Monthly Summary for September

4 Steps to get Past Your Limitations
Getting past the limitations we put on ourselves...

My "Tweets" from Randy Hahn's GIC Sermon
"How awesome would it be for God to look at us and think that we look just like Him while we reflect His greatness!"

Running Past Your Limitations
"The best pace is a suicide pace, and today is a good day to die." (Prefontaine)

Twelve Marks of a Great Leader
My attempt at crowd-sourcing leadership...

When the Alarm Sounds in Your Life
A very funny story of an alarm in the middle of the night...

Prayer and The Circle Maker
My first highlights from Mark Batterson's "The Circle Maker"

When the Alarm Sounds in Your Life

What do you do when you wake up to the sound of a loud alarm sounding throughout your home? Allow me to share what we did because this happened in our home a few years ago.

First, you need a little of the backstory. I am somewhat deaf...OK, I'm a lot deaf. The technical term is "Legally Deaf." I'm not sure what that would mean in a court of law, but in laymen's terms, I have over 50% hearing loss. I compensate with the use of hearing aides, but they get a break at night.

The mere fact that I heard an alarm should tell you it was loud, but it also makes this story interesting.

12 Marks of a Great Leader or Manager

Photo Credit: http://www.emergingrnleader.com/

Have you ever heard of "Crowd-Sourcing?" Maybe you've heard the term "Collective Intelligence." There is a Japanese Proverb that reads: "None of us are as smart as all of us." The idea is that two heads really are better than one. In fact that's how good ideas are birthed...from multiple influences directed toward a single objective.

Here is a video (4:00) that illustrates where good ideas come from...
(click "Continue Reading")

My "Tweets" from Randy Hahn's GIC sermon

I showed great discipline tonight as I sat in the Global Missions Kick-Off service at First Baptist North Spartanburg. We were blessed to hear Randy Hahn, the pastor of Colonial Heights Baptist Church in Colonial Heights, VA. It took all I could muster to not Tweet these nuggets during the service...

• Is God as great to us as that which we go on and on about?

• Worship should lead to witnessing.

• Worship should lead to missions.

• If it stops in here (church), then it's empty out there.

4 Steps to Get Past Your Limitations

What is it that you would love to do, but keep excusing away? It's the subject of the silent conversation you have with yourself quite often. You say to yourself, "I would love to _____", but it never gets any traction.

The Inner Battle

In our family, fall isn't as much football season as it is cross country season. In case you're not familiar, that's running 3.1 miles (5K) over a variety of terrain. I am thrilled that my girls are committed to this sport. It's something they can do for the rest of their life. And the experiences they are having are molding them into very disciplined young ladies. The discipline to compete in this sport requires a lot of inner battles we like to call "You vs. You."

A friend of ours shared this poem recently and fits well here:

Monthly Summary for August

On the last day of August, I though I'd try something new and offer  a summary page of the post from August. I appreciate the many readers who tell me they enjoy my content. I encourage you to share the stuff that you feel is "sharable." All it takes is a "Copy and Paste" routine with the URL (website address) in an email, Facebook or Twitter. If you are a SUBSCRIBER (you get the email when I post...if you want to join them, find the big arrow on the right) all you need to do is forward the email. I would love to connect with new readers.


Guest Post: Logan Morris, "Swallow the Big Frog First"
While I was in Nicaragua, I asked my daughter Logan to post in my place. She did a great job. She actually garnered more comments that I usually do...

Smiles From the Trash Dump
This is my summary from my visit to Chosen Children Ministries in Nicaragua.

Get Out of the Way
Sometimes God wants to do great things, but we tend to get in the way.

No - I'm not on Facebook and Twitter all day!
Due to some tactical procedures, I give the impression of being on Social Media sites "all day." Here are my secrets...

How to Answer Your Kids' Questions
A simple strategy to slowing down in your parenting and engaging with your children.

What is Success?
My response to how a Christian defines success.

What Is Success?

Photo credit: http://7toolstosuccess.com/

Someone recently asked me, "What does success look like for a Christian?" 


"Success is a journey, not a destination." - John Maxwell [Tweet This Now]

Before I offer my answer, let's look at how most people answer that question.

How to Answer Your Kid's Questions

What's your favorite ride at Disney World?

