All of this got me to thinking about how each of us operate our lives.  We all have so much on our plates, and at times we have so many things pulling us in different directions, tying us down, and constraining us from being truly effective.  This is what I call the straight jacket syndrome.  We find ourselves effected by this when we continue to operate in insanity.

 Ways we operate in Insanity:

• By setting too high of expectations for yourself that you are unable to meet.
• By taking on too many responsibilities that you are not equipped for.
• By not making time for the things you love.
• By having your priorities out of order.
• By not staying healthy, and eating right.  (leads to gluttony and laziness)
• By not being intentional with your time.
• By making a big deal out of nothing.
• By not being a good steward of your finances.
• By not communicating effectively to those around you.
• By not being passionate about what you are doing.
• By doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results.

Ways to loosen the straps of the straight jacket:

• Realize God is in control, and you are merely a vessel He chooses to use.
• Get organized (plan, calendar, schedule)
• Learn to say “no”
• Eat right and exercise
• Make God number one in your life.
• Spend adequate time with your family. (Wife and Kids)
• Be intentional with your time.
• Live and lead with boldness and passion.
• Take time off.
• Simplify your life. This may mean eliminating some things.
• Take your wife out on dates consistently.  Men you are at the center of roMANce.
• Stop trying so hard.
• Stop making excuses.
• Just be yourself, and be who God created you to be.

Hopefully these tips will keep you from having the kind of month I have had.

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results.“
                                                                                   – Albert Einstein

Thanks – J

“Everything Rises and Falls on Leadership” – John Maxwell

Here are just a few of the expectations I have for our leaders:

5 Expectations for Leaders

#1 Permeate Energy  from the moment you walk in the door until you leave.  Get on the Front Row and bring some Energy

#2 Come expecting to experience God.  Be a contributor not just a consumer.

#3 Get excited about your church.  Invite… Invite…. Invite…

#4 Be the game changer.  Make a difference.  Be proactive. Promote Excellence.

• Kids Area
• Parking Lot
• Café
• Restrooms
• Aesthetics

#5 Be an extension of your pastor.

• Hospitality
• Cast the Vision (at BNC: Reaching the last, lost, least)
• Promote
• Praise & Encourage
• Observe the Needs and Act
• Be passionate about Christ and your church
• Have Unconditional Commitment

What expectations do you have for your leaders?

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Col. 3:17 NIV

As I write this, I think back to days when I was a coordinator for the Youth Leader Network, and I can remember my share of truly effective leadership coaching styles, but I also remember times where I was being coached, and the coaching was less effective.  The thing that stirred this thought up was I had a leadership luncheon with Pastor Shannon O’dell yesterday, and I was able to walk away from it truly blessed and motivated to impact lives. Because of the energy that Pastor Shannon brought to the table, it caused me to evaluate my coaching and leadership style.  There are many areas that we can all improve on, but here is a list of ineffective leadership coaching styles that really don’t work for me, and probably won’t work for you.

1. Subordinate Coaching: don’t try and make me feel like I am under you, or less of a leader, because you have jumped through more hoops than me, or because you are such a super duper person.  Be real, be honest, and treat people with a little more respect.  Outside of the Grace of God we are all broken jacked-up sinners.
2. Unsubstantial Coaching: don’t give me a list of things to work on, that really aren’t going to matter.  Make sure you are giving some basic, essential, and fundamental advice that will enhance the quality of my leadership.
3. Laborious Coaching: if every time I meet with you it feels like work, then I am probably going to think of a million excuses to not attend, reschedule, or disengage from the conversation.  Keep it lively, fun, and interesting.
4. Impersonal Coaching: I’ve had coaches before who didn’t even know or try to know my wife and kids names.  Take time to ask how I am doing.  Ask me what I am struggling with, and don’t judge me because of it.  Find out my interest, hobbies, and my areas of giftedness.  Here is the key to being personal… actually take interest!!  Don’t act like you care, but don’t.  Actually care and listen.  Get over yourself, and take interest in those around you.  It is funny how the people that tend to want to coach you or give you advice are the ones that don’t do squat for the Kingdom of God.
5. Passionless Coaching: If I feel like I am walking through the Valley of DRY Dead Bones in Ezekiel, then your probably not going to have any influence on me.  I need a coach who is passionate about what they do…  passionate about developing me… and most importantly passionate about Christ, and reaching out to the forgotten and forsaken.  Don’t try and coach someone in an area you are not passionate about.  Either refer them to someone you know who is, or start getting passionate about it.

