Jesusgreek

We operate under the assumption that every one is like you. The problem is not everyone is. All people fall into one of three types of behaviors... 1) Wise - may not be smartest - when the truth shows up they adjust themselves to the truth - accept feedback - accepts responsibility - thankful for feedback - adjust behavior accordingly - what do we do with the wise: invest, pour into, coach, mentor 2) Fools - maybe the smartest & that's the problem - when the truth shows up they will not accept it and will try to adjust the truth - always making excuses for problems - hate feedback - same conversations just different content - must deal with them with limits and consequences 3) Evil - Can only deal with evil with: lawyers, Guns, and money = protection - wolves - divisive and like it when things aren't good - must protect from evil/wolves

On Friday I attended the Charlotte Leadership Experience conference featuring Dr. Henry Cloud, Steven Furtick, and Joel Manvee. Below are the notes from the first session with Dr. Cloud. The topic was "Necessary Endings". Dr. Henry Cloud "Necessary Endings" The Middle space is where you show up and pull off leadership This is where our issues can get in the way The problem isn't a lack of ideas, it's getting me and my team to do it Everything has a Season or life cycle "Today may be the biggest enemy of my tomorrow" Read Ecclesiastes 3 Ending doesn't feel normal Pruning - 3 reasons plants and companies (ie churches) need pruning 1) produces more buds then the soil/plant can feed/contain - to many ministries? - what needs to end? - are there ministries that need to end because we can't sustain them? - even profitable things can/ should in - 80% vs 20% theory: stop 80% of what you're doing and focus on he remaining 20% ...

This past Sunday we took a look at John 11. Mary and Martha were grieving over the loss of their brother and Jesus grieved over the loss of His friend. We examined what our response to death is and what Jesus' response is not only to death but also to us as we grieve. I showed the following Rob Bell Nooma video to set up the message and then took the next 15-20 minutes just to share from my heart about my thoughts on death and grieving in the context of John 11. So no sermon notes this week. It was an "ad lib" week for me. On a side note the band performed two amazing cover songs. "He's my son" by Mark Schultz and 'The valley Song' by Jars of Clay. I suggest you "YouTube" both along with watching the following Nooma film, "Matthew". Matthew 012 - Nooma - Rob Bell - Legendado from there. on Vimeo .

When I first became a full time youth pastor way back in the Fall of '97, I had a guy that volunteered for me at the time named Charles who always brought his then 8 year old son along on just about every youth outing we went on. I never really cared because a) Charles was such an amazing youth volunteer and b) Ryan was never any trouble. I always figured Charles brought Ryan along because he couldn't find a baby sitter. This past weekend I discovered why Charles always made it a point to bring Ryan. Saturday night our youth went out for an adventurous game of Laser Tag at Lazer-X in Archdale. Originally I hadn't planned on going. But then someone asked if I AND Jacob were going to come. Take Jacob on a youth trip? I had brought him along on a few things before but that was when I had to be there and there was no other choice. But now I could bring him along because I WANTED to. So at 6pm, Jacob and I loaded up with the rest of the youth to head of for a few hours of shoot...

· When you go to God with a prayer request (problem, concern, issue, need, etc), how easy is it for you to let him have it? · Do you find yourself often “helping” God answer the prayers you just shared with Him? · St. Francis of Assisi: “Pray like it all depends on God, work like it all depends on you” · The problem most Christians have is we work AND pray like it all depends on us. · I have always had a problem with that. I’m a control freak. · Poem my mom gave me a long time ago: As children bring their broken toys With tears for us to mend, I brought my broken dreams to God Because He was my friend. But then instead of leaving Him In peace to work alone, I hung around and tried to help With ways that were my own. At last I snatched them back and cried, “How could you be so slow” “My child,” He said, “What could I do? You never did let go.” - written by Lauretta Burns · Today we’re going to look at a situation where a need arose, and through a simple request, the...

