Angry Blogs, No-Shows, Past Successes, Early Adopters, Praying And Dancing
January 29, 2013 
6 Comments
Here is a little known secret. I write my best blogs when I am angry. No one knows this because I do not package them as rants. But my most “inspiring” blog posts come from my complete frustration with the way things sometimes are rather than what they could and should be.
When I was connecting from Houston to Dallas last week I heard the lady at the check-in counter say over the loud-speaker, “I’m sorry the flight to Albuquerque is delayed. The flight attendants haven’t showed up.” I found that level of transparency refreshing and horrifying at the same time.
In last Thursday’s edition of the USA Today, a two-page report on Tiger Woods’s 2008 win at Torey Pines was featured. As a leader, you know you are in trouble when the story is about what you did in the past, five years ago in Tiger’s case, rather than what you are going to do in the future. No leader wants his best days to be in the rearview mirror. I am glad Tiger won this past weekend. I hope he wins a couple of majors this year because golf is more interesting when Tiger is playing well. You can read the complete article by clicking here.
Carey Nieuwhof has given me permission to be an Early Adopter. I always felt I was too reckless, too out-front, and too bold in certain leadership environments. There are things I definitely need to improve on but processing information quickly, being passionate, sometimes too loud, and having to impatiently drag the Silent Majority along is O.K. I am an Early Adopter. Some of you are as well.
If you pray before a meal at a restaurant you give up your right to complain about the service and I feel you should tip at least 18-20%. If you ask, “Well what if I get bad service?” My response would be that after you say grace you should then show it. What if God gave each of us what we deserve?
A few weeks ago my family attended Passion City Church on the Sunday evening just after the Passion Conference. We always sit next to about a dozen people who have recently been released from rehab and whose lives have been radically changed by the love of Jesus Christ. You can read their unique story at I Was Wrong About Saving Seats At Church.
Chris Tomlin closed the service with the song God’s Great Dance Floor. My wife was standing next to a young girl dressed totally in black, was heavily tattooed, had over-sized ear rings, and was worshipping with EVERY ounce of her body. Zumba class students had nothing on this girl. She was jumping, kicking, punching air, spinning, arms flailing, and it was absolutely wonderful. There was only one problem – my wife was worshipping in a defensive posture trying not to be accidentally assaulted in the name of Jesus! As I watched this scene play out from 3-feet away, I remember thinking that, first, I hope my wife does not get hurt. And secondly, the average church sure could use a lot more freshly redeemed addicts who are now addicted to Jesus.
Those are some things I have been thinking about the last week. Tell me what has been on your mind.
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Brian, I have a hard time imagining you being angry…
Matt, that makes me laugh. Thank you for that. We do try to surpress that emotion don’t we?
When I REALLY get into the praise and worship portion of the service, it almost seems like I’m dancing on two left feet…lol!
Micky, you are not alone my friend. I don’t know if it’s possible but have THREE left feet but if it is, I know I do.
Brian,
Recently my heart as been breaking (cover up for I’m very frustrated and angry) over the lack of discipleship and training of young leaders in our churches. I have sat in meetings with young leaders and the question is posed…”How many of you have a one on one mentor?” No hands raised. Why are we so careless with God’s greatest command to make disciples. Our schedules, events, games, or lives have gotten in the way of raising, training, and sending quality, prepared, engaged, and enthusiastic leaders into this desperate, passionate generation…Just some things on my mind.
Chris, thanks for sharing. You are more than right. We do have a drought Christian mentors for young leaders. Thanks for being part of the solution.