My family has made three trips to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. As we reflect on our trips from time to time, someone will usually ask, "If you could go back right now, what would be your first ride?" Another way to pose the question is, "What is the "can't miss" ride for you?"

I'm a little nostalgic with my pick. In fact, I prefer to board my at night. My "can't miss" ride at Disney World is the Jungle Cruise river ride. The humor is always lame, but comical. In fact, without the narration, it would be a very boring ride. This is because the river guide helps you know what to look for as you weave your way down the "Amazon." This is how I approach my time reading the Bible.

Get Out of the Way

It's a simple question: Do you really want God to do something great with your life? I mean REALLY...

When I look at people I know who are seeing a great work of God unfold before their eyes I notice at least one common thread: they get out of His way. I don't mean they utter some figurative phrase you might say in a prayer, but they literally take their own agenda and put it to the side and allow God to determine their next step. 

Proverbs 16:9 - "The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps."

As I am around more and more leaders who are striving to stay out of God's way, I see them accomplishing things they never dreamed or saw coming. That's a little different from what we hear these days...

"If you dream it, you can achieve it." - Walt Disney

"Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I'm beginning to think that it's not the size of the dream as much as it is the size of the dream-maker. If you are the dream-maker, then don't expect great things to happen. But if God is the originator of your dreams, you should be little intimidated. If we can create the plan and strategy, then we're just getting in the way.

Allow me to share three examples of leaders I've met who are striving to get out of God's way so they can be used in a great and powerful way for His kingdom.

Guest Post: Logan Morris, Swallow the Big Frog First

Dad has challenged me with the task of writing a blog post for him this week while he is away. I am not much of a writer but I love to take a challenge. I am Logan, the middle child of my family, and I will be in the ninth grade this upcoming school year.

This past July, I was blessed with the opportunity to attend Student Leadership University in Orlando, Florida. I had a fantastic time, and I was surprised at how much I learned during this trip. We learned about various topics from many different speakers, including Jay Strack, Brent Crowe, Bruce Ashford, Chuck Allen, Elizabeth Dixon, and Pat Williams.

One of my favorite sessions was “Swallow the Big Frog First,” by Brent Crowe. This phrase was not new to me. My dad has told me this phrase multiple times before, but I learned at SLU how to put it to action.

Five Minutes That Can Change Your Life Forever

Do you know where your life is going? Have you figured out how you are going to get there?

The buzz word we use for this is vision. I believe vision is best defined as the picture you have of you in your future. I fret to think how many people have never given that one second of thought. How many people live minute by minute without any consideration for where they want their lives to go? They have no picture of them in the future. They have no vision.

Phyllis Crain: It's About Living, Not Dying

I'll go ahead and tell you...this is a video that last for nine minutes. But if you need encouragement, it will be worth those nine minutes. Thus why I'm posting it on a Friday. I hope you can carve out some time over the weekend to watch.


This is a story about Phyllis Crain. She was my 6th grade teacher at O.P. Earle Elementary School in Landrum, SC. She had a huge impact on my life. I'm sure we all can point to a teacher or two who influenced us a little differently than the other teachers in our lives. Mrs. Crain launched me onto a journey that would play a big part of shaping me into the person I am today.

How to Give Something When You Have Nothing

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/creativecommons/

What if your phone rang and the person on the other end was asking you to give them something? Something you didn't have. Nothing elaborate or expensive, just a mattress.


This is a true story about a need, a desire to help and a computer. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. (I've always wanted to say that.)

Valerie is a friend of mine who has a big heart and loves to help people. I've learned that if you ever have something you want prayed over, she's the person to call. When Valerie prays, you almost feel like breaking the rules and peeping to see where Jesus is standing because she talks to Him as if He's right in front of her...well He is, you know.

One afternoon, Valerie's phone rang and a stranger was on the other end of the call. Not a complete stranger, but a lady she had recently met. We'll call her Sue. Sue was in a bind. Turns out one of Sue's children needed a place to sleep other than the floor. Sue was asking Valerie if she had an extra mattress or knew of someone who did. Sue figured if she could just get a mattress it would be better than sleeping on the floor. Valerie loves to help people, but she was very limited in what she could do. She was unemployed. A victim of a recession-driven downsize, Valerie found herself barely able to keep the power on and food on the table.

How does a person who has almost nothing give something?

