merry go round

Life and leadership have a way of continuing to get crazier and crazier.  I compare it to being on the merry-go-round that continues to pick up speed, which makes it harder and harder to hold on.  When it gets going too fast, we all need to jump off and figure out how to slow it down or change it up.  How fast are you going?

vacation

I just returned from a great family vacation.  There is nothing like doing nothing!  It truly was a great time enjoying my family and making some memories together.  We went to the beach at Gulf Shores Alabama and then to my wife's mothers little place on a lake.  I enjoyed my morning runs, then a dip in the water followed by my time with Jesus while sipping on a Starbucks frap!  I'm not sure life gets much better than that!  Truly, I want to enjoy every precious moment that God gives me on this Earth.

be the living difference

On the treadmill this morning I watched a touching special on ESPN called "Carry On."  I was moved to tears over the power of this story.  There was a line that was said that has stuck with me all day.  "Be the living difference."  
It is amazing to think that we can be the living difference in someone else's life.  That we can be the voice of MORE that helps pull greatness out of someone.  That our life can be lived in such a way that it challenges others to do something they would have never done on their own.
Who can you be the living difference for?

Are you vulnerable?

As a Pastor, I think one of the dangers you can fall into is creating this facade that everything in your life is perfect.  When this is done, it can actually do more damage to the body of Christ.  People then compare their spiritual struggles against what appears to be perfect and then realize they can never attain it.  Someone approached me just yesterday and said that Keri and I have the perfect marriage.  I had to laugh.  We do have a great marriage, but it is not perfect.  There are times we disagree and have conflict just like every other married couple.  But the key is this, are we vulnerable?  Vulnerability has been looked at as a weakness in the past, but really it can be positive thing.  Vulnerability shows we are real and our weaknesses build bridges with other people while our successes build walls.  Who are you vulnerable to?