Finding God's will is THE # 1 JOB for most of us at some points along the journey of life.
I think you'll find this simple presentation full of Biblically based wisdom for discovering God's will for your life.
Enjoy,
Jeff Fuson
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. As a Professional Speaker Jeff also serves as a Keynote Speaker & Trainer crafting & delivering high impact keynote addresses & training events for Entrepreneurs, Banks, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized non-profit & for profit enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
The Life Purpose Guy -- helping Entrepreneurial Christ Followers Bring Good Things to Life
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Brain Training & 'The Great Ones' like Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps won his sixth gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics today. It’s a physical feat to be sure but it may be even more of a ‘mental tour de force’. Great athletes like Phelps, Michael Jordan, and Tiger Woods seem to rise to the challenge and they savour not just beating you physically, but dominating you mentally. They ‘whip’ opponents with nerves of steel and uber-performance under the most demanding situations.
It’s got me wondering, what is it that makes Michael Phelps and other 'Great Ones' so mentally tough?
What makes it so that the more intense the pressure the more likely it is that they’ll squeeze out the sweet wine of victory?
Is it innate or can it be learned? Were they simply gifted by God not only physically, but mentally? Or, are we all created equal they’ve just had the right mental conditioning coaches surrounding them to make them especially tough competitors.
As a Christ follower I’m intrigued as one who has not been very mentally tough at times and have often caved under pressure because of mental lapses – either forgetting the ‘big dream’ that would discipline my practice & performance or simply having a ‘brain fart’ that causes me to lapse into under-performance. The ‘Great Ones’ seem to rise higher the more intense the pressure, where, in embarrassingly dark contrast, I have often caved as the pressure mounts. So, I wanna know what I can learn from the ‘Great Ones’ about how to rise with the pressure – about how to get better the tougher it gets. I want to know how to max out success when the going gets tough. And, then more than just ‘knowing’ with my head I want to accomplish more with my actions via my head, heart & body. I want to rise with the ‘Great Ones’ of the faith like Paul, Peter, David, Enoch, and even, THE GREAT ONE—Jesus, the Christ!
If I can find some of the common denominators among ‘The Great Ones’ then perhaps I can emulate their success. Perhaps I can rise higher as the pressure builds and the heat rises…
So, I’m on a quest as I watch the 2008 Olympians—especially Michael Phelps. My quest, to become more like the ‘great ones.’
I’m pretty sure that most of us ‘mere mortals' have similar wishes as we watch ‘The Great Ones’ – we hope to rise higher in the future as we face the challenges of life.
We hope that when the boss offers us a chance for a new, more demanding position that we can rise to meet the challenge.
We pray that when the ‘Big Test Day’ comes that our heads will clear and we’ll see clearly which answer is the right one and we’ll ace that test and bag the prize.
We wonder if we can stand the pressure of mounting bills, rising energy costs, and larger grocery bills and wonder if we can rise to the challenge of simply paying the bills and keeping our homes.
We may struggle with an area of life that seems to strip us of the title of ‘Christ follower’ over and over again and wonder if we can ever take the gold in the struggle against a familiar sin-filled pattern that taunts us from atop the ‘winner’s podium’.
We may simply be trying to make life work and wonder if we’ll ever win. We wonder if we were simply born to lose, while ‘The Great Ones’ were simply born to win. We wonder if there’s some magic way to pray or some passage of Scripture committed to memory that would secure the victory.
From a pure genetic code/DNA standpoint we are separated from other humans by the tiniest of code changes. To the untrained observer the code changes might seem so tiny that we have a hard time justifying the variations in human performance. In our pure potential most of us are over 99% alike, but in our performance we are separated by the distance between a Gold Medallion wearer and a person who can’t swim at all. So, what gives…why the performance gap?
I believe that all of life is ‘spiritual’ and therefore, all success & failure have their origins in the spiritual (unseen) realm. Even more unseen that slight code changes in the molecules that comprise our DNA is the Spiritual Life Force granted to us by God. But, it’s this invisible force that allows some to rise while others fail. This ‘spiritual difference’ makes all the difference in the world.
And, now Spirituality is a matter of the heart – the ‘control center’ for our behavior. But, as humans, our hearts & our ‘heads’ (more specifically—our brains) are linked through a super-highway of spiritual connectedness. And, so the question becomes which is more important for a Christ follower to become one of the ‘Great Ones’? Does it begin with the heart or the head? How can we condition ourselves spiritually to be one of the ‘Great Ones’? It's both -- the heart & head in conjunction that connect with God so that we can also become a 'Great One'.
Let me start with Theology 101 to help answer the question and it begins way back in the early chapters of Genesis where God is established as the ‘SOURCE’ of life – all things were made by Him and nothing that was made was made without him. All of life finds its origin and sustenance in the will & breath of God. So, to begin our quest is to roll the clock back and return to our ‘source’ of life—to acknowledge that who we are is a gift from Him. It is He who made us and not we ourselves.
The second bit of theology to know is that ‘every good and perfect gift’ comes from above – from God. To know at a deep level that what we have is ‘given’ and not earned is the beginning of letting ourselves be loved as broken ones -- underachievers in the grand scheme of things, but loved wildly and with reckless abandon by the designer/Creator God.
Now, we can relax and know that it’s not just about our ‘performance’ and that we are not only loved because we ‘perform well’ but because we are ‘created ones’ born with a dream wired into us from the heart of God Himself. Now we can draw courage to live out of our best gifts and highest dreams and play with our whole hearts – knowing that we’re loved no matter what – Gold, Silver, Bronze or even failing to finish. The pressure is ‘off’ when we know that no matter what we’re still gonna be okay and we’re still gonna be loved in a magnificent way. Knowing that the sun will still rise and laughter will return no matter what -- we can face the challenge ahead with our pulse clicking along smoothly and our efforts put forth in a relaxed, yet impassioned, manner so as to win the prize, but not like ones racing alone, but like ones powered through the wake from the invisible gravitational forces of God Himself. So, as we realize that source & provision is LOVE – and remember that God IS ‘LOVE’—we can keep our hearts calmed down to compete under pressure that would squash those trying to race alone.
The ‘Great Ones’ have their brains filled to the overflow with ‘proper thinking’ and ‘visualization’ about the race set before them. They have practiced the race so many times that their bodies know what to do instinctively—they have learned with their whole body –not just with their head—what it takes to race their best race. They have marinated their minds and basted their brains with images of perfect races swam and flawless performances given. They have trained their brains by marinating them with visions, practice sessions, ‘game film’, proper coaching, and proper self-talk. They have ‘programmed’ their brain to win and to override the whining of their body so they can push past normal human quitting points—they press on to win the prize when others would quit.
They are mentally tough because they are spiritually conditioned.
I think the ‘great ones’ know the secret of ‘The Kabob’!
A great kabob has meat that has been been grilled to perfection – it outperforms other delicacies. But, it’s not just the ‘grilling’ when the heat rises and the ‘great ones’ rise to meet the challenge –it’s what happens to the meat prior to the grilling that prepares it for the heat. It’s the marinating of the meat – the soaking in spicy, savory seasonings that tenderizes it and allows it to grill up so good!
It’s what happens before the grill is ever turned on that makes a great kabob. It’s the succulent seasonings that fill the meat with juicy success that allows it to stand on the top tier of success.
It’s the ‘marinade’ AND time in the sauce that prepares the meat to meet the test of the flame and so it is with ‘The Great Ones’ – athletes and Christ followers – it’s the marinade. It’s what they’re immersing their brain and heart in that makes em ready for the heat. It’s what allows them to squeeze out the sweet wine of victory when they are squeezed.
It’s a lot like what Jesus said to His follower in John 15 about ‘abiding’ in HIM so that they could bear much fruit – aka, ‘WIN the GOLD’! (which, by the way, He said, was God’s will for the ‘abider’!) Hang onto the vine because it is ‘source’ and ‘sustainer’ and ‘provider’ of the life giving marinade that produces the sweet wine of victory.
Marinading our brains in scripture can help us abide better. Scripture, when used as a way to connect with God intimately is a vital ingredient that leads to succulent success in producing great & abundant fruits of righteousness.
Scripture intake through Bible Study, memorization, small group sessions, and big box worship experiences is all good when it’s seen as a pathway to intimacy with God. It looses it’s marinating effect and ability to produce the wine of success when it is treated like a stand-alone religious effort where we’re trying to get God to love us more or trying to pry success from His hands by meeting some concocted ‘religious formula’.
So, with that said, let’s build a marinade that will soak your brain and marinade your mind so that as the heat in your life rises you’ll rise to meet the challenge and the sweet wine of victory will flow through you to inspire those watching from the grand-stands of life.
The rule of using scripture properly in ‘brain training’ for a would be ‘High Performance Christ follower’ Is that it’s a tool to bring us into a full-on abiding abundant intimate connection with God. The moment the use of scripture misses the mark of moving us into intimacy with God we have lost it’s usefulness—the salt has lost it’s saltiness and becomes worthless at accomplishing it’s intended effect.
Psalm 119:11 sums it up – I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Let me rephrase this in the present context….”I have marinading my mind and soaked my heart in what you’ve spoken through scripture so that I can live in a full-on connection with you.’ And, it’s in this full-on scripture aided connectivity that we enjoy the fruits of a victorious ‘Great One’ in the Kingdom of God. We move to the medal podium most of the time, often taking the ‘gold’ in the events that God has called us to participate in, because we shift from being self-powered to being ‘God-Powered’, from being self-controlled to being under His Command. We move from powering up to produce victory to abiding so that the sweet wine of success flows from our efforts.
Marinading our minds in the Word of God can be done in a lot of ways…we can brush on the marinade by hearing the Word of God or we can inject the marinade deep into our minds by memorizing scripture. We can immerse our hearts in the word by deep personal Bible study and we can learn from others in the context of a Life Transformation Group. (aka, ‘small group’) All of these ways of marinading our minds can lead to increased intimacy with God that leads to an ‘abiding’ that produces incredible fruit in the life of a Christ follower.
So, today, I’m wondering if we could all agree to be a lot more like a great kabob and marinade our hearts & minds so that when the heat is on we’ll succeed in accomplishing the task. We’ll win the race, take the prize and stand on the medal podium time after time.
Very practically I’m suggesting that you try one of the following for the next 21 days…. (this is a copy of some coaching notes from one of the worship experiences at Phos Hilaron Church in July 2008 done as part of the High Performance Living Series so where it says things about a ‘Life Transformation Group, LXG, just replace that with ‘Small Group Leader’ or ‘Sunday School Teacher’ etc depending on your personal context). In light of the idea of ‘marinating our minds’ with Scripture I’d especially ask you to consider doing either #1 or 2 or even both would be great.
10 Training Tools that will propel you toward your Spiritual Life Dream:
1. Audio Bible = download or purchase an ‘Illustrated’ Audio Bible – one that has cool sound effects and great narration and listen for at least 20 minutes a day.
2. Memorize the following 5 passages of Scripture from the book of Philippians: 1:6, 2:3-4, 2:5-11, 2:13-16, 3:10-14
3. Buy the new Chris Tomlin ‘Double Take’ CD and put it on your personal listening device and work out with that music 3 times a week.
4. Find a buddy and go do something fun, but take at least 30 minutes to discuss you spiritual life dreams & goals and then pray for each other.
5. Get with the Life Transformation Group leader from your Middle School Zone and discuss your spiritual life plan. (see Jeff for contact info about your leader)
6. Catch up with an old Spiritual Mentor and just chat about what you’re learning and ask them for what book they’d recommend you read or listen to—then do it!
