Yesterday's Exception - STOP FIRST

As I read my own blog (what egos we bloggers have!) and admired the content, I noticed an exception to my don't change yet approach. I stand by the principle, but the order of the action steps need alteration at times.

The Bible calls the exception sin. I don't mind using Bible words, but if you are not a Bible person the words can make things foggy. Sin is hurtful actions that are anti-God and anti-people (they are the same thing, you know). I am not angry about anybodies' sin but my own. But, I hate to see people damage God's plan (best intentions) and each other.

Whether it is a spray bottle for our cat, or an old fashion twisting of the ear for our children, some actions need to be stopped, NOW. What are they for you?

However, to stay stopped, permanently, you need to follow yesterday's steps. Your system, way of thinking, environment, and humanity, will suck you right back in if you don't. Prepare for change. Press. Run. Enjoy the marathon. You are not alone.

Last Word (Preparing for Change)

I used several props as I attempted to communicate the message of God yesterday. Because of time (the weekly issue for me, a stageoholic) I did not put the strongest hammer down in coherent fashion. I used numerous items needed for me to complete a long outdoor run. Shoes, gel, water, flashing light, and a medical ID were just a few of them. Collecting the right items, thus, preparation for the run, took time and research.

Change is hard but we approach it like it is a piece of cake. I roll out of bed each Monday with a long list of actions that will make me a better dad, husband, health nut, disciple, church planter strategist, friend, brother, son . . .

What I ignore is that significant change is not as simple as throwing a few new products in my grocery cart. Permanent change requires a complete overhaul of my personal system that created a habit, hang-up, or short-coming. Time, research, advice, support, etc., are all a part of the process.

Paul (the old apostle) spoke of life as a marathon run in progress. He explained how his value system was turned upside down since he met Christ. Although the first steps of his change was dramatic and fast, the second phase took a lifetime.

So, altogether now, what needs changing most in you today? Don't change yet. Begin the preparation phase for a long, ongoing race. What in your overall environment, and way of thinking, needs to change to prepare for change? The answer to this question should include a list of action points. This is more profound than you think. Get everything ready, then, with God's help press. Run. Watch what He does!

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.

From Tennessee - Industrial Size Balsamic Vinegar

I've been thinking about beginnings. The new year begins when we take a fresh look at the birth of Christ. Let's not wait until January 1, 2008. I can't wait that long for a fresh start. Let's start with Jesus. Again. Anew. Now. What would you like your relationship with Jesus look like? What changes do you need make to go deeper? I have a couple in mind for me. At least a couple.

Great day Sunday. Highlands Fellowship screen church in Johnson City, Tennessee. Highlands Fellowship is a great story. More later. Grace Baptist Church (my home church) Christmas program in the evening. Presents, food, etc. My sister made a WW one point pumpkin pie. I received the ultimate practical gift: an industrial size bottle of Balsamic Vinegar. Ye Haw! There is a party in my tummy!

Merry Christmas from the Senesi family! We pray this year will represent new beginnings and deeper waters, with Him, for all of you and all of us.

From Tennessee - 40 Days

If you are considering making changes January '08 start planning today.

Step One: Make one simple but significant change.

Step Two: Let someone talk through it with you.

Step Three: Ask yourself the right questions. From today you have 40 days to prepare.

• What resources do you need?
• Who needs to be informed that the change is coming?
• What research do you need to do to prepare?
• Who has successfully made/mastered the change you intend to make?
• Where does God fit in the change equation?

When God has enabled me to change (I have many pages to turn here) there has been a preparation process. Someone said, The same thinking that gets you into a hole will not get you out of the hole. Many things make us feel the discomfort of wanting something better. Change is difficult, however, because normally we have thought ourselves into a hole. We are attempting to land a plane in a dense fog. Change is a bigger deal than we make it.

Almost finished with Transformation. Bob Roberts is a quote machine. How about this one?

The message we take to transform the world is only as strong as the transformation that has first taken place within us.

Yesterday was a normal day away. Won't bore you with all the details. Great fun. Shrek III and part of Spidey III was on the agenda. Saying thank you tommorrow. One day a year.

Rock Bottom???

I married a supermodel, have an incredible job, won the lottery, am ready to travel the world and I also just found God. Jason Smith of All Night on ESPN is probably not a theologian. He made a good point, however, commenting on Michael Vick's apology. Few people find God at the top.

"Rock Bottom" is common language in the Alcoholics Anonymous subculture where apologies are common, but true life change is not. I spent most of the 90's leading and sitting in A.A. groups in New Orleans.

I learned a ton listening to people work through 12 steps to recovery. I learned that true Rock Bottom is when someone has destroyed enough of their lives that they stop playing games. They make a real commitment to God and recovery. I also learned the sad part, when you think you are there, you probably are not. One reason people change is that they hurt enough that they have to.

Is Michael Vick at true Rock Bottom? I hope so, for his sake. Time will tell. Would make a great story wouldn't it? In the mean time, for the Christ follower, change is to what we are about (Rom. 12:1-2). Playing games is not welcome here. The heart of the matter is change. And change is good, you go first :).

Great conversations yesterday with movement makers, Neal McGlohon, Kermit Morris, Marshall Fagg, Robert Emory, James Orr, Eddie Cox, Marcos Elizondo, Samuel Rodriguez, Gary Reincke about coaching, and Roger Orman. Looking forward to another great day at the home base in Columbia today. Vision Carolina is on the agenda and more great conversations.

Changeology 101 - Meet the New Homer

Homer - Well, aren't you going to ask me some of those fancy, smancy, powerful coaching questions, like what are some of my wins since our last talk? Underdog comes through! Woof, woof, woof!

Dino - Talk to me Homer

Homer - well . . . my team is together. Krusty the Clown knows a lot of people. Moe is good at starting stuff from scratch. Flanders is the positive happy guy. Lisa is good at making plans and designing stuff. What else do I need to do?

Dino - Great wins Homer. Different strengths, different gifts, different perspectives. What else do you need to do? I can't see what you see. What are your next steps?

Homer - I need to get Lisa to finish the plans. I need to talk to our neighbors, get materials together, schedule another team meeting . . .

Dino - Why don't you turn those ideas in to action plans and put deadlines on them? Here is a yellow pad to do some writing. Great job.

Homer - Woo Hoo! Underdog wins! Maybe that will be my next movie.

Debrief - What project or obstacle needs attention in your life? Who can help you take the next step? What resources do you need? Don't fly solo if you want to make real progress.

How do your feelings about yourself influence how fast you move forward? If you feel like an underdog go see the movie, Underdog. You will be inspired.

If you are at a progress bottleneck go high tech. Use a yellow note pad and give yourself some deadlines. I will be glad to buy you one!

In Orlando today at the Leadership Network Church Planting Learning Community with North Rock Hill Church. Dreaming about God touching the nations through the Carolinas.

Neal McGlohon (SCBC, Charlotte Network); Chris Ruppe and Ryan Allred (North Rock Hill Church); and Will Oswald (Charlotte North Fellowship) are forming an acceleration team to help keep moving forward. Blessed to be here. Amazed at the people God puts me in the room with. Visionaries, practitioners, -- wow!