Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Resolutions


Hard to believe that we are at the cusp of the last year of the first decade of the 21st century, I remember the '80's! I often spend more time working on my New Year's Resolutions than trying to keep them, this year is different for several reasons.

-I'm getting better at keeping my resolutions, when I look back at my goals for '08, I'm pretty happy with the results!

-My resolutions are fewer this year

-I'm not spending much time on them, so should be assured that I'll spend at least as much time working on their fulfillment.

As some of you read last week, the overarching theme for the year is to clean out the attic and basement of my life which I am consolidating into improving spiritual and physical health.
So without further delay, here is my list of Resolutions for 2009--


1. spend more time in prayer and devotions--goal is 30 minutes daily

2. Exercise daily, I've got some specific targets here that I won't bore you with, but thanks to the Nike+ will be easy to track!

3. Be more intentional in spending QUALITY time with my family


That's it. I could go on to very specific detail, add additional goals of financial, professional, and other areas of focus, but I'm going to resist the urge to broaden my scope. If I can get into great spiritual and physical condition and spend good time with my family...everything else will take care of itself!


HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Monday, December 29, 2008

Top 3 #13

In review of my first year in the blogosphere, (actually 5 months)...I thought an appropriate way to end the year was with a list of--

Top 3 Blog posts from yourethepoint

First a couple side notes/stats, since my first post in late July, there have been over1,200 visits to the blog by 800 unique users (which means a lot of people found it and didn't come back!) Average visit lasted right at 4 minutes and came from 27 states and 11 foreign countries. Top states that sent visitors to my online world are mostly obvious with the southeast being the primary home of my readers, but California also sent a strong contingent (Hello) with Michigan and New York being the other non-CSA (That's Confederate States of America not Community Supported Agriculture, in this instance) states in the top ten. I'm a little surprised at all of these numbers...I started this as a sort of online journal, but after looking at this I'm realizing I should probably start using spellcheck!

3.TIE---Lakewood Church and Top 3 #9-- I have talked about starting a more regular review of churches I visit, but have yet to do so, based on these results, maybe the world IS ready?

2. Time Management--we all need to do a better job at this one, the most valuable asset we have, and too often we burn/waste it.

1. Christmas Presents--This is cool because it was also one of my favorite posts!

Honorable mention--the next highest number of visits also happened to be the highest total for my series of reviews of great southern cities, the review of Charleston, SC...also one of my top three southern cities...but that's a story for another day.

Thank you for spending a few minutes with me online this year!

Sunday, December 28, 2008

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself. What one can BE, one must BE." --Abraham Maslow

Friday, December 26, 2008

RUN




As you have probably noticed, I have a new virtual me on the right of this page which (in theory) will help hold me accountable to run more often and with my Nike + on to track progress. I've also registered to run the Country Music Marathon in Nashville, TN, on April 25th, 2009. I last ran a marathon in December 2002...Yikes!

Thursday, December 25, 2008

'Tis the season

to...
Overindulge
Spend
Speed
Rush

May you take the time today to overindulge in family, spend time with those that matter most, speed through the gifts and into the fellowship, and rush to a time of reflection and thankfulness for all that you have.

Merry Christmas

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Last time....this year

New Orleans, LA




This is the War and Peace of southern cities...The best of times and the worst of times, and you could also write a thousand pages about it! It is both one of my favorites and also one of the places where you can see poverty, crime, and destruction at levels not seen in other U.S. cities.


Every time I go, leave, or think about New Orleans, I am moved.




To Do--There is no shortage of sights, sounds, and experiences in the Crescent City. There are already lots of lists out there of things to do and see in New Orleans, but for me...Every trip must include...A walk through the French Quarter (where there are lots of cool shops, especially for Antiques) ending up in Jackson Square and strolling over to Cafe Du Monde for one of the best bargains around, an order of Beignets and a Chicory Coffee. They have a nice Casino right downtown, Harrah's. Take a riverboat or swamp cruise, golf, ride a carriage, or just about anything you could want to do, it can be done in New Orleans. End up on Bourbon Street and ignore the girls and head for one of the several great music establishments featuring live jazz and blues nightly. The Hornets and Saints feed the pro sports appetite, and Tulane also sports some solid teams as do the minor league baseball Zephyrs the AAA affiliate of the NY Mets. There's also a Zoo, aquarium, and several museums including the World War II museum. The most fun filled, always open, city in the South.


