In this episode of The Leader’s Notebook (Ep. 294) from our seven-part series, The Magnificent Seven, I examine the life, faith, and formation of Simon Peter—introduced in John 1 as a fisherman who meets Jesus and is immediately renamed, redefined, and relentlessly shaped by grace. Peter is bold, impulsive, strong, outspoken, and deeply human: quick to confess Jesus as the Christ, equally quick to resist the cross; first to step out of the boat, first to deny with a curse; yet also first to preach at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit transforms failure into authority. We trace Peter’s journey from natural leadership to spiritual power, from Jewish boundaries to Gentile inclusion, and from rough-edged disciple to apostolic voice whose letters reveal profound theological depth. In the end, Peter himself tells us what mattered most—not miracles, not Pentecost, not even leadership—but seeing Christ in His glory, a vision that steadied his life and clarified his witness. – Dr. Mark Rutland

In this episode of The Leader’s Notebook (Ep. 293) from our seven-part series, The Magnificent Seven, I walk through the astonishing life and ministry of John the Baptist. He stands as the last Old Testament prophet and the first man to publicly identify Jesus as Messiah. His voice rises out of four centuries of prophetic silence, set against the political brutality of Rome and the corruption of Herod. John does not emerge as a stylist or strategist, but as a singular, God-anointed voice preparing the way. He calls a nation to repentance and redefines the Messianic mission as sacrificial redemption. Standing in the Jordan, he declares Jesus to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire. His courage, clarity, and refusal to measure success by comfort or applause confront our modern assumptions about leadership and faithfulness. John’s life reminds us that true success is obedience to God’s call, even when it costs everything, and that the highest aim of any leader is to see Jesus clearly and point others to Him. – Dr. Mark Rutland

In this episode of The Leader’s Notebook (Ep.292) from our seven-part series, The Magnificent Seven, I walk through the life of King David not as a children’s story hero, but as one of the most complex, gifted, and broken leaders Scripture ever presents, drawing from Psalms 22, 23, and 51 to show how a shepherd, poet, warrior, prophet, outlaw, king, and sinner could still be called a man after God’s own heart. David’s genius was not perfection but pursuit: an uncommon ability to flex with the seasons of life, to rebound from moral collapse and personal tragedy, and to refuse both despair and denial when confronted with his own sin. From prophetic insight that reached the cross of Christ, to public repentance that matched the depth of his failure, David teaches us that leadership is not validated by flawlessness but by repentance, resilience, and an unrelenting chase after the heart of God, even when life is marked by pain, conflict, and unfinished battles. – Dr. Mark Rutland

In this episode of The Leader’s Notebook (Ep. 291) from our seven-part series, The Magnificent Seven, I take you into the long, demanding life of Moses—a man called by God and shaped by struggle. From a baby hidden in the reeds to an old prophet standing before Pharaoh, Moses learned that God forms leaders slowly and uses them despite their fears, failures, and reluctance. We walk through the burning bush, the wilderness years, and the heavy burden of leading a stubborn people, discovering that true leadership is meekness—great authority restrained by obedience to God. Moses’ life points us again and again to the grace of God, a grace that still flows even when the servant falters, and ultimately to Christ, the greater Deliverer, who bears the curse and brings us into freedom. Moses reminds us that God does His greatest work through surrendered lives, and that faithfulness matters more than brilliance or strength.– Dr. Mark Rutland

In this episode of The Leader’s Notebook (Ep. 290) from our seven-part series, The Magnificent Seven, we explore the life and leadership of Joseph—the dreamer whose faith and character carried him through betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment to become the second most powerful man in Egypt. From the prophetic dreams God gave him as a youth to the fulfillment of those dreams decades later, Joseph’s story illustrates how God orchestrates destiny through patience, integrity, and unwavering trust. I share practical insights on how to hold onto the dreams God places in your heart, how to persevere through setbacks, and how to recognize the divine timing in your life. Joseph’s life teaches us that God’s promises often arrive in ways we cannot yet comprehend, and that the power of a dream can transform both personal destiny and the course of nations.– Dr. Mark Rutland

In this episode of The Leader’s Notebook (Ep. 289), I open our new series, The Magnificent Seven, by turning our attention to Abraham—the first great patriarch and the man through whom God began the redemptive story that shapes all of Scripture. Abraham stands at the headwaters of biblical history, yet he emerges from a pagan culture with no prior record of faith, only a heart somehow attuned to the voice of God. That alone is a profound leadership lesson: God speaks to those who will listen. In this teaching, I explore Abraham’s courageous obedience, his willingness to step into the unknown, and the leadership strength that caused entire households to follow him simply because he trusted the word of the Lord. At the same time, Abraham’s failures—his impatience, his missteps, his attempts to force God’s promise—offer sober warnings for every leader. His life reminds us that obedient faith, not human strategy, is the pathway to God’s best. Join me as we learn from the strengths and shortcomings of this remarkable man and consider what real spiritual leadership requires in our own time.– Dr. Mark Rutland

