My youngest son, Turner, is 4 years old. The combination of a developing sense of his world, an expanding vocabulary and a creative young mind have led to what we affectionately refer to as Turnerisms. Here are a few more:
While laying in bed, trying to stay up later: "For those that take naps, they can be wild at night".
While outside recently as a neighbor was burning some brush: "I smell somebody cooking leaves".
After we'd spent a bit too much time in Old Navy: "Can we leave this store soon? I'm about to get frustrated".
As we drove by an empty pasture near our house, one that is usually filled with cattle-
Me: I wonder where all the cows are?
Turner: I have an hypothesis.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Great Quote Thursday
Words of encouragement from the notes of a sermon Kyle Lake planned to give on the morning of his unexpected death:
Live.
And live well.
Breathe.
Breathe in and breathe deeply.
Be present.
Do not be past.
Do not be future.
Be now.
Live.
And live well.
Breathe.
Breathe in and breathe deeply.
Be present.
Do not be past.
Do not be future.
Be now.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Catalyst Conference 2011- Dave Ramsey
Dave Ramsey is a well-known author and radio personality. He spoke on the topic, "Leadership Matters: Core Strategies and Values That Have Led to a Successful Business". Here are the notes from Ramsey's session:
1. People matter
Be intentionally relational. Opportunities come through people.
2. An incredible team and a culture of excellence matters
Spend more time on screening potential team members
Having people in the wrong seat on the wrong bus makes people crazy
Does the spouse get the mission?
Ministry is not a job, it is a calling
3. Slow and steady matters
Don't try to outgrow your resources
Better to hold and wait than to do it and do it wrong
Don't out-advance your supply line
4. Financial principles in ministry and life matter
5. Learn to always be generous
A higher calling matters
Opportunity is always attracted to greatness
Care deeply about the why
If you plant stupid, you reap desperate
1. People matter
Be intentionally relational. Opportunities come through people.
2. An incredible team and a culture of excellence matters
Spend more time on screening potential team members
Having people in the wrong seat on the wrong bus makes people crazy
Does the spouse get the mission?
Ministry is not a job, it is a calling
3. Slow and steady matters
Don't try to outgrow your resources
Better to hold and wait than to do it and do it wrong
Don't out-advance your supply line
4. Financial principles in ministry and life matter
5. Learn to always be generous
A higher calling matters
Opportunity is always attracted to greatness
Care deeply about the why
If you plant stupid, you reap desperate
Monday, October 24, 2011
"A Fresh Breath of Jesus"- Dr. Bob Pitman at Sevier Heights
Yesterday, Dr. Bob Pitman, former Pastor of Kirby Woods Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee spoke at Sevier Heights. You can watch his sermons online later this week by going to the Watch/Listen page at www.sevierheights.org
On Sunday evening, Dr. Pitman spoke on "A Fresh Breath of Jesus" from John 20. In John 20:22, Jesus breathes on His disciples. This was the beginning of the turnaround for the disciples following Christ's crucifixion. But this was not something He had not offered or given to them before.
At times in life, every believer needs the fresh breath of Jesus on them.
You need a fresh breath of Jesus:
1. If you have lost the sense of God's presence- v. 19
Until Jesus appeared in the room, He was not there
2. If you've become gripped by a spirit of fear- v. 19
Just because God doesn't give us a spirit of fear doesn't mean it can't come from somewhere else
3. If you are no longer experiencing God's peace- v. 19, 21
4. If you have lost your joy- v. 20
We often forget where our joy comes from (read John chapter 19)
5. If you have lost your passion for Christian service- v. 21
On Sunday evening, Dr. Pitman spoke on "A Fresh Breath of Jesus" from John 20. In John 20:22, Jesus breathes on His disciples. This was the beginning of the turnaround for the disciples following Christ's crucifixion. But this was not something He had not offered or given to them before.
At times in life, every believer needs the fresh breath of Jesus on them.
