Category "Uncategorized"

friday fun & free stuff

Fun & Free & Father’s Day Stuff Here For Ya

- - Fun / Humor, Uncategorized, Video

It’s Friday, so I have some fun & free & Father’s Day stuff here for ya…

 

#1. FREE BOOK—The Cause Within You by Matthew Barnett.

cause within you matthew barnett book

We recently had Pastor Matthew Barnett come speak at NWLife (here’s that message). Today you can win one of his books… all you have to do is comment below (scroll down to the bottom of this post to comment – say anything) and you will be automatically entered to win. A winner will be selected and announced on this post within 24 hours.

 

#2. VIDEO—Averagé, America’s Most Popular Clothing Line.

I’ve shared this video before, but with Father’s Day coming this weekend… Read More

the dark side of leadership strengths ALT

Doing Great Things Without Becoming Darth Vader

- - Life With God, Uncategorized

Leadership—specifically Christian leadership—is a messy business. It’s messy because it’s never pure. The motive behind what we do is a mixture of Ego, Ambition, & Holy Calling. And there is this shadowy dark side that goes along with our leadership strengths – what I call the Underbelly of (Christian) Leadership.

Is it possible to do great things without abusing power, inflicting damage on others, becoming a control freak, or leading with a sense of entitlement (breaking rules to satisfy personal desires)?

Is it possible to do great things without becoming Darth Vader?

In my opinion, it’s not.

Let me clarify: If the goal is ME DOING GREAT THINGS, I will inevitably abuse power, inflict damage on others, become a control freak, and lead with a sense of entitlement. If it’s about me doing great things, I will become Darth Vader.

Not too many years ago, my goal was to someday have a church of 10,000 people. And my motive was a mixture of… Read More

the dark side of leadership strengths ALT C

The Underbelly Of (Christian) Leadership

- - Life With God, Uncategorized

Several years ago, I read the book “Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership” by Gary McIntosh and Samuel Rima. To be honest, the big idea of the book scandalized me. Basically it said,

You know that thing about you that you’re known for? The thing that makes you strong and effective? That gift, strength, or disposition you have that comes naturally to you—especially in your work? Yeah, well, it has an evil twin. For every strength you have, there is a shadowy dark side that goes with it.

Dang. Ouch. REALLY??!!!?!

This can’t be true about ME.

I guess it’s pretty easy to see this at play in others, but it’s not so fun to think about it in my own life.

For instance, it’s obvious to me that Jeff Lewis (from TV’s Flipping Out) has a strength in being… Read More

the dark side of leadership strengths

Ego, Ambition, & Holy Calling

- - Life With God, Uncategorized

Several years ago, I heard a well-known mega-church personality talk about the imperfect blend of motivations behind every Christian leader who has a platform and a microphone. He said,

“I’m a piece of work. All pastors are. Think about it. What makes me believe I should be standing here on this stage with a microphone in my hand telling all of you what to think and do? That’s pretty messed-up.”

I loved hearing him acknowledge the fact that our motivations are not 100% pure all the time. There is a constant mixture of ego, ambition, and holy calling that fuels our leadership endeavors.

This isn’t necessarily an evil thing.

I’m generally thankful for ambition. Ambition gets stuff done. And I appreciate some of what ego brings to the… Read More

friday fun & free stuff

Have A Sunny Fun Day (Maybe Win A Free Book Too)!

- - Fun / Humor, Uncategorized, Video

Nothing beats a sunny day in the Northwest. It’s perfect. Maybe your Friday will even get better – with a few fun and/or funny videos… and a chance to win a new book too! Here we go:

 

1. FREE BOOK—A FAREWELL TO MARS BY BRIAN ZAHND.

farewell to mars book

I loved Brian Zahnd‘s book “Beauty Will Save The World,” and I’m loving his latest work, “A Farewell To Mars.” Here’s your chance to get this brand new book (it was released on June 1st) – all you have to do is comment below (scroll down to the bottom of this post to comment – say anything) and you will be automatically entered to win. A winner will be selected and announced on this post within 24 hours.

 

2. VIDEO—FLIGHT OR FIGHT OR WHATEVER FEATURING ROB NORMAN.

Comedy writer Rob Norman tells his story of being robbed—and how he could have fought his attackers or ran away… but chose to do neither. (PG-13 language)… Read More

cigarette butts post

Cigarette Butts & My Pride

- - Fun / Humor, Life With God, Popular, Uncategorized

There’s a back entrance to the office building at my church – and it leads right to my office, so it’s the primary one I use. I’m pretty sure I use that specific entrance more than anyone else does.

Recently I’ve noticed a growing supply of cigarette butts just outside my door.

It makes sense. It’s probably the best location for smoking on our campus – it’s private, it’s covered, it’s sheltered from the wind, and there are some nice steps for sitting down on. I’m not surprised about the collection of cigarette butts there…

And although I am not surprised, I am bothered by it. Not because I’m concerned about smoking being a sin or bad for your health or whatever.

I’m bothered because every time I walk by them, my first reaction is to wonder if anyone thinks I’M THE ONE SMOKING… Read More

jean vanier post

To Do Ordinary Things With Extraordinary Love

- - Life With God, Uncategorized

Jean Vanier is the 85 year old Canadian philosopher, theologian, and humanitarian who is most known for founding the L’Arche communities. L’Arch (French for “the ark”) began in 1964 when Jean Vanier took two men with disabilities into his home in the town of Trosly-Brevil, France. It is now an international organization operating some 146 communities in 35 countries.

He has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Here are a few quotes from his book, Community and Growth…

“To love someone is to show to them their beauty, their worth and their importance.”

“A Christian community should do as Jesus did: propose and not impose. Its attraction must lie in the… Read More

privilege post

It Sucks To Be A Racist (Sexist, Classist) In The Kingdom Of God

- - Life With God, Uncategorized

One of my favorite lines from Sunday’s sermon (while reading from Revelation 6.9) was this: “It sucks to be a racist in the Kingdom of God.”

I saw an endless sea of people – every variety and type, every race, every background, every class, a beautiful representation of God’s creative diversity—standing before the Lamb of God. —Revelation 6.9

Earlier in the week, as I was going through our church Bible reading plan, I noticed something special… Read More