Big Is The New Small

I thought I would share a few pictures of some pastor/friends of mine and their Look-A-Likes.  I want to get your thoughts, comments and feedback on which one is the closest match:

#1.

Left: Brian Kruckenberg (LifeChurch.tv Mesa Campus Pastor) Right: Rob Bell (Author, Nooma, Mars Hill…)

#2.

Left: Herbert Cooper (Senior Pastor of People’s Church) Right: Denzel Washington (Oscar Award Winning Actor, Come on it’s Denzel enough said)

#3.

Left: Ketric Newell (LifeChurch.tv Associate Youth Pastor Edmond Campus) Right: Pete Wilson (Senior Pastor of Cross Point Church)

#4.

Left: Jimi Hendrix (Jimi Hendrix… black rock star)  Right: Stephen Cole (LifeChurch.tv Worship Pastor and black rock star)

#5

Left: (Left In Picture): Michael Bensch (stud n-dub volunteer/friend) Right:  Michael Guglielmucci (Austrailian Pastor who wrote amazing song “Healer” on Hillsong album and faked terminal illness)

• What are your thoughts; who’s the closest match? 
• Are there any other Pastor Look-A-Likes out there that you would like to share?

KEEPIN’ IT REAL

I want to close out with a very simple confession… I don’t share all of my business with everybody.  I am all about transparency, openness, accountability, keepin’ it real etc.; however I don’t think always it’s beneficial to tell everyone everything.  My old Bishop back in the day gave me that little nugget of wisdom.

The bottom line is that if you have something that needs to be shared, told or confessed; by all means tell somebody (the right person, the right people), just not always everybody!  I have plenty more confessions to share and I have shared them with somebody or some people… just not you!  God Is Love… Rev. Scott

Don’t be transparent for transparency’s sake… keep it real & make it beneficial!  Thoughts!

Do You Appreciate Me? is one of those questions that many people ask inside their head, but often times don’t verbally communicate.  This is true in marriages, friendships, professional working relationships, sports… the list goes on and on.  I believe this is a question that runs through the minds of volunteers as well; those who are volunteering their time to (blank) cause. 

Do You Appreciate Me?

I want to specifically speak to that question as it relates to the people volunteering in churches around the country.  Tonight we are having our once a year volunteer appreciation party at all of the LifeChurh.tv Campuses, called the “Big Show” and it will be off the hook.  Each campus will uniquely make their event happen; however the central theme for this year is HERO.  We love to appreciate our volunteers, they are our Heroes and Jesus is our incomparable Hero.  My buddy Scott Rodgers has been heading up the “Big Show” this year and has done a great job.

We clearly understand that our volunteers are serving because they believe in the mission… To Lead People To Become Fully Devoted Followers of Christ.  Volunteers are not serving to be appreciated; however they need to know that what they do matters and that they are appreciated.  Let’s talk through some things we do and can do to appreciate our volunteers: handwritten notes, saying “Thank You,” taking them to lunch, remembering events (b-days, anniv.), keeping them in the-know, making their recommendations happen, big events, a phone call, allowing them to lead, spending time, recognition, atta-boys…  There is a great book called “1001 Ways To Reward Employees” that I used when working in corrections; it has some good ideas.

I would love to hear from those of you who are on staff at a church, volunteer at a church, are thinking about volunteering at a church, have never volunteered at a church… I want to hear from everyone. 

• In your opinion what makes you or others who volunteer feel most appreciated?
• What are some unique volunteer appreciation methods or events that you have been a part of?
• Am I just blowing smoke… do people really ask the question “Do You Appreciate Me?”

For those of you who serve for the cause of Christ… Thank You!

Yesterday I decided to leave the office a little early so that my wife and I could surprise the boys by taking them to see Madagascar 2.  You know we had to get there before 6:00 to get the big $3.50 matinee movie discount.  I told the boys that we were going to a furniture store (their least favorite place) nonetheless when we got to the movies they were pleasantly surprised.

I don’t know if I am the only one out there who does the following: remembers themes within the movie and takes notes of quotes that catch there attention, applies circumstances to life, applies nuances to leadership… but that’s me.  The one quote that made it to my iPhone from Madagascar 2 was in reference to  Alex the Lion (Ben Stiller) was talking to his buddy Marty the Zebra (Chris Rock).  Marty was hanging with a big herd of Zebras and Alex was telling Marty that he was different than the other zebras and unique; here is the quote “These guys are all white with black stripes and you are black with white stripes.”  A theme that made it to my iPhone “Just because you are a King/The man over there, doesnt’ mean that you will be the King/The Man over here and vise versa.  Maximize your strengths!”  Alex was able to Transcend The Isms

Life is about perspective: cup half empty or half full, white with black stripes or black with white stripes, gray hair=good or gray hair=bad, this season sucks or necessary pruning season… perception can become reality. 

Quick Madagascar 2 Review: Wife said it was cute; the boys said it was cool, funny, tight and awesome; I said it was worth the money, a little love story, had some relative leadership/king application and it was funny.  Funny Quote from Motto-Motto “Girl you so huge!”

I Like To Move It Move It, I Like To Move It Move It, I Like To Move It Move, Ya Like To (MOVE IT!)  That song was in my head all last night, so I figured it needed to be in yours all day today!

• Do you take notes or remember themes, nuances… while watching a movie? 
• Share your thoughts on Madagascar 2!

I was thinking about coming up with one of those creative, cool, leadership, challenging posts this morning; however I slept through my normal morning 3B-Time (Bible, Books & Blogs).  So what is a person to do, go ahead and push through, come up with something, post a YouTube video, post a blog someone else wrote, post a blog that says go check out so and so’s site, post some pictures… ehhhh not so much for me my friends.  That kind of thought process can lead to a people pleasing attitude and I am the furthest thing from a people pleaser; so my post today simply begins and ends with: “Not Today…” 

If you are having one of those days in whatever area of your life, feel free to simply say “Not Today…” and remember “Not Today… doesn’t mean Not Tomorrow…” 

“Not Today…”  Transcend The Isms’

I recently had a conversation with a pastor friend of mine who happens to be a female.  She was sharing the various unique things that women have confided in her about; one that she shared made me have one of those hmmmm moments.  She stated that several women over the years and one recently have shared that They Think Their Pastor’s Sexy!  Not to be confused with the popular country music song “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy.”   Not only do they think their Pastor’s Sexy, but they struggle with their mind wandering as they are watching and listening to their pastor speak.

Pastor Craig Groeschel teaches the art of  “Bouncing Your Eyes” in other words don’t keep your eyes focused on someone for too long… keeping your eyes moving can keep you out of trouble.  This is something that is stereotypically geared towards guys… but what about the ladies?

After my conversation with my friend; I might make the assumption that there are women sitting in pews and seats of churches all around the country that may be struggling with the inability to “Bounce Their Eyes.”  As their eyes are having to fixated on their “Sexy Pastor,” who happens to be in front of them for lengthy periods of time each and every week.

The thoughts running through their head might be something like this: He’s Hot; I like that suit; Are those True Religion Jeans; He’s so Handsome, Nice Hair, He dresses so fly, I can tell he’s been working out, I wonder if… and then their mind wanders for a moment or two or three or four.  Unfortunately, this cycle can repeat itself on a weekly basis; but what is a lady to do so when She Thinks Her Pastor’s Sexy!

• Do you think this a common/legitimate problem or simply isolated cases?  Thoughts in general!
• Does this struggle for women contribute to the vulnerability and moral failures of pastors?
• Any suggestions for the ladies, Do the ladies just get a pass?

60 Second Marine Commercial that could change your perspective… Transcend The Isms’ 

Don’t Think, Don’t Blink, Don’t Quit… Go For It!  Enough said!

Is there something you need to go for?  Thoughts?

Twitter Users: Speaking of Quitting there is a new program that identifies those people who Unfollow your tweets.  Click here to find out who stopped following you.  I have received several notifications of Quitters and it showed my last tweet before they Quit. (Click Here)

60 seconds that could change your perspective… Transcend The Isms’

As I was watching this Nike “Leave Nothing“ NFL commercial, I was mesmerized by the attitude, detail, imagery, depth, vision and life application of this 60 second spot.  I wanted to see more, so I searched YouTube, then I watched the commercial again, and again and again; and I encourage you to do the same.  Even if you don’t know who Troy Palamalu and LaDainian Tomlison are, you can understand the beauty and life application of this ad.

As Christ followers, if we really believe that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength… then our only natural response every single day of our life is to Leave Nothing and teach our children to do the same.  As play-makers, leaders and plain living lifers; each and every day we are faced with situations, choices, options and decisions.  If we expect our decisions to honor God and inspire others, then we have to make the daily decision to Leave Nothing!

Watch this ad… watch it again and then share your thoughts on Leave Nothing!  Are you Leaving Nothing?

I know this might seem like a rhetorical question; however in all seriousness I want to hear your thoughts.  I have received e-mails in the past regarding this subject, I have heard various discussions on this subject, I have listened to varying opinions on this subject… so I thought that I would just roll out the question to the BigIsTheNewSmall.com readers.

Should churches have crosses visibly present in the common areas of the church e.g. sanctuary, auditorium, foyer, worship area…?   Why or why not?  Share your thoughts!

According to Webster, one of the definitions for the word Noise is as follows:

Noise-  an electric disturbance in a communications system that interferes with or prevents reception of a signal or of information, as the buzz on a telephone or snow on a television screen.

I don’t know about you but I feel like currently there is Too Much Noise around me.  I will share what I’m talking about in the form of a run-on sentence: I have a lot that I’m thinking about, a lot that I’m planning, president, there are political signs on every corner, will the bail-out bill pass, the bail-out bill did pass, will the bill affect the stock market, lipstick on a pig, 401k, he said this, country, she said that, OU-Texas, I am developing this person in this way, God is whispering this to me, is God whispering that to them, changes for the good, 25 days til’ election, serving, vision, direction, Jesus, football, soccer, prep for marriage, he’s in a coma, love, I wish they could see this, why don’t they see that, houses forclosing, family, young leaders, credit systems are tight, kids around the world are starving, transcend the isms, compassion, next level leading, books, Jesus, serving, Kaleo, inspiration, the kids, sincerely caring about people, doing so much more, growing up the next generation of leaders, the weather is changing, Jesus…. 

Hmmmm… a disturbance in a communications system that interferes with or prevents reception of a signal or of information.  Interference is not always a bad thing and neither is Too Much Noise!  I personally don’t mind the noise, as a matter of fact I embrace the season and even look forward to the daily processing as the reception clears up.  During these moments, I make sure that I find some serious quiet time of rest, prayer and seeking God.  I am finding the time!

Is there Too Much Noise around you? How do you process it? Thoughts!