Tribes - we need you to lead us

Seth Godin is a great writer among other things. He is a great thinker. Marketing and personal development are two areas which he's gotten me to think, dare I say, change my paradigm on a few ideas.

He has a new book called Tribes. Everyone is a leader! Anyone who wants to make a difference can. Tribes are about faith, respect, and a belief in an idea. You can read more about this here and here.

Download the book for .95 Cents at iTunes. You can get Free a PDF of the book here.

I am enjoying the audiobook as I type!

What is a book (leadership, personal development type) you would recommend?

Don't Forget

I get the privilege of taking communion each week at church. It's a way to remember the sacrifice Jesus gave for me on the cross and time of fresh commitment and renewal. I never want to forget, or take for granted, the cost of salvation, the power of resurrection, and the hope there is living for Jesus.

This has made me think a bit what what else I don't want to forget:

• My first kiss with Melissa
• Holding my boys after their birth
• Seeing the look on my daughter's face on our "gotcha" day
• What it feels like to get a second chance
• Growing up in a home full of love
• What it's like to be the outsider
• Uncertainty of the next step ... and taking it anyway
  
• The moments the Holy Spirit touched my life from childhood to today
• The last time I caused my wife or kids cry
• Exhilaration of crossing the finish line after 26.2 miles
  
• The comfort and joy of being with family
• Unexplainable humility of sharing in life transformation
  

There is more. Much more ....

What about you? What is it you never want to forget?
[idea ht: Aaron Ivey]

I like this blog ...

If you find your self reading a lot of blogs these days and are not using a reader - you may be wasting a lot of time. You can visit one place and read all your blogs in one place ... one visit. This video is about 3 min and explains it very well.



I've used Bloglines before and really love using Google Reader currently.

If you subscribe to a reader ... let's take an informal poll here.

Which reader do you use? Please let me know ....

Combating Zackly!

You may have some stanky breath ... and not know it.

Take the test here - takes 10 seconds! You may have to test it a couple of times for accuracy!
[ht: KemMeyer]

Hard on yourself / Hard on others

John Newton (author of the hymn "Amazing Grace") said, “When people are right with God, they are apt to be hard on themselves and easy on others. But when they are NOT right with God, they are easy on themselves and hard on others.”

I am not as bad as the person who is __________ (fill in the blank). At least I don't __________ (fill in the blank). I tend to feel better about myself when I compare myself with someone else's sin / problem whether it's my coworker or the latest celebrity in rehab.

My goal is to balance grace and truth in my life. I need to give both and receive both in my life. You need both. Scripture says Jesus was full of Grace and Truth (John 1:14). He's my standard not my neighbor.

This is easier said than done - Thoughts?

To here a message about "Feeling UnFit for the Task" click here.

What does complaining say about us?

I read this last week and haven't been able to shake it:

The opposite of complaining is leading...

:: If you don't like a decision your boss makes, lead up.
:: If you don't like your office culture, lead around you.
:: If you don't like your circumstances, lead through it.
:: If you don't like your church's short-comings, lead out.

Complaining is a sign of giving up. It's admitting that you're a follower, not a leader. A leader is a never a victim. But someone who sees that all conditions are subject to change with the right influence.
[ht: ben armet]

Thoughts?

Now this is a jingle ...

"Meat falls off the bone..." not sure why but this cracks me up.

14 years today

I am grateful. Melissa and I have been married 14 years today. I've said it before...she's the best thing that's happened to me.

Cards v. Bills

After living in AZ for the last three years, I finally attended my first game at University of Phoenix Stadium (home of the Cardinal and Super Bowl 2008 - I don't want to look up the roman numeral!)

Here was my view of the game. 15 rows up from end zone (which I equate to bleacher bum territory in baseball). I had a great view of the replay screen and enjoyed hanging with Derrick Logan - Great guy!

What stadium is the best venue you've witnessed a sporting event?

Marathon Update

I finished my first week of runs. I waited (kind of on purpose) to run til dusk tonight. Not sure why but I really like the evening run. The weather was great although there was a lot of traffic. I was to run 5 miles today but purposely ran a bit more...was feeling strong.

Here was my playlist (my most favorite yet):
Where the streets have no name - U2
Unbreakable - Michael Jackson
Everywhere I go - Lincoln Brewster
Are you gonna be my girl - Jett
Typical - Mute Math
Song of Hope - Robbie Seay Band
Lonely no more - Rob Thomas
The Pretender - Foo Fighters
How He loves - Kim Walker
100 - Tommy Simms
If I never see your face again - Maroon 5 (feat. Rihanna)

My surprise of the runs was "How He loves." It's not a typical workout song at all. It's in 6/8 time but the lyrics really inspired me tonight.

Any recommendations for workout songs?

Pass the potatoes and the values please!

Ronald Reagan once said, "All great change in America begins at the dinner table."

I see the truth in that statement. Eating together, no TV, no computer, no distractions ... just eating and talking has become a lost pleasure of life. Granted there are times where it is difficult to achieve due to schedules, etc.

I remember my family eating together as a kid more often than not and I feel it really help us remain connected with each other. In a world where it's easier to stay connected electronically rather than life on life, I am making a commitment to stay connected with my family eating dinner together more often than not.

Instead of "waiting on the world to change" how can we do our part each day? One way is the seemingly insignificant dinner time with my family.

When passing the potatoes, let's not forget to pass the values that you wish to see in the world: compassion, social justice, responsibility, and self-control.

What can you do to change your world?

In N Out ... Anthem

It's not in Anthem proper but being 4 miles from my house is close enough!

Imagine my excitement when I drove by the construction site this morning. For those who've never experienced an In N Out Burger ... sorry about that!