To Eat-- What they have to do is eclipsed by what they have to eat, I would place it second only to NYC in the U.S. for access to world class food. Of course there are the Brennan's, Emeril, and where Ruth got her Chris Steakhouse, but there are also some PHENOMENAL spots not associated with any of the aforementioned. In the Garden District, a neat primarily residential area of the city with some AWESOME mansions and squares, there are a couple great eats including Commander's Palace (25 cent martini lunch!), Brigtsen's, Gautreau's, and Jacques-Imo's. In the French Quarter there is an overwhelming array of gastro-decisions to be made, the best can be found at GW Fins, Louisiana Bistro, and Yo-Mama's (Not a joke). There's also the famous Acme Oyster House and one of my favorites for a good meal and some fun people watching, Brennan's Bourbon House Seafood...speaking of Dickie Brennan, he is also the purveyor of my favorite steakhouse in the city, the aptly named Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse. Muriel's on Jackson Square is a cool spot too. It's tough to find a bad meal in New Orleans!


To Stay-- Like the things to do and eat, there is no shortage of great options to lay down at the end of a fun and food filled day in the Big Easy. My favorites include the Homewood Suites, Crowne Plaza Astor (on the corner of Bourbon and Canal), and Riverfront Westin. Harrah's, Hilton, and Marriott also have flagship properties right in the middle of the action. Unlike a bad meal, you can find a bad bed here, so spend a few minutes checking this piece out, but there are lots of great options to help complete an all around great trip to New Orleans.


Enjoy it(I know I have)... This place is the BEST!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Attics and Basements

This was one of the very first blog posts I started, it has evolved a good bit, but it's time to throw it out there in its half baked state.

Most houses have an attic or a basement, some (including mine) have both. I've been talking about finishing our basement since we moved into the house three years ago, to date it looks a lot like it did when we moved in with only minor improvements. Our attic is under insulated and next week I'm renting a blower and adding a few inches of Cellulose insulation to improve our energy efficiency. This time spent in examining and planning about the Attic and Basement got me thinking, (dangerous, I know)...

These places are often colder or hotter than the rest of the house, dark, damp, generally unpleasant places to hangout...so we don't. My wife and son are afraid of the basement, I have a bit of an attic phobia myself. Needless to say, they don't spend much time in the basement, and I've been in the attic all of once since we've been in this house.

These are not places we like to spend time, but they are places where problems appear before making it to the rest of the house where you live.

Had I not inspected the attic, I would have never found the source of a water leak that would have eventually made itself known in the way of a collapsed bedroom ceiling, the damage would have been far greater if left un-inspected and un-treated. I also wouldn't have noticed that there was obviously not enough insulation which is causing us to use more energy heating and cooling than necessary, our heat pump is working harder than it should because of my negligence and nervousness to go into the attic. Something that has cost us for three years could have been fixed much sooner with a simple trip to the attic.

Our basement is pretty nice, well lit, daylight, great space...but, I have constant issues with BUGS getting in, I don't even know where they come in, but they keep coming back if I let it go more than a month without spraying a barrier all the way around. I also watch it closely for water seepage in the block, due to my paranoia at a wet basement like I experienced in two prior homes...water in the basement= NOT FUN! If we were to let standing water stay in a basement, eventually it would weaken the foundation of the entire house, serious problem.
One of the double edged swords of having a large basement is that my wife thinks its a great excuse to keep EVERYTHING...seriously!

We have boxes, bins, shelves...full of stuff we haven't looked at in years and have obviously survived without for a long while, and yet we hold on to it.

So, this helped me realize that I have some attics and basements in my life...
Areas that I avoid...they aren't fun, it hurts to go there, its too hot or cold, uncomfortable, so I don't go there, and I try to not even think about them...they scare me and... there are some things I'm holding onto, way down in the basement, sealed up, "just in case"...I don't need it...I don't need to have it around, but I won't let it go...I could go on, but you get IT!

My new years resolutions are going to involve cleaning out the attic and basement in my house... and in my LIFE...

Monday, December 22, 2008

Top 3 # 12

Since Christmas is just a few days away...

