First, let me say that it is so hot here in Miami that I don’t know what I’m going to do with myself. Secondly, A/C is barely making things manageable. Third, to walk outside, even to get the mail in this heat is to invite a perspiration that doesn’t even feel natural. So what can I do? I have instituted ‘Sandals Summer’. This means I am wearing sandals every day to bear with the heat. Most who know me, know that I am not a huge fan of shoes where toes are exposed (I feel that defeats the purpose). But … Read More
Start Here is Here!
One of the things we’re been working on is a resource for new believers called “Start Here”. (Don’t bother looking on Amazon.com for it. It’s not there.) Here was our dilemma: most new believers stuff that we saw is very good at explaining what salvation through Jesus is in very theological terms that it takes an M.Div to understand. So we wanted to develop a resource that is very simple to understand and that led people to take some practical next steps. So we developed a small booklet that tells my story of how I came to know Jesus and … Read More
Book Review: The 360 Leader
First, let me say that I love many of John Maxwell’s books. I have purchased multiple copies of several of John’s books for staff and friends, including The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, Developing the Leader within you, and Developing the Leaders around you. Having said that, The 360 Leader wasn’t my favorite Maxwell book. It was too drawn out. I think if you read Bill Hybel’s Chapter on the 360 Leader in Courageous Leadership you’ll get the gist of it. If I was in middle management of an organization (as I once was), I think the book would have … Read More
Fortune Cookies
Carey and I were having lunch at my favorite restaurant today (P.F. Chang’s), when we got our fortune cookies at the end of our meal and I noticed something interesting: fortune cookies aren’t what they used to be. What did they used to be? Fortunes. What are they now? Social commentaries and positive insights. Old school fortune: You will be a millionaire by year’s end New school fortune: Determination and hard work pay off When the server gives me the bill, which does he want me to believe, that I’m going to rich within a matter of months or telling … Read More
I do…
“I do” – that’s what the dad said when I asked him, “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” at the wedding I officiated yesterday. At that moment it was as though I could hear someone asking me that question at some point in the distant future. I looked to the back of the room and saw my daughter with Carey and I thought I was going to have an attack of some sort. The thought of “giving away” your daughter on her wedding day has got to be one of the hardest things a dad is … Read More
Book Review: The Dip
I heard so much about The Dip by Seth Godin that I had to go buy it. Small book, but a powerful message: When is quitting the best thing to do? When is quitting the worst thing to do? I won’t ruin the book, but needless to say it applies to most people in any area of life. I see myself recommending this book to a lot of people. Ben has a series of posts on how The Dip translates into the world of church planting.
Book Review: The Art of the Start
The Art of the Start by Guy Kawasaki is a great read. Very insightful. To the point. Most books are 50 pages too long. This one was just right. The book is about starting a company, but there are chapters that are universal to anyone who deals with people in any organization. The art of bootstrapping – you don’t need tons of money to do something great. “Bootstrap it” or make it work with a little. This chapter alone is why guys who come from big churches fail in church planting. They don’t have tons of money to throw at … Read More
Silence, Songs, and Psalms…
The life of a Pastor is many things, but if it’s anything, it’s loud. There’s so many voices all the time (insert joke here). I was driving home from my Pastor’s coaching meeting today and after calling Carey and catching up a little on how things were going, I spent a good while of my 3 hour trip home in silence. It was really nice. I’ve been in this mood lately where I’m listening to 2 songs off the new Five for Fighting album over and over again. The songs are just connecting with me. John Ondrasik has this ability … Read More
Book Review: Leadership on the Line
Leadership on the Line by Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linksy was a really good read. It deals with the realities of leadership and the challenges that leaders face. I know a lot of leadership books make this claim, but this book gets to the reasons why we lead, the motivations of our heart, how to not lose yourself in your role, and how to get out of your role and see the big picture. There’s so much I could write about this book, but I’ll give you a few of my favorite quotes: – “Leadership is about disturbing people – … Read More
