Creating The Future
09/30/11 09:11 AM Filed in: future
I spent the past two days at M, a two-day rendezvous of Christ-following “operatives” from around the world. In addition to hearing TED-like 15-minute presentations from Erwin McManus, Dave Gibbons, Lorenzo Della Foresta, Rex Miller, Vince Antonucci, Steve Andrews, Nick Boring, Dave Nelson, and event organizer Alex McManus, it provided interactive experiences, conversational decompression chambers, and a glimpse into the future.
Actually, rather than a glimpse into the future, the gathering was a passionate plea to create the future rather than merely react passively to its unfolding. The essence of leadership is guiding people to a new destination, one often untraveled by even the guide. What will tomorrow bring? I’ll let you know in 24 hours.
Hockey superstar Wayne Gretzky was once asked about his greatness, to which he responded, “A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.” I want to live with one foot in today’s world and one in tomorrow’s.
“We are on a journey. It is the story of becoming. What it means to be human is still being written. We are human becomings!” - Alex
“How do I know the Bible is true? If it isn’t, it ought to be!” - Alex
“Speak for people, not to people.” - Erwin
“You don’t have to see the future to create it.” - Erwin
“If you need money to plant a church, then you’re probably not the one to do it.” - Lorenzo
“Scarcity always births creativity and clarity, though for some it breeds confusion.” - Dave Gibbons
“Four eras: oral, print, broadcast, and digital.” - Rex
“How is it possible that I lived for twenty years in the USA and knew nothing about Jesus? - Vince
“Christianity has usually fared better as the minority.” - Erwin
“You can’t embrace values imposed upon you. The need for autonomy is enough to prevent it.” - Erwin
“Fashion is all about the narrative. You pick your clothes based upon your tribe. People like you dress like you.” - Erwin
“Even death cannot stop a great story. The story of martyrs is greater than their life.” - Erwin
“No one would raise their hands on a roller coaster drop if there wasn’t a bar. God is the bar. Be reckless.” - Dave Nelson
“More than ever we need Jesus. He will not do for us what He calls us to do for Him.” - Alex
Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Hope springs eternal. Welcome to the future.
0 Comments
A New Beginning
01/14/11 09:02 PM
After several challenging years, we are praying that 2011 would be a year of new beginnings for our family. So far, so good! This Sunday I will be installed as the pastor of Scio Community Church in Ann Arbor. We are very excited about this unexpected opportunity that God has clearly provided for us.
Off-road
08/04/10 09:08 AM Filed in: Trials
God relishes surprise. We want lives of simple, predictable ease, smooth, even trails as far as the eye can see, but God likes to go off-road. He provokes us with twists and turns. He places us in predicaments that seem to defy our endurance; and comprehension and yet don’t. By His love and grace, we persevere. The challenges that make our hearts leap and stomachs churn invariably strengthen our faith and grant measures of wisdom and joy we would not experience otherwise.
- Tony Snow (courtesy of Lewis Winkler)
Last week I joined the ranks of those unemployed during the current recession. Though grateful for a generous severance, I find myself in an unexpected place. Recent years have brought unexpected levels of pain and hardship, yet they have also deepened my faith, enhanced my friendships, and overhauled my character. The process has also allowed me to truly “mourn with those who mourn” as I empathize with those in the midst of life’s storms.
Thanks for all of the prayers and support. I’m very excited about our future!
Ernie Harwell
05/05/10 10:24 AM
There are few people that I can say I truly admire. Sure, I love the vision of Steve Jobs, the charisma (not necessarily the politics) of Barack Obama, and the determination of Michael Jordan. None, however, even approach “hero” status for me, however, because while they excel in one arena of life, I cannot say that I would ever want to be like them in a holistic sense.
Yesterday our world lost one of those special men that embodied excellence, passion, grace and faith. He was a man of character and integrity, as genuine in private as he was in the spotlight. His voice, arguably the greatest broadcasting voice of all time, served as the summer soundtrack for millions of baseball fans in Michigan and beyond. His stories, enthusiasm, and trademark phrases brought delight to Tiger fans and even those with no interest in sports.
"Let's listen to the bedlam."
"That's two for the price of one."
"He stood there like the house by the side of the road and watched that one go by."
"He was guilty of excessive window shopping."
"For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land."
"Here comes Herndon, he's got it! And the Tigers are the champions of 1984!"
"The Tigers need some instant runs."
"And a man from Saline caught that ball."
"Lonnnng gone."
"That's a called strike; Mr. Denkinger said so."
"The Tigers are kicking up their heels."
Leadership is influence. Ernie Harwell was a fantastic leader. “Baseball announcer” is not the title or position one normally thinks of when the world “leader” is used, yet his life influenced so many. If there was ever a position of “Mr. Michigan,” Ernie would probably be the unanimous winner. His personal life inspired countless people before and during his battle with cancer, confident that he would soon be safely in the arms of the Savior that gave His life for him.
I have missed Ernie Harwell since his fond farewell on the radio in 2002, and now I will miss him even more knowing that his days on this earth have come to an end. Although I never personally met him, my grandpa knew him. They attended church together for many years and grandpa even got an autographed ball from Ernie for me, something I will always treasure as a reminder of a truly remarkable man.
I look forward to the day when I will finally get to meet him.
Gungor
02/23/10 01:38 PM Filed in: Music
Ever since my friend JVo posted about his experience at an incredible Gungor concert I have been listening to their new album, Beautiful Things, incessantly. It is easily the most refreshing worship music I have heard in more than a decade. As they say, it is liturgical post-rock: worship but not what you’d expect. Although I am tempted to write a lengthy review, words cannot do justice to this powerful, beautiful, passionate, artistic album. I hope this is the future of worship music.