Giving and Getting

I agree with some of the talk lately about our society over extending ourselves in so many ways, especially financially.  We've forgotten about delayed gratification and to revert back to character building principles seems so ... so ... lame!  We want and we get!  Bunch of getters we are.

Ben Arment works for Catalyst. I really like his blog. Challenging and to the point. A few days ago he wrote this about Giving and Getting ...

"Moving from a getter to a giver is the best way to achieve what you want.

Let's say you want to be mentored by somebody. You want them to share books, ask how you're doing, pray for you... but they're not biting. So reverse it. Pour into them. See what happens.

Let's say you want to build a network. You've got goals, and you need contacts. Try not asking for anything for a while. Instead, only give out. Watch how often your calls get returned.

In the social economy, givers always end up the biggest getters."

What do you think?

Annoyed?

Quote of the Day: "You are no bigger than the things that annoy you." :: Jerry Bundsen

I read this quote and was hit right between the eyes. What annoys me? Oh this ... and that ... and definitely that! Honestly, pride in others annoys me cause I hate that about myself. Another is not taking responsibility ... which is one of my indicators of personal maturity (not age).

Here is a little something that will keep you honest about yourself.
______________________
Hal's Take: "Whenever I am tempted to think highly of myself, my parenting, or even my own growth, I think of this quote. It's hard to put yourself on a pedestal when you find yourself extremely annoyed by your children, your spouse, or the woman in front of you in the grocery store line talking on her hands free cell phone instead of paying attention to the cashier. We all have our list of pet peeves. Bet you can probably think of a few right now, can't you?

If you're anything like the rest of us, you've sometimes allowed these little annoyances to get in the way of a good conversation or a meaningful exchange with your children. The next time you find yourself gritting your teeth at something insignificant, let this quote sink in and have a good laugh at your own expense. Then, consider it a reminder that it's time to stretch, because as long as there is even the smallest amount of pettiness in our lives, there is room for growth." Hal Runkel, LMFT, author of ScreamFree Parenting: Raising Your Kids by Keeping Your Cool.

What is annoying to you?

Bulletin Board Material

Day 1 of 16 week Marathon Training.

Any bulletin board material?

What's your weak link?

I had a great conversation with a friend yesterday about the expectation of who we want to be ... and who we really are. The disparity is the thing that either drives us to be better or discourages us to say, "forget it, I will never attain that pipe dream!"

How many times have we wanted to improve only to be pulled down to the reality that you "ain't all that!" - excuse the bad grammar. This whole scene sounds like the scene given in Romans 7. We want to do right, but don't.

I like how the chapter ends: 25The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.

Chapter 8: 1-2With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.

3-4God went for the jugular when he sent his own Son. He didn't deal with the problem as something remote and unimportant. In his Son, Jesus, he personally took on the human condition, entered the disordered mess of struggling humanity in order to set it right once and for all. The law code, weakened as it always was by fractured human nature, could never have done that.

Bottom line: I need Jesus and his power in my life...daily...each moment! "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." - I Thes. 15:57

What's your weak link in your life?

LifeShare - Day 7

Today is the last day of the week long focus of LifeShare. After today, no more sharing life! (haha) I've been thinking of listing a few things I want develop in my life. A couple of dudes beat me to the punch listing theirs examining comparison trap (which I relate to) and the "That Guy" syndrome (which I related to as well).

My rhetorical questions to deal with: (answering any one of these may open a can of emotional worms for me).
:: Why do I stay up late thinking I will get it done.
:: Why do I worry what others will think of me, if I really tell them how I feel about stuff.
:: How come do I over commit and under deliver.
:: I don't always pay attention to my kids when they are talking to me. Their talking to me IS a treasured moment. They are inviting me into their world. Do I want them to think I enjoy the computer, TV, Phone, ______ more than what they have to say.
:: Why do I try to work so much at home.
:: Why is it hard to trust others completely.
:: When did having a blog start to make me feel important. Why does it now.
:: What keeps me from being more direct.
:: Why don't I pray more than I do.
:: Why do I think I am better than what I really am.
:: How come I try to impress others with who I've met or what I've accomplished.
:: Why don't others follow.
:: I don't like my head shaved or with hair (not a question but had to get that in there).
:: Is God's Word as important to me than what I live out.
:: Do I believe the songs I sing.

Honestly, I have a few more ... but feel this list will keep me busy. Just a guy trying to work it out...trying to live it out...trying to love it out.

Answer your hearts most pressing question(s) ...

If you want a place for where others are sharing what's really in their heart....
visit PostSecret.com (warning: some of these are explicit but mostly ... sad)

(note: the questions were not meant to have question marks. I saw them as statements).

LifeShare - Prayer day 2

I know some were not able to leave a request yesterday, but if you have one you can share, I would like to pray for you today as well.

Hit comment and leave a message or email me at emaildlake@gmail.com

I will be praying for you at 10 pm (PST). Spread the word.

LifeShare: Let me pray for you today!

SWEET FREEZE FRAME FACE below...



For the next two days ... any request submitted here on FWIW will be prayed for. You can either submit a comment or email me at emaildlake@gmail.com

Thanks for taking time to share your life today.

LifeShare - Announcement

2002 Stats ...
Where: Long Beach International (California)
Age: 32
Motivation: personal goal helped by Melissa (special thanks to JG/MM)
Goal: to finish and not walk ... check and check
Time: 26.2 in 3 hrs. 58 min.

2008 Stats...
Where: PF Chang - Rock N' Roll (Arizona)
Age: 39
Motivation: Personal, Cause TBA
Goal: to finish and not walk ... and deep down want to beat my time.
Time: 6 am (time of my run tomorrow!)


"The best inspiration is not to outdo others, but to outdo yourself!" - Gatorade "Will to Win" Shirt.

Anyone want to tell me I can't do this ... and mean it! Bring it on ...