Five Fun Things

1. Watching Phineas and Ferb http://www.disney.go.com/tv and blogging with Abby -The S'winter episode is my all time favorite. Two young inventors on summer break decide to change a snow cone machine into a snow machine. The results are a winter wonder land that is LOL funny. Undercover secret agent, Perry the Platypus, is a rock star in my book. Abby is easy to be with and has a great sense of adventure.

2. Running with David, My Son-in-Law (We have a 5K Saturday at Riverbanks Zoo) - suffered my first significant injury in almost two years of working out. Seems like it is working itself out. Tomorrow we plan to run in a cold, March for Meals 5K Run. David is beyond me running by a good margin, but he keeps me motivated and I like him, too.

3. Drinking/talking coffee with Yvette - those of you who really know me, know how weird it is to see me drinking coffee. I had the first serious cup in my life in December 2007. I am sipping as I blog. I have become a coffee freak ever since, which gives me new common ground with my sweetie. Yvette has been an avid coffee drinker for years. BTW, I have $2.82 left on my Starbucks card. Another great new discovery.

4. Talking Weight Watchers/Life with my daughter Krista - since staying up late at five years old, watching David Yetterman (Letterman) with me, Krista has always been a great conversation.

5. Hearing Anna laugh during a movie or watching her ride a horse. Since putting a piece of ice on her arm one day after she was born, our eleven-year-old, Anna has proven to have great passion. There is nothing half-way about Anna and her passions.

Begin a teaching stint at my home church, Willow Ridge, on Sunday. Going on to a pastor's retreat, Cypress Session, and Vision Tour. Looking forward to connecting with Cincinnati and Calgary. They are coming to South Carolina this time.

Transformation Agenda Communication #8

Starbucks got what they wanted on Tuesday. The media showered them with plenty of worldwide publicity because of their 3 1/2 hour shutdown. Was there an agenda? Multiple. Starbucks did not become Starbucks by being stupid.

In Starbucks' press release they explained, what they called, Transformation Agenda Communication #8 which is to teach, education, and share our love for coffee. Big stuff. Bottom line? To make the whole world want and thus, purchase their product. Creating a little buzz, don't you think?

When asked about the shutdown, my nine-year-old, Abby, said, I'm a kid, it's coffee, I don't care about it. Wow. Starbucks has a way to go to reach every man, woman, and child. One day Abby may care more.

Transformation is a current buzz word in my world. When God is really in the room, that is how you can tell. The room may not be crowded. But the people in the room will be changing, always, to the core of their being. Maybe it will take time (as with Abby and Starbucks), but it will happen. Because God has one agenda. Transformation.

Did not make 1000 miles this week only 920, but had a great time all over the S.C. If I mentioned movement makers I would leave someone out. Myrtle Beach, Rock Hill, Bluffton, etc. The tour continues after a 3 1/2 day stint in, of all places, Columbia. Record month of blog hits for me. I am counting. Sorry, it is a quality control thing . . . I, too, have an agenda! Multiple in fact.

From Rock Hill - Translating the Message

Billy Graham began his Concert for the Next Generation years ago. His board was critical of the wild music. I attended one of those concerts in Cincy (2002). Over 60,000 young people enjoyed Kirk Franklin, Third Day, and others. Hundreds indicated a first time decision to follow Jesus.

Billy answered his critics, when I preach in France, I preach through a translator, because I do not speak French. Graham explained, these bands are my translators to the next generation.

Okay, so I am not rushing out to get my face ripped off with a new Skillet http://www.skillet.com/ CD. However, I am perfectly willing to bless Skillet's efforts to translate the Gospel in the heart language of the next generation. I am no Billy Graham, but if he can handle it, so can I.

State Evangelism Conference in Rock Hill. Fun for all. Adam Gibson knocked a home run on behalf of what God is doing at Midtown. Every speaker had good words. The tone of these meetings are changing to much more positive. For years I have heard men speak to people who were not in attendance. That was not the case this year in Rock Hill 2008.

We're Gonna Rip Your Face Off!

Who said it?

A. Martin Luther, before he and the fresh from the local bar worship band, Reformation, cranked out A Mighty Fortress is Our God (Sunday Morning after Ninety-Five Thesis was nailed to the door).

B. George Beverly Shea, early Graham Crusade, when a choir and GBS were preparing to do the first public performance of I'd Rather Have Jesus, in New York City.

