For What it's Worth has moved

I switched my blog to HERE. I've moved all the goodies here there.

Please update any readers and such or book mark the new blog.

Ever felt like leaving the Church? Maybe you've left ...

via youtube.com

I know many who have felt this way. I know I've felt a little disillusioned at times. Good lunch time discussion stuff here. Share ...

ht: @scotthodge

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Who's the boss?

Check out Vince's post on Who's the Boss. vinceantonucci.com

I had this same conversation with my boys about a week ago.

I get contaminated every day ... I really want my heart and motives to be pure - in everything including prayer.

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Life in the margins ... part 2

Another thing that I've been really convicted about is really honoring a day off.  Scripture calls it a Sabbath.  God set up and modeled for us that after working a few days ... one must have a day of rest.  Rest? Do we in America, make it happen, connected to "life" people even know what that means any more? I understand rest is a vague and subjective term.  Defined ... it's to cease from work or movement to relax, refresh, and recover strength.

I do know it's one of the biggest violations of people who are in ministry.  It's easy to justify working since we are working for God! 

I have made a commitment to honor my Sabbath.  Usually it's Fridays.  This week it's Saturday.  It's no longer my day off ... it's my Sabbath.  I recently heard someone say, "It's easy to cheat on our day off.  A little harder when it's our Sabbath."  No phone calls, no emails, meetings, etc.  It's a paradigm shift that we've gotten way from.  And it's vital to our physical, mental, emotional, family and spiritual health.

How important is a Sabbath to you?  How do you keep your boundaries?

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Life in the margins

Margin.  It's the stuff on either side of this page you read.  Our eyes need it when reading.  Margin (white space) in design is a place for your eyes to rest.  I think margin in life is the needed place we need to rest, think, plan, think more and love.  For the last few months I've been re-evaluating time management.  I think it's always good to self evaluate and make adjustments.  I've read a couple of blogs lately that have confirmed and helped guide my thinking lately.  

Anne Jackson recently wrote about the stress we create in our lives by filling our lives with too much social media or mismanagement of our calendar ... "The stress comes when the things I value in my heart (mainly my faith and my marriage) are not getting the time and attention they deserve. There’s a misalignment of values. What I say is important and where I spend my time don’t line up to a degree where it’s healthy."  I really like that.  My faith and family are my two top priorities, as are probably yours.  

Here is how I am trying to create more margin in my life:

1.  It's no secret in the Lake House that the phone is not our favorite tool.  A few years back we started the no phone answer rule during dinner time.  NOTHING is as important as our family sharing our meal together, being present, and enjoying each other.  We continue to keep that boundary.

2.  Being present.  Kinda relates to number one.  It's easy to not be when I am sitting on the couch, computer in lap while the rest of the family is doing .... whatever else.  I am trying to play more games with the kidos, talk to my wife more,  and with summer coming - Swimming!  Another thing about being present to help create margin is when I am working ... I do my best to be present at work.  Work hard during work time.  Isn't that what we're supposed to do anyway?  Should go without saying but I said it anyway.

3.  Reading more.  There is something that is quieting to the soul when we read a book/magazine/scripture.  Helps with focus too.  The key for me is to read something that interests me.  

4.  Schedule do nothing nights.  "But what if you are asked if you have any plans and someone asks for you to do?"  We have plans ... plans to do nothing together.

These are just some ways I am trying to maintain margin in my life.  Six months from now I may need to add more to this list but for now ... this will keep me focused on what's important.  

What are some ways you can create margin for your life? Please share .... 

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I'm my own worst critic. I don't need others ...

How do you handle criticism? You know what I am talking about ... the kind that comes from and is disguised as encouragement or instruction from "that guy" you don't have relationship with.  

I was "encouraged" this past weekend over something I did (or didn't do well enough in this person's perspective) over two weeks ago.  What the heck?  Isn't there a statute of limitations on criticism?  I usually consider the source and move on ... which is exactly what I did.  

It's amazing how words stick with us? For some reason this instance has latched on to me.  I am confident in who I am (I think) and my giftedness which makes me wonder what is at the heart of the matter - for me.

I am doing good, really I am.  I worked it out and gotten some good insight from trusted people in my life.  Makes me want to guard myself from being "that guy" and make sure I am encouraging the heck out of people.  

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT):  11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

So ... How do you generally handle criticism?  A. Consider the source and move forward  B. Anger / Defensiveness  C.  Throws me for a spin 

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How are your boundaries?

I am re-reading this book.  Just feeling like I need to.  Check out the Boundaries series here.

What book(s) have you re-read for brush up purposes or just for fun?

