Turtle Racing

I tried to pick a hobby to pick on my sermon for an illustration that people wouldn't identify with. So I chose Turtle Racing. So I was quite surprised when three college students found me afterwards and told me that I'd hit too close to home for one of them. Apparently, he and his brother "trained" turtles for their town's annual turtle race each year. I asked him how they trained the turtles & he said, "I don't know. We really weren't cause if we did anything, they'd just go into their shell, but we thought we were doing something." Anyway, it was pretty funny. I guess no illustration is safe.

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Wisdom

Tomorrow we'll be looking at Proverbs and asking, "How can we be wise?" While studying, I was reminded of a fun film project we once did with students. We blindfolded & dropped them off in the middle of 400 acres of dense woods. Each team had a cameraman and one adult whom could be asked one question (regarding directions) every 10 minutes. We explored what happens when we don't ask the best questions. It was lots of fun. Watch videos here.

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Wisdom

Tomorrow we'll be looking at Proverbs and asking, "How can we be wise?" While studying, I was reminded of a fun film project we once did with students. We blindfolded & dropped them off in the middle of 400 acres of dense woods. Each team had a cameraman and one adult whom could be asked one question (regarding directions) every 10 minutes. We explored what happens when we don't ask the best questions. It was lots of fun. Watch videos here.

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Caesar and Me: Would You Enjoy What I Just Did?

I just spent 90 minutes reading a book about Caesar, in preparation for an upcoming sermon. I can't imagine spending my life scheming and fighting to stay alive and rule the world. Crazy. My sermon isn't until December 6 but we have a baby coming between now and then. So my question is, would you like or dislike what I just did. Personally, I liked it. I like to read - especially when it relates to Scripture. And this reading does. Luke wrote, "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree..." Learning about Caesars sheds a ton of light on the Christmas story. Can't wait.

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Book Review: The Future of Management

I recently finished reading Gary Hamel's book The Future of Management. He suggests that we have pretty much perfected the management model that Henry Ford and others founded – a top-down management structure. Hamel questions whether that management model is the best model for us now. It served its purpose for a while, but its weakness is that it usually doesn't unleash passion, ownership and creativity from the workforce. It also assumes that the collective wisdom of a few "really smart people" is greater than the collective wisdom of ten, a hundred or ten thousand “normal people.” Hamel shows that this thinking is flawed, by citing research and case studies. He holds up Gore (makers of Gore-Tex), Whole Foods, Google, GM, Toyota, and others as management innovators who have bucked the traditional model - and have done exceedingly well. These companies have flattened the leadership structure. Anyone in their company could have the next big idea. You don’t have to have a big title to be heard. Teams hold each other accountable from within (and no team can afford a weak link). Fringe thought is encouraged. And employees are rewarded for breakthrough performances and contributions to the organization.

While Ford said, “The problem is that every set of hands comes with a brain,” Toyota received 500,000 ideas from their employees last year. Ford has floundered for years. Toyota has remained on top. Hamel tells the stories of several innovative companies, and I thought this was the strongest part of the whole book. Those chapters are full of thought-provoking questions that I’ll ask our team, and practical advice that helps me understand how it all plays out.

If you look around, you’ll notice that in spite of this model’s success, most companies have not adapted new management models. This isn’t surprising. Those with positions of authority risk losing their place of prominence with this model, it feels risky and it costs some resources upfront. Fortunately, Hamel offers some advice on how to impact your organization (whether you are currently on the top or bottom of the food chain). If you think that those only wanting to survive will ultimately not survive, or that the management model of your organization might be based on false assumptions, or that the people in your organization need to be released to contribute more than they ever thought possible, this book is for you. I highly recommend it.

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Day of Serving video

We were able to get our Day of Serving video online. We couldn't use the great music we used when we showed it on Sunday because of copyright issues. I started to work hard at finding some great music that we could use (that isn't copyrighted) but then realized that I had a hundred other more pressing things to do, so I put some cheesy, free music on there. Now it has more of a TV sitcom feel to it all. Kinda funny.

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U2

I got to see the U2 concert last night. I've never been to a huge concert like that, and I'd been waiting for it for 5 or 6 months. They did not disappoint. Their stage set-up actually made OU's football field look small. The stage probably went from one 25 yard line to the other. It was set-up so that they could get close to more fans.
The highlight of the show for me was when Bono sang Amazing Grace, followed by Where the Streets Have (a song they wrote in Ethiopia about a road that mothers walked to bury their children).
The low point of the show was when the drunk guy in front of us raised & swayed both hands (with beer in each hand slopping everywhere).