C. Hulk Hogan, before beating the Iron Sheik (and feared camel clutch), Madison Square Garden, January 1984. Hulkamania was officially birthed after this fight.

D. Korey Cooper, Band Leader, Skillet, Winter Jam http://www.jamtour.com/ in Columbia, February 22, 2008, as he and his worship head bangers were preparing to lead 15,000 people to worship.

Maybe I really am that guy after all, but if guessed D, you are correct! Thus, I am feeling a bit conflicted (I know that is a metrosexual word, sorry) about my Winter Jam experience.

I don't know if it was the incessant talking of Eddie Carswell (Newsong) and Tony Nolan, that included two long pleas for money, or not. Maybe it was the flames and explosions behind Skillet . . . or their deafening volume, that my children complained about BTW. Maybe it was the way too over the top expectations of an overflow crowd of teens, who were being Shhhhst every 30 seconds, like they were at a school assembly. Orphans and how much this cost Eddie/Newsong did not seem to peak their interest They came to get their face ripped off, for crying out loud.

Okay, I am an old guy, out of place who walked away impressed by:

• Youth leaders from all over the state that either took days off, or left after a hard week of work to transport thousands and thousands of youth to an event that speaks their language.


• Newsong's music and passion.


• Skillet's creativity.


• Mandissa's courage.


• And because of these things some kids in the midst of the chaos, were found by Jesus, for the first time.

South Carolina Tour began yesterday at Pee Dee Community Fellowship http://www.pdcf.org/ in Florence. Bryan Chapman is the most creative church planter I have ever met. Solid, solid new church in Florence that has witnessed numerous changed lives over the past three years. First Brazilian Baptist Church in the evening led by planter Pete Hasse. FBBC is compromised of young single men and young married couples. The church will always look like an airport terminal. Sounds strangely biblical, huh?

From Dallas - Lessons from Whirlyball

No doubt it was going to be one of those Leadership Network funky team building adventures. Loads of fun followed. I am no Margaret Davis, but, when they write my story for Whirlyball Illustrated they will talk about a guy who decided to take up the sport in his late 40's. Young Whirlys will blog about me.

What is Whirlyball http://www.whirlyball.com/? Try mixing bumper cars, hockey, basketball, Jai Alai, and whiffleball. Five-on-five teams try to scoop whiffleballs into basketball looking goals. My back is sore. I won a 5.00 Starbuck's card because my team was undefeated. I will hold a press conference next week to announce my retirement.

All I ever needed to know I learned at Whirlyball . . .

1. Drive cars wrapped in over sized, soft rubber strips.
2. Fasten your seat belt either way.
3. Travel with Extra Strength Tylenol.
4. Twelve minutes is faster than you think.
5. People are always trying to bump you in the behind.
6. People are always trying to steal your important stuff.
7. Never try to grasp important things with your non-scoop hand.
8. The target is small and requires focus.
9. Your own teammates can become the opposition.
10. Watch those who play well and copy their moves.
11. Two point penalty follows if you scooper smack the opposition.
12. My back hurts.

Half -day in Big D. Back to S.C. for Winter Jam Concert. Open date Saturday. Vols vs. Memphis on T.V. Saturday night. Flo Town and Myrtle Beach Sunday.

From Dallas - Attractive People

Texas has beautiful places. I have no question about that. I have never seen any of them. No backhanded insult intended. I spend all my Texas time in the big cities. San Antonio is my favorite place in Texas. I have three great friends who live in DFW, so it is always a fun place. Lufkin and San Antonio are home for two more great friends.

As I have traveled the world, the bottom line remains, it's all about the people. Old friends, new relationships, and brief conversations on planes are things that makes travel energizing. People make places come alive. People make places beautiful.

What makes God attractive? Or not? Our world class churches? Our innovative programs? Our incredible communicators? I think you know, by now, where this is going. You fill in the blank.

Leadership Network Church Planting Community Group 3, Meeting 2, Day 2. Great conversations and stories from movement makers. I am counting it, but this does not feel like work to me. More tomorrow - Whirlyball Report.

Davis III - Confessions of a Ranter

Talk about a hand me down quote. I have to give my supervisor and friend, Marshall Fagg, the research credit. He heard it from an assistant, named Missy, in the Upstate. Missy heard it from her Oncologist as she was walking the cancer journey at 29 years old. Her oncologist heard it from either Ghandi or, someone who heard it from Ghandi, or maybe Marshall.

