Beautiful and Grotesque

The Apple way of doing things...

2010-03-03T09:21:00.001-05:00

"We believe in the simple, not the complex. We believe that we need to own and control the primary technologies behind the products we make, and participate only in markets where we can make a significant contribution."

– Tim Cook of Apple, Inc.

"Apple isn’t shy to make claims about the grandiose, epiphanal nature of its products because—whether they pull it off or not—they have built a culture in which every product they make is designed to be world class."

– Gizmodo

A Challenge for Dads

2010-03-01T08:51:00.001-05:00

The challenge for dads:

"I ask men what they do when they come home from work and they say, "Play with my kids." I ask why and they answer, "I haven't seen them all day." I then say, "Your wife hasn't seen you all day either. Why don't you go straight home, straight to your wife and let your children know your marriage is the most important relationship in your life, not your relationship with them because this is good for them to know."

John Rosemond, Nationally recognized Child psychologist

2010 Reading List

2010-01-03T16:32:00.004-05:00

I have always wanted to read more and, of late, have found my reading decreasing to a virtual standstill. So...I'm publishing my reading list for 2010 for accountability more than anything. Too often we have "resolutions" we share with no one and, therefore, have no accountability when we fall off the wagon. So here it is...more aggressive, more diverse and a bit daunting. I found inspiration and influence from a long-time friend (Bob Hostetler, a pastor and author in Oxford, OH) and his annual list. I modeled my list much after his own and am hoping for an exciting literary year.

READING LIST 2010

Biography:

The Operator: David Geffen (King)

Memoir:

Lucky: A Memoir (Alice Sebold)

Classics

The Moviegoer (Percy)

1984 (Orwell)

Black Boy (Wright)

Writing:

On Writing (King)

History:

Churchill (P. Johnson)

New author:

The Brief History of the Dead (Brockmeir)

Poet for 2010: Rainer Maria Rilke

Stories of God

Letters to a Young Poet

Selected Poetry of Rilke

Favorites Authors:

Saint Maybe (Tyler)

Free Fall (Golding)

The Innocent Man (Grisham)

Weight of Glory (Lewis)

Christian/Inspirational:

10 Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe (Osborne)

Jesus wants to save Christians (Bell)

Divine Conspiracy (Willard)

Sacredness of Questioning Everything (Dark)

Leadership/Creative/Development:

Branding Faith (Cook)

Designful Company (Neumeier)

How the Mighty Fall (Collins)

Built to Last (Collins)

What got you here won’t get you there (Goldsmith)

The Ten Faces of Innovation (Kelley)

Politics:

National Suicide (Gross)

Children’s:

The Phantom Tollbooth (Juster)

Contemplative/Devotional:

With Open Hands (Nouwen)

A Barclay Prayer Book (Barclay)

Provocations (Kierkegaard and Moore)

The Open Secret (Newbigin)

Big Pagers:

Brothers Karamazov (Dostoevsky)

Les Miserables (Hugo)

We do not need grace...

2009-10-21T09:00:00.001-04:00

"We do not need the grace of God to withstand crises—human nature and pride are sufficient for us to face the stress and strain magnificently. But it does require the supernatural grace of God to live twenty-four hours of every day as a saint, going through drudgery, and living an ordinary, unnoticed, and ignored existence as a disciple of Jesus. It is ingrained in us that we have to do exceptional things for God—but we do not. We have to be exceptional in the ordinary things of life, and holy on the ordinary streets, among ordinary people—and this is not learned in five minutes."

-Oswald Chamber

The true test of character

2009-10-12T08:59:00.001-04:00

"The true test of a person’s spiritual life and character is not what he does in the extraordinary moments of life, but what he does during the ordinary times when there is nothing tremendous or exciting happening. A person’s worth is revealed in his attitude toward the ordinary things of life when he is not under the spotlight." -Oswald Chambers

5 Rules for a Meeting

2009-05-06T10:36:00.003-04:00

1. Anyone can say no, but you're not allowed to unless you have another idea.

2. Don't kill a bad idea too soon.

3. You have permission to fail.

4. Within the boundaries, nothing is off limits.

5. Sometimes it's better just to listen

(courtesy of #DRIVE Conference twitter feed)

QUOTABLE: Men are important

2009-04-28T12:48:00.001-04:00

"The breakdown in this society is a result of men being misled to believe they're not important."

- Pastor Jose Torres (on leadership)

Lessons in Innovations

2009-03-31T13:39:00.002-04:00

Insights from People Design:

Innovation is a threat to yesterday’s success.
Markets don’t always reward new ideas. Focus on customer needs more than customer wants. Markets – people – know what they have experienced, but innovation changes the experience.

Innovation is not a solo flight.
The vision of the lone innovator is dated – the world today is just too complex. Work in interdisciplinary teams and networks. Remember that innovation is often about combination: There will be some chaos, but don’t try to avoid it. Fail fast, start learning, be agile. Innovation – as opposed to invention – is more process than product, and the future of innovation is about collaboration.

Budgeting can be an innovation killer.
Rather than managing costs, focus first on investing to create value. The greatest value of innovation results from a context of profound and prolonged uncertainty. So learn how to react quickly when you discern real sources of value. Innovation – finding new sources of value – needs room to explore.

Experience innovation is infinite.
Innovations in product design, price, and speed to market only go so far, but you can always better understand your customer, their needs and desires, and find ways to meet them that are ever better and differentiating. We continue to see a shift from product to service economy, and exploring this area is a great way to surface new innovation opportunities.

Design processes around your customer.
Organizations need to innovate the customer experience first and then work backwards to deliver that experience. When we make plans, we often get the future wrong because we don’t always understand customer behavior. Do all you can to understand the customer’s context before your next investment.

Wake this heart to truth and love

2009-03-31T09:28:00.003-04:00

"God uses human instruments to bring to men the message of his truth and love; but it is He alone who wakes the heart of men to new life. As He alone created the heart, so He alone can re-create it."

- William Barclay (commenting on 1 Cor 3:1-9)

Why the Obama administration (or any for that matter) won't fix the problem

2009-03-31T09:17:00.004-04:00

"The man of system, on the contrary, is apt to be very wise in his own conceit; and is often so enamored with the supposed beauty of his own ideal plan of government, that he cannot suffer the smallest deviation from any part of it. He goes on to establish it completely and in all its parts, without any regard either to the great interests, or to the strong prejudices which may oppose it. He seems to imagine that he can arrange the different members of a great society with as much ease as the hand arranges the different pieces upon a chess-board. He does not consider that the pieces upon the chess-board have no other principle of motion besides that which the hand impresses upon them; but that, in the great chess-board of human society, every single piece has a principle of motion of its own, altogether different from that which the legislature might chuse to impress upon it. If those two principles coincide and act in the same direction, the game of human society will go on easily and harmoniously, and is very likely to be happy and successful. If they are opposite or different, the game will go on miserably, and the society must be at all times in the highest degree of disorder."

- Adam Smith, father of Modern Economics (1723-1790)

Perspective in these troubled times

2009-03-21T09:08:00.007-04:00

Read these while reading Psalms and Luke this morning on YouVersion...reminds me why this crisis will not be solved by politicians as much as we would like it to be and how this world is not all that is even though it often seems like it.

