SKU: 69830680448
buy aloe vera plant

buy aloe vera plant Buy Aloe Vera Plant

Sale price$26.52 Regular price$29.47
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $7.37 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Aug 13 - Aug 18

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

buy aloe vera plant Buy Aloe Vera PlantBuy Aloe Vera Plant Online Most Convenient Plant Looking to buy Aloe Vera plants in Australia? You've found the perfect place! Our premium Aloe Vera succulents are grown with care and shipped Australia wide, ready to thrive in your Aussie garden or home. Known as the "plant of immortality," Aloe Vera is one of Australia's most beloved succulents. Whether you're in sunny Queensland, temperate Victoria, or anywhere across the country, this versatile

Buy Aloe Vera Plant Online Most Convenient Plant

Looking to buy Aloe Vera plants in Australia? You've found the perfect place! Our premium Aloe Vera succulents are grown with care and shipped Australia-wide, ready to thrive in your Aussie garden or home.

Known as the "plant of immortality," Aloe Vera is one of Australia's most beloved succulents. Whether you're in sunny Queensland, temperate Victoria, or anywhere across the country, this versatile aloe vera plant adapts beautifully to our unique climate. From soothing sunburns after a day at the beach to adding striking architectural beauty to your garden beds, Aloe Vera is the ultimate multi-purpose plant every Australian household deserves.

At Succulents Online Australia, we deliver healthy, established Aloe Vera plants straight to your door, making it easier than ever to enjoy this legendary succulent's benefits.

Key Features and Benefits

Health Benefits:

Aloe Vera Juice and : These are plants that have many uses as they are used to make soothe gel and juice that has many positive impacts in the body. The substance extracted from the large green leaves of Aloe Vera has been used for centuries due to its healing properties. I will mention here that this aloe gel is rich in vitamins, enzymes, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants; all in one package.

Skin Care Superstar: Aloe Vera gel is one of the natural cure for many skin problems. This is because it is particularly useful to treat, different types of burns, such as sunburns, as a result of its cooling and anti-inflammatory characteristic. Healing of a burnt skin is faster and less painful when the affected area is applied with a gel. Furthermore, it is applied in treatment associated with small injuries such as cuts. It is effective as it reduces chances of infection as it is anti-septic, on the same note it is moisturizing thus facilitating quicker skin healing.

Digestive Health Booster: Aloe Vera gel comprises the juice extracted from the inner part of the leaf; thus, it is perfect for enhancing your health. When taken in moderate portions, it aids in digestion by coating the lining of the stomach and the intestines, and is thus helpful when taken when experiencing heart burn, ulcer, and IBS. The juice also has some liver protecting and detoxifying properties and assist in the elimination of toxins from the body. In addition, it improves the levels of hydration which is good for health.

Medicinal Uses: One of the many uses of Aloe Vera is that it is used to cure small skin problem, relieves pains, and speeds up the process of skin regeneration cause by injuries. For this reason, it is ideal for skin issues like acne, eczema, and psoriasis due to its anti-inflammatory as well as antimicrobial function.

Acne and Skin Irritations: Red Bull, replacing Aloe Vera with the following quantity can assist in eradicating acne and skin inflammation. As a treatment for people diagnosed with chronic skin conditions. This goes a long way in providing much needed reprieve as it hydrates and heals the already irritated skin to prevent flare-ups.

Pain Relief: Another interesting feature that can be attributed to the Aloe Vera gel is its ability to relieve a person from pain, if used topically. It can reduce pain resulting from arthritis and muscle pains. In this case, application of the gel on the skin makes it reach deeper layers thus providing a calming affect. It may help to make joints less stiff, thus it has a potential of being used by those looking for natural remedy for arthritis.

Nutrient-Rich: Aloe Vera plants are very rich in many vital nutrients and compounds that help in the enhancement of the general health of the human body. It has vitamins A, C, E and some B complex group of vitamins that are useful in the raring of skin, immunity boosters and general body health.

Essential Minerals: These vitamins include folic acid, vitamins A, C, B6, and B12 and the minerals include calcium, magnesium, zinc and selenium. These minerals are sharply deployed in the body for critical functions such as, bone formation, enzymatic processes and immune responses. Included in Aloe Vera are also amino acids, the proteins’ constitutive elements that are vital in any tissue’s build up and repair.