In this final episode of the Also Featured In The Cast series, I reflect on those whose names you may not know but whose roles were essential—both in history and in the story of Jesus. From Mary Magdalene and Joseph of Arimathea to the humble parents of Christ, we explore the lives of those who shaped history and faith in quiet yet profound ways. We also examine the deadly combination of political, military, and religious power in the crucifixion of Jesus, and the stark contrast of those who faithfully cared for Him. At the heart of it, Jesus knows each of us by name, no matter how overlooked or forgotten the world may be.– Dr. Mark Rutland

In this episode of The Leader’s Notebook, I continue my series “Also Featured in the Cast” by looking at the “St. Peter movie”—and the people who surrounded him. From James and John, the fiery “Sons of Thunder,” to John’s quiet faithfulness at the foot of the Cross, to James the brother of Jesus who led the church in Jerusalem, to Paul’s bold confrontation of Peter at Antioch, and even to Judas Iscariot, I explore the lives of those who shaped and challenged Simon Peter’s journey. Their stories illuminate our own struggles with failure, forgiveness, calling, and grace. No matter how far we’ve fallen, we cannot out-sin the grace of God. – Dr. Mark Rutland

In this episode of The Leader’s Notebook, I continue our series, Also Featured in the Cast, with a look at the Apostle Paul—not as the star of the story, but through the lives of three people who shaped his journey: Ananias, Barnabas, and Stephen. Each of these men was “also mentioned in the cast,” yet each played an indispensable role in God’s plan. Ananias obeyed a terrifying call to reach out to a persecutor. Barnabas became the encourager who restored others when no one else would. And Stephen’s Christlike suffering sowed the seeds of Paul’s conversion. Their stories remind us that God often works through ordinary people in unseen moments—and that our obedience, compassion, and faithfulness may change lives in ways we’ll never fully know. – Dr. Mark Rutland

In this episode of Also Featured In The Cast, we turn to the New Testament and focus on two remarkable figures who surrounded Mary in the unfolding story of Christ’s birth—Elizabeth and Joseph. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophetically recognized the miracle growing within Mary’s womb. Her faith and affirmation strengthened the young woman chosen to bear the Son of God. And Joseph—often overlooked and silent in the nativity story—embodies quiet obedience and steady faith. Through their lives, we see how God weaves the supernatural into the ordinary. The Christian life, like theirs, is not always filled with angels and miracles—it’s often laundry, hard work, and perseverance. Yet even in the mundane, God’s presence remains. Learning to walk naturally in the supernatural, and supernaturally in the natural—that’s the essence of a Spirit-filled life. – Dr. Mark Rutland

In this episode of The Leader’s Notebook, I continue our series Also Featured in the Cast—where we explore the lesser-known people surrounding the great figures of Scripture. Today, we look not at Elijah himself, but at those who stood around him: Ahab, Jezebel, and Elisha. Ahab saw Elijah as a troublemaker—proof that when culture descends into wickedness, righteousness is seen as disruption. Jezebel went further, viewing Elijah as a mortal enemy, a threat to her idolatrous power. Yet Elisha saw Elijah as a mentor to admire, serve, and ultimately surpass. We live in a world much like theirs—where standing for truth may make us “troublemakers” to a corrupted culture. But like Elisha, we must pray, “Lord, give us a double portion.” May God raise up bold, Spirit-filled believers who will stand unafraid in this generation. – Dr. Mark Rutland

In this episode of Also Featured in the Cast, I turn our attention to the Solomon story—but not to Solomon himself. Instead, we explore the often-overlooked characters who shaped his rise to the throne and the lessons they still teach us today. From the bold prophet Nathan, who spoke both judgment and grace, to the faithful priest Zadok, the scheming Joab, the vain Adonijah, and the complex Bathsheba, each person represents a powerful truth about God’s dealings with His people. Together, they reveal the balance between the prophetic and priestly voices of God—the edge that cuts and convicts, and the edge that heals and restores. Through their stories, we see that God’s will is not simply to make us happy, but to make us holy. – Dr. Mark Rutland

In this episode of Also Featured in the Cast, we turn our attention to the “supporting roles” in King David’s story—his brothers, his wife Michal, his son Absalom, and his loyal friend Jonathan. These often-overlooked characters reveal powerful truths about envy, bitterness, rebellion, and friendship. David’s brothers struggled with jealousy toward the anointing on his life. Michal allowed bitterness to consume her joy. Absalom’s pride and unforgiveness led him down a tragic path of rebellion. Yet Jonathan—humble, discerning, and selfless—shines as the truest friend David ever had. Each of us has people like these in our own story. The question is not just who’s in our cast—but how we respond to them. – Dr. Mark Rutland

