Friday's randomness

• Check out Mark Batterson's 5 creativity equations...good stuff.
• This is, in my opinion, Perry Noble's post of the week for pastors and church leaders check it out here.
• If you ever get the chance to look at Ed Young's blog at http://www.edyoungblog.com/ you will notice that under other bloggers he has his wife Lisa listed before TD Jakes. Good move! I always knew he was a smart man.
• Leadership/team lessons we can learn from the rock band U2...mmmm....check it out here.
• Finally...here is a video about managing money that is priceless...enjoy it and your weekend.

Elijah Offering Video from Elevation Church on Vimeo.

Leadership check

Just this morning God brought up two thoughts that compliment each other as I had some very needed quiet time.

As I was reading Isaiah 58 I found these words, "They delight in the nearness of God." (vs.2) This, to me, describes a life that is flowing in the waves of the Holy Spirit. God is always with us. God is always at work around us. A submitted life will see this and delight in it while a life that is in rebellion will resent it and even fight against it. One who delights in the nearness of God is one who has nothing to hide and doesn't want to hide anything because they know that God is love and grace and does not reject His own.

The other moment that connected with this was when a friend talked about pastors/leaders wanting accountability. His thoughts were that any pastor or leader with any decency about him/her would welcome accountability. This is especially true when the goal is not our own personal glory but the glory of God and the betterment of the organization/church.

Here's my encouragement today. Just take a few moments and "delight in the nearness of God". Then write down what He is telling you today. God is good and that never changes.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Romans 15:13 ESV)

Seriously????

Wow...and I thought men played rough...check out this story.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Monday morning thoughts

• Great service yesterday! We walked through Psalm 30 yesterday and talked about different things to be thankful for.
• My Bible has this Psalm labeled as one used in the dedication of the temple.
• 2 Corinthians 6:16 say that "we are the temple of the living God."
• So is it far to say that this Psalm is not only "for" the temple but also "to" the temple?
• God never ceases to amaze me at how He sets things up some times. It's almost like He really is in control like He says He is....mmmmmm :-)
• It's that time of year where budgets are being combed through for the next year and people are getting more and more stressed about money...personally, corporately, and otherwise.
• Lord, help us to live and move and have our being as if You really are sovereign...Lord thank you for having a plan long before we realize we need one.
• Pastors and church leaders...it would benefit you greatly to read this post from Perry Noble...click here.

Clayton on fasting

Here are some highlights from a message Clayton King gave this year at Newspring Church in S.C. this year. Clayton does a great job of just laying things out there for people. Here's a sampling...

Lincoln Brewster

Here's Lincoln Brewster's album version of "Salvation is Here"...enjoy!!!

It's Friday!!!!

Today is Friday...it's been a good week overall...here are some thoughts for today...

• Check out Perry's blog on leadership here...even if you don't agree with all of his points he at least makes you think...
• There is nothing in the world that sounds like a baby laughing...Micah rocks!!!
• This morning when we found the shirt Natalie wanted to where her response was a loud "Hallelujah!"...never a bad time to praise the Lord.
• I can not wait 'til Sunday. We are going to walk through Psalm 30 and God WILL be praise and He WILL be exalted!
• There are a few video clips that I want to share so keep checking back for those.
• Tomorrow some friends are running in a race to help end human trafficking. You can read more about it here. beherfreedom.com
• If you get the chance read Psalm 30 in whatever translation you usually use...then read it out of the Message Bible...good stuff!

Monday Morning reflections

• Yesterday's service ROCKED THE PLANET! There is nothing in this world like the love of Jesus!!!!
• We switched our service time and Sunday School time yesterday. With the later service time we actually saw some folks that haven't been in a while because the earlier time was too difficult for them. It was great to see them.
• There is nothing like Trick or Treating at the mall. Lots of people. Lots of costumes. Lots of security.
• The Candy Store at the mall gave out little peppermints to all the kids. YOU"RE A CANDY STORE...GET A LITTLE CREATIVE!!!!!
• Sorry about that last line...I'm not bitter...not at all...:-)
• November is here and that means Thanksgiving is coming up. YEAH!!!
• Here's today's quote..."It's kind of fun to do the impossible."-Walt Disney

What are you listening to...

Just thought I would share what I'm listening to while I work today...

Quote of the day

“In the total expanse of human life there is not a single square inch of which the Christ, who alone is sovereign,does not declare,'That is mine!'”
Abraham Kuyper quote