#ThoughtsFromTerry Dispatch w.40.2018

Dispatch w.40.2018

Annually, Life.Church has what we call Family Reunion. It’s a significant event where all of our staff and their spouses come in from 10 states and we celebrate, learn and unify in mission together. It’s by far the best event of the year and such an essential part of our culture. It’s tough to get a full understanding of how amazing this experience is...but a picture is worth a thousand words. Here are some images that capture elements of the event.

One thing that stands out is that Robin is a part of the entire event. It's so meaningful celebrating and unifying with her at Family Reunion. When I was “called” to Life.Church, God called Robin and I together...a house united, on a mission. Including staff spouses is a centerpiece of Life.Church culture and having Robin and other team members' spouses there is so great. Such a blessing and honor to be a part of an organization that understands this, and lives it out daily!

Presenting "How to Become Irrelevant"

This year I was asked to present during our "Ted Talks" - this is a session where different staff members bring a 5-minute talk about something that has touched their lives or they have learned or a critical concept that they want to share. Since I was volunteered to do this, I didn't have a topic burning to get out that I thought the staff needed to hear. So, I went through years of Dispatch emails, reviewed previous talks and started crafting a Ted Talk. Since the presentation needed to be 5 minutes or less, the first three topics I chose and started didn't work. They were too long and not ideal for this format.

These got cut:

- The Dumbness of the Crowds

- Magic Decoder Ring (Communication talk)

- Disagree and Commit

The fourth option was a charm and what needed to be shared, apparently. I landed on How to Become Irrelevant. Here is the talk:

How to Become Irrelevant

Slides
Study Cards

THANK YOU

Last week I shared about Reia’s opportunity to go to London as an All American Cheerleader. Reia needed to save 3,500 dollars and found herself running out of time. She had a $1,000 gap that needed to be filled. Because of YOUR generosity, I am pleased to share that Reia has exceeded her goal. This is amazing and has spoken volumes to Reia, so THANK YOU! Your generosity has given Reia the opportunity to pay it forward. She is taking her earnings from work and babysitting and is using that money to be a blessing to other cheerleaders who are struggling to make their goal. Such a great reminder that it is a blessing to be a blessing. I appreciate those of you who supported Reia; you did much more than donate...you helped model how blessed it is to be a blessing to others.

RECOMMENDED WEEKEND READING

Dark Matter

I love space and learning more and more about how little we know about it. This makes me think about one of my all-time favorite Rob Bell talks Everything is Spiritual. Rob’s content blew my mind, and I highly recommend watching the video when you have 75 minutes and want your mind blown. Anyway, Wired UK had a great and interesting article on Dark Matter. Worth a read if you have a fascination, as I do, with space.

https://www.wired.co.uk/article/dark-matter-worth-searching-for-null-results

Lack of Clarity

Robin and I have been talking about clarity a lot lately. As she is stepping into some opportunities in front of her, she realizes how critical clarity is...or seeing how challenging situations become when clarity is lacking. Here is an excellent read about clarity.

http://smartbrief.com/original/2018/09/root-cause-workplace-drama-lack-clarity

The Difference Between Progress and Achievement

A brilliant article by James Clear talks about the importance of focusing on progress vs. achievement. I can find myself guilty of celebrating and pushing myself toward achievement. This is such a good lesson to learn: think though pursuing progress, not achievement.

https://jamesclear.com/slow-gains

We’re in a spiritual battle and the enemy doesn’t yield ground willingly. Taking ground always comes at a cost. No matter what, we must choose to press on!
- Christine Cane