2008 February | haRdLy NOrMal

Archive for February, 2008

Loyalty

Published by February 15th, 2008 in Change, Character, Friends, Just Me, Leadership, Learning, Life's Lessons, My Big Mouth, Personal Growth, Recovery

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“Loyalty means nothing unless it has at its heart the absolute principle of self-sacrifice.” Woodrow T. Wilson

Loyalty takes no effort when a relationship is going good.

True loyalty only manifests when relationships are being challenged and you stick even though it is painful. The blessing is after you work through the pain you grow and become a much better person.

It is rather easy to dissolve a relationship. It is extremely hard to work on relationships because you have to compromise and change. No one wants pain, but it is through painful experiences that our real character is tested.

The relationships in my life that have had the most conflict also become the most nurturing because we commit to honestly work through the pain. Only through commitment can a person find unconditional love.

I am so grateful for all the people that have had the courage to be honest with me especially when I didn’t want to hear the truth. I am so grateful for friends that don’t settle and push me to be better even when I resist. I am so grateful for relationships that have committed to me even when I was being an idiot! And I am so grateful for restoration and the deep love for relationships God has placed in my heart.

Security hinders growth

Published by February 15th, 2008 in Change, Character, Just Me, Leadership, My Big Mouth, Personal Growth, Remarkable, Vision

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“The harder you try to play it safe, the more likely you are to fail”
Seth Godin

I came to a very startling realization this week. For most of my life I have been trying to find security. Even though I have taken far more risks then an average person I hate the uncomfortableness of feeling insecure. Not the insecurity of “less then”, but the anxiety of the unknown that results when taking a risk. The bigger the risk the more uncomfortable I feel.

Through a bunch of reading, introspection and reflection I now see I have been missing my potential because I am playing it safe. I am following a path that is programmed into us by society. Work to be safe. Work to feel secure.

Security and freedom are completely different and are almost opposite. Most people try to find balance between security and risk and completely miss huge growth opportunities because they confuse security with freedom. Also, it is only human to tip the balance beam to the security side. Change is hard! Change is scary! Change leads to a feeling of uncomfortable! Yet if you can fight the uncomfortableness of risk, maybe even seeking it out, the possibilities are endless.

Sign people hate change

Published by February 15th, 2008 in Change, Just Me, Marketing, My Big Mouth

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People hate change. Even people that say they are into change are usually not. When I travel I like to explore the culture and opportunities of the area I am in. I always laugh when I travel with other people. When it is time to eat they want Applebee’s or a similar chain restaurant they have back home. They even baulk at the suggestion of trying something new.

Why? They want safe. They want security and even the thought of taking a risk scares them.

This is not a bad thing, it is just the way MOST people are. Knowing this fact in marketing we have to be careful of changing too often or too far out of the norm.

Nobody does it like Tommy Barnett.

Published by February 15th, 2008 in Change, Just Me, Leadership, Ministry, My Big Mouth, Outreach

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I love Pastor Tommy with all of my heart. This past week I was in Phoenix and probably experienced the very best time I have ever had at the event.

I really was wrestling with spending the money, yet when my plane flying flew over Phoenix First and I saw the massive campus from the air the reasons became clear. It is my home. Not physically, but I can be myself around people that sincerely love me. It was also good to be around likeminded people. People that have the same work ethic I have, that are into doing much with a little and that strive for excellence. Most importantly, people that truly care about making something big happen and that truly care about other people! At Phoenix First they don’t just talk about vision – they make it happen!

My yearly trip also realigns my spirit and shows me what a real church is. So many people are helped every single day. People that most churches would either not allow in, or have their security staff follow around because they are not like everyone else. Phoenix First is all about people and they do the most amazing work I have ever experienced.

This was my 13th year and every year I not only see Pastor Tommy change, but the entire church change. From my first trip in 96 to this year the changes have been massive. I am so blessed to have Pastor Tommy as a leader and mentor. I know change is hard on everyone yet he really has embraced change as a lifestyle and it shows.

There are many many reasons for Pastor Tommy’s success. I believe probably the biggest is his love for people and wanting to really make a huge difference. To reach many not just a few! To do that you have to take risks. Lots of risks! Also, he gives people safe boundaries and them leaves them alone to accomplish something big. Because he releases control and empowers people Phoenix First has grown to one of the biggest and most influential churches in the country. From what I have witnessed, Phoenix First and all the ministries the church has birthed, literally helps more hurting people find their dreams again than any other church in existence. And that is what it’s all about – or should be!

If it were not for Tommy Barnett I might never have gotten off the streets of Los Angeles. I owe him everything and I praise God for allowing me to be a part of something so great.

Sign of change

Published by February 8th, 2008 in Change, Future, Internet, Just Me, Marketing, Media, My Big Mouth, Vision

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I was reading Seth’s new book “Meatball Sundae: Is Your Marketing out of Sync?” for a second time last night and he referenced the thickness of Time Magazine. Today I was in line at the grocery store and Time and Newsweek were next to each other. I picked them both up. Wow, not much of anything anymore. Media is changing FAST- and changing EVERYTHING! Honestly, the not-for-profit world is so inundated with direct mail as a primary fundraising strategy most will be caught unprepared for the inevitable.

Don’t get mad – learn

Published by February 8th, 2008 in Change, Character, Just Me, Leadership, Learning, Life's Lessons, My Big Mouth

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Most people, including myself, don’t even see our own pride when someone is trying to teach us how to be better. We all rationalize that since we have come this far we don’t need help. We know what we are doing and our way is better. Heck, if I listened to you that means I would:

1) have to admit my way is not the best
2) have to admit your way is better
3) have to change
4) have to grow

Next time when someone is taking the time to leach you and you start to get upset because it is not your way, or the way you have done it in the past, realize that is probably pride trying to keep you from increase.