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Somebody had a good day ...

He showed me how to enjoy the moment today.  Love this little man!

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Question of the Day

Testing this out ... let's see how this works.

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Question of the Day

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Happy Mother’s Day ... OK!

via murphy24p.wordpress.com

Not quite me and my brother ... but thanks to Steve (@murphy24p) Murphy sharing.

Steve can be found at www.murphy24p.wordpress.com - he's a talented dude.

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What have you talked yourself out of?

via youtube.com

This resounded with me on a lot of different fronts ... physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

What are you done with about yourself? What change (little or big) can you make a step towards ... now?

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Catayst West Coast Pics ... 2009

I posted some of my initial thoughts from Catalyst West Coast earlier this week. Even though my camera phone is not top quality, I decided I would share some pics from Catalyst West Coast.



















































Pic 1: They rolled out the red carpet for us, literally. The crowd waits!
Pic 2: Free Lunch both days provided by Chic Fillet.
Pic 3: Hillsong United rocked.
Pic 4: James and Kyla Kinzler - James and I roomed 3.5 years in college. In each others weddings. I had not seen them since mine!
Pic 5: Chris Dodd, Chad (our new missionary friend from New Zealand), Kevin Jenkins, Jared Buckley, Mike Marshall, Scott Lawrence ... not pictured - ME - probably know what I look like!

We're ALL in this together

I saw this yesterday ... got me to thinking - "I can do more."



I have a responsibility to be His hands and feet. Not my neighbor. Not the guy who has a ministry. I have a responsibility to consume less too.

Consider what you can do / will do to respond. Then do it. I will too.

ht: Deadly Viper

Happy Birthday to my love

She's the straw that stirs my drink ... and I love her more than words.

Happy Birthday Love! You're a great mom, wife, and friend.

Who's afraid of the Swine-Flu?

Not this little girl! Umm ... Bacon!

Clarity sometimes comes with time

It's amazing how a little time helps clarify things. This past weekend I spoke at The Crossroads. I've been working on the message for about three weeks ... thinking about if for about four.

I made a mistake Saturday, overwriting a file that I had worked about 4 hours on, and needed for Sunday's message. So I thought.

After feeling like I wanted to throw up and having a little bit of an emotional breakdown (I cried in frustration ... at least I didn't yell or break anything!) I decided spending time with the family was in order. So for next several hours that's what I did. After dinner I calmly took about an hour/two and made the adjustments.

Granted, it wasn't what I planned for my message but ... after delivering it twice on Sunday, I see the purpose in it. I found a delivery style that worked for me, that I wouldn't have had I not - overwritten the file on Saturday.

Thought that was interesting ... looking back on it!

Catalyst West Coast Recap

OK, OK ... so I've been a little busy lately. I think my last post was somewhere around New Years. Anywho, for my three readers (and you know who you are) here's a bit of what I've experienced lately - For What It's Worth!

Most recently I attended Catalyst West Coast, with 5 other leaders from The Crossroads. It was an incredible two days of speakers - a great line up that included Andy Stanley, Craig Groeschel, Perry Noble, Francis Chan and Hillsong United - a little like drinking from a fire hose.

I also got to meet and/or reacquaint myself to some really genuine people.

Here are a few personal takeaways:
• Life is uncertain but God isn't.
• PEP - is a great program restoring people's lives and giving them hope.
• “What you applaud you encourage, but beware of what you celebrate.” - Ravi Zacharias ... What is society asking us to celebrate?
• “I want to be a backup quarterback for the Cleveland Browns!” - Erwin McManus Live your most heroic life. How am I living my most heroic life for Christ? He calls me to use my purpose for His.
• Withdrawal Weekly: Take your Sabbath – if we don’t we violate God’s order. Don’t call it day off – you’ll cheat on it. - from Rick Warren
• We (Catalyst Conference) also broke a Guinness Book of World Records for the largest Roshambo Game!

If you want my conference notes ... email me at emaildlake@gmail.com

Community Day of Prayer

We, at The Crossroads, are having a Community Day of Prayer. The doors open on Wednesday, March 18, at the Koina Cafe at 7 am and will be open until 10 pm.

With so many going through turmoil - in so many different ways (physical, emotional, spiritual, job loss, financial issues) - we decided that many would benefit from having a day devoted to prayer.

With that, if you are checking this out, and would like me to pray for you ... email me at emaildlake@gmail.com - I would be honored to pray for you and your need.

Six word story

I follow 66 people each day on Twitter. It's great to get a window into people's worlds. Most of the people I follow are actual friends and family that I've had some kind personal interaction with. Others are leaders, marketing gurus, a couple of athletes (including Shaq), ... oh and John Mayer.

Today Mayer tweeted (yes, it's a verb now like googled), "Ernest Hemingway once claimed he could write a great story in six words or less. His story: "For sale: baby shoes, never worn." Sad story ... but reminds me of an quote my 11th grade teacher had on her wall .... "Vigorous writing is concise."

Mayer asked this question and I pose it to you ... "What would the six word story of your life be?" It may be a snap shot of a season in your life or it may be the whole picture.

Mine: "My life is His, hers, theirs" (a bit cheesy, but true)
Mayer's: "This heart didn't come with instructions."
Taylor Swift even chimed in: "My diary is read by everyone." - I like that from a singer / songwriter.

Give it some thought and post yours in the comment section. Six words ...

Reconnecting to the Blog ... For What it's Worth!

I turned 40 yesterday. Feeling pretty good about it. My wife told me ... "Look at it this way, 40 is the new 39!" Hardy har har! Anyway ... it's a good time to reflect for me, as with any birthday, but forty seems like better than others.

Allow me to mind dump:
:: It's been a month since I've blogged. Had a few other things on the plate, that have seemed a bit more important. Balance has been an important word for me in 2009. Blogging had to give. It was also a good bloggin' evaluation time / motive check / clear the blogging pallet. Done.

:: I missed my third marathon in as many sign ups. Read about it here and here. I am convinced the hardest part of running a marathon is the training. This time I hurt my MCL (strained it in week 12 of 16 training). At my doctors recommendation, I stopped training for the PHX RR marathon. My knee still is funky... I hope there will be another.

:: I am currently reading three books: Finishing up "Mad Church Disease" - Anne Jackson, "Killing Cockroaches" - Tony Morgan, and about have way through "Lasting Impressions" - Mark Waltz. All are work related but I like to read a little here a little there. Keeps me interested ...

:: Although I've not blogged lately, I've enjoyed sharing info and getting info from friends via Twitter. If you've not yet checked it out ... do so. Sharing life 140 characters at a time (dlake108) ... pretty cool. FaceBook is fun ... just not as instant as Twitter (that's one of the differences if you were wondering).

:: I've been doing a mess load of design for work lately.

:: I jumped on the Cardinal Bandwagon due to their recent success. I will be riding it into next year, especially since Kurt Warner has been resigned. Trying not to be a fair weather fan but The Chargers have a soft spot in my heart. My childhood love for the Raiders is all but gone. Nuff said!

:: Two of my kids have gotten glasses within the last month. Another odd fact is I think I may have eaten at In N Out about 10 times since opened (Mid January). Admission is the first step to recovery .... right?

:: Many of my friends and coworker are going through some rough seasons and I am glad to be a help and support. I am really enjoying life despite some turmoil.

Anyway, I am back to blogging regularly - hopefully more than a month at time. I'd like to hear your feedback if any musing makes you think ... or not. If you really want to know what's on my daily radar...Twitter is the way to follow me more consistently.

What's been the one highlight of your life lately?

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day from Julia Nunes. She's a great artist and I enjoy her clips. Worth the listen.

Check out more of Julia's music here.

I love you Melissa and glad you said Yes!

Calvin & Hobbes and the financial crisis

CLICK COMIC TO ENLARGE
Anyone find it interesting that this comic is 15 years old, yet depicts our nation pretty well right now?

Debt-Free is the new rich

I read an article this morning and it really got me to thinking about values and such. My wife and I had a good 2008 financially, unlike many in America. Our 2006 & 2007 was most every body's 2008. We had it rough (by American standards) with job loss, foreclosure, etc. Thank God we didn't go hungry and our marriage stayed in tact ... got stronger as a matter of fact.

But coming through a 2008 that was stable financially (compared to previous years) and reviewing what we want, and in some cases need to do in 2009, we are making some adjustments and being more disciplined.

Going through Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University twice was great for us - Fall of 2006 & Spring of 2008. Some of our thinking about money has radically changed. Some of our thoughts haven't. Information is great ... putting it into practice is best! We have more to practice.

We have made a fresh commitment to adjusting our spending in '09 - cutting out fluff like cable, etc. and saving more, eating out less. Our goal is to be better managers of what is given to us.

The Crossroads is offering it's third session of FPU session at the beginning of February. I hope many will put into practice what they learn.

What financial adjustments are you making in 2009? Please share

Here is the article I read.
DaveRamsey.com

Prayer for the New Year

This is my prayer for the new year.

Romans 15:13 (New International Version)
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

What can I pray for you specifically...