Top 3 Credit Cards

3. Home Depot Card--I use this one a couple times a year to make a larger purchase at the big orange box. Interest rates are HIGH, but you get 6 months no interest on any purchase over $299 and they sometimes offer 12 months and 10% off coupons, I just used one to buy a front load washer, because I bought it on the card I got the 10% off, free delivery, and I can pay for it over 6 months interest free.

2. American Express Blue/skymiles/hhonors--The blue card gives you cash back bonuses and the skymiles and hhonors card can get you that dream vacation, but both will cost you in the long run if you use them any other way than to PAY OFF EVERY MONTH IN FULL! Also AMEX is big on annual fees...don't go there.

1. Gas company cards--shell,bp, exxon, all have cards that give a decent rebate of 1-5% on gas purchases, again great tool as long as you pay it off in full EVERY time.

I HATE the credit card industry, I think it's right up there with pornography in its detrimental effect on people and relationships. I do realize that people use them though and it you're gonna use them, the right way is to pay in full and get something in return that's why the points, rebates, and extended interest free periods on the cards mentioned make them the best choices...but still only if you pay them off in full every month, like I've said before, if you don't have the money to pay cash you shouldn't buy it!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Friday, December 19, 2008

Music




I was debating whether to finish a post I started earlier when I started humming a song from a movie I just saw, it changed my mind...


I'm a pretty big music lover, not quite to the level of my father in law who has every album produced from 1973 to present (well almost), but my taste include everything from Keith Green to Kanye West. My Ipod play lists look like they belong to someone with multiple personalities, I mean what normal person would go from Rascall Flats to Hillsong to Swiss Beatz? Due to my varied, wide, and eclectic taste in music, it should come as no surprise that I've always been a fan of musicals.


It started in High School when our drama department did Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Into the Woods (still a favorite of mine), but really blossomed after college when I spent a summer in NYC and saw at least one show every week. Some good, some bad, nearly all very entertaining.


Last week my wife and I, along with James and Angela Laws, went to see the travelling production of the "Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp Sensation" Movin' Out at Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga. It was less of a traditional musical and more of a concert with choreographed dance helping tell the story in the foreground. It was the most un-traditional "musical" I've ever seen, but by the end it was also in the top half of those I'd seen due to the originality in presentation and the Billy Joel music was AWESOME. If you're not a Joel fan, this would probably be a very tough two hours to sit through!


A couple days ago my wife rented Mamma Mia! and I was seduced by it. I wanted to hate it, I did hate it, but still I find myself singing ABBA songs this morning while trying to work. It reminded me of the power of music...


There is a cool movie, actually a "Rockumentary" that came out in October- CALL+RESPONSE.

I heard the director, Justin Dillon, at a conference and he distilled the truth I've always known but never put into words... Music has the power to enter our subconscious and go around our defenses unlike anything else, we can ignore a pleading orator, close our eyes, or walk away, but music will pierce your soul, It stays with you.


Be careful what you listen too, it WILL change you...whether you like it or not. Mamma Mia, here I go again...

Thursday, December 18, 2008

To Do Today

Here is a snapshot of my Thursday--

Get up and limp to the treadmill for a 30 minute walk/jog/run/jog/walk
Get on the ablounger for 100 crunches
go upstairs and shower
go downstairs and do devotions and write blog post
stay downstairs and check email, return some phone calls, and other various work
pick up my parents at the airport with Alex and Rob
have lunch with them
go to home depot for a dishwasher for a rental unit
go back to the house to work and check email some more
pay the bills
do another 100 crunches on the ablounger
Start cooking dinner
welcome my wife home and have dinner
go upstairs and check email and work while they watch TV
a day in the life...

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

car shopping


Starting to think about replacing the vehicle(s)


Hers--Mazda5, Ford Escape Hybrid, Saturn Vue Hybrid


His--Mercedes E320 Bluetec Diesel, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid...


Another interesting option is the ZAP! Xebra electric vehicle and my previously mentioned foray into importing a smart car knock off from China...we'll see.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

new today

Well....

Since my last random update, I've...

Given away a few shower heads to help people save water...if they don't use them I'll be upset!

Purchased a new LG Energy star Washer and Ultra low flow toilet both from Home Depot.

