The Idea Camp

I've been tuning in to a conference that is going on in California last night and today. It is called "The Idea Camp" Much of the discussion has been about practical ways to make a difference in the world today that impacts the Kingdom of God. 

Here are just a few of the things being done in our world that I thought I'd share that I learned from the afternoon session today...

Laundry Love Project - Providing clean clothes to those who are in need.

Dry Tears - Building wells, building lives

Loose Change to Loosen Chains - Students freeing modern day slaves

The last general session is tonight at 9:30 pm EST and can be viewed HERE. If you missed the live sessions they may be archiving the session under the "on demand" button.

The Idea Camp

I've been tuning in to a conference that is going on in California last night and today. It is called "The Idea Camp" Much of the discussion has been about practical ways to make a difference in the world today that impacts the Kingdom of God. 

Here are just a few of the things being done in our world that I thought I'd share that I learned from the afternoon session today...

Laundry Love Project - Providing clean clothes to those who are in need.

Dry Tears - Building wells, building lives

Loose Change to Loosen Chains - Students freeing modern day slaves

The last general session is tonight at 9:30 pm EST and can be viewed HERE. If you missed the live sessions they may be archiving the session under the "on demand" button.

What's This Object

Can anyone guess what this item once was?

What's This Object

Can anyone guess what this item once was?

Reward For Following This Blog

It's high time you get rewarded for reading this blog. Follow this link and enjoy a Free Quiznos Sub. Hurry in and get yours, they are only giving one million subs away.

FYI: you will need to give them your email address. A little trick I use is: I set up a separate and free email account to give to solicitors. That way I'm not getting bombarded by email in the account that I use to correspond with others. 

UPDATE (2-26-09): Sorry folks, all the free subs are gone. Would anyone be interested in free chips and queso at Chilis? Or how about 20 free tokens at Chuck-E-Cheese? Or maybe even a free movie from Redbox?

Sorry about the sub. I will share mine with you if you would like. 

Reward For Following This Blog

It's high time you get rewarded for reading this blog. Follow this link and enjoy a Free Quiznos Sub. Hurry in and get yours, they are only giving one million subs away.

FYI: you will need to give them your email address. A little trick I use is: I set up a separate and free email account to give to solicitors. That way I'm not getting bombarded by email in the account that I use to correspond with others. 

UPDATE (2-26-09): Sorry folks, all the free subs are gone. Would anyone be interested in free chips and queso at Chilis? Or how about 20 free tokens at Chuck-E-Cheese? Or maybe even a free movie from Redbox?

Sorry about the sub. I will share mine with you if you would like. 

Happy 6th Birthday Shelby

Shelby's 6th birthday party began at Chili's...

Our waitress brought Shelby a  special dish of ice cream following her meal...

Next stop - Chuck-E-Cheese...

After some video games we went to Toys-R-Us and surprised Shelby...

The result... one happy 6 year old...

Happy 6th Birthday Shelby

Shelby's 6th birthday party began at Chili's...

Our waitress brought Shelby a  special dish of ice cream following her meal...

Next stop - Chuck-E-Cheese...

After some video games we went to Toys-R-Us and surprised Shelby...

The result... one happy 6 year old...

Trustworthiness

Being trustworthy is not the equivalent of being flawless; it's not about being perfect. Trustworthy means that you are... worthy of trust. You will make mistakes but when those mistakes are made a trustworthy person owns up to them.

If you or I want to gain the trust of others there are some things that we must consistently do. In order to gain your trust, I will commit to do what I promised I would do, and when I don't get it done I will tell you. When I own my mistake and go to the person I let down, I gain more confidence from the individual. If I can't do that, then it becomes more difficult for me to be trusted.

We need to try so very hard to follow through. For instance, if there is a good chance that I won't be able to help you with a project on a certain day at a certain time I will tell you that I can't assist you. The principle here is: I will not over-promise and under-deliver. If I do promise to help you but then discover that I can't deliver on my promise, I will tell you. What am I doing? I'm being trustworthy. If I fail to deliver and I never own up to that failure I've lost your trust.

Let's say I've dropped the ball and made a mistake and you confront me about it. What should I do if I am a trustworthy person? I'm going to tell you the truth. I'm not going to be quick to blame something or someone else, I'm going to respond honestly. 

My ability as a leader to be responsible and trustworthy sets the tone for the rest of those that I lead. When I don't fulfill expectations the best thing I can do is take full responsibility for it and not simply make excuses. 

Trustworthiness

Being trustworthy is not the equivalent of being flawless; it's not about being perfect. Trustworthy means that you are... worthy of trust. You will make mistakes but when those mistakes are made a trustworthy person owns up to them.

If you or I want to gain the trust of others there are some things that we must consistently do. In order to gain your trust, I will commit to do what I promised I would do, and when I don't get it done I will tell you. When I own my mistake and go to the person I let down, I gain more confidence from the individual. If I can't do that, then it becomes more difficult for me to be trusted.

