I’m not committing to anything yet…

…But I’ve taken some steps to seriously explore running in the Chicago Marathon this year. 

My Philosophy…Think Big.  Start Small. 

The regimen I’d need to embrace starts with 3 mile runs in February which means I need to do a little work before that!  Had some conversations today about importance of good running shoes, a couple spring races (5K in April, half-marathon in May), etc.

One of three things would stand in my way:

-Bum knee…been having trouble with one since summer softball

-Lack of discipline.  Jenny told me today she felt like it is hard to be disciplined in multiple areas at once and I think she is right.  I’ve become very disciplined with work and family stuff…not sure if I’ll sustain a 3rd major area

-Seeing no benefit.  I’m not one to do things I hate repreatedly, but people keep telling me this running is actually a good experience.  If it clears my mind, gives me time to think, helps me feel healthier/more energetic, I’m in.  If it’s just a painful experience, I’m out.

That positive experience might be the chance to do this with friends…a few of us from our community group are looking at doing this together!  Jeff Sanford even threw down a little challenge about this commenting on my last blog post about “Shocking the System”.

Shock the System…

One of the things I counsel people about when it comes to trying to bring about change in anything (business, relationships, personal habits) is that you have the best chance of succeeding if you can SHOCK the system.  Essentially, the theory is that small incremental changes don’t produce enough “payback” to keep you motivated. 

What we need is a first large/drastic step to capture enough attention/stir the pot/produce a significantly different feeling so as to move forward with change. (Concept not original with me, but has it’s roots in the best article on change I have ever read (Click here for “Change or Die” from Fast Company Magazine).

As I’m reflecting on the last month and looking ahead to the new year, this is what is front and center for me.  I rolled into my in-laws house right at 2:00am Christmas morning.  I had just completed one of the most intense 30 day runs I have ever had in terms of the amount of things that had to get done, the make/break nature of some of those things, the excellence level and leadership that was demanded, etc.  It was largely work-related, but not exclusively.

There is a lot to reflect on about that in and of itself, but here is what hits me here on the night of the 29th.  I’ve thought about ministry stuff precious-little over the last 4 days.  Except for a health emergency hitting a staff member’s family and staying in touch by text message, I’ve spent most every waking moment intentionally NOT doing anything I did for that previous 30 days.  Not sure I can say it felt “great”; (that seems to insinuate the ministry run didn’t feel great, which it definitely did at times).  But it did feel markedly different.  And that is what I needed.

I’m feeling the tug back now.  Just went through all my email and will drive back to Indiana by the time most of you read this.

If you are considering change this year…can I encourage you to start with something that is drastically different from what you are doing now?  Such drastic chance may not be sustainable, but it does have the power to RESET something in you to build from.

Prediction: Texans 31 Bears 20

The game is about to start, so this is short.  I was off today and actually will be in front of the TV at noon (2 minutes) to watch the game.

The Bears got lucky last week.  This week, the improving Texans won’t let it slip away like the pathetic packers did.

Texans 31  Bears 20

Merry Christmas!

My prayer is that this season and the coming year will be marked by the presence of Christ in your life…his light in your darkness.

The Christmas Spirit…

There was an article in the paper today about Lynn and Daryl Schweitzer…the suncrest family that lost their house in a fire on Friday.  As you can read at the link below, our church family and the community has responded to this family.

Our church does this all year long, but there is something uniquely powerful about it in this season.  You can also read the article for info on how you can help!

Click here for the article

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

I love our Christmas Eve Services.  It’s always a combo of a traditional feel (carols and candles) with something family-friendly (this year, an interactive reading with the kids in the audience, and a cool video to start) and some elements to not let it get stale.

This year, I thought the band nailed it with their versions of Joy to the World and Hark the Herald Angels Sing to kick it off.  Also had some worship tunes that aren’t Christmas-centric.  Those help us remember this isn’t just a ‘carol-sing”, but a night of worship.

We had a big crowd tonight in some very challenging weather conditions.  I expect equally large ones for the 3 services tomorrow.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.                   -Luke 2:11

Bears Follow-up

I was twittering back and forth with a friend who was at the Bears game last night.  Bitter cold…and Incredible.

