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

• (00:00:03) - The Leaders Notebook
• (00:00:25) - 7 characteristics of the 7 people in the Bible
• (00:08:38) - Abram's Obedient Faith
• (00:11:29) - Abram the Desecrator
• (00:14:19) - Abram the Jew and Lot
• (00:20:32) - The Sin of Sodom
• (00:27:52) - Abraham and the Jews
• (00:28:19) - God's Mercy for Abram and His People
• (00:36:56) - God's challenges in our life
• (00:39:11) - Abraham's Final Test of His Life

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

• (00:00:03) - The Leaders Notebook
• (00:00:25) - The Life of Hattie McDaniel
• (00:03:26) - John 4:1-2
• (00:06:13) - The Life of Herod and Pilate
• (00:15:24) - Political, Military and Religious Power in the Crucification of Jesus
• (00:22:22) - The Power of Religious Power
• (00:31:47) - Also mentioned in the Christ Story
• (00:34:44) - What Kills People in Crucifixion
• (00:41:24) - Leader's Notebook

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

• (00:00:03) - Leaders Notebook
• (00:01:22) - The Life of Daniel Stern
• (00:03:00) - Simon Peter and the Circumcision
• (00:07:27) - Simon Peter and St. Paul
• (00:09:15) - The Sons of Thunder
• (00:17:11) - Simon Peter at the Cross
• (00:18:28) - The Life of St. John, Chapter 21
• (00:24:08) - James, the Administrative Bishop at Jerusalem
• (00:26:47) - Paul the Apostle in Peter's Movie
• (00:30:23) - The Life of Judas Iscariot
• (00:32:18) - What Did Judas Iscariot Do That Peter Didn't
• (00:38:03) - The Life of St. Peter and John

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

• (00:00:03) - The Leaders Notebook
• (00:00:25) - The Unfamiliar Margaret Hamilton
• (00:02:18) - Acts 4, The Son of Exclamation
• (00:06:30) - Three Disciples of Paul the Apostle
• (00:13:24) - The crazy old Welshman from Port St. Joe
• (00:16:51) - Barnabas and Saul of Tarsus
• (00:22:30) - The Life of Barnabas
• (00:26:46) - Paul the Apostle and Saul of Tarsus
• (00:32:54) - Suffering in the Gospel
• (00:37:59) - The Leader's Notebook

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

• (00:00:03) - The Leaders Notebook
• (00:00:34) - Celebrity Mothers in the New Testament
• (00:09:06) - Mary the Mary Movie
• (00:13:17) - The Immaculate Mary and Elizabeth
• (00:20:00) - Mary, Elizabeth and the Birth of the Savior
• (00:21:17) - Joseph in the Story of Jesus
• (00:26:29) - The Birth of Jesus: Natural and Supernatural
• (00:33:14) - The Naturalness of Life
• (00:40:22) - The Leader's Notebook

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

• (00:00:03) - The Leaders Notebook
• (00:00:25) - The People Around Andy Griffith, Jerry Seinfeld, and More
• (00:04:00) - The Life of Elijah the Prophet
• (00:06:16) - God's Word on Wickedness
• (00:10:31) - Teacher Fired for Refusing to Lie About Her Child's Gender
• (00:12:05) - God Raises Up Troublemakers for America
• (00:18:39) - All kinds of idolatry
• (00:25:55) - The Life of Elisha
• (00:32:20) - The separation of Elijah and Elisha
• (00:39:14) - The Leader's Notebook

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

• (00:00:03) - The Leaders Notebook
• (00:00:25) - Also featured in the cast of The Solomon Movie
• (00:02:54) - The Life of Solomon
• (00:10:49) - The role of Nathan in the Israel story
• (00:13:58) - The Israel Godfather in The Solomon Movie
• (00:20:16) - The Life of Solomon
• (00:24:29) - Bathsheba the Desecrator
• (00:28:31) - Zadok the Priest and King
• (00:35:29) - God's Friend and His Relationship with Us

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

• (00:00:03) - The Leaders Notebook
• (00:00:25) - Samuel the Prophet
• (00:04:40) - David's Brothers in the David Movie
• (00:10:37) - "Envy is the wickedest sin"
• (00:12:13) - The Despicable First Wife of David
• (00:17:44) - The Story of David and Michael
• (00:22:53) - The Character of Absalom
• (00:31:00) - Jonathon in the David Movie
• (00:35:56) - The Leader's Notebook