Here's a great quote by Thomas Paine that I found at Phil Gerbyshak's blog that is titled, 'Make it Great! with Phil Gerbyshak'.
“The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress and grows brave by reflection.” - Thomas Paine
How do you measure up?
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Finding Volunteers
How do you find volunteers?
Some people will see a need for volunteers before you do and come to you with recommendations on how to meet or solve a situation.
Some will volunteer because they are so passionate about the cause or the purpose you want to address.
Some will volunteer when you make known a need because they have time available and they think they can help in resolving the issue although they are not passionate about it.
Some people won’t volunteer until you ask them to. Either they need prompting or need their ego stroked.
The people above are the easy ones to find.
The difficult ones are the ones you have to try to identify by constantly meeting with and getting to know them and their skills, gifts and abilities. By identifying their strengths you try to match them up with the volunteer needs you have.
It may take many meetings and many invitations to get these people to take the step of volunteering.
Why wouldn’t they readily volunteer?
They may not be confident in themselves or they may not have previously volunteered in this type of situation or organization.
But more importantly they may not be sure about you, your organization or the cause you are recruiting for no matter how noble you think it is. Don’t assume they see things the way you do. You could be so excited about the cause you are involved in that you don’t see any faults with it or yourself or your team, but they do.
By building a trusting relationship with a potential volunteer you may be able to convince them to join you in the journey. They will need to see your commitment to the cause and to other volunteers by your words and actions over a period of time.
Any variance or deviation between your words and your actions will drive or keep people away.
As in all leadership positions you have to look at and examine yourself first. It’s all about your character.
John Maxwell in the book ‘The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader’ discusses Character in Chapter One.
‘What must every person know about character?’
- Character is more than talk
- Talent is a gift, but character is a choice
- Character brings lasting success with people
- Leaders cannot rise above the limitations of their character
Some people will see a need for volunteers before you do and come to you with recommendations on how to meet or solve a situation.
Some will volunteer because they are so passionate about the cause or the purpose you want to address.
Some will volunteer when you make known a need because they have time available and they think they can help in resolving the issue although they are not passionate about it.
Some people won’t volunteer until you ask them to. Either they need prompting or need their ego stroked.
The people above are the easy ones to find.
The difficult ones are the ones you have to try to identify by constantly meeting with and getting to know them and their skills, gifts and abilities. By identifying their strengths you try to match them up with the volunteer needs you have.
It may take many meetings and many invitations to get these people to take the step of volunteering.
Why wouldn’t they readily volunteer?
They may not be confident in themselves or they may not have previously volunteered in this type of situation or organization.
But more importantly they may not be sure about you, your organization or the cause you are recruiting for no matter how noble you think it is. Don’t assume they see things the way you do. You could be so excited about the cause you are involved in that you don’t see any faults with it or yourself or your team, but they do.
By building a trusting relationship with a potential volunteer you may be able to convince them to join you in the journey. They will need to see your commitment to the cause and to other volunteers by your words and actions over a period of time.
Any variance or deviation between your words and your actions will drive or keep people away.
As in all leadership positions you have to look at and examine yourself first. It’s all about your character.
John Maxwell in the book ‘The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader’ discusses Character in Chapter One.
‘What must every person know about character?’
- Character is more than talk
- Talent is a gift, but character is a choice
- Character brings lasting success with people
- Leaders cannot rise above the limitations of their character
Friday, August 22, 2008
Spirit Led or Model Driven
Through the past year I have referred to Craig Greoschel, founder of LifeChurch.tv, many times. I heard him speak at Catalyst and I like what he said.
On his blog, titled 'Swerve', a recent post titled 'Sprit Led instead of Model Driven' suggests letting the Spirit of God direct your Ministry based on the values, gifts and people God gives you.
- What are YOU passionate about?
- What has God put in YOU?
- What needs can God use YOU to meet?
- What breaks YOUR heart?
- What are YOU uniquely equipped and called to do?
It's about recognizing that God is in control and we are here to do what He wants.
