel 2:23b

This will be the `double portion outpouring of the Holy Spirit', the outpouring of the Spirit without measure. This is the same anointing Jesus received on the banks of the Jordan. This anointing was also spoken of by the Apostle James:

"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until He receive the early and latter rain." James 5:7

The husbandman is Christ Jesus, and He awaits the precious fruit of the earth. He has long patience for it, until He can pour out upon it the early and the latter rain. The prophet Hosea goes even further to tell us when we can expect his outpouring:

"After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight." Hosea 6:2

The two days are the church age. The two days are two thousand years. It will be after these two days that God is going to raise us up, and we will live in His sight.

"Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth." Hosea 6:3

Those who follow on to know the Lord will be prepared for the morning, or the New Day, the glorious seventh day of God's creation. These are those who will receive the early and latter rain, double portion anointing. Many promises have been made to this overcoming people. Joel also prophesied of this time:

"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out My Spirit." Joel 2:28-29

God is going to pour out His Spirit abundantly, but this is not the end of the prophesy God gave Joel:

"And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, My great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and My people shall never be ashamed." Joel 2:25-26

What wonderful promises God makes to His overcomers. Those who only see through the eyes of today cannot understand why God's true people are not concerned about the future. To those whose hearts are failing them for the fear of nuclear war, the collapse of the economy, and God's soon coming judgment, there is no hope.

But, men of vision look to God's Word for their hope, and they believe God's promises, even though they may not see them. Their hope is in the Holy Spirit inspired words of Isaiah:

"Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, My servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, My servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, My servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed.

Behold, My servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.

And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto My chosen: for the Lord God shall slay thee, and call His servants by another name:" Isaiah 65:13-15

Those whose hope and trust is in the Lord Jesus Christ have nothing to fear. These are the men whose vision is not based on what they see and read. Their vision is on what they know by reading and believing God's Word.

Peter quoted Joel's prophecy word for word concerning the multitude to the one hundred and twenty in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost:

"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Acts 2:21

But pay close attention to Joel's prophecy concerning these verses. What Peter quoted was for the church age, but what Joel prophesied was for the coming new day:

"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call." Joel 2:32

There is a great difference between the word saved which Peter spoke in Acts 2:21, and the word delivered which Joel spoke of in Joel 2:32. The word saved in Acts 2:21 is the Greek word SOZO and means "to make whole, to heal, and to make safe." The word delivered in Joel 2:32 is the Hebrew word MALAT and means "to escape and to preserve."

Peter was speaking of the church age where the message of salvation was to be preached to all the nations of the earth. But Joel was prophesying concerning the saved, baptized, Spirit-filled, mature overcomers who will be delivered from the wrath. It is these mature overcomers who will inhabit the Kingdom and make up the Holy City, New Jerusalem.

Joel reveals ". . . for in Mount Zion and Jerusalem shall be deliverance." What was Joel speaking of when he used the names Mount Zion and Jerusalem? To understand this we must look at the words Jesus spoke to John on the Isle of Patmos:

"And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the Mount Zion, and with Him an hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father's name written in their foreheads." Revelation 14:1

This is God's one hundred and forty-four thousand who have the Father's name written in their foreheads. This is the Zion, Joel spoke about - - - and the Jerusalem he spoke of is the New Jerusalem. Jesus also revealed:

"And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the Holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God," Revelation 21:9-10

Jesus revealed to John that the Lamb's wife is the bride of Christ. The Lamb's wife is the New Jerusalem. The one hundred and forty-four thousand are those who will rule and reign in the Holy City. These are those who have been delivered. They are a separated people, men of vision who have their lives prepared. Jesus explained who these are to John:

"And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb." Revelation 14:3-4

As Jesus relates, these were not defiled with women. The church is described as a woman. The one hundred and forty-four thousand had not been defiled by the church system. These were virgins which means they were not defiled by the precepts and doctrines of men. These are men of vision, who only look to God and follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These are those who follow the words given to John by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit:

"But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him." I John 2:27

These only operate their lives by the Spiritual anointing they receive from the Holy Spirit. As John revealed, the anointing teaches us all things. And, as we are taught of the anointing, we will abide (live) in Him.

As we continue to look at the revelation given to John, Jesus stated this is the firstfruit unto God and the Lamb. This is the Firstfruit Company which Joel revealed will be delivered. Let's look again at the words of Joel:
in the remnant whom the Lord shall call." Joel 2:32c

This is God's remnant church He is raising up in the wilderness. These are looking totally to God and His Word. These have no worldly ties and no affiliation to the adulterated church system. Again Jesus reveals:

"And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God." Revelation 14:5

The word guile means "deceit." There was no deceit in what they said, or how they lived. These will stand without fault before their God. What are the promises God has made to His men of vision?