"Don’t put your confidence in powerful people;
there is no help for you there.

When they breathe their last, they return to the earth,
and all their plans die with them." (Psalm 146: 3,4)

"The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!" (Luke 12: 2,3)

Fire and Ice

2009-01-31T08:49:00.001-05:00

Fire and Ice
Originally uploaded by ryanhartsock.

This morning driving home from grabbing our Saturday Starbucks, the sun decided to put on quite the show with the icy finger of the trees. It made for a beautiful spectacle.

Leadership is not a popularity contest

2009-01-30T11:32:00.000-05:00

"I am again learning the painful lesson that it’s almost impossible to lead people without offending someone." - Tony Morgan

A word picture of my thoughts...

2009-01-26T10:57:00.000-05:00

Playing around with Wordle and here's what I got:

Honda: Kick Out the Ladder

2009-01-25T14:20:00.001-05:00

Another Honda produced short-form documentary.

Honda: Failure is the key to success.

2009-01-25T13:34:00.003-05:00

Honda has produced a series of amazing short-form documentaries. Thanks Guy Kawasaki for the heads up via Twitter!

High Performance Teams

2009-01-23T11:15:00.003-05:00

I love listening to podcasts while I workout in the morning...a little mini-coaching session. Last night I found a leadership podcast hosted by Andy Stanley whom I greatly admire and respect. He talked about high performance teams and here are some of the nuggets I took away and will be implementing ASAP with my teams.

1. CLEARLY DEFINE YOUR PROBLEM
Not goals...what won't happen if we don't do what God has called us to do? What problem in teens and culture won't be solved if we don't do what we do? What is the problem we as an organization are here to solve?

- This gives us reason to exist
- Gives us passion for what we do
- Teams dissolve when the problems are all solved
- One start is creating RELEVANT spiritual environments for teens
- Clarify the WIN! What is the win for us as an organization and in your areas?

"A clear, common compelling task that is important to the individual team member is the single most important thing for team building." Pat McMillian

2. AGREED UPON SOLUTION
Not just the RIGHT solution but the AGREED upon solution. This takes time...maybe even a lot of time.

- Agreement necessitates unfiltered debate
- I can't concede my point until you have heard me out so we can all emotionally
engage/own the idea, vision, and goals.
- People have to buy in before they pitch in with their whole heart

"Only when everyone has put their opinions and perspectives on the table can a team confidently move forward because it has tapped into the collective wisdom of the team" Patrick Lenconi

ASK:: What is the solution to the problem we have defined?

3. CLEARLY ASSIGNED/DEFINED ROLES
- Every team member needs to know exactly what's expected of them
- One-sentence job description for everyone...if all else fails, this is your role in the
organization.

Some EXAMPLES:
Create an expanding network of small groups.
Create a compelling worship experience.

An equation for change

2009-01-14T12:45:00.001-05:00

C = D * V * F > R
Change (C) happens when your dissatisfaction (D) is multiplied by a vision (V) of what can be and by first steps (F) in the right direction to a high enough level to overcome the natural resistance (R) to the desired change.

According to Dr. Phil

2009-01-13T14:06:00.001-05:00

Well, crap! My New Year's was just rained on by Dr. Phil's personality test on Face Book. According to him:

You're a vain, self-centered Leader
Others see you as someone they should "handle with care." You're seen as vain, self-centered, and who is extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don't always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with you.

Getting alone...

2009-01-13T09:27:00.002-05:00

"When God gets us alone through suffering, heartbreak, temptation, disappointment, sickness, or by thwarted desires, a broken friendship, or a new friendship— when He gets us absolutely alone, and we are totally speechless, unable to ask even one question, then He begins to teach us.

As you journey with God, the only thing He intends to be clear is the way He deals with your soul. The sorrows and difficulties in the lives of others will be absolutely confusing to you. We think we understand another person’s struggle until God reveals the same shortcomings in our lives.

Are we alone with Him now? Or are we more concerned with our own ideas, friendships, and cares for our bodies? Jesus cannot teach us anything until we quiet all our intellectual questions and get alone with Him." (Oswald Chambers)

As I make my annual resolutions and goals for this year, it is easy to get caught up in so much other than the truly important...time with God. As my life becomes increasingly busy with a new job, a new kid on the way, 2 zany boys, and a beautiful wife...time alone becomes something I have to be very intentional about. I think about times in my life when I have ventured into the supposed loneliness of solitude...backpacking, walking, running, listening to music. Those times have been indelibly marked in my mind as moments of significance.

This Sunday at church our pastor, Ben, talked about some key principles to live by this new year that I plan to embrace: abandon annually, measure monthly, withdraw weekly, divert daily. This plan should help me make sure I find the space for solitude this new year.

Best and Worst Movies of 2008

2008-12-29T21:24:00.002-05:00

The judgment is based on overall buzz/expectation to actual reality of the film. Here's my list of 2008 in order of release dates. (NOTE: there are plenty of movies I didn't see this year).

BEST:
In Bruges
Bank Job
Iron Man
Redbelt
Kung Fu Panda
Wall-E
Wanted
Dark Knight
Step Brothers
Pineapple Express
Burn After Reading
Body of Lies
Bolt

WORST:
Jumper
Be Kind, Rewind
Semi-Pro
The Grand
Get Smart
Space Chimps
Day the Earth Stood Still

What is your list?

Madness is not rational

2008-12-22T10:32:00.001-05:00

"The economic situation makes no sense, because madness is not rational. Obsession cannot be overcome by reason or by moral values. Wall street and the country in general is just as addicted as any heroin addict. Feeling good at any price. The solution is never found by carping on the sins....but only in practicing the virtues."

(James Sandel, Boston, MA responding to a NY Times Op-Ed entitled "The Madoff Economy")

Review of "The E-Myth Manager"

2008-12-22T09:25:00.003-05:00

What a book! We just finished reading Michael Gerber's "E-Myth Manager" as a staff, and I found it simply remarkable. If you haven't heard of the E-Myth, it is this: the myth that most people who start small businesses are entrepreneurs AND the fatal assumption that an individual who understands the technical work of a business can successfully run a business that does that technical work.

But the beauty of the work lies within its wisdom for organizations regardless of their size, mission, staff, and much more...these principles are foundational to transforming organizations. I was very skeptical of the "systems approach" to organizations especially churches but now see if is the most efficient and effective way to deliver on the promise we have been called to.

I took exhaustive notes, not because I'm so smart or geeky but because this book will be pulled off the shelf many times over the next few years. Below are 10 key concepts I found plus CLICK HERE to download all the notes for yourself if you want the "Cliff Notes" of the book.

"Management, as we have come to know it, is the product of many years of insanity based on the idea that to manage means to control everything around us. Something humans were never born to do."
"Most organizations are filled with empty missions today."
"You must create a system to that the Vision will be optimally realized. Systems and Strategies are critical"
"Actively live life, rather than let life live you. STOP living on autopilot."
"Once the FLAVOR of the organization is communicated clearly as well as the standards and character...tactical components reveal themselves."
"Make sure everyone in the organization understands how money works and how it doesn't."
"You do not organize PEOPLE...you organize WORK."
"Know the ONE thing it is you're committed to providing the people you serve and focus your energy entirely on the perfection of the ability to fulfill that commitment. PROMISE (what are we here to accomplish?) and PROCESS (what is the best way to fulfill it?)"
"A systems dependent organization is significantly more humane than a people-dependent one. In a people-dependent organization, when Fred stops producing, Fred's history. In a systems-dependent organization, Fred's not the problem, the system is."
"The people you look to hire should be people who recognize their weaknesses -- perhaps more than their strengths -- and truly express the desire to rise above them. People who are self-aware are generally also willing to assume full responsibility for the role they play within the organization.

