Been Awhile?

So, this past weekend for me was pretty HUGE!  I was asked to kick-off a new series at PVC. 

Its been awhile since I took the stage in the "public speaking" capacity.  I get opportunities every now and again during New Community but the weekend is a whole different ball game.  First off, this weekend happened to be a record setting weekend... over 2800 people in attendance.  Just to put that in perspective, the town I grew up in had a population of just over 5000, INSANE!  Another thing, I'm sure most would agree but Rick leaves some pretty BIG shoes to fill, yeah a bit of an intimidation factor there.  

With all that said, I had a blast!  It was kind of funny I had several people approach me and say, "I didn't even know if you still went to church here."  Im always backstage (its always hard to explain what I do) running things so when I come out of hiding it surprises some people that haven't seen me in a while.  Anyway I love the opportunity to share God's word, I take it very seriously and am honored that God can use me in that way.  

What are some "hidden talents", skills, or gifts that resurface from time to time?  Things that you love to do, but don't do all the time?  Leave a comment, I'd love to hear feedback (more on that word in my next entry ;-) )

Peace, Love, and Harmony

Mitch

AWARENESS

I think awareness is a good thing.  There is so much going on in the world around us its easy to miss what is actually going on.  With our nature constantly telling us to take care of ourselves first and ignore our surroundings at all cost, its no wonder evil and injustice is rampant in our world. 

A great organization that “get’s” this is charity:  water Scott Harrison and his team have done an amazing job bringing awareness to a cause that many Americans would just assume ignore.

I have been following charity for awhile and am always inspired when I see the work that is getting done.  The stats are staggering, the story’s are breathtaking, the proof is there.  Today, as I skimmed through some of the pictures they had on display I was gripped again.  Here they are:

The things we care about, the things that move us, the things that we cant stop thinking about… those things are personal.  We are aware because its our reality. 

Now for a tough question:  If these pictures were the reality, if in your home town you had to walk miles to the nearest water source to fetch water that would kill you and your family, would that be tolerable?  It’s easier to ignore, but when its personal, when its you, you are aware.  Help raise the awareness, charity:  water does a great job as do many other non-profits.  Follow them, share in their story, I believe you will be inspired to take part.

mitch

Ooops!!!

Ooops, its been awhile and I am finally responding to the challenge from Bishop Thompson, I am posting another entry!

This is not a HUGE thought, but is bouncing around in my head this morning.  I love John Maxwell's stuff and one thing he references a lot is the "leadership lid".  This morning in sifting through 1 Sam. it couldn't have been more obvious, the comparison between Saul and David.  There is a lot to be said there, but essentially David was a "LID-LIFTER".  

We all have lids, some more obvious than others but we all have them.  Im too young, I'm inexperienced, I need more support, I'm scared, it's new...  LIDS, LIDS, LIDS (which is also a nice place to by hats).  Saul had them, David had them.  Saul let the lids get the best of him, David did not.  What LIDS are in your life?  I will post mine in my next entry or in the comments.

Guest Blogger: Micah Crump

 When something feels funky...engage!

Great leadership principle.  Sometimes I shy away from pushing or investigating something that doesn't quite feel right; but lately I have been putting the above principle into practice and it is paying off huge!  I guess another way to say it would be "be proactive rather than reactionary"  Rather than wait for the situation to turn worse, try to fix it on the front end.   When something feels funky...engage!

Micah

Laughter

A meeting that I look forward too each week is our finer things meeting.  This is a time I have scheduled to do a book review, watch a video, or discuss finer things with the production team.  We meet often and usually those meetings are surrounded with deadlines and tasks.  The finer things meeting has none of that.  Well anyway this has been a particularly busy and trying season for us.  So I wanted to make sure we got this meeting in.  Boy was it fun, sharing thoughts of conviction, inspiration, and vision.  As a team we were literally laughing out loud in the restaurant (Renee's).  

This is important, work will always be there.  Working with a great team is something that should never be taken for granted.  I truly appreciate each individual I get to share life with.  In the midst of tough times try and laugh, surround yourself with people that make you laugh.  Its a gift, what would life be without it?

Lets try something new.  I'm actually going to ask for a response from you reader.  When was the last time you laughed?  I mean really laughed?  Leave a comment, I'd love to hear from ya.

mitch