We need to try so very hard to follow through. For instance, if there is a good chance that I won't be able to help you with a project on a certain day at a certain time I will tell you that I can't assist you. The principle here is: I will not over-promise and under-deliver. If I do promise to help you but then discover that I can't deliver on my promise, I will tell you. What am I doing? I'm being trustworthy. If I fail to deliver and I never own up to that failure I've lost your trust.

Let's say I've dropped the ball and made a mistake and you confront me about it. What should I do if I am a trustworthy person? I'm going to tell you the truth. I'm not going to be quick to blame something or someone else, I'm going to respond honestly. 

My ability as a leader to be responsible and trustworthy sets the tone for the rest of those that I lead. When I don't fulfill expectations the best thing I can do is take full responsibility for it and not simply make excuses. 

Cleanliness Is Next To Insanity

Okay, I'm looking for a little interaction here; I'm trying to determine if I'm a little obsessive about the number of times I wash my hands in the day. I counted how many times I washed them and used hand sanitizer and I think I washed my hands approximately 20 times today. That is probably pretty standard for me.

Alright lets hear it - how many times a day do you wash your hands?

Cleanliness Is Next To Insanity

Okay, I'm looking for a little interaction here; I'm trying to determine if I'm a little obsessive about the number of times I wash my hands in the day. I counted how many times I washed them and used hand sanitizer and I think I washed my hands approximately 20 times today. That is probably pretty standard for me.

Alright lets hear it - how many times a day do you wash your hands?

Hide And Seek

Shelby, aka "bunny", played a little hide and seek with Grandpa and Grandma Sorensen at the mall the other day. See if you can spot the bunny in this video.

Hide And Seek

Shelby, aka "bunny", played a little hide and seek with Grandpa and Grandma Sorensen at the mall the other day. See if you can spot the bunny in this video.

Fashion Unconscious

Oh to be 5 years and 51 weeks old again - - you can wear anything you want...

Fashion Unconscious

Oh to be 5 years and 51 weeks old again - - you can wear anything you want...

Mint Flavored Water

I picked up a couple of mint flavored waters yesterday at a health food store. The verdict = = tasty.

Mint Flavored Water

I picked up a couple of mint flavored waters yesterday at a health food store. The verdict = = tasty.

Failure In Leadership

I love this video that was posted today on the Swerve blog. It makes me want to go out and fail at something!!

Bookie from LifeChurch.tv on Vimeo.

"The antidote for the fear of failure is not success, but small doses of failure." Mark Batterson 

Failure In Leadership

I love this video that was posted today on the Swerve blog. It makes me want to go out and fail at something!!

Bookie from LifeChurch.tv on Vimeo.

"The antidote for the fear of failure is not success, but small doses of failure." Mark Batterson 

Goals & Problems

I'm convinced that goals are very important but just as important is the identification of problems. A clearly defined problem moves us and motivates us more than simply throwing out some goals. Let's say you're part of a team and your task is to simply accomplish your goals, and finally the day arrives when you have accomplished every goal. What next? There's no need to get together anymore - you've accomplished everything. There's no passion or movement - because your job is done. Andy Stanley says, "Teams dissolve when all the problems have been solved".

We were in staff meeting on Tuesday morning and the meeting was just another meeting until we began to talk about "the problem". The problem we identified was the LARGE amount of dysfunction in our community. We can't turn the corner without finding some form of dysfunction that is destroying families, and in fact our community. That's the problem. The conversation developed more passion in us when we identified the fact that the solution to the problem is not a program but a Person. 

The solution to the presenting problem was introducing people to Jesus Christ and allowing Him to handle the junk in their life. Now the problem becomes, how do we get this truth to those who need to hear it the most? We have a problem that has to be solved because, what won't happen if our church doesn't do what God has called us to do? What will happen if our church doesn't do what God has called us to do? There's a lot riding on working on this problem as a team/church; that is far more motivating than just simply saying we have a goal to reach. This is bigger than a goal; it's a problem that must be solved. Goals/assignments don't create the kind of passion necessary to accomplish the huge task of eliminating this kind of problem. 

Goals & Problems

I'm convinced that goals are very important but just as important is the identification of problems. A clearly defined problem moves us and motivates us more than simply throwing out some goals. Let's say you're part of a team and your task is to simply accomplish your goals, and finally the day arrives when you have accomplished every goal. What next? There's no need to get together anymore - you've accomplished everything. There's no passion or movement - because your job is done. Andy Stanley says, "Teams dissolve when all the problems have been solved".

We were in staff meeting on Tuesday morning and the meeting was just another meeting until we began to talk about "the problem". The problem we identified was the LARGE amount of dysfunction in our community. We can't turn the corner without finding some form of dysfunction that is destroying families, and in fact our community. That's the problem. The conversation developed more passion in us when we identified the fact that the solution to the problem is not a program but a Person. 

