If you have ever listened to Donald Miller.
You know he is random.
Hard to take notes from.
Tells a 20 minute story for one good statement.
Here are those statements
A good leader is a person who gets to know me in such a way, that I want to take part in their vision.
I need to pay attention to the people I am leading.
A leader speaks something into the nothingness.
Inside the Orange. Don Miller
Written by evan on April 30, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Inside the Orange. Creating Success
Written by evan on April 29, 2008 at 4:32 PM
Creating Success in Your Organization - Nancy Ortberg
Team
Everyday you should be thinking about your team.
Who is your #1 team? The team that you report.
It’s not just about the area we are leading, but about the whole organization.
What to do
Focus only on the 3 or 4 things that you do well.
Vision
Vision is a team sport.
A collaborative effort.
People need to hear vision 28 days. Monthly.
People are inspired by the stories they hear, and those who are perceived as a hero.
Explain the why.
My calendar should reflect our vision.
My conversations should reflect our vision.
Inside the Orange. Francis Chan
Written by evan on at 11:03 AM
Francis Chan spoke in the general session this am.
Christians have a blackjack relationship with God.
Its just about the relationship with them and the dealer.
But it should really be about the relationship with the dealer, and those around the table.
The greatest miracle is Christians loving one another.
If that would happen, people all over the world would see God.
the orange conference
Inside the Orange. Day One
Written by evan on April 28, 2008 at 11:21 PM
Today we traveled to the Orange Conference in Duluth, Georgia.
Found a snoop look-a-like
Heard an incredible message from Reggie Joiner
He dissected the prodigal son story.
And talked about the two different approaches to the prodigal.
Loving fathers are preoccupied with whoever is missing.
Older brothers are preoccupied with themselves
.
Loving fathers operate from a context of forgiveness.
Older brothers operate from a context of shame.
Loving fathers throw parties.
Older brothers throw fits.
Loving fathers confront older brother thinking
Older brothers criticize loving father thinking
Loving fathers keep the lights on for as long as it takes.
Older brothers close the door and turn off the lights.
What a Great Day
Written by evan on April 26, 2008 at 6:09 PM
Went to the Cards vs Astros game today, with Brian.
Why was it a great day?
Oswalt started
Wainwright went the distance (9 innings)
Cards win it in the bottom of the ninth
Two long homers from Berkman (400ft and 424 ft)
Heard See You Again on the radio atleast 3 times
We sat about 10 rows behind Cards dugout.
Notice Brian is sporting his US Cellular Hat.
It was hat day.
Why I Twitter. Reason #34
Written by evan on April 25, 2008 at 3:24 PM
On his way to the police station, James Buck took out his cell phone and sent a message to his friends and contacts using the micro-blogging site Twitter.
Within seconds, colleagues in the United States and his blogger-friends in Egypt -- the same ones who had taught him the tool only a week earlier -- were alerted he was being held.
Follow me on twitter
Does God Exist?
Written by evan on April 24, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Last week I went to the debate between Richard Foley (MU Philosopher) vs Grant Sterling (EIU Philospher). They debated the cosmological argument of whether God exists.
The debate from my point of view.
Packed parking lots.
Packed auditorium.
PC problems.
Big words I couldn't understand.
Grant Sterling took 20 minutes to say "god exist because there is a reason for god to exist"
Richard Foley took 20 minutes to say "there is no god until proved otherwise"
Christians in the audience trying to convince self proclaimed atheist Richard Foley that god exists.
Foley responding by saying "the only thing that would make me change my mind is valid miracles, but that probably couldn't even do it."
More statements by Christians trying to convince Foley.
Walked with a hurting brain.
Movies with a Cause pt. 1
Written by evan on April 21, 2008 at 8:43 PM
Tonight at First Assembly we had our monthly Very Intentional Parenting workshop.
Tonight's theme was "Spiritual Conversations with your Kids".
I tackled the teenage years.
A couple great ways to have spiritual conversations with teenagers is thru situations and culture.
Here are 5 movies with a cause that can be used for spiritual discussion with teenagers.
Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed
official site
Amazing Grace
official site
Hotel Rwanda
official site
Jesus Camp
official site
Invisible Children
official site
Have you seen these?
What do you think?
What are some other movies that are good for this?
{rss subscribers. there are five embedded videos}
My Lead Pastor is Retiring
Written by evan on April 20, 2008 at 11:12 PM
Twittered from one of our youth staff during the am service. aaron.
Listen to Pastor's Special Retirement Announcement
Shaken not Stirred
Written by evan on April 18, 2008 at 11:02 AM
4:36am I'm waken by the sounds of our front door shaking, and then vibrations through out the 2 story brick house we are renting.
4:39am I text Aaron & Luke "Was that an earthquake?"
4:40am "I don't know" from Aaron via text
4:40am "Dunno I felt it too" from Luke via text
4:40am I text Aaron "Did you feel that?"
4:41am "yeah" from Aaron via text
4:46am "what the heck was that?" from Aaron via text
I ran down and grabbed my iBook, and ran to the most trusted name in news.
Twitter.
Where were you when you were shaken?
We signed papers today
Written by evan on April 17, 2008 at 8:28 PM
Today was a big day.
After initialing 12 times and signing my name 5 times, the official accepted offer papers were finalized.
Projected closing date is May 13.
Two Dollar House Challenge - First 16 Hours
Written by evan on April 16, 2008 at 1:50 PM
Thanks for the overwhelming response.
Here are the numbers so far.
Katie and I have accepted the offer on the house.
