Tiger Woods
I love working at a church that gives second chances and I love serving a God that gives unlimited chances. With that said I have been asked by several people about my thoughts about the whole Tiger Woods scandal and here are my thoughts.
For me I never elevated Tiger Woods to the status of hero in my life. I looked up to him as a golfer but never as an individual, why would I? I never met him and he has never invested into my life personally. I enjoy his Tiger Woods game and I still do.
“Like many of you I’ve been unable to escape the constant media attention given to the Tiger Woods scandal. Does it seem ironic to anyone else that the media is giving Tiger such a hard time for living out the lifestyle they portray on almost every single television show they air?” Pete Wilson
Could not have said that better. This lifestyle is around us all the time and I have been reminded how vulnerable anybody can become including myself. The one thing that has really bothered me in this entire scandal is how quickly “Christians” have thrown stones, or in the blogging world, have used their keyboards to throw out quick comments, insensitive remarks all for the sake of stats and ratings. I have found myself guilty of this as well as I passed on a game that was sent to me to some of our team. Instead of using this to slam others or add to the scandal, here are few ideas to turn this into a positive experience or a learning experience for you and your family
- Choose to use your words wisely. Or choose to type your words wisely. As quickly as this has become public and destroyed his reputation, these easily could happen to you or me. Be careful what and how we talk about others. If you are not part of the problem or the solution then what you have to say is GOSSIP.
- Don’t add to the pain. So many times we pile on and make the person feel worse instead of standing by them and encouraging them. I’m reminded how Jesus was with the woman caught in adultery. He said, you who are without sin throw the first stone, and they all walked away. He could have called her a whore and added to her pain but He took the higher ground and helped her to find redemption.
- Don’t say what you were going to say if you wouldn’t want their family or your family hear you say it. Remember your comments don’t just hurt them but have the potential to hurt their family members including your own.
- Put yourself in their shoes.
- Be careful who you put on a pedestal. In so many cases they never asked to be there and don’t deserve to be there. You must be choosy who you look up to. Anybody is capable of falling. Anybody can let you down. Keep your eyes on Christ the only one worthy of being elevated to hero status.
What are your thoughts?
25 Days Of Christmas_Day 20
I love the clip from the Elf where Buddy starts shouting Santa, I know him. Made me think with church be canceled today there is a lot of anticipation for Wednesday and Thursday as Eric takes the reign as lead pastor of Fellowship Church. Can’t help but think when I hear that clip, that instead of Santa, I know him, it’s Eric is coming, I know him. Looking forward to Christmas as I hope you are. Who have you invited who needs to hear about Jesus?
25 Days Of Christmas_Day 19
It is fitting that today’s post is about snow considering it is snowing outside. I love the snow and especially any snow related activities. I remember growing up and just getting pounded with snow each year and having no school.
So I am curious, what are some of your snow memories? Do you like the snow? Any snow related accidents? What is the most fun thing you have done in the snow?
25 Days Of Christmas_Day 18
I was thinking about how everybody followed the star of Bethlehem to see Jesus and how weird it must have been to be directed that way. After all it’s not a common practice to follow stars to your location, I tried to follow one to the Outback the other night only to realize the star I was following was actually a glare on my windshield from my iphone…so no luck there. The star led them to place they needed to be, to be a part of something extraordinary.
That is sort of like the staff of Fellowship. Although I am not attempting to compare our journey together as the weight of the Savior of the world being born…however think about this for a second and how God has orchestrated His plan.
- Gus was from the Delaware Valley.
- Kristi by default was from the Delaware Valley.
- Ben was from either Georgia or Florida. I think it was both if that is possible.
- Jeff is from Iowa.
- Dan is from Boston.
- Shari is from Alaska.
- Nancy is from Illinois.
- Eric is from Illinois.
- I am from California/Washington State
And yet God orchestrated His plan to bring all of us together to redefine church in the Delaware Valley. Each of us has different gifts and talents that we bring to the table. We each come from a different perspective. We each have baggage and we are all imperfect and yet God uses us to shape His Kingdom. If God can use this bunch, He can use you.
Are you ready to be used by God? What is the story that is God is writing through you? During the Holiday season, has God called you to do something extraordinary? Are you exactly where God wants you?