The solution to the presenting problem was introducing people to Jesus Christ and allowing Him to handle the junk in their life. Now the problem becomes, how do we get this truth to those who need to hear it the most? We have a problem that has to be solved because, what won't happen if our church doesn't do what God has called us to do? What will happen if our church doesn't do what God has called us to do? There's a lot riding on working on this problem as a team/church; that is far more motivating than just simply saying we have a goal to reach. This is bigger than a goal; it's a problem that must be solved. Goals/assignments don't create the kind of passion necessary to accomplish the huge task of eliminating this kind of problem. 

Not Really A Big Fan

Don't tell Pastor Pink, but I'm not a big fan of facebook. I will keep my facebook profile - I just don't visit it real often. Here are some of the reasons why...

Not Really A Big Fan

Don't tell Pastor Pink, but I'm not a big fan of facebook. I will keep my facebook profile - I just don't visit it real often. Here are some of the reasons why...

Happy 90th Birthday

My Grandfather just celebrated his 90th birthday. The family had a party for him up in northern Iowa with some very special guests. A couple of his cousins from Denmark made the journey to celebrate with him. The local paper covered it - you can check it out HERE.

Happy Birthday Grandpa! 

Happy 90th Birthday

My Grandfather just celebrated his 90th birthday. The family had a party for him up in northern Iowa with some very special guests. A couple of his cousins from Denmark made the journey to celebrate with him. The local paper covered it - you can check it out HERE.

Happy Birthday Grandpa! 

Time Capsule Reminders

The following is to be read by me 10 years from now. I will let you read it too if you want. 

Hey Kris, chances are you are in love with the way you are doing ministry right now. I know it's emotional and you feel like you and your ministry are "one"; but dude, (you really liked saying that 10 years ago) dude, what matters is whether or not what you are doing is working to reach people for Christ! 

Imagine for a second if someone were to walk into your ministry with fresh eyes and no emotional attachment, just simply a commitment to the Great Commission. Imagine that person walks in and they weren't in love with the programs that are going on, or entrenched in the way you've been doing things for years; imagine they walk in, what would they do different in order to be effective? Now ask yourself, "why aren't you making those changes now?" 

Look at the ministry and ask: "what is in decline, and where are you manufacturing energy?" Have the tough conversation with your elders and leaders to answer this question. Begin to look with fresh eyes, and lose the emotional attachment to stuff and programs.

Kris, please, please, please, don't be older and more stubborn 10 years from now. Are you a leader; then why don't you do what needs to be done? Don't simply get serious about change when the money begins to run out; be serious about necessary change now! Are you seriously afraid of making changes because you may make people mad and they will stop giving money? What does that make you?

Remember your passion for reaching people. Forget the emotional attachment to programming, or even for things, forget your fear of man, forget the tendency to lean hard on money. Acknowledge what is not working and own up to why you are unwilling to do anything about it. Do what needs to be done - don't leave it to someone else.

Time Capsule Reminders

The following is to be read by me 10 years from now. I will let you read it too if you want. 

Hey Kris, chances are you are in love with the way you are doing ministry right now. I know it's emotional and you feel like you and your ministry are "one"; but dude, (you really liked saying that 10 years ago) dude, what matters is whether or not what you are doing is working to reach people for Christ! 

Imagine for a second if someone were to walk into your ministry with fresh eyes and no emotional attachment, just simply a commitment to the Great Commission. Imagine that person walks in and they weren't in love with the programs that are going on, or entrenched in the way you've been doing things for years; imagine they walk in, what would they do different in order to be effective? Now ask yourself, "why aren't you making those changes now?" 

Look at the ministry and ask: "what is in decline, and where are you manufacturing energy?" Have the tough conversation with your elders and leaders to answer this question. Begin to look with fresh eyes, and lose the emotional attachment to stuff and programs.

Kris, please, please, please, don't be older and more stubborn 10 years from now. Are you a leader; then why don't you do what needs to be done? Don't simply get serious about change when the money begins to run out; be serious about necessary change now! Are you seriously afraid of making changes because you may make people mad and they will stop giving money? What does that make you?

Remember your passion for reaching people. Forget the emotional attachment to programming, or even for things, forget your fear of man, forget the tendency to lean hard on money. Acknowledge what is not working and own up to why you are unwilling to do anything about it. Do what needs to be done - don't leave it to someone else.

Goalkeepers Are Crazy

A little over a year ago I briefly mentioned on this blog that I used to play goalie in soccer while I was in college. I think I know why this position was a good fit for me; goal keepers are crazy...

Goalkeepers Are Crazy

A little over a year ago I briefly mentioned on this blog that I used to play goalie in soccer while I was in college. I think I know why this position was a good fit for me; goal keepers are crazy...