In this episode of Also Featured in the Cast, I turn our attention to Hannah, the mother of Samuel. In the “movie” of 1 Samuel, Samuel is clearly the star, but Hannah—often overlooked—shapes the story in ways that change history. We’ll explore her passionate prayer, her faithfulness to keep her covenant with God, and her role in raising and dedicating Samuel for the Lord’s service. Along the way, I’ll reflect on how God uses “supporting characters” like Hannah—and like you and me—to bring about His plans. Even when we feel unseen, our influence may be far greater than we imagine. – Dr. Mark Rutland

In this episode of The Leader’s Notebook, I continue my series Also Featured in the Cast by turning to the life of Moses. Moses is the central figure of Exodus—the lawgiver, the deliverer, the star of the story. Yet surrounding him are others whose faith, courage, and even failures shaped his journey: parents who hid him, a sister who watched over him, Pharaoh’s daughter who rescued him, Jethro who advised him, and Pharaoh who resisted him. Their choices remind us that our lives are never lived in isolation. God uses the people around us—both allies and adversaries—to shape our destiny. My prayer is that you will recognize the cast members in your own story and trust God to use every one of them for His purposes. — Dr. Mark Rutland

In this series of The Leader’s Notebook, I begin a journey I’m calling Also Featured in the Cast. When we read the stories of great Bible heroes like Abraham, we often focus only on the star of the story. Yet around Abraham are others—Terah, Nahor, Haran, Lot, and Sarai—figures who also shape the journey. Some hinder, some fall away, some compromise, and some stand faithfully beside him. Through their lives we discover lessons about the people around us: those we may have to release, those who start the journey but cannot finish, those who drift toward compromise, and those who walk with us through thick and thin. My prayer is that these stories will help you see your own journey more clearly and encourage you to keep your eyes on the call of God, no matter who else is in the cast.— Dr. Mark Rutland

In this final message of my Real Life in the Holy Spirit series on The Leader’s Notebook, I explore what a Spirit-filled church truly looks like. Acts 13 shows us Antioch—a powerhouse team of leaders God assembled, then promptly “broke up” for His purposes. Through stories from my own ministry—whether in remote African villages or unexpected encounters at home—I share how God reserves the right to redirect His people and resources anywhere, anytime, without our permission. Sometimes His call feels like a gentle nudge; other times, it shakes our whole “house of cards.” The question is, will we obey? I challenge you to stay so yielded to the Holy Spirit that even His smallest prompt leads you to action. Wherever He sends, whatever He asks—just do what you’re told. — Dr. Mark Rutland

In this episode of The Leader’s Notebook, I share one of the most pivotal moments of my life—a story of how the Holy Spirit broke through years of resistance, depression, and theological misunderstanding to transform my ministry, my marriage, and my heart. I take you back to December 1975, when I reluctantly attended a Methodist pastors’ conference that I was certain would be a waste of time. Instead, I encountered God in a way I could never have planned. Through unexpected conversations, a prophetic word, and the gentle prayer of a pastor who simply said, “I love you,” I experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit—and with it, a new joy, power, and purpose that changed everything. My prayer is that you, too, will open your heart to the fullness of what God wants to do in your life. — Dr. Mark Rutland

In this episode of The Leader’s Notebook, I explore what it means to have not just a single Pentecost, but “Pentecosts after Pentecost.” Many Christians live as though the outpouring in Acts 2 was a one-time event for the church, but the book of Acts—and my own experience—tell a different story. From Jerusalem to Samaria to Ephesus, believers who were already saved and baptized still needed the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit to live boldly, love deeply, and endure joyfully. I share how this gift isn’t about wind, fire, or a cookie-cutter experience, but about the ongoing breath of God filling us again and again for the life we face today. Whether you’ve received Him before or never even considered it, I invite you to lean in, get hungry, and be ready for a fresh outpouring. — Dr. Mark Rutland

In this episode of The Leader’s Notebook, I explore how the Holy Spirit transforms our relationships—marriage, family, work—through one powerful principle: mutual submission. Too often, Ephesians 5:22 gets pulled out like a rulebook verse, stripped of its context. But Paul’s real key is found just before it—“Submit to one another in the fear of God.” I share some humorous and real-life stories (including Braves baseball, a kitchen standoff, and a priceless vase) to show how Spirit-filled living is not about control, but about giving. Whether it’s a husband laying down his desires, a wife responding with grace, a parent leading with tenderness, or an employee working with integrity, the essence is the same—choosing to outgive each other. When we live this way, the Holy Spirit fills our homes, heals our wounds, and draws us closer together. — Dr. Mark Rutland