You are the change you hope to see.

My mantra on TOL is personal responsibility (another Ghandi reference, but I do not embrace Ghandi's theology, I promise). Forgive the moment of contemporary transparency but . . . it is one of my points of greatest struggle. I am a ranter. I am a deconstructionist. I don't think God is entertained by that part of me.

The world will be no different because of ranters. Noise, tension, and confusion are what they (we) leave behind. A new dream may begin with a rant, but will never be delivered from a rant. Dreams must evolve to personal responsibility which must evolve into action. Enough ranting. Got to go to a meeting with a bunch of dreamers in Dallas

Davis Rule II - Path to the Outhouse

Ma Jenny was my babysitter in the mountains of East Tennessee. She did not have a bathroom inside. She had a gray, smelly, larger than a phone booth looking thing about 20 yards from her house.

When I would make the trip, with Ma Jenny, it was scary. A large, black, smelly hole met me there each time. At the time the hole was much larger than I needed. I was a sneeze or a hiccup away from eternal damnation in my little three-year-old mind.

A lot of trips, from a lot of people, were made to the outhouse at Ma Jenny's. Same way for many years people traveled. They saw the trip differently than a three-year-old boy from New Jersey.

The red clay path to MJ's outhouse was as hard as concrete. The tall, thick grass grew around the path, but never on the path. Too many trips, too many times, too many people. No alternative routes.

Personal change. Trying new things. Alternative routes. You there, yeah, you . . . not them but you. Margaret Davis decided to run marathons in her late 70's. Peter decided to throw out his nets into the deep, as per the idea of Jesus. New thinking. Transformational (Romans 12:1-2). Where are the hard worn paths in your life? What does God want you to do next?

Cola at Headquarters today. Dallas tomorrow. Beginning a 30 day tour of crazy travel: Dallas, Rock Hill, Bluffton, Myrtle Beach, Upstate. All good.

The Margaret Davis Rule

I would have scoffed at this blog two years ago. I would have poked fun a Maraget Davis, too. The fact that Magaret Davis of Azusa, California has run in eight marathons in the last seven years is impressive, but not a WOW story. Particularly, when you find out that she runs about 2/3's of the time in her typical marathon. Other notable Margaret feats include climbing Mount Whitney (California) and running 11 half marathons. Don't forget a bungee jump, sky-diving, and white water rafting.

So, what is the punch line with this young woman of adventure? She is not a young woman of adventure. She has done all these things since her late 70's. Not THE later 70's, mind you. Her late 70's. Margaret is currently 85 years old. She is featured in the latest edition of Runner's World Magazine.

The Margaret Davis Rule? Try something new this week. Maybe not sky-diving or bungee jumping but . . . get out of the worn path. Stop saying, not for me. God may meet you there.

More to come on the Margaret Davis Rule. I don't know about M's spiritual journey, but I am convinced there are more implications than just that of the on earth variety.

Cola at HQ Monday and Tuesday. Dallas at Leadership Network W-F. Concert Friday night. Enjoyed the people at Eutawville again yesterday. They are special folks who have been led well. Nothing ordinary about FBC Eutawville. Hope we can say that about all of our churches one day. Midtown, Columbia? Intensity and passion. Worship and preaching. Focus. Hope we can say that about all our churches one day, too.

Fun Friday - Lighten Up, Huh?

My Nemo 33 blogs were a little heavy I know. My week was not all deep water. The Cypress Project Group #1 was a faith become sight thing at NRHC http://www.northrockhill.com/ . Any time I get to hang out with movement makers Ruppe and McGlohon, I learn new things. Watershed http://www.watershedcharlotte.com/ leadership shared their amazing God story at Cypress this week too . . .

God always manages to humble me with my own lack of control or success. He invites me to swim deep. But there is always something or somebody to celebrate (thanks Bob Logan). Also, there is always something to smile at, like a great Valentine's Day (A Senesi Tradition) with the girls and the grandson.

Abby gave me a chocolate chip cookie moment last week. She had to do a class presentation about Ruth Wakefield. Ruth invented the Chocolate Chip Cookie in 1930, by accident!

Ruth, it seems, ran out of Baker's chocolate, when trying to make some plain old chocolate cookies. In a Nemo 33 panic (those are all relative you know), she broke up a candy bar, expecting to have it melt into the cookie. The candy bar did not melt and the rest is history! You enjoy her accidental discovery as a chocolate chip cookie in 2008. She got free chocolate for life and some big bucks from Nestle for her recipe. Something to celebrate!