How do you "pay" volunteers?

2008-12-18T13:28:00.003-05:00

I work in a very volunteer intensive environment, and we always are looking for ways to show appreciation ("pay") our volunteers. Everyone has a currency they prefer, which motivates your volunteers the most? What's their currency? The first job of a leader is to define reality, and the last job of a leader is to say “Thank You.” How do volunteers experience “thank you” with the most impact?

1. Money
(small increments, gift cards, tokens of appreciation)
2. Private Praise
(specific, pull-you-aside-and-complement, letting them know their service was noticed)
3. Public Praise
(in front of the group, calling them out as the difference maker)
4. Access to their Up-line coordinator/staff
(above and beyond everyone else, they have the up-line’s ear)
5. Input
(their input heard – but they don’t necessarily need their idea to be executed)
6. Knowledge
(they like to be kept in the loop on the inner dialogue)
7. Significance
(they like to be told how your efforts make a difference…the “why” is the motivator for them)
8. Excellence
(they have to be part of something special, an organization that is better than the rest)
9. Flexibility of Schedule
(like to know they are so valuable we are willing to accommodate their schedule)
10. Time Off
(their personal cycle is such that they work hard then hiatus after completion of a goal).
11. Give more work to me
(They are driven by feeling needed).

CNN "Heroes" was truly great TV

2008-12-01T09:17:00.003-05:00

How many times have you watched the news and thought, "Why is it that all we hear about is death, dying, doom and gloom? Isn't there something out there bringing hope and meaning to people's lives that could be reported on from time to time?" It was these questions that awoke what I believe to be my calling to enter into the media and creative fields...to possibly be a catalyst for change. And it was this presentation by CNN on Thanksgiving that brought a broad smile to my face called "Heroes :: Ordinary people, Extraordinary impact."

I only had a chance to watch about 30 minutes of this profoundly inspiring "Oscars of Charity and Kindness". Wow...amazing stories from ordinary people doing something to make a difference in people's lives all around this world. I teared up several times and kept smiling ear to ear...media at its best. John Legend's "If Your Out There" was the icing on the cake to close the celebration.

Yes...I love the actual Oscar's but in the end aren't they simply Hollywood patting itself on its back? This presentation provided more fuel to an already burning fire in many people's hearts to look beyond themselves. And as a follower of Jesus it helped me regain so often what I lose in the blur of life...the hope and sustainable change offering love to others brings.

I'm sure re-runs will be airing for the next week or two so make sure you DVR it and enjoy.

Bond vs. Bond

2008-11-14T19:51:00.003-05:00

Pierce Brosnan versus Daniel Craig...who will win?

What if Starbucks marketed like a Church?

2008-11-07T13:56:00.000-05:00

Top 10 Irritating Phrases

2008-11-07T08:12:00.002-05:00

Researchers from Oxford University compiled a list of overused, cliched, misused, and simply annoying phrases...see how guilty you are:

#1: At the end of the day

#2: Fairly unique

#3: I personally (I'm guilty...the ultimate postmodern beginning to a sentence in order to maintain the 'politically correct' discourse.)

#4: At this moment in time

#5: With all due respect

#6: Absolutely (Currently I overuse this big time)

#7: It's a nightmare

#8: Shouldn't of

#9: 24/7 (This saying should be put out of its misery sooner than later)

#10: It's not rocket science

What is it to believe?

2008-11-06T09:37:00.002-05:00

"To believe is to commit. In the area of intellectual learning I commit myself mentally, and reject anything not related to that belief. In the realm of personal belief I commit myself morally to my convictions and refuse to compromise."

- Oswald Chambers

Our passion for politics and Jesus

2008-11-05T11:12:00.002-05:00

Here's a quote from a good friend this morning:

"I wonder if Christians who voted/loved Obama are as excited and enthusiastic about Jesus (and tell other people about him as passionately). Imagine the change in the world if that were (universally) the case ..."

Catalyst Conference 2008 :: Jim Collins

2008-10-27T22:41:00.001-04:00

• "If we only have GREAT businesses in our country we're only going to be prosperous. Greatness is not from the cards we're dealt...it's a choice and discipline." (Jim Collins, author 'Good to Great')

• "It takes time to get where you want to go...get the momentum going...turn the flywheel. Starbucks only had 5 stores in its first 13 years." (Jim Collins)

• "The great fall for most organizations is OVERREACHING. Seduced by our own success...hubris." (Jim Collins)

• "The right WHO = the right WHAT. The right WHO prepares you and your organization for everything you'll encounter, especially in turmoil." (Jim Collins)

• "Leaders of the 'Good to Great' organizations were HUMBLE. Humility defined by absolute passion for the misson and vision of the organization, not themselves. If it's about you...nothing truly great will happen." (Jim Collins)

• "Make your NOT TO DO list as robust as your TO DO list." (Jim Collins)

• "Every generation needs to develop its own practices to exemplify the values that cut across generations." (Jim Collins)

Here are 5 things Jim asked everyone to do when we get home:
1. How many key seats are on the bus for your organization? How can you get to 100%?
2. Build a personal board of directors...people who push, young people who would be in your face
3. Take intentional quiet time...nothing scheduled, no electronics
4. Ask questions versus statements
5. Ask yourself...are you ready to endure the pain to become a Level 5 leader?

• "Have an Annual top 3 to do and a top 3 not to do." (Jim Collins)

• "The moment you have to tightly manage someone, most likely you made a hiring mistake. The key is leading...not managing." (Jim Collins)

Catalyst Conference 2008 :: Andy Stanley and Moral Authority

2008-10-22T07:57:00.001-04:00

Catalyst (noun) an agent that provokes or speeds significant change or action.

A catalyst of learning, worship, social action, growth, leadership and action...that about sums up the Catalyst Conference experience for me. It is an intense 48 hours to say the least. A lineup that ran the spectrum from influential church leaders to marketing gurus. It was amazing to sit at their feet and absorb.

Over the next few days I'm going to post some of the top points I heard from the conference. They're amazing snippets from amazing thinkers...take some time to read them.
_________

• "Moral authority is when your creed and deed are aligned. Compromising this will jeopardize any influence you have and that's all of us mostly have...influence. We can't make people do things. So make sure your PUBLIC and PRIVATE moral authority are aligned." (Andy Stanley)

• "Everyone has sad stories of being mistreated, underpaid, stabbed in the back, etc but Jesus' example helps us move past this...there is NO excuse for bitter, angry church leaders. If we allow bitterness and anger then we lose moral authority. RESOLVE YOUR JUNK! The boldest step you'll take is to get on your knees and release your junk to God." (Andy Stanley)

• "In your family if you can't speak with moral authority...it's done! Don't sacrifice the position NO one else can fill (father or mother) for a position at work many people can fill." (Andy Stanley)

My sons are now HIP-HOP stars!

