Bill Hull speaks to leaders in Chattanooga

This past Thursday night a group of men's ministry leaders from all around Chattanooga gathered. (CACMM (Chattanooga Area Coaliton of Men's Ministry)

It was a great time to recconnect with brothers that I value greatly and appreciate their desire for men to "live up" and be passionate in their faith. I am thankful for Bernie Ritterbush of Men's Ministry Network and Doug Daugherty with the MacClellan Foundation for sponsoring this get together.

At my table was one man that I hadn't seen since an advance @ Rock Eagle about three years ago. It was good to see him and catch up.

The special treat of the night was a internet hookup with author Bill Hull. Dr. Hull has written some great books on discipleship and his latest work is Called Choose The Life. The illustration today is from the book. http://www.choosethelife.com/

I would like to share some "nuggets" he shared with us.

First, will them that call themselves Christians, call themselves Disciples?

Ask yourself, what are we creating? What kind of influence are we having?

You can become a Christian without becoming a disciple.

Discipleship is optional. Churches are more concerned with doctrinal issues today.

You can't hide a genuine faith. It permeates your whole life.

Bill talked about how busy everyone is today. AMEN. Staying in touch with all kinds of technology but knowing each other less. (Same theme as Session I of Quest for Authenic Manhood) He quoted John Wesley who traveled many miles on horseback.

"I am always busy, but never in a hurry," said Wesley.

Discipleship is life touching life. Dallas Willard says that it is good overcoming evil.

He points out that that the church and the world's cultures are getting so close that one will swallow the other.

This one comment was big. I mean this applies to all of us.

"Unless you have the basis for truth from a relationship then that relationship can't move ahead."

I see that alot not just in the church but in ALL relationships. It holds so many leaders back too.

He spoke one moment from a question from the audience about small groups and hit the major points again. 1) the problem with many small groups is that there is no accountability 2) They are not managed well 3) Is anyone in the small groups being stretched? challenged? {They should be} 4) Group leaders need to be trained to address these areas.

Men's leaders in the Chattanooga area are invited to attend the next meeting on , Thursday, May 21st at Tyner United Methodist Church. Pat Morley , with Man in the Mirror will be the special guest by internet from Florida to speak and answer questions from the group. Dinner is served. Registrations are accepted at

cacmm1@gmail.com

This article caught my eye from the NY Times Saturday issue's "On Religion," column

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/21/us/21religion.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=on%20religion&st=cse

Also, I would say that this article with Ann Mulcahy, CEO of Xerox is one of the best interviews of a leader I have read in a newspaper. Usually this kind of detail is in a book. Some of her answers are so dead on.....if you are a leader you need to read this interview all the way thru especially what she learned going into page 2 while working in Human Resources. Dead on!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/22/business/22corner.html?scp=3&sq=xerox&st=cse

Hope your brackets are holding up. Mine are still in really good shape...believe it or not. (Well, Marquette hurt today.)

God Bless.

Hank

Clinton's "ReSET" Button Fiasco

Imagine if you will, you work for Hillary Clinton on staff. Your job is to find the Russian word for "ReSET." Thats it.

You have the assignment, find the word on some website and quickly get a label maker to place the word on too since you have to find a push knob as she wants to use this as she has a VERY IMPORTANT meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister and she wants it to be the photo shot before they go in for meetings to discuss improving relations with the communists.

So you find the button and place the word. You find a nice box and place it in it.

Now, this is kinda of important because Secretary of State Clinton is representing President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden with this gift to "RESET" relations.

So here is raw video of the event......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYSmOS0A4kg

Now, that went well didn't it. No, it didn't. Wrong word...the word on the button meant "overcharge" or "overload."

So, this is something you explain after you turn in your resignation tomorrow for making the Secretary of State looks so bad,.......

Let's see how much play this gets as if it was Bush, Palin, Quayle, etc....it would be on every news cast. I watched some of the liberal shows this week and they are all talking about Rush and everything but the fact that the entire business world realizes that they do have a leader that has no idea of what business really runs ons and is scared to death.

A leader that campaigned against earmarks and is letting them pass thru under his watch.