I say all of this to encourage leaders in their coaching style, and for those being coached to not settle for ineffective coaching.  I would also like to highlight some of the amazing men who effectively poured into me.  All the guys that coached me while I was in Kansas City did an amazing job, but I also think about Pastor Brandon Cox, Pastor Shannon O’dell, Karl Roten, Aaron Babyar, and many other great men who brought me to where I am today.  I am very blessed to be surrounded by such passionate leaders.

Recommended Leadership Coaching: Resurgence Leadership Coaching with Pastor Mark Driscoll

What is the most exciting road trip you have ever been on?

What is inevitable with every long road trip? A pit-stop

On this Path to Pentecost we have discussed the preparation required for this journey, the intersections we must face, and detours that are along the way.  Today we will be taking our first pit-stop in a little town called Sychar of Samaria at the local fueling station Jacob’s Well.

Silly question, but what happens when you go too long without fueling up?

In a sense our lives are the same way.  We get so caught up in the busyness of life, that we forget to stop and fuel up.  This leaves us drained, empty, and broken down. The worst part about not slowing down, and not taking the pit-stops in life is we end up leaving others behind.  We fail to bring those around us along for the journey.

What is your favorite part about a road trip?

For me it is the people that I bring along with me.  What would those great road trips be like without those around you.  Unfortunately there are people all around us looking for some direction and acceptance, and we just pass right on by them.

During the days of Christ people would regularly travel from Jerusalem up to Galilee, and instead of taking a direct route through Samaria they would go around.  They cared more about themselves and their own journeys that they just bypassed and left a whole region to suffer in spiritual poverty.

Who are the people around you who are suffering?  What are you doing about it?

READ John 4:4-18

In John 4:4-18 we see that Jesus takes a pit-stop.  He travels into Samaria, and comes to the local fueling station where he request some water, and because of it lives are changed.  Jesus confronted the local prejudice, He broke down the walls of division, and He created and opportunity to reach the LAST, LOST, and LEAST.  We see in scripture that it was in the middle of the day, and Jesus is tired and thirsty.  The journey brings him through the town of Sychar, where Jacob’s well is located.  Jesus sends his disciples off to buy food while he sits by the well, ready to have his thirst quenched.

What are you thirsting for?

Song Lyrics “Come to the water, you who thirst, and you’ll thirst no more”

“Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst.  But the water that I shall give him will become a fountain springing up into everlasting life.” – Jesus (John 4:14)

It is Christ that quenches our thirst, but one of the greatest ways we can experience that thirst quenching sensation is by changing the lives of those around us.

Jesus sits  by the well with his eyes and heart opened watching for those who have decided they don’t deserve to be loved, those who are torn and broken, those who have lost all hope.(v.6) As he waited a woman came along who was a social outcast.  She went to the well at mid-day when it was the hottest time of day, because she thought no one else would be there.  You see, it was common for people to go to the well in the morning to gather their share of water for the day. (v.6 Sixth hour – around noon) She is also thirsting for love and acceptance.  We see in verses 16-18 Jesus addresses the fact she has five husbands, and is an adulterous woman.  In spite of her brokenness, Jesus takes a pit-stop on His journey to quench His thirst, and to provide living water. (v.10)

It is God’s providence that we stop and see those around us suffering, and draw them to the living water. 

What is Providence?

Have you ever experienced God’s providence?

READ John 4:20-24

We experience God’s providence when we worship God in spirit and truth.  Journey of Christ and the Power of the Holy Spirit.

What does it mean to worship God in Spirit and Truth?

