That's one for the books

Aaron Hill, one of our MC students, let me rip off his notes from the Leadership Lessons that Jeanne taught a couple of days ago. In it was a quote from another MC student, Adrian Taylor. I thought it was a pretty profound leadership one. In my paraphrase, it was "when the coach goes quiet, that's when you should worry."

Here are some of the other notes Aaron took (they're kind of random, but some real golden nuggets in there):

Give the why behind the what
Don’t let there be negative perceptions of the people
Don’t freak out but have faith and wisdom in finances
Use the situation to make everyone better
Start out saying that’s its all going to be all ok then go to the worst then to the least worst
Don’t do it when it's convenient to you
If you treat people right, God will treat you right
Bring the info. In a clear tangible way
Set your people up for success and failure.
Live a life with Jesus and integrity and go above and beyond.
Present a solution with a problem
There is a God outside of Master's Commission
Many ministries mean well but the picture they give is that if they aren't with them they wont be ok
Don’t make people feel less or stupid
You may feel the pressure but don’t show it
The Lord lets you learn how to do the small stuff then you can build to the heavy stuff
Each year get a little better
A great leader assesses a situation then takes care of it.
Masters will take care of the church because without the church there is no Masters
A good leader looks into the future to see what the enemy could use as grounds.
Bring the news, but mentor as well. Show how to present it as a good leader.
Make the meetings comfortable. Have a voice tone that this is important but you're not in trouble.
To get respect you give respect
Always give a strong finish
You impact others around you by the attitude you have
God's plan for your life is bigger than the mistakes of men.
Deal with it, feel it and go on. God is bigger than the mistakes that the executive team can make.
We are more rewarded now because we handled things well
Don’t pace yourself by other people give your personal best!
It gives more hope when a leader can say that they get worried
Every good leader knows first they've got to sort things out in their own head before they make everyone else ok
The longer you walk with Christ the less faith it takes to have faith.
The more you walk with God the more faith you will have because you have seen God come through so many times.
Answer questions before people have them
When I'm yelling you're ok but when I stop talking then you should worry.
Character will always out weigh charisma
Churches normally applaud charisma not character
Security is built by a loving mom and dad and you
All wise parents know there has to be disciplines. That gives your children security.
Don’t judge others unless you are judged
Live a life that is not perfect but is so Christ like it is tough to disrespect you.
Remember Jesus Christ is inside of you watching and listening to the media you listen or watch

May they remember

Just came out of a 2 1/2 hour meeting and watched my hero/mentor "do her thing" masterfully. She is a brilliant communicator, leader and wife to her hubby. The meeting was full of teaching moments ... and I mean FULL of them. Having lived a lot of them, the only words that kept going through my head are "that's good"..."that's real good." Unfortunately most of the MC students haven't lived them to know their true value. My prayer is that when they are in the midst of the twists and turns of life, they will remember.

Marking Moments

Walking through marking moments in life with young men and women hungry to hear from Jesus has to be one of the greatest privileges in life ... those marking moments are some of the sweetest and, sometimes, the most painful.

Twitter

Ok, signed up for Twitter months ago ... now I am going to try and use it.

Cleveland Hospital

I've spent the last two days at the hospital in a waiting room. They've come a long way, but I still hate them. Cleveland Hospital is cool in many ways though ... they have a Subway and McDonalds (along with a bunch of other food places in it). It's kinda of a hospital and art gallary all wrapped up in one.

Modern day medicine is truly a miracle that I am grateful for. Wendy came through surgery with flying colors. The pain medicine is making her sick to her stomach though, so please pray for her. A long road to recovery is ahead for her, but she's stubborn enough to do just fine. I've got a thousand and seventeen things I need to be doing, but I'm sooo very glad that I am here. It's been great hanging out with friends the last few days.

Accidents, Cadre and Open Heart Surgery

Jeanne totalled her car on Saturday and tried to break by putting her head through the windshield. It didn't work. I've never seen two more swollen black eyes in my life...no exaggeration. To let you know what a warrior I work with, she still did the 2 day Cadre on Monday and Tuesday (11 hours on Monday and 14 hours on Tuesday). Cadre plane tickets had long ago been purchased, so the thought of canceling on 35 youth pastors didn't seem like an option. So, I watched my boss and friend nail it despite the intense pain. She was 110% fully there and fully on. Impressive.

I jumped on a plane after I made sure the majority of the Cadre guys and girls had made their way back home. A friend of mine is having a five hour open heart surgery where they will stop her heart for two hours to replace two valves. I think I already blogged about it, but there are 5 families I am committed to do life with from Indiana, along with my family, for eternity. Wendy's is one of them.

Hurricane Clean Up

Getting everything back on track after NYLC is a little (stress little) bit like cleaning up after a Hurricane. For the month prior, everything got put on the back burner. Now that we are home, everything is red hot front burner stuff. We have 4 conference call, 3 Cadres, a Spring retreat and 2nd year iterviews over the next six weeks, including all the clean up from NYLC. Exciting days are ahead. We have over 200 new Source and YLC subscribers, along with over 200 people interested in the Cadre.

On a side note, we had Reunite tonight to celebrate the MC students coming back from Spring Break. Glad to have them back in the house. It's way too quiet here without them.

On a final note, I hate power surges/outages. As a result of Friday's storms, we blew the ethernet chip in our motherboard and have no access to the Youth Leader's Coach storage area. UGH! I don't know who the Kernal is, but without the Ethernet chip he won't load. So much for surge protectors. Plus, battery back-ups are of little use when you don't plug the stupid thing into it. The cost of silly mistakes drive me insane.

NYLC 09 - Fully Between Someone Else And Jesus

The conference was a smashing success. How do I know? Because countless have told me. And after spending part of my vacation watching it, I know why they are saying what they are saying. It's funny, but there is so much work to do in the moment...to make what is happening around the people seem effortless, that I didn't catch most of the conference. It can be disheartening if you let it...that is until you ask yourself the question of "why do you do what you do anyway?" There is a time for it to be "fully between you and Jesus," but then there are times you make the sacrifice for it to be "fully between someone else and Jesus." That's what NYLC 09 was for me. However, it wasn't without countless personal highlights, like...

1. Watching youth pastors get real honest on some tough issues using 2,000 key pads that registers audience responses.
2. Watching Jeanne be able to do what she does best without much concern for the details that our team had well covered.
3. Doing my two breakout sessions despite the fact that I lost 80% of my voice day one.
4. Praying with people on Wednesday night at the conclusion of the evening service.
5. Watching the MC Atlanta team in action. Wow, they were off-the-hook impressive.
6. Seeing what a difference the Cadre makes when it comes to a conference. The day after the conference was truly like a family reunion with all of them. However, typically you're ready for family reunions to come to an end, but I wasn't ready for this one to.
7. Seeing some typically quiet MC Atlanta students rise up and own some things that were ginormous ... they nailed it.
8. Each night I would steal a few seconds away and go to the top balcony area where there were these cool side sections. From there you could see countless worshipping...most with hands help high, while others were praying. It was a site to behold and the mental Kodak moment of the conference for me.
9. Hanging out with my sister, Carole, Chris and Karen. I miss them. They were and still are my armor bearers. Hopefully, I am for them as well.
10. Knowing the impact the conference had on the "youth ministry teams" present. There are times when it's just plain good for your team to hear someone else say the exact same things you've been saying. Plus, it's good to steal away three days for teams to be together when nothing else is pulling at you (or them) and all the work is being done by someone else. I remember the impact a trip my team took at Granger to a Saddleback youth conference. I loved being able to provide for others what they provided for me. Also, the diversity of the speakers (Ed Young, Judah Smith, Chris Hill, Greg Stier, Craig Gross, etc.) ensured the different personalities on the team would connect with at least a few of the speakers, if not all.

After the conference, and months of sleepless or little sleep nights, we went on a five day cruise. Sounds glamorous, I know. However, I literally slept 17 hours or more each day for 4 of the 5 days. Sounds like I'm exaggerating, but I so am not. Crazy...I know. I think I was on the verge of exhaustion and didn't know it. I could tell it in my emotions, but no place else. That's a whole lot of sleep for someone that typically sleeps 4-6 hours tops a night. It was good for my soul and great preparation for this weekend when I've set aside time for it to be "fully between me and Jesus."

Leavin' on a jet plane

Leavin' for Dallas at 6 a.m.
Whohoo.

You know you're close when...

You know you're close to your big event when....

You can look at weather.com and the dates of your big event are in the 10 day forcast...77 and sunny baby! Lord Jesus, please make it so.

It Is Finished!

We are in a mad dash to get some product done before we leave for NYLC. The last 2 1/2 days I've been writing small group discussion guides for Jeanne's DVD curriculum covering the sex chapters in her Uncensored book. It covers the topics you seldom, if ever, hear in the church world. I wrote 7 small group guides covering porn, homosexuality, lust, pre-marital sex, masturbation...yep, even that one....,God's intent for intimacy and how to live a life of sexual and emotional purity. My discussion creating skills were diffently challenged, especially in the midst of all the other NYLC and Cadre prep going on those 2 1/2 days. There is now about a 4,000 pound weight off my shoulders. The titles you ask...

