Big Is The New Small

As I was thinking about the Big Super Bowl Game this weekend between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants; I began to base my prediction of who’s going to win on a Life and Leadership principle that I try to live by.  That principle is to always remain what I call “3C” Cool, Calm & Collected.  

I would like to see the Giants upset the Patriots; however I have to go with the Patriots for the victory.  That decision is not because the Patriots are 18-0 and potentially the Best NFL team in history, but rather because Mr. “3C” himself Tom Brady is the Quarterback.  This guy is so smooth and so “3C” that it affects his teammates and their confidence on every down.

Here are a few names of highly successful sports figures whom all were extremely “3C,” especially in pressure situations:

• Michael Jordan (Undeniably the best basketball player ever)
• Tony Dungy (Super Bowl Champion Colts Coach, new book the Quiet Strength)
• Phil Jackson (One of the best NBA coaches ever; a.k.a. Zen Master)  

Some of the best leaders that I have ever been around have the ability in pressure situations to remain “3C.”  If our country is in a high pressure situation, I want a President who can remain “3C.”  I prefer to work for individuals who can remain “3C.”  Think of those arguments at home, those pressure situations, those leadership challenges, those tough decisions…. and how different they would be if we just remained “3C.”  I posted a similar blog entry last year entitled “You Don’t Have to Yell and Act Stupid.”   

I personally feel that you have nothing to loose and everything to gain when you remain “3C.”  So on fourth down and long I am going w/ Mr. “3C” and the Patriots.  

Do you think that it’s important to remain “3C?”  Have you worked for or around individuals who did or didn’t have the gift of “3C?”  Share your thoughts, discuss, game predictions…. chime-in! 

10 Blogging Do’s and Don’ts 

THE DO’S

• Do take a stand on issues

• Do share some Linklove (Link to those who link you)

• Do respond to those who comment on your posts

• Do open-up your comments if you use blogger for non-blogger users

• Do check out Boyd Bettis’ blog today: (He interviewed me, sorry it’s so long he asked the questions, I just answered. :-) Show him some BigIsTheNewSmall love and comment on his blog.)

THE DON’TS

• Don’t write a dissertation (Keep it Pithy)

• Don’t argue with negative commenter’s (Keep it tactful)

• Don’t share another bloggers post without giving them credit

• Don’t be like every other blogger, be original

• Don’t skip days without posting (unless it’s the weekend)

• Bonus: Don’t forget to add BigIsTheNewSmall to your blogroll (Self-Promoter)

Thoughts, discuss!  What are some of your blogging Do’s and Don’ts?

As I am raising my children to be leaders and have had the opportunity to have leadership responsibility for well over a thousand people in my lifetime; I have always pondered this difficultly-simple question.  That question is “Are Leaders Born or Made?”   

I know that God has uniquely wired each of us with specific DNA; however I find myself instilling things into my sons that will prepare them to be the next generation of leaders and world changers.  At the same time I find myself reflecting on my life and those God moments that sculpted me into who that I am today. 

There is a lot of empirical research that supports several answers to this question; those answers conclude that leaders are: Born, Made and Both.  I don’t know if it’s that obvious. 

I read a quote in an article that said: “Some people are born to move and shake the world.  Their blessings include: high energy, exceptional intelligence, self confidence and a yearning to influence others.” 

What do you think; are leaders born or made?  Discuss!

I thought that I would share a post today that was inspired by my four year old son Jayden and many parents around the country.  Here is a glimpse of a conversation that we had while shopping in Target this weekend:   

• Jayden: Dad, why do they have that kid on a leash?
• Me: Jayden, use your inside voice son.
• Jayden: I though leashes were for Dogs!
• Me: Uhhh, (Trying to make a u-turn on the isle)
• Wesley: Jayden, it’s so that their kid can be trapped and not run off.
• Me: Laughing very hard, with my inside voice.  (LNOL, Laughing not out loud) 

If you look at this picture you will see the child-leash harness looking thing.  You know exactly what I’m talking about; you have seen those moms and some dad’s in public walking around the mall, amusement parks, grocery stores, Target, the park…. with their child on a leash.    Give me a break, is it just me or is that ridiculous and irritating?  Those children always have that look on their face, as if to say “Unleash Me.” 

For the Love…. if you are one of those parents who put your child on a leash; please stop the madness and just put them in a stroller; may I simply say “Bless Your Heart!”

Does this irritate you?  Agree, disagree…. discuss and share your thoughts! 

Are there areas of your life in which you are screaming “Unleash Me?”

Friday Drive-by (15) Random Bullets

Politics: 

Hillary and Bill have been taking some serious pot-shots and they appear to be taking the gloves off.  BTW- The term “taking the gloves off” is goofy.  The race card is coming out and some divisiveness is beginning to occur between the proclaimed First Black President and the potential First Black President.  This thing is getting interesting and will get ugly…. Read more here.

LifeChurch.tv “N-dub”

Last week I told you that “Something is in the Air” and this past weekend we had record attendance with 2,511 people, 61 baptisms and 33 people giving their lives to Christ… did I mention that we are only 9 months old.  God is Good…

Link Me and I’ll Link you Back:  If you have linked to BigIsTheNewSmall, let me know and I will add you to my blogroll.