The media is doing with Obama just like they did with Bush. They aren't reporting the news in any balanced form. Just as they kicked themselves for not asking more questions during the move into Iraq, they are sitting on the sidelines right now as this money is being spent that any ordinary Joe can tell you is not good. The Republican party is no where to be seen and should be calling press conferences but you know what....they may be scared about re-election.

Back to Clinton, this was a sad moment because I firmly believe that she took this role to step in the next election as savior herself because she knew what he was like and what he was going to do and if you follow politics you would know that she isn't as far left in her governing.

But, I feel for that staffer this weekend....what a mistake. I mean I have two friends that speak fluent Russian I could have called for them.

She also made some gaffes in speeches this week in Europe that staffers said was caused by her being so tired.......

The one thing I liked that Obama said when he campaigned and firmly believe that many voted for him on was "Change" in how politics would change when he became president. No more partisian politics... a new day... Well, from the beginning he has zinged the GOP when he didn't get his way and after campaigning across the country is really out of touch.

Many remember that Nero fiddled while Rome burned so it could be rebuilt in his image.

Rahm Emanuel and his cronies aren't that smart to do mighty things while there is a crisis like this. There is only so much that people will take from inept leadership.

The USA business leadership is not all based @ Wall Street and they are very concerned about the future of their businesses with such a socialist slant.

Here is the prediction: Democrats will lose seats in two years to candidates that vow to take back power from the out of touch leaders in Washington. Many years ago God had to persecute the Christians to get them out of Jerusaleum. Well, as comfortable as Americans had become this has taken a little long for them to rally around what they know America was based on....

No pundit, Olberman, Maddow, Hannity, Funnyman John Stewart don't actually do real work.

There are alot of Americans that do and they will soon start to figure out how to retake what is rightfully theirs. It is going to be interesting to watch as this is a great nation under God and if we lose that focus we will be turning our back on Jehovah and that is a losing proposition.

All should watch the mini-series "John Adams" and remember thru that visual what was done to give us the freedom to live here today.

Pray for all our leaders that they will be given wisdom to not want selfish ambition, but will want what is best for America.

Rick and Bubba start on XM Radio

Well, discovered today that Rick and Bubba's morning show is coming to XM Radio on March 9th. America's Talk channel 158 and they will be on tape delay starting @ 10am EST and air all three hours. Congratulations to them and for me it is super since I can listen at the office, always grab the last taped hour on WURV The River 103.7 here in Chattanooga and miss the rest....Neat for the guys too.

Bucky Beaver goes satellite! I hoep the Lord will use both of these men's lives of faith in Jesus Christ over satellite radio as it has over the last 15 years.

Having gone to one class with Rick in college @ Jax State, he is not the same man I knew back then and thankfully neither am I! Praise the Lord!

Sad to see the passing of two radio legends. First Paul Harvey passed away this weekend and so did Johnny "Red" Kerr. Kerr was the voice of the Chicago Bulls during the pinnacle seasons when Jordan was there and when I was traveling in and out of Chicago.

Both men loved what they did and communicated across the medium well.

The Rest of the Story for Paul Harvey really started growing in his last few years but I always loved growing up and hearing him say, " Page 2" as he moved to the next item and of course........."Good........................day."

Good day to you Paul. What a wonderful memory you leave us as well.

Something Strange:

Randy Moller is the announcer for the Florida Panthers NHL Hockey Network. Dan Lebatard Radio's show put together this clip of his goal calls.

WHY? Well, he quotes current sayings from our culture such as from tv shows, music lyrics etc..when people score...pretty doggone funny...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3b_7S-sGBo

Sam Donaldson retires....will really miss him...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/15/AR2009021501862_pf.html

Happy Valentine's Day 2009!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iKIllCs5LE

Enjoy this.....and the weekend.