One Month To Live Responses part 2

Last week I posed a question to our congregation and asked them what they would do if they knew they only had a month to live. Here are some more of their responses:

"Make a PowerPoint and/or video of my life depicting all the blessings God provided me to show at my funeral. Make others for my husband and daughter."

"Sort and organize all my pictures into albums. Organize my stuff; so my kids won't have to know what a mess their mom was."

"If I did what I always have done, I would procrastinate until the last day and then try to finish everything; of course I wouldn't get it done."

"Give all money to charity - go on mission trip - get married in my church - be with family and friends - carpe diem."

"I would go over to Israel and walk where Jesus walked."

"Drive on the Autobahn with a 2009 Dodge Charger."

"Love more, talk about Jesus more, worry about tomorrow less. Give stuff away, empty my bank account and give it to others."

One Month To Live Responses part 2

Last week I posed a question to our congregation and asked them what they would do if they knew they only had a month to live. Here are some more of their responses:

"Make a PowerPoint and/or video of my life depicting all the blessings God provided me to show at my funeral. Make others for my husband and daughter."

"Sort and organize all my pictures into albums. Organize my stuff; so my kids won't have to know what a mess their mom was."

"If I did what I always have done, I would procrastinate until the last day and then try to finish everything; of course I wouldn't get it done."

"Give all money to charity - go on mission trip - get married in my church - be with family and friends - carpe diem."

"I would go over to Israel and walk where Jesus walked."

"Drive on the Autobahn with a 2009 Dodge Charger."

"Love more, talk about Jesus more, worry about tomorrow less. Give stuff away, empty my bank account and give it to others."

Time Capsule Reminder

The following is to be read by me 10 years from now. I will let you read it too if you want.

Hey Kris remember when you listened to the podcast of Andy Stanley and he said something to the effect of... The next generation - cutting edge - ministry ideas rarely come from the previous generation. When new ministry methods arise the older generation is faced with a choice; the older generation has the option of fighting it, or funding it. 

Good leaders will give freedom to the generation below them plenty of room to dream and implement new methods. Poor leaders rain on everyone's parade and they will actually celebrate when you are dead and out of the way. Forward thinking leaders are willing to risk failure, willing to risk their legacy and reputation, willing to risk everything, for reaching a generation that no one is reaching for Christ. 

In your ministry, Kris, there needs to be fertile soil for the next generation to lead and dream. So Kris, don't be so proud to think that your way is the only way; actively look for next generation leaders and let them LEAD!; never stop learning from others - be a student and not a critic. 

Time Capsule Reminder

The following is to be read by me 10 years from now. I will let you read it too if you want.

Hey Kris remember when you listened to the podcast of Andy Stanley and he said something to the effect of... The next generation - cutting edge - ministry ideas rarely come from the previous generation. When new ministry methods arise the older generation is faced with a choice; the older generation has the option of fighting it, or funding it. 

Good leaders will give freedom to the generation below them plenty of room to dream and implement new methods. Poor leaders rain on everyone's parade and they will actually celebrate when you are dead and out of the way. Forward thinking leaders are willing to risk failure, willing to risk their legacy and reputation, willing to risk everything, for reaching a generation that no one is reaching for Christ. 

In your ministry, Kris, there needs to be fertile soil for the next generation to lead and dream. So Kris, don't be so proud to think that your way is the only way; actively look for next generation leaders and let them LEAD!; never stop learning from others - be a student and not a critic. 

The Faith To Act

Yesterday I let you know how excited I was by the decisions made at our all church meeting last night. In order to keep this post brief I will just fill you in on the highlights that affect our church directly and not all of the details that affect our relationship with our denomination (although that turned out very good too!)

I'm excited to begin moving forward with a name change for our church. This doesn't mean that we are pulling out of the denomination, (Friends by the way), it just means a different title above the door. Tim Stevens had an excellent post a while ago on the issue of denominational churches changing their names. 

The other change is in the way we do business and operate within the church. We are working on restructuring the church. I've heard Andy Stanley and other church leaders say, repeatedly, "systems affect behaviors". An organization is only as strong as it's skeleton. I've been sharing this kind of information with leadership for many years now. 

The decisions that were approved at the meeting the other night didn't just happen over night, in fact they were the result of years of discussions with lots of people, hours and hours of prayer, and hundreds of hours invested collectively by leaders. It has been a long time in the making just to get to the point where we had permission by the congregation to move forward in changing the name of the church and restructuring. Because of the investment of energy, prayer, and time; last night was just so key in moving the ball down the field as a church. 

You may be wondering, "What will the new name be?"... I don't know. "What will the new structure look like exactly?"... I don't know. What I do know is that our church listens to God and has the faith to act on His leading.