7. Purchase ‘The Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren and read a section a day.
8. Pick up a nice blank journal or keep a journal on your computer of your prayers and what God seems to be doing in relation to your prayers.
9. Notebook your way though a personal study of the Life of Jesus by ‘consuming ’ & ‘marinating your brain’ in the book of Mark.
10. Heavy Lifting = Read ‘Renovation of the Heart’ by Dallas Willard devotionally –that is, take it a bit at a time and make notes (journal/blog) about what you’re learning ‘OR’ do the same thing with a great book that’s not as tough by John Piper called ‘Desiring God’.
If you desire to be one of ‘The Great Ones’ with a fired up deeply intimate relationship with God who consistently rises to the challenge then I’d suggest you make like a good kabob and marinade your mind so you can produce the sweet wine of success when the heat is on! And, it won’t be the juice of memorized Bible verses that brings the wine of victory…rather it will be a by-product of scripture marination—the deep abiding presence of Christ Himself that produces the wine of victory!
You, too, can be one of the ‘Great Ones’ if you’ll marinade your mind as a tool for an abundant abiding relationship with God.
To learn more you might consider marinading your brain in John 15:1-8. In this powerful parable lies the crux of becoming a ‘world-class’ medal winner in the Olympics of Life.
Go baste your brain!
Jeff Fuson
p.s. I owe a debt of gratitude to David Nasser who I heard speak about the concept of ‘marination’ when he was doing his ‘Call to Die’ tour about 8 years ago. He wrote a powerful book with 40 days of meditations called ‘A call to Die’ that can serve as a great training tool for those ready to marinade their minds on the path to producing the sweet wine of victory—the by-product of abiding…. I think you may have to order the book directly from him at www.davidnasser.com
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. As a Professional Speaker Jeff also serves as a Keynote Speaker & Trainer crafting & delivering high impact keynote addresses & training events for Entrepreneurs, Banks, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized non-profit & for profit enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
It’s got me wondering, what is it that makes Michael Phelps and other 'Great Ones' so mentally tough?
What makes it so that the more intense the pressure the more likely it is that they’ll squeeze out the sweet wine of victory?
Is it innate or can it be learned? Were they simply gifted by God not only physically, but mentally? Or, are we all created equal they’ve just had the right mental conditioning coaches surrounding them to make them especially tough competitors.
As a Christ follower I’m intrigued as one who has not been very mentally tough at times and have often caved under pressure because of mental lapses – either forgetting the ‘big dream’ that would discipline my practice & performance or simply having a ‘brain fart’ that causes me to lapse into under-performance. The ‘Great Ones’ seem to rise higher the more intense the pressure, where, in embarrassingly dark contrast, I have often caved as the pressure mounts. So, I wanna know what I can learn from the ‘Great Ones’ about how to rise with the pressure – about how to get better the tougher it gets. I want to know how to max out success when the going gets tough. And, then more than just ‘knowing’ with my head I want to accomplish more with my actions via my head, heart & body. I want to rise with the ‘Great Ones’ of the faith like Paul, Peter, David, Enoch, and even, THE GREAT ONE—Jesus, the Christ!
If I can find some of the common denominators among ‘The Great Ones’ then perhaps I can emulate their success. Perhaps I can rise higher as the pressure builds and the heat rises…
So, I’m on a quest as I watch the 2008 Olympians—especially Michael Phelps. My quest, to become more like the ‘great ones.’
I’m pretty sure that most of us ‘mere mortals' have similar wishes as we watch ‘The Great Ones’ – we hope to rise higher in the future as we face the challenges of life.
We hope that when the boss offers us a chance for a new, more demanding position that we can rise to meet the challenge.
We pray that when the ‘Big Test Day’ comes that our heads will clear and we’ll see clearly which answer is the right one and we’ll ace that test and bag the prize.
We wonder if we can stand the pressure of mounting bills, rising energy costs, and larger grocery bills and wonder if we can rise to the challenge of simply paying the bills and keeping our homes.
We may struggle with an area of life that seems to strip us of the title of ‘Christ follower’ over and over again and wonder if we can ever take the gold in the struggle against a familiar sin-filled pattern that taunts us from atop the ‘winner’s podium’.
We may simply be trying to make life work and wonder if we’ll ever win. We wonder if we were simply born to lose, while ‘The Great Ones’ were simply born to win. We wonder if there’s some magic way to pray or some passage of Scripture committed to memory that would secure the victory.
From a pure genetic code/DNA standpoint we are separated from other humans by the tiniest of code changes. To the untrained observer the code changes might seem so tiny that we have a hard time justifying the variations in human performance. In our pure potential most of us are over 99% alike, but in our performance we are separated by the distance between a Gold Medallion wearer and a person who can’t swim at all. So, what gives…why the performance gap?
I believe that all of life is ‘spiritual’ and therefore, all success & failure have their origins in the spiritual (unseen) realm. Even more unseen that slight code changes in the molecules that comprise our DNA is the Spiritual Life Force granted to us by God. But, it’s this invisible force that allows some to rise while others fail. This ‘spiritual difference’ makes all the difference in the world.
And, now Spirituality is a matter of the heart – the ‘control center’ for our behavior. But, as humans, our hearts & our ‘heads’ (more specifically—our brains) are linked through a super-highway of spiritual connectedness. And, so the question becomes which is more important for a Christ follower to become one of the ‘Great Ones’? Does it begin with the heart or the head? How can we condition ourselves spiritually to be one of the ‘Great Ones’? It's both -- the heart & head in conjunction that connect with God so that we can also become a 'Great One'.
Let me start with Theology 101 to help answer the question and it begins way back in the early chapters of Genesis where God is established as the ‘SOURCE’ of life – all things were made by Him and nothing that was made was made without him. All of life finds its origin and sustenance in the will & breath of God. So, to begin our quest is to roll the clock back and return to our ‘source’ of life—to acknowledge that who we are is a gift from Him. It is He who made us and not we ourselves.
The second bit of theology to know is that ‘every good and perfect gift’ comes from above – from God. To know at a deep level that what we have is ‘given’ and not earned is the beginning of letting ourselves be loved as broken ones -- underachievers in the grand scheme of things, but loved wildly and with reckless abandon by the designer/Creator God.
Now, we can relax and know that it’s not just about our ‘performance’ and that we are not only loved because we ‘perform well’ but because we are ‘created ones’ born with a dream wired into us from the heart of God Himself. Now we can draw courage to live out of our best gifts and highest dreams and play with our whole hearts – knowing that we’re loved no matter what – Gold, Silver, Bronze or even failing to finish. The pressure is ‘off’ when we know that no matter what we’re still gonna be okay and we’re still gonna be loved in a magnificent way. Knowing that the sun will still rise and laughter will return no matter what -- we can face the challenge ahead with our pulse clicking along smoothly and our efforts put forth in a relaxed, yet impassioned, manner so as to win the prize, but not like ones racing alone, but like ones powered through the wake from the invisible gravitational forces of God Himself. So, as we realize that source & provision is LOVE – and remember that God IS ‘LOVE’—we can keep our hearts calmed down to compete under pressure that would squash those trying to race alone.
The ‘Great Ones’ have their brains filled to the overflow with ‘proper thinking’ and ‘visualization’ about the race set before them. They have practiced the race so many times that their bodies know what to do instinctively—they have learned with their whole body –not just with their head—what it takes to race their best race. They have marinated their minds and basted their brains with images of perfect races swam and flawless performances given. They have trained their brains by marinating them with visions, practice sessions, ‘game film’, proper coaching, and proper self-talk. They have ‘programmed’ their brain to win and to override the whining of their body so they can push past normal human quitting points—they press on to win the prize when others would quit.
They are mentally tough because they are spiritually conditioned.
I think the ‘great ones’ know the secret of ‘The Kabob’!
A great kabob has meat that has been been grilled to perfection – it outperforms other delicacies. But, it’s not just the ‘grilling’ when the heat rises and the ‘great ones’ rise to meet the challenge –it’s what happens to the meat prior to the grilling that prepares it for the heat. It’s the marinating of the meat – the soaking in spicy, savory seasonings that tenderizes it and allows it to grill up so good!
It’s what happens before the grill is ever turned on that makes a great kabob. It’s the succulent seasonings that fill the meat with juicy success that allows it to stand on the top tier of success.
It’s the ‘marinade’ AND time in the sauce that prepares the meat to meet the test of the flame and so it is with ‘The Great Ones’ – athletes and Christ followers – it’s the marinade. It’s what they’re immersing their brain and heart in that makes em ready for the heat. It’s what allows them to squeeze out the sweet wine of victory when they are squeezed.
It’s a lot like what Jesus said to His follower in John 15 about ‘abiding’ in HIM so that they could bear much fruit – aka, ‘WIN the GOLD’! (which, by the way, He said, was God’s will for the ‘abider’!) Hang onto the vine because it is ‘source’ and ‘sustainer’ and ‘provider’ of the life giving marinade that produces the sweet wine of victory.
Marinading our brains in scripture can help us abide better. Scripture, when used as a way to connect with God intimately is a vital ingredient that leads to succulent success in producing great & abundant fruits of righteousness.
Scripture intake through Bible Study, memorization, small group sessions, and big box worship experiences is all good when it’s seen as a pathway to intimacy with God. It looses it’s marinating effect and ability to produce the wine of success when it is treated like a stand-alone religious effort where we’re trying to get God to love us more or trying to pry success from His hands by meeting some concocted ‘religious formula’.
So, with that said, let’s build a marinade that will soak your brain and marinade your mind so that as the heat in your life rises you’ll rise to meet the challenge and the sweet wine of victory will flow through you to inspire those watching from the grand-stands of life.
The rule of using scripture properly in ‘brain training’ for a would be ‘High Performance Christ follower’ Is that it’s a tool to bring us into a full-on abiding abundant intimate connection with God. The moment the use of scripture misses the mark of moving us into intimacy with God we have lost it’s usefulness—the salt has lost it’s saltiness and becomes worthless at accomplishing it’s intended effect.
Psalm 119:11 sums it up – I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Let me rephrase this in the present context….”I have marinading my mind and soaked my heart in what you’ve spoken through scripture so that I can live in a full-on connection with you.’ And, it’s in this full-on scripture aided connectivity that we enjoy the fruits of a victorious ‘Great One’ in the Kingdom of God. We move to the medal podium most of the time, often taking the ‘gold’ in the events that God has called us to participate in, because we shift from being self-powered to being ‘God-Powered’, from being self-controlled to being under His Command. We move from powering up to produce victory to abiding so that the sweet wine of success flows from our efforts.
Marinading our minds in the Word of God can be done in a lot of ways…we can brush on the marinade by hearing the Word of God or we can inject the marinade deep into our minds by memorizing scripture. We can immerse our hearts in the word by deep personal Bible study and we can learn from others in the context of a Life Transformation Group. (aka, ‘small group’) All of these ways of marinading our minds can lead to increased intimacy with God that leads to an ‘abiding’ that produces incredible fruit in the life of a Christ follower.
So, today, I’m wondering if we could all agree to be a lot more like a great kabob and marinade our hearts & minds so that when the heat is on we’ll succeed in accomplishing the task. We’ll win the race, take the prize and stand on the medal podium time after time.
