Lead Yourself

Are you a leader or a follower?

The most important person you have to lead each day is yourself, so yes, I would say I am a leader, as are you. 

Not only must we lead but how we talk to yourself each day is critical as well.  Just like the people you lead. 

Don’t just think of yourself as a leader of others, but of yourself too. 

Chances are you have quite a few conversations during the course of your day.  Some, of course, have more than others but no matter how many people you talk to in a day the most important conversation you will have will be the constant conversation you have with yourself.

Do you lift yourself up? 

Do you speak words of hope and encouragement? 

Do you fill your mind with positivity and optimism?  

You may be bombarded with negativity from the outside but you need to control that as much as you can.

You must control your own personal thought life. It has such an impact on your mental and physical well-being as well.

Words of hope? 

Words of truth? 

Words of power? 

Speak them to yourself first and they will then flow to those around you and those you lead and influence.  Don’t take your most important conversations for granted.  They really do matter. 

How you speak to yourself is directly related to how you lead yourself. 

I’m cheering for you.

Stacking Stones Devotional

Day 11: Navigating with Grace

Change hits—sometimes you see it, sometimes it blindsides. Either way, adjust your sails. Psalm 107:30 (ESV) says, “…he brought them to their desired haven.” I’ve had to tweak plans—cutting steps from 10,000 to 5,000—to keep moving. Resilience isn’t stubbornness; it’s flexibility with faith. What shift can get the wind behind you again?

God guides through adjustments, not rigid rules. I’ve clung to old ways, only to flounder—adapting saved me. My 5K goal bent, not broke—progress trumps pride. Are you facing a storm? A small pivot could sail you forward. I’ve seen folks sink, refusing to turn—don’t drown in rigidity. God’s steering—trust Him. A job loss, a health dip—adjust, and He’ll guide you to harbor.

How’s resilience carried you? It’s grace in motion—bend, don’t break. I’ve learned this slow—each tweak a lesson. What’s your adjustment? Make it—He’s your compass, your calm. Keep sailing—your goal’s in sight.

Questions:

  1. What adjustment can you make to regain progress?
  2. How does resilience help you through change?

Let’s Stay Connected – You were made for this moment.

If this something in this post meant something to you, I’d love for you to stick around:  

Leave a comment – I would really enjoy hearing your thoughts.

Share it with someone who might need it today.  

Thanks for reading and being a little part of this moment.  

Keep Stacking Stones!

Todd

Stacking Stones Devotional

Day 8: Stepping into Newness

God’s always moving forward. Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV) says, “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth…” Clinging to the past blocks His work in us. I’ve held onto old habits—screen time, excuses—but letting go opened doors, like pursuing that 5K. What “former things” weigh you down? Faith reveals His fresh path—new chances to reflect Christ.

It’s scary, this letting go—familiar feels safe. But God’s newness is alive—rivers in deserts, ways in wilderness. I’ve resisted, fearing the unknown, only to find joy when I stepped out. My old step goal? Dropped it—new focus, new wins. Are you ready to see it? Trust Him—He’s already at work, springing forth life where you see dust. I’ve seen folks cling to yesterday, missing today’s miracles—don’t be them.

God’s not done with you; He’s starting something fresh. What’s your old thing? Release it—embrace His now. It’s not loss; it’s gain. How will faith guide you? Step into His newness—He’s waiting with open arms.

Questions:

  1. What “former things” are you holding onto?
  2. How can faith help you see God’s new path?

Let’s Stay Connected – You were made for this moment.

If this something in this post meant something to you, I’d love for you to stick around:  

Leave a comment – I would really enjoy hearing your thoughts.

Share it with someone who might need it today.  

Thanks for reading and being a little part of this moment.  

Keep Stacking Stones!

Todd

Stacking Stones Devotional

Day 9: Rise and Act

Stuck where you don’t want to be? Remember the old TV days—get up and change the channel. James 2:17 (ESV) warns, “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Action fuels change. I’ve sat idle, frustrated—post-college, aimless—until Coach’s nudge hit: “Why don’t you do something with your life?” I shaved, enrolled—moved.

Nothing shifts without you stepping up. God’s with you, but He waits for your faith to walk. I’ve lingered, hoping change would find me—it doesn’t. That 5K? Won’t run itself—I had to start. What’s one move you can make today? A call, a prayer, a choice—action’s your spark. I’ve seen folks wish without work—dreams die there. Faith’s alive when it moves—prove it.

God’s ready to meet your obedience with power. Don’t wait for perfect—perfect’s a lie. Rise, act—watch Him weave your steps into purpose. What needs shifting? Get up—He’s got your back.

Questions:

  1. What needs to change in your life right now?
  2. What’s one step you can take to start?

Let’s Stay Connected – You were made for this moment.

If this something in this post meant something to you, I’d love for you to stick around:  

Leave a comment – I would really enjoy hearing your thoughts.

Share it with someone who might need it today.  

Thanks for reading and being a little part of this moment.  

Keep Stacking Stones!

Todd

Words That Change You

Share a story about someone who had a positive impact on your life.

It was a hot July day in 1981 as I stood in the doorway watching the Tiger basketball camp in the Griswold, IA gym. I had gone to talk to my girlfriend, now my wife of 37+ years, as she worked at the school for her summer job.

I had graduated from Griswold High School in 1980, went onto Simpson College to study music performance and education but had dropped out six weeks into the Fall semester.  (Another story for another day).

From October to this hot day in July I had worked at two different jobs and really had no plan or direction for my future.  My hair sat on my shoulders and who knows how long it had been since I had shaved, although you probably couldn’t call what I had a real beard.

As I stood in the doorway my high school basketball coach, Kent Gade, walked up to me, poked his finger from his 6-5 inch frame and said “Why don’t you do something with your life?”.  He turned and walked away.

Those words, that one sided interaction,  changed the trajectory of my life. Within a couple of weeks I had shaved, gotten my haircut and enrolled in Iowa Western Community College. 

The man I still call “Coach” spoke life back into me with an eight word phrase but those eight words were powerful. 

Coach Gade cared enough to confront me and it woke me up. He took a risk but he cared enough to take that risk because he knew I needed to hear it.  Caring overrides risk. 

As a leader do you care enough to take the risk to confront someone to make a change they need to make?

Words are powerful. Words used correctly and at the right time can change a life. I know because eight words changed mine.