The Faith To Act

Yesterday I let you know how excited I was by the decisions made at our all church meeting last night. In order to keep this post brief I will just fill you in on the highlights that affect our church directly and not all of the details that affect our relationship with our denomination (although that turned out very good too!)

I'm excited to begin moving forward with a name change for our church. This doesn't mean that we are pulling out of the denomination, (Friends by the way), it just means a different title above the door. Tim Stevens had an excellent post a while ago on the issue of denominational churches changing their names. 

The other change is in the way we do business and operate within the church. We are working on restructuring the church. I've heard Andy Stanley and other church leaders say, repeatedly, "systems affect behaviors". An organization is only as strong as it's skeleton. I've been sharing this kind of information with leadership for many years now. 

The decisions that were approved at the meeting the other night didn't just happen over night, in fact they were the result of years of discussions with lots of people, hours and hours of prayer, and hundreds of hours invested collectively by leaders. It has been a long time in the making just to get to the point where we had permission by the congregation to move forward in changing the name of the church and restructuring. Because of the investment of energy, prayer, and time; last night was just so key in moving the ball down the field as a church. 

You may be wondering, "What will the new name be?"... I don't know. "What will the new structure look like exactly?"... I don't know. What I do know is that our church listens to God and has the faith to act on His leading.

Our Church Rocks

This is one of those nights that I'm so stinking proud of my church family that I could bust! We had an all church meeting tonight in which we tackled some pretty major topics that effect the trajectory of our congregation. I want to explain everything to you that we decided tonight at church, but maybe it is best that I wait for a little bit until I settle down. I've learned not to communicate too much information when I'm excited like this, because I want to make sure I explain myself clearly. 

Let me just say that I am amazed at how brave and faith-filled our congregation is to embrace change and to take a stand for truth; I also stood in awe once again at God's faithfulness. 

For those that absolutely can't wait and have to know what I'm talking about, you can click HERE and listen to the first 3 minutes of last Sunday's sermon. (You could listen to the whole sermon while you're at it :)

Our Church Rocks

This is one of those nights that I'm so stinking proud of my church family that I could bust! We had an all church meeting tonight in which we tackled some pretty major topics that effect the trajectory of our congregation. I want to explain everything to you that we decided tonight at church, but maybe it is best that I wait for a little bit until I settle down. I've learned not to communicate too much information when I'm excited like this, because I want to make sure I explain myself clearly. 

Let me just say that I am amazed at how brave and faith-filled our congregation is to embrace change and to take a stand for truth; I also stood in awe once again at God's faithfulness. 

For those that absolutely can't wait and have to know what I'm talking about, you can click HERE and listen to the first 3 minutes of last Sunday's sermon. (You could listen to the whole sermon while you're at it :)

History Of The Bible

History Of The Bible

Praying

I can remember the first prayer I prayed and I prayed it routinely;  I kind of turned it into a formula prayer. Here's what I prayed at the age of 3 or 4. "Dear God, bless this food and everybody around the world. Amen." I figured I could just make the prayer real general and cover everything and we could get right to eating. Unfortunately that prayer lacked heart; it lacked intimacy.

There is just something in us that goes to the same place over and over when we pray. And the other thing about prayer that is kind of funny - if you're like me, all of my prayers generally end up being about myself. "Help me, bless me, keep me, protect me, teach me, give me, and if I'm really spiritual bless and keep and protect my family and my friends." And if you've got a friend in need I'll pray for them, once, but then I'll drift back to - me. And it's all me, mine, me, me. 

What if God never created prayer so that we could just get stuff from Him, like a candy machine. What if we remembered that prayer is not solely about our needs and our wants. What if all that asking is just one little part of prayer?

The most important thing in the world is your personal intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, because everything else flows from that one thing. The reason we have been given the gift of prayer is not as a good luck charm or lucky rabbits foot, it's not a formula, it's not about "help me, bless me", that's just a portion of it. God has invited you and me into a relationship characterized by intimacy and connection.

Look at how Jesus instructs us to pray...

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him" Matthew 6:5-8

Praying

I can remember the first prayer I prayed and I prayed it routinely;  I kind of turned it into a formula prayer. Here's what I prayed at the age of 3 or 4. "Dear God, bless this food and everybody around the world. Amen." I figured I could just make the prayer real general and cover everything and we could get right to eating. Unfortunately that prayer lacked heart; it lacked intimacy.

There is just something in us that goes to the same place over and over when we pray. And the other thing about prayer that is kind of funny - if you're like me, all of my prayers generally end up being about myself. "Help me, bless me, keep me, protect me, teach me, give me, and if I'm really spiritual bless and keep and protect my family and my friends." And if you've got a friend in need I'll pray for them, once, but then I'll drift back to - me. And it's all me, mine, me, me. 

What if God never created prayer so that we could just get stuff from Him, like a candy machine. What if we remembered that prayer is not solely about our needs and our wants. What if all that asking is just one little part of prayer?