2008-10-11T15:08:00.001-04:00

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Barney Frank has a new butthole!

2008-10-03T16:03:00.001-04:00

The Global Pool of Money

2008-09-29T12:09:00.002-04:00

I just finished listening to a podcast from "This American Life" about the financial crisis and man, I'm blown away by what I'm hearing. You know what a "NINA" loan is? It means "No Income, No Asset" so basically a "Liar's Loan". You know who gave these mortgages out the last few years...everyone!

Do yourself a favor...take some time and listen to this PODCAST right now.

How did we get to this economic crisis? Get informed...watch this!

2008-09-26T21:34:00.000-04:00

"We are not responsible for the economic crisis..."

2008-09-17T10:03:00.002-04:00

I cannot help but write another blog today on politics...because I cannot stand when people try to pin blame solely on another in a system of checks and balances. Even a 9th grader in US History knows the President does not have the enormous power Nancy Pelosi implies in the following...and she simply has forgotten the past.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, when asked Tuesday whether Democrats bear some of the responsibility regarding the current crisis on Wall Street, had a one-word answer: “No.”Pelosi (D-Calif.) ripped President Bush’s “mismanagement” of the economy and a lack of regulation that led to the current situation. (TheHill.com)

Here's the past she needs to remember:

(NY Times 5 years ago) The Bush administration today recommended the most significant regulatory overhaul in the housing finance industry since the savings and loan crisis a decade ago.

Under the plan, disclosed at a Congressional hearing today, a new agency would be created within the Treasury Department to assume supervision of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored companies that are the two largest players in the mortgage lending industry.

The new agency would have the authority, which now rests with Congress, to set one of the two capital-reserve requirements for the companies. It would exercise authority over any new lines of business. And it would determine whether the two are adequately managing the risks of their ballooning portfolios.

Among the groups denouncing the proposal today were the National Association of Home Builders and Congressional Democrats who fear that tighter regulation of the companies could sharply reduce their commitment to financing low-income and affordable housing.

”These two entities — Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — are not facing any kind of financial crisis,” said Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts, the ranking Democrat on the Financial Services Committee. The more people exaggerate these problems, the more pressure there is on these companies, the less we will see in terms of affordable housing.”

(read the rest of the this HERE)

Is President Bush to blame for this crisis? Yes. Are the Democrats in the Congress to blame? Yes. Are large companies to blame? Yes. Are you and I to blame? Yes. Greed has gotten the best of us...and we are reaping its consequences. Easy money led to long term disaster...welcome to market correction.

The BIG DAY @ Four Corners Church!

2008-09-17T09:08:00.002-04:00

Three times a year we have what we call at Four Corners a "Big Day" where we ask everyone to invite people in their spheres of influence to church. This past Sunday was our big day this Fall...we promoted for 6 weeks leading up to it, modeling it as staff (my family invited 32 people), equipping people with invitations and door hangers, had a huge sign in front of the church itself and refreshed the overall auditorium experience (you should see what Greg and his team pulled off...unreal!) so that this wasn't just a big deal...it was THE BIG DEAL.

We had been praying for 800+ people to come hear the first message in our new series "The Naked Truth about Parenting". But God is had bigger things in store...we had 913 people show up! Almost 200 kids, almost 50 middle schoolers and a packed auditorium. It was an amazing day!

It's about political philosophy (not a candidate)

2008-09-17T08:01:00.002-04:00

I make no bones about it...I'm conservative in my political views but I believe these views have been skewed, hacked and bludgeoned these days (as I'm sure liberals believe their views have been as well). To me it is less about the politician and more about the political philosophy they align themselves with. George Will did a great job summarizing the difference between a conservative and liberal political philosophy of governing.

"The difference is this...the liberal and conservative argument has always been governed by the two polar values of Western political thought and that is freedom and equality. They are both important, both valuable and always in tension.

Today liberals tend to stress equality understood not as equality as opportunity but also equality of social outcome. And to that end, they want the government to be very busy fine tuning society and engineering it. To that end, they think the government should redistribute wealth and, therefore, they think the multiplication of entitlement programs is a definition of a public good.

Conservatives, on the other-hand, tend to stress freedom and are, therefore, willing to accept larger disparities in unequal outcomes in order to preserve freedom and tend to view of the multiplication of public entitlements are enemetical to the public good...subversive of the attitudes and aptitudes essential of a free society."

Review :: August Rush

2008-09-10T08:58:00.002-04:00

The movie intends to capture the story pitch of "What if Mozart was born today?". At the age of 8 years old Mozart had written his first symphony as if music inhabited his very being. "August Rush" tries to capture the same feelings in Freddie Highmore's depiction of Evan Taylor, the orphaned son of 2 musical prodigies who hears music in all things as if an audible voice calling him to action. Part fairy tale, part drama, and a lot of melodrama saturate this film. Moving at times and sometimes over the top with its character depictions such as Robin Williams' character 'The Wizard' (who reminded me of Rufio in "Hook" all grown up). The film goes for the heart strings relentlessly and without apology.

PS: a word to the director...please remember that you're shooting a drama and not "Bourne Supremacy". The constant movement of the camera from cranes and hand-held everything tried to make too many scenes seem overly important. Use camera movement to emphasize, not simply as a default.

What if your life had an UNDO button?

2008-09-03T14:31:00.003-04:00

I saw this peculiar little film the other day starring Zachary Levi ('Chuck') and Tony Hale ('Arrested Development'). Check out for yourself over at Delta's Short Film series (who knew?).

Worth quoting again...

2008-09-03T08:33:00.002-04:00

Quoted this yesterday on my Twitter:

"Unapplied truth is like upapplied paint. It doesn't do anyone any good. The value of paint and truth is in the application."

-Lane Jones

Review :: Lars and the Real Girl

2008-09-02T14:02:00.002-04:00

There's so much to love about this little indie gem. Much as in the same vein as "Dan in Real Life", "Little Miss Sunshine" and "Juno" there's a compelling story with a world full of quirky, life-sized characters (and sex dolls). Ryan Gosling's performance is spot on as Lars, a social misfit living in the garage with a deathly fear of physical touch.

The story revolves around Lars' relationship with a sex-doll named Bianca. Now before you get all offended by this notion, the beauty of the story is that it deals with the idea the doll represents...a substitution for human contact with what one would imagine as ideal. He wants love and doesn't know where to find it and so manufactures it. The journey or "rite of passage" shown in the movie is often humorous and at times tragic...but touching throughout.

My wife and I loved it and the message. And to add to the enjoyment is the perfectly crafted soundtrack by David Torn. One film definitely worth an evening on the couch.

How does Pixar keep such a creative streak?

2008-09-02T12:31:00.002-04:00

A friend just highlighted an article in the Harvard Business Review entitled "How Pixar Fosters Collective Creativity" that talks about how the animation studio keeps the pedal to the metal on creativity. Some great insights to mull over and consider applying in all of our various creative enterprises.

Quotable

2008-08-25T09:57:00.002-04:00

"...as the centuries went on Christianity so permeated civilization that in the end slaves were freed voluntarily and not by force. Here is the tremendous lesson. It is proof that neither men nor the world nor society can be reformed by force and by legislation. The reform must come through the slow penetration of the Spirit of Christ into the human situation. Things have to happen in God's time, not in ours."