On his blog, titled 'Swerve', a recent post titled 'Sprit Led instead of Model Driven' suggests letting the Spirit of God direct your Ministry based on the values, gifts and people God gives you.
- What are YOU passionate about?
- What has God put in YOU?
- What needs can God use YOU to meet?
- What breaks YOUR heart?
- What are YOU uniquely equipped and called to do?
It's about recognizing that God is in control and we are here to do what He wants.
Yogiisms
Yogi Bera was a catcher for the New York Yankees and a three time American League MVP. Although a good baseball player and also a good manager he is remembered by many for his malapropisms (humorous misuse of a word) that have been attributed to him.
Here are some that may interest or amuse you:
'It ain't over til it's over."
I didn't really say everything I said."
This is like deja vu all over again."
Baseball is 90% mental -- the other half is physical."
If you come to a fork in the road, take it."
It was impossible to get a conversation going; everybody was talking too much."
I made a wrong mistake
It ain't the heat; it's the humility."
You can read more and learn more about Yogi at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yogi_Berra
http://www.rinkworks.com/said/yogiberra.shtml
Here are some that may interest or amuse you:
'It ain't over til it's over."
I didn't really say everything I said."
This is like deja vu all over again."
Baseball is 90% mental -- the other half is physical."
If you come to a fork in the road, take it."
It was impossible to get a conversation going; everybody was talking too much."
I made a wrong mistake
It ain't the heat; it's the humility."
You can read more and learn more about Yogi at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yogi_Berra
http://www.rinkworks.com/said/yogiberra.shtml
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Resistance is futile
I heard a great quote today on the Bill Bennett Morning in America Radio Show. It was a recording of Bishop Fulton J Sheen quoting Oscar Wilde.
‘I can resist anything but temptation.’
That narrows it down.
‘I can resist anything but temptation.’
That narrows it down.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Is goal setting the answer?
Many of you who are ambitious goal setters may have some difficulty with this piece.
A piece written by Brett Clemmer, of Man in the Mirror, appeared in ‘Equipping the Man in the Mirror’ and was titled ‘How do you set goals?’ Clemmer relates a story where a young man asked him how he set goals.
Following are Clemmer’s comments:
‘I was surprised at my own response: “I don’t really set goals any more” I said.’
For me, goals have been a double-edged sword. It’s not that I can’t achieve them; it’s just that they can become the singular driving force in my life. I have lost sight of the present because I was so focused on what I could accomplish over the next year.
This can be hard on the people around you. With my temperament, people can become tools to help me achieve my goals. And in case you haven’t noticed, people don’t like being treated like tools.
Even that’s not the worst part. When I get too focused on goals, it pushes God aside. For me, goals too easily become idols.
Recently, I realized that goals are not “first things.” Goals are “second things.” My conversation with K. helped me realize that I now try to live my life according to my values first. I’ve decided I will make sure that I am who I want to be before I worry about what I want to do.
This is especially cool for a Christian, because we don’t have to go on some quest to determine who we want to be. We have a model – Jesus – and a guidebook – the Bible to help us.
With a commitment to my values, I’m ready for whatever God puts in front of me. When I stopped worrying about accomplishing things and started being faithful to who and what God wants me to be, I became, well, happier. Content.”
Are you being who and what God wants you to be? I don’t think you get there by just doing what you are gifted to do. In other words, if you are only doing what God gave you the abilty to do then you aren't trusting Him. And if you aren't trusting God how can you teach others how to trust Him?
In the Bible, God used the most unlikely people many times to do things. The way they were able to do what God wanted was realizing they were not equipped to do it and by asking and trusting God to lead them. There is an old phrase I have heard that says let go and let God. It's all about becoming what God wants us to be.
A piece written by Brett Clemmer, of Man in the Mirror, appeared in ‘Equipping the Man in the Mirror’ and was titled ‘How do you set goals?’ Clemmer relates a story where a young man asked him how he set goals.