Weekends and Holidays . . . Have fun. Look for something to celebrate. Enjoy a cookie on me!

Nemo III - Out of Control!

I could not imagine what it must feel like to be at the bottom of a 108 (33m) pool. Or again, maybe I could . . . and you, too. The statement, made popular by many, was brokenness is the key to usability. I am not sure what usability is, but I have to believe that brokenness is the key to something.

I talked to a friend who lost a life long job without explanation yesterday. He is not my only friend who has experienced that pain. Health, failure, family issues, and much, much more, are the things that push us down into deeper waters.

I used to think (confession) I could talk my way, will my way, network my way, or pray my way from the depths of any 108 foot pool. Brokenness was learning the I could not. At that point, the Ron Dunn quote: A man will only trust God when he has to, begins to make sense. Not only does it make sense but it connects me with my only real source of life. God Himself.

Cypress today in Rock Hill. More on that soon. Hub Blankenship, Kermit Morris, Chris Ruppe, and Neal McGlohon yesterday. Not a bad tribe to hang out with. That includes you, Kermit.

Nemo 33 II - 108 Feet Deep

Nemo 33 http://www.nemo33.com/ opened near in Brussels, Belgium in 2004. Belgium diving expert, John Beernaerts, designed the deepest swimming pool in the world for recreation and instruction. The pool took seven years to complete.

Don't know who said this. Not Joel Osteen. Not Jesse Duplantis. Not Crefelo Dollar.

God will never use a man greatly, until He hurts him deeply.

Great truths about God are discovered when you are in over your head. During the times that your head pounds with the pressure of going into deeper water, God is swimming beside you. He gently reminds you of His love. He tells you where He wants you to swim

In 1985, our first beautiful daughter, Bethany Jo, died at 15 days old. I swam deeper water before '85. Bethany represented our first real Nemo 33 experience. Rare birth defect. Very rare. Except for the young Senesis. One out of one for us. We did not swim alone. We did learn about God and from God through the experience.

I act more like a baby when the crowd is cheering. Approval is great. I am addicted. I drift away from God when the stock market is up and the doctor is quiet. Perfect circumstances are fun. Loud music, driving fast with the top down, on the way to the beach, yada, yada, yada . . . but all that is shallow water. Nothing wrong with it, just shallow water. God's school is deeper water. Nemo 33.

Spartanburg, Greenville, Rock Hill today. Great day planned with movement makers. Cola yesterday.

Does God Speak Through Blogs? Feeling Nemo 33

Pretty heavy for a Monday morning? I wrote last Thursday morning about the place where we need to change most. Wow, did I get slammed for 48 hours. Don't want to get too transparent here. I am not into to those frustrating, trendy, contemporary church core values of transparency and authenticity. Never gets me anywhere.

There is a certain kind of pain I experience. Nemo 33 pain (The deepest swimming pool in the world, 108 feet or 33m). Deeper than the average kick in the backside kind of pain. The pain of knowing that someone (God Himself) has gone deep. Deep to the soul, to the place I need to change the most. The place . . . I was aware of the least.

The consolation prize??? If God wants to deepen a man, He must go deeper to do it.

No deeper water exists in the shallow end of the pool.

Cola today at World Headquarters. Preached at FBC Eutawville, S.C. yesterday. Real folks who love the Lord. Hung out with movement
maker Bryan Plyler to look at an exciting future for The River Church http://www.theriverchurchonline.com/ .

So much to blog about, no kidding. Had to get today off my chest. Tomorrow, no more transparency or authenticity. I promise.

Coaching - The Place We All Need To Change

I gradually moved into the world of coaching. I started as the person being coached in 2003. My coaching conversations with Bob Logan felt different. I had no idea why. The journey of self-awareness had gone to a new level. The more I learn about me, the deeper I knew I need to go.

Five years later, now that I have spend many hours coaching and being coached, I have learned another principle of self-awareness:

The place in my life where I need the greatest change is the place I am aware of the least.

The answer? I don't propose the ultimate answer, but I will take a shot at some ideas in the days to come. I think you would agree with me that it is a subject worth further research. Right?

