Angela and I just a couple of weeks ago began a small group in our home for True North Church. We met tonight for the second time. I am so excited about the people that God has put together. We are learning a lot about each other and what it means to celebrate the great things God has done and is doing in our lives ... as well as what it means to comfort and encourage in the struggles of everyday life. I have always enjoyed being a part of a small group... this one feels special...
We started studying Ephesians tonight. I really enjoyed the discussion and interaction. We had a great conversation about grace and some of the monuments or memorials of grace in our lives. God always comes through!
"Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us!" Ephesians 2 (MSG)
Sunday, September 27, 2009
season is about to begin...
October 1 marks the beginning of the college basketball season. Practice begins at a full speed ahead pace. For those who don't know yet I have accepted a volunteer position at Wake Tech Community College as the Assistant Head Coach for the new basketball program. I am excited and am learning to love a group of 17 young men. It's way more than basketball to me ... these young men need lots of leadership and guidance in their lives ... many of them have experienced difficulties and challenges that we have escaped ... I am really enjoying the challenge of impacting their lives and preparing them to be great basketball players.
Anyway... looking forward to a great first season at Wake Tech. It's definitely going to be exciting. Find our schedule on the college website and come check out some games.
Anyway... looking forward to a great first season at Wake Tech. It's definitely going to be exciting. Find our schedule on the college website and come check out some games.
reunions with great people...
Yesterday Angela and I had the privilege to join a great group of folks for a short picnic time at Pullen Park in Raleigh. The group was a bunch of NC State alumni that were students involved in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship while I was on staff there. It was a lot of fun to see where life has taken so many of these students and to talk about the great successes and disappointments over the last 10-15 years ... as well as show off our children. Hope went with us and everyone thought she was beautiful... we had to show pictures of the boys to everyone... they didn't want to miss the football games on TV. Everyone said Angela had not changed at all... she still looks young and beautiful (I agree!)...
We received many thanks from various students for the time we invested in their lives during their college years. Many pointed back to those days at crucial times when they made big decisions about following Christ. I was humbled (even cried later in the day) to think about the impact we had as God used us on the campus with these students. To hear of all the ministries and churches that are being impacted by the servant hearts of these old students was incredible.
So I guess I'd like to suggest that you be alert and focused everyday... you never know what kind of impact you are having on someone watching you.
Thank you Lord for the opportunity to serve those students so many years ago! Thanks for allowing the to serve in ministries all over the world today!
We received many thanks from various students for the time we invested in their lives during their college years. Many pointed back to those days at crucial times when they made big decisions about following Christ. I was humbled (even cried later in the day) to think about the impact we had as God used us on the campus with these students. To hear of all the ministries and churches that are being impacted by the servant hearts of these old students was incredible.
So I guess I'd like to suggest that you be alert and focused everyday... you never know what kind of impact you are having on someone watching you.
Thank you Lord for the opportunity to serve those students so many years ago! Thanks for allowing the to serve in ministries all over the world today!
baseball brings back memories...
Both of my young sons are playing fall baseball this year. Noah and Nate are both following in Dad's footsteps and becoming really good little first basemen. Watching them play and practice hard ... watching them have tremendous highs following a big hit or a great fielding play ... watching them struggle emotionally after a strike out or a mistake ... all of it brings back memories. I have enjoyed watching them so much, and remembering that it is just a game ... and it is meant to be fun. I have always been so competitive and that is so hard to remember sometimes ... but I have learned to celebrate with them as they achieve and comfort them when they are disappointed.
They both have earned game balls from their respective team. I'm so proud of them... both are really good athletes... Nate struggled early on, but after some Daddy time and correcting his swing on the tee Nate is hitting the ball all over the field... they usually bat him lead-off... he is so much fun to watch. Noah's league is a bit more challenging as the kids are now pitching... he is learning to think hit versus taking a walk and is getting better at it... Noah is a phenomenal defensive player at first base - no dropped balls all season so far ... and in a 12-11 game the other night the opposing team had a chance to win in the last inning with the tying run on second base ... with 2 outs a batter hit a line drive between first and second and Noah lunged and stretched out and stabbed the ball right out of the air for the 3rd out... what a play!
If you can't tell... I really love my boys!