Result of the Pit-Stop: Not just one, but many lives were changed. (v.25-30)

Fueling up:

1. Take a pit-stop and drink of the living water
2. Be open to the Holy Spirit’s leading (get out of your comfort zone)
3. Watch for those around you who are thirsting
4. Initiate Life Change

Today I’d like to share some tips on a martial arts belt testing.  Many of these principles can be applied to school, business, and life.  Enjoy!

Pre-Testing Tips:

The Day Before:
1. Review all testing Material
2. Warm-up to some energy music
3. Go through every pattern
4. Stretch real good, and take a moment to reflect on your journey in the martial arts. Pray and ask God to give you the strength and perseverance you will need to succeed.
5. GO TO BED EARLY!! (no ifs ands or buts)

The day of:
1. Have a quiet time with the Lord thanking Him for His blessings. Also, pray for retention of knowledge for testing.
2. Eat a good breakfast and a light lunch. If your testing in the evening take a piece of fruit to eat before testing. (Don’t eat a large meal before testing.)
3. Look sharp. Presentation and hygiene are crucial. Clean and press uniform, shower, trim nails, wear deodorant, and look in the mirror and say “I can do this!!”
4. Go to the restroom before testing. Never want to have to leave the middle of testing, because it shows you don’t respect the judges time.
5. Warm up to some of your favorite music (to clear your head and relieve stress) , stretch, and know that you had done everything you can to prepare for this moment.

Now go out there and do your best!!

Mr. Justin Williams
Instructor – Brand New Kicks

Have you ever decided to take a shortcut that turned out to be a poor decision?

What about a detour that turned out to be an amazing journey?

Detour:round about course/way

We will have to make choices about the directions we will go.  There will be times a shortcut seems to be the best answer, other times you may have to take a detour to prevent coming to a dead end, and sometimes sticking to the bypass will be the most consistent way to reach your destination.

The thing I want you to realize is that the most obvious routes are not always the best, and the detours in life are not always the worst.

Jesus understood this principle, and unlike so many of us He chose to take a detour in the desert.  We on the other hand are always in such a big hurry that we don’t stop and consider the directions we are going.

How many of you are directionally challenged?

Jesus could have easily jumped right behind the wheel, and put the pedal to the metal on His ministry journey, or He could have even possibly taken a few shortcuts along the way, but instead He chose to take a detour to prepare Himself for the road ahead.  It was on this detour that Jesus was able to…

• withstand all desire
• be victorious over temptation
• come to the full understanding of His calling

The road to Calvary would not be an easy journey, and there are no shortcuts on this Path to Pentecost.

Unfortunately many of us settle for the shortcuts along the way deceiving ourselves, and selling ourselves short from all that God desires to reveal through us.

Three Shortcuts Jesus Faced That We Could Take Today Matthew 4:1-11

1. Shortcut of Desire(Matt 4:1-4)

Satan proposes a seemingly innocent shortcut (temptation):

“Make these stones into bread! You’re famished.  You’re not going to survive at this rate! You won’t make it another day!  A dead savior isn’t going to do anyone any good.” (emphasis added)

What is in your life that you desire that keeps you from detouring in the desert?

Desire and survival are not the issue.  For Jesus it is solely about reliance upon the Father, so He surely isn’t going to take advice from the evil one.

2. Shortcut of Acceptance (Matt 4:5-7)

Satan then steps up his game with yet another shortcut (temptation):

“What is all this fasting and praying about? Entertainment is what draws in the crowd!  Where’s the excitement and drama? Put on a show, do miracles, and then people will accept you.” (emphasis added)

Have you ever taken shortcuts in your walk with God in order to be accepted? What was the result?

Jesus is not a performer, or a circus act.  Jesus is fully capable of mastering the forces of nature, and performing miracles, but His greatest miracle is teaching us to love. The Path to Pentecost and Eternal Life has no flashy shortcuts.

“Don’t try and make God do tricks!” – Jesus

3. Shortcut of Compromise (Matt 4:8-11)

After tempting Jesus with the first two shortcuts, Satan pulls out all the stops and proposes a compromise.