Guy Meets Guy, Girl Meets Girl
Solo Sex
The Dragon Of Imagination
Don't Set Off The Fireworks
Chew And Spit Romance
Where Are You Getting Your Sex Education?
The Masterpiece
The List

I am a freakin' idiot

So after I posted this morning, I jumped off and went into the sanctuary to pray with the MC students. Well not exactly "with," we all pray individaully...some stand, some walk, some sit, some are in the balcony, some on the back row, some on the front.

Mornings are not usually my prayer time, but since I was up, I thought I'd join them. I think it was my first time in there at the same time this year. I was inspired and encouraged, yet at the same time told myself how dumb I was for not being more intentional about being in there at the same time as they are.

My boss champions me, so much so that when I told her how much I felt like an idiot, she tried to cover for me. She said, "Mornings are just not your most exciting hours. Your rhythm matters." While she is sooo very much right, my desire to be with them and model for them trumps my hatred for those early daylight hours. Today, tomorrow and the next 2 1/2 months will be sponsored by the word "intentional."

It's 8:30 a.m. and I love that sound

It was actually a little before 8:30 just a few minutes. As I sat outside my office, I heard the sound of voices, laughter and all out fun. The MC students were pouring in for the day. It's after 8:30 right now and as quickly as they came in, they are gone. They start their mornings here in the sanctuary in prayer. It's a non-negotiable in this place, the time is set-aside, the time is given (of course once in the sanctuary, they have to choose how focused they are). I love this place! My mind just raced forward to the middle of June, when the sound of 80 plus students won't be here for the summer...when it's so quiet you could hear a pin drop. I dread those days. I'm not sure I could ever go back to business (youth ministry) as usual...go back to the days without MC or interns. The raising up of the next generation of church and business leaders is good for my soul. It brings life to these aging bones.

Just thought you should know

I have been starring at a screen for days, my eyeballs are about to burst into flames. T-15 days until game day! The question is can I cram 5 months worth of work into 15 days. Ummm...probably not, but giving it a shot.

On a side note, the day after the conference, at our Cadre reunion ... it's gonna be flippin' sweet. Two days after that, I leave on a 5 day cruise. I'm ok with that.

Now Those Are Some Great Stats

Right now 112 of 269, 42% of first year Cadre members are coming to NYLC '09 at the end of the month. Even better, 70 of 117, 60%, of second year Cadre members will join us. I can't wait to see the numbers in regard to how many are connected to them. Once we get the data on those that used the Cadre Codes to register, I will give you an update. As I said a few months ago, the world has yet to see the impact Cadres can having on a conference...let alone the world. Multiplication at its finest.

Below is a picture of what God laid on my heart many months ago (I don't say that lightly, for I know that's a huge statement). It all started my last day of Oasis, when 1,066 middle school students and leaders squeezed in together for a roof top photo. Somehow that blob of people in 2 minutes accidently formed a picture where most people who see it say, "Did you try to make it look like the United States." Ummm, no.

Where did that come from

Life is crazy busy with NYLC...crazy busy. As I posted on my facebook, it feels like I'm being chased by a dog and he's gaining on me. I am ridiculously excited about the conference at the end of this month, but have SOOOOOO very much to do within the next 20 days...it's not even funny.

However, first things first, we had to take time out for our annual church business meeting...can you say LOOOOOONG, but necessary...I guess. Anyway, Jeanne comes over right before we start and says that Pastor wants me to say a few words about our cost saving efforts. I say, "really?" (insert a reluctant tone of "I really don't want to, please don't make me do this"). She says, "Judy, he's proud of what you, Vicky and Sobrina have accomplished." "Ok." So, about 15 minutes later, I stand up and say something like, "Our nation has hit an economic iceburg. As you know, when it comes to iceburgs, you don't wait until you're upon them to try and turn the ship ... we saw it coming and have and will continue to analyze line by line where cuts can be made ... here are a couple of examples..." Anyway, all that to say, I love the iceburg anology, just can't remember where I stole it from.

Group Conference

Here's a couple of observations:

Group puts on a great conference period.

Just got back from the Friday night session where Kay Warren brought it! She's AMAZING. It's so cool to watch someone with all out passion and vision. She talked about being disturbed, afraid and ruined for Christ. Seriously incredible stuff. I will post my notes of her tomorrow. I typed them on Lucy's PC and for some reason my Mac is not playing friendly with the jump drive. Glad our MC girls were able to see another incredible woman of God on stage. It's not that they are rare, it's just rare to see them in that capacity.

I sat behind our Master's Commission gang with a couple of the girls. They rocked today in Jeanne's breakout session. They were fidgety up until Kay (I think because they sat all day), but when Kay started talking they were all ears.

A new portion of our store front went live today and ten minutes later we previewed in on the screen for all of about 3 minutes. While short, got great, great, great feedback from the breakout participants

Jeanne's session was incredible. I love the work she puts in behind it. It literally takes the team of 16 of us to pull it off. After four decades, I love that she chooses not to coast.

Group has these cool little pins to put on your lanyard and the most comfortable sack chairs ever. They create a great environment.

Speaking of environments, Group is great at creating network ones. It's been awesome seeing some of the gang I've met throughout the years.

Josh and Matt seriously make the most funny videos ever. Total weird transition to it tonight though...still very funny. It left me pondering this thought in my head, "Where do I stand on altar calls? Right now, I think AG does way too many of them and everyone else not nearly enough. It's as if one is scared not to do it and the other scared to do it. Weird, I know. It's messing with my head...a little.

I've had a total of 5 hours of sleep the last two nights, going to bed...over and out.

10 Random Things Floating In My Head

1. Pastor's (pastor's don't have first names in the south) mother passed away over the weekend. Her funeral was today. The funeral was very old skool and beautiful. Would loved to have known her.

2. Taught Life Lessons for second year Master's students yesterday. Totally had a great time.

3. Learning about merchant accounts and payment gateways. Which word best describes this learning: cool, ugh!, confusing, expensive...all the above.

4. Leave for the Group conference tomorrow. We are taking a fun team of MC students with us...should be a blast. Jeanne's breakout group is full and they are having to move people out. Cool problem. The team made 250 tokens for it last night. Word on the street has it they finished at 4:15 a.m.

5. Our new section of the store should be up next week. Brett did an amazing job! Him and his wife are the bomb.

6. Finalizing some details for our conference next month today. Nothing is as easy as it should be.

7. I have so much work to do today that I don't think I will be going home tonight...it makes me sleepy just thinking about it.

8. The Kindle 2 is the coolest.

9. My cell phone has 8 messages on it and my office phone 13. I need to check them all and want to check none.

10. I'm tying this at my desk while I sit here in a dress...a rarity.

Kid In A Candy Store

Just got my new Kindle 2 today...way to go AMAZON...underpromise and overdeliver (I wasn't supposed to get it until March). Gotta go play. Over and out.

Eight Secrets To Weight Loss

Me writing this post is a joke. It’s way too early for me to be writing about any “secrets.” But, just in case my theories work, I will risk writing prematurely. Why? In hopes that in some way, shape or form saying this out loud keeps me accountable. Also, because a friend asked me how I am doing it today. So, here you go…

1. Conquer the Dew. First, the departure from Diet Mountain Dew to Vitamin Water and G2 was a huge boost. It’s not a secret to weight loss (it actually adds calories), but it’s the CONQUERING OF THE MIND. No one in their right mind would think I would even attempt such a feat. Most of my closest friends would have told you Diet Mt. Dew ran through my veins, not blood. After I made the switch, I felt like I pretty much could conquer anything. Have I totally eliminated “soda” (you know, gotta adjust with the culture…in the south they don’t say “pop”)? Heck, no. I still love McDonald’s Diet Coke or a bottle of something. However, I drink one a day vs. a six pack of Diet Dew.

2. Comfort food. When I’m stressed, it truly releases the pressure valve a little. Today, was a great example. The work load is almost overwhelming right now. I anticipate it to be all through NYLC and the Cadre Reunion (i.e. April 2). I am a little addicted to the adrenaline rush, but when I’ve got so much work to do that I am almost paralyzed to do anything, comfort food helps. So, I indulge, but nothing like before. Today it was a pint of cookie dough ice cream, but that’s it for the next 4-6 days. However, if I want to, I will allow myself to sneak one of the little mini ice cream cones from Jason’s Deli when I eat there. It’s about 4 inches tall, but makes me feel like I beat the system. In the past, I think I tried to eliminate ALL junk food, which was stupid and increased the likelihood of feeling like a failure.

3. One meal a day. I know, you think that’s dumb and unrealistic. It would be if that’s all I ate, but I don’t. When the hunger pains hit at other times, I fill the gap with apple sauce, peaches, pickled beets (I know…weird, right?) and other vegetables. I hate, hate, hate salad (seriously, hate), so that’s not an option for me. In regard to the one meal, it’s whatever I want. I love Chinese, Jason’s Deli, Subway and McDonalds, so I eat it. If I denied myself of what I love, there is absolutely no way I would lose weight and ever have a chance of keeping it off. I know myself. In fact, the thought of going without the food I love made me not even attempt weight loss in the past. I don’t believe in the roller coaster methodology (i.e. starve yourself of what you love, lose the weight, start eating what you love again, only to gain the weight back), it depresses me to even think about it.

