Nat Crawford - Executive Coach, Speaker, Leader

“This is going to hurt me more than it does you.” We’ve all heard that before in a movie, a book, or in real life. Often this involves some kind of discipline or consequences for one’s actions. The one saying it means it. The one hearing it never believes it. The apostle Paul said some very similar in his second letter to the Corinthian Church: For though I caused you sorrow by my letter , I do not regret it; though I did regret it —for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while— I now rejoice , not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. Today, as I read Paul’s words, it struck me that many of us struggle with holding people a...

"I'll never be able to do that. I just don't have that gift." Have you ever heard someone say this? Have you ever said this? We all have! Often we think of tasks, goals, activities we want to or know we should be doing, but we fall down in self-defeat. It's discouraging at times wanting to be part of something exciting, but something inside tells us we can't. An area that is usually at the top of the list for Christians is outreach and/or evangelism (I'll use the terms interchangeably). But what if there was a way - a formula to do effective outreach that freed you from self-defeat and doubt? There is. Look at 1 Corinthians 3:5-9: After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s...

I just started working my way back through the book of Romans by the apostle Paul. It is a rich letter and appears as if it could have been written today. I'd like to share 3 myths I observed that Christians believe and should change. Myth 1: We are too bold with the gospel. Paul writes in Romans 1:14-16 "I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." He was under obligation to all people to share the gospel. For those he knew best (Jews) and those he was called (Greeks). Today, there is a myth in Christianity that says, "Christians are too bold with the gospel. Just a bunch of Bible thumpers." This is a myth, if not a lie. The problem is not an overabundance of proselytization, but...

We have a love problem, don’t we? Of course, this isn’t new. We’ve always had a love problem. We say we love someone, but then we don’t know how to express it. We say we love someone, but we choose not to express it. Or if we are honest, maybe, we just don’t love that someone. Where is this coming from? As the director of local outreach at a church, one of the questions I often ask myself is “why don’t more people show interest in Christianity?” I read a blog recently from James Emory White who partially answered this question. White said this: ‘A full 79% of unchurched Americans agreed with this statement: "If a friend of mind really values their faith, I don't mind them talking about it." [1] Did you catch it? Don’t miss the key to the point: “If a friend of mine, really values their faith .” I read that as someone who has an authentic faith. A faith that is not perfect, but real and deep. It sounds like something that comes flows out of true love. Today’s...

Each night when my boys go to bed, we engage in our bedtime ritual. At the Crawford household we are committed to our traditions! This ritual is special to us not only because it’s quality time together, but also it lays the foundation for a better day tomorrow. There’s no doubt some nights I’m exhausted. I’ll try to back out of one the bedtime activities. But then… “Dad…” Simon says with that “you’re not getting out of this” look. “Please, Dad! Please” Landon adds with his cute wink. “We can’t skip, Dad. It’s tradition!” Simon reminds me. “You’re right, Si” I smile and get back to the routine. Even when I’m tired, I won’t deviate; because I know my days of being an active participant in their bedtime activities will be gone. When that transition happens, I will continue these five bedtime activities because I know it creates a better tomorrow. I’m aware you may not want to do all five. That’s fine. I simply wanted to share our process because it has been so powerful. We read...

“Rub a dub dub, thanks for the grub.” This might make you chuckle as you think back on family dinner prayers. “Now I lay me down to sleep. Pray the Lord my soul to keep.” This might take you back to your bedtime ritual or maybe Metallica’s famous Enter Sandman. For many people, their prayer life goes no further than these simple and repetitious prayers. But isn’t there a better way to pray? Absolutely!  What is prayer? Prayer is simply conversing with the God of the universe. It’s a conversation…but one with God! Now think about this. Imagine you went to you best friend, spouse, or child and talked to them in cute, memorized phrases. Chances are they’d be annoyed and you’d be bored. Why would we want to do that with God? We shouldn’t. So, what’s the alternative? There are various prayer models to follow. Even Jesus Christ told His disciples (and us) how to pray (Matthew 6:9-13). The reformer Martin Luther wrote book “A Simple Way to Pray.” He suggested praying the Lord’s p...

I don’t know about you, but there have been different stages of my life where I asked myself “why am I not getting the results I want.” I then go into a process of analysis and asking question after question. It is can be almost maddening as I go round and round. I recently entered that circle. Thankfully I had a conversation with one of my biggest cheerleaders: my mom. As a former successful entrepreneur and business owner, she knows what it takes to be a standout in any career. Our conversation went like this: “How are you doing, Nat?” “Frustrated, Mom.” “Why’s that?" “Because I am stuck! I cannot figure out how to take our business from good to great.” She paused and then said these revelatory words: “You’ll be great when you stand out.” Wow. She was right. She then provided me with 4 powerful traits of standout entrepreneurs: They destroy the box. Stepping out of your box is not easy. To be a standout entrepreneur, you need to be different. You need to be yourself. You ...