Jan
01

Happy New Year! Couple of things for a great start…

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I am so thankful for all that happened in 2011, so many good things and great memories.  From first baseball team play for my son, to great camps and vacation trips, to incredible things happening with our church family, God is good!  I am certainly optimistic about a powerful and challenging 2012.  Aren’t you excited about the new things that the Lord will show us this year.

With the new year here I added a couple of things for my own quiet time journey that I am pretty pumped about.  One is a Bible that my wife got me for Christmas.  It has been out for some time, but I have just added it to my library.  It is the ESV Study Bible, and it is solid.  Plus this particular version as seen in the picture is quite handsome at the same time.  I already enjoy the simplicity of the text, powerful and clear notes, plus the bonus extra study materials throughout.  It is very well done.  And an additional bonus is the online study version that is packed with many helps in study and teaching prep.  I definitely recommend this and I am looking forward to using this tool in reading this year.

You’ll also notice in the picture The Purpose Driven Life.  I have read this before, but a few weeks back I was drawn to buy a brand new copy and launch 2012 with a prayerful review.   Plus a new copy is a clean slate to write in new thoughts and underline yet again things that jump out to me.  The link above takes you to some resources that are also available to augment the study; I have signed up for the email Daily Hope delivery and the daily itunes podcast of the Drive Time.

Here’s praying that you and everyone you love experience an incredible, growing, challenging, stretching 2012.

 

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.  Amen.  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                                                                             Ephesians 3:20-21 (NASB)

Categories : Discipleship, Personal Growth and Development
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Sep
24

Tuning Drums

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Playing the drums is a great extra passion that I get to do from time to time.  Recently I was blessed to play at my home church.  We are blessed with multiple styles of worship! Of four services on Sunday mornings 2 are traditional, 1 is contemporary, and 1 is modern.  3 services meet in our worship center and one meets in a newly sound enhanced gym.  What a blast!  From “Midnight Cry” to fresh progressive tunes, it has been a ball.  It is so good to serve the LORD in this way, and see people of all ages genuinely connect with a God Who loves them and desires our authentic worship and praise.

We had an electronic kit in the worship center, but thankfully this was the first Sunday to play on a brand new Sonor kit with Ziljian Ks.  There is a new “cage” for sound, but the kit is so nice.  In the gym a few weeks before I used my Gretsch kit, which I love and is pictured.  It is a Catalina Birch, Chestnut Fade with 8, 10, 12, 14s, and a piccolo snare which has a bright funk sound.

When I purchased the Gretsch, I wanted a kit with toms that had a smooth resonance, open.  But, as you know there can be some ugly overtones and ring.  I have Evans G1s on most, but purchased a EC2 for the 8″ and it is incredible. What it boils down to is proper tuning.   A few nights ago I was looking for info on various drum heads; what would be best for particular venues, and how to best tune new heads.  I came across a fantastic resource at EVANS which is this particular video, and many more on technical aspects of getting set, not only in tuning, but on various topics.  There are some great practical videos and resources.  And to that, I say “Thanks Evans!”

 

 

Categories : Personal Growth and Development
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Feb
11

Best of 2010

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Last year was a blast and a blur! And obviously we are flying through 2011. Just a couple of quick highlights of 2010 were:

1.  My son professing Christ as his Lord and Savior, and following Him in baptism. Great moment, and I will not forget a ride in the car as I watched him in the rear-view mirror tell me of the decision he had made.

2.  Travel to NYC to Brooklyn Tabernacle and Redeemer Presbyterian. Great opportunity to travel with friends in ministry to see these unique and blessed churches.  Post from that trip.

3.  International Travel. I made a trip that I should have made far earlier in my life! In a journey half way around the world, I encountered an incredible culture, ancient history, and awe at the power of God and His creation. The sites, sounds, and tastes of this culture will continue to permeate my senses with a draw to return.

Categories : Personal Growth and Development
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Sep
25

Library?

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So this week I am moving some things around in switching an office setup, and the short of it is that I will be reducing the amount of space I intend to use for a library.  This is by choice for you see this reduction is coming right on the heels of reading a book called the Laws of Simplicity.  Good read, though the author is a bit crude at times.  One of the things that really stood out to me is the need to reduce clutter.  I have worked through this in the last few weeks just with stuff that has cluttered my living space, and wow, it has been great!  Now look out office.  What about those resources that are quite frankly past their prime?  Some books and resources will never grow out of date, whereas others are done.  So part of the issue is moving on past some books that I know in seven years at least I have not cracked open once!

But part two is really about how we use print now period.  As I move a bookshelf, I am clearly refining what I take.  And the reality is, I am becoming more and more tied to my computer and iPhone for research, news, and now books.  As a matter of fact, just today I landed on scribd.com after reading a news article about this newcomer.  Apparently this resource not only joins the fray in short-circuiting the wait to get knowledge at your fingertips, but is now propelling new authors ahead by helping them produce and provide content in short order.  With that said, obviously much caution is needed in selection of who is writing what on what subject.  However, what an expanse so readily available.  It is wait and see for me with resources like scribd, but there will certainly be books in my own collection hitting the door in the next week.

Do you have an outlet for online books that you have been pleased with?  Also, what are the mainstay books in your library?  Let me know, my library is shrinking!

Categories : Creative Communication, Personal Growth and Development
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Sep
14

Coaching

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Well a new Upward Football season is under way.  My son and I are having a ball so far, though this role as coach is new to me for this sport.  What a great program though, especially for the helps that they make available for coaches both in print, DVD, and online.

How many times have you wished that you had a resource or resources to help you as you coach in your ministry, business, and in life relationships in general.  Today, I had the great opportunity to have my commitment to coaching others in life renewed and resourced.  Just a few years ago I benefited directly from having a personal coaching experience through GiANT Leaders.  This invaluable time with the coach, and with a cohort of others leaders helped me to think critically, plan, and execute key issues in my own personal and professional development.

Leaders in our state church network held a conference at Parkview Baptist Church in Tulsa.  One of the critical tools was a book called Coaching 101, plus check out more information at Coach Net.  This type of leadership and relationship is different.  But, the way in which it happens shifts this type of leading to an entirely different level of direction and accountability.

I thank the Lord for those who continue to point the Way in my life, consider some of these resources to give you direction as you lead others.

Categories : Discipleship, Leadership, Personal Growth and Development
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