4. The reality of hunger pains. I guess I had not taken the time to ever realize this or maybe I just forgot, but you know when you’re so hungry you feel like you have to have food right now? You don’t. Sometimes if you drink something or do something, they go away without you realizing it. I don’t go a whole lot longer without eating anything because I do believe it’s your body’s way of talking to you, but I do wait a bit. Why? It’s that whole conquering the mind thing. If I eat the moment I feel hungry, my mind has a tendency to CREATE more of those “I’m hungry” moments before they really exist.

5. Delayed exercise. Last year when I tried to get more fit, I started with exercise and decided “I would adjust my eating habits later, after I got the ‘exercise thing’ down.” That was dumb. All that I did was gain two pounds. Sure I might have lost some fat and gained muscle, but looking at the scale ticked me off and I gave up. Just in the last couple of days I began walking again. But, I really needed the shot in the arm on the scale side first. Lowering food intake, at least for me, will always drop pounds faster. I’m smart enough to know I need both but also smart enough to know trying to start both at the same time is hard. Last year was a great attempt, but I just had the order backward, instead of exercise then less food, I needed less food then exercise.

6. Periodic motivation. I remember a line I heard Oprah make a few years ago, “food will never taste as good as how being thin feels.” The thought of giving it a shot, motivates me…so does watching a periodic summary of an episode of The Biggest Loser on hulu.com. I have no time for tv, but the little snippet of the episodes help.

7. I already know I will fail. I know I will fail a day here and there, maybe even two or three in a row. However, I'm determined not to let a day or two of failure result in me being a total failure at even trying. I'm bent on not beating myself up when I fail, but making the CHOICE to try, try again.

8. Sleep. I don't even like to admit this, but I can't deny it. The more you sleep, the more you lose weight. Lack of sleep leads to weight gain. This totally bites because I think sleep is overrated (I'd rather take 3 naps than sleep a long period of time), but it looks like I might be wrong. I literally can lose a pound if I sleep six consistent hours, even though most of the time it won't totally stay off throughout the day. I find that both interesting and frustrating.

So, there you have it. I started to try and shed a few pounds around January 15 (a little late start to New Year’s Resolutions). I’m now up to 17 lbs. which is far more than my goal of one pound a week. I think the first few pounds have come off easily because they haven’t been there for that long. However, I think the next ones will be a whole lot tougher since I’ve carried them for years.

Only time will tell if this even remotely works and/or is sustainable. However, if I can do this during peak season when it comes to workload, I think I just might be on to something.

Choices

This week we made the final edits on Jeanne's book. It's brilliant in so many ways. The words, however, that stood out to me time and time again were: "choice", "choose", "chose".

Choice is written 35 times in the NIV Bible
Choose 66 times
Chose 42 times

One of the most pointed verses that sticks like glue in my head is, "choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve"
(Joshua 24:15).

Among other things, life really is a series of choices. Choose wisely!

Today's A Price Break Day

The freight train is rolling ... we're well over 1,000 registrants for the National Youth Leaders' Conference and heading toward 2,000. What an honor! Big, big deal!

A Great Day

Today was AMAZING ... long ... but AMAZING!

10:30 - 12:00 JEANNE TIME
I started off by coming in early for Jeanne time (10:30 a.m. is early when you leave at 3:30 a.m.). It's an hour and a half every Thursday morning that the MC students have with Jeanne, mostly focusing on a mix of character and leadership development. It was off the hook. One of the many profound things she said is...

"You want to be a leader who walks with such integrity and authentic love that it makes it hard for anyone to rebel against you." Good stuff.

We closed by talking about NYLC. She asked Anne and I to talk at the end. More and more, I love the one word quick sermon/coaching session...followed by a few lines. My word today was INITIATIVE. In a nutshell, in the coming days we will be peddling just as fast as we can. Because even with NYLC coming up, we will still have church, Oxygen will still happen and Master's Commission will go on in the midst of it all.

I challenged them to...
Take the initiative to fix a token that you see is messed up, even if you weren't the one who made it (we're about to head into token season for NYLC).
Take the initiative to flip off the lights given the economic crunch all around.
Take the initiative to bring the van seat left out in the rain back in.
Take the initiative to do things with excellence...to go the extra mile.

If you can get the initiative thing down, you will be a better employee, husband, wife, parent...

12:00 - 1:00 EMAILS, EMAILS, EMAILS AND CONFERENCE CALL PREP

1:00 - 3:00 CADRE INVICTUS CONFERENCE CALL
Jeanne talked about helping the ladies in your life be all they can be. Great stuff. The guys asked great questions.

3:00 - 3:30 SET UP A VOICESHOT
Reminded all the Cadre peeps that after tomorrow the price goes up for NYLC.

3:30 - 7:30 NYLC MARATHON MEETING

8:00 - 1:30 a.m. JEANNE, BETHANY AND I COMPILED THE FINAL ILLUSTRATIONS FOR JEANNE'S NEW BOOK
"Finding God when He feels far away" will hit the shelves at NYLC. It's been a mad dash to get the editing done in time. As I drew stick figure after stick figure, all I could think of is "Mark Beeson could do sooo much better." He's the Stickman Master. I hope the artist who has to make sense out of all of our drawings does better than we did.

We entered the board room at 3:30 p.m and left at 1:30 a.m. Literally, we only came out to use the bathroom and watch the final run though of a human video for this Sunday at church.

Kindle 2

Some people buy Wii's, some clothes, some cars...my toy of choice is the Kindle 2. Ordered it today, should get it in March.

It's my reward to myself for shedding the 15 pounds I put on in the last 15 months. That works out to about $25 for every pound. I'm very generous to myself.

The Race Is On

41 days and counting ... counting every one of them.

The race is on to be ready for our conference. What lies between now and then are two national conferences that we are trying to ramp up for. Group's conference is at the end of this month and should be AMAZING and James River's is next month. We are peddling just about as fast as we can to have part of our new store front up by then. After a 2 1/2 conference call between Brett (our incredible web designer), Josh, Jeanne, Chris and myself, I think it just might happen.

Tomorrow night at 9:45 p.m. we are doing the final edits on Jeanne's new book that will be hot off the press for NYLC ... Finding God When He Feels Far Away. Crazy hours for everyone else, primetime for me! Can you tell our schedules are filling up fast?

Snap...Literally!

Nearly 40 first year ladies Cadre came to the ATL to enjoy some spoiling and get some coaching. Ladies Cadres are composed of male Cadre members' wives and female Cadre members. Right out of the gate, I knew it was going to be a fun time...and that it was, all but about two hours of it.

Envision this, we walk right next to Jeanne's house to take a picture by this grassy open area near the lake like we always do. There is a fence there and, as they were lining up for the photo, a couple of them jump on top of it to create a taller row. When I see them do it, it was no surprise, they always do. Then, I say out loud to a couple of people near me, "some day that fence is going to break." I didn't think break, break...just crack. Not two minutes later, it didn't crack, but it broke, broke. What I didn't realize was the drop behind it is at least nine foot straight down. Four girls fall forward and two back. One of the two goes all the way down...doing a few flips along the way. Honestly, had she not landed right, she could have died. At the bottom is a cement slap. Well, thank you Jesus she didn't die, but ended up with a beat up elbow and whole lot of bruises, including a major one on her heel requiring an ankle brace. I honestly think God healed it in route to the ER, I would have laid money her heel was broken, if not shattered. I had a deja vu moment when we were trying to assess her injuries. It wasn't quite like the guy who broke his leg at camp that I talked down from going into shock on the way to the hospital, but it felt like it. I was nice and calm on the outside, but totally freaking out for about 15 minutes on the inside. When she began to shiver and her eyes started to roll a little, I just kept talking and asking her questions about life and ministry. She is an incredible young lady, she was back from the hospitial within a couple of hours and ready to roll for the evening session.

To top off the day, Old Red (our 15 passenger van) needed a jump start before the girls left to go home for the evening. I tell Robby, "if she dies in route, don't jump it...it's probably the alternator and you'll kill the battery." Robbie takes off and 3 minutes later I get a phone call. It's living up to it's FORD reputation once again - Found On Road Dead. Three of us jump in our cars to the rescue. Two hours later I'm back at Jeanne's house making "new" pick-up plans for morning at midnight.

I always say the impact of Cadres are in direct proportion to the difficulty it takes to pull them off. This was no exception. Apart from those few moments, it was an AMAZING couple of days. I had the greatest journey group ever, in fact we are working on our own little reunion in Dallas next month.

Here is a snapshot from a few of the lines one friend wrote today, "Words cannot express what the Cadre, Masters, you and Jeanne mean to me... Our youth service last night was so awesome. I can feel a boldness in me like never before and it comes from Jesus and what you guys are imparting into my life."

I am grateful for all the post Cadre notes of encouragement that come in. It's a big deal and reminds me every push to get itineraries in, every transportation run, every housing reshuffle and every kink in the schedule is sooooo more than worth it.

Oh, by the way, it was the alternator.

Diet Mountain Dew Free

It's been almost 3 weeks without a Diet Mt. Dew, just want those who thought I might fall out and die to know I'm still alive. I had no withdrawals...crazy I know. The #1 question people ask is "do you feel better?" First, I never felt bad, I did it for kicks (I know weird sense of humor). Second, if I did feel bad and didn't know it, I feel no better. However, I must confess I have had about four Diet Cokes in that time frame while out at restaurants.

