It's a DOG!

Something is happening that I find very disturbing: the personification & humanization of dogs! It drives me crazy and it is rampant, even in my extended family. I heard some radio talkshow dude addressing this topic today and I thought he was absolutely right. It's just flat out nuts how people think their animals are "human." I hear stuff like "They're just like people" and "They're just like children." THEY ARE NOT! They are dogs! Dogs are cool & I have 2, but they aren't like my children. My children do not poop in the yard & smell peoples' rear ends! Where does it stop? Doggie clothes, doggie daycare and doggie treats are just some of the signs that people are simply losing it. By the way...that's our dog, LuLu in the picture. Notice how my children & their friends have dressed her up. I guess they think she's just like them too! Oh no...

RIL Group

I've been blessed, challenged and inspired by a group I've been participating in recently. I'm a part of a "Revolution in Leadership" group that meets in my area. Our purpose is based upon the Reggie McNeal book, "Revolution in Leadership: Training Apostles For Tomorrow's Church." Sure, the "apostle" word made me a wee bit uncomfortable at first, but he doesn't mean in it the TV preacher sense or in the "David Willis, Founder, Pastor, Bishop, Apostle & General Overseer" sense. It's a small book but it's packed with good stuff. I started studying it and discussing it with some peers many months ago. Recently we rolled out RIL Groups in various areas around the state. Tomorrow we will be discussing "vision." It should be interesting since so many people have different takes on the subject and it can get convoluted at times. You know....vision...mission...purpose...values...strategy...blah, blah, blah! I think I might have a handle on it and it is really driving me forward in my ministry. I'm about as fired up these days as I have been in a long time.

Let's do this...

The meeting with the elders, deacons & staff went well. It's a go! We are going simple. We are going small. We are going in the right direction. The new direction was embraced by all and now it's all about communication and execution. We are reiterating that this is not some new program. Rather, it is a new structure, a new strategy, a new philosophy and a real paradigm change. Of course, I know Sanballat & Tobiah are sure to show up but we will be ready for them. Thanks for the prayers.

Tonight's the night...

Tonight's the night that I meet with our leadership team and propose some sweeping and significant changes in how we "do church" around here. Here is a brief synopsis:

• SIMPLE. We have to streamline, clarify & focus. Let's do few things well rather than many things poorly. We have to stop running people in a hundred different directions and overworking the few. Complexity is out - simplicity is in!
• INTENTIONAL. We must implement a process that will intentionally move people to the goal of Christ-likeness. Elders will shepherd people along this path. No more just hoping it happens accidentally! No more people going from spiritual diapers to spiritual depends! (This will also include developing a small group network to replace our anemic Wednesday night program,)
• BUZZ. We have to break out of the predictable rut in our assemblies. Let's shake it up and create anticpation and participation instead of autopilot boredom!

Well, that's it in a nutshell. I've prayed, I've prepared and I hope this flies with God's blessing and favor. Your prayers are sincerely appreciated. Thanks!

I'm a LOSER!!!

Yeah. I tanked again! I'm up 3 - 0 and lose 7 - 6! I am the ultimate choker. I think I'm going challenge Dave to basketball. He's probably Rick Barry's cousin or something and he'd probably end up whipping me in round ball too!

Another Tennis Match

Tomorrow Dave H. & I will meet again on the tennis courts at Centre Court Raquet Club. You'd think I might actually win one of these times. I get closer each time. Maybe tomorrow is my day...then again maybe not!

Nehemiah was the man!

I've been studying Nehemiah lately in preparation for a message I'm preaching this coming Lord's day. I'm in a series called "HEROES - OT" and Nehemiah is my last hero. I ran into this passage this morning:

In those days also I saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and they could not speak the language of Judah, but the language of each people. And I confronted them and cursed them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair. And I made them take oath in the name of God, saying, "You shall not give your daughters to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves. Did not Solomon king of Israel sin on account of such women? Among the many nations there was no king like him, and he was beloved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless, foreign women made even him to sin. Shall we then listen to you and do all this great evil and act treacherously against our God by marrying foreign women?" Nehemiah 13:23-27 (ESV)

Wow! Maybe the next time some Christian guy asks me to perform the marriage ceremony for him and his pagan fiancee I should inact this practice!

Weight Down

Right after Thanksgiving I was pushing 250lbs. I like to eat. I knew I had to do better, but honestly I wasn't making much improvement. Then the acid reflux hit and gave me the kick in the rear that I needed. My diet changed dramatically. Out went chocolate, sweets, sodas and greasy food at least as a regular meal. Well, I weighed in at the YMCA today and I 221lbs.! I started a lose ten pounds in ten weeks challenge at the "Y" six weeks ago. So far I've lost just a tad under 12 lbs.! I'm feeling better, moving better, etc. Yeah I lost another tennis outing yesterday to Dave Hileman, but we are schdeuled again for next Tuesday and I'm feeling it!

