Filed under: Nonsense | Tags: Business, Church, Don't Go, God, means to an end, monday to friday, pep talk, Purpose, Reason
[Note: Originally posted on Evotional.com.]
I think one of the primary problems we face in Western Christianity is the simple fact that so many people view going to church as an end instead of a means to an end. Let me explain. For those who subconsciously view church as an end in and of itself, going to church is the way they do their religious duty. They check church off the religious list. But do you really think God’s (more…)
Filed under: Nonsense | Tags: Dave Ramsey, Money, scripture, Bible, Tithing, Giving, Church, Financial Peace University, finances, offering, coffer, tipping God, Thou Shall Prosper, Rabbi Daniel Lapin, Jewish, wealth, overflow
[Note: Originally posted on CatalystSpace.com.]
Over the past couple of years, I have developed a friendship with Rabbi Daniel Lapin, a successful businessman, author and Jewish rabbi. I first came to know Rabbi Daniel by reading his incredible book, Thou Shall Prosper. This is definitely a must-read book for anyone who wants a clearer understanding of the biblical view of money. In fact, I bought a couple hundred copies and gave it to everyone on my team. It’s that good.
Thou Shall Prosper is a rabbi’s perspective on why Jewish people, no matter where they live in the world, have a disproportionate amount of wealth. Less than 2% of the people in the United States are (more…)
Filed under: Nonsense | Tags: Blessed, Blessing, Giving, God, Tithing, Trusting
[Note: Originally posted on Evotional.com.]
Continued our Ritual series this weekend. Talked about a 4000 year-old ritual called tithing that traces all the way back to Abraham. Honestly, I used to hate talking about money. Thought people would think it was a money grab so I was almost defensive about it. But the longer I tithe the more I love talking about it.
We need a paradigm shift. So many people perceive the tithe as an obligation. (more…)
Filed under: Nonsense | Tags: alarm clocks, feisty, Leadership, tommy franks
[Note: Originally posted on MichaelHyatt.com.]
Last Friday, I had the privilege of hearing General Tommy Franks speak at the Spur Leadership Conference in Austin, Texas. I was standing in the “green room” visiting with one of our authors when General Franks entered the room with his wife, Cathy. He stuck out his hand and said, “Hi, my name’s Tom.” I liked him immediately.
The way he carried himself made an unforgettable impression on me. First, he was clearly “large and in charge.” He was in a business (more…)
Filed under: Nonsense | Tags: 2 kings 5, Bible, easy, elisha, expectations, extraordinary, hard, mark batterson, miracles, naaman, ordinary, oswald chambers, scripture, simple
[Note: Originally posted on Evotional.com.]
“If the prophet had asked you to do something hard and heroic, wouldn’t you have done it? So why not this simple “wash and clean”?
Remember the story of Naaman in II Kings 5? The prophet Elisha told him to dip in the Jordan river seven times in order to be healed of his leprosy. Naaman didn’t want to do it because it was too simple. He wanted the prophet to wave his wand. And when it didn’t happen the way he expected it to, he was about to walk away and forfeit the miracle when a wise and bold servant spoke truth into his life. He knew Naaman would do (more…)
Filed under: Nonsense | Tags: Catalyst, Dave Ramsey, Debt, Finance, Leadership, Life, Money, Planning, Steps
[Note: Originally posted on MichaelHyatt.com.]
The highlight of the day for me was Dave Ramsey’s talk. He outlined his “Momentum Theorem.” He displayed this as a mathematical formula, but here is the text version:
Focused intensity over time, multiplied by God, creates unstoppable momentum.”
He made the astute observation that “When you have momentum, you look better than you are. When you don’t have momentum you are better than you look.” This is worth memorizing. Trust me, some day you will need this. (Don’t ask me how I know!)
1. Momentum requires focused intensity. When we get distracted (more…)
Filed under: Nonsense | Tags: Business, Future, Leadership, Life, Plan, Planning, Seventies, Twenties
[Note: Originally posted on BradLomenick.com]
1. Use your 20’s to build a foundation for your 70’s. Create deep roots that will give you a foundation for when you are older. Finishing well means starting well.