Turning 100

What a week, this one was, it was something else, it was rewarding, frustrating, intense and profitable. I look back at prayer and events that happened and see Christ thru all of it. Even starting a bible study group with some men at work that I am praying how God will use this. Let me encourage you that in this tough times that the same Lord Jesus Christ sits on the throne and He is waiting to hear from you and to be with you every step of the way if you will ask Him. Always wanting to lead us thru the good times and the troubling times and speaking of a life well lived,

When I get up on Sunday mornings I click on WMBW 88.9 and listen to Billy Graham's message. This weekend @ the Cove in a private ceremony George Beverly Shea turns 100. What a life lived! What an amazing story and man living for Christ. I have a link below for more info about this special birthday celebration

http://www.billygraham.org/News_Article.asp?ArticleID=459

The Top 200 jobs today and info about them:


http://www.careercast.com/jobs/content/JobsRated_Top200Jobs



Marriages suffer during this downturn, as I have heard lawyers say divorces are down but couples are waiting holding onto what they have......here is good article from Family Culture Watch:


http://www.familylifeculturewatch.com/



Some of the best sports news of the week was that Don Sutton was able to get out of his contract with MASN (Washington Nationals baseball) and to come back to Atlanta! Story here:


http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2009/01/27/braves_sutton.html





BRIDGEBUILDER GIFT: here is a link to print 2009's Braves schedule:


http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/atl/schedule/printable_schedule.jsp



First Gottfried @ Alabama left, then Felton was let go @ UGA and of course you start worrying about Paul Hewitt @ Tech especially after three OT losses. Bradley of the AJC says he is safe:


http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/bradley/entries/2009/01/30/like_it_or_not_hewitt_is_safe.html




Say it ain't so Furman, Bisher says Braves may need more than 31 pitchers, did you hear this week that ALL the Tampa Bay Rays spring games are sold out in Port Charlotte? Wow.....here is Bisher's column


http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/bisher/entries/2009/01/30/31_pitchers_may_not_be_enough.html




Obama names Josh Dubois to faith based post:


http://www.abpnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3805&Itemid=53



Josh Dubois article during campaign:


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121883753433545501.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

While Jacksonville State returns to open @ Georgia Tech this fall, it was announced this week that we will open @ Florida in 2012....for more on Jax State sports see the Go Jax State forum on the right on links
http://www.jsugamecocksports.com/news/2009/1/26/FB_0126093224.aspx

Great article on Kurt Warner's future and his relationship with Christ:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/cards/2009-01-29-warner-future_N.htm

May God Bless you and your family this week. May you seek and pursue Him a new way each day.......

It Was The Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times

I thought of this from A Tale of Two Cities this week. These are challenging times. Man's greed is consuming more and more people from poor leadership and unethical business practices and desire for things to keep up with the Jones.....while it is very tough it is still a wonderful time to be alive and it is a matter of perspective. Take time today to encourage someone you know has lost a job. I have been there and it is so appreciated and the right thing to do.
Most jobs aren't in the paper, but through networking.
This past week in a leadership class I teach went listed the challenges we face today in the world. After the list was made of job losses, lower wages, doing more with less-I pulled out my list from five years ago and read it to the class and the list was almost the same. The point was to let them know that there have always been times like these, yes this downturn is deeper and there will be another in 10 years. What will be interesting is by that time all the baby boomers will be totally out of the economy and we will have a severe labor shortage.
Chattanooga's addition of VW is a blessing for the area and right now estimates are around 1500 jobs making cars, 26 vendors locating plants in and around the area bringing 2500-5000 jobs and then 2500-5000 jobs to help with that from schools to everything else. TVA will be needing I hear about 2500 people in about five years.....and much more. This area will have alot of growth after this downturn.
What you don't hear alot about is how do we prevent another? and keep your eye on inflation. It is ok now but we will need to watch and gauge it.
By all means limit your time watching the regular media discuss this. Especially local telepromoter readers...they have no clue to business and will depress the heck out of you.

Here is a great article this week from USA TODAY that has a business teacher pointing out some things all leaders need to remember:

http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/01/ask-the-dumb-qu.html


Now to A Tale of Two broadcasters. I am thrilled to see this week that Vin Scully, voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers was named best Sportscaster of All Time this week. He is a gift to the game and one of the great things about having XM Radio is listening to him in the summer. You feel like you have known him your whole life. I thought it was really neat that when Major League Baseball Network launched they had Don Larsen's perfect game on from 1956 and Vin Scully and Mel Allen called the game....wow....wow...."how about that?" as Mel would say. Here is the story:
http://sportsblogs.latimes.com/sports_baseball_dodgers/2009/01/vin-scully-name.html



Then to Charles Barkley who had to take a leave of action for being drunk and soliciting in Old Scottsdale, AZ. Here is the opening with Ernie and Kenny this week:



Ernie Johnson: "As you can see from the shot, we are missing a member of this panel that you normally see, and that being Charles Barkley. ... You all have heard what went on, and Charles has got some personal issues, and legal issues he's got to take care of. He's on a leave of absence from TNT at this time. And, I mean, we love Charles. He's our buddy. Everybody on this crew does. And there are times you'd like to rear back and give him a kick in the butt, which is one of those times right now. But also we support him every step of the way."





