Whispers wk 3 "God Speaks Through People"

Here's my PDF manuscript from this talk. Click here. Big thanks to Josh & Robyn Whaley for sharing their story of following the whisper to start SHINE tailgate at local football games!

And here are some of the people I follow on Twitter for online Soul Food:

RevRunWisdom (Rev Run formerly Run DMC)
JohncMaxwell (Dr. John C. Maxwell)
DonMillerIs (Donald Miller)
LenSweet (Leonard Sweet)
MarkBatterson (of "Chase the Lion" fame)
TonyMorganLive (pastor Tony Morgan)

Here's the Blog about Halloween by Tony Morgan

NFL Coaching Shuffle

"Big D" Dallas Cowboys are 1-4 after nearly everyone picked them to be Super Bowl contenders. Why? "They have so much talent." They also have head coach Wade Phillips.

San Diego Chargers are off to a 2-4 start with losses to three less-than-stellar teams: Seahawks, Raiders & Rams. This from a team that head coach Norv Turner inherited with a 14-2 record and was one win away from the Super Bowl.

What's wrong with the Cowboys and Chargers? They're suffering from head coaches who came with high expectations but only mediocre resumes.

Prior to coming to San Diego, Norv had a winning percentage of .281 at Oakland, .454 in Washington and 1 year playing in the post season.

Perhaps his predecessor had worse stats? Nope. Clearly well above average:

Former Chargers head coach, Marty Schottenheimer, had a .614 winning percentage and 13 years (out of 21) playing into the post season. He built teams that consistently won and had opportunities to win the big one. But because he did not win the big game, they thought a head coach with a mediocre resume (Turner) could somehow get it done. How logical.

And what about Dallas, this team with so much talent? Perhaps they are now playing at the level of their coach. Prior to coming to Dallas, Phillips had a total of 3 years playing into the post season, only getting as far as wildcard losses.

In this multi-billion dollar NFL business I don't understand the illogical expectations of hiring mediocre coaches and expecting post season play. Or what's more dysfunctional, firing a guy for getting you into the post season (but not to the big game) and replacing him with less successful coach.

Maybe when I'm a billionaire it will all make more sense to me ;-)


P.S.
What does make sense is the losing Washington Redskins hiring a coach with a winning resume and expecting better results. Wise choice hiring Mike Shanahan. Look out for the Skins!

Whispers wk 1

Here's the PDF of my talk kicking off week 1 of our Whispers series @ Oakbrook based on Bill Hybels' book.

Finding the Value in Twitter

Confession: I have not been a Twitter fan. I found it to be more noise, a time-waster and I loathed the word "tweet." (still not very fond of it)

BUT---I have learned that the value of Twitter lies in whom one chooses to follow! (<< that was the big idea right there)

My original experience was following local people that I knew. And not trying to disparage the locals, but what kind of sandwich one was eating wasn't exactly news I could use.

But Twitter has changed since I started following people who daily have wisdom, insights or humor to share. Here are a few that have added value to me:

John C. Maxwell
Leonard Sweet
Seth Godin
RevRunWisdom
Tim Stevens
Seth Mcfarlane (sorry, I need a laugh now & then)

So Twitter doesn't have to be noise--it has the potential of being a very focused source of info from people you relate with and appreciate.

Do you think Twitter is lame? Delete the people you follow who don't add value to your day and follow people who do.

Latest from the Wood Shop

Click here for the whole story w/blow-by-blow pics.

Sharpie + Ducati = Way Cool Art

Jody Whitsell is an artist that decided to re-do her Ducati Monster with a Sharpie; 20 of them actually. She also will custom Sharpie-up your helmet for a cool $800. (you provide helmet & pay shipping)

Love it!!!

credit: pg 15 Cycle World, Oct 2010

25 Years of Ministry = "Fish" ;-)

This is Oakbrook's 25th year of ministry. Mark & Ronda Malin lead a handful of people to launch its first service, September 8, 1985. Some of those people are still here.

The staff and some good friends chipped in and bought them--what else?--a FISH! ;-) Actually this is a one-of-kind-artisan-crafted fish; the likes that Mark has wanted for a while.

They read a letter from their staff and friends and will enjoy a "get-away-and-do-replenishing-things fund" throughout the year.

It was a tender time. You could tell they didn't expect it and were moved to tender emotions. During the prayer time that followed, lots of sniffles underscored thankful prayers of what God has done and what He is still doing. It was a welcomed stream of emotion and the palpable Spirit of God.

Can't imagine a better start to a day or a better place to be ;-)