You need a fresh breath of Jesus:
1. If you have lost the sense of God's presence- v. 19
Until Jesus appeared in the room, He was not there
2. If you've become gripped by a spirit of fear- v. 19
Just because God doesn't give us a spirit of fear doesn't mean it can't come from somewhere else
3. If you are no longer experiencing God's peace- v. 19, 21
4. If you have lost your joy- v. 20
We often forget where our joy comes from (read John chapter 19)
5. If you have lost your passion for Christian service- v. 21
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Catalyst Conference 2011- David Platt
David Platt is the Pastor of the Church at Brook Hills and the author of Radical. Here are notes from his evening session titled "Leadership in the Presence of God" (Exodus 32:1-10 and I Corinthians 10:6-13):
Why do we have golden calves of ministry:
1. We have become leaders without conviction. Aaron gave a sinful people exactly what they wanted (Exodus 32: 1-4). We are tempted to do the same.
2. We have devised salvation without dedication. So many say that they "prayed a prayer" sometime in the past and claim Christ but are living in sin.
3. We have manufactured worship without humiliation. They were worshipping but not worshipping God. When we attempt to fashion God in our image, we may be worshipping ourselves and not God. If brokenness and humility don't have a place in our worship, God has no place in our worship.
4. We have created a God without retribution (Exodus 32: 7-10). Do we really believe that the wrath of God is real?
Don't minimize the mercy of God or gut the mission of the church.
We have a mission that warrants urgency.
Symbols represent things we can't put into words.
Why do we have golden calves of ministry:
1. We have become leaders without conviction. Aaron gave a sinful people exactly what they wanted (Exodus 32: 1-4). We are tempted to do the same.
2. We have devised salvation without dedication. So many say that they "prayed a prayer" sometime in the past and claim Christ but are living in sin.
3. We have manufactured worship without humiliation. They were worshipping but not worshipping God. When we attempt to fashion God in our image, we may be worshipping ourselves and not God. If brokenness and humility don't have a place in our worship, God has no place in our worship.
4. We have created a God without retribution (Exodus 32: 7-10). Do we really believe that the wrath of God is real?
Don't minimize the mercy of God or gut the mission of the church.
We have a mission that warrants urgency.
Symbols represent things we can't put into words.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Catalyst Conference 2011- Lisa Borders
Lisa Borders is the President of the Grady Health Foundation and the former City Council President and the Vice-Mayor, City of Atlanta. She spoke on "The Multiplier Effect: Essentials to Leading in Business, Politics and Ministry". Following is some of what she shared:
Leadership is passion turned into action. Anyone can be a leader because everyone can be passionate about something.
There has been a change in recent years in leadership styles; from the "sage on the stage" (socratic model) to the "guide on the side" (distributive model). The guide on the side gives counsel when asked.
A leader must prepare:
Prepare yourself- academically and experientially
Prepare the environment- people need to know what to expect
Prepare the pipeline- the pipeline is the next generation
Leaders must have a strategic #2 in place. Also have a #3, #4 and #5 in place by cross-training. The #2 should be able to do what you can do and be able to do what you can't do better. Get someone whose strength is your weakness.
Men don't ask for directions; women don't ask for help.
There is no such thing as balance; there's only rhythm.
Leadership is passion turned into action. Anyone can be a leader because everyone can be passionate about something.
There has been a change in recent years in leadership styles; from the "sage on the stage" (socratic model) to the "guide on the side" (distributive model). The guide on the side gives counsel when asked.
A leader must prepare:
Prepare yourself- academically and experientially
Prepare the environment- people need to know what to expect
Prepare the pipeline- the pipeline is the next generation
Leaders must have a strategic #2 in place. Also have a #3, #4 and #5 in place by cross-training. The #2 should be able to do what you can do and be able to do what you can't do better. Get someone whose strength is your weakness.
Men don't ask for directions; women don't ask for help.
There is no such thing as balance; there's only rhythm.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Fun on Friday- More Turnerisms
My youngest son, Turner, is 4 years old. The combination of a developing sense of his world, an expanding vocabulary and a creative young mind have led to what we affectionately refer to as Turnerisms. Here are a few more:
When I introduced Turner to a co-worker whose wife is in the Bible Fellowship class that Tonya and I lead (the co-worker is working on Sundays), the conversation started like this:
Turner: "What's your Mom's name"?