Finished my Christmas shopping, which consisted entirely of products from sources recommended in a previous post.

Played a very violent game of the board game RISK at a Christmas Party.

Spent some time shopping for a car on ebay, I'm intrigued by the Mercedes E320 Bluetec Diesel (may try to save up for that one when it's my turn!) but since it's for the wife, probably looking at a Saturn Vue Hybrid or Ford Escape Hybrid. Hybrid prices have come down ALOT in the last couple months as gas prices have dropped!

I've also purchased a ball and burlap Christmas tree and signed up to receive produce from a local CSA next year...

GOOD TIMES!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Top 3 #11




Since we're less than two weeks from Christmas and most of what I do between now and then will involve the items on today's list I've decided to share...


Top 3 Christmas Movies


I decided to do two separate lists, one for older Christmas films and one for the newer ones since they are so different.


Classics--


3. A Christmas Carol--One of the all time classic stories, it has been made into several films, but the 1984 version with George C. Scott is my favorite.


2. Miracle on 34th St--Another one that was remade, but the original is classic.


1. It's a Wonderful Life-- Every time a bell rings...and you gotta love the black & white


Honorable Mention--White Christmas



Newer


3. Fred Claus-- Very funny and original concept, even if Vince Vaughn once again simply plays himself.


2. Home Alone-- They made too many of them, but the first one was pretty great when it came along.


1. Elf-- One of my favorite movies, period!


Honorable Mention-- How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Jim Carrey)

Sunday, December 14, 2008

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Something I'm thinking about ALOT right now...

"Good is the Enemy of Great"--Jim Collins

Friday, December 12, 2008

In case you hadn't heard about it...


Hope you can make it...it's gonna be FUN, and I'm wearing the most RIDICULOUS Sweater you will EVER see!

Starbucks, Gap and Converse?

What do they have in common, they are all part of the (RED) campaign to eliminate AIDS in Africa...

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Buy Shoes. Save Lives.

This is one of the coolest things EVER, not only are they helping kids in IRAQ, providing a distribution channel for Iraqi product (creating jobs), but they are also working towards reconcilliation as the heart surgergies are performed in ISRAEL.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Another group I'm a fan of...

We bought some Christmas cards and gifts from this one, makes me wish I had thought of it!!

Monday, December 8, 2008

Electric Cars

I've been increasingly interested in THE electric car (yes, even with gas prices at 2002 levels). Looks like there LOTS of companies trying to make a go of it, but only a couple that are actually delivering anything of value at the moment, the most interesting to me is ZAP!, they have a vehicle, the Xebra, that is available today that can go 40mph and 30 miles on a charge, both suitable numbers for around town driving, all while carrying up to four passengers with a price tag under $12k!

I'm gonna keep checking but may end up importing a smart car look alike from China for about $6k...they get a little cheaper if I buy them in bulk...anybody want in?

Top 3 #10




By now, most of you know my stance on the consumerism of the Christmas season (I LOATHE it), but I still feel compelled to share the following list.

Top 3

MOST POPULAR toys for Christmas

3. Wii-- This one has been big the last couple of years and is still outselling the Xbox 360 and PS3 by WIDE margins...with this one at least you get some level of physical activity out of it!

2. Kids digital camera--several manufacturers are making them, Vtech and Fischer Price have the most popular models to get your 3-8 year old photographer started... we may end up getting one of these for our son (in spite of my protest).

1. Elmo LIVE-- Seriously, How many more of these can they make...every year a new Elmo with a few new features and a higher price tag, this one retails for $60...if you can find it.

So there it is, but thankfully this year's list is devoid of an item which is causing stampedes and robberies, but for BETTER gift ideas check out my previous Christmas presents post.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

I'm really enjoying the Message translation of the The Bible...

"Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity." --Luke 6:37-38

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Buy one, Give one

I get laughed at every time I wear mine, until I tell the story, then people go buy themselves a pair!

Friday, December 5, 2008

Birmingham, AL



You can't spend too much time talking about southern cities without mentioning Birmingham, Alabama. So here is my take on the former iron and steel town which is also referred to by locals as the Magic City. The headquarters of Southern Living Magazine is here and it has done a better job than some other cities of maintaining a "southern" feel.
While it ranks up there just below Nashville and Charlotte in metro population, I've always found B'ham to be a little lacking in the fun department...but I find myself there a few times a year for work so here it goes...

To DO--They have a solid zoo, nice shopping areas at Riverchase mall and the Summit, and the Civil Rights Institute is a good place to get a sense of some of the important things that have happened here in the past. For Golf, the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail winds through the area and mixes some world class courses with very reasonable rates. If you are a NASCAR fan, get your fix at Talladega less than an hour east of downtown, it's not my thing, but to those in the know it's among the best! The Barons play AA baseball here, and it's a good show, there is also thriving arts and entertainment area around the UAB, the local extension of the University system. One of my favorite sites in town is the Vulcan statue pictured at the top of this post, it's the world's largest cast iron statue and you get some pretty nice views of the valley from the park as well, it's a constant reminder of the city's former importance in steel working. If you find yourself downtown after dark looking for something to do, there are several options in the bar/club/lounge scene, Bell Bottoms, Blue Monkey, and the Burly Earl are all fun. College Football is a religion around here, and you have two denominations, Auburn and Alabama, the game is sometimes played in Birmingham, and if you ever get a chance do WHATEVER it takes to go to this one.
To EAT--What they lack in big city sophistication they make up for in down home cookin' (meaning grease), but seriously, this is like most southern cities in that they can cook! Highlands Bar and Grill is a treat, and you can't go wrong with Cafe Dupont or Bottega. For steak, they do have Ruth's Chris, Flemings', and also a Shula's. La Dolce Vita, Village Tavern, and Bellini's are all good local interpretations of quality. Standard Bistro has been called one of the greatest "Southern style" restaurants in the world, for a more old school meat and three try the Irondale Cafe (the inspiration for the cafe in the movie Fried Green Tomatoes). Ocean and 26 Twenty Six next door are two of my favorites in town, but for a really trendy feel, check out iCON. Can't talk about a southern city without a mention of BBQ...You've probably seen the Dreamland ads in an in-flight magazine at some point, in my opinion skip it and head to Jim n Nicks, Full Moon or Big Daddy's (recently voted best ribs in the city).
To STAY--One of the things that keeps me coming back to Birmingham (other than work!) is the Tutwiler Hotel, originally built in 1914, this is now flagged a Hampton Inn, but don't let it fool you, it is as nice as anything in town! Other downtown area hotels include the recently re flagged Doubletree, good location but nothing to write home about, and several other chain properties from Marriott and Hyatt Place. Only one B&B in the university area, Cobb Lane, has been reasonably well received. For a treat, the Renaissance Ross Bridge Spa and Golf Resort is a place you can comfortably let the wife hangout while you attend some business meetings, but it can get expensive.
That should get you started on your exploration of the largest city in Alabama, WAR EAGLE!

I'm a fan...

I'll be posting a few of these over the next few weeks from different companies, charities, etc, that I'm a fan of, this one is a great way to redirect some funds that you are already spending on an item, Coffee, to a place where it can make a difference.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

What's Goin On

Here are a few random updates on some things I've written about recently and what's next...

I just finished negotiations with my wife on some Christmas gifts, she's still buying some baubles for family but from better sources, Tradeasone and Corridorofhope.

I'm REALLY enjoying the new 1.6GPM shower head we have in our bathroom and we had company recently and they had nothing but good things to say about the one I installed in the guest room. One of the best purchases I've made in a while, better than the old one we had and saving tons of water and lowering the bill at the same time! Also happy with the faucet aerators I installed, easy and unnoticeable way to save water.

Researching the new solar power incentives that were passed with the HUGE government bailout (maybe something good will come out of it after all), they removed the $2,000 cap on the tax credit for 2009.

Working today on finishing up the scheduling for an Atlanta trip next week for work, it's my last one before Christmas so it's gonna be a busy few days, 15 or so ministries in 2 1/2 days. Then hafta do some office cleaning...it's outta control.

Starting to do some planning for finishing out a bedroom and bathroom in the basement and getting the upstairs rearranged for baby Ben. Gonna try to use some innovative products in the renovation like denim insulation, concrete stain or bamboo flooring, and decking made from recycled materials.

Making some better recycling bins for glass, aluminum, and paper at the house. Also working on the wife to start composting...

