Phone Call

Got a great phone call from a church member this week. I love when God suprises people with a blessing they could never see coming. When we have designs and plans on doing certain things and God works HIs way around those things to do something so much bigger it is a great reminder that HE is in control. It is soothing, comforting, reassuring, and easing. When all is falling apart and things don’t make sense…rather than react out of emotion…wait. Pause. Shut up sit down and hang tight because the ride is gonna get good. In the end, God will be glorified. He will make himself known to you and others. God did that this week and it is so much fun to watch.

For the one who shared…Thanks for making my week!

Relationship Buster

Let me ask this question and leave it up to some of you to help fill in the gaps. What has been your hardest staff relationship of your career. Without naming names and dragging people through “the mud” I want you to be proactive in talking about the things that helped bring resolution and unity back between you and said person. My hope is that you will be honest and objective in your writing and offer help to many of those in situations that would like guidance.

The root of all my problems with staff etc are in pride. Pride leads to anger. Pride leads to stubbornness. Pride leads to selfishness. Pride leads to DESTRUCTION! My pride has destroyed relationships and the only thing that has ever worked at repairing that damage has been humility and a willingness to admit wrong doing. I know that there is nothing fancy about that advice, but it is the only thing that has worked in my experience.

The end result for me is that I approach every new situation with the attitude of thankfulness. I am truly thankful for a new friend, new staff member, new church, new anything. The humility of being grateful has a profound leveling effect on the human heart and a great way of reminding me that the playing field is almost always even.

What have you learned? How have you grown? Are you in the middle of a relationship struggle as you read this post? Leave some comments and let’s get the ball rolling.

Connections Do Happen

I may be strange but I think connections do happen through social media. I have had two great face to face meetings with people I’ve met on Twitter. Granted I feel like it requires a concentrated effort, but anything worth pursuing often does. How can you start using social media to make connections with people around you?

BTW, this is my first mobile post.

Nehemiah 3 Up Close

I lived out the importance of Nehemiah chapter 3 this weekend. The names and details have my tongue in knots, but the purpose of naming names here was the mark of a good leader. Gratitude and encouragement for those who are deserving. I even think he does this to credit all the different types of people who help with the project of rebuilding the wall and restoring a spiritual dignity to Jerusalem as well as a sense of safety. His team included men and women, immediate community leaders and leaders from 20 miles away (that’s a big deal when walking or riding a donkey etc), young and old, priests and laity, friends and the not-so-friendly…yet they all worked together to achieve the purposes set before them. One goal, focused and intense and they built a structure that is not small by any standard.

This weekend we all pitched in and did our part to achieve something bigger than any one of us could accomplish on their own. We did what needed to be done and stayed focus on the goal. It wasn’t a city wall, but a major deal in my book. The work our crew did this weekend is worthy of a big THANK YOU. I have included a picture of a portion of Jerusalem’s city wall so you have something to gauge the enormity of the tasks before Nehemiah and those who chose to work with him. I love big vision. Even more…I love the risk takers who embrace the vision and strive to reach it’s preferred future.

Help with My Commute

Each week my home doesn’t sell in Arizona I get to drive 4 hours (from Abilene) to my new church in Anna, Texas. The drive actually passes quite quickly but I am looking for things to do while I am driving that do not include…Twitter, text, or anything that will require me to focus on something to the point of distraction from driving. Any thoughts or ideas? Comment below. Thanks for the tips.

My What A Large Bite You Have Taken

While my site is far from together, I want to share frustrations I encountered while beginning this journey. I always bite off more than I can chew…you just have to live life that way! What’s the point otherwise. Do things and seek things bigger than yourself and be ready to pray. Well I have been praying a ton…and reading a ton. NOW, I am realizing that reading the code “behind” my blog and understanding the code are two different things.

Granted, I think it is a worthy pursuit. Now, I am asking for help. Help to fix the broken things I do not understand, and patience to teach me along the way.

1. There is a massive learning curve to having never done this before.

• there are more simple options available for publishing a WordPress blog to the internet like using wordpress.com but I opted for the learning experience. I AM LEARNING. Thanks to @joshburcham, @human3rror, @smartalyx, @joeyfrancis, and @adrianrodriguez but I am so far from where I need to be…

So, my goal is to totally open myself up to criticism to learn and be taught. Here is were you catch some of my leadership philosophy. I must remain teachable. This blog proves it. It shows me why discipleship, regardless of maturity, is a lifelong journey without a final destination. The goal is to enjoy the ride along the way. So, who are you allowing to teach you? Where do you sit, soak, then squeeze all you have learned into practice?

I was pushed by #ctcdallas to get off my hind-end and DO something. So, here we are…thanks #ctcdallas for the push.

Stick With It

As promised I am redesinging/blowing up my old Blogger site for a new WordPress site. As a pastor I am a certain I don’t have time for this but in the same vein, I am certain I don’t have time NOT to do it. As I work to teach the truth of God every chance I get, I know that the internet gives me another platform for reaching across social barriers/boundaries.

So, about 2 weeks ago I started playing around with WordPress and admitedly I haven’t gotten too far. However, this is not a sprint. Much of what I am doing requires patience beyond my own ability, and a vision to know that one day it will function AND be slick! Until that day…

I refuse to be a pastor who resists change and allows others to take up the mantle of relevance.

You can definitely pray for me as I continue to tweak and make this thing more efficient. Many of my friends will have suggestions and I only hope you will comment. With every comment a chance to grow arises! Looking forward to growing together.