A Story
Everybody has a story. Some stories are understandable and some are unexplainable. Some stores will leave you shocked and some stories will leave you bored. Some stories challenge your very thinking and way of life but the reality is everybody has a story.
I watched The Soloist tonight about a guy who was a talented musician who left Julliard due to mental issues only to end up living on the streets in LA. A writer by chance befriends him and a relationship ensues. Why did this strike me in any way? Because somebody simply stopped and asked him about his story. Somebody took the time to ask.
I know I get busy and it becomes about me and I wonder why I don’t ask others about their stories more often. I’m selfish by nature and want to share mine. I’m challenging myself this week to listen to the stories of those around me. I simply want to stop and ask them about their life. I want to know how did they get where they are today.
So I ask you, what is your story?
Texting While Driving PSA
I don’t know if you have had a chance to see this yet but it is pretty powerful and makes you think. What is really the most important thing at that moment? It’s made me think twice this week.
National Leadership Forum Conference
A free two-day leadership event is coming your way, and you don’t even have to leave your computer to take part. Check out who you’ll hear from during the National Leadership Forum webcast:
- Jack Welch
- TD Jakes
- Mark Rutland
- Patrick Lencioni
- Dave Ramsey
- Craig Groeschel
- Megyn Kelly
- Erwin McManus
- Bill George
- Tim Sanders
- Matthew Barnett
- Henry Cloud
This is a fantastic opportunity to invest in leadership training and development for your team—whether staff or volunteers—without investing in conference fees or travel. Ken Blanchard will be moderating the webcast, which takes place on September 10-11. The event will be offered twice each day to accommodate different time zones: first at 7:00am-2:00pm GMT and then at 10:00am-5:00pm EDT. Capacity for the National Leadership Forum is limited, so you’ll want to register soon.
The Nines Conference
I am a bit of a conference junkie. I love leadership books and principles and I love to be able to see them live. There are 2 conferences that are coming up that are web based and they are FREE. Anytime you can put the words conference and free together I don’t care who is doing it I want in.
If you haven’t heard about THE NINES yet…then listen up. This is an event unlike anything anybody has done.
- It is specifically FOR church leaders (although anyone can attend).
- You will hear from dozens of leaders. But get this…each one will only talk for 9 minutes. That’s it. Forget the lame ice breakers or stories about their childhood–they will get right to it.
- You don’t have to travel anywhere to participate. Gather as a staff in a conference room or sit at home in your underwear. Your choice.
- You can watch it all day (recommended!), or you can come and go, tune in and out as your schedule allows.
- It is totally FREE. You do have to register, but there is no cost and there are no strings attached.
Here’s a quick list of who is speaking:
Mark Driscoll (Mars Hill Church)
Reggie McNeal (Leadership Network)
Perry Noble (NewSpring Church)
John Ortberg (Menlo Park Presbyterian)
Steven Furtick (Elevation Church)
Nancy Beach (Willow Creek Church)
Leonard Sweet (Author/Speaker)
Stacy Spencer (New Direction Christian Church)
Ed Stetzer (Lifeway Research)
Mark Batterson (National Community Church)
Larry Osborne (North Coast Church)
Dave Ferguson (Community Christian Church)
Alan Hirsch (Forge Mission Training Network)
Dino Rizzo (Healing Place Church)
Dan Kimball (Vintage Faith Church)
Greg Surratt (Seacoast Church)
Sam Chand (Sam Chand Ministries)
Bil Cornelius (Bay Area Fellowship)
Brad Bell (The Well)
Brian McLaren (Author/Speaker)
Skye Jenthani (Author/Speaker)
Brian Bloye (Westridge Church)
Jon Tyson (Trinity Grace Church, NYC)
Eric Bryant (Mosaic)
Bob Roberts (Northwood Church)
Reggie Joiner (CCO, reThink)
Brad Powell (NorthRidge Church)
Mark DeYmaz (Mosaic Church)
Margaret Feinberg (Author/Speaker)
Matt Carter (The Austin Stone Church)
Darrin Patrick (The Journey)
Matt Fry (C3 Church)
Nancy Ortberg (TeamWorx2)
Mike Breaux (Heartland Church)
J. D. Greear (Summit Church)
Scott Hodge (Orchard Valley Church)
Greg Holder (Windsor Crossing Church)
Pete Wilson (Cross Point Church)
Neil Cole (Church Multiplication Associates)
Matt Williams (Grace Church Greenville)
