Give it Up for the Gals

Have you ever got beaten by a girl? I was considered the third fastest in my class during my elementary years. Carter Hall would always come in first place and I would finish third. There was Sheila Johnston who would always beat me. She was so fast that she was a part of our 400 meter relay during the track season, which we would always win. I have the ribbons to prove it.

Rachel Alexandra was the first filly since 1924 to win the Preakness Stakes and to hold off a late charge of Kentucky Derby winner Mine that Bird. This victory sent off a frenzy of excitement for the sport of Thoroughbred horse racing. She not only ran with the boys but she beat everyone of them. We have to give it up to the ladies!

Although this is no Preakness Stakes, Heidi and Ra-jeana became the Horseshoe Champions at our annual Memorial Day Cookout. Mark Trietsch and myself had the bragging rights this past year and we held the belts (literally: we have these cheap plastic belts that are a mock to a WWF belt). I have to give it up to all the ladies that competed in the tournament. They not only competed against the boys but they beat everyone of them.

They took out the men teams like Rambo taking out his enemies one at a time. Nancy and Tammy upset Mark and I. Judy and Edna defeated Gary and Randall. And of course Heidi and Ra-jeana put the smack down on Dale and Jerry and defeated Des and Randy in the championship game. Congratulations to all the ladies, especially to Heidi and Ra-jeana for winning the Preakness.

I am putting a few more pictures of the horseshoe tournament for you to enjoy.

Have you ever got beaten by a girl?

What do you think of all these girls winning?

Are guys better atheletes than girls or did God have favor on girls that week :)?

I would love to hear your thoughts!

A Picture of Dr. George O. Wood and Me

What makes a great leader?

Dr. George O. Wood the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God spoke at our District Council this past week. I had the privilege of getting a picture taken with him and getting an autographed book he wrote called a Psalm in Your Heart. He was elected to the position in August of 2007 at Indianapolis. I was there when he was voted in. (By the way I didn't originally vote for him.) Since Dr. Wood has been in this position, I have been thoroughly impressed by his leadership, integrity, humility, knowledge and speaking ability. I believe our fellowship is in great hands.

In one of John Maxwell's recent email letters he says one of the things that make a great leader is the ability to lead through adversity. He gives the example of the pilot Chesly B. Sullenberger who safely landed the engine less plane in the Hudson River.

Sullenberger's influence soared as a result of his leadership in the midst of harrowing circumstances. Before January 15th, Sullenberger was an accomplished, but anonymous pilot. Afterward, he was recognized as an American hero, drew a captive audience whenever he spoke, and was highly sought after by federal aviation officials for his safety recommendations.
Going through adversity, though not pleasant at the moment, opens the door to new levels of influence. By staying poised and keeping a positive attitude under pressure, leaders can pass through adversity having grown in stature more than they ever could have in comfortable times.

John Maxwell talks about four potential benefits that can be gained when triumphing over adverse circumstances. This article meant so much to me I thought I would share the benefits on my blog. Click here to view his article.

1. Creates resilience - because you have already coped with adversity, you become better equipped to handle adverse circumstances. The more experience I have, the better I can become.

2. Develops maturity - As an African proverb says, "Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors." Adversity has the potential to make you a better leader.

3. Creates greater opportunity - Oftentimes a bright future waits on the other side of hardship. The mental strength acquired in dealing with misfortune can be an invaluable asset in pushing forward into new ventures. Ask Job.

4. Wins respect - When others see your character and persistence during the rough stretches in leadership, they walk away with an enhanced opinion of you.

What makes a great leader? One of those is the ability to lead in adverse times. When going through adverse times one can feel the pressure. While no one wants to face adverse times, it can actually serve to benefit a leader.

How do you face adverse times as a leader?

What do you think makes a great leader?

Do think Dr George Wood is a great leader?

I just set up on my phone the ability to send a post to my blog via text. I will rarely use it because it's not that easy to type with your thumbs.

The Worst Habit You Can Develop

Do you have any bad habits? At some point or another, virtually everyone has a bad habit in their life. I Googled the top ten bad habits and found an article written in the Chicago Tribune that gave the Top Ten Worst Bad Habits by Matthew Cahill. Physical addictions were not included on this list. They were:

1. Gossip


2. Spitting in Public


3. Cursing


4. Lecturing


5. Not Washing Hands


6. Slouching


7. Cracking Knuckles


8. Biting Your Nails


9. Talking with Mouth Full


10. Procrastination

Out of this list my worst bad habit is biting my finger nails. I'll admit it. (Of course you could look at my fingernails and see the evidence.) When I get anxious I start biting away. I usually start to partake of this habit when I put a sermon together in my office. I keep a trash can close by because I want to keep the area clean and throw away the remains. Enough said about that. How about you? Which is the worst bad habit in your opinion?

Can I mention one bad habit that is not on this top ten list? I believe that it has greater potential to do harm than any of these listed. In my opinion one of the worst bad habits you can form in your life is skipping church. Yes, I said skipping church.The writer of Hebrews even agrees with me....or should I say I agree with the writer of Hebrews.

Hebrews 10:25 "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Alot of people have this bad habit in their life. Fox News said that half of Americans don't go to church and that the half that go only attend church once a month. There are so many reasons and excuses to skipping church..... from it's my only day to sleep in to it's boring and irrelevant. Whatever the reason may be, skipping church is habit forming. You need the church in your life. We must meet together regularly in order to encourage and strengthen one another to hold firmly to Christ as the end approaches. If we withdraw from the body of Christ and neglect meeting with other believers, we become weaker, not stronger, and more susceptible to deception and Satan's schemes.

What kind of bad habits do you have in your life?

Is skipping church a bad habit you have developed?

Is skipping church ok with you?

I would love your thoughts