Stop Giving People the Finger

Yep, you've done it. You've given people the finger but I don't mean that one.

If you've read Michael Hyatt's book, Platform, or listened to his recent podcast, you should recognize the phrase, "The How of Wow". I love his use of the lobby experience to illustrate how some companies create the “Wow” experience and others come just short of asking you to leave. There's a company local to me that has actually removed the receptionist completely from their lobby. When you enter the lobby, there's a sign on the wall next to a phone that reads, "If you need assistance, use the phone and the extension list."

Listening to Michael paint a picture of the “Wow” experience, I was reminded of something we teach the Host Team at church: Don’t give people the finger. 

Determine Your Leadership Status

Leaders know what they know; 

Fools don't know what they don't know. 

Which are you?

This notion comes from an old Chinese proverb that states:

“He who knows not and knows not that he knows not is a fool...shun him.
He who knows not and knows that he knows not is willing...teach him.
He who knows and knows not that he knows is asleep...awaken him.
He who knows and knows that he knows is wise...follow him.”

Where are you on that spectrum? Let me break these down with examples.

Do You Have the Guts to be a Dad? [Video]

Happy Father's Day!


Here is a story about a friend who had to make some tough decisions as a dad. This will show you a picture of leadership. Anyone can be a father, but courage is necessary in order to be a dad. Courage to make hard decisions and to sacrifice your own wants and desires for the good of your family, especially your children. 
(The video is 6:00)

Are you this kind of leader?

If You Dream It, You Must Bring It

Are you "that" guy or gal who is always thinking of creative activities or solutions? 

Chances are you've been told a time or two, "That's a great idea...go run with that." Or as the title reads, "If you dream it, you must bring it." In other words, don't give out ideas unless you're ready to put some skin in the game. 

I was in a conversation with a leader this week and we discussed this concept. I thought I'd share two quick observations:

Are you a Puller or a Pusher?

Do you think the word Leadership is overused?


I was fortunate to be a part of the 2012 Chick-fil-a Leadercast. One of the speakers was Urban Meyer, the football coach at Ohio State University (formerly the University of Florida). He was asked how he defines "leadership" and gave a surprising response.


He said, "That's a word we throw around a lot, isn't it? I try to keep it simple. I define it as the ability to elevate the performance of those around you." I think that is an AWESOME answer!


When I take that definition and filter it through my own experience as a leader, I immediately ask, "Do I elevate the performance of those around me?" Then I stop and think,

Leadership begins at 2:00am

Dave McGillivray

Lessons I learned from Boston Marathon Race Director, Dave McGillivray. His day begins with a 2:00am wake-up call and concludes at 7:30pm when he crosses the finish line of his own individual marathon. 

(Source: Runner's World, May 2012, The Boston Wrangler)

• "If I've done my job right, I should be the least busy person on race day."

This is the essence of leadership. Take a team of people, find their strengths, hopes and desires and position them for THEIR success.  Unfortunately, some see leadership as positioning their people for the leader's success. 

• "I'm proud to finish last every year."

When the last runner crosses the finish line, Dave loads up and heads back to the start line. Not to begin cleaning up, but to put on his running shoes. He allows all 27,000 runners to cross the line ahead of him and then completes his own marathon. Servant leaders tend to shine a little brighter than selfish leaders.

• "At the end of my life, I hope I have used everything I had until I simply...ran out of time."

How often do you hear someone talk about just working hard? Most people I know are keeping something in the tank for later. They have a grandiose plan of saving a little energy for themselves; a little reward for having put in the time for others. 

When I think about the successful people I know, I see a clear trend of hard work, sacrifice and commitment. Sure, skill has something to do with it, but you just can't overlook good old "elbow grease." 

Are You Blessing Your Children?

What is your child's best skill? What can they do really well? If you can't answer that, we have a problem.

A few weeks ago, I partnered with some friends to host a Courageous Families Experience. We showed the Courageous film and then followed up with two afternoons of teaching/discussion/exchanges based on the principles brought to light in the film. It was a neat opportunity to connect the movie to our everyday lives.

One session was based on the concept of blessing your children. We used God's expression of joy over Jesus going to John the Baptist to be baptized as our model.

"As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.'"

Matthew 3:16-17

New International Version (NIV) 

Did you catch it? Let me unpack it: