The Wall

Why do we run off the path?
I was driving home coming south and entering unto another interstate when I saw the WALL. This wall served as a boundary and a divider. However the wall was marked by many travelers that veered off the path. Why? It was quite clear which direction the path (interstate) was going. Why would anyone want to try to go against the wall? I figured no one did it on purpose. It was an accident. Because of distractions they left the path.
How many times have I looked at or done something that has caused me to veer off the path. How many times have I been distracted with pride, temptation, an attitude, a judgement or whatever. I can honestly say I didnt mean to hit the wall but I did. I didnt mean to let my pride take over, but it did. I sure didnt mean to jump into temptation, but I did.
I thank G-d for the walls that remind us we are off the path and direct us accordingly.
Have you hit a wall lately? maybe it is a sign you are off the path.
How many people have hit the wall and gone off the path and need help back?

Just a thought

While praying and reading the Psalms I ran across a little scripture that packed a powerful punch. Psalms 119:144b "Give me understanding that I may live."
I am a person that desires to live; the other option is not something I would choose. I desire to live the fullest life G-d has for me. However I find myself not living to the fullest in areas from time to time. Why? Maybe it's because I have lost understanding and therefore lost life.
I need to pray for a new understanding for the day I am living.
We can learn a lot but do we understand what we know? Do I understand how to apply what I know? Do I seek to continue to learn and apply?
In every place we walk and interact with others we need understanding. I need it with my wife, kids, family and friends. I may know them but do I understand them.
I need a fresh understanding of my wife to see new life in our marriage. I need a fresh understanding of my kids (they are not babies anymore) to see life today. I need a fresh understanding of family and friends to add life.
Maybe our relationships are struggling because we have lost what it means to understand each other and therefore lost life.
You just don't understand!

What About Effort

“Always lead never follow”
Do you have the effort to lead and not follow? As I ride my bike uphill this word comes to mind again and again. Effort, Effort, effort, effort,effort, effort.

Leading takes effort – In a race you hit this idea called “The Wall.’ This is when your body and mind feels like giving up. You feel like you can’t go another step. This is when effort kicks in and you just keep going.
Effort defined is mental or physical energy that is exerted in order to achieve a purpose. Effort in leadership is staying in the leader’s position even when you are tired. Effort is going forward. Effort is taking another step. Leaders that exert this energy to overcome “The Wall” usually go far beyond what they thought they could.
Leaders have to put forth a strong effort.
Remember others are following if you are leading, but forth an effort.

Always Lead

As I strapped on my shoes for another bike ride I noticed a little tag attached to the top of my shoe. It said “Always lead never follow” interesting!
Although I don’t know if I believe in this fully, there are some great thoughts tied with this statement about leadership. We all have a race before us and we need to run it as if we will win. To win you have to lead.
Leading takes energy- There is one thing for sure, to lead in a race, you have to have energy to stay in front. This energy comes from many different sources. The food you take in, the liquid you drink and the rest your body needs. When it comes to leadership what you take in determines your place in the race. If you take in junk all the time you will not have the energy to stay up front. You may have a burst of energy that propels you to the front but that energy does not last. To stay in the leader’s position you have to consider your intake. What’s feeding you? What are you reading and looking to for wisdom? How are you spending your down time? Who are you listening to? Where does your energy come from?

More thoughts later.....

Numbers

Do numbers really matter? Well after 34 years of life i think so. I am very grateful of a few things.
I am....
thankful to be alive!
humbled to serve in G-d's Kingdom for over 17 years

grateful for my beautiful wife and best friend for over 16 years
grateful for my wonderful kids! My padawan, knucklehead, and wing man

grateful to have friends. Some that will be part of my life until...
grateful to experience life with others as we journey to follow Christ

grateful for the numbers G-d allows me to count.


(a great song to listen to Hezekiah Walker & LFC - Grateful)

Memories

Memories
Good Memories are a tool to build lasting community. But to have memories you must be involved and committed to something.
This past weekend I was fortunate to develop some lasting memories.
Etched in my mind our great times I see happening around Stockbridge Assembly.
The Couples Retreat was a great time of community and relaxation.
· Breakfast lasted 2 ½ hours the first day.
· Hiked to the top of Georgia. In flip flops.
· Anna Ruby Falls was beautiful.
· Bad music is bad music everywhere.
The Church Family Picnic was huge. What a great time
· Such a sense of community
· Serving others like never before.
· Lots of fried chicken
· Lions tigers bears oh my
I love having good memories
What are you committed to and what kind of memories are you making?

Leadership Acts 2

I had a few interesting thoughts about leadership from Acts 2.

·They were all together- The fathers of the first church were all together. There was unity and one focus. And out of this unity and focus something amazing happened, the church was birthed. That alone speaks volumes - Togetherness births Greatness.

·They spoke in different languages – Leaders need to know or need to learn how to speak other languages. This may not be a foreign language however you need to communicate clearly to everyone listening. If you are speaking a language (communicating) that the listener does not get then the leader is not leading.

·Peter stood WITH the 11 – once again we see a sense of unity and community. Peter stood in authority with the rest of the 11. Community of leaders. The others didn’t speak - maybe because Peter had it under control and they were supporting him. How often do leaders stand alone without support? As a leader you need to stand with likeminded leaders to see something great. Don’t go at it alone.

·Peter raised his voice – Leaders have something to say. Leaders are not quiet. Leaders need to speak. However, leaders need to understand timing. Peter did not say a word until the men that gathered asked a question. Timing is everything. There are times to be quiet and there are times to speak, leaders know the difference.

·Peter declared – He spoke very clearly about this new message of Christ. He was confident in the message. There was no question as to what he believed. The message was in him. When a leader speaks he/she needs to be sold on what they are saying. It needs to come from deep within.
·3000 were added – people will follow a leader that knows how to communicate passion and clear message.

I pray G-d help me be a leader that can stand on an opportunity and speak clearly the message in my heart.