God still moves
Am I the only one that reads the Scriptures and forgets that the same God in those stories is the same God we serve today?
I’m in the middle of reading through Exodus and as I consider the miracles that God performed, I have such hard time connecting that with today. With a simple prayer from Moses, God sends frogs, gnats, flies, locusts, hail, and boils to destroy the Egyptians. A prayer killed all the Egyptian cattle, but all of Israel’s cattle lived. This God was incredible. He was powerful and no one on Earth compared to him.
But this is the same God we pray to today. This is the same God that is in control of our lives. This is the same God that is working on our behalf.
You are probably not praying for a hail storm or swarm of locusts (i would hope not anyway), but the same God is capable of moving on your behalf.
The same God can get your church plant moving.
The same God can bring your family children.
The same God can provide a job.
The same God can offer relief from suffering.
Whatever you are facing today, remember, God is still moving. The same God that brought miracles to deliver the Israelites from slavery can deliver you.
Tonight! Backstage Session 1: Francis Chan
I am so excited that we are starting the Backstage Leadership year off with Francis Chan. Listening to him recently has been very humbling as he is stepping out in faith to do what he feels the Lord is leading him to do. A few of those decisions included leaving the church he started, which is experiencing great success, selling your house and taking your four children overseas and you don’t even know where to yet. A lot of it seems so counter intuitive, but then I heard him say he’s more in love with Jesus now than probably any other time in his life.
I can’t wait to hear him answer everyone’s questions tonight. I’ll let you know how it goes!
Backstage is out of the starting gates…
This is the best time of year. Cooler weather is moving in. College football is upon us. But more importantly, Backstage Leadership kicks off! This year’s leaders are amazing!
Last night we had our first session and I thought I’d share what I told our new group of participants last night.
I was watching Band of Brothers recently to help with my World War II kick I’ve been on and there was a scene that has stuck in my memory. Easy Company got a new company commander that none of the soldiers liked. They don’t want to go into battle with him. They don’t trust his judgment. They don’t want to be in the same foxhole as him. They all agree he’s a bad leader. The line that stuck a chord though was one soldier’s explanation of why the company commander was a bad leader. Here’s the quote:
10 Ways to Wish @TylerStanton Happy 30th
One of my oldest (no pun intended) and best friends is Tyler Stanton. Well, today, Tyler hits the big 3-0. So, if you care to wish him a happy birthday, here are a few things you can do. Do as many or as few as you like. Some will make you feel good. All will make Tyler feel good. A few may even change someone’s life.
10. Visit his blog.
9. Visit his blog and leave a comment.
8. Visit his blog and leave a comment that his blog is funnier than Tripp’s blog.
7. Visit his blog and leave a comment that his blog is funnier than Tripp’s blog and then buy one of his books.
6. Visit his blog and leave a comment that his blog is funnier than Tripp’s blog and then buy a case of his books.
5. Visit his blog and leave a comment that his blog is funnier than Tripp’s blog and then buy a case of his books and mail them out to your friends.
4. Visit his blog and leave a comment that his blog is funnier than Tripp’s blog and then buy a case of his books and mail them out to your friends and ask them to Visit his blog too.
3. Visit his blog and leave a comment that his blog is funnier than Tripp’s blog and then buy a case of his books and mail them out to your friends and ask them to visit his blog too.
2. When you Visit his blog and leave a comment that his blog his funnier than Tripp’s blog and then buy a case of his books and mail them out to your friends and ask them to Visit his blog,too ask them to join the 30 in 30 challenge to raise $30,000 in 30 days with Charity Water.
1. If you can’t do any of the above, then consider giving $20 to our 30 in 30 challenge. With this money we will provide clean water to 1,500 people (300 families, 6 entire communities). This is what Tyler wants the most.
$20 to give someone clean water for 20 years! You can’t put a bow on it, but it sure is sweet! Happy Birthday Tyler.
Calling all Social Entrepreneurs and World Changers
Yesterday I told you about a huge project I’ve been working on for a few years. I’d really like to hear from you on who are the people that you know that are changing the world. Who are the people that are ending poverty, fighting slavery, helping children, planting churches, or other ways of making an impact on the world?
Post their information below and email me if you think they’d like to be included in the book.
Thanks!
Huge Announcement : I need your help
I’m excited to share with you a project I’ve been working on for 2 years. Like many people I know, I am consumed with a passion to change the world. I want to work on things that matter. I want my life to be more than just about my life. I want to be fully invested in what God is doing, leveraging my gifts and talents for his kingdom. So, a few years ago, I began to study the lives of people that changed the world. These people made significant impact in their cities, cultures and the effects are still felt today. I wanted to know how they did it and what kept them committed. I then began to look at the lives of everyday people today that are in fact changing the world. My new book, Passion is Not Enough, explores the elements that world changers have in common and how we can use them in our efforts to change the world today.
Here’s where I need your help. I am looking for 2 items to complete the book.
One, I’m looking for current examples of those changing the world. I want to help share their stories and how others can join them in their efforts. We’ll select some examples to be in the book and others on the website. If you know of a world changer or great organization, we’d love to help spread the word. Send an email to greg@backstageleadership.org with contact information.
Two, I’m looking for your creative input for the book cover. Here’s what the cover needs: Title: Passion is Not Enough. Subtitle: 4 Elements to Change the World. Author: Greg Darley.
Submit designs to greg@backstageleadership.org.
*picture used from iyecon.com under the creative commons
Keep Pushing…
That has been my sign off line for a while now, when trying to encourage fellow world changers. Keep pushing.
Do you ever find yourself having a hard time doing what you tell others to do? Yesterday was one of those days. I didn’t feel like pushing. With everything going on right now, I feel like the walls are pushing in on me. Then I remembered my line, keep pushing.
In my time of discouragement, I opened up the Word to the book of James and was reminded that trials are a part of life. It is during those uphill battles that we are able build character through the process of perseverance. When I read James 1, it basically says, if you don’t have perseverance, then you are not complete nor mature. So, if I want to be mature and complete, I need to persevere and this is why James says we should consider it joy when we face trials. Because it’s only through the trials that we are able to grow towards maturity.
Honestly, that’s not very fun to hear. But, it seems that every time I argue with Scripture, I lose. So, here’s a reminder to myself and to you out there….keep pushing.