Promoting Overall Wellness: It is more than just an accessory feature to fix in your home or office because it can also be the solution to your health problems. Modern society understands the plant to purify the air and also have a wide number of therapeutic applications, which makes it a valuable asset to be placed in any environment. The plant does not demand much attention; As for care this plant is quite indifferent but the benefits it provides are numerous.

Plant Care:

Sunlight: Aloe Vera prefers places with bright sunlight to somewhat shaded, thus being able to adapt to almost any climate.

Watering: Rarely water it, preferably when the soil looks bone dry to prevent rotting of the roots.

Soil Mix: They require well drained soil if one wants to see the best performance of the plant.

Minimal Maintenance: Organ care is rather low demanding, so the representatives of this kind of flora are perfect for individuals with many tasks.

Usage and Applications:

Indoor and Outdoor Decor: Aloe Vera is used in both interior and exterior environments because it brings the color green.

Health and Wellness: Rub on Aloe Vera gel extracted from the plant for body nourishment and to get rid of skin disorders. It is suggested that small amounts of the juice be consumed for the purpose of improving digestion.

Culinary Uses: Aloe Vera can be used as supplements, being blended into some sorts of food and drinks.

Product Details:

The first photo serves a display purpose only.

The succulent plant housed in the red pot comes in a 190mm diameter container.

While the image provides a representative depiction of what you will receive, but may vary slightly because no two succulents are the same.

Ready to Add Aloe Vera to Your Collection?

Order your premium Aloe Vera plant today and experience why this ancient healer remains Australia's favourite succulent. Perfect for gifts, garden projects, or starting your succulent journey!

FAQs

Order Your Aloe Vera Plant Today: Enhance your home or office with the natural beauty and health benefits of Aloe Vera. Order now for fast delivery and enjoy the ease of care that this remarkable plant offers. Learn more about our products and services on our site.

Please note  — NT, TAS, WA customers: please contact us before placing your order due to additional quarantine charges associated with these locations.                    View Shipping options

It would be great if you could share your thoughts or questions with us. If you bought this plant Aloe Vera, we will be grateful if you left your experience below. It use for the improving the business and use for the making better decision in other field. Thank you!

Contact Us: For more information, help, or advice, contact our customer service team. We are here to assist you with any inquiries about your order or plant care.

Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 69830680448

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell buy aloe vera plant

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.4 ★★★★★
Based on 22 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
M
Verified Purchase
Mark Erickson
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 5
Best book on Christian Leadership
Format: Paperback
I love this book and have read it 7 or 8 times - and will likely continue reading it every couple years for the rest of my life. As a pastor who can struggle with insecurity and the temptation to be powerful, spectacular, and popular, I read this book regularly to be called back to Jesus and to choose the way of prayer, service, love, and humility. In an era of celebrity pastors, consumer Christianity, and scandal, this book is a breath of fresh air. If I had to make a list of my top five books of all time, there is no question this gem would be on that list. It's a short and easy read, but is so powerful.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2023
K
Verified Purchase
K Edward
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
Excellent glimpse into Christ's model for leadership
Format: Paperback
This book is on a required reading list for ministerial licensing in my state. I found it a refreshing look into real Christian leadership (seemingly free from methods and techniques encouraged by the world). I say 'refreshing' because so many leadership books send out a 'drill sergeant' message that 'You need to toughen up for leadership. It isn't a cake-walk... You do a lot alone, etc. etc.' That may be true, but it can almost be discouraging/ disheartening for those interested in learning about leadership. NOT SO with this book. The author is a humble man of God who only desires to walk closer with Him. He (author) approaches leadership from a Divine angle; that is, he doesn't see leadership as the exercise of power and authority for its own sake. He sees leadership as that quality one gets from simply walking with Christ in close fellowship, to the point of being what he calls 'a mystic'. He encourages us to take those quiet walks with God; get to know His heart, and only then... be qualified to lead others with a servant's heart. He encourages us to be transparent and not to seek to do this alone (contrary to the messages this world sends us). To do this he shares engaging stories from his own life - stories of tough lessons he had to learn about becoming a Christian leader. God taught him through these life experiences more accurately what it means to be a leader, and I found myself identifying with him. I found this book on leadership to be a great encouragement to just walk closely with God - and that's what it's all about!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2006
B
Verified Purchase
Brad
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 5
Follow Jesus, Not the World
Format: Paperback
Henri Nouwen calls on Christian leaders--including himself-- to resist, as Jesus resisted, the temptations to be relevant, spectacular, and powerful. Instead, "...the Christian leader of the future is called to be completely irrelevant and and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but his or her own vulnerable self. That is the way Jesus came to reveal God's love." Further: "We keep forgetting that we are being sent out two-by-two. We cannot bring good news on our own. We are called to proclaim the Gospel together, in community." And: "The temptation of power is greatest when intimacy is a threat. Much Christian leadership is exercised by people who do not know how to develop healthy, intimate relationships and have opted for power and control instead. Many Christian empire builders have been people unable to give and receive love." I hope these excerpts give you a flavor of what's inside this extraordinary book, which I thought was truly profound even in its simplicity. Nouwen speaks from the heart because he speaks from experience. He walked away from a high profile clerical career to follow Jesus in the most authentic way he could. His is a story worth hearing and imitating.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2006
L
Verified Purchase
Lavid
Draper, US
★★★★★ 5
Un libro que debes leer!
Format: Paperback
El tema del liderazgo cristiano es vital dentro de la Iglesia. La lectura del libro In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership, hace un aporte significativo a mi entendimiento teológico acerca del liderazgo. Como líderes podemos edificar o destruir vidas; ayudar a otros a que avancen o frenarlos en su jornada de fe; servir de inspiración o dejar huellas de dolor en la vida de otras personas; mostrarles el camino a otros o perdernos en el camino. El autor hace una pregunta que creo que es muy oportuna y puntual en nuestra vida: ¿Qué decisiones has estado tomando últimamente y cómo son un reflejo de cómo percibes el futuro? Ciertamente no había reflexionado en ello. Cada día tomamos decisiones desde el momento en que abrimos los ojos, si ya me levanto, qué voy a desayunar, qué ropa me voy a poner, etc. Pero no había analizado si mis decisiones diarias me están acercando a lo