Growing and Growing

After a long day yesterday, I started the nightly ritual of “tucking in” five children. Each has their own routine—whether it involves going potty, needing a sippy cup, or making up a nighttime adventure. For my 6-year old, Dylan, the evening began with a question: “Dad, can you tell me about the prayer to get to heaven?

Words that I had not expected … probably because it came from the same boy who stuck a bead in his ear and swallowed a quarter in a seven day period last month … but words that I needed to hear. The next twenty minutes were precious: leading my son to join God’s family, seeing the excitement on his face, calling a few people to tell them the Good News, and me just beaming on the inside.

Last night was more than a significant moment in Dylan’s life … it was a moment that God gave me … to push forward, to take the reigns of this family, to continue with this stirring in my gut, to make a difference in the world.

To Dylan, a praying boy, it was perhaps the single most important decision he will make in his life. To me, the boy’s father, it was a small reward that pushes me onward. What pushes you onward?

There is change all around us. This post is not about external changes, like you may see on the new website … thanks Themescook! … I am talking about another kind of:

This change is about internal change. Not your internal change. Not my wife’s internal change. Not my kids’ internal change (…although some of them really, really need it…).

This change is about my internal change. I was reading Michael Hyatt’s
post last week about Leadership Lessons from General Tommy Franks. This is what caught my attention:

General Franks told the story of a young lieutenant who declared his intention to one day become a General himself. He asked, “Could you share with me the one thing I can do to advance my career and achieve this goal?”

General Franks told him, “Son, go out and buy two alarm clocks.”

The young officer, clearly confused by the General’s answer, asked, “Two alarm clocks?”

“That’s right,” General Franks explained. “If you can’t take responsibility for your own life and show up on time, you have no right leading anyone else. Don’t ever be late.”

Ouch! Here’s how I translated that one: If you cannot lead your own life, how can you be a leader? A leader of your family. A leader in you church. A leader in your community. A leader in your career.

While this may be a no-brainer for many of you, it really hit me like … like … like … like a log in my own eye. Right now, more than ever, my wife and kids need me to help lead our little clan through life’s challenges. Right now, more than ever, my clients and colleagues need a leader to help them weather these hard economic times. Right now, more than ever, I need to hear the wake up call and get started leading. Looks like it is time for me to go buy another alarm clock!

(Note: If you are not following Michael Hyatt, now is a good time to start doing so. He is the CEO of Nelson Publishing and has some great words of wisdom.)

If you are new here, then you will have to go all the way back to September 2008 to understand what happened and what I mean by the 100% Update.

Good, now that you are caught up, here is a picture that I received from Dad this evening:

It was entitled Face Therapy with a note, “Got hooked up with electrodes to check the muscular activity in face.“

Dad and Mom are both doing well. They just had a little family reunion last week here in Nashville … with friends visiting from all around the country. Mom is getting tired of driving “Mr. Daisy” to and from work, to and from meetings, to and from doctors’ visits. And I am sure that Dad is getting tired of being called “Mr. Daisy.”

There are so many reasons why I chose to review this book:

1) It was free … part of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger program.

2) I love talking about pink wires and blue wires. If you are a regular here at G&G, then you know that I delight in pointing out those differences.

3) When I received the book from Thomas Nelson, I was blown away by a testimony from Cordia Harrington, CEO & the “Bun Lady” Tennessee Bun Company, on the inside cover. I first met Cordia at an Exchange Club Luncheon and was taken back by her excitement, presence, and intelligence. If it’s good enough for Cordia, it’s good enough for me.

The X&Y of Buy is one of the quickest “reads” that I have read. (… Does that make sense? … it does to me … ) Full of funny quips, the book highlight the pink/blue distinction and teaches great lessons. The book hit its mark on humor, highlights the “research” studies, and provides many tips. Although I loved the cover ( … that pink/blue wire fascination … ), I did not have high expectations. Pace actually discusses “how” to sell to men and women differently.

For that power-seller friend, this makes a great gift idea. If you are not in sales, sit back and delight in the anecdotes. Overall, a good read.

