#ThoughtsFromTerry Dispatch w.43.2017
Dispatch w.43.2017
Happy Friday!
As I write this, I am on a plane to Washington DC, and technically it’s Thursday in my timezone. :)
I am excited about this trip; I have the opportunity to be a part of some of the opening ceremonies of the Museum of the Bible. Pastor Craig will be dedicating the illuminations room on Friday, which is incredible. Illuminations will highlight and illuminate the remaining Scripture texts needed to be translated into the languages that currently don’t have the Bible. Our goal, along with our primary partners is to eradicate Bible poverty, and make the Bible available to everyone! We have come a long way, but still, have a long way to go. Just so you are aware, there are ~6000 languages globally. ~2k have the Bible. ~2k are in the works, and ~2k don’t have Scripture. You can learn more at illuminations.bible.
FATHER MOVE US
My favorite song right now is The One by Mosaic MSC. Such powerful lyrics built off of Philippians, chapter 1. The lyrics pound an anthem of Don’t stop...change me, change us. Father move us. Spirit Lead us. Lead us to a new place and a new day!
I get emotional every time I listen to this song and think about my journey with Christ. 24 years and continually in process and changing. I am evolving, growing, changing and pursuing Christ. My plea doesn't stop “Lord, continue to change me, continue to draw me closer to you.”
This song is from Paul's teaching in Philippians:
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” - Philippians 1:6
We are a work in process, and that process continues until Christ returns. Constantly evolving and changing as we draw closer to Jesus. We should not be the same as we were last year, last month or even yesterday. This quote spoke to me from pastor John Mark Comer,
“As we grow as a Christ follower our conviction of sin increases and our appreciation of God forgiveness, love and mercy grows!”
Such an interesting and accurate statement. The paradox of the closer we get to Christ, the more mature, more developed and the more in-depth our relationship just shows how much more we need Him. The revealing and convicting part comes when you look at the opposite of this statement. When we DO NOT feel conviction, when we feel worthy and acceptable is the very moment we should discover we are far from walking in-step with Jesus. Ouch!
Father move us. Spirit Lead us. Lead us to a new place and a new day! This will look very different for every one of us. But let me leave you with this; the lies you believe about yourself will become true. Yes, the lies you believe about yourself, and tell yourself every day! What follows "I can't," or "That won't ever." Stop believing and telling yourself those lies.
Believe this, personalize it with your name, and remove the "I can't" mindset.
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” - Philippians 1:6
CATALYST ONE DAY
On Tuesday Catalyst One Day came to Oklahoma City and Life.Church hosted for the first time. It was so great to see so many pastors and business leaders gathered together to be filled with leadership gold around a topic of Leading Change. Craig Groeschel and Levi Lesko were the speakers and complemented each other well. Here are some powerful takeaways.
1) Change how we THINK about CHANGE!
- People don’t HATE change. They hate the WAY we try to change them.
2) You cannot change what you are willing to TOLERATE.
3) Not everything God GIVES you today is meant to be used right away.
- Often time as leaders we need to pause the activation on new learnings and discern the right timing.
4) Take risks on people!
- See the potential in people and invest and lead them to be all God designed them to be.
5) Communication Essentials
- What do you need to know?
- What do you desire them to feel?
- What do you want them to do?
6) Systems
- Systems create BEHAVIORS
- Behaviors become HABITS
- Habits drive OUTCOMES
7) WeederSHIP (Leadership + Weeds)
- When others try and point out the “weeds” in our lives, do they get poked?
- What are the weeds of your leadership that you are not paying attention to?
RECOMMENDED WEEKEND READING
It’s All about Systems
I loved this article because it debunks the concept of willpower. It’s not about willpower; it’s about systems. This has played out hugely in my life, and I preach over and over about having the right systems to produce the results you are desiring. See point number 6 above! This is a great read.
“Losers have goals. Winners have systems.” Scott Adams
Leading Up
I don’t think it takes a genius to realize leadership starts with leading yourself first. In all my mentor sessions, and speaking to developing leaders this is where I start...even though most of their questions initially begin around leading others. A very important art and skill as we grow as a leader is “Leading Up.” This is a great read with some practical and helpful insights.
“You allow them to sometimes, often, or even frequently take your success as their own. (I told you this was complicated) You take on assignments that your leader may receive credit for doing, you do more than you are required to do knowing full well that “others” may never know it was you who accomplished so much.”
The Opiod Crisis, and a Family Making BILLIONS from it
I have been sharing a lot lately about the Opioid Crisis we are facing. If you are not deeply concerned about this crisis and epidemic, you are not paying attention. I am sure this article and story does not paint the full picture. However, it is an excellent read to bring more color and insight on the reality of the epidemic.