“The cross is a terrible way to go! No one would have to know that you bowed down to me. What does the Father know, He doesn’t care about You!  You have to take charge of Your life!  You should be in control of Your fate!” (emphasis added)

It’s my life I can do whatever I want with it.  Does that sound like a familiar phrase?  Maybe you have never said it, but have you ever thought it?

In Jesus weakest state, He uses the defense that is available to us all.  He retreats to the Word of God for Strength.

“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures Say, ‘You must worship the LORD your God and serve only Him.’ – Matt 4:10 (NLT)

There can be no compromise – no shortcuts.  Where have you compromised your faith?  Where have you tried taking shortcuts?

It is Satan’s desire for us to take the path of least resistance because when we do we fail to resist him.

*Story of the Carpenter and the Master Builder

• Refuse to compromise
• Resist temptation
• Stay strong in the Lord
• Worship God Alone

Shortcut – cut ourselves short from receiving God’s best

Bypass – pass by all that God is trying to reveal to and through you

Detour – often times reveals and routes you away from dead ends

Don’t be afraid or aggravated when faced with detours, just follow the arrows and avoid shortcuts.

ministry philosophies, organization structure, leadership ingredients, and ministry models that we cannot effectively organize all of these principles to make them effective in our own leadership application. This doesn’t mean that I am going to be closed minded about anything, or not listen to other leaders, but instead I will have about a dozen leaders that I consistently listen to, and allow to influence me. Here is my top 12 for 2012:

#12 Andy Stanley – Lead Pastor North Point Church and the whole Catalyst Team – I know it’s not an individual, but the whole Catalyst line-up is amazing. @andystanley @catalystleader

#11 Troy Gramling – Lead Pastor at Potential Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. I just recently started listening to Troy, and I really enjoy the insight God is pouring out through him. @troygramling

#10 Willie George - Lead Pastor at Church on the Move in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Willie is a bold leader who has been empowering leaders for years. @willie_george

#9 Perry Noble - Lead Pastor at New Spring Church in Anderson, South Carolina. Controversial, yet bold proclaimer of Christ @perrynoble

#8 Matt Chandler – Lead Pastor of Village Church in Highland Village, Texas. Matt is filled with leadership and church planting insight, and is a vibrant leader who is impacting individuals all across the world. @mattchandler @theresurgence

#7 Craig Groeschel - Lead Pastor at Life Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It’s Craig Groeschel… enough said. @craiggroeschel

#6 Ronnie Floyd – Lead Pastor at Cross Church of Northwest Arkansas. Amazing leader who continually pours into others. Very gifted and faithful at raising up leaders. @ronniefloyd @nwasummit

#5 Ed Young – Lead Pastor at Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas. Ed is one of the most creative leaders today. He is also a very gifted communicator. @edyoung @c3conference

#4 Steven Furtick – Lead Pastor at Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Innovative and Inspiring Leader / Pastor of one of the fastest growing churches in the US. @stevenfurtick

#3 Brandon Cox – Lead Pastor/Planter at Grace Hills Church of Northwest Arkansas. Brandon is a great friend and mentor, and he completely changed my view on ministry forever. @brandonacox

#2 Mark Driscoll – Lead Pastor at Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington. Pastor Mark is one of the greatest Bible teachers in the world. I love his expositional teaching style. @pastormark @acts29 @theresurgence

#1 Shanon O’dell – Lead Pastor of Brand New Church in Bergman, Arkansas. Shannon is one of the greatest visionaries of this generation. His heart for the last, lost, and least is what bumps him up to number one. Not to mention he is my pastor, and one of the greatest leaders I have ever had the privileged to serve with. @shannonodell @brandnewchurch

Don’t get all super spiritually on me… “You didn’t list Jesus, the Holy Spirit, or God.” Here is the fact, the Trinity is not so much a matter of influence, but it is more a matter of indwelling. If you genuinely have made God Lord of your life, then His influence is not about choice, but about being and becoming.

So what about you? Who are you allowing to influence you?

As we have begun to look at the path to Pentecost we have discussed the preparation and first days of Christ journey. We have also taken the challenge to begin our own journey on this path to Pentecost to experience the life of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit in a whole new way.