Dad is okay. Out of surgery. In recovery. Doc said things went well.

According to Max Lucado’s new book out today … the answer to that question is a resounding, “Yes!”

As if our family did not have enough on our plate—continual health struggles, financial brawls, and even the “challenge your faith” cracks that we found in our concrete foundation—I signed up to be a Book Review Blogger for Thomas Nelson. Oh, sure, I have some free time to read a book and write a book review!

What we thought would be an absolute painstaking chore to complete in time for the release of Lucado’s new book Fearless, we found that the timing of this book (and the artfully crafted words) helped lay to rest some of our own doubts … alarms … panics … concerns .. and apprehensions.

Fearless is truly one of the most “relevant” books of the day, as Lucado addresses some of the most timely fears that creep into our hearts and minds. You’ve heard about many of these anxieties on the television and radio … from swine flu … to layoff’s at work … to acts of violence … to danger to our children … and the list continues. The remedy outlined in this quick-to-read 180-pages is more than just the simple words, “Do not fear!” Rather, Lucado takes aim at what is attacking you … invites you to look at the life and words of Jesus … and challenges you live fearless. Lucado writes, “It’s not the absence of storms that sets us apart. It’s whom we discover in the storm: an unstirred Christ.”

So. Is it possible to live fearless? Yes. Imagine your life without fear. Read Fearless. Learn to identify your trepidation. Name it. Pray over it. Act on it. Focus on God.

[Note: For all the dudes out there, just click the video below!]

“Writer’s block is a condition, associated with writing as a profession, in which an author loses the ability to produce new work. The condition varies widely in intensity. It can be trivial, a temporary difficulty in dealing with the task in hand. At the other extreme, some “blocked” writers have been unable to work for years on end, and some have even abandoned their careers.” (Wikipedia)

Given the lack of posts here at G&G, you may think I have had Writer’sBlock for the past month. However, I actually have been writing other things. BestPractices keeps me busy. Work keeps me busy. And I have been outlining a few books.

Here’s where I need your help. I am writing three different books on two different subjects. One is easy to write; one is very difficult; and one involves an “unfinished” story. If you had to choose which to buy … or which to write … or which to put all your effort into … which would it be?

The Miracle Man: You know the story. Don’t confuse the Miracle Man with the miracle man. Told by son and father. Sold in Christian bookstores.

The Trauma Condo: Same story, different perspective. This one is written with a little G&G flare. Told by one messed up son. Picked up by Oprah … New York Times’ Bestseller. Sold everywhere!

Family on the Fence: Definitely something that would be featured by Dennis Rainey. A tale of a family stuck on the fence … not doing much wrong … but not doing everything right … just getting by in life. What does it take for this family to become one of “those” families that got off the fence and now delights in God’s green pasture?

What do you think? Leave a comment.

A guy died. You saw him take his last breath. You heard him scream out. You winced as his body collapsed to the earth.

Two months later you were at an international festival. Crazy things were happening. You saw a crowd in the distance … they were gathered around what appeared to be a lunatic. He was quoting some prophecies about a savior. The image of the broken, bloodied, soiled-stained body pierce your mind. You saw it. You were there. The voice from the yelling man trumpets loudly: ” . . . God raised [the dead guy] up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.” Acts 2:1-36.

I’ve heard some crazy stories in my life and this one has to be on top of the list. Imagine the modern day (skewed) equivalent: Michael Jackson dies. There is an international celebration. As his music plays, the words are heard in the native tongue of the listener. At the end of the celebration concert, Ozzy Osborne (…I said it was far fetched…) stands up and says with all might: “The King of Pop lives. He was raised from the dead.”

Don’t get me wrong. There is nothing remotely similar between the King of all Kings and the King of Pop. But your disbelief may be the same as those hearing Peter’s words. Peter began his sermon with a public statement of Christ’s resurrection. This was a hugely powerful statement because many of the people listening had been in Jerusalem during Passover and had either seen or heard about the crucifixion of Jesus.

The resurrection was the ultimate sign that what Jesus said about himself was true. As crazy as it sounds, are you a believer … or disbeliever?

A message from the SheepDog: