Does it ever really fail that when one things goes wrong, it seems like everything starts to? Especially when it comes to cars. Seriously.
A few weeks ago, we took Lacey's car to get the oil changed, only to go pick it up and find out they couldn't change it because the dipstick is broken. The dipstick is broken; how random. Not the end of the world, just frustrating. Last week, I stopped to get gas on my way home from work and got back in my car only to find it would not start. Geez. There goes the old fuel pump and on comes another one... frustrating and expensive. Then it's time for my normal, routine oil change this week, yet to once again get a call saying they can't change my oil. I supposedly have a massive oil leak, although I didn't see it. I'll find out today whether I do or not.
When it rains, it pours. You can almost always count on it. Take it to the bank. But as almost certain as negative things seems to pile up, God has been even more faithful. Always taking care of us and blessing us in a multitude of ways.
A couple years ago I got a hold of a free copy of Transformation by Bob Roberts. I had never heard of Bob or the church he pastors (Northwood Church, Keller TX). I in all honesty took the book on vacation expecting it to be a quick, easy read. I was interested in the book but had no idea what to expect.
The book changed my life. It changed my thought processes. It changed the way I viewed ministry.
Speed forward a couple years to the present. I have been in contact with Northwood's Church Planting Director over the last month learning about the way they train church planters and what opportunity I might have to learn.
After going through an initial interview and some online assessment, I'm excited because I've been extended an invitation to be a part of their internship program. I will make the trek to Keller every Wednesday night from September-May to learn from a great church truly making a difference not only in church planting but individual, community, social, and governmental development and influence. The internship is supposed to end with a trip to Vietnam.
I can't even describe how instrumental I feel this experience will be in my life. So excited and can't wait to start.
I received this email today at work. Thought I'd pass along the funniness I found in it.
Animal Control has caught a skunk in the trap on the west side of Claxton. They will be euthanizing the skunk using a small 410 gage shot gun. If you hear the shot do not be alarmed.
In The Truth About Managing People, Stephen Robbins writes of a number of lessons learned in managing people. As with a lot of conflict, whether it's at work, with family members or spouses, or friends, many of the them are caused by poor listening skills or refusing to listen altogether.
Here are 8 tips to improve your listening skills.
Make eye contact.
Exhibit affirmative head nods and appropriate facial expressions.
Avoid distracting actions or gestures.
Ask questions.
Paraphrase.
Avoid interrupting the speaker.
Don't overtalk.
Make smooth transitions between the roles of speaker and listener.
For me, I probably need to work most on showing appropriate facial expressions and avoid interrupting the speaker.
What about you? What listening skills do you need to improve?
Saturday, we hit the ground running with our Launch Team Development meeting.
At this month's Launch Team Development, we focused on continuing to paint a picture of The Crossing, equipping our volunteer, and growing together as a team.
As we continue to prepare for our first public service coming us this Sunday, August 24, this meeting provided clear(er) direction and instruction. I know our time together was essential for smooth operation and production of the first preview service.
Zach continued to cast the vision of the church, and it was cool to roll up with our new truck and two new trailers full of Portable Church equipment.
Pulled pretty much everything to detail setup instructions and hopefully make our first setup so much easier. Minus a split toenail and ran over heel, I think we are good.
I'm an avid reader and would maybe consider myself a blog-oholic. I read because I love the exposure to new ideas that challenge me and stretch me in my personal development and in my leadership capacity.
Mark is the lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington DC. NCC meets in movie theaters at metro stops throughout the city, as well as in a church-owned coffee house near Union Station.
I was privileged to receive a preview copy of Mark's latest book, Wild Goose Chase, which will be released on August 19.
The Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit that translates to "the Wild Goose." In Mark's book, Wild Goose Chase he drives home the point that much like a wild goose, the Holy Spirit cannot be tamed, and there always seems to be a hint of unpredictability.
Mark retraces stories from Scripture of individuals who followed the Spirit's promptings wherever it took them... no matter the cost, no matter the uncertainty, no matter the challenge, and no matter the unexplainable leading it contained. Somewhere in their pursuit of God, these individuals cared more about living dangerously smart for God than simply playing it safe.
One phrase in particular sums up the book for me. "At some point in our lives, most of stop asking questions and start making assumptions."
Wild Goose Chase is all about not making assumptions about the way God works and being available whenever and however He directs your life. The Holy Spirit is going to direct, but we must be the ones to respond to the adventure of God.
Overall, Mark has a lot of good things to say that will challenge the way you live, though parts of it do seem redundant. I'd definitely recommend reading Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson. Quick easy read that will challenge you to pursue God adventurously. For more resources about Wild Goose Chase, be sure and visit chasethegoose.com.
This past week Lacey and I traveled to Springfield, MO for her uncle's funeral. And the weekend before that, I had to attend the viewing of my former boss at Southwestern who had passed away.
Both funerals were for great men. Men who loved life and their families.
As I went to all these ceremonies and was around the families and friends of these men, a resounding thought went through my head. It's a thought, I've had before, and I'm sure most people have had. But after the day is over, we generally brush it to the back of our minds and pick back up with life.
I hate death.
Three simple words. Nothing profound or unordinary.
I hate everything about it. I hate death because of the hurt, the loss, and the void it has. It touches me even if I'm not directly involved. I see the hurt of the family and feel their pain, and it makes me hurt.
I honestly don't know how people who don't trust in God make it through difficult times. I'm so thankful that serving God not only brings me hope for today, but a hope for the future as well. I can grieve and hurt as one who has the assurance that God is with me every step of the way.
I hate death, but I'm thankful for the providence and continual presence of a great, loving God.
My wild week concluded over the weekend with the wedding of my older brother Darreth in North Little Rock, AR.
Hopefully his bum knee will recover after playing arena touch football the night before, so he can have fun on their honeymoon.
They are off to their honeymoon before they head home to Springfield, MO, where Darreth is finishing up is DPT program (Doctorate of Physical Therapy).
It was great to see people I grew up with, my family, and some close friends.
Congratulations to Darreth and Amy. And welcome to the family, Amy. You're stuck with us now. :-)
Some books greatly influence the way you think, dream, and live your life. (And yes I do know there is a new cover, but I'm highlighting the one I have.)
One of those for me is Andy Stanley'sNext Generation Leader. I've read the book probably three times now, and I'm currently working through it again. It's one of those I reread almost every year because of the timeless leadership principles taught so well in the book.
It's bigger than the church world and even leadership. The five "C" characteristics he highlights mark the people who will be successful in life and shape the future.
Courage
Clarity
Competence
Coachability
Character
What books do you reread because of the impact they have on your life?
We are fast approaching the home stretch for the launch of The Crossing Church. Crazy.
The first preview service is in 3 weeks and after that things do not slow down. Pray for us that we will continue to focus, meet deadlines, and accomplish all that God would have us to do.
Every year school rolls around, tax-free weekend hits, and families go and buy their kid's school supplies. While this is the typical practice to prepare for the upcoming school year, the reality is many families in Little Elm will be unable to pack up their kid's backpacks with their necessary supplies they need to get a quality education.
One of the values we have at The Crossing is to generously invest in others.
So, this year The Crossing is excited about the opportunity to serve the schools and families of Little Elm through our Back to School Project. We are partnering with Lakeside Junior High in Little Elm, which is also The Crossing's meeting location, to provide back to school supplies for 40 students.
Please consider how you can be involved in making the Back to School Project a success. Below you will find a list of supplies for one student at Lakeside Junior High. The approximate cost is $30 per student and will provide supplies for 1 of the 40 students.
There are two options for you to be involved:
1. Visit thecrossingchurch.tv to give $30 online to buy supplies for one student. 2. Print off the list of school supplies and purchase each item and return it to The Crossing by August 16 at the Launch Team Development Meeting.
This past week has been a lot of fun writing a lot of things on the backend for The Crossing.
Job descriptions for my team, setup assignments, service planning guides. Probably a lot of boring stuff for most people, but I'm loving the tedious process of setting us up for success (hopefully) by having written processes in place to follow.
I've been reading and learning a lot from Nelson Searcy and Paul Peterson throughout this process. Their blogs and resources have been a big help, especially when it comes to setting benchmarks and goals.