For My Indiana Family and Friends

It's currenty 15 degrees in Atlanta and with the windchill feels like 1. It is currently 2 degress in Indiana and feels like 2. Now is your time to rub it in...it "feels" colder in Atlanta than it does in Indiana. Hurry, you don't have much time, it's supposed to be in the 60's all next week.

14 Months Ago

14 months ago my dad died ... 14 months ago my quiet times with Jesus were buried with him. I remember someone whom I love screaming at me in tears and pain late the night before I preached his funeral, "Where was your fu$%in' Jesus when he put the noose around his neck...where was he Judy!?!?" I had all the right answers for him that would have made all of my current and past spiritual mentors proud. But deep inside, I really wasn't smokin' what I was sellin,' as Rob Bell would say. I didn't get it anymore than he did. All the "right" answers, while right and true, didn't help...not even kinda...not even a little bit.

For the last 14 months I've done a lot of great things FOR God and read a lot of great books ABOUT God, but didn't have it in me to read GOD'S WORD for myself. You might be thinkin', are you telling me you haven't cracked the Bible in 14 months? Nope, not for myself anyway, not once...I did for some messages and Sunday School lessons, but I'm not sure that counts. It took the difficulties of last month to come to the end of myself, at least I think I'm there. Have I prayed? Yep...good Christian prayers, saying the words I know to say. I tried to do what I knew to do despite how I felt (that's what I've always taught), but it wasn't working so good for me.

As I posted, the last week my office has been like a revolving door late into the night, students coming in and chillin' in my office just to talk. (While I may not have cracked my Bible, I have become a better listener and question asker...most days). A couple of times, while they were talking and I heard myself give some great "Godly" advice, my mind swirled elsewhere. Believe it or not, it was a prayer..."God help me not to be the poser I currently feel that I am." So, with resolve, I've been spending time with Jesus each day. The first two were like trying to kick myself out of the grave, but tonight the wall I built around my heart began to crack.

Here's what I was reminded of in James this week so far...

Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (When I read that, I didn't find it fun, funny or even inspiring...I wasn't off to a good start)

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (found comfort in that, so I asked God for it)

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (totally could relate, felt pretty battered)

But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desires, he is dragged away and enticed.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. (when you're not right with God, you jump to anger much quicker)

Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselfs. Do what it says. (hmmm, great advice, easier said than done by far)

If anyone considers himself religious and yet doesn not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. (big statement)

Don't show favoritism (period)

Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

Mercy triumphs over judgment!

What good is it, my brother, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?

"Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. (How cool would that be! I hate the song "I am a friend of God." Each time it makes me think, am I?...would He really call me that?" I guess you can sing it in hope and faith.)

We all stumble in many ways. (what an understatement)

It (the tongue) corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire... (take junk thoughts captive, do not let them come out of my mouth)

The very moment you separate body and spirit, you end up with a corpse. Separate faith and works and you get the same thing: a corpse. (I had the works down the last year, didn't do so well on the faith...felt pretty dead, thus pretty true statement)

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or DENY the truth. (I always caught the don't boast about it, but not sure I ever caught the "or deny the truth." While not sure it pertains to bitter envy or selfish ambition, this verse reminds me about how confessing things out loud disarms them...probably why I published this post).

19 Months Later, Still My Hero In Ministry

I started working for my boss and friend 19 months ago today. I'm not going to lie, I didn't expect my mentor and hero to live up to my expectations. I know better than to put people on pedestals. However, 19 months later, I am grateful my respect for her has done nothing but grown. We've lived a whole lot of life in 19 months, to the point it feels more like 5 years. We've experienced some of the highest highs and lowest lows. Two words that best describe her were spoken by her son years ago, they are "blasted consistent." Consistent in her call, love, devotion to Jesus and commitment to be there for her husband, family and staff. I remember her once saying that one of her goals was that "those who know me (her) best, would love me (her) most."

I consider myself a low maintenance employee, which can be ones greatest blessing and greatest curse. But, one of things that Jeanne's taught me by watching her life is that sometimes when you most need encouragement, no one will realize it so you just have to ask for it ... so I did. January was a rough month for me, because of the added stress of the flood, budget, refinancing the church, board meetings and rebidding contracts on the church side, everything on the Youth Leader's Coach side got behind. I felt like I was juggling a dozen balls in the air at the same time and was dropping them all...not really, but it felt like that big time in my head. So, I asked to go out for a quick coke, but instead she gave me a two hour lunch and helped me clear my head. Because she's fought the battles, she can speak about to the ministry mind games like no other ... the mind games no one ever talks about. Through it all she's been faithful and "blasted consistent"

The Revolvoing Door

Last night was a trip and reminded me how much I love our students at MC Atlanta. My office was like a revovling door from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., as one student left another would come to hangout and talk. First it was Jorge, then Rey, then Scotto, then Phillip and then when we had a power outage Nathan, Daniel and Scotto came in and chilled for awhile. I called it quits a little after 2 a.m. before my lamp died (it is plugged into this big old surge protect that operates as a back up battery for my computer). My relational tank was on full when they left ... I talked with one about his friend, another about youth ministry, another about family and another about his outstanding work. All the conversations were amazing but the two most memorable ones were with Rey and Daniel.

Rey got a whole years worth of youth ministry training in one week. One of our middle school students threw a fist at youth group last week. Instead of handling it myself, I coached Rey through it. He did an incredible job from talking to the boys involved to the mother of the kid who threw the fist. He felt the victory of one of the student really hearing him and, as a result, making positive choices...and the defeat of the other who really didn't get it. Rey is an amazing leader and will rock the world as a youth pastor some day (actually he really is one now, but someday will have the official title).

I had never really had much of a coversation with Daniel until last night. I learned about his wonderful parents, how his family is rallying in difficult economic times and that his church home back in North Carolina is Steven Furtick's Elevation Church. Daniel is an amazing young man full of optimism and Jesus. I am feeling the need for a road trip to North Carolina with a carload of MC'ers soon.

They are all incredible young men of God that if I had a kid, I would want them to hang out with. Right now we are in the midst of Experience where we showcase MC Atlanta to 60+ potential students next year. The hallways have been full of energy all day. Tonight is quiet though, our students are back in their apartments spoiling our guests like only MC Atlanta can spoil them.

Who Is Asking The Questions

And the survey says... we have been taken for a ride by American Express, Pitney Bowes, Nuvox and Milner phone systems. Seriously, it's enough to make me beat my head against the wall. However, it's not their bad, it's ours for not asking the questions years ago. I think churches have a tendancy to just pay the bills and fail to obtain adequate information. The ongoing question should be why and if you can't answer it, do your homework and figure it out? Why is this interest rate so high? Why do we have this elaborate postage meter that is so fancy it should be able to spit nickels? Why is our T1 line so expensive every month...have we ever thought about telling them we are switching to a different company just to see what they say? Why are we leasing our phone system and who signed this stupid contract anyway with hidden costs that are lawsuit worthy? Because of the economic times, my amazing team and I are going over every reoccuring payment that goes out of that place. While most of them are totally legit, some leaving you scratching your head. No more...it's a new day.

When You Can Scale Back No More

I hurt for some friends back home who lost their jobs this week. While I know God holds them in the very palm of His hand, it still leaves a knot in the pit of my stomach. Being the creater and keeper of the church budget at the Tabernacle, I know the feeling of waiting for the numbers to come in each week. It's a point of GREAT confusion for me. While I feel it's a lack of faith to hold my breath, it doesn't prevent me from doing so. When I see the email from Vicky reporting the weekly figures, I literally suck air while clicking it open. This week I rejoiced that we exceeded budget by 19 bucks ... I had that feeling in the pit of my stomach last week when we didn't ... historically January is a tough month for us. I scaled back everything I could for 2009. I'm rebiding contracts, cutting out the little fat that there is and helping to get the church refinanced. By doing so, it might give us a pinch of breathing room. Without it, our bottom line will be zero at the end of the year. However, if there is much in the way of out of the ordinary expenses (like a flood and deductibles), weather that affects attendance, etc., it will jack us up. There are times I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. While I won't be the one to determine who, I know the very jobs of friends who are like family are on the line. So, I pray, I cut and I watch.

Time Out

The ramp up to Epicenter NYLC 09 is fun and exciting, but beginning to take on an incredible pace. In the midst of creating and preparing product, overseeing exhibitors and a number of other things we had the flood (ie insurance adjusters, contracters and industrial hygienist), been refining the 09 budget, getting bids on phone systems, refinancing the church to take advantage of the lower rates and two ladies Cadres (one last week and one Feb. 9-10) ... all of which is good and right. However, yesterday I took a time out and left the office at 4 p.m. and said enough is enough. I spent last night and all of this morning chillin at Jeanne's by the lake before lunch with Kayla and "Find Your Leader" at the mall with my middle school 02 group. It was good to just breathe and sleep. Jeanne's words to me a few emails ago from out of the country were "don't forget my porch is annointed." So, you will find me and Jesus hangin' there tomorrow afternoon. It was in the 60's today, hopefully it will be tomorrow but it's feelin' a little chillier tonight.

