Random Lessons In Life & Leadership

I listen to people…I read…I ask a ton of questions…and because of that my mind is filled with quotes and ideas that have assisted me…and I want to share them with you.

(NOTE—I do read a good bit—but I met a dude, Mark Driscoll—he pastors in Seattle—this dude reads a book per day! That’s right! EVERY DAY! He’s quite possibly one of the smartest men I have ever met!!!)

So here goes—these have helped me, I hope they help you.

“Those closest to you will determine your level of success.” Seriously, if you want to see where you will be in five or ten years…take a look at the people around you.

“Hurting people hurt people.” Whenever someone takes a stab at you or the organization that you work for…remember, there is usually a deeper issue—don’t take it personally.

“Never take a laxative and a sleeping pill at the same time.” I remember laughing when reading this one…uh, enough said.

“He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.” Yep, that ‘ole king Solomon was pretty wise! (Proverbs 12:11)

“Never call anything that your wife cooks ‘interesting.’”

“People can be mean, hurtful, and downright ugly at times—love them anyway!”

“The church should be the most creative entity on the planet—if church is boring then don’t blame God—blame the church.”

“I am a human…it’s my only flaw!”

“People with large dreams can be shot down by people with small minds…so be careful about who you share your dreams with.”

“If I believe politics were the answer to the worlds problems then I would run for office…but what the world needs is not a lot another bunch of promise makers…the world needs Jesus Christ…and do that is why I do what I do.”

“Live your life in such a way that when you pass away that the pastor will not have to lie at your funeral…and the people there will actually be sad to see you leave instead of being there to make sure you are dead!!!”

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” That Apostle Paul sure was smart…here he is saying instead of being content with just being in the race (being a Christian) that we should run to WIN…to give it all we’ve got! Christianity is NOT a sprint…and it is not a marathon…it is a sprinted marathon!!!

“These guys fought hard to break the barriers of tradition…and now they fight against us as we are attempting to do the same.” Said by a church planter to me—he was expressing his frustration in the pioneers that have gone before us and pastored incredible churches, but that are so steeped in tradition that they have forgotten the battles they fought to get where they are.

Luke 9:49-50, “‘Master,’ said John, ‘we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.’ ‘Do not stop him,’ Jesus said, ‘for whoever is not against you is for you.’” A great reminder to all of us that Christians are on the same team.

“Thank you,” said by me to the people who attend NewSpring. I know we are facing challenged when it comes to traffic, parking, and space. BUT isn’t that AWESOME? WOW—we expect that at a football game…but this is church…and God is doing some incredible things. Remember, we will be in the building in a few more months! Yeah God!

“September 25—write this date down,” once again said by me—this is a date where we will be presenting the Gospel & we want you to invite your lost family members and friends—AND get there EARLY…it is going to be an intense picture of how Jesus has rescued us from disaster! I can’t wait!