In the ZONE

The say ahtletes get into the zone - that place where they are "on fire" and things just seem to go their way. I think I'm in the zone right now. It's crazy... Im eating better, resting better & feeling better. I really think I'm preaching better and being a better man at home too. Also, things seem to be moving forward at church. This is huge. We've been through tough times in the last several monthes but I sense our time is now and we must throw off the junk that has been hindering us. We can't keep doing the same old stuff expecting different results and we won't! We will be making some significant changes in the weeks ahead. Their will be naysayers but the future is too bright and our mission is the importantr to be held back any longer. I appreciate the prayers. Thanks.

BTW, I'm preaching on Nehemiah Sunday after next! I'm going to be fired up!

The AP

I picked up the following from the Scripturist (a blog I occassionally visit). It's about Tony Dungy's comments after his Colts won the Super Bowl.

Dungy as quoted in the AP writeup: "We took the hit early with Devin Hester. We talked about it; it's going to be a storm. Sometimes you have to work for it. Our guys played so hard and I can't tell you how proud I am of our group, our organization and our city."

Dungy's actual remarks: "We took the hit early with Devin Hester, but we talked about it, we said it's going to be a storm. We said the Lord doesn't always bring you directly through. Sometimes you gotta work for it. And, um, our guys just hung tough and played so hard and I can't tell you how proud I am of our group, our organization and our city right now."


Slightly different, huh?

Valentines Banquet

Just got home from the annual Valentines Banquet hosted by the Teen Ministry at Olivet. It was outstanding! The food was tremendous and the teens and sponsors did a first class job with the whole thing. It was really a good time. And best of all - Mrs. Whatch Talkin Bout Willis? was simply stunning! We've been married almost eleven years and she still totally captivates me. How she ended up with me I'll never know...but I'm very happy about it!

Gym Rant Addendum

OOPS! I almost forgot but remembered this last night at the YMCA. What's the deal with the clipboards? Have you ever seen anyone working out while toting a clipboard who was even remotely fit? Clipboards are appropriate at Jiffy Lube or Little League tryouts or maybe at a construction site, BUT NOT IN THE WEIGHT ROOM. Is it really that hard to keep up these "instense workout programs?"

I'm no Grossman fan but please...

If you've heard or seen any coverage of the recent Super Bowl you know Rex Grossman has been villified once again. His is supposedly the worst performance by any QB in Super Bowl history! Sure he wasn't great and he did give up a costly fumble but the worst ever? I found some interesting info I'd like to share. Consider the performance of some other Super Bowl QB's:

• Super Bowl 24: John Elway was 10 of 26 for 108 yards, 0 TDs and 2 INTs. Elway is practically deified these days.
• Super Bowl 27: The Bills duo of Reich and Kelly were 22 of 38 for 276 yards, 1 TD, 4 INT. Hmmm...
• Super Bowl 34: McNair threw for just over 200 yards, but had no TDs and no INTs. This is from "Air" McNair!
• Super Bowl 35: Kerry Collins went 15 of 39 for 112 yards, 0 TDs, and 4 INT. That is worse than Grossman.
• Super Bowl 39: McNabb threw for almost 400 yards and 3 TD, but he also threw 3 INT. I know Rush got in trouble but 3 picks from Donovan?
• Grossman was 20/28 for 165 yards, 1 TD 2 INT in the rain!

Or how about the other QB's who face these same Colts in the playoffs...

• Trent Green -- 14-24 107yds 1TD 1INT 2 fumbles 1 lost
• Steve NcNair -- 18-29 173yds 0TD 2INT 1 fumble 1 lost
• Tom Brady -- 21-34 232yds 1TD 1INT 1 fumble 0 lost
• Grossman -- 20-28 165yds 1TD 2INT 2 fumbles 1 lost in the rain!

They are out to get Rex. He must be a member of the NRA or something!

Yeah, Another Gym Vent...

I like blogging because it's a great place for an occasional vent session. Here is another cathartic moment from me about the gym.

• What's up with the lady on her cell phone "working out" on the leg press? Hey, Lady... Hang up and get up! By the way - multiple sets with 20lbs. will NOT help you!
• What's the deal with guys in work boots? You can afford a membership but not decent pair of shoes for the gym? Probably all that money you are spending on Skoal!
• Okay, does anyone really believe "water aerobics" are effective? Has anyone ever seen even a relatively fit person in one of these classes. I think "working out" with styrofoam dumbells in a pool actually produces weight gain. At least that's the way it looks from my vantage point in the whirlpool.
• I know I'm supose to respect my elders but why do people in their twighlight years just sit on machines at the gym? Shouldn't they be at Hardee's instead?
• Last but not least: Will the guy who wears the same repulsive smelling t-shirt every day PLEASE WASH IT! People are walking by holding their breath and grimacing at the smell. C'mon already!

Thanks. I feel much better now.