Tag: Leadership

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Chasing Daylight Chapter 5 Thoughts (Part 2)

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Here are some of the things that stood out to me from Chapter 5 of Chasing Daylight by Erwin McManus:

  • The journey that travels through divine moments is not an escape route from personal suffering. In fact, it strengthens our resolve to suffer in the now for the greater good that can be accomplished. It is a recognition that future moments are both born out of and connected to present choices.
  • If it is difficult to fail without risk, it is even more difficult to succeed without failure.
  • You do yourself a disservice when every story has a happy ending in this life. Its far more important that there be a meaningful middle. So often we’re paralyzed in our fear to do the wrong thing, and it is important to always move forward with all the wisdom possible.
  • It is as if we long to know God’s Will, but God refuses to reveal it.
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The Payback

For approximately 7 years I served both as a volunteer lead youth worker and as a full time youth pastor at a former church in our local area. I’ve seen hundreds of students come through the doors of our student ministry, some stuck with us, while others moved on. Many received Christ and others chose their own paths. I’ve sat and listened and shared with those who were broken and in need, while others felt they had their life in the palm of their hand with no worries in the world. I prayed and cried and sacrificed for student after student.

There were many days (usually Mondays and Thursdays) that I questioned whether it was all worth it. There were many days I wanted to throw in the towel and give up. There were many occasions where my heart was ripped in two because of the lack of vision for students by people who just didn’t get it, but then there was today…

The Payback. It was a long day and a very sobering one at that. Nicki and I attended two graduations that contained many students who I had the privilege of loving and investing my life in from our former church and in the community, but there were two who held special places in Nicki’s and my heart, because of their investment into our lives and into our family. We consider both Diana and Sequoia a part of our family; our adopted children. As I sat in my chair at each graduation, I could not help but to ask myself the question, “Did I do all that I could to help prepare these students for what’s going to hit them next?” “Did I help strengthen their faith to help them stand strong and hold to their beliefs?” – I guess over time I will receive my answer, but I believe because of the foundation the parents of these students helped lay for them, these students will continue to shine for Jesus throughout their life. My job was always to come along side the parents and support them and reinforce them in the life of their children as I pointed them to Jesus. These students made it. They have made me proud. And now as I look back, every Sunday was worth it, every mid-week student service was worth it, every small group lesson was worth it, every prayer…every tear…every frustration, because these students have the potential to change the world!

Who are you investing in?

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Sports Philosophy Truth or Opinion?

I was listening to game 1 of the Atlanta Braves‘ double header against the New York Mets today on my way back to the office from lunch. The commentator was talking about some troubles that are taking place on the Mets’ squad, here is the philosophy of the commentator:

“It doesn’t matter whether you like or love each other on the team. All that matters is that you go out and play hard, and then go your separate ways after the game.”

I don’t believe I fully agree with this philosophy. Maybe on a sports team if you have a lot of individual talent, but then that talent can only take you so far. As well, when a team is built around hard work and talent, individuals have the tendency to do their own thing and go their own way. I believe it is important to have good re pore and unity amongst team members, a single focus and a single goal. This happens through strong relationships.

So, what’s your thoughts? Can a team (whether a sports team, a business team, a leadership team, a ministry team, etc.) win if everyone comes to their “job” works and plays hard, but never does anything to build relationships outside the job or even on the job?

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Chasing Daylight Chapter 4 Thoughts (Part 2)

Here are some quotes from Chapter 4 of Chasing Daylight by Erwin McManus, that have really stood out to me. The chapter is on “Influence.”

  • Influence is defined as “power affecting a person, thing, or course of events” – especially one that operates without without any direct or apparent effort.
  • Many times we conclude we are powerless because we cannot changes things “up.” Those who hold positions of power and authority simply will not see things our way. All too often when we cannot change things up, we conclude that we cannot change anything.
  • How many times have we concluded we were powerless to make a difference because the available resources were withheld from us?
  • Two roadblocks that often mislead us are lack of authority and lack of resources.
  • [In the story about Jonathan and Saul referenced in the book] Saul was paralyzed because he had too much to lose. **My Note: I never want to be paralyzed because I have too much to lose.**
  • Title, position, and authority may hold power, but influence travels through relationships. And in the end, influence is the fountainhead of power.
  • The essence of influence is to win the heart and soul of another person through the strength of your own character and personhood. This is why influence is always more powerful than authority. Authority can shape what a person does, but influence shapes who a person becomes.
  • All of us pass a bit of ourselves on to others. You better like who you are and make what you give to others from yourself a gift and not a curse.