Cola at World Headquarters today. I would rather be in Cincinnati, Lynchburg, Calagary, New Orleans, or Bluffton. But, I have a big boy job. Working on the work is as important as working in the work. Plus, I love being around the Church Multiplication Group. Really.

Hannah 3D Reviewed - By Dad and Abigail

My special guest blogger today is my daughter, Abigail. Here is Abigail's review of Hannah Montana 3D:

It was a really good movie.

My favorite part was all the music.

My other favorite part was the dancing.

My favorite song was 'Rock Star'.

The most interesting part was the interview with Miley and her dad (Billy Ray).

The movie would have been better if they would have had more interviews.

I give it 4 funky tennis shoes (out of a possible 5 funkies). Hannah wears funky tennis shoes.

Dad, what did you think?

All of the above except for the funkies.

Tickets cost too much. That's one Nintendo DS game you missed
girlfriend.

My favorite part was the Jonas' Brothers special appearance. It's a guy thing.

I liked the 3 D special effects (guitar picks and drum sticks). My glasses fit my big head.

Miley was obviously playing to an older and long-term audience at the end. Bugged me a little. Not Brittany but I am afraid she is starting down that road. Can't be Hannah forever.

And the tear jerking daddy/daughter song with Miley and Billy was left out.

I give it 2 1/2 Funkies out of 5.

No doubt, I will see it again.

Thanks Ab. Your world is fascinating and fun. I love going there with you.

My world today: Cola at WHQ. Meetings run until very late tonight. Meetings are what I do. Ouch! Reality check.

Hannah Montana 3D - 1.9 Million of Us Paid

A year's worth of blog in one movie today. And . . . I am all for capitalism, yada, yada, yada. But when my bill for two at the movie, Hannah Montana 3D came to the tune of 36.00, I was shocked. I paid my bill, like a good American, and enjoyed the show, with my sweet Abigail.

Make sure before you pack your mini-van with little girls and tell your neighbors, I will pay, my treat . . . you will being paying 18.00 per head, Mr. Big Heart. I am not sure how many Disney promos remembered to include that small detail. Abigail and I will review together for your entertainment pleasure tomorrow.

Back in Cola again today at World Headquarters. Staff week. Others are hard at work on the new world for SC Baptists coming in January 2009. In 3D I hope. It worked well for Hannah Montana.

Perfectly Imperfect - New England Patriots

As the old saying goes . . . Nobody's perfect, except for the '72 Dolphins. I am sure there will be more profound Monday morning blogs than mine the day after Super Bowl XLII. Must be pretty tough when you are almost perfect.

Do you realize that if the Patriots had won there would have been no story? The story had been told over and over since the second week of this year's season. All that would have been left was Good Night Everybody.

Did you know that the reigning champions of the NFL lost 6 times in 2007? New England lost only once.

Steven Gullo, author of Thin Tastes Better, and The Ten Commandments of Thin provided this principle: Slips Should Teach You, Not Defeat You. The New York Giants must have learned some powerful lessons in those six loses.

Even more credible would be Jesus (John 8) himself, who said to the woman caught in adultery, Go, and Sin No More. The future is the place we have yet to fail. Every NFL team's record officially went back to undefeated last night at midnight. Grab hold.

Cola today, World Headquarters. Still buzzing over Cincinnati and Liberty University, but much to do today to get back on track. More tomorrow.

Liberty University Final - Unapologetic

No doubt, Jerry Falwell's vision is all over Liberty University. Included was a really ugly bald spot he had constructed into Chandler's Mountain (4000 tons of rock arranged in the letters LU). Lynchburg residents were not happy about it, but Jerry never seemed to be overly concerned about what people thought.

Spending a few days at Liberty will result in months of debrief for me. The environment around LU was one of abandonment and risk for the gospel. As I addressed a class of young champions I reminded them not to take the environment for granted. I have never experienced anything like it.

I spent a few days in the environment with experienced champions like Dave Early, Jonathan Falwell, Ergun Caner, David Wheeler, and Ed Stetzer (Liberty Alum). I learned how reckless they were for the cause of Christ. I also realized that I spend a lot of time in my environments apologizing for and qualifying what I think, believe, and do.

I have blogged before that it is not automatically a virtue to not care what people think. I stand by those blogs in their context. But that does not mean that we have to spend precious time and energy apologizing for the right things we think, believe, and do. Jerry did issue apologies in his day, but not many. He invested his energy in dreaming, wildly, about changing the world. He gets a seat, forever, by those who have.