Following are Clemmer’s comments:
‘I was surprised at my own response: “I don’t really set goals any more” I said.’
For me, goals have been a double-edged sword. It’s not that I can’t achieve them; it’s just that they can become the singular driving force in my life. I have lost sight of the present because I was so focused on what I could accomplish over the next year.
This can be hard on the people around you. With my temperament, people can become tools to help me achieve my goals. And in case you haven’t noticed, people don’t like being treated like tools.
Even that’s not the worst part. When I get too focused on goals, it pushes God aside. For me, goals too easily become idols.
Recently, I realized that goals are not “first things.” Goals are “second things.” My conversation with K. helped me realize that I now try to live my life according to my values first. I’ve decided I will make sure that I am who I want to be before I worry about what I want to do.
This is especially cool for a Christian, because we don’t have to go on some quest to determine who we want to be. We have a model – Jesus – and a guidebook – the Bible to help us.
With a commitment to my values, I’m ready for whatever God puts in front of me. When I stopped worrying about accomplishing things and started being faithful to who and what God wants me to be, I became, well, happier. Content.”
Are you being who and what God wants you to be? I don’t think you get there by just doing what you are gifted to do. In other words, if you are only doing what God gave you the abilty to do then you aren't trusting Him. And if you aren't trusting God how can you teach others how to trust Him?
In the Bible, God used the most unlikely people many times to do things. The way they were able to do what God wanted was realizing they were not equipped to do it and by asking and trusting God to lead them. There is an old phrase I have heard that says let go and let God. It's all about becoming what God wants us to be.
Friday, August 8, 2008
It's not Willow (Encore)
At breakfast last week, I was talking with a friend about the Catalyst conference this October in Atlanta and told him I would send him the blog post I entered last October after returning from the conference.
I have been sitting here tonight creating some new blog posts and watching / listening to some of the worship music from last October's conference.
The music has been getting me excited and I decided to read that post again. Needless to say I am looking forward to Catalyst.
The Catalyst Conference for the next generation of leaders is just two months away. If you haven't been to Catalyst you should go. Try it once to see what it's like.
If you don't know what I'm talking about go to: http://www.catalystconference.com/
For me Catalyst is challenging and inspiring and helps me recharge.
Hope to see you there!
**************************************************
It’s Not Willow. Posted 10/8/07
Several times I have made the comment that if you want to be a church like Willow Creek then you go to Willow Creek events, training, seminars, etc.
For the sake of full disclosure I have never been to Willow for any reason. I will probably get there at some time but I am not in a hurry.
You should also know that I am a contrarian by design and by DNA. Some people who know me might just say that I am a pain in the butt. That would be my wife too.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with Willow or what they do. I’m not interested in going because that’s where it seems everyone goes. I do that straight line conclusion thing and assume we will all become Willow types.
I think we are called to be different. Cutting Edge as many say.
Cutting edge requires change. Another word is transformation. Then if that is the case we need to go where the transformational leaders hang out.
That’s Catalyst. The speakers, the messages, the music, the atmosphere are all designed to transform people.
Jesus and the disciples were about change. That’s what we have to do. At a Catalyst Lab Brad Powell from Michigan stated that the answer to all the questions he was asking, save one, was change.
That other question, who makes up the church, had the answer of people. So in order to change the church the people have to change.
Leaders themselves need to be willing to change and make that transformation and then we can help others who make the decision to change. We can’t change them, only encourage and lead them.
I was most impacted at Catalyst by:
Francis Chan – Francis left the Ministry for a while and he reminded us God chose us and to not doubt our calling. In Jeremiah God basically said suck it up and move on. I believe God spoke to me through this message because prior to going to Catalyst I told my wife I didn’t know why I was going and that I thought that I should stop doing all the church stuff.
Craig Groeschel – Craig admitted that his public life was different from his personal life. That he was going through the motions. He had prayed for God to disturb him (from a poem by Sir Francis Drake) and he then prayed for God to disturb us. We had a lively discussion at lunch and it was evident that God had disturbed us in some areas that we struggle with. Craig also encouraged us to pray for God to disturb us.