Comment of the Week: on post, I have a Dream: ”Dr. King may be dead, but the author of his dream isn’t.” Jimmy Paravane

What New Books I’m Reading: Human Sigma, Quiet Strength, Lead Like Jesus & Communicating for a Change

Tough Questions:

1. Obama said tongue and cheek that Oprah would be his Vice-President…. What are your thoughts on Oprah as the V.P., discuss?
2. Can Mitt Romney as a Mormon be the President of the United States?
3. As a former President, is Bill Clinton over stepping his boundaries in Hillary’s Campaign?

Have a great weekend & thanks for reading!  BigIsTheNewSmall

Do you have the gift of no?  I am not talking about the ability to say “No” when it’s absolutely necessary; I’m talking about the gift that has you saying “No” simply for your own convenience.  You know what I’m talking about, when your kids ask you if they can do something and you just say No!  Most of the time there is not a rational reason for you saying No, except for the fact that it is convenient and easy.   

It sounds like this in my world with my 8 and 4 year old sons: “Dad can I get a Popsicle?” “No”  “Dad can I stay the night with Johnny?” “No”  “Dad can I help with that?” “No, your not big enough” Dad will you come see this “No, in a minute”………… and the list goes on and on.     

Research shows that 77% of everything we think is negative and counterproductive.  Children that grow up in an “average household” hear “No” and are told what they can’t do more than 148,000 times by the time they are 18; and the result is unintentional negative programming. (Ouch)  It sounds like we need some Joel Osteen in our lives.  

I recently talked with a buddy of mine about this subject and he acknowledged that his wife has similar struggles with saying no to their two daughters.  Hmmmm….. Maybe it’s some sort of “Just Deal With It” mentality for our children that are the same sex.  I have personally been convicted and I am learning to give away, The Gift of No!  I am turning into a Yes Man, and my kids and wife love it.   

Do you have the gift of “No?” Share your thoughts, stories, discuss!

Fill in the blank to the sentence below, if the businesses are mom-and-pop places, or hidden jewels; feel free to share where they are located.  I would love to hear from all of you; those silent readers, those who read through RSS….

_________________ always provides excellent customer service; however ________________ consistently provides horrendous customer service!

First of all I can’t reiterate enough; the importance of blog titles.  Now that you are with me, I want to clarify that my wife works…. and I don’t agree with the title in it’s literal form; however women should be in the kitchen at least sometimes. (smile)  The title is simply a figure of speech to guide us through two relevant questions.  Everyone has an opinion on these questions so jump right in and share your thoughts.

Do you feel comfortable with a woman as the U.S. President?  Why, why not, discuss!

Should women be Senior Pastors or Lead Youth Pastors?  Why, why not, discuss!

Today I wanted to share some excerpts from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s, “I have a Dream” Speech:  Allow the words to penetrate your heart.  See it in it’s entireity here! 

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” 

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today! I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of “interposition” and “nullification” — one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today! I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; “and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.“

Don’t let today simply be a day off of work, but rather a day of reflection.  It’s hard to believe this speech was just 43 years ago.  I thank God for Dr. King; it’s scary to think how different the world would be without his leadership, as a matter of fact you probably wouldn’t even be reading my blog….  We have come a long way and have a long way to go.  Still Dreamin’

Share your thoughts, discuss…..

Friday Drive-by (14)  Random Bullets

LifeChurch.tv Northwest Oklahoma City Campus: “N-dub”

“Something is in the Air,” you can feel it and I’m not talking about the new MacBook Air; I’m talking about our campus, “God’s about to do some big things!”  Last week was absolutely amazing at our campus (We have been open 9 months) let’s check out what God is doing.  Last weekend updates:

• We almost had record attendance, with 2,228 people. (Awesome)

• Over 100 people signed up to serve in our ministry areas (Off the hook)

• We have over 75 people getting baptized this weekend (Incredible)

• There were tons of new families and the energy has high (Sweet) 

• We had 27 people raise their hands and give their lives to Christ (Priceless)

What I’m Diggin’ right now:

• Spending some time w/ Craig, it’s always great development (It’s awesome)

• Being stretched, living in the moment & finding God moments in everything

• Leading, Appreciating and Following

• The new season of American Idol (I’m a junkie) You have to check out the next William Hung w/ the new smash hit: “I am your brother……”  LOL

Comment of the Week: on Post (Need a Quickie):  “Wonderfully and succinctly said. A good leader wants his/her followers to be greater than they are.  It was Jesus Himself who told His disciples they would have greater power than He and would do greater things.  Now that’s true leadership.” by Hope, check out her blog: “Unveiling Hope” 

Link Me and I’ll Link You Back:  If you have linked or added BigIsTheNewSmall to your blogroll let me know and I’ll link you back. 

Questions:  Do you watch American Idol, if so what was your favorite part of the first two episodes?  If you don’t watch American Idol, what’s your favorite TV program?  Share, talk, chat & discuss!

Thanks for reading…..BigIsTheNewSmall