que Dios tiene para mí o si me tienen estancada en mi pasado. Una de las cosas que ha llamado mi atención en la lectura de este libro es que el autor dice que llegó a un punto en su vida donde comenzó a sentir una terrible amenaza interna y se cuestionó si el hacerse ya mayor en edad lo había acercado más a Jesús. Quiero detenerme aquí, porque una líder que ha influenciado mi vida es mi madre. Ella ya tiene 83 años, y continuamente me repite: -Hija, tengo que estar muy cerca de Jesús, ya casi llega mi hora y quiero poder encontrarme con Él cara a cara. Puede uno entrar a su cuarto y la hallarás en su sillón con su Biblia abierta y orando o cantando alabanzas a Dios. Ella se preocupa por guardar su relación con Jesús. ¿Alguna vez, como líderes, estamos preocupados por si estamos muy cerca de Dios? ¿O es que quizás nuestro liderazgo nos hace presuponer que sí lo estamos? Estamos tan ocupados en la viña del Señor que se nos olvida ocuparnos del Señor de la viña. El autor reconoce que en esa etapa de su vida ya no oraba con pasión, sino que lo hacía bastante mal, se había aislado de las personas y se dio cuenta de que su alma estaba en peligro. Vino a mi mente Mateo 16:26 (NTV) “¿Y qué beneficio obtienes si ganas el mundo entero pero pierdes tu propia alma? ¿Hay algo que valga más que tu alma?” O como Pablo les dice a la Iglesia en Corinto: “no sea que habiendo predicado a otros, yo mismo sea descalificado.” 1 Corintios 9: 27 (b) Creo que si reflexiono teológicamente me debería preguntar: ¿Tengo la seguridad de lo que vale mi alma? ¿Podré yo quedar descalificada ante Dios en algún área de mi vida? ¿Está mi alma en peligro? Henri J.M Nouwen desmenuza la tentación de Jesús y nos muestra tres tentaciones que como líderes y ministros enfrentamos frecuentemente. La primera a la que se refiere es la Tentación de ser Relevante y su base es cuando el diablo le pide a Jesús que convierta las piedras en pan. Hoy hay muchos que quieren ser “relevantes a toda costa”, aunque eso signifique ir más allá de nuestros principios y cambiar por completo el Evangelio. Cada vez que escucho a un predicador diciendo que “pacte” con cierta cantidad de dinero para recibir un milagro, me indigno en gran manera porque algo que Jesús ofreció gratuitamente al pagar con Su sangre, ahora los “grandes predicadores de estos tiempos” lo han convertido en negocio. ¿Estaremos provocando que Jesús voltee nuestras vidas como hizo con las mesas de los cambistas del templo? Se nos olvida que Jesús es quien tiene que ser relevante para el mundo y que tenemos que reflejar la luz de Cristo. Hoy vivimos pendientes de cuántos seguidores tenemos en las redes sociales, cuántos likes tienen nuestras publicaciones. Por eso decía al principio, que podemos perdernos en el camino. Nouwen se inquietó de que su ineficaz oración y la tiranía de lo urgente lo estuviera empujando a reprimir al Espíritu Santo. David sabía lo que significaba andar sin el Espíritu Santo como compañero, por eso clamó en el Salmo 51: 11 “No me eches de delante de ti, Y no quites de mí tu santo Espíritu” Coincido con el autor cuando expresa que los líderes del futuro serán aquellos que se atrevan a reclamar su irrelevancia en el mundo contemporáneo como una vocación divina que les permita entrar en una profunda solidaridad con la angustia que subyace a todo el brillo del éxito y traer la luz de Jesús allí. El autor nos hace reflexionar en la pregunta que Jesús le hace a Pedro. ¿Me amas más que estos? No le preguntó acerca cuánta gente lo conocía, a cuántos había impactado. La pregunta era relacional: ¿me amas a mí? Por lo tanto la pregunta para nosotros sería, ¿estoy enamorada de Jesús? Nouwen declara que el líder del futuro es uno que conoce el corazón de Dios. Cuando no estamos ligados al corazón de Dios porque nos falta esa intimidad con Él, somos más propensos a que el anhelo por la fama, por ser exitosos, se apodere de nosotros y nos desenfoque de nuestro llamado. Conocer el corazón de Jesús y amarlo son lo mismo. Cuando vivimos en el mundo con ese conocimiento del corazón de Jesús, no podemos hacer más que traer sanidad, reconciliación, nueva vida y esperanza donde quiera que vayamos. Seguido a la pregunta tan desafiante, viene una tarea importantísima: apacienta mis ovejas. Mi corazón se estremeció, pues a pesar de conocer este relato y haberlo predicado varias veces, esta vez el enfoque del autor me hizo reflexionar en que muchas veces se nos olvida que hemos sido llamados a apacentar las ovejas, que tenemos una responsabilidad pero por tratar de ser relevantes no la estamos cumpliendo a cabalidad. El autor aborda ahora el tema de la oración contemplativa como una disciplina importante para el cristiano. La oración contemplativa profundiza en nosotros el conocimiento de que ya somos libres, que ya hemos encontrado un lugar para morar, que ya pertenecemos a Dios, a pesar de que todo y todos los que nos rodean siguen sugiriendo lo contrario. Nouwen lanza una pregunta que es confrontante: ¿Son los líderes cristianos del futuro verdaderamente hombres y mujeres de Dios, personas con un ardiente deseo de morar en la presencia de Dios, escuchar la voz de Dios, mirar la belleza de Dios, tocar la Palabra encarnada de Dios y saborear