15 August 2007

Chicago Bears training camp

My family visited Bourbonnais, IL this week for the Chicago Bear's training camp. It was great! I could not believe how close to the practice we were. The other amazing thing was how closely the practice schedule resembled the practice schedule I remember from high school coaching.

The most fun was not on the field, but watching my son pretending he was playing football. Once he grew tired of that, he decided (with some prompting) to roll down the hill. His aim was perfect... he rolled right through a muddy area in the grass.


There was one element that was specifically impressive. You have to know how a practice runs to know why this is impressive, but before "team time", there is a time for "individual break out" time where specific positions practice their individual roles. I saw the linebackers practicing and noticed Urlacher. He was not in his position but he was running the scout position. Here is one of the most publicized players on the team, easily expected to have a huge ego, running drills on the scout team. It wasn't just once, he continued to get back in line and run scouting drills. Team... pushing your teammates to succeed to their best, not just getting your best.

White Sox game


We had a great time with some great friends at the White Sox game Saturday. The Sox came so close to winning with a grand slam in the bottom of the 9th.

14 August 2007

Mario Tattoo

Thats commitment to Mario. Read about his sleeve...

Einstein quote



Anyone who has never made a mistake
has never tried anything new.


- Einstein

13 August 2007

Erik Mongrain

This guy was at the Willow Leadership Summit. What he did was a great example of innovation with the guitar. Something we all need to do as leaders is to be innovative. Besides, he spells his name right.

11 August 2007

BELLA THE MOVIE TRAILER

Summit Quote II

“Strong leaders submitted to an almighty God is powerful,
Strong leaders submitted to no one is trouble,
Weak leaders submitted to an almighty God is trouble."
Bill Hybels

Summit Quote

We can accommodate changing times with unchanging principles.
-Jimmy Carter

Bella the Movie

A movie coming out this fall that was recommended at the Leadership Summit. The director gave his testimony about being at last year's Summit and God touching his heart. It looks like a great film.

10 August 2007

Colin Powell


Thanks to a buddy of mine I was able to head up to the Leadership Summit today at Willow. The highlight of the day so far was the interview with Colin Powell. He shared some of his "Powell principles" with us. Here are a few of them:

• Reward your best performers, get rid of non-performers.
• Optimism is a force multiplier.
• Be prepared to disappoint people.
• Leaders promote a clash of ideas.

Probably the coolest thing was when Bill Hybels asked what he was really passionate about right now ... he said teenagers. The highest ranking military official is a student ministry volunteer! He said that he trained 17 and 18 year olds to be soldiers for the U.S. and now he teaches 12, 13, and 14 year olds to be soldiers for God.

It's been a great time of learning. This afternoon is going to be great... John Ortberg and Richard Curtis!

09 August 2007

Common Sense

Some people seem to have a harder time making "common sense" decisions than others. I guess sometimes "in the moment" there are some things that seem to be a good idea? This guy evidently suffers from a bit of a common sense deficiency?

Priest Nabbed While Running Nude
FREDERICK, Colo. — A Catholic priest faces an indecent exposure charge after jogging in the nude about an hour before sunrise.

The Rev. Robert Whipkey told officers he had been running naked at a high school track and didn't think anyone would be around at that time of day, a police report said. He told officers he sweats profusely if he wears clothing while jogging. "I know what I did was wrong," he said in the report. Read the rest of the story...

05 August 2007

Forgive or Forgiven

that is the question... I would love to hear your thoughts.

Which is more difficult...

To ask for forgiveness from someone you've wronged?

- or -

To forgive someone that has hurt/wronged you?

'Bourne' clobbers Homer


I am looking forward to seeing the Bourne Ultimatum. We are currently watching the first two again before going to see the third installment. What makes it even better for me is that, according to CNN, Bourne clobbered the Simpson's. I'm not the biggest Simpson's fan.

Forgiveness

Steps to be able to truly forgive...

Ask yourself these questions:
• Who did I hurt?
• What did I do?
• Why did I do it?
• What were the results?
Romans 12:17-20
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

04 August 2007

Wake up!

Successful people are busy people that wake up in the morning with an agenda... a God-honoring agenda.

Check this out from T.D. Jakes...

Years of mediocrity is what causes people to be bitter. If you want to be around bitter and complaining people get around people that are not seeing much activity. They are bitter, they are complaining, they are jealous because nothing is happening. If you want to be around less gossip and less jealousy, get around successful, busy people. Busy people don't have time to care what's going on in your life. I have no need to investigate what's going on in your life; I have so much going on in my own life, that I'm not interested in what I heard, that they said, that you thought, that if I thought what you said that I didn't mean if I heard it.

The only people that have time for that is people who aren't doing anything and they watch your life like it's a soap opera. They are living their life vicariously through you. What is going on in your life intrigues them because nothing is going in their life. If you want to stop that from happening to you, then get up out of the bed with an agenda.

03 August 2007

Great Verse

Ezekiel 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

It would be great if this happened automatically for everyone.

WolfWarning

Lark News reports a new way pastors keep ahead of church troublemakers.

When Brent Libby started attending Green Valley Baptist church, he was surprised at the icy reception he received. The reason: the pastor knew all about Libby. He'd read about him on WolfWarning.com, a website which chronicles bad behavior by local church-goers. Libby's file included a photograph and comments written by his former pastor that said, "Argues with me over minor doctrinal points after every service. Thinks he knows Greek. Not interested in maturing, just debate. Wolf rating: 3."

Read the full story.

Discovery Channel Tour de France

These guys are amazing. If you have ever ridden in a race you know how tough it is.

35W Minneapolis


The collapse of 35W in Minneapolis hits home. Glenda and I spent some great years in Minneapolis while we were attending NCU. It's especially wild to think that I just drove over this bridge only a couple of months ago when I visited NCU to teach at their center for youth and leadership. My family and I are praying for our friends that live near there and those impacted by this tragedy.

01 August 2007