Spending some time the next couple days working on some AWESOME stuff we're doing at Lifepoint the next couple weeks, if you've been thinking about it, THIS is the weekend to check it out! Also gonna have a great Christmas Concert next Sunday, the 14th, and give away some cool stuff like an IPOD and some gift cards, as well as coffee from my favorite and a few of the low flow shower heads I've been bragging about.

That's it for now....

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Why YOU FAIL...OR how to SUCCEED



I had started this post a while back and just ran into a post by Tony Morgan that was a much better version of what I was working on. So I decided to cut and paste some of his and add a bit of mine in as well.


We have all failed, some more than others, and it is rarely fun. It can however be something that can lead to greater success in the future if we learn from our mistakes and failures. In an attempt to help you avoid some of the mistakes I've made in starting businesses, pastoring, managing teams, and even leading fraternity brothers on Spring Break trips, here is a list of things that will INCREASE your chance of failure (so you should try to avoid them), followed by some thoughts on each.


These are not in any particular order...


1. It’s not your passion. If it doesn’t make your heart beat fast or cause your mind to race when you’re trying to sleep, you’re probably doing the wrong thing. That's OK for small things, but never make the ONE thing something that doesn't absolutely energize you.
2. You don’t have a plan. You need a vision, and you need to identify specific steps to make that vision become reality. That includes a financial plan. This is one of the most IMPORTANT pieces to work on before you even think about moving on any action items.Planning is to Success what location is to Real Estate.
3.You’re waiting for it to be perfect. Test-drive it. Beta-test it You’ll fall into the trap of inaction if you think it has to be absolutely right from day one. This is where many people stop, they are so afraid of failure that they are paralyzed by moving their simply very good idea forward hoping to tweak it to perfection.
4. You’re not willing to work hard. Everything worth pursuing in my life has involved discipline and perseverance. It's a bit cliched, but nothing in life worth having is free. I've done many things with varying degrees of success, the best results have always followed the best efforts.
5. It’ll outgrow you. Keep learning. Keep growing. But more importantly, build a team of people including leaders that can be who you’re not. This has been a BIG weakness of mine, I'm competent enough to think I don't need much help, which makes me pretty incompetent at really blowing something up HUGE. This is the Field of Dreams, Build the Team, success will come.
6. You’ve had success in the past. People and organizations have a tendency to hang on to a good idea for too long. Time passes. Momentum fades. It’s risky to let go of the past and jump on the next wave. The enemy of the Great is the Good, we often stop short of the full level of success that we could attain if we just kept pushing.
7. You’re unwilling to stop doing something else. Complexity is easy. Simplicity takes discipline. You can’t build a healthy marriage if you’re unwilling to give up dating other women. Who/what do you need to stop dating? I get lots of ideas, I dabble with projects, I always have lots of "irons in the fire", don't follow that lead. Ask yourself "What is the one thing I can do better than anyone else?" Do that with all your might!
8. You won’t build a team of friends. Anyone can hire from a resume. You need to find people you want to share life with. In the long run, great relationships will get you out of bed in the morning. This one challenges me, I'm good at relationships to a certain depth, I am working to go deeper, it will help in almost every area of life. BUT, while trust is of the utmost importance, competence is also needed, don't hire you're buddies just to hang out, you're looking for people who can actually help!
9. You won’t have the tough conversations. When breakdown happens (and it always does), someone needs to put on their big-boy pants and initiate the difficult conversation that leads to relational healing. This works best when you've followed the advice above and the people in the room have relationships beyond the issues at hand.

10. You're will not HIS will. I almost left this out as it won't be popular if you aren't a "person of faith", but I've learned the hard way, no matter how prepared, competent, cash infused, team surrounded, I am, if it's just me it will never be all it could and should be. Find His will for you, and I guarantee Success.

11. You Give up too soon. This is frightening to me, because we never know how many times we've failed at the cusp of the breakthrough, when we don't push to the limits and beyond, we'll never know how great the win could be. If you've done all the other things, and you're convinced it's the right thing, don't stop, KEEP GOING.

