“When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my papers.”
Locked up with no place to go, Paul did not complain, he read! “Bring me a coat to keep me warm, a book to keep me sharp, and my notes to keep me company.”
As Donald Spence Jones notes, study always occupied a central role in the life of the apostle.
These [books] were, most likely, common-place books, in which the Apostle—evidently always a diligent student—had written what he had observed as worthy of especial notice in the reading of either of the Scriptures of the Old Testament, or the other books bearing on Jewish or Pagan literature and history. These precious notes were probably the result of many years’ reading and study. He would have them with him as long as life remained to him.
I especially appreciated that line, “These precious notes were probably the result of many years’ reading and study.” My years in the study preparing for the pulpit, the classroom, blog posts, articles, and podcasts have left me with many such “precious notes,” notes I have often shared with you.
While my pen has been quiet of late, it has been for good reason. With the help of some dear friends I have gathered and arranged a few of these notes in the book you see below, Forging Your Leadership Heart. This is a resource for leaders at work, in the home, or serving in their community. As I note in the introduction:
Psalm 78 informs us that God called David from shepherding sheep to “be the Shepherd of his people, Israel.” Verse 72 adds, “David shepherded them with integrity of heart, and with skillful hands he led them” (NIV). Leadership is a multifaceted strand, but at its core are three threads: calling, character, and competency.
This book tackles the middle thread, character, or the heart of integrity that God highlights as a part of David’s leadership core. That integrity is not automatic is evidenced by a multitude of ruined reputations that litter the leadership highway. Charles Spurgeon said, “The beard of reputation, once shorn, is hard to grow again.” The Prince of Preachers was adding his “Amen” to Solomon’s metaphor that some character stains can never be wiped away (Proverbs 6:33). The heart of a leader is serious business. That is why Solomon said, “Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life” (Proverbs 14:23 CSB).
Leadership is a journey of the heart. This 31-day reflective journey helps leaders tend to their heart as they tend to the mission God has entrusted to them, wherever that might be. I have used the word “forging” in the title because forging is an active process, a very intentional process. Leaders do the hard work on the soft skills of leadership, including their own hearts. I invite you take a look by clicking on the link below.
Forging Your Leadership Heart is an easy-to-read, beautiful hardback that will take you — like Paul’s books did for him — on a journey to greater wisdom, influence, and resilient joy. That’s my prayer!
Notes:
“These [books] were, most likely, common-place books . . .” from H. D. M. Spence in Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (London: Cassell and Company, Limited, 1905). https://biblehub.com/commentaries/ellicott
“Psalm 78 informs us that God called David . . .” from Tommy Kiedis in Forging Your Leadership Heart (Boca Raton: Second Fiddle Publishing, 2023), 8.