Monday, March 02, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Craig Groeschel's Leadership Tips
Yesterday I turned 40 years old. This week, I’ll share 40 things I wish someone would have told me when I was 20. (They probably did, but I wasn’t paying attention.)
- Life is short. Make every day count for God’s glory.
- Don’t take yourself too seriously.
- Ministry is a marathon, not a sprint.
- Jesus cares more about the church than you do.
- You can’t please everyone…so why try?
- People will criticize you. Quit whining. Get used to it.
- Three months from now, you won’t even remember most of the things that are bothering you today.
- You can’t do it all. Stop trying.
- God called you because He is good, not because you are.
- If you blame yourself for the bad results in ministry, you’ll likely also take credit for the good results.
- Become close friends with other pastors in your town (as many as you can).
- Your kids will be grown before you know it. Don’t sacrifice them on the altar of ministry.
- Your ministry isn’t your god. God is your God.
- You know how to give and how to minister to others. If you don’t learn how to receive, you’ll burn out and/or die.
- Studying for sermons doesn’t replace your personal time with God and in His Word.
- Err on the side of generosity.
- Believe in people that others overlook.
- If you’re going to reach people that others aren’t, you’ll have to do things that others won’t.
- Your integrity matters more than you can imagine.
- Hire staff members that you like.
- When you have a tough decision to make, but you know it’s right, make it immediately. (Like pulling off a Band-Aid: do it fast, and all at once.)
- Hire slowly. Fire quickly.
- You can’t change people. Only God can.
- Don’t criticize others’ ministries. Yours isn’t nearly as perfect as you think it is.
- Take care of yourself. Eat right. Rest. Exercise. Take time off. No one else can do that for you.
- If you don’t take much time off, it’s because you’re proud, and you think you’re more necessary than you really are.
- Don’t just delegate responsibility. Delegate authority.
- Laugh frequently.
- People will leave your church. People you love and trust will leave your church. Don’t take it personally.
- When you suffer and hurt because of ministry, worship Jesus all the more.
- Talk about Jesus every time you preach.
- Be careful what you say. You’re being watched (and recorded).
- Don’t return emails when you’re angry.
- Check to make sure your microphone is turned off before you use the bathroom. Double-check.
- Check to make sure your zipper is zipped every time before you preach. Double-check.
- Love your wife more than you love the church. The church is Jesus’ bride, not yours.
- Always be caught speaking well of others.
- Compliment, encourage, and build up your staff and volunteers.
- Hand write thank you notes.
- Smile and look people in the eyes when you talk to them.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Quote from this weekend...
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Thursday, February 05, 2009
One Trillion!!!! I thought last stimulus package of over 100 billion was risky.....
here is a great vid (thanks Jeremy Del Rio)
Wednesday Weekly Webcast a/k/a Stimulus Stinkers
Posted using ShareThis
Thursday, January 22, 2009
MLK weekend....
This weekend included the much anticipated return of mom and dad. They brought goodies to, cheese, chiles, cinnamon, like a years supply of garlic, did i say cheese? mmmmmm....
On Sunday we then ALL gathered at my little brothers new house in Cedar Hill for a house warming party. This is he and my niece Sha-Nay-nay, (Aleyah). It is always good to have family around. This weekend was very significant to me. I can share these pics with you to allow a glimpse into my family life. However, the ability for me to reflect on my life is truly the reason for this personal post. As I spend time with my family I start to realize that there is a void in my life. I have been apart from them for too long. Many of you know I have had a really hard few months (years) recently and if you did not know, please continue to pray for me. This time of refection during MLK weekend 2009 has truly allowed me to realize what a gift we have from God as it pertains to our families. My immediate family has gone through so much and has endured intact! My church family is also so important to me. I also reflected on that this weekend. I am making a commitment to abandon my self imposed sabbatical and return to active, visible and tangible ministry. I think I can speak for a lot of us and say that we have all endured so much in this Amazing Race we call...LIFE. I have some massive announcements I will be making in the weeks to come. Although I have been seeking direction from God as to where I go next. I have received confirmation during this significant weekend with regards to my future. Again, I pause to let Him continue to be in the drivers seat of my journey on this earth. We returned on Monday and I loved the time spent with my kids and the ones I love. My parents returned safe and I promptly jumped back into the swing of things at work and in ministry. I truly appreciate my good friend Tony Lara who has been instrumental during these hard times..Love you bro! One thing I have learned these past 2 months is the importance of telling those you love how much you appreciate them and love them. (I intend to finally post something stemming from that statement soon.) Wednesday's youth service was great. those kids at Tab are amazing..so much talent. I pray that I may remain faithful to my family, my calling and my God. I wish to honor those who have finished before me and hope to one day be able to recite these words....I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith.(2 Timothy 4:7)
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Reload Houston...Youth Ministry Training
i want to invite you to this training...you may register at http://www.uywi.org/372328.ihtml
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Soldier boy!
Cleaning out my iPhone and ran across this picture of my son Sean. I took this picture over the Christmas break while visiting a wonderful friend in Dallas. It was a great Kodak moment! Snapped pic with just the intention of capturing the moment and hopefully digitizing a family memory. No forethought went into the picture nor did I analyze it in any way.
Recently I have gone through a roller coaster of emotions. I am preparing for a new journey in my life..a new chapter in my book. As I asked God for direction I am constantly reminded to do just that, prepare. The fact is I know it will definitely be a long drawn out battle.
So I stumbled upon this picture of my innocent son...and I am reminded to ask for their protection on a daily basis. I also ask for it for my self and for those who are precious and dear to me.
this passage came to mind...
"Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints...."
Ephesians 6:10-18
Reload
Houston
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Monday, January 12, 2009
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
All smiles...
My lil bro and my great niece at my sisters wedding. i am glad that God continues to bless and grow our family.
Friday, December 26, 2008
On the 13th day of Christmas!!
This is why happens on the day after Christmas!! My boys are tired, 10 am and still out!! Oh yeah he SNORES!!!!! LOL what a great Christmas this year.....
Friday, December 19, 2008
New storm brewing near the Gulf!!!!!!
Ok. My kiddos have been here for only a few hours and already my clean house has been turned upside down!!! This storm had been officially upgraded into a Cat 5 storm, Hurricane Palomo!!! There is popcorn, toys, books, you name it and it is strewn all over. Hey boys will be boys and they ate awsome!!! K gotta go I think something is on fire!!!!!!!