The most important thing in the world is your personal intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, because everything else flows from that one thing. The reason we have been given the gift of prayer is not as a good luck charm or lucky rabbits foot, it's not a formula, it's not about "help me, bless me", that's just a portion of it. God has invited you and me into a relationship characterized by intimacy and connection.

Look at how Jesus instructs us to pray...

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him" Matthew 6:5-8

One Month To Live Responses

Today we began our new series, Carpe Diem; during the message I asked the congregation to write their response to this question: "What would you do, if you knew you had only 1 month to live?" I am hopeful that many folks will begin to live their lives as if they truly had just one month to live. The responses are filled with great intentions that need to become godly actions. Here are just some of the responses I got back...

"I would quit spending every minute of each day looking forward to a weekend which goes by way too quick. I would be fervently praying for my kids; expressing to them the change God can make in their life. I would be faithful to God's prompting. Instead of filling my mind with the fear of what can happen but step out in faith."

"I would say 'no' to all the things I don't really want to do. (Quit trying to please everyone else.)"

"Mend past and present relationships. Spend more time really looking at the beauty of the world. Do things I've always been afraid to do. Love and laugh more. Improve my relationship with God. Send time listening to the sounds of the world; taking time to stop and really smell the flower. Tell my family how my they mean to me."

This from a young person - "I would do all the things that I dream to do and tell my family I love them and I will always be in their heart."

"I would stop obsessing over a perfectly kept house. I would spend each and everyday enjoying nature. I would lay in be every night an just talk with my kids. I would tell my husband and kids what I love about them at least one a day. I would spend every minute thanking God that He never gave up on me."

I would "praise God for everything He has done in my life. I'd hold on to my children until my last breath."

One Month To Live Responses

Today we began our new series, Carpe Diem; during the message I asked the congregation to write their response to this question: "What would you do, if you knew you had only 1 month to live?" I am hopeful that many folks will begin to live their lives as if they truly had just one month to live. The responses are filled with great intentions that need to become godly actions. Here are just some of the responses I got back...

"I would quit spending every minute of each day looking forward to a weekend which goes by way too quick. I would be fervently praying for my kids; expressing to them the change God can make in their life. I would be faithful to God's prompting. Instead of filling my mind with the fear of what can happen but step out in faith."

"I would say 'no' to all the things I don't really want to do. (Quit trying to please everyone else.)"

"Mend past and present relationships. Spend more time really looking at the beauty of the world. Do things I've always been afraid to do. Love and laugh more. Improve my relationship with God. Send time listening to the sounds of the world; taking time to stop and really smell the flower. Tell my family how my they mean to me."

This from a young person - "I would do all the things that I dream to do and tell my family I love them and I will always be in their heart."

"I would stop obsessing over a perfectly kept house. I would spend each and everyday enjoying nature. I would lay in be every night an just talk with my kids. I would tell my husband and kids what I love about them at least one a day. I would spend every minute thanking God that He never gave up on me."

I would "praise God for everything He has done in my life. I'd hold on to my children until my last breath."

The Duke Of York

We had a little tradition back in high school after our football team would win a game. After we won, a large mob of people would gather in the end zone around the football team as we chanted: "I am the Duke of York, I have ten thousand men! I march them up the hill, I march them down again! And when you're up, your up; and when you're down, you're down! And when you're only half way up; you're neither up nor down!" 

Our head football coach was a history teacher and I think he got a big kick out of hearing us share a bit of history following a football game... didn't matter, we loved it, and we shouted this with all of our might. We walked off the "battle" field victors, proud to have battled and won.

I was thinking about this chant the other day. There are so many people in life that are neither up, nor down. They live life in the middle, the safe, comfortable, wishy washy middle. If you're going into a battle you are either in it, or you're not. Leaders can choose to lead their "troops" forward or they can lead them backward - some "leaders" like the middle but you will usually end up inconsequential and dead there.

The Duke Of York

We had a little tradition back in high school after our football team would win a game. After we won, a large mob of people would gather in the end zone around the football team as we chanted: "I am the Duke of York, I have ten thousand men! I march them up the hill, I march them down again! And when you're up, your up; and when you're down, you're down! And when you're only half way up; you're neither up nor down!" 

Our head football coach was a history teacher and I think he got a big kick out of hearing us share a bit of history following a football game... didn't matter, we loved it, and we shouted this with all of our might. We walked off the "battle" field victors, proud to have battled and won.

I was thinking about this chant the other day. There are so many people in life that are neither up, nor down. They live life in the middle, the safe, comfortable, wishy washy middle. If you're going into a battle you are either in it, or you're not. Leaders can choose to lead their "troops" forward or they can lead them backward - some "leaders" like the middle but you will usually end up inconsequential and dead there.

