Great thoughts of the week!!!

I have compiled a short list of some great thoughts I've stumbled through this week. I have read, heard, felt, and experienced all of them somehow or another...

- Successful organizations spend a lot of time saying, "that's not what we do." "That's not what we do," is the backbone of strategy, it determines who you are and where you're going. Except when opportunities come along. Except when people in the organization forget to ask, "why?" If the only reason you don't do something is because you never did, that's not a good reason. - Seth Godin

- Here's a rule that's so inevitable that it's almost a law: As an organization grows and succeeds, it sows the seeds of its own demise by getting boring. With more to lose and more people to lose it, meetings and policies become more about avoiding risk than providing joy.

- “Though expressed in a variety of behaviors,” Tim Irwin writes, “leaders fail because a lack of failure of one of these four critical qualities” (p. 17):

1. Authenticity
2. Self-management
3. Humility
4. Courage

- For critical thinkers: Let our minds be focused on the creative and on the constructive above the critical and corrective.

What I wish I knew BEFORE my first marathon!

What I wish I knew BEFORE my first marathon!

I completed the Bass Pro Marathon in 5:30:00 on November 1. Here is a course map.


The best advice I got was at the start line. I was standing next to an older gent and I was nervous as you can imagine. I asked how many marathons he had done up to this point. He replied, “6." Really, “Is this your first?” Yes, my first one. He said these words, “I wish I was you.”

The point he made was to savor the run as much as possible because there is that moment at 20 miles or 22 where you tread new territory that your body has not gone before.

One thing the marathon does is give you plenty of time alone with your thoughts. I stopped to think about my journey from being a couch potato to running in the marathon. I got on to thinking about my inspiration for all this and it all comes back to my beloved wife. None of this would have happened without her gentle unwavering support. I owe her big time.

Now on to the things I learned that no one explicitly told me:
1. Vaseline is your friend.
Use it any place that creates friction (e.g. toes, nipples, arches, stomach, butt, inside legs, etc.)

2. Don't cheat the training.
Find a plan and stick to it. I ran two 18's and one 20 miler. I needed one more 20 miler. In addition, the surface you train on matters. I trained mainly on crushed limestone. The marathon course was almost completely on asphalt.

3. Run easy but stay on pace.
Determine a conservative goal and stick to the pace.

4. Meet new people along the way.
It helps to engage other people in the same boat as you. Plus the encouragement helps pass the time.

5. And last---if both your quads cramp up and feel like someone is pounding nails into both of them at mile 20, walk it off and finish the race. Forget it about the time. Some people race to compete and some race to complete. I completed the race.

Two of Springfield's Finest People

Today was the Gift of Time Award Banquet at the Oasis Ramada Convention Center in Springfield. This city-wide banquet was sponsored by several local agencies including the Springfield Chamber of Commerce.

Out of 70 nominees, ten Springfield residents were named recipients of the Gift of Time Award for their volunteerism. Two of those ten awards went to Central Assembly members—Bruce Snavely and Judi Murphy! (Dar Matrone was also one of the 70 nominees as well; way to go, Dar!)

We are so proud of them…and the teams they represent (Oil Change, Adopt-a-Block, Food Pantry). Bruce and Judi will be in an upcoming issue of 417 Magazine.

They each represent all the servant-hearted, outreach-oriented people at Central Assembly so well. We’re very proud of Dar, Bruce and Judi! Bruce was on a much-deserved vacation this week, so Karla McHaffie received his award on his behalf. Karla leads the women’s interaction team at the Oil Change Ministry. Thanks, Karla!

Warm Fuzzy!

A Central Bible College student, Ian Bradley, sent me this picture today from room 330 in Welch. Obviously from the picture, you'll see that was my room. Needless to say I got a warm fuzzy.

Over 10 years later I pray this prayer still today, "Jesus with skin on is all I desire to be."

Amen

Chase the Goose

As we come to Pentecost Sunday, I'm reminded how His strength does not come from something in ourselves. If we long to be used, God will give us the power. Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit–An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’ (Thanks Mark Batterson...www.chasethegoose.com). The Goose certainly hints at the mystery and the excitement of living a Spirit led life.

I love how author Henry Nouwen puts it in Bread for the Journey.

When we speak about the Holy Spirit, we speak about the breath of God, breathing in us. The Greek word for "spirit" is pneuma, which means "breath." We are seldom aware of our breathing. It is so essential for life that we only think about it when something is wrong with it.

The Spirit of God is like our breath. God's spirit is more intimate to us than we are to ourselves. We might not often be aware of it, but without it we cannot live a "spiritual life." It is the Holy Spirit of God who prays in us, who offers us the gifts of love, forgiveness, kindness, goodness, gentleness, peace, and joy. It is the Holy Spirit who offers us the life that death cannot destroy. Let us always pray: "Come, Holy Spirit, come."

Celebrating 10 years

I called a travel agent for the first time and said, "I need a special trip." Daisy and I are celebrating ten years of marriage in a few weeks. The special trip ended up being a vacation in sunny San Diego. This picture is from our dinner cruise the last night before returning to Springfield. I was amazed and what a little rest and relaxation will do for a relationship...and did I mention the absence of two little children.

Below are a few of the most important nuggets of truth that I have learned/acquired over 10 years:

1. It's alright to ask "is this person is right for me" until you exchange vows. Then the question should change to "how can I be the right person for them." - Jim Bradford

2. Spend at least as much time intentionally planning objectives and memorable moments for your family as you do for your ministry. - Jeanne Mayo

3. Get a marriage coach and listen! - Experience

Love you Daisy and may God 10 more just like the first 10!
- M

Teamwork makes my golf dream work!

Going to play golf for AGTS. I'm not much of a golfer but we shot -5 for the day.

The last time I played was last year. I was not looking forward to seeing my own game this tournament. And at the end of the day, I didn't play the course, the course played me. I only had 4 shots that we used including a putt! Painful memory!

Having said that, I love best ball tournaments because they compensate for my weaknesses in driving, chipping, and putting. And you gotta love all monies going to a great school!

Time to Tee Off. Keep it in the short grass.