Well, he’s not really new, but I want to introduce you to a great musician I had the pleasure of hearing at our church. Last Sunday Jason Gray sang a few songs in our morning worship services and then did a concert at 6pm. He was in town to sing at Atlanta Fest.
He is an incredible performer, and I can say that because I’ve heard a lot. He’s a great songwriter, guitar player, and singer. I had the pleasure of talking to him for a few minutes before the concert, and he’s a genuinely nice guy.
Check out his website, and buy his music. You’ll be supporting a really great guy.
…and no I’m not getting a bit of kickback for this…
I saw found this by way of a Google alert for Student Ministry. It sent me to THIS GUY’S blog. Watch the video below. It’s a really cool way of showing how our students, especially our girls are fed a bill of goods about beauty.
I saw this on a couple of blogs last week. I don’t know who started it, though I’m pretty sure it was THIS GUY.
438 emails received
1 round of golf at an AMAZING GOLF COURSE
8 meetings
4 trips to the Y to work out
6 fillings for Cooper’s cavities when I took him to the dentist
40 middle schoolers we sent to Myrtle Beach camp
2 go karts that finished in front of me at Andretti’s Indoor Speedway
1 awesome message from THIS GUY
Since I returned from vacation I’ve been so busy that I think I need another one soon. I am committed to getting back to blogging. I miss it…and frankly I think it misses me. Whether any of you have noticed or not, I’m not sure.
Along with millions of others this weekend I watched the US Open Golf Tournament. I spent some time Monday watching live coverage of the playoff online (I love technology).
Saturday I watched Tiger Woods “gut it out” as his recently surgically repaired knee attempted to derail a stellar round of golf. Sunday he again had to hit shots and wince in pain because of his knee. I’ve talked to several people about these rounds and Tiger’s ability to play through the pain. The response has been mixed.
Some agree with me, that it was a great round by someone in pain, and incredible to watch. Others have said, “it’s a good thing he had the knee thing to cover up the fact that he hit bad shots.” They accused him of wincing only after hitting bad shots…FAKING IT.
It really is all about perspective and personal opinion, and everyone has their own. As a leader I realize that there are people who view me in this same duplicit way. Some will view an action or decision as honest and forthright, while others may question my motives and integrity.
In my development as a leader this further drives home the point that you can’t please everyone…and wouldn’t you know it…that’s one of my biggest struggles. I’m a people pleaser, and it’s hard for me to make decisions that I know others won’t like. Early on I felt the need to justify every decision, and try and explain my motives for every move. It was exhausting.
The picture above is from my dad’s college graduation back in December. It was a great moment for him, as he walked across the stage more than 30 years after he started the journey…because he promised his mom he would.
In a nutshell, that’s my dad. He’s a man of his word. He’s not perfect. I’m sure he made some mistakes in raising my brother and me, though I can’t remember any. He was always there for me.
He has filled a lot of roles in my life: father, provider, coach, driving instructor, math tudor, pastor, youth director, golf instructor, role model, book recommender, and so many more.
One of my favorite stories about my dad involves our shared passion for baseball, and his constant presence at my games growing up. To appreciate it, you have to understand that he was at every game he could be at. He would catch red-eye flights from the West Coast to be at an 8 am game on a Saturday morning (he actually did that). I knew if he wasn’t there…it just wasn’t possible.
So the last game of my senior year of high school, my dad couldn’t be there. With it being Senior Day he was supposed to join my mom in walking me out on the field during introductions, but he had to miss it. There just wasn’t any getting around it. So my mom accompanied me out on the field, and as we walked back to the dugout she hands me a piece of paper. I opened it up to find that my dad had written me a letter for that day. In the letter he said all the things I’m sure he would have said in person. He helped me to pause and reflect over my “illustrious” career, and be thankful for all of the experience that the game of baseball had provided me.
It was heartfelt. It was authentic. It was my dad.
Obviously since I’m on vacation I wasn’t at service last night. So to get a good rundown of the night you can go HERE.
Justin, “the intern”, spoke for me last night. I received a copy of the audio before I went to bed last night and he did an excellent job. He will also be speaking this coming week to get the feel and rhythm of speaking weekly. This 2 week series on Spiritual complacency is called “Lazy Summer” and is off to a great start.
Here is a video that preceded the message featuring one of our students. Watch it all the way to the end, it’s pretty funny…
This is my personal blog. Most of what is written is my opinion, observation, original thought, or things I find interesting somewhere else. While I am employed by Mt. Paran North, the things expressed here are not endorsed or necessarily accepted by Mt. Paran North or it's leadership. So don't go sue the church because you don't agree with something I write. Just post a comment and tell me I'm an idiot. It'll just be better for all of us.