plenamente la bondad infinita de Dios? Aunque está mirando hacia los líderes del futuro, mi preocupación es también por nosotros, los líderes actuales. Si no vivimos una vida de oración no vamos a poder enseñarle a los líderes del futuro cómo avivar ese deseo ardiente de permanecer en la presencia de Dios. Anoche en el servicio de oración de la iglesia, yo les hablé acerca de cuando Dios decide poner fin a Sodoma. Dios se pregunta: ¿Encubriré yo a Abraham lo que voy a hacer, habiendo de ser Abraham una nación grande y fuerte, y habiendo de ser benditas en él todas las naciones de la tierra? Pienso entonces: ¿qué nivel de intimidad tenía Abraham con Dios que éste no quiere encubrirle sus planes? La respuesta la da el mismo Dios: “Porque yo sé que mandará a sus hijos y a su casa después de sí, que guarden el camino de Jehová, haciendo justicia y juicio, para que haga venir Jehová sobre Abraham lo que ha hablado acerca de él.” Dios sabía que Abraham iba a preparar a su descendencia como líderes del futuro. La oración es llamada “la cenicienta” de la iglesia. Para muchos no es relevante; sin embargo, es lo que alimenta nuestra alma y define quiénes somos en Dios. Para vivir de pie delante de los demás, debo vivir de rodillas delante de Dios. La segunda tentación es la de ser espectacular. Hoy la mayoría de los cristianos quieren ser parte de los ministerios de la iglesia que son más visibles: alabanza, predicar detrás de un púlpito, ministerio de danza. Pocos prefieren estar en el grupo de intercesión, o en los servidores, o ser de los que limpian el templo. El mismo Nouwen dice que actuamos como si la visibilidad y la notoriedad fueran los criterios principales del valor de lo que estamos haciendo. La popularidad ha reemplazado lamentablemente la verdadera esencia del ministerio. Somos especialistas en dar shows domingueros, no en adorar a Dios los domingos. Somos especialistas en luces que impresionan en los stages de las iglesias, pero no somos luz que alumbra en medio del pecado. Somos especialistas en buscar las mejores voces para que canten en nuestro servicio, pero no en que nuestra voz produzca cambios en otros. La propuesta de Nouwen para tratar esta tentación es la confesión y el perdón. Los líderes y ministros deben ser personas siempre dispuestas a confesar su propia fragilidad y pedir perdón a aquellos a quienes ministran. Debemos ser capaces de rendir cuentas. Creo que esto es algo en lo que Wesley enfatizó y que debemos retomar. Hace unos años, para la tesis de graduación, mi esposo Daniel propuso como tema para la misma la rendición de cuentas. Esto causó revuelo en la Facultad, debido a que ellos decían que ese era un tema pasado de moda, que porqué tenemos que decirles a otros nuestras debilidades y nuestras faltas. ¿Qué tanta basura hay en mi vida que tengo temor a que sea expuesta? ¿Será porque dejo de ser relevante y espectacular ante otros? La tentación de ser poderoso es la tercera tentación que menciona Nouwen, y él considera que esta es la tentación más seductora. Ciertamente he visto a gente cambiar drásticamente cuando se les ha sido dada autoridad. El autor considera que a pesar de nuestra experiencia que el poder no nos da la sensación de seguridad que deseo, sino que revela nuestras propias debilidades y limitaciones, seguimos haciéndonos creer que más poder eventualmente satisfará nuestras necesidades. El texto que usa el autor en esta parte es uno de mis textos preferidos en la Biblia, Filipenses 2: 5-8, y me encanta la versión The Message: “Piensen en ustedes como Cristo Jesús pensó de sí mismo. Tenía el mismo estatus que Dios, pero no pensaba tanto en sí mismo que tenía que aferrarse a las ventajas de ese estado sin importar qué. De ningún modo. Cuando llegó el momento, dejó a un lado los privilegios de la deidad y asumió el estatus de esclavo, ¡se convirtió en humano! Habiéndose hecho humano, se mantuvo humano. Fue un proceso increíblemente humillante. No reclamó privilegios especiales. En cambio, vivió una vida desinteresada y obediente y luego murió una muerte desinteresada y obediente, y el peor tipo de muerte, una crucifixión.” Cristo renunció a todo, pero nosotros lo queremos conservar todo. El autor resalta el hecho de que gran parte del liderazgo cristiano es ejercido por personas que no saben cómo desarrollarse sanamente, sin habilidades relacionales y que han optado por el poder y el control en su lugar. Muchos constructores de imperios cristianos han sido personas incapaces de dar y recibir amor. Por eso es tan importante la disciplina de reflexionar teológicamente. Porque creo que ninguno de nosotros está eximido de enfrentar y de caer en estas tentaciones, así que debemos estar constantemente reflexionando en nuestro liderazgo y en la influencia que estamos teniendo en las personas que nos rodean. El verdadero liderazgo espiritual, según Nouwen, es uno en el que “el poder se abandona constantemente en favor del amor”. ¿Qué tanto estoy dispuesto a ceder por amor a Dios y a mi prójimo? Mis preguntas al terminar este maravillo libro son: ¿Cómo Dios ve mi liderazgo? ¿Cómo veo mi liderazgo? ¿Cómo otros ven mi liderazgo? ¿He permitido que alguna de estas tentaciones venza y gobierne mi vida?
