As I was leaving my apartment complex this morning, I realized that I ran TWO stop signs on my way out!  Technically, I performed a driving move that a lot of us call "the rolling stop."  You know what I’m talking about.  We come up to a stop sign, see that no one is coming or watching, and then we proceed to slowly roll on through. 

It really isn’t different in our everyday lives.  Think about it:

1) How many times do we let sin slowly creep into our lives?  We walk a fine line between right and wrong, and we slowly but surely begin crossing the line.  Before we know it, we don’t even notice the sign to stop. 

2) For the most part, we tend to do things we shouldn’t do when no one else is around.  When you really break it down, the things we do when no one is looking gives us a better glimpse of our true character.  We need to clean up our lives when no one is looking.

3) How many of us has way too much going on in our lives?  We need to STOP
doing so much and focus our attention on what matters the most.  What
are some signs you need to stop some things in your life? You have no
spare time to rest.  You have no time with your family.  You work
overtime every week.  Stop doing so much. 

What stop signs are you running?

You gotta admit…he’s adorable. Here he is at 6 1/2 months.

You really need to check out these Olan Mills pictures…they’re priceless!
Funny Olan Mills Pictures

This billboard is incredible.

Even more incredible is the story and video that goes with it. Major props to Kinetic Church for setting an incredible example to all of us. Check it all out at the Kinetic Church website.

My Mac has been in repair and finally it’s back! So begins another attempt at consistent blogging! Now if only I didn’t have to reenter all of the serial numbers and reinstall Leopard. :-/

Today is not only Easter…Isaiah is six months old today! Here’s a pic of him with his smokin’ hot mom.

I have had something on my mind lately and I just can’t shake it. Why is it that some “leaders” in churches are unreceptive to critique and/or confrontation?

I’ve noticed that I have, at times, been labeled as “marching to the beat of my own drummer.” It’s really odd to me. Throughout the years, I have tried to be completely up front and honest about how I feel about various issues within the church and have offered my opinion of things often. If I have an issue with something that someone has said or done, I go straight to them (an amazing idea, I think…not that I came up with it…ehmmm, Matthew 18).

The problem is, oftentimes “leaders” aren’t receptive to hearing other ideas or being confronted about things that they have done. In one of my previous churches, I was told I had an “authority issue,” despite following everything they asked me to do. In another, point blank…I was forced to resign because I warned our “leader” of issues that I heard staff rambling about.

So what’s a man to do? I think it’s time for leaders to put their pride to the side and embrace critique and confrontation. When someone confronts me, it often tells me a few things:

1) They care about me. If they didn’t care about me, they would go to others before coming to me. They would talk about me behind my back. I have had a couple of cases that students came to me with their concerns over some small things. It was amazing! I knew they actually cared about me. It wasn’t an authority issue…it was an act from the heart.

2) I have to always evaluate what I do. There is ALWAYS room for improvement. Some of the best ideas will come from those around you.

3) I have tons of room to grow. I don’t have all of the best ideas and many of those around me know a lot more about some things than I do.

4) They are handling it biblically. There’s some great guidelines in Scripture. Maybe we should spend some time living it.

If you don’t have anyone around you sharpening you, your setting yourself up for failure. If you can’t listen to other’s critique, perhaps you’re already failing. Thoughts?

UPDATE: Wow…amazing blog about critiquing church environments by Tony Morgan that you can find here. I gotta admit…I critique like crazy in a church environment.