This week we will read in John 2:12-19 of Christ intolerance for defilement, self-righteousness, and hedonistic lifestyles.   It is vital that before we begin to trudge through the difficulties of this life and journey, we must set aside every weight that is upon us.  We will never succeed carrying such sins, burdens, and self sustaining attitudes.

Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. – Hebrews 12:1

What does it mean to be a Christ follower?

We see time and time again throughout scripture where Christ calls individuals to deny themselves, leave everything behind, and forsake self-righteous sinful living.  Christ is proactive when it comes to His intolerance for defilement.  Just as Jesus rebuked the money changers and markets in the temple (John 2), He is rebuking you and I for own defilement, for we are the temple of God.

“If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.” – Jesus (Luke 9:23)

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself – 1 Cor. 6:19

Each of us must face the fact that we are broken sinners bent toward sin, and every time we defile ourselves we come to an intersection… the intersection of intolerance.  There are many directions you can go from here, but I would like to specifically discuss three.

Intersection of Intolerance: (Imagine a four-way intersection)

1. You can head West on the Route of self-Righteousness (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21)

What areas of your life do you find yourself quickly trying to justify?

Do you find it easier to conceal our defilement or to take the route of Self-Righteousness? Why?

2. You can turn East on the Highway of Hedonism (Philippians 2:3-4) – Number one religion in the World!

After having read the passage in Philippians what do you think it means to be Hedonistic?

3. After you have decided that neither East or West sound like the best path to go, you can always head North on the Road to Repentance (Joel 2:1-2, 12-17)

What does it mean to Repent?
Greek: metanoeo literally means to perceive afterwards, hence it signifies to change one’s mind or purpose, and it always involves a change.  It is a turning from sin toward God.

• RECOGNIZE – Perceive
• REPENT -Change/Turn
• REPEAT- Continually be aware of your sin, and repeat this cycle as many times as necessary.

It is man’s refusal to repent that callous the heart.

“Whatever we COVER, God will UNCOVER. Whatever we UNCOVER, God will COVER!!!” – Ed Young

How does this quote apply to today’s lesson?

This book starts by challenging our thinking on why evangelism has become ineffective.  It hits at the core of the issue, and points out some major flaws. The primary flaw this book address is us. Due to our lack of intimacy, passion, and consistency, people all around us suffer.  Churches and Christians have become so internal they have lost sight of the eternal, and many of them have very little impact on the culture around them. This book not only addresses the issues that face evangelism today, but it also gives us some bold challenges and practical instruction on how to lead our generation into a new great awakening.

Reality is upon us.  If we don’t begin to make changes now, and begin to effectively impact the culture around us, we very well could see an entire generation lost.  Pastor Ronnie challenges us to realize the urgency, get serious about evangelism in our home and families, and desire to see lives changed.  The word “desire” is crucial, because it isn’t just gonna happen.  We have to desire to make a difference.

Here are some other instructions in the book on how to begin to impact the culture around us for the cause of Christ:

• Be literate in the things of God
• Rediscover passion for the lost
• Walk away from fluffy self-help gospels
• and the list goes on.

I think what most impacted me about this book was the reality and necessity to have passion.  This was the game changer for me.  I started to read this book with expectations of accumulating some practical ideas on evangelism, and I never expected God to use it in the way He did. I realize now I need to get serious about my passion for God, His Word, and those around me.  Over the last year I have allowed my circumstances to suck the life out of me.  The passion in my life has been fleeting.  There was this one quote in the book that was like taking a hammer to a thumb…

“The loss of passion for God means the forfeiture of protection, provision, and joy from God.”

The craziest thing is that I don’t love God any less, I just have lacked passion.  Passion is one of those things that you have to continually work on.  Passion comes through intimacy, consistency, and desire.  I am definitely still learning in this area, but I look forward to the journey of becoming more and more passionate for Christ.

I 100% recommend this book for everyone.  Pastors, laymen, teachers, and even the everyday person can gain a wealth of inspiration from reading it.  Get a copy today.

I received this book courtesy of BookSneeze, and I was not required to give a positive review.