Over the past few weeks I've been experiencing a revival of sorts as it pertains to my prayer life. What had been cold and stale for some time has all of a sudden starting to awake like a bud in the beginning stages of springtime. With my "prayer awakening", I'm working through some feelings, thoughts, struggles, or whatever else you want to call them as it deals with prayer. Below are just some things I'm processing. Not really looking for answers right now, just talking, or blogging, out loud. "True intercession involves bringing the person, or the circumstance that seems to be crashing in on you, before God, until you are changed by His attitude toward that person or circumstance. People describe intercession by saying, "It is putting yourself in someone else’s place." That is not true! Intercession is putting yourself in God’s place; it is having His mind and His perspective." — Oswald Chambers I like the above quote but what does that ...

Have you ever thought that it would be a lot easier to talk to God if he was physically right in front of you? No wondering if he heard you or what His answer may be. That seems to be a huge advantage the people who came in contact with Jesus had over us. They could go straight to the source with their problems or issues and we’re left tossing up holy wishes hoping God may hear one of them. But what if the same conversations Jesus had with people were the same conversations He would have and wants to have with us? Over the next few weeks we’re going to be looking at actual conversations people had with the Lord in the gospels and turning them into prayer parables or “prayables” that can help us in our own prayer conversations with God Jesus and the Samaritan Woman - John 4:1-30 This one of my favorite encounters with Jesus in the bible cause it’s a place I believe all of us will find ourselves at some point. That’s the place of not feeling good enough or worthy enough to talk ...

From Season 2 Ep. 11 Phil: I called the florist and order one dozen Mylar balloons. Good luck staying mad, honey! Luke: I think we should drag him out of his car and punch him in the stomach until he barfs. Cam [to Barry]: You are living in a little girl's toy and you have to move out! Phil: Oh yeah, everybody loves Michael Jordan, but nobody thinks of Scottie Pippin. The only reason I remember him is because he's named after my favorite musical. Jay [to Gloria]: There's no reason you should stay upright, but it just works. Jay [on Gloria and Manny's lack of bike-riding skills]: Two thirds of my house can't do what a billion Chinese do. Jay: Stephen Hawking could ride that bike. Phil: Luke, I am your father. That's what I said to you when you were coming out of your mom's lady parts. Phil: She has to run everyday or she goes crazy, she's like a Border Collie. Claire: Did you just compare me to a dog?!? Phil: The smartest in the world!...

Top 10 Films True Grit Kick-Ass Despicable Me Toy Story 3 Exit Through The Gift Shop Restrepo Inception The A-Team Iron Man 2 Shutter Island Top 10 TV Shows LOST Dexter 30 Rock Modern Family The Middle Breaking Bad Parks and Recreation The Walking Dead Raising Hope Curb Your Enthusiasm

A few thoughts from this past Sunday's message... The African Impala - has ability to jump 13feet high from a standing position - can also jump a span of 30 feet - fast too – max speed 60 miles per hour - not contained by tall fence or huge ditch - contained by a 3ft wall - adult impalas are hesitant to jump if they cannot see where they are going to land - the inability to see the end of the jump keeps it from doing what it was designed to do. - Can you imagine all that God given potential just sitting there going to waste. They live their lives in a safe, comfortable environment where they wake up each morning, eat, sleep, eat some more, go through the routines then start over again the next day. - Is that the life God had in mind when He created them? We have churches, and a church, full of Impalas this morning We have people filling our pews and seats that wake up each day, go through the same old routines that are full of some amazing God given potential. Life ch...

So it's been a while. As in in over a year kind of while. I know in my last post I said I was hanging it up for good. And the truth is that was my intention. I use to love blogging. It was more for my benefit then anyone else. It was a place for me to drop some random thoughts about life in the Jesusgreek world. The problem was I found my self full of things to say but no desire to say them. So I quit. No one cared of course. Not that they should of. But most of all I didn't care. As the past year went along I found myself missing this. Just sitting down for a few minutes ever couple of days or so to chronicle some seemingly pointless and not so pointless moments of my life. So after 370+ days of silence, I've decided to give this one more go. A lot has happened since my last blog. I have a new kid, a son named Joshua who will be a year old later this month. Had some ups and downs at church, read some good books, some bad books, seen some great movies, and some really ter...