Harry Potter was knocked off the top ledge by an unexpected competitor -- The Simpsons Movie. Over the weekend The Simpsons Movie had box office receipts of $71.9 Million. How fun!
I have watched (not religiously) The Simpsons for all 19 years and enjoyed throw back my head, hard, belly laughs. This all too true to life, dysfunctional, American family represents our dreams and realities.
What is the big appeal to me? It is reality t.v. on two fronts. Take Bart and Lisa for example. Lisa, is who we want our children to be -- socially aware, high achiever, not overly interested in the opposite sex; Bart is who our children seem to be, at least at times: self-absorbed, irreverent, in and out of trouble.
How about Homer and Marge? Marge - loyal, loving, a bit naive, active and engaged; Homer, well, enough said, right? The man I never want to be, that I feel like too often. In spite of my best intentions and apparent self-confidence, I hear myself saying "duoh!" way too many times in a given day.
It took four years and 158 script drafts for The Simpsons Movie to become a box office hit. God is the God of do-overs. His grace gives me hope. For you, today, may feel like Romans 7:18 (For I know that in me nothing good dwells) or Romans 8:37 (Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors). God is at work, you are making a difference to someone, somewhere, and you are His workmanship! Duoh! Woo hoo! Tune in for more Simpsons, tomorrow.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
Random Thinking about Ears and Bad Change
One reason I believe Tommy (pastor of Briarlake in Decatur, Ga. see yesterday) is so effective in relationships with the "up and ups" is because of the way he listens. Tommy's mind is like no one I have ever met (except Eric Geiger ericgeiger.blogspot.com). Tommy has a genuine curiosity about him. He is thirsty for information. He fires questions at lightning speed and actually listens to your answers. Then he piggy backs with questions to clarify your answers. At times it make me tired, most of the time it makes me feel important. To have someone who listens to you is a rare gift. As we interface with all types of people far from God, could it be possible that how will listen could be as important than what we say? Do we always have to talk so much to be heard?
At NAMB (North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention - agency that resources missions in North America) summer leadership meetings in ATL as we speak. Night one was solid. Frank Page (current President of the Southern Baptist Convention) is a breath of fresh air. He does not seem to be reading off scripts handed to him. I am anxious to see where this NAMB ship is sailing. Stay tuned.
I ranted a great deal about the denomination being in trouble, blah, blah, blah, on my last blog. Here is something positive about SBC life. Change. Change is good. Sometimes our God-given delivery systems called denominations get so out of touch that even bad change is good. Change makes me raise my game to another level. New people are watching and asking new questions. Change makes me re-evaluate my future. Do any of us in denominational life need to let ourselves get entrenched? Secure? Change paves the way for more change.
Can't wait to leave ATL! Heading to Hilton Head to celebrate 25 years of marriage with the lovely Ms. Yvette. She is awesome. Sweet and Loyal. More about her later. Yee Haw!!
At NAMB (North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention - agency that resources missions in North America) summer leadership meetings in ATL as we speak. Night one was solid. Frank Page (current President of the Southern Baptist Convention) is a breath of fresh air. He does not seem to be reading off scripts handed to him. I am anxious to see where this NAMB ship is sailing. Stay tuned.
I ranted a great deal about the denomination being in trouble, blah, blah, blah, on my last blog. Here is something positive about SBC life. Change. Change is good. Sometimes our God-given delivery systems called denominations get so out of touch that even bad change is good. Change makes me raise my game to another level. New people are watching and asking new questions. Change makes me re-evaluate my future. Do any of us in denominational life need to let ourselves get entrenched? Secure? Change paves the way for more change.
Can't wait to leave ATL! Heading to Hilton Head to celebrate 25 years of marriage with the lovely Ms. Yvette. She is awesome. Sweet and Loyal. More about her later. Yee Haw!!
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Learning by Looking Around
Enjoyed my experience with Briarlake Baptist Church this morning. Love the two service concept. God is using Cornerstone and Backlot to reach different people for Christ.
Pastor Tommy Ferrell is in a community and church that he was born for -- talk to Tommy, God has wired he and Elyse to relate to people in a way I seldom see (and do).