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Innocence

Satan corrupts things that were created good. It's what he does. Churches & parents must fight to protect the innocence of children. I'd encourage you to read what Mark Batterson has to say about this.
Read article.

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Why Serve (part 4)

I spent the morning serving people in need in our city. I was reminded that one of the best ways to connect with people is to serve alongside them. I knew everyone on my team, but I hadn't had the opportunity to do something like this with most of them. It was great to have lots of time visiting as we painted, pulled weeds and raked leaves. I loved getting to get a better glimpse of their hearts. Our team worked hard, were great with the kids there, and did great in interacting with the people we served. I was really surprised when I looked at my watch, as we were working, and realized how quick time had flown by. Time flies when you are having fun, and we were. It was an awesome morning.

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Why Serve (part 3)

I wonder if there were some lukewarm followers of Jesus who loved to hear his profound teachings, but took off as soon as he started doing the dirty work of ministry (caring for the sick, unclean and unloved). I wonder if some were disappointed that Jesus cut his teaching short, in order to feed the five thousand. I don't know, but I do know that when we serve, we get to experience life to the fullness. We get to experience joy, love, hope, purpose and peace. And when we miss opportunities that God puts in front of us, we miss all of that.

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Why Serve (part 2)

(This is specifically for those coming to Day of Serving.)
My sermon on Sunday will be 2 minutes long.

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Why Serve (part 1)

We can’t understand the Gospel message of Jesus, if we don’t serve. When we serve, we are obeying Jesus. When we obey Jesus, we love Him, and He allows us to know Him more (see John 14:21).

It is crystal clear in the Scriptures that God commands us to care for people in need. It’s one of the reasons that we are having our Day of Serving on Sunday. If you come, I think the following things will happen:

1. You will understand God more.
2. You will obey God’s command to care for others.
3. Your heart will be softened for people.
4. You will enjoy fellowship with each other.
5. You will contribute to this church family, to our community and to the Kingdom of God.
6. You will get a little chilly (so bring a jacket).

Some of you might be unsure about it, and I want to challenge you to pray about where that uncertainty is coming from. Others have experienced the joy of serving like this before and can’t wait, and I want to challenge you to be encouraging & inviting to others.

As for me, I couldn’t fall asleep last night because I kept thinking about the opportunities in front of us, and the families who need some care.

I can’t wait to serve with you at 9:00 AM on Sunday.

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It Worked!

A group of church friends took Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University last year, and it was very helpful for us. But we hadn't been able to try the smart way of making a bigger purchase (which is a good thing cause we haven't needed to make any). The basic idea...
-Most people finance large purchases which means they pay interest (and often late penalties too). Which means they pay more than the full price.
-The FPU way is to save in advance, instead of spending it on monthly payments with interest, and when you have it, shop around. Tell the stores that you won't need financing and you can give them cash right now, so they should charge you less (cause they won't have to wait to get your money).

With our growing family, we decided months ago that we were going to need a bigger table. I realized that I've actually never spent a dime on dining room furniture, which seemed to make this a little easier. Anyway, we saved & I started shopping around four or five weeks ago. I hadn't had any luck bargaining, but I'd still felt a sense of freedom when I left a store, money still in hand. But yesterday, I tried again with a table that Beth & I really liked. It's sturdy, rounded (fits our space) and will allow us to have our family and some guests around it. It was pre-owned (for 2 days) so the price was already dropped. I had my cell phone calculator help me figure out the cost of the table, chairs & a bench that we wanted. It was quite a bit more than what I had budgeted, so I told him I couldn't do that, but that I didn't need financing and could pay him right there if he could come down on the price to meet my budget. He gave me a store coupon, plus a group discount (never would have thought to ask for this) and it ended up well under our budget. I accepted real quick. We ended up getting it all for about 25% less than the listed price. Yippee!
After he asked if I wanted it delivered, I said, "I'm assuming that will cost something." He said, "Yes."
Me, "No thanks, I can borrow a truck." Him, "How much would you be willing to pay for delivery?" This was funny. His whole approach changed. I'm sure he usually doesn't offer this. Anyway, he came down from $75 to $45, but I still declined - thanks to my great Father-in-law, who lets me borrow his truck.

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Political Commercials: How about a little creativity, folks?