Very practically I’m suggesting that you try one of the following for the next 21 days…. (this is a copy of some coaching notes from one of the worship experiences at Phos Hilaron Church in July 2008 done as part of the High Performance Living Series so where it says things about a ‘Life Transformation Group, LXG, just replace that with ‘Small Group Leader’ or ‘Sunday School Teacher’ etc depending on your personal context). In light of the idea of ‘marinating our minds’ with Scripture I’d especially ask you to consider doing either #1 or 2 or even both would be great.
10 Training Tools that will propel you toward your Spiritual Life Dream:
1. Audio Bible = download or purchase an ‘Illustrated’ Audio Bible – one that has cool sound effects and great narration and listen for at least 20 minutes a day.
2. Memorize the following 5 passages of Scripture from the book of Philippians: 1:6, 2:3-4, 2:5-11, 2:13-16, 3:10-14
3. Buy the new Chris Tomlin ‘Double Take’ CD and put it on your personal listening device and work out with that music 3 times a week.
4. Find a buddy and go do something fun, but take at least 30 minutes to discuss you spiritual life dreams & goals and then pray for each other.
5. Get with the Life Transformation Group leader from your Middle School Zone and discuss your spiritual life plan. (see Jeff for contact info about your leader)
6. Catch up with an old Spiritual Mentor and just chat about what you’re learning and ask them for what book they’d recommend you read or listen to—then do it!
7. Purchase ‘The Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren and read a section a day.
8. Pick up a nice blank journal or keep a journal on your computer of your prayers and what God seems to be doing in relation to your prayers.
9. Notebook your way though a personal study of the Life of Jesus by ‘consuming ’ & ‘marinating your brain’ in the book of Mark.
10. Heavy Lifting = Read ‘Renovation of the Heart’ by Dallas Willard devotionally –that is, take it a bit at a time and make notes (journal/blog) about what you’re learning ‘OR’ do the same thing with a great book that’s not as tough by John Piper called ‘Desiring God’.
If you desire to be one of ‘The Great Ones’ with a fired up deeply intimate relationship with God who consistently rises to the challenge then I’d suggest you make like a good kabob and marinade your mind so you can produce the sweet wine of success when the heat is on! And, it won’t be the juice of memorized Bible verses that brings the wine of victory…rather it will be a by-product of scripture marination—the deep abiding presence of Christ Himself that produces the wine of victory!
You, too, can be one of the ‘Great Ones’ if you’ll marinade your mind as a tool for an abundant abiding relationship with God.
To learn more you might consider marinading your brain in John 15:1-8. In this powerful parable lies the crux of becoming a ‘world-class’ medal winner in the Olympics of Life.
Go baste your brain!
Jeff Fuson
p.s. I owe a debt of gratitude to David Nasser who I heard speak about the concept of ‘marination’ when he was doing his ‘Call to Die’ tour about 8 years ago. He wrote a powerful book with 40 days of meditations called ‘A call to Die’ that can serve as a great training tool for those ready to marinade their minds on the path to producing the sweet wine of victory—the by-product of abiding…. I think you may have to order the book directly from him at www.davidnasser.com
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. As a Professional Speaker Jeff also serves as a Keynote Speaker & Trainer crafting & delivering high impact keynote addresses & training events for Entrepreneurs, Banks, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized non-profit & for profit enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
Monday, August 11, 2008
My New Fav Song
Sometimes a song comes along that just carries your soul to a better place -- instant worship and focus on God. This is one of those songs! Thanks for 'Song of Hope' by Robbie Seay Band.
Enjoy,
Jeff Fuson
Friday, August 8, 2008
What it takes to be a GREAT TEAM LEADER
If you are a leader, or you're a 'wannabe...' then read this NOW. Enjoy.
Thanks Bruce Hildenbrand for writing this insightful article...no leader, not even Lance Armstrong, gets there on his own!
Jeff Fuson
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. As a Professional Speaker Jeff also serves as a Keynote Speaker & Trainer crafting & delivering high impact keynote addresses & training events for Entrepreneurs, Banks, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized non-profit & for profit enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
Thanks Bruce Hildenbrand for writing this insightful article...no leader, not even Lance Armstrong, gets there on his own!
Jeff Fuson
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. As a Professional Speaker Jeff also serves as a Keynote Speaker & Trainer crafting & delivering high impact keynote addresses & training events for Entrepreneurs, Banks, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized non-profit & for profit enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Scream Free Parenting Seminar coming to Louisville, Kentucky
Scream Free Parenting Event -- FREE Seminar!
Wed Aug 27 at Fern Creek High School 7 PM -- rsvp here
Thursday Aug 28 at South Oldham High School 7 PM -- rsvp here
No matter the age of your child YOU will benefit from this seminar! Schools are even using this information to help their teachers in dealing with students!
I have the privilege of working Jean Shumm as a board member of the organization she founded known as Operation Spirit -- a parent resource group that works with parents of teens and offers some great small groups to help you navigate as the parent of a teenager.
The Operation Spirit crew is sponsoring the 'Scream Free Parenting' Seminar led by Hal Runkel, who will be featured on the TODAY Show on the morning of Aug 27 before he flies to Louisville. You may be interested in his book called 'Scream Free Parenting' .
Jeff Fuson
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. As a Professional Speaker Jeff also serves as a Keynote Speaker & Trainer crafting & delivering high impact keynote addresses & training events for Entrepreneurs, Banks, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized non-profit & for profit enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
Wed Aug 27 at Fern Creek High School 7 PM -- rsvp here
Thursday Aug 28 at South Oldham High School 7 PM -- rsvp here
No matter the age of your child YOU will benefit from this seminar! Schools are even using this information to help their teachers in dealing with students!
I have the privilege of working Jean Shumm as a board member of the organization she founded known as Operation Spirit -- a parent resource group that works with parents of teens and offers some great small groups to help you navigate as the parent of a teenager.
The Operation Spirit crew is sponsoring the 'Scream Free Parenting' Seminar led by Hal Runkel, who will be featured on the TODAY Show on the morning of Aug 27 before he flies to Louisville. You may be interested in his book called 'Scream Free Parenting' .
Jeff Fuson
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. As a Professional Speaker Jeff also serves as a Keynote Speaker & Trainer crafting & delivering high impact keynote addresses & training events for Entrepreneurs, Banks, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized non-profit & for profit enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Relax and enjoy the splash of surf from thundering hooves!
Last year I helped lead a small Mission Team of Students to Costa Rica to help install a water purification system under the capable hands of Curtis and Claudia Daniels of EDGE Outreach. It was an amazing journey filled with lots of rewarding moments.
One of the 'Adventure Elements' that Meredith Salyers Lewis and I built into the trip was horseback riding on the coast that was amazing.
Our posse' picked up our horses about 1/4 mile inland from the coast and were given very basic instruction in horse riding -- basically, 'hang on!' and then we were let go to ride out on the beach as we saw fit. I'm not a little guy so that hooked me up with a large horse with a fiery disposition that liked to run. I'm not a cowboy either so I was in for an incredible ride!
As we neared the beach my horse began to gallop and I was a little tense so that kind of hurt...when we got to beach we were off to the Costa Rican Derby and my horse simply wanted to run -- FAST! And he was competitive as a horse can get so anytime he was challenged he would run faster....at first this was terrifying, but I felt a sense of a deep message and peace settle on me as the surf splashed up on me from the racing hooves -- just relax, have fun and feel the wind and surf --I've got you. You are in for the ride of your life!
At that point I was tasked with giving Crestwood Baptist Church a final answer upon my return about whether I did truly intend to leave a great position in that great church to launch a fully new enterprise which is now known as Phos Hilaron Church.
So, this was on my heart and mind a ton and on that beach racing along the message I seemed to hear deep in my spirit from God was, 'Hold On, you're in for the ride of your life! Relax and enjoy it, because I am with you.'
I had forgotten about that until this evening when we were having dinner with Tyler and Stacey Eldred of Life Champion International and The Louisville Chocolate Fountain and we were talking about horses and horseback riding. As I shared the joy of riding unfettered at full throttle with them I was reminded again of how lucky I am to have the chance to ride along and experience the thrill of watching God do HIS thing as He carries Phos Hilaron Church along at full tilt! What a ride! I'm learning to relax and enjoy the wind of the Spirit moving among us and watching God do Amazing GOD-STUFF all over the place to grow us into the Missional Church that He called us to become.
For the last 10 days I've been on vacation with my family and extended family -- well, really, we've been crashing on families sofas and extra beds as we did a 1200 mile trek from Louisville through Huntsville, Chattanooga, Cherokee North Carolina, and Corbin, Kentucky.
While I've been away the incredible team at PHC has had a great Service Worship at Creasey Mahan Park and they had a meaningful worship experience today as Len Jaggers stepped up to preach in my place. I'm grateful for this amazing team of people who are stepping up to build a church that is out in the community serving and seeking to invest & invite neighbors who don't have a church home already.
For this ride with these people I am abundantly grateful! I'm learning to relax in the saddle and enjoy the ride of a lifetime! (If you live in the Louisville area maybe you should think about taking this ride with us. Go to ph-church.org to learn what's happening next at Phos Hilaron Church.
Relax and Enjoy the Ride!
Jeff Fuson
Friday, August 1, 2008
Hebrews 6:14
YOU GOTTA HAVE A BIG DREAM THAT DRIVES YOUR DAILY ACTIONS AND DISCIPLINES YOUR CHOICES MOMENT BY MOMENT. This is true for all of us who are attempting something that is HUGEMONGOUS.
God had a way of getting people's attention in the Old Testament by promising them extreme reward for accomplishing His mission in their lives. A prominent example of this was Abraham and the promise that God made to him that his offspring would be more abundant than sands on the seashore. (Genesis 22:17)
Hebrews 6:14 recalls the Genesis experience of Abraham when it says, "I will most certainly bless you, and I will greatly multiply you."
Now, I know that this text was not a promise to me or for me, but I sure would like it to be mine. My greatest hope is that God would use me to accomplish MUCH for His Kingdom on the move through this world. And, it's one of my dreams that Phos Hilaron Church would be counted strong in Loving God, Loving our Neighbors, and Expanding the Neighborhood.
So, here's to stretching the text so that it applies to me and you and PHC today!
And, here's to YOU in discovering God's BIG Dream for YOU that will bring about the disciplined daily actions and habits necessary to accomplish the dreams of your wildest imagination!
I'll be thinking about that one simple verse a lot today and praying that God would say the same thing to me (at least in a spiritual offspring sort of way!).
Enjoy THIS day,
Jeff Fuson
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. As a Professional Speaker Jeff also serves as a Keynote Speaker & Trainer crafting & delivering high impact keynote addresses & training events for Entrepreneurs, Banks, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized non-profit & for profit enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
God had a way of getting people's attention in the Old Testament by promising them extreme reward for accomplishing His mission in their lives. A prominent example of this was Abraham and the promise that God made to him that his offspring would be more abundant than sands on the seashore. (Genesis 22:17)
Hebrews 6:14 recalls the Genesis experience of Abraham when it says, "I will most certainly bless you, and I will greatly multiply you."
Now, I know that this text was not a promise to me or for me, but I sure would like it to be mine. My greatest hope is that God would use me to accomplish MUCH for His Kingdom on the move through this world. And, it's one of my dreams that Phos Hilaron Church would be counted strong in Loving God, Loving our Neighbors, and Expanding the Neighborhood.
So, here's to stretching the text so that it applies to me and you and PHC today!
And, here's to YOU in discovering God's BIG Dream for YOU that will bring about the disciplined daily actions and habits necessary to accomplish the dreams of your wildest imagination!
