Save Schools Now Rally @ New Trier HS
We will continue to push for superior schools for disadvantaged children until the problem is solved!
The Most Difficult Job in the World is…
You guessed it – It’s PARENTING!!!
I’ve been thinking alot about parenting lately. Maybe it is because we have three kids at home, ages 6, 11, and 13. I think everyone would admit that there is a point in a teen’s life
when the influence of his/her parents becomes less, and the influence
of their friends becomes greater. It seems that the age at which the parents’ influence drops dramatically happens somewhere around 13- to 15-years old.
As I reflected on my life as a child, the influence I perceive that
I have with my own kids, and my informal survey, I charted it like
this…
As a parent, the awareness of loss of influence can be alarming if
you didn’t see it coming. So be warned young parents, I have just given
you a glimpse of the future.
Here is the key learning: Environments matter. Who
my daughter is influenced by as a 15-year old is dependent greatly on
the environments that my wife and I placed her in as a 10- and 12- and
14-year old.
It’s a little early to tell whether we will survive life with
teenagers, but here is the advice I would give parents of pre-teens…
- Get involved in a great church with strong youth leaders.
- As they start middle school, don’t give them the option to stay home from the youth program.
- Find a school that has strong values and where
there is good chance they will be able to find solid friends. That
might mean paying for private school or moving to a better school
district. - Get them in situations where they are hanging with young adults who are following God.
- Teach them the joy of serving when they are very young.
- Let them participate in events where there is a good chance they might take a step spiritually.
Oh, and one last word of advice for those with teenagers—stop
lecturing and start listening. Stop giving direction and start asking
questions.
It’s your turn now…is my chart way off?
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dW9jk6lEqbE&hl=en&fs=1]
Beginning August 3, 2008, we’ll offer a 3-part series to lay out the changes coming to Mars Hill this fall: It’s called “Trading Candy for Pearls.”
The countdown begins…
Leadership Gems from Matthew 15-21
I’m in the process of going back through the Bible viewing it through the eyes of a leader. Here are more thoughts from Matthew:
- If we’re not careful, we can end up worshiping traditions instead of following God’s direction. (15:3)
- You can tell a lot about the condition of someone’s heart by how they talk. (15:18)
- The local Church is the one entity guaranteed to withstand the test of time. (16:18)
- I must acknowledge my position in Christ before I can experience my potential in Christ. (16:24-28)
- With faith in Christ, nothing is impossible. That’s where confidence develops. (17:20)
- Greatness begins with humility. (18:2-4)
- Lost people matter to God. (18:14)
- God designed ministry to happen in relationship with other people. (18:19-20)
- Crowds will gather when life change begins to take place. (19:2)
- Success begins with obedience. (19:16-17)
- The worship of money and possessions can get in the way of fulfilling God’s purposes. (19:21-24)
- Jesus promoted servant leadership (20:26-28)
- There are times when it’s appropriate to assert authority and reveal anger. (21:12)
- I need to pray for everything I’m facing as a leader. (21:22)
Search the Bible
Can You Hear Me Now?
When you talk about “hearing from God,” often people look at you with disdain or suspicion. Why? Because it’s so subjective & nebulous. I’ve discovered there are a few “tell-all” signs that signify you make have or have not heard from God.
Are you ready? Let’s go!
If you feel confident that you can accomplish what is in front of you with no problem at all…then you didn’t hear from God.
If no one is angry at you…then you didn’t hear from God.
If you don’t have to ask anyone to sacrifice to make the vision come true…then you didn’t hear from God.
If religious people are not angry with you, gossiping about you and/or leaving your church…then you didn’t hear from God.
If you have the money in the bank to do what God has asked your church to do…then you didn’t hear from God.
If every step is perfectly designed and nothing happens to totally throw you off along the way…then you didn’t hear from God.
If someone doesn’t try to talk you out of what you are about to attempt…then you didn’t hear from God.
If you don’t stay up at night thinking about the vision…then you didn’t hear from God.
If your vision is in contradiction to God’s Word…then you didn’t hear from God. (And no, you didn’t get a “special revelation” that gave you permission to trump His Word!)
If you know all of the answers…then you didn’t hear from God.
Those are just a few things that came to mind. 🙂
Leadership Formula: Change = Pain + Loss x Frustration
Currently, I’m reading a new book entitled The Missional Leader by Alan Roxburgh, and boy is it GREAT! I’m willing to suggest this may be one of the best books I’ve read (so far) regarding leadership and change.
Thinking about initiating a wide-scale change/transition initiative
in your church or organization? Here are a couple of questions worth
asking before you dive in…
- Are we STRUCTURED for change?
Is your church or organization structured in a way that will allow the
RIGHT PEOPLE to lead and make decisions? If not – do not proceed past GO….do NOT collect $200!First things first!!
If you’re not structured for change, it doesn’t matter how passionate or
committed you might be to it – there will always be a chance that the
wrong people could step in to infiltrate, hijack, or sabotage the transition. - Am I COMMITTED to change?
Perhaps the question should be…. "Am I committed to change – NO MATTER WHAT THE COST?"
Am I willing to lose people? Lose money? Lose popularity? Lose friendships? Maybe even lose buildings?
Listen to me……..TRUE CHANGE is COSTLY! There will be a cost! And it will be painful. It will be felt.
There will be scars and bruises.
Are you up for it?
Consider that question! Because if you’re NOT fully, 100%
committed, you better think twice before diving in – for YOUR sake AND
for the sake of those who will believe in your vision and stand by
you.
Stay Connected
Get your FREE Gratitude Journal
Unlock the power of gratitude and transform your life with our FREE gratitude journal!
This journal is designed to help you develop a daily gratitude practice scientifically proven to improve mental and physical health, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase happiness and overall well-being.
With our gratitude journal, you'll have a dedicated space to reflect on the things you're grateful for in your life. By taking just a few minutes each day to focus on the positive, you'll cultivate a more positive outlook, attract more abundance and joy into your life, and enjoy a greater sense of inner peace and contentment.
I hope you find this helpful. Let me know if you have any specific requirements or changes you'd like to make.