Diet Mountain Dew

So, I gave up Diet Moutain Dew for a few days. Most would have thought I'd fall over in convulsions dead, but I've faired pretty well. I haven't had the "no caffeine headaches" that I would have thought. I replaced my drink of choice with orange "Vitamin Water." I think I've been sucked into a marketing ploy. It's really melted orange popsicle at twice the cost of the Diet Moutain Dew. However it does say "water" so I'm claiming it as so.

Freebies

Cool free resource for youth workers at...
Youth Leader's Coach: www.youthleaderscoach.com/vault/
Southeast Christian Church: www.vineresources.com
Simply Youth Ministry: www.simplyyouthministry.com/freebies.html

When Tragedy Strikes

Our little "when the rain came down" inside the building episode this weekend reminded me of the importance of having people who will rally around you when things get tough. About 20 MC students stuck it out for 14 hours on Saturday, another 20 for about 8 hours, to ready the church for Sunday. The final crew left about 3 a.m.

The ServiceMaster man is here and complimented us up on our clean up. However, our efforts didn't negate the fact that everything behind and underneath the surface is saturated. He is telling me that the floorboards are wet, the walls are wet...everything is pretty much wet... and needs to be ripped out.

None of that pales in comparison to what two friends are going through...

One just lost pretty much everything in a house fire in Illinois. Thankfully, his church is rallying. However, it doesn't fix the fact that his life is a whirlwind right now. Pray for the Raitz family.

One of our MC students was related to the four killed in the grisly Oklahoma slayings ... where the boyfriend killed the girlfriend and her four kids. Most of the kids were from a previous marriage to the MC student's brother. The MC gang rallyed, including one driving him home so he can go to his nieces and nephew's funeral. The MC student driving him also happens to be the one who oversaw putting in all the ceiling tiles for us on Saturday. We've got an amazing crew.

It's raining ... inside the building

Crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy day. About 12:15 p.m., all heck broke loose. A water main to the sprinkler system split in half. Seriously, a four or five inch connecter joint thingy busted in two. It was pouring inside the building like I've never seen before. Coming out of the ceiling, down the walls, right through to the lower level. All while a funeral service was going on in the Sanctuary. It was an ugly site to behold.

Fortunately, over half of our MC gang were on hand. It's 9 p.m. and 14 of them are stilling sucking up water and shampooing the carpets. They are my heroes tonight. They will be here well after midnight and becasue of them we will have church tomorrow. Like pretty much every church in America right now, economically we can not go without a Sunday's offering. I know that sounds unspiritual. However, the keeper of the budget, thinks of such things.

Lessons learned today:
1. Instead of buying shop vacs, rent shampoo machines...they can suck up the nasty water first, then you can use them to clean the carpets afterwards.
2. Don't forget to rent the blowers to dry the carpet too. Fortuately we remembered.
3. In a staff meeting, devote an hour to walking the building and showing staff where the water main, gas main, circuit breakers and server are located. Even if they don't shut the water/gas/electricity off, they can show the fire department where it's located. We could have avoided a few hundred or thousand gallons pouring out if we knew where the water main was right away. We didn't even realize it, but the majority of the water was pouring down about ten feet away from the room where the serve resides. Thank you Jesus it didn't hit the $3,500 additional back up unit we just installed the day before.
4. Have a list somewhere of the telephone numbers for plumbers, electricians and whoever else might be helpful in an emergency situation. If your "go to" person can't be found, you should still be able to handle the crisis.
5. When the water sprinkler pipe breaks, there is a nasty odor that smells like gas ... in this case it wasn't, the water just stinks bad.
6. Boards warp really fast.
7. Know who you can count on in a crisis. The MC students rocked the house. I am like a proud mama right now.
8. We might of shot ourselves in the foot with the insurance company becasue we cleaned it up. Hopefully, the video and pictures we took will suffice. Regardless, had we not cleaned it up, we couldn't have had church. That wasn't an option.
9. You can't clean part of any carpet. It's an all or nothing deal. When the damaged area ended up being cleaner than the rest of the carpet, all had to be done.
10. How people respond in a crisis is a test of character. Our students passed with flying colors. This really is a special place. I am living amongst furture (and current) worldchangers. They give me hope for the church of today and tomorrow.

Winter

It's midnight and it's only 20 degrees here. I'm thinking I shouldn't have left my winter coat in Indiana. That's what I get for braggin' how much warmer it is here.

Busted open this little gem and finished it while on Christmas break. It is a MUST read. Totally brilliant.

It was as easy to read as the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. Which, whether you're a Maxwell fan or not, is brilliant as well. Sooooo brilliant, that once again I am junior highizing it and teaching it to them on Sunday mornings.

Week 1: Who is standing next to you ... a gorilla or a slug?

Ugh!

Can it get any my dreary? Today...
1. Was my dad's birthday
2. I crunched numbers and finished the Tabernacle's 2009 budget
3. It rained most of the day (although can't complain too much, at 9 p.m. tonight it was 65 degrees)

The saving grace was that the MC students came back from Christmas break this evening. We played a fun game where staff, 3rd and 4th years disguised themselves and walked around the mall. The 1st and 2nd years had to find them and get them to sign their card. Pictures to follow...at some point.

Welcome home, we missed you

Those were the words of a about a dozen people yesterday. The transition over the last year and a half has been interesting. For the first year of living in the ATL, Indiana still felt like home. The last six months, neither felt like home. Now, Atlanta truly feels like home. The #1 question people ask me when I come back to Indiana is, “do you like living in Atlanta?” The answer is that “I do.” Here’s why…

1. I love who I get to work with and for. My boss is amazing … a leader, visionary, coach, mentor and friend. We/I throw the “friend” word out pretty easily, but she truly is one. You should do life and work with people you love and who love you. If you are going to do this thing 50-70 hours a week, it matters.

2. I love MC Atlanta…seeing and working with 80+ God seeking, Jesus lovin’, hope filled, funny and fun 18-22 year olds is a hoot. We’ve mastered what it is to live in a “family environment.” I so believe in this program that has a foundational year of character and integrity building before its second year of leadership development. I’ve come to believe leadership without character is incredibly dangerous. I think in the church world we’ve lost sight of that a little. We build leaders and hope they catch character along the way. It’s a risky business.

3. I love diversity. As I mentioned, I go to a church that is comprised of 50 different nationalities that are predominately black in skin tone. I would love to say it didn’t affect me when I first moved down here, but honestly it kind of freaked me out. However, I went from immediately noticing that I was often times the only white person in a room, to seeing past skin tone. People are people, color really is just skin tone. I need to sit down and figure out how to put the transformation within me into better words.

4. I love to be stretched when it comes to leadership. I have my hand in a number of things right now. It breaks all the “less is more”, “laser focus is better” and “do only what you do best and hand off the rest” leadership principles I’ve learned along the way. However, that’s not an option right now and I’m great with it for this season. Plus, in my ear from the get go, I feel like God has been whispering “as you step into your future, this stuff will be important.” I’m not sure why, but am embracing the opportunities.

5. Words cannot express how much I learned at Granger from watching Mark, Rob, Dr. Bob, Ed, Mel, Georgia, Dave and a whole bunch of others too numerous to mention. I learn best by watching, not reading. So, all that stuff I absorbed by people watching is needed here. If you ever wonder “why they do what they do,” just go somewhere not doing it and you’ll be quick to know “the why behind the what.” Between that and the fact there is plenty of new stuff to learn here, it keeps my mind busy processing. We’re more denominationally tied here, which I love and hate with about the same amount of passion.

6. I’m a big fan of three seasons – spring, summer and fall. The average in July is only 5 degrees warmer here than in Indiana, but the average in January is 20 degrees warmer here than in Indiana. So, the summers aren’t much hotter, but the winters are much warmer. For someone who hates to be cold, that and the fact that the sun shines a lot more here is good for my soul. At 7 p.m. tonight it was 60 degrees. Last week in Indiana, for the life of me I couldn’t get warm. And when I was out at 7 p.m., my words were “why does it feel like I’m sitting in the middle of a freezer?”

So, life in the ATL is good for me. The second question I get asked when I’m in Indiana is “when are you coming back to Indiana, we miss you…we need you?” Probably not anytime soon, I am home.

Rachel Leazenby

Did you ever write a post that was about five times longer than you expected, breaking all "posting" rules, but just don't care and are going to post it anyway?...well here is one for you.

Rachel Leazenby

It was a wonderful holiday in some ways, horrible in others. On Christmas Eve, one of the leaders who served alongside of me in Oasis died in a car accident. Rachel always had a smile on her face – she was full of life, laughter, adventure and vision. Her smile was contagious. As I got to know the family over the years, I think it was one of four things that are a pre-requisite for all their family. Rachel’s life is marked by a family that…
(1) smiles
(2) loves Jesus
(3) uses their God given talents for the Cause, the King and the Kingdom, and
(4) leans in

As I sat through the funeral, I thought of the affect their family has had on my life and ministry over the years.

