I am more excited about this Sunday than any other Sunday in our history. Why? Because this Sunday is my daughter’s baby dedication. I’ve been doing baby dedications for a long time and every time I did one I thought about the day that it would be my baby I was praying for. Well, this Sunday is the day. Carey bought the Mia the most beautiful dress to wear for this occasion. Then we’re having a fiesta at my house to celebrate this day. Lots of family and friends. I’m so excited. I’ve been thinking and praying about what I’m … Read More
Book Review: Cut to the Chase
I don’t know if there’s a book that’s more needed for church leaders than a book like Cut to the Chase by Stuart Levine. The spiritual, emotional, physical, mental, and time demands on a church leader’s life is high, and we need to be able to manage these demands in a reasonable way. This book is like a practical version of Choosing to Cheat. Cut to the Chase gives 100 ways to get time back by organizing your work and making decisions that promote getting right to the point. Some highlight rules in the book (each rule is about a … Read More
Happy Blog-Anniversary!
I realized today at lunch that I started blogging 2 years ago today! So I decided to bring a cake to the party. I have had my love/hate moments with blogging, but the most important thing to me has been getting to know church leaders from all over the country (and world). That’s has been the most rewarding thing.
Why can’t we start here?
I was deeply saddened upon hearing about Dr. Falwell’s passing. He’s with Jesus and totally healed of whatever was once wrong in his body. For that, we can be thankful. What I am also glad about is the kind words that people are saying about him. People are talking about how he influenced them, prayed for them, and modeled integrity for them. Here’s my wish: why do we have to wait until someone is gone before we speak well of them? We slam people we disagree with and then when they go to be with Jesus, we remember they were … Read More
A Tip for those who wish they read more…
Bring a book with you wherever you go. You never know when you’re going to get 15 minutes to just sit and read. Most of my reading happens in-between other things that are going on. Carry a book with you, and you won’t spend that time playing Tetris on your Treo…
Papi’s Little Girl…
Seriously, I had no idea that being a dad could produce so much love in a person. Mia is the best. She is so much fun. Plus, she loves baseball! Her and I watch the Red Sox almost nightly and she is totally content to sit next to Papi as I explain to her the nuances of the game. (Carey says if the Pastoring thing doesn’t work out, that I could be a color analyst for a baseball team) Anyway, here’s a picture we took at the mall on Saturday…
Preach the Gospel!
I have been struck by the fact that I need to preach the Gospel every week and give people an opportunity to make a decision to come to know Jesus in our services each week. I think this is really important for several reasons: 1. It gives people an opportunity to cross the line of faith – Many times people don’t respond the first time you share the Gospel with them. They need time to think it over. The sooner you share the Gospel, the sooner they start thinking it over. 2. The Christians in your church know what to … Read More
No Silver Bullet
I’m re-reading Good to Great by Jim Collins and the thing that stands out to me is that in great companies there’s no “one thing” that allows a company to make the leap from good to great. For church leaders, this is the most frustrating truth in the world. Because every church leader I talk to (including the one in my mirror) wants there to be some secret to taking a church to the next level. The truth is, it’s about doing a lot of things that takes a church to the next level. Is it outreach? in-reach? assimilation? teaching? … Read More
Set Your TiVo…
The story about Calvary Fellowship is going to air on Friday, May 11 @ 11PM (Right after the 20/20 special on “Faith in America”) on the Channel 10 news. The interview on Tuesday went well. They interviewed me and a couple of people from our church. Channel 10 sent a camera guy on Sunday to shoot some “B” roll during our 2nd service on Sunday. Now we’ll see how it turns out… If you miss it, I’m sure someone will get it on You Tube before to long… Update: It’s not going to run on Friday. It’s going to run … Read More
Now I want one!
After watching all the hoopla (here, here, here and here) over computer bags lately, I’ve officially gotten the itch to get a bag too. Just great!