2. Don’t worry about climbing the ladder. There’s no longer a ladder anyway. It’s more like one of those spiral staircases. And sometimes you are going across or down when you think you might be climbing. So don’t worry about it. Spend your 20’s learning and having life experiences. Travel, explore (more…)
Filed under: Nonsense | Tags: Leadership, Mentor, Mentorship, Replication, Self-replication, set the example
[Note: Originally posted on MichaelHyatt.com.]
My dad was injured in the Korean War, a few years before I was born. As a result of that injury, he walks with a limp. As a young boy, I unconsciously emulated him. I just thought that was the way grown men walked.
When I was about three or four, I remember my Mom saying to me, “Mike, you don’t need to walk with a limp. Dad walks that way because he was hurt in the war.” Regardless, I still walked with a limp for another year or so, simply because I wanted to be like my dad.
This was the “law of replication” in action. This law says that like begets like. Dogs beget dogs. Trees beget trees. And people beget (more…)
Filed under: Nonsense | Tags: Catalyst, Change, Leadership, Life, Principles, Team
[Note: Originally posted on Catalystspace.com.]
I recently sat down with all of our worship leaders here at NewSpring Church for two hours…it was seriously an amazing series of conversations.
At one point, Lee McDerment, our worship leader at the Anderson campus asked me, “What are some things all of us need to keep in mind as we lead teams.” I gave a decent answer … but after I got back to my office I began to write my thoughts down … and here are eight things I believe that every leader needs to keep in mind when leading a team.
#1 – You will never effectively motivate someone with feelings of guilt
I’ve made that mistake as a leader before, thinking if I could just get someone to feel bad they would do a better job … WRONG! No one has ever brought about significant change in the world because (more…)
You may have noticed it’s been a long while since I’ve regularly posted to this site, in spite of the large number of people interested in Bono being the Antichrist and Muslims taking over the world.
I read so much, I rarely have time to post my thoughts on what I read. So I’ve decided I am going to re-post some of the things I read that I think others should take time to take note of as well–of course giving full credit to the original author. I doubt if I’ll ever get around to actually commenting on them much.
I know. I know. How lazy and uncreative is that! But this is what I’m going to try. We’ll see if I get too guilty for copy and pasting too much.
Filed under: Injustice, Life, Missions, Poverty, Third World | Tags: empathy, pity, poor, Poverty, sympathy
Just a thought… Westerners have trouble putting themselves in the shoes of the poor because they’ve never had the experience of not being able to afford a pair.
God I thank You for pain, because it shows us how precious and rare true pleasure is, I thank You for confusion, because it allows us the opportunity to find clarity; frustration, because it allows us room to develop patience; for weakness, because it allows us to become stronger; for ignorance, because it allows us to learn.
–from Ne-Yo’s “Year of the Gentleman” thank-you liner notes
For all the flack celebrities get for thanking God and leading a lifestyle that does not glorify God, I was amazed at the depth of wisdom in the words above. I’d be eager to know if he actually wrote them himself. What are your thoughts on celebrities and their God-thank-you’s?
Filed under: Nonsense
1: Type in “[your name] needs” in the Google search:
Trevor’s needs change and we just change with him.
2: Type in “[your name] looks like” in Google search:
Trevor looks like a gentle giant, I love the shot of the terrier chasing him, LOL. Give Trev a big hug and kiss for me. 
3: Type in “[your name] does” in Google search:
Trevor does a flip thing off our elementary school’s gazebo.
4: Type in “[your name] hates” in Google search:
Trevor hates to lose, and I always knew it in my heart that he could be a national champion.
5: Type in “[your name] goes” in Google search:
Trevor goes to work on an egg.
6: Type in “[your name] loves” in Google search:
Trevor loves the christmas tree.
7: Type in “[your name] eats” in Google search:
Trevor Eats Scrabble for Breakfast.
8: Type in “[your name] has” in Google search:
Trevor has volunteered his time with a number of organizations in Winnipeg.
9: Type in “[your name] wants” in Google search:
Trevor wants to know what you think.