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2020
R
Verified Purchase
Rick Watts
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 4
Great Book for Church Leaders
Format: Paperback
In this book, Nouwen describes what he believes the key characteristics of a Christian leader are. These characteristics are guided by two stories for the Gospels: the story of Jesus' temptation in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11) and the story of Peter's call to be a shepherd (John 21:15-19). These characteristics are being prayerful rather than relevant, ministerial rather than popular, and being led rather than being a leader. Nouwen first explains that the temptation of today's ministers is to be relevant. Nouwen says that Jesus also had this same temptation. When Jesus was tempted by the devil in the desert, the first temptation was to turn stones into bread. With so many people in the world dieing of starvation, we all wish at times that we had the power to turn stones into bread. However, when Jesus was asked to perform the relevant behavior of changing stones into bread, he stuck to his mission to proclaim the Word and said, "One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). Rather than trying to be relevant to the world, a Christian leader should use Jesus as the source of their words, advice and guidance. It is through the discipline of contemplative prayer that Christian leaders can do that. It is not enough for Christian leaders to be moral people, well trained, eager to help their fellow humans, and able to respond creatively to the burning issues of their time. Christian leaders must truly be men and women of God, people with an ardent desire to dwell in God's presence, to listen to God's voice, to look at God's beauty, to touch God's incarnate Word, and to taste fully God's infinite goodness. The second temptation Nouwen says Christian leaders must avoid is the temptation to be spectacular. This was also Jesus' second temptation in the desert. "Throw yourself from the parapet of the temple and let the angels catch you and carry you in their arms" (Matthew 4:6). Jesus would not do it. He refused to be a stunt man to prove that he had something worthwhile to say. In stead Jesus said "Don't put the Lord your God to the test." Nouwen says that in today's church, individualism among ministers and priests is prevalent. Many do not have many skills to be proud of, but they still frequently feel that, if they have anything at all to show, it is something they must do solo. However, Nouwen says that ministry is not done solo, but in pairs. In Mark 6:7 Jesus sent the discipline out two by two to conquer evil. We cannot preach the Gospel on our own, we are called to share the Gospel together, in community. Nouwen goes on to say that ministry is also mutual. Jesus said, "I am the god shepherd. I know by own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for my sheep" (John 10:14-15). Ministers have gotten the idea that good leadership means keeping a safe distance form those we lead. However, when the members of a community cannot truly know and love their shepherd, shepherding just becomes a subtle way to exercise power over others. Nouwen says that the only way to for us to over come this temptation is confession and forgiveness. This does not mean that ministers should bring their own sins into the pulpit. It means that ministers are called to minister with their whole being, including their wounded selves. The third temptation today's Christian leaders must overcome is the temptation of power. When the devil said to Jesus "All this I will give you if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus replied "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only" (Matthew 4:9-10). Others say that having power - provided it is used in the service of God and your fellow human beings - is a good thing. Nouwen says that it was this rationalization that caused crusades, inquisitions, and the enslavement of Indians. He says it seems easier to be God than to love God, and easier to control people than to love people. Nouwen says that a common misconception among Christian leaders is that the older and more mature you get then more capable you become as a leader. However, John 21:18 says, "I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Nouwen says that the most important quality of Christian leadership is not a leadership of power and control, but a leadership of powerlessness and humility. Powerlessness and humility in the spiritual life refer to people who are so deeply in love with Jesus that they are ready to follow him wherever he guides them, always trusting that, with him, they will find life and fine it abundantly. Nouwen says that the way to discern where we are being led by Jesus is through theological reflection. Theological reflection is thinking with the mind of Christ. The Christian leaders of the future have to be theologians, persons who know the heart of God and are trained - through prayer, study, and careful analysis - to manifest the divine event of God's saving work in the midst of the many seemingly random events of their time.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2010

recommand products