William Barclay (comments on 1 Timothy 6:1,2)

Font Conference

2008-08-22T00:05:00.004-04:00

Watching the Men's Sand Volleyball gold medal game and found this...funny, funny stuff:

FONT CONFERENCE

How American Men die

2008-08-18T12:14:00.003-04:00

Wiseacre found an interesting chart about how men in America die...morbid but interesting.

Is this what's wrong in churches?

2008-08-16T16:17:00.002-04:00

I often read Leadership Journal's blog and this past week an interesting post emerged. It's one of those articles I'm not quite sure about but it made me think long and hard (and continues to). "Great is Thy Effectiveness" talks as aggressively about the current leadership "culture" dominating ministries everywhere and challenges the underlying assumptions and tenets this culture operates by as any I have seen. Here are some select quotes:

"Something’s wrong. We pastors are the stewards, the spokespeople, the advocates of a message of hope, life, and peace. And yet so few of us seem to be experiencing these qualities in our own lives."

"It seems too many of us have our identities wrapped up in the measurable outcomes of our work rather than in the life-giving love of the Christ we proclaim. Something’s wrong."

"...a pastor’s success and self-worth is inexorably linked to his/her measurable performance. Stewing in this toxic brew is it any wonder why pastors’ souls are shriveling. Something’s wrong."

There's plenty more to chew on and plenty of conversation in the "comment" section as well. I have always had a flag go up when a successful model of anything gets picked apart as being the opposite of what should be...selling of the soul for success per-say. But there are some interesting things to chew on and reflect. Let me know what you think too...

Lala :: streaming music online for Macs!

2008-08-13T14:54:00.002-04:00

My brother has been telling me for years about Rhapsody and his enjoyment of listening to music online without being out a ton of money, but, alas, Rhapsody didn't support Macs. Today I found Lala through the company I downloaded an application for my iPhone through...Lala. A groovy little site that so far has been a nice little find for streaming music of my choosing.

Where's the landslide?

2008-08-07T12:01:00.002-04:00

My brother shot me a great article the NY Times writer David Brooks about why Barak Obama should be blowing it out but simply is not. A very insightful look at why many Americans still hesitate to support either candidate.

Here are some excerpts:

"And the root of it is probably this: Obama has been a sojourner."

"American voters have trouble placing him in his context, understanding the roots and values in which he is ineluctably embedded."

"If you grew up in the 1950s, you were inclined to regard your identity as something you were born with. If you grew up in the 1970s, you were more likely to regard your identity as something you created...So, cautiously, the country watches. This should be a Democratic wipeout. But voters seem to be slow to trust a sojourner they cannot place."

The Naked Truth

2008-08-06T22:34:00.004-04:00

We're in the middle of working through artwork for our Fall series "The Naked Truth about Parenting" coming on September 14th. We're attempting to mix humor and meaning to draw in the curious. Check out some of the artwork in process...

It's not the work...it's the relationship

2008-08-04T10:13:00.003-04:00

" The most important aspect of Christianity is not the work we do, but the relationship we maintain and the surrounding influences and qualities produced by that relationship."

- Oswald Chambers, August 4 in "My Utmost for His Highest"

Remembering Alexander Solzhenitsyn

2008-08-04T09:15:00.003-04:00

Alexander Solzhenitsyn, a famous Russian writer and devout Russian Orthodox Christian, died yesterday at the age of 89. I remember reading Solzhenitsyn's Harvard Commencement Address from 1978 and thinking I was reading a "prophet" of sorts. His insights and observations stung me and the society I embrace to this day. They were words to mull over and possibly even act upon. Here's a small snippet of his address that's worth reading in its entirety.

"This tilt of freedom toward evil has come about gradually, but it evidently stems from a humanistic and benevolent concept according to which man – the master of the world – does not bear any evil within himself, and all the defects of life are caused by misguided social systems, which must therefore be corrected. Yet strangely enough, though the best social conditions have been achieved in the West, there still remains a great deal of crime..." (Harvard Address, 1978)

Tron 2 is Coming!

2008-07-31T22:33:00.002-04:00

I just found out that a new Tron sequel is coming and the preview footage is great. I always loved the glowing suits and the Light Bikes. Check the trailer HERE.

A beautiful meditation on fathers

2008-07-29T10:47:00.004-04:00

A friend sent me a link to this site today and it moved me very deeply. It's a photo journal of a son dealing with his father's Alzheimer's and the misty memories that are becoming more shrouded by the day. Take a few moments and visit.

Let's define before we discuss

2008-07-29T09:15:00.000-04:00

"Some of the most emotionally powerful words are undefined, such as "social justice," "a living wage," "price gouging" or a "fragile" environment, for example. Such terms are especially valuable to politicians during an election year, for these terms can attract the votes of people who mean very different-- and even mutually contradictory-- things when they use these words. "

- Thomas Sowell

The bulls@#t most designers put up with...

2008-07-28T10:28:00.001-04:00

I know...another video but this thing is on the money and hilarious.

Jedi Gym

2008-07-27T19:44:00.000-04:00

Thanks Lance!

The Dark Knight is EPIC!

2008-07-24T21:04:00.004-04:00

The Dark Knight is nothing short of film brilliance. I had the privilege of watching the movie on the IMAX screen last night. In almost every way is screams EPIC...the twisting and turning story, the haunting and mesmerizing performance of Heath Ledger, the visceral score by Hans Zimmer and James-Newton Howard, and about all else one experiences. Hands down one of the best films I have seen in a long time...

It rightly deserves the success it has achieved...over $222 million in 6 days. I'm looking forward to seeing it at least one more time in the theater. Thanks Christopher Nolan for making such a rousing and compelling film.

$3 of God, please

2008-07-23T12:18:00.002-04:00

"I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please, not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine. I don’t want enough of Him to make me love a black man or pick beets with a migrant. I want ecstasy, not transformation; I want the warmth of the womb, not a new birth. I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack. I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please."

-Wilbur Rees
(Thanks Trey Taylor)

Back from the beach!!

2008-07-23T11:24:00.002-04:00

Just got back from the Fenwick Island, DE beach from some fun in the sun. My boys had never there before so they were riveted by the ocean and sand...I think we could have been there for weeks and it would have still been a joy to them. Nolan loved racing the outgoing current with the incoming waves...laughing the whole way in. He also loved to be buried...over and over. Soren loved standing in the cold surf as it raced the grains of sand between his toes...nature's tickling machine. We ate some of the best lump crab cakes with Mojito's I have ever tasted (thanks Trip Advisor). And I almost finished a splendid book in every regard, "The Road" by Cormac MacCarthy. But I'll write more on that later.

I'm slowly posting photos from our time. I left my battery charger at home (boo!) so only captured the first 2 days. Trying some little experiments with the photos...let me know what you think.

Please pray for a friend this morning

2008-07-14T09:39:00.002-04:00

Our worship leader, Andy Reider, and his family are grieving this morning the loss of Katie Reider. I am literally speechless...this is the Reider family's second death this year and I mourn for them. They are an amazing family, and Katie was a spectacular musician. Please pray for their family as Katie leaves 2 young children behind.

Extreme Home Makeover Photos :: Demolition Day!

2008-07-13T21:47:00.002-04:00

I'm posting this 48 hours after they knocked down the house and they've already built the entire exterior of the NEW house! Did you hear that...they knocked the house down, dug up the existing foundation, leveled the property, poured a new foundation, framed, shingled, windows, stone work in 48 HOURS!! Check out more photos HERE.

Extreme Home Makeover Photos :: Braveheart Parade

2008-07-11T09:56:00.003-04:00

I will post photos throughout the week of the Extreme Home Makeover. You can always look at my Flickr page as well.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

2008-07-10T14:32:00.001-04:00

Drink this in...

Extreme Home Makeover picked a great family!

2008-07-09T17:04:00.002-04:00

As I wrote earlier today, Extreme Makeover Home Edition is in our neighborhood this week. The family getting the makeover, the Aker's, have an amazing story. Take a moment and read it HERE...they are dealing with 2 girls who have Type II Spinal Muscular Atrophy and a father and son who have Crohn's disease.

Extreme Makeover Home Edition is HERE!

2008-07-09T08:55:00.003-04:00

I found out yesterday from a friend Extreme Makeover Home Edition was coming to Cincinnati and it's going to be right around the corner from me! I'll post some photos soon...the bus with Ty and the crew was arriving this morning. As I drove to work PA's and Police were all over the street getting ready to close it for the week. I had a huge smile on even though my wife told me I was the grumpiest she'd seen me be in the morning (and I was). So sorry, beauty...but it's great to see people getting a gift like a new home!

The greatest handicap the Church has is...

2008-07-09T08:49:00.003-04:00

"The greatest handicap the Church has is the unsatisfactory lives of professing Christians and the greatest argument for Christianity is the genuinely Christian life."

- Unknown author

"All efforts of worth and excellence..."

2008-07-07T09:43:00.004-04:00

"All efforts of worth and excellence are difficult. The Christian life is gloriously difficult, but its difficulty does not make us faint and cave in -- it stirs up to overcome. God's grace produces men and women with a strong family likeness to Jesus, not pampered, spoiled weaklings. It's always necessary for us to make an effort to live a life of worth and excellence."

- Oswald Chambers

Happy 9th Anniversary, my beauty!

2008-07-03T12:04:00.002-04:00

It has been quite the adventure so far and I'm sure this is only the beginning. You're an amazing wife, mother, friend, lover, sister, friend, teacher and woman. Thank you for putting up with all my imperfections and embracing my strengths as we journey through this life together. I wouldn't have it any other way!

Quotable

2008-07-02T09:24:00.005-04:00

"Every man concentrates his life on something; the Christian concentrates his on obeying Christ and helping men."

William Barclay commenting on 1 Timothy 5:9-10

Not going to upgrade to new iPhone...not going to be a celluar share cropper!

2008-07-01T15:07:00.004-04:00

I bought an iPhone 1.0 at Christmas and had dreams of possibly upgrading this summer to the new 2.0 version with its sweet new features but that won't be happening.

Why you ask? It happens to be that I will have to sign a BRAND NEW 2-year contract regardless of how far into my CURRENT 2-year contract I am. AT&T tells me this is so because the phone is a subsidized or discounted price. So I ask...can I simply upgrade by paying more for a new iPhone? Silly me, of course not...that's not an option.

Boo Apple...Boo AT&T!! The answer to increasing demand and sustainable loyalty to the iPhone is not to get your customers perpetually "enslaved" to you by signing new contracts any time they want to upgrade. Basically I would become a celluar share cropper...never really owning my phone completely. This is very frustrating for a very loyal Apple customer and supporter.

The Church's Greatest Opportunity

2008-07-01T14:48:00.002-04:00

"The Church's greatest opportunity is to increase its influence with the most devoted followers of Christ. They are the best equipped and most motivated advocated for Christ, providing them with increased coaching and encouragement could reap great gains for the kingdom."

- REVEAL study insight

Great commercial for Discovery Channel

2008-06-30T14:44:00.001-04:00

I preached yesterday for the 1st time...

2008-06-30T09:56:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I had the honor of preaching to the amazing people of Four Corners while Ben preached next door at Zion Global. I ended up going LONG but felt pretty good about my 2nd service talk. I chatted about re-discovering the Bible and the critical nature of asking ourselves first "What DID it mean?" then we ask "What DOES it mean?". We walked through the parable of the sower in Mark 4:1-20 as an example of these practical questions in action.

If you want to take a listen...click HERE.

Find your role, shut your hole

2008-06-25T09:12:00.003-04:00

"Right people in the right roles will do the right thing in the right timing." -- Brian Tome (from 'War Room' podcast)

Twitterfied!

2008-06-24T22:48:00.003-04:00

I've given my Twitter account something to live for by finally using it! I'm using a Twitter client app called TWhirl and so far so good. The idea of micro-blogging is fascinating to me...simple and quick ways to know what's going on. Get Twitterfied today!

Garage Band unleashed!

2008-06-21T15:39:00.007-04:00

I have thought about doing a podcast for awhile and finally I did it yesterday in Garage Band...and it rocks! I was able to not only record but add sweet and high quality jingles and sound effects. I sent the podcast to all my Life Group Coaches this morning.

I had an absolute blast doing it and am looking forward to doing it again...here's a sample of my first episode.

Quotable

2008-06-18T21:54:00.002-04:00

"Isn’t an agnostic just an atheist without balls?"
Stephen Colbert

What to make of "The Shack"

2008-06-17T16:58:00.003-04:00

A good friend of mine recently finished "The Shack" by William P. Young and had high praise for it. The book currently in number 11 on Amazon's "Top Sellers" List and number 9 on USA Today's Book List. So he's not the only one finding it an interesting read.

Although I have yet to read it (it's now on my to-read list), I have heard much about it...some say it's an epiphany and others say it's blasphemy. Regardless, the author took the idea of the Trinity and fictionalized a conversation between man and "it"...a brave endeavor. Leadership Journal has a great conversation currently going on about the book.

Our children are our measuring sticks

2008-06-17T15:54:00.003-04:00

Nolan turned 4 just a few days ago and we had a huge water party for him this past weekend. It was amazing to look how he has changed and become such a big boy. There's joy in watching children relish in water fights and slip 'n slides. Check out photos from the party HERE.

God and the Gay Issue

2008-06-17T15:28:00.003-04:00

Today thousands of gay and lesbian couples are getting married in the state of California after the State Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional to ban gay marriage. This issue causes immense passion and fervor on both sides and is much more complex than soundbites or protesting placards. I'm often angered by the proclivity of either side to oversimplify the issue.

"...we have got so much rhetoric flying to and fro and we lack a sustained, careful discussion, which we really need to have. That’s actually an underlying theme of so many issues today, that we have forgotten how to do reasoned, wise discourse." - NT Wright

Take a moment to read Relevant magazine's forum with esteemed Christian thinkers on the issue in their newest issue dealing with hot button issues...it's worth a read.

