Where the Wild Things Are... The Movie

Where The Wild Things Are was one of my favorite books as a child. As an adult, the accuracy the book holds is striking. The mix of our imagination in overcoming our worst fears and being "King of the Wild Things" and yet being homesick, lonely and just wanting to eat a hot supper with loved ones. Anyway, I'm excited about Spike Jonze's film adaptation of the book due out in October of this year. I hope it reflects and lives up to all the fond memories I had as a kid "making mischief" and dancing with the wild things. In any case, I'm really looking forward to this one.

Finding Your Voice...

So, I'm reading Kouzes and Posner's The Leadership Challenge for the second time and working my way through the workbook. It's been very challenging (the pun was unintentional BTW) for me. The material is incredible and I'd say one of the deepest leadership books out there. Anyway... one of the sections talks about Finding Your Voice. In other words, clarifying your values... knowing what's important to you... what matters most... and then finding alignment between what you value and what you are doing and pursuing. Only then will you "find your voice"... the strength to be you. The courage to walk in what you know you were created for. It's so easy to fit the mold of where we work or the people that surround us. Those are gifts in our lives to be sure but what cause is really important to you... what do you value?

Is it family? Then spend more time with them. Is it the lost? Then quit spending so much time in the church. Is it the poor? Then give generously. Whatever it is, be honest enough with yourself and in prayer and God will help clarify what you were made for and you'll never feel the same again.

Catalyst - Session 006

Nick and I overslept a bit and got to the arena late. We were able to score some pretty good seats thought. That's the FOG (favor of God). We started out by setting another Guinness World Record. We set the Record for Breaking the Most Records. Under everyone's seat was an old vinyl 45 record and we all snapped them in two at the same time. Good stuff.

Nothing could have prepared me for Craig Groeschel. I've seen his podcasts and read his book, Confessions of a Pastor but this was another level. He added a confession that wasn't in his book. He talked about being a Practical Atheist.

It's where we believe in God in our hearts but live as though he doesn't exist. For pastors, the issue is believing that God exists but doing ministry as though he does not.

We would never say it with our mouths but we live as though God doesn't exist so often. It's so easy to do. I'm not going to go into all of the things he talked about but I want to ask a question... what are some ways that you believe that God exists but live like he does not?

This isn't a rhetorical question. I want to hear from you. If you dare... be honest. We may help each other. I know there are many ways that I'm guilty of this so I'll go first...

I believe (because of how I live) that my success has more to do with my best efforts than it does with God's power. That the ministry... if it rises or fails... is about me and my best or worst efforts. It's funny, if things decline... it's my fault... (I would never say this next one but it's true...) If things go well... it's because I did it.

I wouldn't say it out loud, but I live as though success in this life... marriage... parenting... work... it's all up to me and if I'm honest... I obsess about how bad I suck. With God's help, I'm going to seek him more. I'm going to really trust him more. I'm going to live as though he exists and that he is actively working on my behalf to make me successful and to fulfill his purposes in my family, relationships, and ministry. That it's not all up to me.

God help me... you're a good God and I'm asking you again to disturb me until all is right in me.

Catalyst - Session 003

I skipped this one... well most of it. It was a panel discussion by the authors of unChristian. Haven't read this new one so I'm not sure I can recommend it but check it out at amazon.com.

I walked back in and Shane Claiborne was speaking. Kind of had a hard time connecting with this one. Anyway... He is the founder and leader of a new monastic community in Philadelphia called The Simple Way. He has also written a few books. His latest is called Irresistible Revolution. (Tyler... you need to check this one out.)

Catalyst - Session 002

I found out something today about one of my favorite authors, Patrick
Lencioni... he's more ADD than I am. He was good but was all over the
place. Anyway... He spoke about the premise of his new book, The Three
Signs of a Miserable Job.

I've read most of his leadership fables (books) and there's some good
leadership stuff in there for all you leaders out there. Check out The Table Group.