Just saw this story….commit to no sex before marriage and have a chance to win $10,000.  Read about it here.

Be sure to read the WHOLE article…some interesting comments in the article…such as that there is no one has entered and that they have relaxed the rules.  Interesting to say the least.

What do you think about it?

Be careful if you plan on going out and ROLLING a house anytime soon!  Check out this article!

Catalyst this year was probably the BEST conference that I have attended.  They had a GREAT line-up of speakers: Steven Furtick, Craig Groschel, Andy Stanley, Seth Godin, Jim Collins, and Matt Chandler.  There was so much information that was presented that I will be processing for a LONG time.  I am looking forward to being able to process the information, but also talk with some of the other NewSpring peeps that were there and get their perspective as well!!

Highlights of the Conference:

• Andy Stanley’s messages
• Matt Chandler live…WOW
• Seeing Aaron Keyes lead worship
• Seeing Jonathan Herron for the first time in 3 years
• Dahara Children’s Choir…I cried like a baby
• Listening to Steven Furtick…dude was amazing
• Fogo De Chao…amazing dead cow
• Dave Ramsey was dead on!!
• Meeting some of the folks at Northpoint Community Church’s Pastoral Care area
• Hearing all the speakers doing a RAP in video form!  INTERESTING!!

Catalyst, GREAT job with the conference!  Looking forward to next year.

I came across this list of Ray Evernham and how he defines success for him and his organization.  Take a moment to read through them.  What are your thoughts? Disagree or Agree?  With all or some?

Here is success as defined by Ray Evernham:

1. God & Family - With out God’s grace and the support of my family, I would not be here now.
2. Hard Work - That sounds cliché . . . but it takes hard work to be successful . . . Life is not easy . . . It’s not supposed to be.
3. Doing Whatever It Took - Do whatever it takes . . . any job that must be done . . . any position that must be filled to complete the mission is your responsibility . . . Find A Way…
4. Being Surrounded by Good People - “Over achievers”. . . Learn to identify good people . . . Figure out how to get them on your team . . .
5. Learn what motivates them and provide that motivation.
6. Setting The Work Ethic Example - Get in early, stay late . . . Work neatly . . Work efficiently . . . Work in the same manner you expect your people to work.
7. Always Pushing To Get Better - Do one thing every day that makes you a little better at your job . . . Remember in our world 75% is average . . . If you can get to 76% you have three-fourths of your competition beat.
8. Studying - To learn you must study . . . To pass exams in school you had to study hard . . . Life, business, or big exams . . . To get high grades you’ve got to study . . The world is full of books, videos and information other people have gathered for years . . . Use it!
9. Not Being Intimidated By My Competition - I respect them but don’t let them intimidate me . . . Never underestimate your competition . . . Always try to overestimate them . . . If they are stronger than you think they are, you get beat . . . If they aren’t as strong as you think, you beat them easier.
10. Belief In The Team And The Project - Strong belief in a project by its leader trickles down to the troops . . . That belief soon becomes confidence.
11. Willingness To Put Personal Gain Behind The Project - When your mind set changes from “what is this project going to do for me” to “what more can I do to make this project successful”, you are about to accomplish big things.
12. Making Change When Change Is Needed - You have to be willing to change direction when needed . . . Never change for the sake of change . . . Make sure you have a reason, purpose and direction . . . Then make your change without looking back.
13. Working On My Weaknesses - We all have them . . . Identify them . . . Go to work on them . . . Eliminate them.
14. Working On Communication - You can’t lead if you can’t communicate . . . effective and clear communication is a great tool that is seldom used properly.
15. Resources And Using Them - Identify them . . . Acquire them . . . Use them.Being Able to Focus On Short-term Goals Without Distraction - You need long range goals for sure but you also need short term goals . . .Train yourself to keep an eye on the tree while grabbing the low hanging fruit first.
16. Having The Freedom To Do My Job - If you give someone a project . . . give them guidance, resources and time frames and let them go . . . Don’t Micro-manage.
17. Creating Team Spirit - Everyone wants to be part of something special . . . Create something special for your people to be a part of.
18. Sharing The Money And The Glory - Nothing great is ever accomplished alone . . . If your team’s performance is rewarded by money and glory, make sure that everyone shares in the rewards.
19. Always Having A Plan And Sharing It With The Team - People have got to know where you are going before they will follow you . . . Share your vision often . . . Soon your team will see it, too.
20. Compassion, Passion and Emotion - You can’t be great without it . . . Have compassion for your people . . . Let them know it . . . Have passion for your mission . . . Make sure everyone knows it.

Leave a comment and let me know what you think!

I just saw this clip and it made me think and laugh, but I wonder how they were able to make it happen???? Listen closely!!

ht: http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com

Chic-Fil-A Corporate Purpose:

To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us.  To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-Fil-A.

“How do we balance the pursuit of profit and personal character? For me, I find that balance by applying Biblical principles. I see no conflict between Biblical principles and good business practices. We’ve tried to operate Chick-Fil-A that way from the beginning.”  Truett Cathy

I watched the full two hours of the Saddleback Civil Forum and honestly, I was impressed.  I saw some things that I liked in both candidates and I saw some things that I didn’t like.  I appreciate the courage of Rick Warren to host the forum.  He asked some really GREAT questi0ns.  I loved the format of the forum…one candidate at a time, same host, same environment, same questions, etc.

I enjoyed Rick’s closing lines that he made…”I just want to remind you that one of the greatest freedoms we have here in America is the freedom of speech, even the freedom to protest this meeting. That’s a good thing, but we have to learn how to have civility in our civilization. How to stop being rude, how to stop demonizing each other, how to have a discussion and a debate because we all want America  to be a greater place. God Bless!”

Do yourself a favor and take the time to watch it or you can get the transcript of the forum here.

Arguably, the greatest sports show on the air waves has taken to internet. Sportscenter took to the airwaves in September of 1979, they are now on the internet in the year 2008. Check it out for yourself. It allows to to see the bios of the anchors, know which anchors are hosting the shows and the topics covered. Also you can watch a lot of the commercials that they have aired, which is GREAT! They also have a clip of the ORIGINAL broadcast of ESPN Sportscenter!

I do wonder why now? Will people really traffic over to this site other than ESPN.com? Not sure we shall see!