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.

This Just In - First Christmas was Not Perfect

All so warm and fuzzy . . . no dysfunction,no anxiety. A fairy tale. The first Christmas. Silent Night, Holy Night. O Little Town of Bethlehem. The First Noel.

USA Today recently featured an article, May Your Holiday Be Perfect, But Not Too Perfect. Craig Wilson, among other ideas, told of a new camera that doesn't snap the picture until everybody is smiling!

Terror, disappointment, selfishness, and the always present, messed up travel plans are a few obvious imperfections on or around the first Christmas. From smelly stables to a man named Zacharias, who lost his voice, the Christmas story was no perfect fairy tale.

Some people live their lives looking for the perfect party. They think it is out there somewhere (the party), they were just not invited, yet. Jesus entered space and time in an imperfect world, for imperfect people, who have imperfect Christmases. Kinda like you and me.

What high expectations are making life miserable for you today? What disappointments do you refuse to release? Where are you fixated? What are you manipulating? Let's make this, let it go, Thursday. You are missing some good things by trying to create a perfect world, with perfect, people who make perfect pictures.

Columbia yesterday. Coaching. Meetings. Office Party. Dexter Mitchell, Ronny Cox, Jessica Sullivan and more movement makers. Running after God. Spartanburg/Greenville today.

Over Promises II - Is Santa Claus an American?

My dad was raised in a ethnically diverse (European) neighborhood in Olyphant, PA in the 30's. He had major issues with Santa. His dad died when he was five. His family had no money. Santa did not visit his house. He concluded that Santa must not like little Italian boys. Santa liked the German and Irish boys. My dad was pretty bitter at Santa for his prejudice.

Expectations kill Christmas. A simple, yet meaningful holiday can go down the toilet when your goal is perfection. The more we fluff Christmas up with stuff and expectations, the satisfaction level will go down. With disappointment comes anger (A Santa who doesn't like Italians) and dysfunction. We miss the real party.

Ellis Weiner wrote a new parody for the holidays called Santa Lives! Five Conclusive Arguments for the Existence of Santa Claus. USA Today did a brief review yesterday. Here is a funny quote from the book via USA Today: A loud fat man who barges into people's homes to flaunt his wealth by foisting upon them an array of unusually tacky, unnecessary commerical products -- how can Santa Claus not be an American?

The real party is no over promise . . . You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins (Matt. 2:21). Jesus loves little Italian boys. Pop learned that years later.

From Nashville. The airwaves are crowded. Enjoyed Stetzer, Lawless, and McNairy. Reminded me of a few realities and a few personal shortcomings. No profound ahas. I will be anxious to hear how Dr. Thom Rainer (Lifeway) and Dr. Geoff Hammond (NAMB) debrief today. Headed back to Columbia this afternoon. Here I come girls 'r' us! Yippee!

From Nashville - Over Promises, Over Promises

Four hours, forty-seven minutes to be exact. From Betsy (Elizabethton) to Nashville, Tennessee today. Went fast, with the exceptions of a few necessary stops. Commercials on Sirius reminded me of what men like.

You can lose weight in your sleep.

5000.00 a month part-time from your home.

Two fast acting pills under your tongue.

We still fall for over promises. You know, if it is too good to be true . . . Don't over promise this Christmas. Keep it simple. Here are five things you just can't do:

1. Go everywhere.
2. See every friend and family member.
3. Accept every invite.
4. Purchase, make, or bake something for everybody.
5. Go to every special church activity (opps, that slipped).

We had a great family discussion last week over dinner. I read my own blog, followed the advice, and let them help me keep Christ the focus. Great ideas. Decisions were made and owned on the spot. We decided on a concert, another couple of family projects, and what our Christmas night would look like. I think those conversations will continue.

In Nashville for the North American Mission Board and Lifeway partnership meeting. Had lunch with Stetzer today. Planters in process at River Springs in Columbia, under the leadership of our real rock star, Neal (Go Dawgs) McGlohon. Good stuff. Movement makers all around.

From Tennessee - Dino Can't Jump

The warm fuzzy lasted for only a nanosecond. My close friend, Joe Sorah, told me I was the subject of East Tennessee sports talk radio a few weeks ago. I played college baseball at Milligan College http://www.milliganbuffs.com/ in East Tennessee ('77-'81). I was a letterman for four years, got a few hits, but was by no means the star of my team.

I could only imagine what part of my game they were bragging about. Was it my rocket arm? I was actually a Designated Hitter. Was it my long home runs? I had seven of those in four years, but who's counting? I tied a record held by many, six runs in one game.