12. You Don't take breaks. We've all heard of burnout, but it takes on a whole new meaning when you've experienced it. We were made with REST as an integral part of our needs. If you ignore it too long...YOU WILL FAIL.
13. You’re afraid of failure. When fear consumes you, it will cause you to do stupid things. You’ll let negativity distract you. You’ll embrace the known, and grow comfortable with mediocrity. The more often you fail, though, the more often you’ll find success. Since I've failed a lot, it's time to try some new things, I'm DUE a WIN...


So... don't do the things in bold and you will save yourself from much of the mess I've made and experienced. Get out there and MAKE IT HAPPEN! Know that you will fail, but every failure brings you closer to the ultimate Successes waiting just around the bend, hopefully this list will straighten the road.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Podcasts, Prayer, and Play



I listen to a lot of preaching, it's a little odd. I grew up in a Pastor's home and even lived in the church most of my early childhood, I heard a lot of preaching. Once we moved to Tennessee, when I was eleven, we still went to church regularly, but it moved from being a central part of my life to the periphery. Through High School I was a good student and all around decent person, no sex, drugs, or alcohol, I was in AP classes and even the SHOW CHOIR!


I had a full ride to attend a respectable university, registered for classes, and then changed my mind at the last minute to stay closer to home, I actually received my transcript with all W's in late October from the other school. I made it through my first year of college without falling into many of the "normal" social ills that befall the average college kid experiencing freedom for the first time. Between my freshman and sophomore year of college I went to Army Basic Training in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. It was one of the lowest and highest points of my life. I was completely physically broken, but emerged with a new confidence in God and myself.


What had given me a new confidence in my leadership and physical ability ultimately led me into a period of serious missteps, I emerged from college miraculously without any STD's. I then spent the next few years driven to "get ahead" and make as much money as possible. About three years ago, I took a job which again found me listening to lots of preaching, I even started doing some myself. Now I am involved in a great church, and still enjoy listening to several podcasts regularly, I guess I'm unique in that I need about 8 sermons a week to keep me straight. My favorites are...


Craig Groeschel
Rob Bell
Steven Furtick
Perry Noble
Dino Rizzo
Greg Surratt


Favorite line this week...

"Many of you will spend more time watching DVR shows today than you'll spend all week in Prayer...average person spends 6 hours a week shopping, 40 minutes a week Playing with your kids."-- Craig Groeschel

Monday, December 1, 2008

Top 3 #9

As you may have gathered by now, there is very little rhyme or reason to my topics on this blog and especially in my weekly top threes'. That's why I wrote an awesome senior essay on James Joyce and Virginia Wolf that secured my AP English success. And I'm also a big fan of extremely long titles, like my ever popular work, Machiavellian influences on Shakespearean Literature and their role on the development of modern Social Ethos.

So, this week's top three is near and dear to my heart....

TOP THREE Church planting organizations in the U.S. (confused?)

In order to be considered for my list, the organization had to do more than just offer conferences and free resources (although those are helpful), they had to actually provide funding and some level of accountability/oversight/ongoing help. Here we go...

3. Several Denominations--I couldn't make this list if it wasn't for the poor job some churches have done in encouraging new and relevant ministry, that being said, I think many are waking up, the North American Mission Board (Southern Baptist), has become pretty aggressive. As have several more pentecostal churches including the Assemblies and Church of God, though they are all playing catch up, but do provide a solid accountability structure as well as financial support.

2. Acts 29 Network-- Large network, well established, doing some very cool stuff. I'm a little uneasy with their stance on the role of women in ministry (They put some restrictions), but this is a fast growing group of churches reaching a lot of people. A cool example of one of their churches is Vintage 21 in Raleigh, NC, probably their most recognizable church is Mars Hill, in Seattle, WA.

1. Association of Related Churches, ARC-- Not just because they have a ton of great guys like Dino Rizzo, Stovall Weems, and Greg Surratt, among others, but because these guys are getting it DONE. Goal to plant 2000 churches by 2020, but they are also planting vibrant growing churches that seem to have a trajectory to really make a difference! A good example of an ARC plant is DCMetro and a famous one is Seacoast in SC.

So that's what was on my mind and now on the list for this week, next week, look for something else completely unrelated to the previous week's topic.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK!

This one has been on my mind...

"Some wish to live within the sound of the Church bell, I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of the gates of hell."-- C.T. Studd

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