They both have earned game balls from their respective team. I'm so proud of them... both are really good athletes... Nate struggled early on, but after some Daddy time and correcting his swing on the tee Nate is hitting the ball all over the field... they usually bat him lead-off... he is so much fun to watch. Noah's league is a bit more challenging as the kids are now pitching... he is learning to think hit versus taking a walk and is getting better at it... Noah is a phenomenal defensive player at first base - no dropped balls all season so far ... and in a 12-11 game the other night the opposing team had a chance to win in the last inning with the tying run on second base ... with 2 outs a batter hit a line drive between first and second and Noah lunged and stretched out and stabbed the ball right out of the air for the 3rd out... what a play!
If you can't tell... I really love my boys!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
never quit...
Yesterday had a tough ending to it. If you didn't know yet... I am one of the new assistant basketball coaches at Wake Tech. It is the first year of our program, and I'm enjoying the thrills and challenges that come with coaching. Early evening on yesterday though was tough. One of our players destined to be a starter and significant scorer for our team was injured and had an MRI done yesterday. I went with him to see the doctor to have the results reviewed. His entire ACL and lateral ligaments are shot and he is done for the season.
It is difficult to face the challenge of losing him for the team's sake, but seeing the devastation on his face and in his demeanor was really tough. You could tell that he was just ready to throw in the towel and give it up. I found myself trying to be an encourager (a cheerleader of sorts) to spur him on to crash through this quitting point and never quit. Reconstructive surgery, rehab and 6-9 months later he could be playing again. Staying focused and never quitting is the main deal right now for him.
The situation caused me to think about life and the journey of following Christ. I prayed for the ability to stay focused and determined and to never quit.
"... start running - and never quit! ... Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed - that exhilarating finish in and with God - he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever ... " Heb 12:1-2 MSG
It is difficult to face the challenge of losing him for the team's sake, but seeing the devastation on his face and in his demeanor was really tough. You could tell that he was just ready to throw in the towel and give it up. I found myself trying to be an encourager (a cheerleader of sorts) to spur him on to crash through this quitting point and never quit. Reconstructive surgery, rehab and 6-9 months later he could be playing again. Staying focused and never quitting is the main deal right now for him.
The situation caused me to think about life and the journey of following Christ. I prayed for the ability to stay focused and determined and to never quit.
"... start running - and never quit! ... Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed - that exhilarating finish in and with God - he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever ... " Heb 12:1-2 MSG
Saturday, September 19, 2009
learn to love...
"Watch what God does, and then do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that!" Ephesians 5:1-2 MSG
authenticity is important...
An old sales adage says... "in sales, it's not who you know; in sales, it's who knows you." Authentic salespeople are well known.
The more authentic you are perceived to be... the more likely they will buy from you.
In other words ... do they trust you?
You want to be well known... you do! You need them to trust you!
To be known and trusted by your coworkers is not enough. To be known and trusted by your customers almost counts. To be known and trusted by your potential customers... now that counts! To be known and trusted in your industry... now that really counts.
The more authentic you are perceived to be... the more likely they will buy from you.
In other words ... do they trust you?
You want to be well known... you do! You need them to trust you!
To be known and trusted by your coworkers is not enough. To be known and trusted by your customers almost counts. To be known and trusted by your potential customers... now that counts! To be known and trusted in your industry... now that really counts.
the power of nice (continued)...
Negative impressions are like germs...
If you're aloof to someone you think doesn't matter people unconsciously react to that. If you were to scream at your server in a restaurant you might get faster or better service but you can be sure that those who are dining with you will be silently telling themselves they're ready to go!
Positive actions are like seeds... rude gestures and remarks are like germs - you may not initially see the impact but they are there... silently infecting you and everyone around you.
To keep from spreading such germs you must be extremely conscious of your environment and the people around you... BE NICE!
If you're aloof to someone you think doesn't matter people unconsciously react to that. If you were to scream at your server in a restaurant you might get faster or better service but you can be sure that those who are dining with you will be silently telling themselves they're ready to go!
Positive actions are like seeds... rude gestures and remarks are like germs - you may not initially see the impact but they are there... silently infecting you and everyone around you.
To keep from spreading such germs you must be extremely conscious of your environment and the people around you... BE NICE!
an equation for strength...
Just thought I'd do a little blogging on some thoughts from some of my reading the past couple of weeks...
reading a book about working from a position of strength... it's really good...
the book suggest that when you're not able to use your strengths, chances are you...
dread going to work ... have more negative than positive interactions with your colleagues ... treat your customers poorly ... tell your friends what a miserable company you work for ... achieve less on a daily basis ... have fewer positive and creative moments...
don't want to be that person!