I'll be thinking about that one simple verse a lot today and praying that God would say the same thing to me (at least in a spiritual offspring sort of way!).
Enjoy THIS day,
Jeff Fuson
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. As a Professional Speaker Jeff also serves as a Keynote Speaker & Trainer crafting & delivering high impact keynote addresses & training events for Entrepreneurs, Banks, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized non-profit & for profit enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
What I learned at the KOA
Mist on the mountains, birds singing, sun on the way and the stream singing just a few yards away. AND, I'm online with High Speed Wi-Fi--what a wonderful world. I'm at the KOA (Kampground Of America) RV Camping with my sister and her family and Julie and the boys. We've squeezed a lot of fun into our not-guite 4 days here. We've tubed down the river several times, swam til we're water-logged, rented banana bikes, fished a lot for trout and gotten blanked, burned hotdogs over a campfire and learned to live in tight quarters.
Along my journey here at the Cherokee, North Carolina KOA here are a few things I've experienced and a few things I think God may be saying to me....
1. Fish with the Green Worm like that guy over there! He's caught 5 since we've been standing here and you need to quit fishing with whatever you think is gonna work and just follow what others are doing that are catching fish. (my dad talking to my oldest son who was rigging up some unusual cantraptions for fishing with absolutely no hits)
In my life there are so many times that I'm operating on a pioneering spirit model filled with innovations that may or may not work because no-one else has crossed the great divide before. Dad's comment to Joshua was said loud enough for me to hear and it sure makes me wonder. At PHC we're big on innovation and we're trying some unusual contraptions for 'fishing' -- some of which seem to work great and some of which we need to cut the line on and change to the 'green worm'! Not sure which are 'green worms' for us yet, but I'm listening and watching to see what Jesus is fishing with and we'll change to his plan pronto! By the way, we started the day fishing with corn because we saw a fella haul out a huge Rainbow Trout fishing with corn. Talked with the same guy later in the day who was not fishing with the 'green worm' and was not having great success and he let me in on a secret. They changed bait all the time to see what the fish would bite as the barometer rises and falls and the fish change their minds about what seems tasty throughout the day. Where's the next 'Green Worm'?
2. Cousins are a great gift! My boys have had a blast with my sister's boys. They've done a lot of life together over the years but this is definitely a high point in 'boy-land' as they romp, ride, swim, dance, watch movies, cozy up 5 thick in a tiny space in the 'Fifth Wheel' and burn stuff in the fire. God, we are blessed beyond belief. Thank-you.
Being here reminds me of the good gifts of being involved in a close-knit faith community like Phos Hilaron Church where many of us experience 'cousinliness' even though we may be miles away from our flesh-n-blood families. It's good to have a cousin to scorch a marshmallow with!
3. It's good to be away from the computer and cell phone. We've had very little 'outside world' access over the past week and my spirit has needed a break from the constant barrage of emails and cell phone chatter. I'm glad that there are still a few places in the wolrd where we can disconnect. As an American born-n-bred leader I'm addicted to 'busy' and have been raised on quaint sayings like 'If it is to be it's up to ME!' that fuel my self-centered addiction to actions that I'm confident will win the day and change the world. But, Jesus didn't exhibit my kind of frantic behavior and self-confidence. He exhibited HUGE God-fidence and often rested and waited for God to take action and then He joined His Father in taking the next step. God wired us for 'sabbath' -- a day a week to rest and relax and rejuvenate and a day to hand the world back to it's rightful King and let Him take the reigns and run the globe. Practicing Sabbath (and, for me it is a work in progress to truly hand the world back to God and to relax on the Sabbath) by relaxing more and working less and by conscientiously handing the world back to God are vital for my long term effectiveness, soul health and body care. It's a gift from God that I am learning to allow myself to receive with more readiness to dive in to rest fully and leave the big stuff to God. It's humbling and freeing and power-giving all at the same time to Sabbath....I'm learning.....and practicing. In many ways the future of the endeavors I lead may depend more on my ability to Sabbath well than I've ever imagined because it consistently removes my hands from the enterprise and keeps God's all over it!
4. A lone sparrow just landed near my feet and began to hop even closer as if to remind me of Jesus' words from the Sermon on the Mount to relax and KNOW that God is gonna provide--not because I'm good or because I'm deserving --but, because He's God and providing abundantly for His creation is a God-Thing to do. I battle worry these days as our fledgling church moves through summer and as the day my 18 year old daughter heads off to college comes closer by the hour now and we need some serious cash-flow to move her along. So, I need to hear and see and be reminded at a deep level all the time about how much God loves me, us, and Phos Hilaron Church. From the outset He has provided all that we've needed in spades at just the right time. He's resourced us in miraculous ways over and over again. Summer is a tough time on ministries anyway and especially for a start-up enterprise like ours. No question we believe we're called to do what we're doing in the manner we're called to do it, but we're not sure that everything we're doing is a 'green worm' and I'd like to be around long enough to figure that out! I've heard it said, and say myself that 'What God Originates He Also Orchestrates' and that has been proven to us over and over again. I have a front-row seat to miracles on an almost daily basis! My faith is being grown and I get to see God provide for PHC and my family in miraculous ways over and over again, but it still unnerves me at times! I'm learning to trust Him.
Back to vacation -- the rods & reels are waiting nearby...
Learning a lot out here in the wildnerness!
Jeff Fuson
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. As a Professional Speaker Jeff also serves as a Keynote Speaker & Trainer crafting & delivering high impact keynote addresses & training events for Entrepreneurs, Banks, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized non-profit & for profit enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
Along my journey here at the Cherokee, North Carolina KOA here are a few things I've experienced and a few things I think God may be saying to me....
1. Fish with the Green Worm like that guy over there! He's caught 5 since we've been standing here and you need to quit fishing with whatever you think is gonna work and just follow what others are doing that are catching fish. (my dad talking to my oldest son who was rigging up some unusual cantraptions for fishing with absolutely no hits)
In my life there are so many times that I'm operating on a pioneering spirit model filled with innovations that may or may not work because no-one else has crossed the great divide before. Dad's comment to Joshua was said loud enough for me to hear and it sure makes me wonder. At PHC we're big on innovation and we're trying some unusual contraptions for 'fishing' -- some of which seem to work great and some of which we need to cut the line on and change to the 'green worm'! Not sure which are 'green worms' for us yet, but I'm listening and watching to see what Jesus is fishing with and we'll change to his plan pronto! By the way, we started the day fishing with corn because we saw a fella haul out a huge Rainbow Trout fishing with corn. Talked with the same guy later in the day who was not fishing with the 'green worm' and was not having great success and he let me in on a secret. They changed bait all the time to see what the fish would bite as the barometer rises and falls and the fish change their minds about what seems tasty throughout the day. Where's the next 'Green Worm'?
2. Cousins are a great gift! My boys have had a blast with my sister's boys. They've done a lot of life together over the years but this is definitely a high point in 'boy-land' as they romp, ride, swim, dance, watch movies, cozy up 5 thick in a tiny space in the 'Fifth Wheel' and burn stuff in the fire. God, we are blessed beyond belief. Thank-you.
Being here reminds me of the good gifts of being involved in a close-knit faith community like Phos Hilaron Church where many of us experience 'cousinliness' even though we may be miles away from our flesh-n-blood families. It's good to have a cousin to scorch a marshmallow with!
3. It's good to be away from the computer and cell phone. We've had very little 'outside world' access over the past week and my spirit has needed a break from the constant barrage of emails and cell phone chatter. I'm glad that there are still a few places in the wolrd where we can disconnect. As an American born-n-bred leader I'm addicted to 'busy' and have been raised on quaint sayings like 'If it is to be it's up to ME!' that fuel my self-centered addiction to actions that I'm confident will win the day and change the world. But, Jesus didn't exhibit my kind of frantic behavior and self-confidence. He exhibited HUGE God-fidence and often rested and waited for God to take action and then He joined His Father in taking the next step. God wired us for 'sabbath' -- a day a week to rest and relax and rejuvenate and a day to hand the world back to it's rightful King and let Him take the reigns and run the globe. Practicing Sabbath (and, for me it is a work in progress to truly hand the world back to God and to relax on the Sabbath) by relaxing more and working less and by conscientiously handing the world back to God are vital for my long term effectiveness, soul health and body care. It's a gift from God that I am learning to allow myself to receive with more readiness to dive in to rest fully and leave the big stuff to God. It's humbling and freeing and power-giving all at the same time to Sabbath....I'm learning.....and practicing. In many ways the future of the endeavors I lead may depend more on my ability to Sabbath well than I've ever imagined because it consistently removes my hands from the enterprise and keeps God's all over it!
4. A lone sparrow just landed near my feet and began to hop even closer as if to remind me of Jesus' words from the Sermon on the Mount to relax and KNOW that God is gonna provide--not because I'm good or because I'm deserving --but, because He's God and providing abundantly for His creation is a God-Thing to do. I battle worry these days as our fledgling church moves through summer and as the day my 18 year old daughter heads off to college comes closer by the hour now and we need some serious cash-flow to move her along. So, I need to hear and see and be reminded at a deep level all the time about how much God loves me, us, and Phos Hilaron Church. From the outset He has provided all that we've needed in spades at just the right time. He's resourced us in miraculous ways over and over again. Summer is a tough time on ministries anyway and especially for a start-up enterprise like ours. No question we believe we're called to do what we're doing in the manner we're called to do it, but we're not sure that everything we're doing is a 'green worm' and I'd like to be around long enough to figure that out! I've heard it said, and say myself that 'What God Originates He Also Orchestrates' and that has been proven to us over and over again. I have a front-row seat to miracles on an almost daily basis! My faith is being grown and I get to see God provide for PHC and my family in miraculous ways over and over again, but it still unnerves me at times! I'm learning to trust Him.
Back to vacation -- the rods & reels are waiting nearby...
Learning a lot out here in the wildnerness!
Jeff Fuson
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. As a Professional Speaker Jeff also serves as a Keynote Speaker & Trainer crafting & delivering high impact keynote addresses & training events for Entrepreneurs, Banks, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized non-profit & for profit enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
High Performance Living Series
Here's a Sneak-Peek at some of the talks for Phos Hilaron Church I'm working on ...
At Phos Hilaron over the coming weeks here are some of the topics I'll be diving into as part of the "High Performance Living" Series:
Training Together -- we're wired to do life 'together' and at PHC we're working into our small groups that we call "Life Transformation Groups" -- this will be a day to inspire and encourage folks to 'do life together'.
Brain Training -- we'll be talking about the importance of training our heads to deliver the results that we're looking for by improving the quality, and maybe quantity, of inputs we have from the Bible.
PACING -- God designed us with a need for rest -- a taboo subject in today's amped-up culture, but it's a huge need nonetheless.
Hope you'll join us if you live in our area,
Jeff Fuson
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. As a Professional Speaker Jeff also serves as a Keynote Speaker & Trainer crafting & delivering high impact keynote addresses & training events for Entrepreneurs, Banks, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized non-profit & for profit enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
At Phos Hilaron over the coming weeks here are some of the topics I'll be diving into as part of the "High Performance Living" Series:
Training Together -- we're wired to do life 'together' and at PHC we're working into our small groups that we call "Life Transformation Groups" -- this will be a day to inspire and encourage folks to 'do life together'.
Brain Training -- we'll be talking about the importance of training our heads to deliver the results that we're looking for by improving the quality, and maybe quantity, of inputs we have from the Bible.