Rick Warren – said we need to get out and do things by engaging the culture not just be comfortable sitting in the church. He prayed for God to ‘use us’ and not in an easy or simple way. He encouraged us to pray for God to use us.
The reason I related with these speakers is because they have lived through what they talked about. That’s spiritual authenticity.
I can follow a leader who gets bloody and dirty, lives for a purpose and follows God. Can you say JESUS?
Jesus, disturb me, use me and help me to be more like you. Amen.
I have been sitting here tonight creating some new blog posts and watching / listening to some of the worship music from last October's conference.
The music has been getting me excited and I decided to read that post again. Needless to say I am looking forward to Catalyst.
The Catalyst Conference for the next generation of leaders is just two months away. If you haven't been to Catalyst you should go. Try it once to see what it's like.
If you don't know what I'm talking about go to: http://www.catalystconference.com/
For me Catalyst is challenging and inspiring and helps me recharge.
Hope to see you there!
**************************************************
It’s Not Willow. Posted 10/8/07
Several times I have made the comment that if you want to be a church like Willow Creek then you go to Willow Creek events, training, seminars, etc.
For the sake of full disclosure I have never been to Willow for any reason. I will probably get there at some time but I am not in a hurry.
You should also know that I am a contrarian by design and by DNA. Some people who know me might just say that I am a pain in the butt. That would be my wife too.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with Willow or what they do. I’m not interested in going because that’s where it seems everyone goes. I do that straight line conclusion thing and assume we will all become Willow types.
I think we are called to be different. Cutting Edge as many say.
Cutting edge requires change. Another word is transformation. Then if that is the case we need to go where the transformational leaders hang out.
That’s Catalyst. The speakers, the messages, the music, the atmosphere are all designed to transform people.
Jesus and the disciples were about change. That’s what we have to do. At a Catalyst Lab Brad Powell from Michigan stated that the answer to all the questions he was asking, save one, was change.
That other question, who makes up the church, had the answer of people. So in order to change the church the people have to change.
Leaders themselves need to be willing to change and make that transformation and then we can help others who make the decision to change. We can’t change them, only encourage and lead them.
I was most impacted at Catalyst by:
Francis Chan – Francis left the Ministry for a while and he reminded us God chose us and to not doubt our calling. In Jeremiah God basically said suck it up and move on. I believe God spoke to me through this message because prior to going to Catalyst I told my wife I didn’t know why I was going and that I thought that I should stop doing all the church stuff.
Craig Groeschel – Craig admitted that his public life was different from his personal life. That he was going through the motions. He had prayed for God to disturb him (from a poem by Sir Francis Drake) and he then prayed for God to disturb us. We had a lively discussion at lunch and it was evident that God had disturbed us in some areas that we struggle with. Craig also encouraged us to pray for God to disturb us.
Rick Warren – said we need to get out and do things by engaging the culture not just be comfortable sitting in the church. He prayed for God to ‘use us’ and not in an easy or simple way. He encouraged us to pray for God to use us.
The reason I related with these speakers is because they have lived through what they talked about. That’s spiritual authenticity.
I can follow a leader who gets bloody and dirty, lives for a purpose and follows God. Can you say JESUS?
Jesus, disturb me, use me and help me to be more like you. Amen.
You can’t win if you quit
Winston Churchill is recognized as a great statesman and the leader of Britain during World War II. Churchill absolutely refused to give in to Germany even when it looked like Germany would defeat Britain.
What is it that made Churchill such a great leader? Say the quotes out loud slowly and listen to the conviction and commitment in his words in the face of a great threat, a great challenge. He was willing to stand up for what he believed in.
"Never Give In"
"This is the lesson: never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy."
—HarrowSchool, 29 October 1941. It is commonly believed that Churchill stood up, gave the three-word speech, "Never give in!" and sat down. This is incorrect, as is the suggestion, variously reported, that the speech occurred at Oxford or Cambridge. It was on his first visit to his old school, Harrow, where he would continue to return for the annual "Songs," making his last appearance in 1961.