TALENT (a natural way of thinking, feeling, or behaving) X
INVESTMENT (time spent practicing, developing your skills) =
STRENGTH (the ability to consistently provide near-perfect performance)
don't neglect or ignore your weaknesses ... but give some time and effort to applying your strengths!
reading a book about working from a position of strength... it's really good...
the book suggest that when you're not able to use your strengths, chances are you...
dread going to work ... have more negative than positive interactions with your colleagues ... treat your customers poorly ... tell your friends what a miserable company you work for ... achieve less on a daily basis ... have fewer positive and creative moments...
don't want to be that person!
TALENT (a natural way of thinking, feeling, or behaving) X
INVESTMENT (time spent practicing, developing your skills) =
STRENGTH (the ability to consistently provide near-perfect performance)
don't neglect or ignore your weaknesses ... but give some time and effort to applying your strengths!
Monday, September 7, 2009
secondhand Jesus...
This a a very thought provoking book I'm currently reading... I thought this small portion of the book went well with some of the thought Jon was sharing at True North Church just yesterday...
The book reads... "Poverty and mediocrity are not Christian virtues, nor are they requisites for spiritual growth. But if we're not careful, we can subconsciously believe that greed is okay, that selfish ambition is not ungodly, and that as long as I am becoming successful, God must be in it. Yet somewhere along the way, we have added God to a house of idols. Our devotion to Christ is truthfully only one allegiance on a long list of loyalties. We want to rise to influence and be admired by many; we want to live in comfort, with only the best things for our kids; we want to be loved by all, validated as a real man or a real woman; we want to retire at 55 with several million a year to live on; we want to be remembered as a true pioneer, a trailblazer, a history maker. Oh... and we want to obey and follow Christ. But I'm sure He wants all those things for us anyway. As a matter of fact, He will bring about all those things - after all, doesn't the Word say that He will give us the desires of our heart?"
So here's the quetion I'm asking myself and you today... What's more important -- happiness? influence? success? fame? platform? or God?
The book reads... "Poverty and mediocrity are not Christian virtues, nor are they requisites for spiritual growth. But if we're not careful, we can subconsciously believe that greed is okay, that selfish ambition is not ungodly, and that as long as I am becoming successful, God must be in it. Yet somewhere along the way, we have added God to a house of idols. Our devotion to Christ is truthfully only one allegiance on a long list of loyalties. We want to rise to influence and be admired by many; we want to live in comfort, with only the best things for our kids; we want to be loved by all, validated as a real man or a real woman; we want to retire at 55 with several million a year to live on; we want to be remembered as a true pioneer, a trailblazer, a history maker. Oh... and we want to obey and follow Christ. But I'm sure He wants all those things for us anyway. As a matter of fact, He will bring about all those things - after all, doesn't the Word say that He will give us the desires of our heart?"
So here's the quetion I'm asking myself and you today... What's more important -- happiness? influence? success? fame? platform? or God?
God just wants me to be happy?
Yesterday was another great day at True North Church. I really enjoyed the whole day ... and leading worship was a lot of fun ... seemed to be a lot of excitement!
The series Jon McClarnon is teaching right now is really good... "Spiritual Urban Legends" ... and he is addressing some questions or thoughts each week that many have just accepted to be true but are not really true at all. First week... "there are many ways to God?" and this week "God wants me to be happy?"
It was great to be reminded yesterday that God's ultimate purpose is not to make me happy... but rather blessed! I was reading this morning as I was thinking through Jon's teaching in Jeremiah 17... it says...
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose hope is the Lord for he shall be like a tree planted by the waters which spreads out its roots by the river... and will not fear when heat comes; but its leafs will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit."
We are not promised that heat will never come or that there will never be seasons of drought... so we may not always be happy... but we are promised to be blessed if we trust in the Lord. I am thankful today that God loves me enough to not just be concerned about my happiness but rather about what is best for me!
The series Jon McClarnon is teaching right now is really good... "Spiritual Urban Legends" ... and he is addressing some questions or thoughts each week that many have just accepted to be true but are not really true at all. First week... "there are many ways to God?" and this week "God wants me to be happy?"
It was great to be reminded yesterday that God's ultimate purpose is not to make me happy... but rather blessed! I was reading this morning as I was thinking through Jon's teaching in Jeremiah 17... it says...
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose hope is the Lord for he shall be like a tree planted by the waters which spreads out its roots by the river... and will not fear when heat comes; but its leafs will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit."
We are not promised that heat will never come or that there will never be seasons of drought... so we may not always be happy... but we are promised to be blessed if we trust in the Lord. I am thankful today that God loves me enough to not just be concerned about my happiness but rather about what is best for me!
the power of nice..
Conventional wisdom shouts out "NICE GUYS FINISH LAST!" Nice has an image problem. Nice gets no respect. If you are called "nice" that usually means the other person doesn't have anything better to say about you. Nice is considered to be passive... even wimpy.
I disagree... NICE may be the toughest four-letter word you ever hear. It means being confident that being very nice and placing other's needs on the same level or even above your own will get you where you want to go.
Most of the time it is the small kindnesses - smiles, compliments, favors - just being nice that make someones day and can even change lives. The power of nice will help you open doors and improve your relationships. Nice will not only finish first but those who use its power will end up happier as well.
Being nice is great place to start on a journey to great success and achievement.
I disagree... NICE may be the toughest four-letter word you ever hear. It means being confident that being very nice and placing other's needs on the same level or even above your own will get you where you want to go.
Most of the time it is the small kindnesses - smiles, compliments, favors - just being nice that make someones day and can even change lives. The power of nice will help you open doors and improve your relationships. Nice will not only finish first but those who use its power will end up happier as well.
Being nice is great place to start on a journey to great success and achievement.
who do you trust?
I've blogged about the trust factor in business recently. Remember that most people want to do business with people they trust. Think about the people you trust. These would probably be the people that you would go to at your most significant time of need... these are the folks who have the ability to influence you as you make big-time decisions. Try listing the top 5 people you trust...
Why do you trust them? Do you believe they have your best interest at heart? Do you believe they have no hidden agenda in the relationship? Do you believe they are always telling you the truth? Is there an unspoken good feeling when you're with them or when you talk to them?
Is so... we should strive to create those feelings and beliefs in the people we pursue to do business with. If they believe you have there best interest at heart... that you have no agenda other than helping them... they will feel good and trust you!
Why do you trust them? Do you believe they have your best interest at heart? Do you believe they have no hidden agenda in the relationship? Do you believe they are always telling you the truth? Is there an unspoken good feeling when you're with them or when you talk to them?
Is so... we should strive to create those feelings and beliefs in the people we pursue to do business with. If they believe you have there best interest at heart... that you have no agenda other than helping them... they will feel good and trust you!
need improvement?
What gets measured gets improved!
Most sales people want to grow... they want to do more... and be better... to take pride in their work - but they need targets to shoot for. Unless they have clearly defined goals, the path of least resistance is sure to be the chosen course.
I remember in some of formative years of ministry away from business a pastor used to say to me... "Just give them a target at which to shoot!" He always reminded me that volunteers always wanted to work but many times just didn't know what to do. I think sales people get in that same rut ... not knowing what to do next. With a target for improvement that can all change!
Ask yourself this question: What activity can I measure to track my own progress? You must determine where you are now and where you'd like to improve. You should then set realistic targets for improvement. Such targets will help you break old habits and inspire new thinking.
Start measuring... start improving!
Most sales people want to grow... they want to do more... and be better... to take pride in their work - but they need targets to shoot for. Unless they have clearly defined goals, the path of least resistance is sure to be the chosen course.
I remember in some of formative years of ministry away from business a pastor used to say to me... "Just give them a target at which to shoot!" He always reminded me that volunteers always wanted to work but many times just didn't know what to do. I think sales people get in that same rut ... not knowing what to do next. With a target for improvement that can all change!
Ask yourself this question: What activity can I measure to track my own progress? You must determine where you are now and where you'd like to improve. You should then set realistic targets for improvement. Such targets will help you break old habits and inspire new thinking.
Start measuring... start improving!
there's always a sale!
Just doing some reading this weekend and thought I'd catch up on some blogging thoughts today...
One of the books I'm catching up on is The Sales Bible by Jeffrey Gitomer... good stuff!
In the business world a sales person is the most important person. Absolutely nothing happens in our business until a sales person sells something... lots of things happen after that... products are ordered and delivered, services are scheduled and set up, people are paid...
Sales people... think about this: a sale is always made - either you sell the customer on yes, or the customer sells you on no!
One of the books I'm catching up on is The Sales Bible by Jeffrey Gitomer... good stuff!
In the business world a sales person is the most important person. Absolutely nothing happens in our business until a sales person sells something... lots of things happen after that... products are ordered and delivered, services are scheduled and set up, people are paid...
Sales people... think about this: a sale is always made - either you sell the customer on yes, or the customer sells you on no!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)