25 Days Of Christmas_Day 17
This is the most pointless Christmas commercial I have ever seen. It is a spoof on a Calvin Klein commercial. It made me laugh and so I am passing it on to you. I especially loved Santa running down the street with the milk bottles. I am warning you this commercial carries no value with it.
Coaching Network
I have had the privilege to be a part of Backstage Leadership since last September and to be honest I didn’t know what to expect. I had never been a part of anything like this but I knew I was passionate about leadership and developing not only myself but taking what I was learning and applying it to my circles of influence.
I have been blown away by the line up of speakers that I have gotten to interview such as: Chuck Colson, Michael Hyatt, Andy Andrews, Carlos Whitaker, Gabe Lyons and Brad Lomenick. Mark Batterson, Dan Cathy, Catherine Rohr, Mike Foster, Ken Blanchard and Francis Chan. The line up is always incredible and challenges me in such areas as; time management, dream casting, social networking, leadership development and family being a priority.
Backstage was started by Greg Darley and has gone from concept into an idea that is transforming young leaders by giving them opportunities to learn from those who have blazed the path before us. I can honestly say I am a different leader and approach leadership differently because of this program and hopefully one day have the opportunity to pour into others like Greg has poured into me.
If your interested in joining Backstage Leadership, check out their website at www.backstageleadership.org
Gap: Talk To The Moose
PRIMAL A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity_Book Review
Getting a chance to write a review for Mark Batterson’s new book Primal was exciting for me because his first two books, In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day and Wild Goose Chase have been two books that have helped reshape my philosophy on life and to some degree my trajectory of focus. Primal is no exception. Mark is a very talented and gifted writer who is able to articulate intense depth at a practical level.
He writes in the cover, “Is there a place in your past where you met God and God met you? A place where your heart broke for the things that break the heart of God? Maybe it was a sermon that became more than a sermon. Maybe it was a mission tip or retreat. Maybe it was a vow you made at an altar. In that moment, God birthed something supernatural in your spirit. You knew you’d never be the same again. My prayer is that this book would take you back to that burning bush-and reignite a primal faith.”
“A place where your heart broke for the things that break the heart of God?” Sometimes you get so busy in the craziness of life that you don’t stop to think about that statement, and if we’re honest with ourselves, we would rather not be hassled with those things, those things can be taken care of by somebody else.
Mark breaks down Christianity to four things: compassion, wonder, curiosity and power. Mark says, “Faith is not faith until it is acted upon” and this book is challenging me to look at those four areas in my life and ask myself am I acting upon them. Does my heart break for the things that break the heart of God? Do I remember what it was like in the beginning before I learned about religion, back when it was about a relationship?
Whether you’ve been a Christ follower for years or just starting out in your journey this book is a book that will challenge you to think outside the box, feel outside the box and act outside the box. I highly recommend it to anybody out there and would strongly recommend that Primal be the first book you read in the New Year.
Thank you to waterbrookmultnomah.com for providing me with a free copy of this book and a chance to review a life changing book for so many.
To purchase the book yourself you may go to RandomHouse.com
25 Days Of Christmas_Day 16
Tree Toppers. I had no idea the emotional attachement that people had with their tree toppers. I had no clue that some people feel that their tree toppers identify them as an individual. For our house we have a simple little gold star which brings back painful memories of elementary school and the “red” star I would get when all the other kids got gold stars. That is for another day and another post, my counselor says I’m not ready to talk about it.
Here are some tree toppers that I found that apparently “identify” people and who they are.
So I ask you the question, what do you put on your tree?
Loading ...Chasing Happiness
So many people hate what they do and hate going to work each day. I really don’t feel like I’m working because I love what I do. I love those who I work with and I love those who I get to serve. So many times people chase the almighty dollar and then spend their life chasing happiness. I was fortunate that God saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself and allowed me to experience a joy that is hard to explain everyday. Trust me there are days that I think what would it have been like to chase the dollar but then I remember that what I am experiencing right now is rare. The most important thing is that you chase what your passionate about everyday and live your dream.
Nothing brings me more satisfaction in ministry than to watch someone walk in lost with questions and hurt and walk out with some answers and hope. To watch someone grow in their journey with God is a privilege. To be able to teach God’s word is an honor. For me it is my passion to use my gifts of leadership, administration and teaching. The fact that God would use someone like me to make a difference in someones life and use me to influence the Kingdom is humbling.