"Never Surrender"
"We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air. We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing-grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender!"
—House of Commons, 4 June 1940, following the evacuation of British and French armies from Dunkirk as the German tide swept through France
What is it that made Churchill such a great leader? Say the quotes out loud slowly and listen to the conviction and commitment in his words in the face of a great threat, a great challenge. He was willing to stand up for what he believed in.
"Never Give In"
"This is the lesson: never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy."
—HarrowSchool, 29 October 1941. It is commonly believed that Churchill stood up, gave the three-word speech, "Never give in!" and sat down. This is incorrect, as is the suggestion, variously reported, that the speech occurred at Oxford or Cambridge. It was on his first visit to his old school, Harrow, where he would continue to return for the annual "Songs," making his last appearance in 1961.
"Never Surrender"
"We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air. We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing-grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender!"
—House of Commons, 4 June 1940, following the evacuation of British and French armies from Dunkirk as the German tide swept through France
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The Basics
“The stuff on the football field will take care of itself. It's everything else that leads up to that. Accountability. Discipline. Unselfish attitude, guys looking out for each other, the team first. That wasn't here (last year).”
Bo Pelini, University of Nebraska, Head Football Coach, quoted in August 5, 2008, USA Today.
This sounds like a good formula for all of us to apply to our lives. I’ve heard coaches say if you take care of the little things then the big things will take care of themselves.
Vince Lombardi, who coached the Green Bay Packers, was reported to have walked into the Packer’s Locker Room early in his tenure and held up a football. He said to the team, ‘Gentleman, this is a football’.
The message was we are starting with the basics and we are going to do them well, in fact better than anyone else. Lombardi’s teams won six divisional and 5 NFL Championships and two Super Bowls.
Both Pelini and Lombardi emphasize the basics. By concentrating on the basics we can become better Christians.
If you don't have the discipline or you have trouble doing the basics an accountability partner can help you.
Bo Pelini, University of Nebraska, Head Football Coach, quoted in August 5, 2008, USA Today.
This sounds like a good formula for all of us to apply to our lives. I’ve heard coaches say if you take care of the little things then the big things will take care of themselves.
Vince Lombardi, who coached the Green Bay Packers, was reported to have walked into the Packer’s Locker Room early in his tenure and held up a football. He said to the team, ‘Gentleman, this is a football’.
The message was we are starting with the basics and we are going to do them well, in fact better than anyone else. Lombardi’s teams won six divisional and 5 NFL Championships and two Super Bowls.
Both Pelini and Lombardi emphasize the basics. By concentrating on the basics we can become better Christians.
If you don't have the discipline or you have trouble doing the basics an accountability partner can help you.
Hearing the Answers
Today’s message from ‘My Utmost for His Highest’ provides some interesting thoughts on prayer which I have culled from the message.
I think there are several key points about prayer to understand. I think your acceptance of each or all the points depends on the maturity of your relationship with God:
- We pray selfishly much of the time
- God doesn’t always give us the answer to prayer that we want
- Our response to God’s answer is an indicator of our spiritual maturity
- Our real purpose in being on earth is to show God’s grace to others
- Don’t fall into Satan’s trap
- Let God use you. He is molding you for His purposes
*******************************
‘If we pray only because we want answers, we will become irritated and angry with God. We receive an answer every time we pray, but it does not always come in the way we expect, and our spiritual irritation shows our refusal to identify ourselves truly with our Lord in prayer. We are not here to prove that God answers prayer, but to be living trophies of God’s grace.
When prayer seems to be unanswered, beware of trying to place the blame on someone else. That is always a trap of Satan. When you seem to have no answer, there is always a reason— God uses these times to give you deep personal instruction, and it is not for anyone else but you.’
‘My Utmost for His Highest’ has been a great devotional for me. See the whole message for August 6 at:
http://www.rbc.org/utmost/index.php
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