PACING -- God designed us with a need for rest -- a taboo subject in today's amped-up culture, but it's a huge need nonetheless.
Hope you'll join us if you live in our area,
Jeff Fuson
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. As a Professional Speaker Jeff also serves as a Keynote Speaker & Trainer crafting & delivering high impact keynote addresses & training events for Entrepreneurs, Banks, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized non-profit & for profit enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
Million Mighty Men
About 8 years ago I attended a Men's Seminar at a local church and really resonated with the presenter that weekend. He was real, honest, and authentic--a real man's man. What fired me up most that evening was when Bill Perkins shared his vision of having a 'Million Mighty Men' "Lock Arms" and live life the way God intended! Since then I've had him come to do a weekend for Father's and Sons and help us understand the challenges that Men face and how to overcome them.
Bill has become a mentor & good friend, a constant reminder of what's possible and a reminder that I need people like Bill running beside me if I'm gonna finish the course ahead. And, I'm sure that at the end of the race I'll cross the finish line with a team of men who've kicked my butt, called me out, cheered me on, dusted me off, and even carried me a time or three.
You'd benefit a ton from signing up to be one of the 'Million Mighty Men' -- head there now and your courage will be fueled.
Locking Arms with Bill Perkins and other real men so I can LIVE STRONG AS AN APPRENTICE OF JESUS.
Jeff Fuson
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. As a Professional Speaker Jeff also serves as a Keynote Speaker & Trainer crafting & delivering high impact keynote addresses & training events for Entrepreneurs, Banks, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized non-profit & for profit enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
Bill has become a mentor & good friend, a constant reminder of what's possible and a reminder that I need people like Bill running beside me if I'm gonna finish the course ahead. And, I'm sure that at the end of the race I'll cross the finish line with a team of men who've kicked my butt, called me out, cheered me on, dusted me off, and even carried me a time or three.
You'd benefit a ton from signing up to be one of the 'Million Mighty Men' -- head there now and your courage will be fueled.
Locking Arms with Bill Perkins and other real men so I can LIVE STRONG AS AN APPRENTICE OF JESUS.
Jeff Fuson
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. As a Professional Speaker Jeff also serves as a Keynote Speaker & Trainer crafting & delivering high impact keynote addresses & training events for Entrepreneurs, Banks, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized non-profit & for profit enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Mandella on Leadership
WOW.
I just read an incredible article called 'Mandela: His 8 Lessons of Leadership' that's packed with Leadership Wisdom and Rising Leaders would do well to study this article, then think deeply about it because it's packed with wisdom, not just leadership 'fluff' that is so easy to find these days.
Nelson Mandela is one of the most remarkable leaders of the past 50 years and one of the most 'Christ-Like' even though I'm not sure that he's a Christ-follower. Much in the tradition of Jesus and Mahatma Gandhi Nelson managed to stir up a movement without resorting to force or violence. It was sheer force of character on display -- authentic humanity in motion -- that created a groundswell of support that changed the course of history.
I'm adding Mandela's autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom to my 'I wanna read this' list. (or, I might just download it from Audible.com and listen to it while I'm driving)
Here are his 8 rules with no elaboration b/c you can go here to read the full text...
1. Courage is not the absence of fear -- it's inspiring others to move beyond it.
2. Lead from the front -- but don't leave your base behind
3. Lead from the back -- and let others believe they are in front
4. Learn from your enemy -- and learn about his favorite sport
5. Keep your friends close -- and your rivals even closer
6. Appearances matter -- and remember to smile
7. Nothing is black or white
8. Quitting is leadting too
Richard Stengel did a great job on this article and I'll definitely be referencing it far into the future for my own leadership development and in developing Rising Leaders at Phos Hilaron Church, The Delphi Center and with Credit Union & Bank Leadership teams as well.
Enjoy....go here to read the article.
Lead Strong!
Play for the Long Game.
Play to WIN.
Jeff Fuson
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. As a Professional Speaker Jeff also serves as a Keynote Speaker & Trainer crafting & delivering high impact keynote addresses & training events for Entrepreneurs, Banks, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized non-profit & for profit enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
I just read an incredible article called 'Mandela: His 8 Lessons of Leadership' that's packed with Leadership Wisdom and Rising Leaders would do well to study this article, then think deeply about it because it's packed with wisdom, not just leadership 'fluff' that is so easy to find these days.
Nelson Mandela is one of the most remarkable leaders of the past 50 years and one of the most 'Christ-Like' even though I'm not sure that he's a Christ-follower. Much in the tradition of Jesus and Mahatma Gandhi Nelson managed to stir up a movement without resorting to force or violence. It was sheer force of character on display -- authentic humanity in motion -- that created a groundswell of support that changed the course of history.
I'm adding Mandela's autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom to my 'I wanna read this' list. (or, I might just download it from Audible.com and listen to it while I'm driving)
Here are his 8 rules with no elaboration b/c you can go here to read the full text...
1. Courage is not the absence of fear -- it's inspiring others to move beyond it.
2. Lead from the front -- but don't leave your base behind
3. Lead from the back -- and let others believe they are in front
4. Learn from your enemy -- and learn about his favorite sport
5. Keep your friends close -- and your rivals even closer
6. Appearances matter -- and remember to smile
7. Nothing is black or white
8. Quitting is leadting too
Richard Stengel did a great job on this article and I'll definitely be referencing it far into the future for my own leadership development and in developing Rising Leaders at Phos Hilaron Church, The Delphi Center and with Credit Union & Bank Leadership teams as well.
Enjoy....go here to read the article.
Lead Strong!
Play for the Long Game.
Play to WIN.
Jeff Fuson
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. As a Professional Speaker Jeff also serves as a Keynote Speaker & Trainer crafting & delivering high impact keynote addresses & training events for Entrepreneurs, Banks, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized non-profit & for profit enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
New Keynote Addresses & Training Experiences
I'm Innovating several new Keynote Speeches geared for Executives, Leaders & Supervisors in Government Agencies, Banks, Credit Unions, NonProfits and other cutting edge enterprises.
The Law of the Towel -- Leading today's 'free agents' is a lot like 'herding cats' so the leader has to tap an ancient principle from a great teacher to lead well. This is great for organizations with a lot of mid-level and upper level executives.
The Big Squeeze -- when you work on the front line face to face or ear to ear with the public you can get the life squeezed out of you by the people you're trying to serve. I use the backdrop of huge snakes like Anacondas and Boas to help illustrate this story and drive the message deep so that it produces excellent performance results in our front line workers who interface with the member, client, customer.
Gen-Shift -- the workplace in America today is loaded with tension between 3 to 5 generations all operating in tight-quarters. They pack different world views, assumptions, work styles, and internal operating systems into the workplace that create a complex leadership matrix. Learn what 'works for' each generation and wrestle through the leadership implications. This Keynote Training experience is best done in a large Conference Room setting with 10 to 15 key leaders so that we have time & space to process implications and develop actionable strategies moving forward.
For Solo Business Owners, Entrepreneurs and Commission Sales Professionals like Stock-Brokers, Real Estate Agents, and Network Marketers:
Farm Raised Catfish -- how to grow, maintain and build a POWERFUL low cost word of mouth marketing system that will feed you and your family for years to come with an abundance of leads who actually begin to seek you out.
Web Marketing 101 -- Why & how to build a website that pulls the contacts that you need to build your business. This ties in with Farm Raised Catfish as part of building a High Performance Marketing Machine that will fuel the future of your dreams.
For those entering the work-force, considering launching a new business, or changing career plans this is a public seminar that I hope to bring to life by Mid 2009:
'Get A LIFE--NOW!' -- dream, design, and do the life you've always imagined. I'll take you through a series of must-do steps to craft a gameplan that get the results you're dying to get NOW. I can't wait to unpack a ton of powerful new information that will give you the competitive edge you need to become the person you know you can be. Please touch base with me with your contact info if you'd like for me to keep you updated about when & where I'll begin offering this experience.
So, there's a lot going on in my head and heart that I can't wait to hand off to you that will make a huge difference for YOU. Let me know how I can serve you best. You can drop an email to me at my "Linked In" page.
Have a great day!
Jeff Fuson
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. As a Professional Speaker Jeff delivers Leadership Keynote Speeches & training events for Leaders, Executives, Supervisors, Entrepreneurs in Government, Banks, Credit Unions, NonProfits and other cutting edge enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
The Law of the Towel -- Leading today's 'free agents' is a lot like 'herding cats' so the leader has to tap an ancient principle from a great teacher to lead well. This is great for organizations with a lot of mid-level and upper level executives.
The Big Squeeze -- when you work on the front line face to face or ear to ear with the public you can get the life squeezed out of you by the people you're trying to serve. I use the backdrop of huge snakes like Anacondas and Boas to help illustrate this story and drive the message deep so that it produces excellent performance results in our front line workers who interface with the member, client, customer.
Gen-Shift -- the workplace in America today is loaded with tension between 3 to 5 generations all operating in tight-quarters. They pack different world views, assumptions, work styles, and internal operating systems into the workplace that create a complex leadership matrix. Learn what 'works for' each generation and wrestle through the leadership implications. This Keynote Training experience is best done in a large Conference Room setting with 10 to 15 key leaders so that we have time & space to process implications and develop actionable strategies moving forward.
For Solo Business Owners, Entrepreneurs and Commission Sales Professionals like Stock-Brokers, Real Estate Agents, and Network Marketers:
Farm Raised Catfish -- how to grow, maintain and build a POWERFUL low cost word of mouth marketing system that will feed you and your family for years to come with an abundance of leads who actually begin to seek you out.
Web Marketing 101 -- Why & how to build a website that pulls the contacts that you need to build your business. This ties in with Farm Raised Catfish as part of building a High Performance Marketing Machine that will fuel the future of your dreams.
For those entering the work-force, considering launching a new business, or changing career plans this is a public seminar that I hope to bring to life by Mid 2009:
'Get A LIFE--NOW!' -- dream, design, and do the life you've always imagined. I'll take you through a series of must-do steps to craft a gameplan that get the results you're dying to get NOW. I can't wait to unpack a ton of powerful new information that will give you the competitive edge you need to become the person you know you can be. Please touch base with me with your contact info if you'd like for me to keep you updated about when & where I'll begin offering this experience.
So, there's a lot going on in my head and heart that I can't wait to hand off to you that will make a huge difference for YOU. Let me know how I can serve you best. You can drop an email to me at my "Linked In" page.
Have a great day!
Jeff Fuson
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. As a Professional Speaker Jeff delivers Leadership Keynote Speeches & training events for Leaders, Executives, Supervisors, Entrepreneurs in Government, Banks, Credit Unions, NonProfits and other cutting edge enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
Church Planters Zany Ride and a Cool Mantra to boot!
The Ride of a Church Planter is a bit zany....
-most of us come from something fairly stable career-wise and jump head-first into the raw thin-air of 'not-yet-ness' and the dream of a new church that will add to the collective Kingdom firepower in a fresh new way.
-most of us believe we have a new angle that MUST COME TO LIFE or the world will remain unchanged -- totally unacceptable for those of us who are driven to influence others and outcomes in the world
-we attract the best and brightest dreamers in the world -- most of whom are just like us -- we have very little notion of how to put the wheels on the wagon we're imagining so we need technicians and engineers and people who can sequence information inputs and outputs --and that puts us at odds because our internal processors are so vastly different -- so we have to grow people skills out the yang to be able to work with those who see the world way differently and in much more crystalline black and white than we can imagine
-we postion our families on the brink of financial ruin
-we fuel work-a-holic tendencies
-we put our people loving selves on the line of attack from those outside AND inside the church and wonder why this can feel like a lonely enterprise at times
AND, we revel in the notion that God DOES USE US.
