Emyth

Reading a great secular book on leadership called the "E Myth" by Michael Gerber. It has been great so far. I'm only a couple chapters in, but am already relating to the tension between the Entrepreneur, Manager and the Technician. It is almost exactly zeroing in on myself, our staff and the "tension" that is almost always present. The key is realizing that the TENSION IS HEALTHY AND NEEDED to continue to move forward, while at the same time appreciating what each brings to the table.

DTR

Define The Relationship. In the book "Not a Fan" it is brought to light. Your on your first date with a girl and she wigs you out by saying, "we need to define the relationship." But think about this with Christ. I was challenged to Define My Relationship with Jesus. Am I really a Follower...or just a Fan? Is Jesus really my everything, or just an Add-On in my life? How much do I really trust Him? Am I willing to joyfully give up everything just to know Him better? This week, I have been challenged to Define My Relationship ....with Jesus. I know what I want it to be...and I am not there.....yet.

spiritual warfare

When it comes to spiritual warfare there is no such thing as a draw, we either win or lose. I'm asking myself personally as well as for my church, how much pushing back on the darkness is really going on? Pushing back the darkness is helping people experience FREEDOM that can only come through Christ. Are we just a show or a parade with unloaded spiritual weapons? Or are we truly uses all that God has given us? What percentage of our lives are TALK...and what part are actually WALK? That's just where I am at right now. I want ALL God has for me and C3!

mission

We are on this Earth for a reason...and that reason is not us. We are second and Christ is first. Which means the things on God's heart, should be the things on our heart. How much of your time, money and energies are spent on Christ's mission which is to seek and save the lost?

passion

All passion comes out of anguish.
Think about what you are truly passionate about. It was usually birthed out of pain, which led you to have a strong desire to create change. What are you passionate about and why?

life

What have you sold your life for?
Everyday we give up precious time and life pursuing something. Is what we are pursuing, worth the trade off?

ManUp

We had an incredible men's retreat from our church this past weekend. THere were some times for prayer, teaching, friendly competition and even a high ropes course. I love being a part of a church where our guys are really opening up to each other and beginning to pray and encourage one another. We have a group of guys desiring to start a men's revolution at our church. I'm excited to see where this goes.

I O

When I normally hear I O .....I figure I must have missed the O H. But I O also stands for Instant Obedience. I want to instantly obey when I hear God speaking to me. If not, I allow myself or the enemy talk me out of doing what God has asked me to do. Delayed obedience is disobedience so I want to INSTANTLY OBEY!

heart

I'm reading a book right now that is smacking me in the nose and I can't wait to digest it, pray through it and then share it with my church. It's called "the Blessed Life" by Robert Morris. It is the best book on generosity that I have ever read and God is using it to change my life. I'm only halfway through it but here are a couple great quotes or ideas:
- How you respond to God's blessing on someone else, reveals the condition of your heart.
- Tithing is not really giving, it's returning.
- Tithing is a test.
- If something is wrong under the Law...can it be right under Grace?
- The first fruits are the "trigger for the blessing"
- Money is neutral, it's a tool and a test.
- It's not about money...it's about our hearts
- How much of a grip does money have on our lives?

confession

My name is Konan Stephens and God has delivered me...today...from a poverty mentality. A poverty mentality causes us to be ashamed of the blessings of God. It associates "wealth" as coming from the devil. My Keri and I are givers. Always have been and always plan to be. Because of this, we live a very blessed life. I would continually find myself making excuses for God's Blessing in my life. (I'm not talking about "prosperity" gospel..not even close) I have grown up in a culture that says Pastors should be poor and I have lived that way for years. From now on, God's blessings in my life will lead me to GRATITUDE and not shame. God's blessings are a by-product of being generous and I will do my best not to constantly make excuses for what God has blessed me with. God knows that material things don't have a hold on me. Honestly, if our house burned down tomorrow and we lost all our stuff...it wouldn't make me lose much sleep. All I have is HIS anyways and it's only on loan to me. I am grateful beyond measure to my God who has blessed me in EVERY way and I give HIM all the praise! I will from here on out...walk in my new freedom.

today affects tomorrow

What we do today, shapes tomorrow. What we do today, will either be built upon or cleaned up tomorrow. The Bible says what we sow, we reap. Intentionally sow, to intentionally reap.

Road trip

This morning our staff will all load up in a van and travel to Atlanta for the Catalyst Conference. I'm not sure what is better, the long ride conversations and team bonding or the actual conference. We did this last year and had a blast. I'm believing for God to accomplish in us what HE desires. Bon Voyage!

facts and feelings

"You not only have to confront the brutal facts...but the brutal feelings as well."
In leadership there are many facts that are hard to deal with. Some facts about ourselves or the organizations we lead are not very positive. These facts can be brutal and it is our responsibility to create and execute a plan to get us out of it. The flip side of that coin is the personal insecurities and feelings that must be dealt with those facts. The hard thing is that many of the facts point directly to our failure or lack. We must be strong enough to admit when we are wrong and courageous enough to make a change.

the leader's weakness

The leaders weaknesses are also the churches weaknesses.

The enemy knows that like in any war, if he can take out the commanding officer, it will affect the whole command under his leadership. So the enemy's plan is centered around the weaknesses of it's leadership. The enemy of our souls will continually check the doors of our hearts and minds to make sure we have locked them and if not, he will take advantage of it. I have learned as well that the more God entrusts to you as a spiritual leader, the greater the attacks and spiritual weight. So, I must guard my weaknesses with tenacity and allow Christ to be strong IN and THROUGH my weaknesses.