Grocery List

This afternoon our family took a field trip to Jungle Jim's in Cincinnati, Oh. This place was amazing; we had a great time looking at all of the unique and exotic foods. My favorite part was watching Shelby squirm as I showed her things like: chicken feet, a scorpion encased inside a sucker, barbecue flavored crickets, fresh squid, octopus, etc. 

We all came home with some food that we thought we would enjoy. I love cheese, so I spent a good amount of time looking over the zillions of different types of cheese. Here's what I came home with:

Smoked Cheddar 

Four-Year Old Cheddar (They had Eight-Year Old Cheddar, but I passed it up)

Imported - Norwegian Ridder Cheese

Imported - Irish Cheddar Extra Sharp Cheese (I thought James and I could get a head start on what we might experience in Ireland.)

Also bought:

Farmhouse Brown Bread straight from Dublin, Ireland (I should have gotten the soda bread too.)

Key Lime flavored honey

Tangerine flavored honey

Tammy got some great things too; but I won't steal her thunder, just in case she wants to blog about it herself.

By the way, I had some of the four-year old cheddar at supper and I think it is the best cheese I've ever tasted.

Grocery List

This afternoon our family took a field trip to Jungle Jim's in Cincinnati, Oh. This place was amazing; we had a great time looking at all of the unique and exotic foods. My favorite part was watching Shelby squirm as I showed her things like: chicken feet, a scorpion encased inside a sucker, barbecue flavored crickets, fresh squid, octopus, etc. 

We all came home with some food that we thought we would enjoy. I love cheese, so I spent a good amount of time looking over the zillions of different types of cheese. Here's what I came home with:

Smoked Cheddar 

Four-Year Old Cheddar (They had Eight-Year Old Cheddar, but I passed it up)

Imported - Norwegian Ridder Cheese

Imported - Irish Cheddar Extra Sharp Cheese (I thought James and I could get a head start on what we might experience in Ireland.)

Also bought:

Farmhouse Brown Bread straight from Dublin, Ireland (I should have gotten the soda bread too.)

Key Lime flavored honey

Tangerine flavored honey

Tammy got some great things too; but I won't steal her thunder, just in case she wants to blog about it herself.

By the way, I had some of the four-year old cheddar at supper and I think it is the best cheese I've ever tasted.

What I'm Looking Forward To

Here are some of the events & dates I'm looking forward to this year (Lord willing).

February 25th - Shlelby's birthday. She turns 6 - break out the pink streamers, pink cake, and pink dress.

March 13-21 - Pastor Pink & I are traveling with CSI Ministries to Ireland to scout out and plan our youth mission trip for 2010.

March 19 - Tammy's birthday. She turns ?? - (Yep, I'm going to be missing my wife's birthday for a mission trip. I'd better get her a nice t-shirt from Ireland :-) 

April - 15-25 - Catalyst West Coast and family vacation to California. 

July 9-16 - Family vacation with Grandma J to Jackson Hole Wyoming. 

What I'm Looking Forward To

Here are some of the events & dates I'm looking forward to this year (Lord willing).

February 25th - Shlelby's birthday. She turns 6 - break out the pink streamers, pink cake, and pink dress.

March 13-21 - Pastor Pink & I are traveling with CSI Ministries to Ireland to scout out and plan our youth mission trip for 2010.

March 19 - Tammy's birthday. She turns ?? - (Yep, I'm going to be missing my wife's birthday for a mission trip. I'd better get her a nice t-shirt from Ireland :-) 

April - 15-25 - Catalyst West Coast and family vacation to California. 

July 9-16 - Family vacation with Grandma J to Jackson Hole Wyoming. 

Stop Motion

Here is a stop animation film that I've seen circling the web recently. Thought you might like to see it too -

Stop Motion

Here is a stop animation film that I've seen circling the web recently. Thought you might like to see it too -

Enjoy The Moment

This Sunday we begin our new series of messages called, "Carpe Diem". 

Life is flying by and too often we fail to live "in the moment". I have a tendency to always want what is next and never savoring what is present.

The second night after Shelby was born I can remember being in the hospital and holding her at 2 A.M; she was crying and fussy and I was tired and I started to think “God please help her to grow up quick so that we don’t have to do this anymore.” And immediately I felt convicted, I couldn’t believe that I just prayed that; looking down at Shelby I made a promise that I would never pray or wish for the next stage of her life to hurry up and get here, but that I would enjoy her at that moment - - every moment.

Enjoy The Moment

This Sunday we begin our new series of messages called, "Carpe Diem". 

Life is flying by and too often we fail to live "in the moment". I have a tendency to always want what is next and never savoring what is present.

The second night after Shelby was born I can remember being in the hospital and holding her at 2 A.M; she was crying and fussy and I was tired and I started to think “God please help her to grow up quick so that we don’t have to do this anymore.” And immediately I felt convicted, I couldn’t believe that I just prayed that; looking down at Shelby I made a promise that I would never pray or wish for the next stage of her life to hurry up and get here, but that I would enjoy her at that moment - - every moment.

Happy Ground Hog Day

I hope you are enjoying your Ground Hog Day. I know I will be. Like most people we gather with friends and family around the table around a great big feast... all the trimmings; potatoes, bread, pie, and the main dish - barbecue ground hog. MMMM Good. 

After the meal we gather in the living room sing traditional ground hog day songs and make shadow puppets. 

Good times.

Happy Ground Hog Day

I hope you are enjoying your Ground Hog Day. I know I will be. Like most people we gather with friends and family around the table around a great big feast... all the trimmings; potatoes, bread, pie, and the main dish - barbecue ground hog. MMMM Good. 

After the meal we gather in the living room sing traditional ground hog day songs and make shadow puppets. 

Good times.

Consensus

I've been thinking about a post that I read on Tony Morgan's site and thought I'd share it here. Here's what Tony had to say about consensus...

I’m growing more and more convinced that the worst thing an organization can do is try to reach a consensus about something. Think government. Think church committee meetings. Think declining big business.

On the surface, reaching a consensus seems like a positive thing because it means people have agreed to move in the same direction. That’s a good thing isn’t it?

Actually, I’m not convinced that’s the case. For example, here are:

5 Reasons Why Consensus Sucks

1. It embraces the status quo. Change, whether positive or not, is not human nature. We would prefer for things to remain the way they are today. So, when people get together to discuss the possibility of doing something a little different in the future, it’s normal for the majority to avoid making changes.
2. It gives the malcontents an equal voice in your decision. Reaching consensus gives everyone a voice at the table. When that happens, even the negative, bitter folks that don’t really embrace the vision have the opportunity to pull the rest of the group away from what could really be the most desirable outcome.
3. It short circuits the radical ideas that lead to the biggest breakthroughs. The big, bold ideas won’t see the light of day. Yet those are the ideas that could potentially lead to the best innovations. Consensus brings people back to the middle where the majority approves but mediocrity reigns.
4. It leaves unresolved conflict on the table. At the opposite ends of a decision are distinct opinions which, if left unresolved, could potentially lead to division. Consensus prevents tough conversations from happening. It gives people the freedom to jump to compromise without engaging a healthy debate.
5. It discourages people from dreaming big dreams. Want to neuter the creative-thinkers and entrepreneurs and visionaries in your organization? Force them to reach consensus with the rest of the crowd. These are the people that make you uncomfortable. They can drive you crazy. That’s OK. They’ll just go work someplace else if you keep forcing them to compromise their dreams.

Consensus

I've been thinking about a post that I read on Tony Morgan's site and thought I'd share it here. Here's what Tony had to say about consensus...

I’m growing more and more convinced that the worst thing an organization can do is try to reach a consensus about something. Think government. Think church committee meetings. Think declining big business.

On the surface, reaching a consensus seems like a positive thing because it means people have agreed to move in the same direction. That’s a good thing isn’t it?

Actually, I’m not convinced that’s the case. For example, here are:

5 Reasons Why Consensus Sucks

1. It embraces the status quo. Change, whether positive or not, is not human nature. We would prefer for things to remain the way they are today. So, when people get together to discuss the possibility of doing something a little different in the future, it’s normal for the majority to avoid making changes.
2. It gives the malcontents an equal voice in your decision. Reaching consensus gives everyone a voice at the table. When that happens, even the negative, bitter folks that don’t really embrace the vision have the opportunity to pull the rest of the group away from what could really be the most desirable outcome.
3. It short circuits the radical ideas that lead to the biggest breakthroughs. The big, bold ideas won’t see the light of day. Yet those are the ideas that could potentially lead to the best innovations. Consensus brings people back to the middle where the majority approves but mediocrity reigns.
4. It leaves unresolved conflict on the table. At the opposite ends of a decision are distinct opinions which, if left unresolved, could potentially lead to division. Consensus prevents tough conversations from happening. It gives people the freedom to jump to compromise without engaging a healthy debate.
5. It discourages people from dreaming big dreams. Want to neuter the creative-thinkers and entrepreneurs and visionaries in your organization? Force them to reach consensus with the rest of the crowd. These are the people that make you uncomfortable. They can drive you crazy. That’s OK. They’ll just go work someplace else if you keep forcing them to compromise their dreams.

What's On Your Desktop

Milah wants to know what our desktops look like. I will play along... here's what is staring at me in the face everyday on my computer...

What's on your desktop? Put the pic up on your blog and then comment on Milah's blog or back here to let us know when you have it up.

What's On Your Desktop

Milah wants to know what our desktops look like. I will play along... here's what is staring at me in the face everyday on my computer...

What's on your desktop? Put the pic up on your blog and then comment on Milah's blog or back here to let us know when you have it up.