Kenny Smith: "I agree with you Ernie, I think the one thing -- I don't know if the biblical term is correct, but there is a chaotic moment, or a chaos moment, where you either you believe or you don't believe because something happened in your life. I think Charles is at one of those moments where -- how is he going to be remembered? How is he going to be remembered, as someone on the ancillary things, or the substance of who he really is? And from what we know -- a great guy, great heart. Giving, caring, understanding. But when you go through these cycles, you can be remembered for something else. And he's bigger than that, he's bigger than this, and it's the time now for him to get to this moment and grow, and move on, and be something better. And we look forward to seeing that."





Ernie Johnson: "At some point, we will have Charles back here. Until then, we just wish him the best."

Charles Barkley has been talking, partying, betting and living life full out. The problem is that he has no one to show him or hold him accountable. So he is out of control. This incident will show you if he is teachable. I personally think every man is. Charles needs to decide if this will be the incident that takes away alot of his income or will it be something even worse? He is has always been in the batters box and due for this and it is no surprise. He was a great NBA player but he doesn't know everything. None of us do.......it is a journey....Pray that Ernie and Kenny's Christian influence can help him.

Next blog on the UAW. Great article this week so come back and we will discuss.

*Live each day full out. Understand that in the Christian life challenges are normal. How do you react to them? How do you help others think thru questions? Are you encouraging others?
Until the next blog, may you seek the Lord in a fresh new way and just be silent and listen to Him and let Him know if you are upset, confused, worried and distraught. He already knows that and is just waiting for you to ask Him to help. Remember His ways or not our ways. But his love and grace is everlasting. .............

"sleeping from sorrow"

This morning as I drove to work I was listening to the gospel of Luke on my audio bible and I heard this verse, “When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow”, and the word “sorrow” struck me for the first time. In the garden of Gethsemane before Jesus was arrested, He went off alone to pray and when He returned He found the disciples sleeping. Jesus used the words “sleeping from sorrow”. That’s not something you hear every day, is it? So, why were they sleeping from sorrow? And who were they sorrowful for?

The first question is rather obvious, they were sorrowful because the Lord had just told them he was going away and that He would suffer and die a terrible death. He also told them that they would all scatter like a covey of quail when he was arrested….. which they did.

The second question is a little more difficult. Who were they sorrowful for? Was it Jesus or themselves?

I think the key lies in the word sleeping. Jesus told them they needed to be in prayer and not sleeping. In prayer not just for Him, but for their very life, because they were fixing to enter into a conflict they never bargained for. But asleep they were nonetheless. You see, for the disciples things were not turning out the way they wanted. When they signed on to this band of brothers, they thought God’s Kingdom had come and the hard part was already over. But now all of a sudden things had changed for the worse. They felt helplessly tired.

Jesus’ hour was at hand……was there never a time more important than now to be in prayer? The scriptures say they could not even watch one hour as Jesus prayed. To sleep at such a time seems to say they were sorrowful for themselves. If that sounds too hard, it’s really not. I can understand this, because I can relate to such a sleep.

I too, like the disciples, find myself sleeping from sorrow when things get really bad. When I’m really tired and all of a sudden my health or job is threatened, sleep can become like a fix to me like a fix is to a junky. At this point as I write this some of Paul’s words echo in my mind, “O wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” When we truly see ourselves for what we really are, depraved to our very core, our eyes are open to the need for a savior.

The answer will always be the same and will never change, Jesus will always be there for us. He will give us the power to live above our circumstance, and show us that there is always a way of escape for those that trust in Him…….that is the promise of God. - Gary