"For the Lord shall comfort Zion: He will comfort all her waste places; and He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody." Isaiah 51:3

The Lord will comfort Zion. The word comfort means "to have compassion." The Lord is going to have compassion on all her waste places. He is going to make her wilderness like the Garden of Eden.

Let's look at the words of Jeremiah:

"I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void: and the heavens, and they had no light." Jeremiah 4:23

The phrase without form and void means "a wasted wilderness." But, praise the Lord, men of vision will see beyond the wasted wilderness to God's glorious Kingdom. These men of vision are in the midst of the fire, but the land before them is as the Garden of Eden.

This is exactly what God revealed to Isaiah in Isaiah 51:3: Her desert places will be as the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will fill the hearts of the men of vision when they stand before the Lord with thanksgiving in their hearts.

We are coming very rapidly to the end of the age. Again, we relish the revelation Jesus gave to John:

"And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold I Make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son." Revelation 21:5-7

God is going to make a renewed earth, and this is the inheritance of the overcomers. This will be a renewed earth where they will live in perfect tranquility, and where sorrow and sadness will flee away.

This is why the men who have no vision can only see with the eyes of today. Their hearts are failing them for fear when they see what is coming upon the earth.

But, praise the Lord, the men of vision rejoice because they know what is coming - - - and what is on the other side of God's judgment.

There is still time to repent and rend your heart, and not your garment, Joel2:13.
Leadership is based on a spiritual quality; the power to inspire, the power to inspire others to follow.What makes a leader inspirational? The ability to inspire people to reach great heights of performance and success is a skill that leaders need. Passion, purpose, listening and meaning help make a leader inspirational. The ability to communicate that passion, purpose and meaning to others helps establish the inspirational culture of your organization. These points will tell you how to enable inspiration and motivation in the people you lead.
How Leaders Instill Inspiration in the People They Lead.
* The inspirational leader feels passionately about the vision and mission of the organization. He or she is also able to share that passion in a way that enables others to feel passionate, too. The nature of the vision and mission is critical for enabling others to feel as if their work has purpose and meaning beyond the tasks they perform each day. Sometimes leaders have to help their staff connect the dots by explaining this big picture to all. Communicating the big picture regularly will help reinforce the reason your organization exists.


* The inspirational leader listens to the people in her organization. Talking to people about your passion is not enough. To “share meaning” - my definition for communication - you must allow the ideas and thoughts of your staff to help form the vision and mission, or minimally, the goals and action plan. No one is ever one hundred percent supportive of a direction they had no part in formulating. People need to see their ideas incorporated – or understand why they were not.


* To experience inspiration, people also need to feel included. Inclusion goes beyond the listening and feedback; for real inclusion, people need to feel intimately connected to the actions and process that are leading to the accomplishment of the goals or the decision.

At a client company, we cancelled an annual employee event because of customer orders for product. Many people did not like the decision, but we involved the whole management group, the Activity Committee members and many other employees in the discussion about whether to cancel or re-schedule the event. The inclusion led to a compromise that, while not perfect, still enables a celebration and a positive motivation boost, yet allows the company to meet customer needs.


* Important to inspiration is the integrity of the person leading. Yes, vision and passion are important, but employees must trust you to feel inspired. They must believe in you. Your “person” is as important as the direction you provide. Employees look up to a person who tells the truth, tries to do the right things, lives a "good" life and does their best. Trust me. Your actions play out on the stage of your organization. And, your staff does boo and cheer and vote with their feet and their actions.


* Finally, an inspirational leader gives people what they want within his capabilities. (You can’t provide a raise in pay without company profitability, as an example, but you absolutely must share the rewards if the organization is doing well.) The inspirational leader also understands that, while money is a motivator, so are praise, recognition, rewards, a thank you and noticing an individual’s contribution to a successful endeavor.

Characteristics of a Successful Leadership Style

Much is written about what makes successful leaders. I will focus on the characteristics, traits and actions that, I believe, are key in this series of articles.

Choose to lead
* Be the person others choose to follow.
* Provide vision for the future.
* Provide inspiration. ((Current article - you are here.)
* Make other people feel important and appreciated.
* Live your values. Behave ethically.
* Set the pace through your expectations and example.
* Establish an environment of continuous improvement.
* Provide opportunities for people to grow, both personally and professionally.
* Care and act with compassion.