HE DOES EMPOWER US.
HE DOES ALLOW US TO SEE THE MIRACULOUS WHEN HE BRINGS BREAD RIGHT WHEN WE NEED IT.
HE GIVES US THICKER SKINS TO DEAL WITH THE BARBS TOSSED OUR WAY BY OTHER 'CHRISTIANS' WHO JUST CAN'T SEE THIS AS A VERY GOOD IDEA.
HE GRANTS US EVEN MORE TENDER HEARTS THAT ACHE FOR OUR BROKEN FRIENDS.
HE HELPS US CARE PASSIONATELY ABOUT NEIGHBORS WHO ARE NOT YET AMPED IN THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
WE GET TO EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF SEEING 9 PEOPLE BAPTIZED AT OUR FIRST BAPTISM EXPERIENCE......(happened for me at Phos Hilaron Church on Sunday, July 6, 2008!)
So, this is the ride of a lifetime in a lifetime of rides!
We've seen God do more incredible things in the past few months than in my entire life. It's more fun to play at the edge than you can imagine -- yes, scary and it doesn't feel very 'safe' at times, but what in life is truly 'safe'?
Helen Keller basically suggested that 'safety' is overrated when she was quoted as saying,
Security is mostly superstition. It does not exist in nature . . .
Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure.
Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.
That could be a church planters mantra!
Amazed that God can even use ME!!!
Jeff Fuson
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. Jeff also delivers impacting training events for Entrepreneurs, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
-most of us come from something fairly stable career-wise and jump head-first into the raw thin-air of 'not-yet-ness' and the dream of a new church that will add to the collective Kingdom firepower in a fresh new way.
-most of us believe we have a new angle that MUST COME TO LIFE or the world will remain unchanged -- totally unacceptable for those of us who are driven to influence others and outcomes in the world
-we attract the best and brightest dreamers in the world -- most of whom are just like us -- we have very little notion of how to put the wheels on the wagon we're imagining so we need technicians and engineers and people who can sequence information inputs and outputs --and that puts us at odds because our internal processors are so vastly different -- so we have to grow people skills out the yang to be able to work with those who see the world way differently and in much more crystalline black and white than we can imagine
-we postion our families on the brink of financial ruin
-we fuel work-a-holic tendencies
-we put our people loving selves on the line of attack from those outside AND inside the church and wonder why this can feel like a lonely enterprise at times
AND, we revel in the notion that God DOES USE US.
HE DOES EMPOWER US.
HE DOES ALLOW US TO SEE THE MIRACULOUS WHEN HE BRINGS BREAD RIGHT WHEN WE NEED IT.
HE GIVES US THICKER SKINS TO DEAL WITH THE BARBS TOSSED OUR WAY BY OTHER 'CHRISTIANS' WHO JUST CAN'T SEE THIS AS A VERY GOOD IDEA.
HE GRANTS US EVEN MORE TENDER HEARTS THAT ACHE FOR OUR BROKEN FRIENDS.
HE HELPS US CARE PASSIONATELY ABOUT NEIGHBORS WHO ARE NOT YET AMPED IN THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
WE GET TO EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF SEEING 9 PEOPLE BAPTIZED AT OUR FIRST BAPTISM EXPERIENCE......(happened for me at Phos Hilaron Church on Sunday, July 6, 2008!)
So, this is the ride of a lifetime in a lifetime of rides!
We've seen God do more incredible things in the past few months than in my entire life. It's more fun to play at the edge than you can imagine -- yes, scary and it doesn't feel very 'safe' at times, but what in life is truly 'safe'?
Helen Keller basically suggested that 'safety' is overrated when she was quoted as saying,
Security is mostly superstition. It does not exist in nature . . .
Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure.
Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.
That could be a church planters mantra!
Amazed that God can even use ME!!!
Jeff Fuson
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. Jeff also delivers impacting training events for Entrepreneurs, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
I Corinthians 9:23 - 27
Vision Fuels Desire Fuels Disciplined Action Fuels Destiny!
I Corinthians 9:24-27 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
24 Do you not know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. 26 Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly, or box like one who beats the air. 27 Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
Now Paul fires us up with a great word picture encouraging us to ‘Run in such a way that you may win.’ And, I love that word picture. But, to really understand why Paul ‘disciplines’ his body you’ll have to look back to I Corinthians 9:23 where he tells us that he is working to become full ‘partner’ in the ‘Gospel’ firm – completed with all the benefits and perks of being co-regent with Christ himself. That’s a prize worth fighting for – to be an heir to the riches of the Universe without end. To live forever fully connected to God –fully alive, fully on-fire, fully energized, perfectly in sync with God and others. All my needs and wants and dreams overflowing into abundant fulfillment!
‘Run in such a way as to win’ is the origin of the following:
Training to Win
Training seems ominous and threatening
Training often winds up in the ash heap of burned up good intentions
Training for the long haul usually runs out of gas before we hit our destination.
Not because we’re not disciplined—because, we do, in fact, do what we most want to do –every single time.
Not because we’re not motivated—because, in fact, we are very motivated by something!
Not because we don’t care or are lazy – rather because we have such short memories of what matters most to us.
Or, because we’ve aimed our efforts at a ‘dream’ that is not truly in our hearts or that is too far out or not far enough ahead to fire the fuels of consistent effort.
So, training to win has it’s roots deep in the soil of a dream that causes our pulse to quicken and our palms to sweat. A dream that’s bigger than we can possibly do in lifetimes of effort unless God Himself shows up. A dream that reflects the true passion of our hearts and gifts wired into our bodies. A dream that sits at the intersection of wired passions and God’s dream for the world trafficked by the Needs of the world – that’s where our dream resides. That’s where we find a dream worth fighting for. That’s where we find purpose and power for living disciplined lives so that we take the action necessary to ‘win the prize’!
So, training has it’s roots deep in the soil of a God-oriented, God-sized dream of what He can do with us, for us, in us, and through us. That’s where dreams reside and that’s where the springs of disciplined pursuit bubble up first. Those springs are primed by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and are guarded and advanced in spite of our weaknesses as the Spirit provides fire in our hearts to press on when the going gets tough.
So, step one to ‘Training to Win’ is to Get a God-Sized Dream that FITS YOU!
The next step is to foster a vivid imagination of what that dream will do for you and the world.
The third step is to remind our heart and head over and over again what our dream will do for us and for the world.
The fourth step is to take action—almost any action will do—the only action that won’t do is ‘inaction’ where you sit still stymied by the possibility of failure.
The fifth step is to press on toward the prize – keeping Christ on the screens of our imagination as the ‘Hero’ of the course ahead and remembering the Prize that we’ve been called to pursue. As we imagine Him and as we vividly imagine the outcomes of our pursuit ‘discipline’ to take the necessary actions will spring up in our heart and head.. And, the world has a penchant for Dream-Doers and God will orchestrate the arrival of the next coach you need, the resources you lack will show up right on time and God will advance His dream for the world through you.
And, when you hold the prize high at the end of the quest be sure that you leave space for God’s hand to grip the prize with you. After all, He’s been your source from the first drop of sweat!
Run to win by vividly imagining your joy in holding the prize close and by enthusiastically imagining what will happen in the world because you press on.
Paul J. Meyer of Success Motivation Institute suggested that whatever we vividly imagine, ardently desire and enthusiastically act upon must inevitably come to pass! I think he’s right. God has granted us huge range to ‘make our dreams’ come true. However, I’m also sure that dreams that are just about me usually wind up in dead–end heart-break alleys – the kind that country music songs are written about.
I’m convinced that when I’m pursuing a God-inititated, God-Sized dream by ‘vividly imagining, ardently desiring, and enthusiastically acting upon that dream and tapping the abundant resources of God via the Holy Spirit then I am ‘unstoppable’!
And, that ‘unstoppableness’ provides traction for disciplined action to take hold and propel us into God’s desired destiny!
Vividly Imagine
Ardently Desire
Enthusiastically Act Upon
The Dream that God has in Mind for YOU!
Peace,
Jeff Fuson
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. Jeff also delivers impacting training events for Entrepreneurs, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
I Corinthians 9:24-27 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
24 Do you not know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. 26 Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly, or box like one who beats the air. 27 Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
Now Paul fires us up with a great word picture encouraging us to ‘Run in such a way that you may win.’ And, I love that word picture. But, to really understand why Paul ‘disciplines’ his body you’ll have to look back to I Corinthians 9:23 where he tells us that he is working to become full ‘partner’ in the ‘Gospel’ firm – completed with all the benefits and perks of being co-regent with Christ himself. That’s a prize worth fighting for – to be an heir to the riches of the Universe without end. To live forever fully connected to God –fully alive, fully on-fire, fully energized, perfectly in sync with God and others. All my needs and wants and dreams overflowing into abundant fulfillment!
‘Run in such a way as to win’ is the origin of the following:
Training to Win
Training seems ominous and threatening
Training often winds up in the ash heap of burned up good intentions
Training for the long haul usually runs out of gas before we hit our destination.
Not because we’re not disciplined—because, we do, in fact, do what we most want to do –every single time.
Not because we’re not motivated—because, in fact, we are very motivated by something!
Not because we don’t care or are lazy – rather because we have such short memories of what matters most to us.
Or, because we’ve aimed our efforts at a ‘dream’ that is not truly in our hearts or that is too far out or not far enough ahead to fire the fuels of consistent effort.
So, training to win has it’s roots deep in the soil of a dream that causes our pulse to quicken and our palms to sweat. A dream that’s bigger than we can possibly do in lifetimes of effort unless God Himself shows up. A dream that reflects the true passion of our hearts and gifts wired into our bodies. A dream that sits at the intersection of wired passions and God’s dream for the world trafficked by the Needs of the world – that’s where our dream resides. That’s where we find a dream worth fighting for. That’s where we find purpose and power for living disciplined lives so that we take the action necessary to ‘win the prize’!
So, training has it’s roots deep in the soil of a God-oriented, God-sized dream of what He can do with us, for us, in us, and through us. That’s where dreams reside and that’s where the springs of disciplined pursuit bubble up first. Those springs are primed by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and are guarded and advanced in spite of our weaknesses as the Spirit provides fire in our hearts to press on when the going gets tough.
So, step one to ‘Training to Win’ is to Get a God-Sized Dream that FITS YOU!
The next step is to foster a vivid imagination of what that dream will do for you and the world.
The third step is to remind our heart and head over and over again what our dream will do for us and for the world.
The fourth step is to take action—almost any action will do—the only action that won’t do is ‘inaction’ where you sit still stymied by the possibility of failure.
The fifth step is to press on toward the prize – keeping Christ on the screens of our imagination as the ‘Hero’ of the course ahead and remembering the Prize that we’ve been called to pursue. As we imagine Him and as we vividly imagine the outcomes of our pursuit ‘discipline’ to take the necessary actions will spring up in our heart and head.. And, the world has a penchant for Dream-Doers and God will orchestrate the arrival of the next coach you need, the resources you lack will show up right on time and God will advance His dream for the world through you.
And, when you hold the prize high at the end of the quest be sure that you leave space for God’s hand to grip the prize with you. After all, He’s been your source from the first drop of sweat!
Run to win by vividly imagining your joy in holding the prize close and by enthusiastically imagining what will happen in the world because you press on.
Paul J. Meyer of Success Motivation Institute suggested that whatever we vividly imagine, ardently desire and enthusiastically act upon must inevitably come to pass! I think he’s right. God has granted us huge range to ‘make our dreams’ come true. However, I’m also sure that dreams that are just about me usually wind up in dead–end heart-break alleys – the kind that country music songs are written about.
I’m convinced that when I’m pursuing a God-inititated, God-Sized dream by ‘vividly imagining, ardently desiring, and enthusiastically acting upon that dream and tapping the abundant resources of God via the Holy Spirit then I am ‘unstoppable’!
And, that ‘unstoppableness’ provides traction for disciplined action to take hold and propel us into God’s desired destiny!
Vividly Imagine
Ardently Desire
Enthusiastically Act Upon
The Dream that God has in Mind for YOU!
Peace,
Jeff Fuson
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. Jeff also delivers impacting training events for Entrepreneurs, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
Training to Win!
We're in the middle of a series called 'High Performance Living' at Phos Hilaron Church. This Sunday we'll be exploring some different 'training tools' that we can use in moving towards our Spiritual Life Goals (Dream). I thought I'd pass these ideas along to you--enjoy.
10 Training Tools that will propel you toward your Spiritual Life Dream:
Choose one or two of the following to work on over the next 40 days:
1. Audio Bible = download or purchase an ‘Illustrated’ Audio Bible – one that has cool sound effects and great narration and listen for at least 20 minutes a day.
2. Buy the new Chris Tomlin ‘Double Take’ CD and put it on your personal listening device and work out with that music 3 times a week.
3. Find a buddy and go do something fun, but take at least 30 minutes to discuss you spiritual life dreams & goals and then pray for each other.
4. Get with the Life Transformation Group leader from your Middle School Zone and discuss your spiritual life plan. (see Jeff for contact info about your leader)
5. Catch up with an old Spiritual Mentor and just chat about what you’re learning and ask them for what book they’d recommend you read or listen to—then do it!
6. Memorize the following 5 passages of Scripture from the book of Philippians: 1:6, 2:3-4, 2:5-11, 2:13-16, 3:10-14
7. Purchase ‘The Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren and read a section a day.
8. Pick up a nice blank journal or keep a journal on your computer of your prayers and what God seems to be doing in relation to your prayers.
9. Notebook your way though a personal study of the Life of Jesus by ‘consuming ’ & ‘marinating your brain’ in the book of Mark.
10. Heavy Lifting = Read ‘Renovation of the Heart’ by Dallas Willard devotionally –that is, take it a bit at a time and make notes (journal/blog) about what you’re learning ‘OR’ do the same thing with a great book that’s not as tough by John Piper called ‘Desiring God’.
Enjoy!
Jeff Fuson
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. Jeff also delivers impacting training events for Entrepreneurs, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
10 Training Tools that will propel you toward your Spiritual Life Dream:
Choose one or two of the following to work on over the next 40 days:
1. Audio Bible = download or purchase an ‘Illustrated’ Audio Bible – one that has cool sound effects and great narration and listen for at least 20 minutes a day.
2. Buy the new Chris Tomlin ‘Double Take’ CD and put it on your personal listening device and work out with that music 3 times a week.
3. Find a buddy and go do something fun, but take at least 30 minutes to discuss you spiritual life dreams & goals and then pray for each other.
4. Get with the Life Transformation Group leader from your Middle School Zone and discuss your spiritual life plan. (see Jeff for contact info about your leader)
5. Catch up with an old Spiritual Mentor and just chat about what you’re learning and ask them for what book they’d recommend you read or listen to—then do it!
6. Memorize the following 5 passages of Scripture from the book of Philippians: 1:6, 2:3-4, 2:5-11, 2:13-16, 3:10-14
7. Purchase ‘The Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren and read a section a day.
8. Pick up a nice blank journal or keep a journal on your computer of your prayers and what God seems to be doing in relation to your prayers.
9. Notebook your way though a personal study of the Life of Jesus by ‘consuming ’ & ‘marinating your brain’ in the book of Mark.
10. Heavy Lifting = Read ‘Renovation of the Heart’ by Dallas Willard devotionally –that is, take it a bit at a time and make notes (journal/blog) about what you’re learning ‘OR’ do the same thing with a great book that’s not as tough by John Piper called ‘Desiring God’.
Enjoy!
Jeff Fuson
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. Jeff also delivers impacting training events for Entrepreneurs, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Do YOU think the world will end in 2012?
Just heard an alarming tidbit of news that I have never heard that I thought you might like to learn more about and sound off about....
According to some 'experts' the world is gonna END (catasrophic!) on Dec 21, 2012 -- I had no idea!!! Noone consulted me about scheduling this day and frankly I think I'm goin' on vacation with the family to someplace really nice during that time -- just in case.
Jesus told us that there'd be an awful lot of people predicting that the end was near and even trying to predict the dates. He also said that He, himself, didn't even know when that end would come about. So, I'm staying out of the business of the 'Planning Committee' and working on the 'welcome wagon' team.
However, I'd love to hear what you think about the 'end of the world in 2012' news?
Have a great day!
Jeff Fuson
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. Jeff also delivers impacting training events for Entrepreneurs, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
According to some 'experts' the world is gonna END (catasrophic!) on Dec 21, 2012 -- I had no idea!!! Noone consulted me about scheduling this day and frankly I think I'm goin' on vacation with the family to someplace really nice during that time -- just in case.
Jesus told us that there'd be an awful lot of people predicting that the end was near and even trying to predict the dates. He also said that He, himself, didn't even know when that end would come about. So, I'm staying out of the business of the 'Planning Committee' and working on the 'welcome wagon' team.
However, I'd love to hear what you think about the 'end of the world in 2012' news?
Have a great day!
Jeff Fuson
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. Jeff also delivers impacting training events for Entrepreneurs, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
Friday, July 11, 2008
You are the Average of the 5 People you spend the most time with!
"You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." Jim Rohn
Jim Rohn nailed this down tight! An ancient book of wisdom called Proverbs in The Bible says the same thing about choosing friends.
In my desire to grow as a leader it strikes me that I need to be choosing other leaders who are 'further along' and more capable and who are leading more effectively than I am to learn from and to invest my time with.
It also strikes me that to grow in any area I should find 5 'coaches' or at least buddies who are further down the path than I am. If I can't find 'live' humans to spend my time with I have a wealth of access to 'Historical Mentors' via biographies, websites, books, audio books, podcasts, etc. Nearly any leader I'd like to learn from and spend some time with has made her/his thoughts available in some shape or fashion. No question I'd prefer the live edition, but until then I can ramp up through reading, listening, surfing the web, downloading podcasts & audiobooks, etc.
For example I'm interested in getting back into running but I have some challenges with knees that were compromised from playing catcher in baseball in my teen years. So, I need to find a mentor like Jeff Galloway who's 'been there and done that' successfully and has developed a coaching system for mature runners that he believes could help someone 'run for 100 years'! And, he's living out his own game plan -- he's smokin' what he's sellin'!
So, even if I can't 'run with him' physically I can run with him via his books and training systems.
In today's environment it's easy and cheap to access great mentors who can take you to the next level and who can play a huge part in being on your 'A-Team' to take you and your game to a higher level!
Go find 5 great people to learn from, to hang with, and to be coached by --even if it's a podcast or book!
Ramp Up.
Jeff Fuson
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Phos Hilaron Baptism Service # 1 July 6 2008
This was one of the coolest worship experiences I've ever had the privilege to be a part of. We gathered at Wendell Moore Park in Oldham County Kentucky to sing and learn about the importance of Baptism in the life of a Chris follower and then we walked over to the Oldham County Aquatic Center to baptize 9 Apprentices of Jesus.
The weather was spectacular, the water was perfect and the people of Phos Hilaron Church were met by God on the move -- again!
I'm so glad that He called me to this ride with these people.
Jeff Fuson
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. Jeff also delivers impacting training events for Entrepreneurs, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Thorny Hedgeapples Drive Mosquitoes Away!
It's dusk in my Kentucky backyard and it's mosquito free--quite a feat during summer around here. I attribute our mosquito-free haven to a grove of nearby trees that have incredible lawn-mower tire piercing thorns. When we moved here 4 years ago I waged war on the fast growing iron-wooded thorny hedgeapple trees with a borrowed chainsaw until a good friend suggested that they may have a natural repellant for mosquitos and spiders.
So, I 'googled' hedgeapples and found all kinds of interesting ideas about what hedgeapples might do and magical properties that make buying the fruit irrestible to web shoppers. I'm not totally convinced about buying hedgeapple fruit online, but I am sure that we rarely have mosquitoes in our back yard even though there are two creeks bordering our property. Makes me wonder.....
And, I narrowed my attack on the orange wooded trees to lopping off the low hanging branches and trees that were encroaching on trees that we love like a giant Cedar. And, we seem to be reaching a place of the 'win-win' between mother nature and my desire to mow the yard without being ripped open by razor sharp thorns and the hedgeapples need to grow and do its mosquito-repellent thing.
Sometimes God provides thorns to protect us from the mosquitos of life. Sometimes He's trying to provide a thorny hedge to help us through a situation that could be a lot more troubling that flattened mower tires. So, when you're facing a thorny situation that slows you down and seems to keep you from the result you were hoping for watch for where God may be on the move to give you something even better! That's just how He is.
Have a Great Day!
Jeff Fuson
p.s. The image in this post came from this website that offers advice about the Osage Orange's insect and spider repellent properties.... http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2187/1924737197_6d2aa6b746_m.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.motherearthsgarden.com/hedge-apples-to-repel-spiders/&h=180&w=240&sz=27&hl=en&start=12&um=1&tbnid=Il8hfF7aPdVhLM:&tbnh=83&tbnw=110&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhedgeapples%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den-us%26sa%3DN
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. Jeff also delivers impacting training events for Entrepreneurs, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Phantom Fireworks vs. Sam's Club!
I live in a neighborhood full of 'pyros' -- people that love to set things on fire -- especially things that go 'BOOM!!!' So, Independence Day, aka, The 4th of July is filled with joy because it begs the crew to grab a long-neck lighter and torch a fuse and run backwards while something hurtles skyward in an spray of sparks then lets off it's signature 'kaboom'!
This evening several of the Pyros had a team pow-wow on the street in front of our homes to figure out our launch strategy --and it came off beautifully.
But, I learned a Fireworks Shopping tip from a fellow pyro...Sam's Club generally has much better prices than Phantom Firew0rks on the larger packs of stuff. So, if you're a pyro headed out to stock up on things that 'go boom' then consider checking out Sam's Club--if it's located in a state that sells fireworks!
Here's to Fireworks Therapy!
Jeff
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. Jeff also delivers impacting training events for Entrepreneurs, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Amazing Icebergs!
BREATHTAKING!!
Amazing striped icebergs
Icebergs in the Antarctic area sometimes have stripes, formed by
layers of snow that react to different conditions.
Blue stripes are often created when a crevice in the ice sheet
fills up with meltwater and freezes so quickly that no bubbles form.
When an iceberg falls into the sea, a layer of salty seawater can
freeze to the underside. If this is rich in algae, it can form a
green stripe.
Brown, black and yellow lines are caused by sediment, picked up
when the ice sheet grinds downhill towards the sea.
... Is this amazing??
Antarctica Frozen Wave Pixs - Nature is amazing!