Father's Day and my sons

2008-06-16T09:05:00.003-04:00

As I write this I find myself reflective of the small moments of yesterday and even this morning. I was at the church until 2:30pm and came home wiped out. (BTW...some men enjoyed the 6lbs fillet migon steaks they won in our first ever Man Bingo with the likes of Chuck Norris and Tiger Woods) I walked in the door and not 30 seconds later one of my son runs in from the backyard begging me to come play in the water. I trudge upstairs half-heartedly, looking at my bed and dreaming of the napping that will NOT be occurring, put on my swimsuit (depressing a bit since my metabolism has slowed considerably since I was younger) and went outside.

Needless to say, it was a great time. Nolan laughed and couldn't stop talking about our time out there for the rest of the night. He "made" me ride the bouncy water slide, which I flipped over and about broke my neck on...all the while he's laughing, of course. Then Jill's family came over for steak...good times. At dinner Jill asked Nolan, "What do you like most about daddy?" To which he replied, "That he plays water with me!" I couldn't help but smile ear to ear.

Then as I woke this morning and watched Luke Russert talk on the "Today Show" about the tragic and sudden death of his father, I was struck by his deep and welling love of his dad. His dad had told him and shown him absolute love and strength, and it was that strength which made it possible for Luke to move through his grief and talk with great clarity about his dad. I went upstairs to finish getting to go to the office and saw Nolan getting out of bed. I went to him and helped him change and told him I loved him. Then Soren stirred and I grabbed him from his crib with a huge kiss to the forehead...Father's Day was one to remember!

I almost died on the trail!

2008-06-10T13:24:00.003-04:00

I used to be an avid backpacker until I had kids; so when I went out this past weekend for a strenuous hike in Tennessee with some friends I tried to channel the spirit of my youth. Mistake. I hiked almost 14 miles in one day in 96º weather up and down ridge after ridge.

We left around 7:30pm from the trail head to hike into our campsite about 2 miles in and within minutes I was sweating like a pig. We get to the campsite after dark and try to settle in for the night BUT sleeping in a sleeping bag in 80º heat is not ideal...actually it's like sleeping in a small slice of hell. Then add on the fact that one of the guys with me finds a black widow in his sleeping bag and you have a recipe for almost NO sleep (90 minutes for me, thank you very much)

The next morning we hiked through crazy trails overgrown with stickers and poison ivy (my legs look like I've been attacked by a cat), and as we moved slowly and sweatily toward our car on the other end we heard from several hikers that "it's not too far". Yeah...we thought :(

Two of us broke off to grab the cars and meet everyone ahead BUT thought we wouldn't need to water up because the hikers told us "it's not too far". THREE miles later I had almost literally collapsed of complete dehydration and heat exhaustion...marching through boulder fields, hill upon hill begging (and cussing) at the trail.

When I finally found the car, my hiking partner said I looked horrible, and we rushed to the nearest gas station to get liquid. I drank over 100 oz. of liquid in 30 minutes and didn't pee (sorry...) for hours. It was crazy! My wife asked me when I got home how I thought what I did was fun...I smiled and said, "It all makes for great stories and that's what I love!"

The future is MOBILE...get used to it

2008-06-10T12:42:00.003-04:00

I just finished watching Apple's Keynote address about the iPhone 2.0 at the WWDC Conference in San Francisco and I'm floored. The SDK applications that will be available and have the potential to be available are unreal. We're seeing the merging of different apps into one unified app such as Flickr meets Twitter meets Google Maps meets Blog...say hello to Loopt. Some of the other apps for everything from the medical field to gaming are just mind blowing!

As a church we're starting to see mobile and web-based communications as the future of the way we can more effectively communicate with our leaders and volunteers. We did this video training for our Road Trip event and almost had 100% viewership! It's not as if we had something ahead of the curve (we're actually behind most of the digital world) but the church is just starting to take advantage of mobile/on-demand communication instead of meeting people to death.

The future is mobile and I want to be there!

When your voice is taken...friends need to speak up

2008-06-03T16:49:00.003-04:00

I've been listening to Katie Reider since I was in college. She's a Cincinnati native who's produced some great music. And, in the small world we all live in, her brother is our worship leader. Just a little bit ago she was diagnosed with rare tumor that spread to her sinuses and jaw. Needless to say, treatment of this is extensive, invasive and expensive...

So some of her friends have setup a website to help with expenses for Katie and her family. They are trying to get 500,000 visits in one year and have each person by an album by Katie for $1. An amazing offer to listen to great music and help an amazing voice sing again...thanks!

The "Road Trip" that could redefine church!

2008-06-02T15:46:00.003-04:00

I have been noticeably absent from blogging as of late mainly due to what I'm about to tell you. When things get crazy, blogging drops to the backburner BUT it's always awesome to tell you on the flip side what happened.

Yesterday, Four Corners Church went on a "Road Trip" instead of usual church. Yes, people showed up to church as they normally would, but we offered NO Kid's ministry, NO Middle School and, in fact, had everyone cram into the auditorium for the last week of our series "The Church Has Left the Building". In this series we have been talking about the critical nature of deep relationships and the essential part of Jesus' message..."They will know you're my disciples if you love another."

Then the band performed the classic "Life is a Highway" with a BMW motorcycle and Vespa Scooter illuminated on stage. We sang one worship song together, Ben talked for 8 minutes...the EVERYTHING people thought they were getting at church changed. We pulled a HUGE surprise!

People were asked to go live out community and loving one another rather than hearing another message about it. The church was told to leave the building. We had tables arranged around the room with maps to over 24 host families all across Cincinnati, a devotional CD, and our Summer "Road Trip" t-shirt...and people experienced church and community all over the city.

Hosts provided lunch, some intentional conversation and, most importantly, a friendly and safe place for relationships to grow. But instead of me tell you anymore...head to the ROAD TRIP website and see it for yourself.

Apple's Genius Bar is genius...

2008-06-02T15:38:00.002-04:00

Today I headed in to my local Apple Store to try and find out why my Bluetooth Mighty Mouse wasn't pairing with my laptop any longer. I left with a huge smile and increased loyalty.

First, I love making an appointment for service and having the system work. My appointment was at 11:20am and I showed at 11:10am with my kids in tow. Within minutes (while my boys were enjoying the kids area) they called me up.

Second, Genius Bar is exactly what I needed (and have needed many times before). A piece of equipment isn't performing as purchased and they fix it...FREE of charge. I'm sure they charge for parts and other what not, but all the times I've gone there I've never been charged. I love that! I pay top dollar for a top performing machine and they bring me top service. That generates loyalty!

Finally, my Mighty Mouse finally paired but the scroll wheel wasn't working. So the Genius guy gets me a new one to replace it FREE of charge! I was smiling ear to ear.

Thanks Apple for a great customer service experience time and time again!

If it's a mystery...

2008-05-29T12:54:00.001-04:00

"If anything is a mystery to you and is coming between you and God, never look for the explanation in your mind, but look for it in your spirit, your inner nature -- that is where the problem is." - Oswald Chambers

DRIVE Conference Last Session :: Points on Leadership (Part 1) by Andy Stanley

2008-05-22T22:25:00.003-04:00

The last session was not the one Andy Stanley originally intended to speak about. As everyone began to open their notebook Andy spoke up and said he was going to speak about some things that were on his mind. Needless to say, the next 45 minutes were amazing.