Briarlake is in a diverse community. Near Emory University, over 500,000 people live within a 7 mile radius of his church. Many successful professionals from all over the world live there. I encouraged Tommy to write -- he could do it. God is changing the lives of the up and ups through Briarlake. I first met Tommy in the early 90's in New Orleans. Both he and Elyse were comfortable with all kinds of people even in those days.
One learning for me as I encouraged Tommy (I really am an out loud processor) -- Most of us are intimidated by witnessing to doctors, lawyers, educators, the rich and famous. We are not intimidated by witnessing to the poor and urban. Ever wonder why? I don't think the answer is pretty -- because we feel superior to the poor and urban. Why do we witness so boldly in international venues? Same reason I fear. God convicted me. Feeling superior is not the proper motivation to invest in other people. I have a couple of other observations that I will process with you in the days to come.
The heart of Jesus gives us a heart to run after . . . the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many (Matt. 20:28).
Pastor Tommy Ferrell is in a community and church that he was born for -- talk to Tommy, God has wired he and Elyse to relate to people in a way I seldom see (and do).
Briarlake is in a diverse community. Near Emory University, over 500,000 people live within a 7 mile radius of his church. Many successful professionals from all over the world live there. I encouraged Tommy to write -- he could do it. God is changing the lives of the up and ups through Briarlake. I first met Tommy in the early 90's in New Orleans. Both he and Elyse were comfortable with all kinds of people even in those days.
One learning for me as I encouraged Tommy (I really am an out loud processor) -- Most of us are intimidated by witnessing to doctors, lawyers, educators, the rich and famous. We are not intimidated by witnessing to the poor and urban. Ever wonder why? I don't think the answer is pretty -- because we feel superior to the poor and urban. Why do we witness so boldly in international venues? Same reason I fear. God convicted me. Feeling superior is not the proper motivation to invest in other people. I have a couple of other observations that I will process with you in the days to come.
The heart of Jesus gives us a heart to run after . . . the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many (Matt. 20:28).
Saturday, July 28, 2007
More Time with Less People
Enjoying lunch with my former pastor, Terry Fields, today. I will be preaching at Briarlake in Decatur tommorrow. Tommy Ferrell is the pastor at Briarlake. These two men have had a profound influence on me. My life with God is different because of them. As I write, Terry and I are in Panera Bread talking about authentic faith.
Been thinking more lately about how God has blessed me with friends. I just finished a eulogy for my friend from New Orleans, Bill Gwinn. Fun memories! I received some great comments on my new blog from friends and mentors. Where would I be, who would I be without them? I never sit in the chair alone.
The greatest gift God gives us beyond His son, Jesus, is people. Enjoy your "people" today. Learn from them, love them, and by all means, slow down! Spend more time with less people.
Been thinking more lately about how God has blessed me with friends. I just finished a eulogy for my friend from New Orleans, Bill Gwinn. Fun memories! I received some great comments on my new blog from friends and mentors. Where would I be, who would I be without them? I never sit in the chair alone.
The greatest gift God gives us beyond His son, Jesus, is people. Enjoy your "people" today. Learn from them, love them, and by all means, slow down! Spend more time with less people.
Friday, July 27, 2007
My Soul is a Muscle
Great article in Fast Company July/August 07 by Made to Stick guys Heath and Heath, on leadership. They assessed leaders based on a "fixed" mind set vs. a "growth" mind set. The article title was "Leadership is A Muscle : How is your attitude and abilities affecting your success?"
I have a lot of "preacher" in me, yet I can enjoy reading material without a direct spiritual application. I think the voice of God might have forced me two the "direct spiritual" catagory on this one. In my relationship with Jesus do I have a "fixed" or "growth" mindset? Do I have an "it is what it is" attitude toward my walk. God gently reminded me, Dino, your soul is a muscle, as you work out your body with great passion almost every day, keep working out your soul. You have great potential (Phil. 2:12-13). See Blackaby quote at the bottom of this page.
I have a lot of "preacher" in me, yet I can enjoy reading material without a direct spiritual application. I think the voice of God might have forced me two the "direct spiritual" catagory on this one. In my relationship with Jesus do I have a "fixed" or "growth" mindset? Do I have an "it is what it is" attitude toward my walk. God gently reminded me, Dino, your soul is a muscle, as you work out your body with great passion almost every day, keep working out your soul. You have great potential (Phil. 2:12-13). See Blackaby quote at the bottom of this page.
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