Jenni Catron (Cross Point Church)
Noel Heikkinen (Riverview Church)
Bill Easum (Easum & Associates)
Chip Henderson (Pine Lake Church)
David Foster (The Gathering)
Mark Bankord (Heartland Community Church)
Ken Fong (Evergreen Baptist Church)
John Bishop (Living Hope Church)
Rick Rusaw (LifeBridge Church)
Bryan Carter (Concord Chuch)
Geoff Surratt (Seacoast Church)
Jeffrey Johnson (Eastern Star Church)
Jim Tomberlin (Third Quarter Consulting)
Anne Jackson (FlowerDust.net)
Naeem Fazal (Mosaic Church)
Jim Burgen (Flatirons Community Church)
John Coulombe (First Ev Free Fullerton)
Teresa McBean (NorthStar Community Church)
Jim Sheppard (Generis)
Shawn Wood (Seacoast Church)
Lawrence Aker (Cornerstone Baptist Church)
Steve Robinson (Church of the King)
Jason Cusick (Journey of Faith Church)
Bambi Encarnacion (First Ev Free Fullerton)
Ken Fong (Evergreen Baptist Church)
Judy West (Windsor Crossing Church)
Scott Wilson (The Oaks Fellowship)
Amy Hanson(Author/Speaker)
Toby Slough (Cross Timbers Church)
Troy Gramling (Flamingo Road Church)
Scott Nickell (Flatirons Community Church)
Michael Trent (Third Place Consulting)
Jorge Acevedo (Grace Church)
Scott Williams (LifeChurch.tv)
Steve Robinson (Church of the King)
Keld Dahlman (Europe Church Planter)
The Poor
I’m still reading this book called Servolution by Dino Rizzo and I came across this quote today that just rocked me.
“Our understanding of the ‘the poor’ has to include any person in any kind of bondage or under any kind of oppression who needs the freedom of Christ shown to them.”
He says that is exactly what Jesus was talking about in Luke 4:18-19: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” I live in a very affluent area of the country and I have never thought of poor people like that. For me that means that the very person who I followed this morning in their Mercedes may actually be poor. I know that I don’t see them that way, but that is because I don’t see them like Jesus does. We all must change the way we answer the definition of what is poor.
God today help me to see people like you see people. Give me the heart and compassion that you have to meet their needs and to share your love with them. God help me to have the attitude of thankfulness and not of jealousy. God use me.
MADE WEEK 3 VIDEO
Made for Prosperity from Fellowship Today on Vimeo.
This Is A Reminder
This is just a reminder to myself. This is to remind myself the responsibility that I carry. This is to remind me that my life does not just impact me but it impacts my kids. This is a reminder that I need to step up. This is a reminder to do better. This is a reminder to sacrifice. This is a reminder to serve. This is a reminder to love. This is a reminder to not do it like I have seen it done in the past. This is a reminder that I have once chance. This is a reminder that they are a gift.
I have had several conversations over the last two days about the responsibility of being a father. I get busy, we all do. I make excuses, we all do. I try to justify, we all do. It needs to stop. I get home and I’m tired and I take off my pastor/employee hat and I crash. This is a reminder to put on my daddy/husband hat. In both conversations I have had it was with guys who were older who both said, “It went by so fast.” I hear that but sometimes it doesn’t feel like it, but then I look back and see I have two kids in school this fall and I hear myself say in my heart, “It went by so fast.”
I challenge myself and I challenge you to step up. We get one chance. What will our legacy be? A great employee or a great dad? It is hard for me to say this but we can’t be great at both, we must choose. My buddy had a great post on this as well on his site, check it out.
Vacation
Was on vacation this last week but I will be back to blogging this week…stay tuned.
Made Week 2 Video
Made for Significance from Fellowship Today on Vimeo.
Weekend Wrap Up
- Great day today with a tremendous amount of energy.
- Met lots of new families and I’m so glad they are checking out Fellowship Church.
- The band did a great job with worship today.
- They rocked the Use Somebody song by Kings Of Leon.
- Talked about being Made in God’s image…created to serve.
- What is the attitude behind your serving?
- The question was asked, are you willing?
- Had 74 show up for water wars
- Thanks to my team for filling up over 1000 water balloons.
- Kids had a blast. had so many new kids checking us out.
- On vacation this week, looking forward to the time off.