Before meeting Rachel, I met her brother-in-law, Jeff Banicki, when he first came to play drums for us at Oasis. I was glad he had mega skill because just watching him play was a site to behold. I love watching people who can play (sing) and smile at the same time. Like Rachel, Jeff had that same contagious smile as he’d “lean in” to the drum kit while he played. His face helped to lite up the stage and it kept beaming when he stepped off of it as well.

I then met Rachel’s sister, Leah Banicki. Leah would come and sing solos for us at Oasis. Her voice is indescribably AMAZING…seriously. I remember time and time again giving God thanks for her ministry, especially to our girls. I loved that they were able to watch her “lean in” to the microphone, smiling as she sang, using her talent for God’s glory. She inspired us with her music and her life. In fact, I’m sure there are many high school girls singing into school choir microphones because of her.

I then met Rachel and Leah’s mom and dad, Gene and Mary Ort, at Camp Adventure. They would come and set up camp with their trailer so that we could have the most superb sound ever to be heard at camp. Gene’s talented beyond measure when it comes to many things, especially sound. He could have been making a lot of money somewhere that week I’m sure, but instead he gave it up to run sound for a bunch of middle school students free of charge. Often I’d look over and see Gene smiling as he would “lean in” to the board to twist a knob, push a button or raise a slider, as nearly 200 middle school students and leaders were jumping all over the place during worship. The fact that Mary would come to our “rustic” camp was beautiful. I know many of wives who would have simply kissed their husbands on his way out the door and said “see ya next week.” She didn’t “have to” spend a week fighting off dear flies and showering in rusty/iron/sulfur water, she “chose to” in order to “lean in” to her husband with love and support.

Then, Rachel came on the scene. As I would walk around checking on small groups, Rachel could always be found sitting with a smile on her face as she would “lean in” to her circle of girls in order to listen well. It, among other things, made her a great leader. Her imprint will remain on the lives she touched forever … and, if you haven’t heard, forever is a really long time.

You’d think it would end there, but it doesn’t … Along comes Rachel’s husband, Jon. Jon was one of the coaches for our annual flag football tournament. Jon was a great coach. He’d huddle up his players tight, arms stretched across each others back, and all would “lean in” to hear his voice of wisdom and encouragement. Rachel would be right in there next to him. Their passion for the sport and, more importantly, our kids ran deep.

Like I said, it’s a family thing. For some reason, while sitting through the beautiful service that celebrated her life, I was in my own little world celebrating and giving God thanks for their family. All throughout, those two simple words, “lean in”, kept washing over my mind like the ocean’s tide. They all do it so well. While Rachel went on ahead of them to warm up their section of the dance floor with Jesus, they will continue to mark people on their journey with their love for Jesus, smiles and use of their talents for Kingdom purposes. This week I continue to give thanks and pray for the Ort-Leasenby-Banicki family. May you “Lean in” to Jesus my friends, now more than ever.

And I Am Going Home Why?

Ok friends and family, it hit the 70 degree mark a few times this week ... and will be in the 60's next. Right now you have a negative 18 windchill factor. Why are you not coming here? My loyalty will last at least another year, but after that there's no guarantee I'll be back home in Indiana ... at least not in December. Good grief ... I'm getting goose bumps just thinking about the ride home tomorroow.

Marketing Exponentially

What happens when you and 268 of your closest friend across the nation have buy-in and promote a conference all at the same time? ... registrations start rising at an exponential rate. I told our board the world has yet to see what kind of affect something like the Cadre has on a conference. We're beginning to see some of it. I still hold to my prediction that NYLC09 will sell out by our second cut-off date on February 20. Jeanne thinks I'm delirious, but you just wait...

Baby Mayo

What fun. Elijah Mayo was born today. Jeanne's first grandkid. He's a cutie. Congrats Josh and Monica!

Random Highs and Lows

Interesting Day ... Random Highs and Lows

1. Saw this video on DC's blog yestday and I'm hooked. I must have watched it a half a dozen times today. If you watch it, make sure you watch the WHOLE thing.

2. Took Brittany out to dinner before Oxygen for her birthday. Good times. I love mentoring moments and coversations with MC students.

3. Jim is back in the hospital after another serious episode. While in the hospital, the nursing staff allowed his blood pressure to rise well above 200 and then he proceeded to have another major seisure. Between Jim and them yanking my dad off all meds and sending him home, I'm losing confidence in our medical professionals ... but what choice do you have?

4. I'm creating the 09 budget for the church and with a two minute calculation think I just saved the church $10,000. Most of my salary comes from Youth Leader's Coach, but a little of it comes from the Tabernacle. I texted Jeanne that the Tab got a good deal when she hired me for YLC. She texted back that it was the "understatment of the universe!!!!" An exaggeration on her part for sure, but felt good nonetheless.

5. I'm a simple learner. Today I was reminded how we have a tendency to circumvent protocol without much consideration for those affected. Then, when you become responsible for those people and areas affected, you get a little more touchy. I was more than a little frustrated today.

6. Today we had our 02 small group night with our students and I had to do #4 on my previous post afterwards ... correct and redirect. We did not come with our "A" game ... or our "B" game for that matter. We "coasted" into Christmas Break tonight after a great weekend ... not good! But, I love, love, love my team so we sat down and had a little pow wow afterwards. I tried to put it in the most positive encouraging way possible, but the room was still verrrrry quiet. I could have waited until after break, but didn't think that would be effective. One of my team members commented privately afterwards that she was grateful. Regardless, it was a tough call. Ugh!

7. The fire alarms just went off ... smoke detected on the first floor. No smoke, so we reset the alarm and called the alarm company. They indicated the fire department had not been dispatched. As I hung up with them, Robert called and said the fire department was at the front door. Go figure.

That's my cue to go home!

Everyone needs...

As I learn to help give oversight to nine people in six different departments/areas, along with a bunch of MC Cadre and Middle School leads, I'm reminded of some things "everyone needs." A few I had already learned, a few are new and few were realized out of my own longings through the years. Here you go...

1. Everyone needs to know they are cherished/valued by you and those around you
2. Everyone needs a champion … someone who will defend them
3. Everyone needs a cheerleader … someone who will shout their praises to others
4. Everyone needs corrected and redirected on occasion, none of us are perfect
5. Everyone needs to know that when they are corrected and redirected, your love for them hasn’t changed
6. Everyone needs to be communicated/met with, even if only a few minutes a week by phone
7. Everyone needs to know they are heard … even if you don’t agree, let them speak
8. Everyone needs you to know what it’s like to live in their shoes … try doing their job, even for a day. I guarantee you will be surprised at what you learn and often times your compassion level will go way up.
9. Everyone needs a random act of kindness
10. Everyone needs to know what they do and who they are matters ... you know it, you see it, you proclaim it.

For the Cause, for the King, for the Kingdom ... I will get these ten down better with each passing day.

70 Degrees

The good news is that it's supposed to hover around 70 degrees all week, the bad news is that I'm sick as a dog (however sick a dog is). I have the MC Cough and we are dropping like flies around here. If I would stop trying to cough up my lung, I think things might get better. In the meantime I'm OD'ing on Mucinex Maximum Strength and Aleve Cold & Sinus. Mucinex has the most discusting tag line, but it got me to buy it ... Mucinex In. Mucus Out. Just thought I'd share that with you and the fact that between the two drugs, I dropped $35. I was telling Nathan how horrible I felt and he said "horrible enough to go to the doctor?" My answer, surprise ... surprise, "no way, not yet."

I never get tired of youth ministry

On Saturday, we did an event blitz. We went and bought Alee, the six year we adopted for Christmas, a skateboard and some other fun presents and took it down to the Atlanta Dream Center. Then my small group of girls, all 17 of them, piled in cars to go to my apartment where I made dinner for them, we watched I'll Be Home For Christmas and Elf, played spoons and made Christmas cookies. Well, we kind of made Christmas cookies, they looked more like cookie blobs. I remember how it used to drive me nuts the way they never used to look like Christmas cookies, but I've chilled out a lot since then :-) We had fun making every funky color of frosting imaginable. It was a cheap night and fun was had by all. I don't think I'll ever get tired of hanging out with kids. I think sometimes we make events too complicated when in reality they are longing for simple traditions.

Crashing Like A Freight Train

I taught at Oxygen last week and was high (spiritually) as a kite afterwards for a couple of hours and then it happened ... 1/2 way between Atlanta and Nashville on my drive back to Indiana ... the adrenaline, or whatever it is, dropped so fast it made my eyes lids feel like they had weights in them. When I began to slap myself to stay awake, after singing at the top of my lungs, after drumming on the steering wheel, I knew it was time to pull into the rest stop to take a snooze.

Tonight, after creating the NYLC 09 Exhibitor packet (among other stuff) for three really, really, really long days and getting 280 ready for mailing, I was higher than a kite. My team celebrated by going to dinner and then, not five minutes after we got back, it happened ... the adrenaline, or whatever it is, dropped so fast I had to lay down. This time I couldn't sleep, but just laid there with the lights out for a 1/2 hour. Then, I celebrated by eating 1/2 a pint of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. I'm better now and ready for round two ... Cadre Catch Up! However, that whole adrenaline drop is a trip.

Plates Spinning

Between the economic crunch, being at a smaller church (around 800-1,000), need, skill and whatnot, I wear a lot of hats (like nine of them). With many of them, I simply serve as a direct report and have fantastic people to do the detailed work required in the various departments.

Most would say I'm stupid for even trying to juggle all the balls in the air, but (for now) I find it interesting and challenging (and sometimes tiring). It is definitely stretching my ability to both lead and manage. As I processed with Mike on the way home from Indiana and alone with just myself late this evening, here are nine questions I think I am going ot ask myself at the beginning of each day ... and then again at the end of each day in terms of evaluating how I did.

THE BIG NINE
1. What meetings need to take place (and how long do they really need to be)?
2. Who can be entrusted with a hand off (empowered/delegated to/etc.)?
3. What do I need to do so those around me can do what they need to do?
4. What needs inspected/reviewed/reminded about?
5. What deadlines are fast approaching (that are likely to bite me)?
6. Who can I encourage and/or coach a little today?
7. Are there any systems that can be established to make this whole thing run smoother?
8. What must I do that no one else can?
9. Have I ripped off Jesus today?

Honestly, I think nine are too many ... but I will try them out and see what works.

You know ... they're just Northern

I had so much fun just hanging out with James and Brittany tonight. All the students had the day off, but James and Brit came into work since we're heading into a six day MC weekend and, frankly, there's things that just need to get done. I'm proud of them and their work ethic.

Anyway, we took some time to chill over dinner and I got the biggest laugh of my day when Brittany said, "you know, they're just northern." What was so funny was that no explanation was needed. Having lived in the south for 17 months now, I can honestly say they are just NATURALLY more friendly and loving. No disrespect to the Northern'ers meant, especially since I am one of them. But, if there was one thing I wasn't used to when I got here, it's the Southern hospitality ... I get it and, hopefully, one day got it.

Am I Doing Ok?

I had a friend step into my office today and ask that question, "Am I doing ok?" An unintentional comment was said by a staff member that stung. Understandably, it lead to the question, "Am I doing ok?" My resonding answer was "By all means, yes!" ... then I added the "but..."

He's in a very unique line of work that people don't necessarily understand all the hours it takes to perform his job, nor do they understand all the "side jobs" he gets asked to do "real quick that will only take a second." Nothing only takes a second, nor a minute.

So, my advice to him was to journal/log what he does each day ... not second by second, but the chunks that take awhile. I warned him though that most people give up on the process rather quickly because it's incredibly revealing...

1. They realize they really are wasting a lot of time
2. They realize there is a lot of stuff they should be delegating and empowering others to do.
3. They can only account for about 6 of the 8 hours.

All of that is hard to swallow. I challenged him to fight though it. We'll see what happens.

That's Our Girl

Next week marks the one year death of her great grandpa (my dad). This little girl (my great niece) will never know the hope that she brought our family in the middle of the darkness. For two years running, she'll rank #1 for what I'm most thankful for this holiday season.

She softens hearts with her giggles.
She reminds us of her daddy (my nephew) with her slow growing baby hair.
She brings out the tenderness in her grandpa (my brother).
She reminds us that God is still on the throne.

Happy Birthday Sis

Actually your birthday ended seven minutes ago, but I thought about you a lot today. Hope you enjoyed the call from Jeanne this morning. Only for you! I love you.

Bubba Smith

Bubba Smith was one of the AMAZING 39 youth pastors at the Cadre this week. He is way cool. I loved what he wrote about the Cadre. You can read it here.

Levels of Grace

The conversations around here have centered around GRACE these last few days. I had an apartment blow it on cleaning before moving out for the Cadre (a couple apartments move out and spend the night with other students so youth pastors can move in). Their RA, who is an AMAZING young man, did a great job of trying to cover for them by cleaning the apartment himself, but not good enough.

There is a consequence that everyone was told up front would be the case if their apartments didn't measure up. Not a tough one, but slightly irritating nonetheless. I told them if they didn't do a decent job "they must just want the opportunity to do it again when Cadre comes back in town, so I'll give it to them (ie I will give them a do-over)." Now don't get me wrong, they love, love, love serving the Cadre and give up their apartments willingly. But like everything, moderation on that one is the key. Moving out every 3rd or 4th Cadre is great, every Cadre or two Cadres in a row would be tough.

In regard to covering for his guys, the RA's response was "Judy, I just love my guys." My response was, "I love your guys too, that's why I'm going to hold them accountable. James and Kayla having to clean your apartment is not cool. Me having to still clean more after James and Kayla leave is really not cool." Covering is cool when someone is slammed with work, but when it's the result of laziness ... no way.

In all honestly, I think I would have let them off the hook had the RA's guys genuinely apologized to James and Kayla, but they didn't. I'm a big advocate of a heartfelt apology. It really will cover a multitude of sins in my book. Without it, a do-over is in order. Not sure I'm right on it and in all actuality could poke some holes in it, but that's were I'm landing.

You have to inspect what you expect. And, when your inspection doesn't meet your expectation ... tough decision lie ahead.

Cadre Phoenix

Cadre Phoenix arrived on the scene in full force. What an incredible group of people! While it was a great bunch of days, it felt like I blinked my eyes once and they had arrived and departed. I had a good handful of AMAZING conversations that I won't soon forget. My prayer is that they were marked for all eternity. It was a packed house with 39 of the 40 showing up. To spoil them well, it continues to take about 2 MC/Staff to 1 Cadre ratio. The teams are off the hook. Everything went so smooth, right down to the Thanksgiving Feast.

The only negative part was getting a cold. My eyes are watering as I type and my voice sounds like an adolescent Micky Mouse. All is good though. After my 4:30 a.m. Cadre aiport run (I don't have students do anything before 5 a.m.), covering the financials for the board meeting and 02 small group night at Oxygen, I'm going to to home and go to bed. Life gets easier now for a few weeks. I'm ready for it for sure.

Bite Size

Cadre Phoenix is coming to town this weekend ... 40 strong. I met with the entire Master's Commission (MC) Atlanta team yesterday and just the 20 MC students on the Executive Team today. In the meetings beforehand, I always try to give them a leadership nugget to, hopefully, stick like glue in their heads and hearts. They are bite sized pieces of wisdom, not super profound but if they really get it ... it could change the trajectory of their life.

Yesterday, it was "vision leaks". I talked about how we often have to be reminded of why we do what we do. I had Nick share his letter to Jeanne from his first Cadre experience a year ago. There is nothing like a great story of life change to be reminded of why you do what you do.

Today with the Executive Team, it was "where goes the leader, so goes the people." I told them where they chose to go is where the rest of the team will follow. If they are energetic and have great attitudes (which they do well), so will the first years that follow behind them.

We started out today's meeting with things that have gone well at the Cadres. Fortunately there were many opportunities to reiterate the one phrase, "where goes the leader, so goes the people." Then, we shared a couple of areas we can make it even better. There is none finer than our MC crew. They really are the dream team.

Some Days

There are days it feels like I get absolutely nothing done...now I know why. Yesterday was one of those days. Then I realized I sent 67 individual emails, received 65, had 28 missed calls on my phone (8 of them were from looking for my phone that went AWOL for 24 hours) and a dozen missed text (which would be really low for the day, but most of the MC kids knew I was phoneless). I guess stuff gets done through email, calls and text, but it just doesn't feel like any "big chunks" are knocked out. I love communciation, but as Charlie Brown would say..."Good Grief."

Notes from Ten Thousand Horses by John Stahl-Wert / Ken Jennings

TEN THOUSAND HORSES by John Stahl-Wert / Ken Jennings
How Leaders Harness Raw Potential For Extraordinary Results

Preface
No issue recurs with greater pain and frequency than that of worker underperformance. Every leader knows that a full engaged employee can made an extraordinary impact on the success of the enterprise. Engaged workers show up with a commitment attitude; they bring their whole selves—all their experience, talent, imagination, brains and heart—with them to work.

The pain lies in the fact that engaged employees are the exception. The majority of workers in every business are disengaged or worse.

If you lead or manage people, you suffer from this pain. A few of your followers give it their all. Most of your workers, by contrast, are disengaged. They do the necessary minimum. They show up on time, do just what is expected, and leave on time. Far from bring their whole selves to work, they bring what they must, and no more.

Research by the Gallup Organization, for example, shows that only 29 percent of workers are engaged at work (that is, they display passion for and feel connected to your company and share their ideas with you for moving the company forward). By contrast, 71 percent of workers are disengaged (they essentially sleepwalk through the day, meeting only your baseline expectations, or in the worst cases they’re actively working to undermine your company’s performance). Do the math: 29 percent are engaged, but you pay them all!

On the other hand, the research shows that work groups that display high levels of employee engagement produce a …
44 percent higher-than-average employee retention rate
56 percent higher-than-average level of customer loyalty
50 percent higher-than-average safety record
50 percent higher-than-average productivity
33 percent higher-than-average profitability


The Climb of Trust
When we believe that we’re the savior of the day, that’s when we’re the most lost of all.
Don’t believe your press.

You assume that staff who don’t perform the way you expect know what you expect, or how to do what you expect. Do they? There needs to be a great deal of information exchange. Lots of communication. It helps to know whether they’re learning what you’re trying to teach them.

Tyler to John on why he had the courage to step off the side of a rock during a rock climb, “You were with me…You were off the edge of the cliff already, a couple of feet down, waiting for me.”

