Gone on a Jet Plane

I talked with Pastor Jonathan Barthalow just a few minutes before they boarded a flight to Newark, New Jersey and then on to India yesterday afternoon.. They are really excited about this next step of missionary service. A lady from the church in Memphis rented them a limo so they could ride to the airport in style. I'm so proud of how they are following the Lord's will for their lives. They should be landing in India in any minute now.

Quote of the Week

Here's the quote of the week--"The world is wide; and I will not waste my life in friction when it can be turned into momentum." (Frances Willard)

What a great idea--life is too short to be lived in friction with everyone and everything around us--let's turn that friction into momentum and move the agenda of the Kingdom forward in our lifetime.

Nice Post by Mark Batterson at Future A/G

Here was an interesting post by Mark Batterson at www.futureag.blogspot.com:

Here are ten characteristics I'm looking for:

1) Spiritual intensity--a raw heart for God
2) Non-conformist--appreciates our history but also challenges the Status Quo
3) Doesn't just speak in AG cliches--fresh thoughts and fresh methods
4) Imagination--more concerned about creating the future than repeating the past.
5) Contexual Intelligence--keen ability to understand the times ala the Tribe of Isachaar.
6) Proven track record of pastoral leadership--someone who's been there and done that.
7) Humor--someone who can laugh at themselves
8) Neotenic--young at heart regardless of age
9) Innovator--believes that there are ways of doing church that no one has thought of yet.
10) Missional--huge heart for missions and church planting.

Future AG Blog

As some of you might know, the future of the Assemblies of God will be dramatically impacted in just three weeks as we cast ballots for the offices of general superintendent, assistant general superintendent, general secretary, and executive director of world missions. There is a unique blog that asks what characteristics should be looked for in a leader for our movement. It's a pretty cool way to dialogue about the future.

Take a look at http://futureag.blogspot.com/.

Men of Steel: Champions Tour

The second week of the Men of Steel: Champions Tour was just as phenomenal as the first. We have four small groups of guys that meet together each Wednesday morning at 6:30 AM. We eat a little breakfast, hear a talk, and then get coached in our small groups. The lessons come from the book Who Wants to Be a Champion by NBA executive Pat Williams. It's great stuff--all wrapped up by 7.30 AM.

Today's lesson was about speaking the right kinds of words. It challenged us to go 90 days without any negative words coming out of our mouths. What a challenge! I think I'm going to take the challenge and see what happens.

Spiritual on Your Own?

We talked about fusing brotherly kindness with our faith yesterday. I am more convinced than ever that you can't be spiritual by yourself. It's in the context of relationshps--particularly a marriage and family--that my spirituality gets worked out into my life. It's easy to be spiritual in a cave by yourself, alone with God. It gets harder when you throw people into the mix. People who disagree with you. People different from you. People who disappoint you.

I'm convinced we can build healthy relationships that spur one another on to real spiritual growth.

LIke a Lobster

Yesterday, Amberly, the kids, and I went to Valley View Aquatic Center. It was a blast. Four water slides, two pools, and a lazy river. I used SPF 50 Sunblock--but it didn't block. Red as a lobster, but it was a fun, four hours with the family.