Once again, I’m happy my prediction was wrong.  I know everyone is hoping I’ll pick them to lose again on Sunday against Houston as they tend to do opposite of my pick!

And the best part was this:

When Alex Brown blocked that field goal with 25 seconds left, it not only gave the Bears a chance for victory, but it gave me the 2 measly points I needed to win one of my fantasy football leagues.  Gotta love it.

Prediction: Packers 14 Bears 7

If you ask me, this is the perfect formula for a Bears Loss.  I hope I’m wrong, but I call ‘em as I see ‘em.  (and, notably, I usually call them wrong!)

The Bears have every reason to play well tonight…home in the cold, play-off hopes alive, Monday night football.  And that’s exactly why they won’t.  They struggle to win the games they should.

On top of that, if they win tonight it will be the first time since the Super-Bowl run that they would have won 3 games in a row.  It just doesn’t happen.

I’ll be glued to the set (s much as I can with a million things to do, a 5 year old and a 2 year old who need baths and getting to bed).  I’m watching because I need the Bears Defense to score 8 points in one of my fantasy leagues for the championship.

Crazy Sunday

I know it seems like every Sunday is crazy, but yesterday was as wild as they come:

-Bitter Cold – sub-zero temperatures.  Wind Chills in at -30.  Once I finally got home, it was a good day to build this fire!

-Jared taught on gift-giving and I thought he had some really excellent thoughts…and some great one-liners.  Good Stuff.

-Heat went out during second service in the worship area! 

-Power went out before 3rd service and during third service.  It didn’t stay out long, but it does take a while to power everything back up…lights, sound system, screens, etc.  Jared handled it flawlessly.

-Since I wasn’t teaching, I got to visit children’s areas.  I tend to think we have the best volunteers on planet earth.  It was awesome to be able to poke my head in and say “thank you.”

-I also got into Student Life Worship to hear Nathan teach (our intern).  He did a really nice job!  When I took the picture above from SLW, my phone made the sound of a camera…and all of a sudden I was a huge distraction.  ugh!

-Best part…4 baptisms.  One was a guys’ second visit.  Three were from another family…mom, daughter, son…who have had a rough ride in life.  I did a funeral a few years ago for a teenage boy, their son/brother.  The daughter doesn’t live in NWI, but does listen to our podcast every week and is growing in her faith.  There is always a story, isn’t there?

Pathfinder Christmas Party

We went to Indy Friday for the Christmas Party for Jenny’s company.  She teaches pre liscence Insurance classes here in NW Indiana for Pathfinder Corporation, which is the largest Insurance School in the state.  She’s been with them since January, so it was her first Christmas Party and a chance to meet many staff she only interacts with by phone/email.

A few fun observations:

-We ate at Bravo Cucina Italiana…really great food/ambiance…hear it’s one of the best places in Indy.

-Talked to 2 employees who attend East 91st Street Christian Church – our Mother Church!

-A lot of the instructors  are part time or hold other roles.  One is a stand-up comic, who writes a lot of humor also.  One is a  pastor.  I sat close to a former criminal court judge and an attorney…some wild stories!

-They asked me and the pastor who works for them to both say the dinner prayer.  I still laugh at how I’m regarded as the “professional prayer” in most settings.

-I was thinking today about how huge this business is and yet it has fewer staff than Suncrest.  A couple of things hit me…

• One was how much work they contract out.  I wonder if churches will ever do that (Can you imagine just contracting out our children’s ministry or worship ministry?  Nope. 
• Second, was how much LEADERSHIP we demand of our staff vs. a company like this.  Everyone who works for Pathfinder is very highly skilled in their expertise and they do collaborate about best practices/decisions/etc., but as near as I could tell there was only 1 leader…the owner.  None of the them need to accomplish major goals (let alone changed lives) by setting goals, creating plans, recruiting volunteer leaders, motivating those leaders to recruit volunteers and an emerging leader, providing training, executing the plan while caring about both the people involved and the RESULTS of the initiative.

It really was a great experience.  I appreciate the staff Jenny works with…and appreciate my staff all the more!