There’s a switch inside every person. The “off” position is “I’ll maybe do what I’m told while you’re watching me. But when you’re not watching me, I’ll do less than I’m told and maybe worse.” The “on” position is “I’ll do everything I possibly can to make a positive contribution. I’ll do it whether you’re watching or not.”

There are actions you must take—daily disciplined, consistent actions—if you want your team to really lock into what you’re wanting and where you’re going.

Personal character comes before professional capability. Always!
The problem with teaching about character, you see, is that you have to have it first.

Engagement Equation: E=T (close “say-do gap”) x 3C (close “paycheck-purpose gap”)

The T (Trust) is the character piece. It’s a multiplier, not an additive. Trust is what the leader gains by being trustworthy, by matching actions to words. We talk about “the say-do gap,” and it’s the leader’s job to close it.

And so we start with trust. Do what you promise. Be what you ask others to be.


Mounting the Challenge
We stress the importance of purpose-aligned goals, purpose-aligned plans and purpose-aligned decisions.

Vision statements are famous for living in drawers.

Our great purpose lives in daily discipline.

I could start the story by telling you what’s wrong with the kids we serve … but when it comes to addressing what’s wrong, you need a very different starting point. It’s not the right place to start. It never is. Around here we start with what’s right.

The first “C” in the Engagement Equation is “Challenge” (preparation stage)

The trust of an unbroken horse is hard to earn.

It’s still about your messages and how they need to match your intended actions. Make your gestures and your actions match in horse terms, and you’ll gain the horse’s trust.

If you can’t understand them or appreciate what it might be like to be them, these horses will never let you in.

A leader must have a (1) clear (2) vision. Why are we doing this? In other words, what’s the great purpose behind this effort?

There’s something about those horses (mustangs) that make ‘em want to run away. Mustangs need room. Mustangs need safety.

There are three parts to a clear “Challenge” (preparation stage) – plans, strengths, roles
Here’s the goal and plan.
These are the talents and strengths needed
Who’s going to do what, by when and so forth.

We spend most of our time on the strengths and roles part? What are you good at? Where will you do the most good?

When we work with the horses and the kids, we receive them as they are. We love them and we appreciate them. That’s our starting point.

When a leader prepares to get something done, he starts by asking people to contribute what strengths and assets they have to accomplish the plan. He fits the strengths together by assigning people to roles in which they can succeed.

These kids don’t gain a sense of worth by accomplishing goals. A sense of capability, yes, but not of worth. They gain a sense of their worth by serving on the teams of their classmates. When they realize that they’re important to someone else, when they serve someone else’s goals and dreams, that’s when the really good stuff happens. Matt asked himself, “How often did he invite any of his sales leaders to solve the leadership and performance problems he was suffering?” It had not occurred to him to do this. He was the leader after all. Wasn’t he the one who was supposed to give the answers? But David had just told him that the rally good things start to happen when leaders become RECEIVERS. Your team brings you value, and you must look for it and learn to appreciate what’s there, instead of focusing on what’s not there.


Directing the Charge
Around here, we call this the “stumble.” You and Alice stumbled, the price of your stumble is incalculable, and you haven’t’ been able to pay the bill. You’ll never be able to pay it, Matt. You need to know this. No heroics and no amount of effort can change this fact.

We receive new information about ourselves from others, and we also receive the strengths of others who want to help us achieve our goal.

Can you receive if you aren’t thankful? We get good stuff all the time, but if we have no appreciation inside of us, all the good stuff will just slip right through our fingers…

The second “C” in the Engagement Equation is Charge (implementation state)

In the implementation state we expect to make mistakes. It’s normal.

There are three parts to a clear “Charge” (implementation stage) – innovate, scan, adjust

Our focus is not having to be right … our focus is on constant learning.

We don’t engage kids through theory. We engage them in real life, real work, real projects

Watching Sara, Matt saw something in himself he never saw before. He had isolated himself. He hadn’t learned to receive—to let other help him. And, he hadn’t learned to RELEASE, to admit in an open way that things weren’t working. “Play it close to the vest” had seemed like strength.

Course corrections are normal. You have to let go of what’s not working … your mistakes too. Move on.

Big dreams inspire people. I motive people – I move people – by telling them a story that makes them want to do something. People love a good story, one with heart, heartbreak and hope.


Leading the Cheer
A goal achievement team could just as well be a married couple as a corporate division.

Am I loveable? People who really understand the grief felt by adopted kids sometimes call this the “primal wound.” You get one of two kinds of behavior. One, the child does things you don’t approve of to test if you’ll reject him. Two, you have to be perfect ‘cause you know that one screw-up and you’re gone!

Aiming in the right direction is one thing. Staying on course and remaining motivated to give your very best effort over time is another thing.

The third “C” in the Engagement Equation is Cheer (evaluation stage)

There are three parts to “Cheer” (evaluation stage) – measure, reward, (re)prepare

Learn to REJOICE

The evaluation stage, when carefully designed to reinforce your purpose and your plans, produces kids who finally start to act like owners rather than unwilling laborers. The celebration (cheer) locks the entire process in place.

Every positive step gets celebrated, every adjustment gets celebrated, and every abandonment of effort that isn’t working gets celebrated. We throw “That Didn’t Work!” parties right alongside “We Did It!” parties. If it helps us make progress, we cheer it.

I can’t explain it, but your credibility as a leader hasn’t been fully established until there’s a party. When you stick to your word all the way through to the party, your followers finally know that you really said what you said, meant what you meant, and want what you want.

Hope springs up from belonging and belonging is experienced in a circle of people who trust and rely upon each other. Each one has something to give. Each one is able to receive.

Home is what we call that place of belonging. When we search for our home, it is belonging we are searching for.

Create a culture of trustworthiness and welcome where it is safe to bring their whole selves to the adventure.

Leaders don’t actually ever engage people. People engage themselves. They do their part if we do ours. Leaders make the difference first—we set the stage

Ten Thousand Horses

I seldom read an entire book in a day. I wish I was one of those that did so frequently, but reading has always done one thing ... made me very sleepy. It almost feels like some kind of disorder that there might be a cure for. Today was different.

I love to learn, so I force myself to read, even though I feel I'm slow at it due to the daydreaming, sleeping and perfectionistic tendences to read ever word that results. So, I picked up Ten Thousand Horses (How Leaders Harness Raw Potential For Extraordinary Results) in the airport on my way home from helping a friend move to Lancing, MI this weekend.

Bottomline, it's great leadership prinicples wrapped up in a story of a leader who visits a ranch devoted to loving and working with kids in the foster care system. None of the leadership principles feel overly profound, but at the same time they are so often violated. It's an easy, easy 120 page read for adults and teens alike. I will post my cliff notes later this week.

Typical Youth Ministry Choices

On Friday, I took my asssitant, James, out to PF Changs with a couple of other MC students that have been blasting it out of the park. After stopping by the apartments, I get a call from one of them telling me there has been a four car pile up and three of them are MC students. Long story short, a lady slammed on her breaks ... MC student 1 hit MC student 2, which resulted in MC student 2 hitting MC student 3, which resulted in MC student 3 hitting the lady who slammed on her breaks. It was all bumper damage (with MC student 1 pretty much losing his). I was about 5 minutes behind them, so I pulled up to check when I found out one of the students driving had an issue with his license that they were in midst of clearing up. They were as nervous as a cat before a shower. What do you do? I've got four MC students by the road (one had another student with them) and I'm supposed to be at the church to help run Cadre orientation within 30 minutes. Everyone else was slammed with Retreat orientation. I call Jeanne and tell her, "I can get to the church or stay with them until the cops show up and see what they are going to do with MC student 2 and their driver's licenses issue, I prefer the later." She says stay. Long story short, they take MC student 2 to the country jail to run some routine checks. I make the hand-off to a support staff who had finished up with retreat orientation and I'm off to pick up the late arrivals for Cadre and the retreat center. I'm still not sure if I did the "right" thing by staying because Cadre orientation just went semi-smooth and not like clockwork. However, if I had to do it over again, I'm not sure I would do anything differently.

Vote

I voted today ... did you? I hope so. In other countries people lay down their lives in order to do so. It's that important!

A great, great weekend

Our retreat was this weekend, it was off the chain. Usually we have a full length drama, but this time around we brought in a speaker. His name was Robert Madu and he was AMAZING! We had the second year Cadre in town to observe the retreat and gather together on Monday for their normal VIP treatment and to download about the retreat. Robert decided to hang out with us for the day as well. He quickly became one of the family and is so hooked on it, that he is going to be a permanent part of Cadre Invictus. Good stuff.

Everyone left it all on the field. After long days and nights of retreat prep, the retreat itself and then serving all day on Monday ... all MC eyes, including my own, were droopy. We ended at 3:30 a.m. this morning and I, in all my brilliance, decided to do the first airport run. Normally, I leave it up to the MC gang, but with the long hours they put in I didn't want anyone to have to get up to do the 4 a.m. run. So after a 15 minute nap, I was in my car heading toward the hotel. I got her to the airport with no problem, but had to have the window down and the music blasting to get home ok. I pulled into my parking space, put the car in park, shut it off ... and before I could open the door, I feel asleep. I don't think it was for long, but got a good laugh out of it.