This Two Dollar House Challenge has went global.
Countries involved: USA, UK
States involved: 27
AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, MA, MI, MN, MO, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA
Number of those involved: 61 68
Amount given by the online community:$188 $345 $363
We are so excited by seeing this go viral.
Love to see it continue.
Blog about it: Then let me know you did
Digg it
donate via secured paypal
What is the Two Dollar House Challenge?
Two Dollar House Challenge
Written by evan on April 15, 2008 at 5:36 PM
Katie and I have been in negotiations for an incredible house.
1500 sq ft, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, hardwood floors, basement, unfinished upstairs, marble floors, yadda yadda.
We are so close to sealing the deal, but we need $5k.
So, we are going to the online community. We are probably networked with about 2,500 people online.
Simple.
$5k / 2500 = $2
donate via secured paypal
Digg It
House Party
Once we get moved in, we will be having a house party with all you invited.
Number of people who have donated
42
Total Amount donated
$106
Disclaimer. I tweeted earlier today, as a half humorous tweet. I mentioned that if all my followers gave $2, that would equal $5k. I got a ton of replies of people asking "how to give." So, I thought, why not. So I set this up. Ethically all monies will go towards this house, or another house that we purchase this year.
Creative Idea: Balloon Launch
Written by evan on April 14, 2008 at 10:20 AM
We started a new series based on the first chapter of the book of James.
You in Real Life.
Real Pain.
Real Smarts.
Real Temptation.
Real Speech.
{embed video}
Last night we started with part one. Real Pain.
Here is what the message sounded & looked like.
I told a personal story of real pain.
Showed this clip on pain/suffering from Dan in Real Life.
Read
James 1:2-4 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.
Luke performed a poem by Bradley Hathaway called "On Being Joyful And Content".
He tore it up, by the way.
I talked about that when we are suffering or experiencing real pain, we have a choice to believe and trust in God, and when we do, we become mature.
We showed this incredible video 99 Balloons
{embed video}
Then we had small cards on the stage, and challenged those students who are dealing with pain and suffering, to write it on the card.
And then to take a balloon and attached a card to it with the string.
Then we went outside where we prayed and ask got to help us with our pain and suffering, and as a symbol of releasing that to God, we released the balloons with the card attached.
Process via Peanut Butter Sandwhich Cookies
Written by evan on April 12, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Recently First Assembly went simple.
A simple process of discipling people.
First Assembly Simple Process
Connecting People to God
Connecting People to People
Connecting People to Serve
Then my wife found this on a box of Girl Scout cookies.
Girl Scouts of the USA is the premier leadership development organization for girls where they discover their potential, connect with others and take action in their communities and the world.
Interesting.
One year ago.
Written by evan on April 8, 2008 at 7:47 PM
One year ago, Katie and I said goodbye to our church family in Macomb, and made the journey to a new family in Mattoon.
Our last day at the Macomb church was Easter.
After the service our strongest supporter/parent/youth leader for the past seven years came up and asked me
"So, are you ready?"
my eyes filled with tears,
I answered, "No".
My eyes weren’t filled with tears because I was making the wrong decision.
It was because, I knew that my life would be changed forever.
I was excited, fearful, sad, and totally pumped all at one time.
I said goodbye to a location, not to friends.
We left an impression on them and they left an impression on us for a lifetime.
We moved to a place where we had only a handful of friends.
But over the past year, we have made a ton of additional ones.
Friends pictured
Jeff Lotz
Briahna Jones
John Barry
Christie Lotz
Kelly Gantner
Devin Heberling
Janell DeWeese
Trent Randle
Dave Keck
Jesse Lucas
Cody Hutton
Josh Simpson
Josh Taylor
Dan Lotz
Cindy Lotz
Chandler Orr
Alex Orr
Pastor Frownfelter
Joy Spencer
Cooper Spencer
Ashley Herbert
Joe Herbert
Brian Williamson
Matt Taylor
Kristy Fitzsimmons
Chelsea Kirkley
Jordan Snively
Ashley Taylor
Travis Spencer
Luke Greer
There is not a complete list of my friends.
If I posted pics of everyone then that would be a long loading post, now wouldn’t it?
Pics and stuff about my other friends are here.
myspace
facebook
Supporting Project Rescue
Written by evan on at 10:52 AM
Estimates of women and children trafficked across international borders each year range from 800,000 to four million. In the United States alone, the U.S. State Department estimates that as many as 18,500 men, women, and children are trafficked into the U.S. each year, many for sexual exploitation.
Each quarter, we are challenging our students to give of themselves.
Last night in our youth service, we challenged our students to give towards Project Rescue in a special offering on Sunday, April 27.
What are some missions organizations do you give to?
I've had a bad tech week
Written by evan on April 5, 2008 at 7:42 PM
- My blog design isn't working. (hence the lame blogger one, hoping my analytics tracking works.) I haven't changed anything on it for months, and it just started not loading. Anyone else having blogger issues with custom design?
- Both of my external hard drives have crapped out (one of them has CS3 on it)
- I've not started on our new series for The Pipeline (which starts in 21 hours) - ok, that wasn't a tech one.
What tech problems have you had this week?
Sorry for the lame design and emo post.
I'm done.
Who is King in Your iTunes Library?
Written by evan on April 4, 2008 at 12:58 PM
MxPx
719.8 MB
246 Tracks
19 Albums
10.3 Hours
These guys aren't my favorite band, but some how they have a ton of property on my iBook.
What band has the most tracks in your iTunes library? How many tracks?
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