If ever there was an example of people lacking any sort of ability to think outside of the box - it's political commercials. Just about all political commercial insult my intelligence. They assume that I'll be swayed by oversimplifications, mood lighting or background music. Is there only one media company that makes everyone's commercials? (I can almost picture them saying, "OK, we need to make a commercial for Bob Dole. Let's use the Jesse Jackson commercial we used ten years ago and just change the faces we show and names we use...") To me, this all reflects a lack of innovation, clear thinking & respect for people's intelligence (which I suppose can be debated). I actually am bringing this up because I think it' reflects how poorly most people think creatively. But since we are on the subject of political commercials, I thought I'd list my least favorite things in political commercials:

1. Opponents face being shown with a fuzzy, shaky & dark picture; scary music playing; ominous voice saying something like, "John Doe wants to tazer your children..." (Ooooh! Scary! Thanks so much for playing with our emotions...)

2. Sarcastic female voice with circus music in the background - all implying that a candidate is a clown. (Who is this woman with the sarcastic voice? How did she get this job? Her resume reads, "Have been 'sarcastic voice' in commercials for last 6 presidents.")

3. Soaring music with candidate & family, all holding hands while walking in a park. (I always wonder how much the 16 year old son must have hated having to be in these commercials. Apparently, you have to go on long walks in the Autumn, while holding hands with your family, to run for office.)

4. A candidate making, "I believe" statements, instead of giving any specifics. For example, "I believe Oklahomans deserve a good future; I believe we should have the best teachers in our city; I believe change is needed in Washington; I believe families are important..." (Belief is important. The problem is that these statements are ways for candidates to be vague and to not have to commit to any sort of plan. It also lets them imply that their opponent is against our future, our schools & our families. I thought Giuliani's first successful run for the Mayor of NY was one of the few exceptions. He clearly stated a few things that he would do. People knew what he said he'd do, not just what he believed. He won the race. He's far from the perfect politician - but he got it right this time. Funny how few learned from him.)

Just so you know, I'm not against political activism (even been part of some), as long as we never make the mistake of assuming that it will change hearts. Only Jesus can do that.

OK. Wanna add to my list? What did I miss?

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Feeding Football Guys

I read a summary of a guy who shared a testimony at a conference this week. It was just too good to not pass on. Nothing inspires me more than seeing someone "being Jesus" to others (sometimes in creative ways.)

-Speaker: Chris Conlee, High Point Church, Memphis, TN

-Memphis is still very racially divided.

-Every vision comes from a well-defined problem.

-One man in the church, who grew up without a father, saw a problem. Over half the high school football players played their Friday night games on an empty stomach. The coaches won't let them go home, but also don't have the money to feed them.

-This man made a difference. He began to rally people to invest in the students and prepare meals for them on Friday.

-We had a vision not to just be the great White church coming to help...but to really make a difference over the long-haul.

-It took awhile, but last December, two young African-American men came to know Jesus.

-The young men jumped in, got involved, they helped them get in college, helped them get cars and get involved. They don't teach you that in seminary.

-Ministry is so much more holistic when you get involved in peoples' lives.

-People think there are limitations to the gospel. When you are loving people, there are no limitations to the gospel.

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Dad for a Day

I loved reading that Vince Young took 2 boys who recently lost their father, Steve McNair, to their schools "Breakfast with Dad's." Think about the emotions that are felt on days like this, for those who don't have an active dad in their life - heartache, anger, embarrassment, awkwardness, jealousy. I'm so encouraged that Young did this. Awesome.
I'm deciding right now that I'm going to actively look for kids that I can include next time our school does this. Another good step might be to let some moms know that they could call me if their kids ever have things like this at school, and I'd love to be part of it. OK, I'm gonna find out when the next one is & write it on our calendar, so I can be intentionally thinking about this in the days leading up to it.
Anyone else in?

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Levi & Betsy

On Sunday, I will get to interview two of my favorite people. Having lived in a very challenging environment last year, and preparing to go back, they will bring a unique and insightful perspective that I think will be very helpful to us. I got to hang out with them in Joplin this morning, as we prepared for Sunday, and I'm just telling you that you'll want to be there.

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Ephesians 1 & The Grand Storyline

Yesterday we walked through Ephesians 1. It's so cool that one can draft a storyline (a timeline) of the largest events of past, present & future from this chapter. It's helpful to know The Story, so we can better understand & live-out our stories.
To hear the sermon or see an image of the Storyline click here.

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Thanks

Last night I had the opportunity to say "Thanks" to a group of my brothers & sisters who volunteer their hearts, souls, minds and hands in order to minister to others. It was so much fun to go the extra mile to appreciate them. Do you need to say "Thank you," to someone today? Get on it.

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