Quote 1 :
"To reach people no one else is reaching we must do things no one else is doing" (Craig Groschel)
Points:
• We may be growing BUT there are a ton of unchurched people right nearby...that should bug us.
Take Away:
• Become pre-occupied with these people you haven't reached VERSUS those you're trying to keep.

Quote 2:
"Next generation products almost never comes from the previous generation." (Al Reis, "Focus")
Points:
• This generation has a responsibility to the next because what's coming is NOT coming from most of us.
• Fight it OR Fund it...risk finding out
• Leverage your influence for the next generation, get behind ideas that most likely will fail but keep things moving forward.
• You can be too cautious then be irrelevent.
Take Away:
• Be a student, not a critic.

Quote 3:
"What do I believe is impossible to do in my field but, if could be done, would fundamentally change my business." (Future Edge)
Points:
• Andy asked could you separate POINT SPEAKING and POINT LEADERSHIP -- Video Church was the revolution. It let leaders lead and gifted speakers speak.
• He's wrestling with this now ---- the billions dollars of underused real estate resources of churches across the country.

Nolan is almost 4!

2008-05-22T15:17:00.002-04:00

Originally uploaded by ryanhartsock.

It's hard to believe but Nolan is turning 4 in two weeks...time has flown. He's such an amazing kid and so full of life. He's definitely a lover not a fighter...and I love that about him. Happy birthday Nols!

DRIVE Conference Main Session 2 :: Becoming a Great Staff by Andy Stanley

2008-05-19T18:13:00.005-04:00

Key Points:
>> A Great staff is made up of "great" leaders
a. The goal...a staff culture characterized by mutual submission.
b. The question that should permeate...what can I do to help?

>> Best Practices for creating a "great" staff
a. Do for one when you can't do for all
b. Create and maintain a sustainable pace
c. Celebrate and reward greatness...what gets rewarded is repeated

>> Signs that things aren't so "great"
a. Competition between departments
b. Double Standards
c. Loyalty Lectures

Quotes:
" The ultimate dysfunction of a team is the tendency of members to care about other than the collective goals of the group...team status and individual status are the prime candidates." (Patrick Lenconi "5 Dysfunctions of a Team")

Gatlinburg Get-Away

2008-05-19T13:21:00.002-04:00

Gatlinburg, May 2008
Originally uploaded by ryanhartsock.

My family and I escaped down to Gatlinburg, TN (i.e. Hillbilly Vegas) for a few days with volunteer leaders and their families from Four Corners. It was a great time to relax and connect with people. I lost $20 in poker, got kicked off a Go-Cart track for my reckless driving and ate amazing food (thanks Greg and Amy for introducing us all to Aretha Frankenstein's Pancakes and to Randy and Yolanda for amazing Mexican cuisine!).

Time away helps give me perpective that an otherwise crowded life blurs...a deliberate place to take a breath and go back into "normal" life with renewed energy. We have some amazing people at Four Corners and their stories never cease to amaze me too. I continue to pray for God to use us time and time again in countless people's lives. Check out some more photos from the trip on my Flickr page by clicking the photo above.

DRIVE Conference Main Session 1 :: The Multiple Choice Team

2008-05-12T08:29:00.006-04:00

NOTE :: I'll be posting some notes over the next few days from our time at the DRIVE conference at North Point Church. If you haven't put it on your calendar for next year...don't miss it!

Main Session 1 :: The Multiple Choice Team
In this session Andy Stanley talked directly to the essential nature of a team that trusts each other and actively works to quell suspicion.

Key Points:
>> Often there are unexplainable gaps between what we expect people to do and what they actually do. We choose what we place in those gaps...suspicion or trust.

>> 2 things make it difficult for us to trust -- Who I am, What I see

>> Commitments teams need to make:

When there is a gap between what I expect and what I experience, I will fill it with trust
When observe someone filling a gap with suspicion, I will come to your defense.
If what I experience begins to erode my trust, I will come directly to you.

Quote:
"Teams us trust as currency. If it is in short supply, then the team is poor. If trust abounds, the members of the team have purchase power with each other to access each other's gifts, talents, energy, creativity, and love. The development of trust then becomes a significant leadership strategy. Trust creates the load limits on the relationship bridges among team members." (Reggie McNeal)

Do PSA's work?

2008-05-09T10:50:00.003-04:00

You see them all the time on TV telling you to read more with your kids, don't drink and drive, watch for drug use in your family, and so many more messages. But just because they keep airing doesn't mean they work by default.

I highlighted the Montana Meth Project PSA campaign last year based on its raw honesty and sheer dark power. But the results are in and they are staggering.

Since the campaign was started teen meth use is down 45% and adult meth use has fallen by 72%. Other states with meth problems have begun running the ads, including Arizona and Illinois.

Wow...that's tangible results! Check out some more shocking PSA's and see if they worked. (WARNING :: some of these are shockingly realistic and gruesome)

And the prices keep going up...

2008-05-09T10:42:00.003-04:00

Most of us are feeling the squeeze...$3.75/gallon gas, groceries skyrocketing, less pay increases, more payment increases. Economics are catching up with many of us. The debt we have managed is now beginning to manage us.

Awhile back Four Corners had a financial series, which challenged my family and many more to look seriously at our finances. Look at our debt, our budgets (or lack there of), our generousity (or lack there of too) towards God and our fellow man. Jill and I were hit between the eyes with our climbing credit card debt and lack of a crystal clear plan for how to actually, not theoretically, pull out of the hole.

Another great friend of mine, Paul Armstrong, and his family were impacted by the series. And they sprung into action. Their story is amazing and I love that they are going all out to get their finances in line with what God wants for them. Read their story HERE.

DRIVE Conference

2008-05-08T12:28:00.003-04:00

We got back home this morning at 1am from the DRIVE '08 conference at North Point Community Church in Atlanta. My mind is literally overflowing with leadership insights to the point I don't know where to start...

I'll write more details soon (lots of details) but I can say that it was an amazing experience. I have never been down to North Point or seen Andy Stanley speak and both were worth the trip several times over. Thanks North Point for some candid straight talk to church leaders throughout the world about what God is calling us to as leaders.

Search Flickr more effectively

2008-05-08T10:58:00.002-04:00

I love Flickr...a great spot to store all of your photos and a great place to network. But searching Flickr can be frustrating especially weeding through various permissions if you want to find an image for a design piece. Never fear COMPFIGHT is here to simplify the search.

Etsy...an online street fair

2008-05-02T08:45:00.002-04:00

My wife and I have made it one of our goals to collect unique artwork for our house and offices. She has given me two prints for my birthday the last few years as well as painting one herself for my office, which all now hang proudly. That being said, I'm always on the prowl for new outlets for art and I found a great new place. Etsy is a huge online street fair of art, craft and what not. It has local options as well as people from around the world. Check it out...(Thanks Kelly Shields for the heads up)

Jack Bauer is heading to Africa

2008-05-01T21:08:00.004-04:00

The Writer's Strike put "24" on a year long hiatus. So what shall we do between now and next January? Plenty..."The Rookie" is a CTU short film series set in Mexico and a "24" movie is set to air in the Fall. Finally the show is breaking free of its Los Angeles chains and going international...Africa. Get your "24" fix right now...