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Dangerous Leadership

October 27, 2011 in Leadership with 27 Comments

While I won’t argue that lack of character has brought down more good leaders than just about anything, I would say insecurity runs a very close second. An insecure leader is a dangerous leader.

Insecurity can torment the most gifted of leaders. It will make you…

doubt instead of trust

criticize instead of praise

protect instead of risk

assume the worst instead of the best

talk instead of listen

micromanage instead of empower

control instead of surrender

In the end it will erode your effectiveness and leave you useless and powerless. Your worst nightmare will become a reality as you look around to discover that no longer is anyone following you.

What does your insecurity look like when it raises its ugly head?

God’s Story, Your Story

October 26, 2011 in Random Fun with 108 Comments

My friend, Max Lucado, just released his 14,769th book. Okay, that might be a slight overstatement, but as usual he delivers the goods.

I don’t think there’s a better story teller out there than Max Lucado. And I know there’s nobody who’s as humble about their giftedness, except for maybe on the golf course where he’s been known to take advantage of a young authors nervousness to absolutely crush them…but I digress.

In his new book Max talks about how God is above and around us directing a grand saga, written by his hand, orchestrated by His will, unveiled according to his calendar. And you’re a part of it!! In this book he helps us understand how all the seemingly random events of our life are actually part of a cohesive story line. So maybe, just maybe, there’s a purpose to the chaos, confusion and clutter of your daily life.

I’m excited to be giving away 5 copies of “God’s Story, Your Story” here on the blog today. Just leave me a quick comment and I’ll randomly select 5 winners. You’re going to LOVE this book.

Better Days Challenge

October 25, 2011 in Spiritual Growth with 61 Comments

We started a new series this past Sunday at Cross Point entitled Better Days. We talked a great deal about how we are constantly bombarded with sensational and fear based messages. As a result, often our mind is more shaped by media than scripture, which leads to us approaching most of life with pessimism and cynicism.

Psalm 103:2
2 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.

Numerous psychologist have proven that focusing on the things we have to be grateful for produces happiness, makes us more optimistic about the future, and just generally makes us feel better about our lives.

So here’s what we’re calling the Better Days Challenge and I want you to jump in with us.

Everyday for the next week we’re going to list 3 things we have to be grateful for just to see how it breathes hope into our hearts and minds. If you’re on twitter you can tag your list with #betterdayschallenge

I’m already seeing an amazing shift in the way I’m looking at my family, work, and my walk with Jesus.

So why not start here? In the comments tell us 3 things you’re thankful for.

Juggling, Raising Goats, and My Garden

October 24, 2011 in Church Leadership, Leadership, Videos with 28 Comments

There’s a great new resource out there for churches and pastors called Ministry Matters. Their site is full of all kinds of tools including blogs, articles, message illustrations, and worship resources. They truly are a one-stop shop full of all kinds of ministry helps. I shot several videos for them recently including “How I Prepare My Messages,” “Using Social Media To Call People To Action” and “The Importance Of Having Close Friends In Ministry.”

But there’s one video I just had to share with you today.

The question I was asked was, “What would you do with the time you can save using Ministry Matters.”

This insanity ensued…

Battling Your Greatest Enemy

October 20, 2011 in Church Leadership, Leadership with 29 Comments

I think hands down that pride is the most insidious and destructive thing that keeps us from becoming the leaders God wants us to be and furthermore it’s becomes a thick barrier to our relationships with God.

It was C.S. Lewis who said,

As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.

There are  three questions I try to regularly ask myself in my desire to push back against this pride. These questions often keep me up late at night, causing me to break out in a cold sweat, and exposing traces of pride I didn’t even know existed.  I dare you. No, I double dog dare you to slow down for a minute and honestly ask yourself these three questions.

1) Am I willing to allow another person to do what I think I must do?

2) Am I willing to do what I am doing, even if no one else knows I am doing it?

3) Am I willing to let God use me for a season, and then be okay with Him later putting my work into the hands of another?

Which question leaves you the most exposed?

Memories

October 19, 2011 in Family, My Family, Parenting with 23 Comments

There are a lot of things I screw up as a dad but the one things I want to get right is creating unforgettable memories.

The boys were on fall break the first few days of this week so we took a long weekend and headed out to the wild outdoors for a few days of camping. Camping included, but was not limited to…

-Competitive games of Rummikub.

-Skeet shooting (Gage hit his first one)

-Hiking

-Catching some of the biggest fish minnows you’ve ever seen.

-The worst homemade pizza over a fire we’ve ever tasted.

I don’t know about you but when I think back to my favorite childhood memories they were defined by experiences I had, rather than by things I acquired.

I know my boys will never look back on their time in our house and think, “Wow, my Dad was the perfect Dad.” But I do hope they look back and know that their parents tried really hard to create meaningful experiences for them that will be forever locked into their memories as a reminder of just how much I love them.

When you think back to your childhood what’s a memory that comes to your mind?

Better Days

October 18, 2011 in Cross Point Church with 1 Comment

I’m super excited about the new series we’re starting this weekend at Cross Point. If you’ve got a second CLICK HERE for more information and an opportunity to invite a friend.

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