The water froze the instant the wave broke through the
ice. That's what it is like in Antarctica where it is the
coldest weather in decades. Water freezes the instant
it comes in contact with the air. The temperature of the
water is already some degrees below freezing.
Just look at how the wave froze in mid-air!!!
Having the Internet means that we get to see something
that we never imagined! Pass it on for others to enjoy!
----
The post above came from an email forward I recieved from my dad. Wow, it is amazing. I couldnt' help but think of the journey that we're all on as Rising Leaders and how the conditions we experience throughout life shape us and stripe us beautifully. God doesn't waste anything in forging a leader.
Enjoy
Jeff Fuson
Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. Jeff also delivers impacting training events for Entrepreneurs, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Richard J Foster on Prayer
Check out this great prayer from Richard Foster in Prayer, Finding the Heart's True Home on page 15....
Dear Jesus,
how desperately I need to learn to pray. And yet when I am honest, I know that I often do not even want to pray.
I am distracted!
I am stubborn!
I am self-centered!
In your mercy, Jesus, bring my "want-er" more in line with my "need-er" so that I can come to want what I need.
In your name and for your sake, I pray. -- amen.
This is an exmple of 'simple prayer' and someone taught me this prayer a long time ago and it helped so much to just come to Jesus simply and admit that most of the time I simply don't want to pray and that I prefer to do life my way on my own terms as long as everything is going great. But, the moment the water gets rough I'm scrambling back up into the arms of God begging for safe passage... I bet you do the same thing!
See you later,
Jeff Fuson
Dear Jesus,
how desperately I need to learn to pray. And yet when I am honest, I know that I often do not even want to pray.
I am distracted!
I am stubborn!
I am self-centered!
In your mercy, Jesus, bring my "want-er" more in line with my "need-er" so that I can come to want what I need.
In your name and for your sake, I pray. -- amen.
This is an exmple of 'simple prayer' and someone taught me this prayer a long time ago and it helped so much to just come to Jesus simply and admit that most of the time I simply don't want to pray and that I prefer to do life my way on my own terms as long as everything is going great. But, the moment the water gets rough I'm scrambling back up into the arms of God begging for safe passage... I bet you do the same thing!
See you later,
Jeff Fuson
5 Great Books on Prayer
Prayer is the most natural thing in the world -- even for those who don't believe in God. Think of the words that leap from our heart in the face of an overwhelming tragedy...usually, 'Oh God!'
I'm preparing a very special worship experience for the folks of Phos Hilaron Church that will build in time to 'do' prayer and to experience God up close and personal. So, I thought I'd pass along 5 book titles that I've found helpful in preparing for this weekend.
1. Believing Prayer by Andrew Murray -- simple, but powerful. This is great primer on prayer.
2. Too Busy Not to Pray by Bill Hybels -- classic Hybels gets right to the point
3. Pivotal Praying by Tim Elmore & John Hull -- this is packed with practical prayer wisdom and I'd highly recommend this to you if you'd like to pray better NOW.
4. Hearing God by Dallas Willard -- not an easy read as usual with Willard, but the effort will be very rewarding.
5. Prayer--Finding the Heart's True Home by Richard J. Foster -- the opening chapter is AMAZING! You've got to at least hit a bookstore and read that! And, then go ahead and buy the book.
We all pray! We may as well do it with a better grasp of how to grow our faith and relationship with God along the journey.
It's not really about faith 'in prayer' -- it's about Faith in God who is in charge of answering our prayers in the manner He deems best.
Pray Strong!
Jeff Fuson
Helen Keller on Teaming Up!
"Alone we can do so little;
together we can do so much."
together we can do so much."
- Helen Keller
Leading a Volunteer Revolution is an amazing ride because I get to see the absolute best in people as they stretch and sacrifice and go the extra miles to benefit others. Launching Phos Hilaron Church has been a huge joy because I get to work with some of the most passionately gifted people on the planet. To work with them this week at 'Phorce Phield' -- our home-based version of a Backyard Bible Club or Vacation Bible School -- was a powerfully rewarding experience because it reminded me of the power of 'we'!
'WE' can do so much more than 'ME' -- no matter how great 'ME' is.
As a leader I'm fully convinced that when God's Volunteer Movement gets fully awake, energized and empowered that there'll be a revolution like this world has never witnessed. Imagine the collective firepower of the Body Of Christ on the move to solve the great challenges of the world. Rick Warren identifies 5 Global Giants in his PEACE plan that challenge the Church to rise up and be THE Church that Jesus imagined when he trained the original core team for the work of advancing the Gospel.
Let God Arise and the People of God Follow His Lead!
Jeff Fuson
'WE' can do so much more than 'ME' -- no matter how great 'ME' is.
As a leader I'm fully convinced that when God's Volunteer Movement gets fully awake, energized and empowered that there'll be a revolution like this world has never witnessed. Imagine the collective firepower of the Body Of Christ on the move to solve the great challenges of the world. Rick Warren identifies 5 Global Giants in his PEACE plan that challenge the Church to rise up and be THE Church that Jesus imagined when he trained the original core team for the work of advancing the Gospel.
Let God Arise and the People of God Follow His Lead!
Jeff Fuson
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Dare to Fail BIG!
This is a great quote! Go for it.
"Only those who dare to fail greatly
can ever achieve greatly."
- Robert F. Kennedy
I'm finding this to be TRUE BIG TIME!
Jeff Fuson
"Only those who dare to fail greatly
can ever achieve greatly."
- Robert F. Kennedy
I'm finding this to be TRUE BIG TIME!
Jeff Fuson
Creative Risk & Launching at the EDGE of Disaster
As a church planter who chose to launch with a staff I think a lot about stuff I didn't have to think about as a Youth Minister at a large church - like how to make payroll for the team every couple of weeks. And, God is full of surprises -- like the fact that we've made it every single time and that He's given us everything we've needed right when we've needed it. He has been out in front of us the whole way.
There's no question that a cash infusion would allow us to do some really cool marketing campaigns and add some video production gear to boost our creative team capabilities a notch or three, but the 'needs' are being met.
Lesson # 1 for me = God is IN this with us and HE's resourcing the movement
Lesson # 2 for me = What God Originates He Also Orchestrates (originally spoken by Troy Dobbs)
Lesson #3 for me = Launching with a strong creative / missional edge drives some 'normal' church people away, but it draws those with a missional heart and a will to impact culture. It's a natural filter.
Lesson #4 for me = 'risk fatigue' is lurking among our team and in my heart all the time. Sometimes we ask ourselves if we should keep pushing the missional and creative edges because we know that it 'costs' us in terms of reaching more 'churched' people right now who could help resource the movement. But, we also know that 'playing it safe' invites a slide back into 'church as usual' which is death to the dream of Phos Hilaron Church. The core of our dream is to reach those who are M.I.A. (Missing in Action) from the Kingdom and those who are P.O.W.s (Prisoners of War) and in our hearts we know that this means that as leaders and as a body PHC must 'cowboy up' and risk playing behind enemy lines, going hand to hand and heart to heart in our neighborhoods, and taking it to the streets in all ways possible. So, we ask for courage to dance at the edge of disaster where God can show Himself strong and abundantly able to do what He wants to do to resource this movement.
Lesson #5 for me = Play to Win or Head to the House. Since God is in this we don't have to 'play it safe' and we don't have to protect our gains and play 'not to lose' -- we can stay aggressive in our methods and dreams and actions (don't read that as obnoxious and 'in your face' , rather read it as taking creative risks to advance the Kingdom of God in creative, compelling missional ways). So, a personal mantra related to the enterprises in my life these days is 'Play to Win'!
I had an old coach who pulled us aside before a big game and gave us a great pep -talk that started something like this, 'Boys, it's not how you play the game, it's whether you win or lose. And, if you lose, don't come back...' He was just kidding, kind of...
And, if I said that to Phos Hilaron Church I'd be kind of kidding, but kind of serious, because the church in America has become so preoccupied with 'pretty and nice' that we've forgotten that our leader took the ball across the goal line up a dust covered hill spattered with his own blood--not pretty, but effective! Sometimes winning does matter and sometimes winning God's way is to play hard and do the gritty work of advancing the Gospel in unorthodox ways. If you wonder about whether God is into 'unorthodox' ways consider how He brought salvation to us -- a Virgin, a baby, a cross! Not orthodox, but ultimately EFFECTIVE.
Just thinking today!
Play to WIN or Head to the HOUSE!
Jeff Fuson
There's no question that a cash infusion would allow us to do some really cool marketing campaigns and add some video production gear to boost our creative team capabilities a notch or three, but the 'needs' are being met.
Lesson # 1 for me = God is IN this with us and HE's resourcing the movement
Lesson # 2 for me = What God Originates He Also Orchestrates (originally spoken by Troy Dobbs)
Lesson #3 for me = Launching with a strong creative / missional edge drives some 'normal' church people away, but it draws those with a missional heart and a will to impact culture. It's a natural filter.
Lesson #4 for me = 'risk fatigue' is lurking among our team and in my heart all the time. Sometimes we ask ourselves if we should keep pushing the missional and creative edges because we know that it 'costs' us in terms of reaching more 'churched' people right now who could help resource the movement. But, we also know that 'playing it safe' invites a slide back into 'church as usual' which is death to the dream of Phos Hilaron Church. The core of our dream is to reach those who are M.I.A. (Missing in Action) from the Kingdom and those who are P.O.W.s (Prisoners of War) and in our hearts we know that this means that as leaders and as a body PHC must 'cowboy up' and risk playing behind enemy lines, going hand to hand and heart to heart in our neighborhoods, and taking it to the streets in all ways possible. So, we ask for courage to dance at the edge of disaster where God can show Himself strong and abundantly able to do what He wants to do to resource this movement.
Lesson #5 for me = Play to Win or Head to the House. Since God is in this we don't have to 'play it safe' and we don't have to protect our gains and play 'not to lose' -- we can stay aggressive in our methods and dreams and actions (don't read that as obnoxious and 'in your face' , rather read it as taking creative risks to advance the Kingdom of God in creative, compelling missional ways). So, a personal mantra related to the enterprises in my life these days is 'Play to Win'!
I had an old coach who pulled us aside before a big game and gave us a great pep -talk that started something like this, 'Boys, it's not how you play the game, it's whether you win or lose. And, if you lose, don't come back...' He was just kidding, kind of...
And, if I said that to Phos Hilaron Church I'd be kind of kidding, but kind of serious, because the church in America has become so preoccupied with 'pretty and nice' that we've forgotten that our leader took the ball across the goal line up a dust covered hill spattered with his own blood--not pretty, but effective! Sometimes winning does matter and sometimes winning God's way is to play hard and do the gritty work of advancing the Gospel in unorthodox ways. If you wonder about whether God is into 'unorthodox' ways consider how He brought salvation to us -- a Virgin, a baby, a cross! Not orthodox, but ultimately EFFECTIVE.
Just thinking today!
Play to WIN or Head to the HOUSE!
Jeff Fuson
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Mighty Casey Up to Bat -- A Re-Take on a Classic
I'm in the office today preparing a talk called 'Swing the Bat' about Power Investing from Jesus' perspective in Matthew 25:14-30. I came across this cool audio as I was doing research that I thought you'd enjoy.
Check in out here.
Worship at Phos Hilaron Church in the morning will help people take the chance that they've been afraid to take!
Swing the Bat,
Jeff Fuson
Check in out here.
Worship at Phos Hilaron Church in the morning will help people take the chance that they've been afraid to take!
Swing the Bat,
Jeff Fuson
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