Dino Allen was truly a star basketball player in the late '80s. He is a member of the Milligan College Sports Hall of Fame. He was All-American in 1990. When someone heard the local talk show bragging about his apparent incredible jumping ability the confusion was over which Milligan, Dino, "star" athlete. My friend, Larry from Betsy, called in laughing, to set the record straight. I know Dino Senesi. You have to be talking about another Dino, because the one I know can't jump.

Some of us become famous for what we can do. Others of us (me) are more famous for what we can't do. Our stories will inspire people for different reasons. Maybe part of my story will serve as a warning to others.

Hey, talking about your stories. How about the Big Story? God's Story. I sung about it yesterday. I heard it talked about yesterday, from my friend, Joe Sorah. Enjoy the Big Story this Christmas. Remember when your little story become a part of God's Big Story? No matter the purpose of your life, that is what really matters.

East Tennessee this weekend. Nashville tomorrow. Planters are being trained in Columbia. My heart is there. Movement makers. Little Stories on a collision course with the Big Story. I will keep you posted.

Your Birthday On Christmas? Bummer!

My good friend Laura, from Texas, is having twin girls. The girls are due around Christmas. Laura was also a Christmas baby. I have never asked her, but I have always heard, about the frustration of being a Christmas baby. Looks like her daughters will know. Everybody running around, distracted by all kinds of pressures and obligations. Giving you an occasional wink, smile, and pat on the back.

Happy Birthday, kid. See ya later. Here's your little gift. You know I will get you something better, later. I am busy right now.

Jesus knows. His birthday was on Christmas. He gets an occasional wink and many promises for more attention later. The irreverent cable cartoon, South Park featured a deeply profound conversation. Jesus was battling Santa over who was going to get first billing on Christmas. A little boy walked up to Jesus and said, Jesus, your birthday is on Christmas? Bummer!

Part of the holiday anxiety is going to church and getting yelled at because of all the Christmas hype. Don't want to fall into that trap. So, consider this a gentle reminder, from a fellow struggler. Hear from a card carrying participant in the Shopocalypse.

Your coaching question of the day: What are some different ways you can connect with Christ during the next 30 days? Brainstorm this question with your family. Use your own yellow pad. Take notes. Be realistic. Narrow your focus to the first two on your list. Take action.

Long day at world headquarters yesterday. Interviews, interviews. All good. I am stunned at the high octane team God has placed around me in South Carolina. Dreamers, radicals, chronically discontent with the way things are. They are always pushing toward the way things ought to be. I feel like an old guy chasing the people I am supposed to lead around a race track. Just what I need at this phase of life, no kidding.

WWJB Part III - Cyber Monday

Black Friday, Green Monday, Cyber Monday. Help! Cyber Monday, according to USA today, is the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend. People return to work on Cyber Monday and use their high speed internet connections to shop. National retail federation estimates say 72 million people did that yesterday. Were you one of them? Green Monday is the biggest online shopping day. The second Monday in December is Green Monday. No explanation. Just fact.

What does all this mean? No prophetic word here. I am no Rev. Billy. Plan ahead, have fun, glorify the Lord. Keep it simple. Consider your time between now and January 2, 2008 a journey. Answer these questions:

What do you need to prepare for the journey?

How can you get the most out of the journey?

Where is God on the journey?

What is your destination or goal?

What do you need most?

Who can help you?

World Headquarters yesterday. Two great coaching conversations and a bunch of catch up because of time off. On a coaching retreat in Spartanburg today with movement makers. Saw Bee Movie this weekend. More on that later.

I Confess - WWJB Part Two

On Black Friday Abby and I went to Wal-Mart, Target, and Pets Mart. I bought two DVD's at Target (Batman Begins, The Goonies) and Corelle (Wal-Mart, made in the USA) for our home. I am part of the problem. Ten percent of all holiday sales take place Thanksgiving weekend. The National Retail Federation's official projections for holiday sales is 474.5 billion dollars. My contribution: $62.98.

Have fun during the holidays. Don't go totally secular on me, but don't be ridden with guilt. God is not glorified in my guilt. Free Indeed is not a phrase in a sales ad (John 8:36)! Here are a few ideas. Please feel free to add to the list. I need your help:

1. Avoid the Shopocalypse (see Friday's post).

2. Decide on a budget, now.

3. Choose two outreach projects as a family.

4. Give some money and gifts away.

5. Look for ways to connect with your neighbors.

6. Worship Jesus.

7. And . . . let God be glorified in your joy (Psalm 16:11).

The Vols and Saints won this weekend. My teams have proven they excel when I pull against them. My real teams have combined record of 12-3 since I switched sides a few weeks ago. Sympathy to the Gamecocks (talk about a crash and burn after ranking of 7th after the first third of the season). Congrats to Tommy Bowden and the Tigers. Did Tommy save his job? Stay tuned. BTW, go LSU Tigers and Tampa Bay Bucs!