I think this provocative comic speaks for itself. I’m curious what you think.

Btw, if you’re an RSS reader, click through to see the entire thing.

For all those paralyzed by the fear that your idea or dream isn’t original enough, check this video out. It is a great reminder that most breakthrough things draw from other ideas.

Nothing is new under the sun. So go for it!!!

(Btw, these guys rock! Thanks Tyler for the find.)

If you want to survive in business, relationships, or a marriage, you better learn how to say “I’m sorry.”

I was checking out a book called “Effective Apology” by John Kador about mending fences and restoring trust.

Some of Kador’s findings were:

1. Executives who are willing to say “I’m sorry” earn more than those who don’t.

2. CEO’s that accept accountability have higher stock prices than those who don’t.

3. Leaders who don’t know how to apologize are seen as liabilities.

4. Apologizing is no longer seen as weak but seen as having strength and character.

(Btw, when you read the title “Its Hard For Me To Say Im Sorry” did you hear Peter Cetera’s voice singing it? It’s totally stuck in my head right now.)

Stats show that at work over 54 million Americans have directly experienced bullying.

What’s even more surprising is that about 80% of the time it is completely legal.

However, their is a huge cost. Bullying reduces productivity, adds the cost of turnover, and of course you lose great talent.

Those who are being bullied often suffer from depression, anxiety, and miss work.

Bullying is inhumane, cruel, and totally lacks character.

If you see it, stop it. If you’re being bullied, stand up and report it.

For more information about bullying in the workplace, click here.

An unfortunate name for a restaurant.

Oooops!

The economy has been rough and employment is even worse.

So many are opting for a “staycation.” People are booking a vacation in their backyard instead of the Bahamas. Instead of taking a Carnival cruise they are cruising the movie theatre or the local park.

Would love to know what your summer plans are? A staycation or something grander? Any cheap suggestions for having fun this summer?

I just wanted to update all of you on a few things that are happening around here.

First off, we wanted to let you know that we just signed a new book deal with Zondervan for the follow up to “Deadly Viper Character Assassins.” The new book is called “People of the Second Chance” and will deal with radical grace in life and leadership. It will be hard back, full color, graphics, comics, killer interviews, and some special surprises. It will come out next year.

We also want to include you in the book. We would love for you to contribute your thoughts, stories and insights on the idea of grace and second chances. More on this later.

Secondly, Zondervan is releasing the silver edition of Deadly Viper Character Assassins. It will be coming out at the end of September. New metallic cover, graphics, new chapter, a hidden assassin in the book(can you find him?), and an entire small groups curriculum.

You can pre-order the new book at Amazon.

First off, Happy 4th of July. Have fun Bar-B-Qing and blowing things up. And please say a prayer for our troops who are serving this great country.

Secondly, here is part 2 of an article I wrote for Conversant Life. It deals with the fact that I hate accountability and have an alternative.

“I truly believe it is time to reinvent and rethink this very important component of our lives. Over the years, Christian accountability has deformed into a very ugly, uninspiring, and broken system…”

Click here to read the article.

Here is an article I wrote for Catalyst Monthly about Deadly Viper.

When we launched Deadly Viper at Catalyst two years ago we had no idea what would transpire. We weren’t sure how people would receive this quirky little leadership book with lots of pictures in it. Currently we still run this thing out of my Mom and Dad’s garage and we are totally trailer park. But God is doing something that is blowing our minds.

Last week I was having a business lunch with a couple of guys I hadn’t met before. We were discussing some new projects and getting to know each other. Then completely of out the blue one of the guys stopped our conversation and asked if he could share something personal. He then opened up with me how he had read Deadly Viper Character Assassins and it really got him through a difficult season of life. The message of living with radical integrity and avoiding deadly assassins in our life struck a chord with him. But what really hit home for him during this tough season was the message of radical grace and second chances. Needless to say, we all abandoned the “business stuff” of our lunch and spent the rest of the time discussing this important topic.

When Jud Wilhite and I sat in his “mancave” and dreamed up this Kung Fu survival guide for life and leadership, we knew that radical grace had to be at the core of Deadly Viper. Too often when we talk about living with character and pursuing God’s plan for our lives, we forget about grace. We talk about justice. We talk about discipline. We talk about accountability and holiness. But somehow the idea of a second chance comes very late in the conversation.

It’s important to know that my lunch last week is not an isolated incident. My new friend’s comments did not come as a surprise to me. Without question, the majority of my conversations with leaders, pastors, and business leaders revolve around our outspoken advocacy for those who have failed, struggled, and have been annihilated by a character assassin. We celebrate with the leaders who are succeeding but we totally identify and stand with those who are broken and have blown out.

About a year ago we started a project called “People of the Second Chance” to continue this dialogue. We filmed stories from 2 days spent in a Texas prison with inmates who were putting their lives back together. We documented my friend Tony’s story of being involved in an affair, quitting ministry and then being fully restored. Our clarion call is simple: let’s be people of the second chance. When we truly adopt this idea into our life and leadership I truly believe it will completely revolutionize everything.

So what’s next for Deadly Viper? I’m not sure. I just hope it involves more lunches like the one I had last week discussing radical grace.

Some recently unearthed kung fu footage from Mount Dobong, South Korea - where a man eats molten lead.

Not a doughnut, Skittles, or a sandwich…BUT MOLTEN LEAD!

Plus some other cool kung fu stuff.

Extreme Kung Fu: Eating Molten Lead - The best video clips are right here