Me: "You mean what's his wife's name".
Turner: "Oh yeah, sometimes I get confused".
While at the beach over fall break, Turner was sitting on the steps at the edge of the indoor pool dumping buckets of water on his head when a 5-year old girl comes over and asks him to play in the water with her. Turner hopped off the steps and walked over to where we were sitting:
Turner: "That girl wants me to play with her".
Tonya: "That's okay. You can play with her".
Turner: "No. I don't want to play with her. I don't want to marry her or babysit her".
Turner asked me to build him some sand castles while we out on the beach one afternoon. After building 10 of them, Turner said to me, "Daddy, you did such a good job. You could be one of my servants".
When I introduced Turner to a co-worker whose wife is in the Bible Fellowship class that Tonya and I lead (the co-worker is working on Sundays), the conversation started like this:
Turner: "What's your Mom's name"?
Me: "You mean what's his wife's name".
Turner: "Oh yeah, sometimes I get confused".
While at the beach over fall break, Turner was sitting on the steps at the edge of the indoor pool dumping buckets of water on his head when a 5-year old girl comes over and asks him to play in the water with her. Turner hopped off the steps and walked over to where we were sitting:
Turner: "That girl wants me to play with her".
Tonya: "That's okay. You can play with her".
Turner: "No. I don't want to play with her. I don't want to marry her or babysit her".
Turner asked me to build him some sand castles while we out on the beach one afternoon. After building 10 of them, Turner said to me, "Daddy, you did such a good job. You could be one of my servants".
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
World Series Prediction
The St. Louis Cardinals continue to surprise. Two months ago, they were not expected to be in the playoffs and Tony LaRussa seemed on his way out. Now as the World Series begins tonight, they are on the amazing ride where everything seems to be going their way.
The Texas Rangers are a solid team both in pitching and hitting. It's no small accomplishment to make back-to-back World Series appearances. The have advanced through the playoffs as they were favored to do.
Even with the Cards having home field advantage (due to the National League's victory in the All-Star game) and seemingly being a team of destiny, I'm picking the Rangers in 7 games. With that, watch the Cards now go out and continue to amaze.
The Texas Rangers are a solid team both in pitching and hitting. It's no small accomplishment to make back-to-back World Series appearances. The have advanced through the playoffs as they were favored to do.
Even with the Cards having home field advantage (due to the National League's victory in the All-Star game) and seemingly being a team of destiny, I'm picking the Rangers in 7 games. With that, watch the Cards now go out and continue to amaze.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Catalyst Conference 2011- Darren Whitehead and Jon Tyson
Darren Whitehead serves as Teaching Pastor at Willow Creek Community Church outside Chicago. Jon Tyson is the Lead Pastor at Trinity Grace Church in New York City. They are the co-authors of a book titled "Rumors of God". Here is some of what they shared in a Catalyst Lab session about the future of the church:
The future of the church is not anti-leadership but anti-celebrity.
The New Testament shows numerous examples of church leadership styles.
How people address Scripture is the main issue facing the church in the future; not necessarily social issues.
Disciple children to be grounded in moral principles regardless of the crowd.
What must the church get right in the future? Prayer.
We must maintain a faithful presence not simply look at results.
The future of the church is not anti-leadership but anti-celebrity.
The New Testament shows numerous examples of church leadership styles.
How people address Scripture is the main issue facing the church in the future; not necessarily social issues.
Disciple children to be grounded in moral principles regardless of the crowd.
What must the church get right in the future? Prayer.
We must maintain a faithful presence not simply look at results.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Catalyst Conference 2011- Michael Hyatt
Michael Hyatt is the Chairman of Thomas Nelson Publishers. He shared a session titled: The Importance of the Leader's Heart. Here are my notes from that session:
You will maximize your influence as a leader when you embrace 5 truths about the heart-
1. Your heart is the essence of your identity
2. Your heart is the most valuable leadership tool you have (Proverbs 4:23)
3. Your heart directly impacts your influence- Your heart is the greatest gift you bring to your team
4. Your heart is either healthy or unhealthy- As a leader, you may focus on what's missing but don't focus on what's wrong. Lead with an open heart.
5. Your heart is under constant attack- It is critical that a ministry leader have close friends.
You will maximize your influence as a leader when you embrace 5 truths about the heart-
1. Your heart is the essence of your identity
2. Your heart is the most valuable leadership tool you have (Proverbs 4:23)
3. Your heart directly impacts your influence- Your heart is the greatest gift you bring to your team
4. Your heart is either healthy or unhealthy- As a leader, you may focus on what's missing but don't focus on what's wrong. Lead with an open heart.
5. Your heart is under constant attack- It is critical that a ministry leader have close friends.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Catalyst Conference 2011- Andy Stanley
I had the opportunity to attend the 2011 Catalyst Conference. Over the next several posts, I'll share some of the notes I took in the various sessions.
Andy Stanley is the Lead Pastor of North Point Community Church and one of the founders of the Catalyst Conference. Here is some of what he shared in the opening session:
Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone. When you do for one, you often end up doing for more than just one.
You're truly accessible to only a few. The more successful you become, the less accessible you will become. If you refuse to face this reality, you will burn out trying to be accessible to everyone. However, we use our success to become more inaccessible than necessary.
Unawareness is bliss. Otherwise you feel you must help and do something.
Don't use the excuse that we're too big or too busy.
Fairness ended in the Garden of Eden.
1. Go deep rather than wide
2. Go long-term rather than short-term: going long sometimes helps us see success stories; stay involved until it's resolved, one way or another
3. Go time not just money
Be present. Be engaged. Be what God has called you to be- your good works glorify the Father.
Andy Stanley is the Lead Pastor of North Point Community Church and one of the founders of the Catalyst Conference. Here is some of what he shared in the opening session:
Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone. When you do for one, you often end up doing for more than just one.
You're truly accessible to only a few. The more successful you become, the less accessible you will become. If you refuse to face this reality, you will burn out trying to be accessible to everyone. However, we use our success to become more inaccessible than necessary.
Unawareness is bliss. Otherwise you feel you must help and do something.
Don't use the excuse that we're too big or too busy.
Fairness ended in the Garden of Eden.
1. Go deep rather than wide
2. Go long-term rather than short-term: going long sometimes helps us see success stories; stay involved until it's resolved, one way or another
3. Go time not just money
Be present. Be engaged. Be what God has called you to be- your good works glorify the Father.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
MLB Playoffs- League Championship Series
As the second round of the baseball playoffs swing into action, here are my predictions:
American League: Texas has solid pitching and hitting and holds home field advantage. Detroit is solid as well but dealing with an injury to Delmon Young. Home field would be more of a factor if Detroit were hosting potential cold weather games. In any event, I think the Rangers are headed to the World Series for the second year in a row.
National League: Sometimes a team gets on a roll and just keeps surprising people. Can you say St. Louis Cardinals? Milwaukee won this year's NL Central Division because it's a better team top-to-bottom. The Brewers should win this series and advance to the World Series.
After predicting two winners and two losers in the opening round of the playoffs (http://insidethepoint.blogspot.com/2011/09/fun-on-friday-mlb-playoffs.html), we'll see how this goes.
American League: Texas has solid pitching and hitting and holds home field advantage. Detroit is solid as well but dealing with an injury to Delmon Young. Home field would be more of a factor if Detroit were hosting potential cold weather games. In any event, I think the Rangers are headed to the World Series for the second year in a row.
National League: Sometimes a team gets on a roll and just keeps surprising people. Can you say St. Louis Cardinals? Milwaukee won this year's NL Central Division because it's a better team top-to-bottom. The Brewers should win this series and advance to the World Series.
After predicting two winners and two losers in the opening round of the playoffs (http://insidethepoint.blogspot.com/2011/09/fun-on-friday-mlb-playoffs.html), we'll see how this goes.
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