Disclaimer: This is going to sound like a shameless plug and some real butt kissing. Oh well...

Anyway, I really struggle with time management. I think too many pastors (including myself) are doing what they are "trained" to do and not what they are "called" to do. My problem is that I get caught up in projects and things I have no business doing. I'm also a little scatter brained... :)

Whenever I'm with Nelson I badger him about time management stuff. And things like how to be more efficient and hand things off, etc. There's lots of stuff out there for business guys but not for pastors.

Anyway, Nelson has released a new resource on time management. I can't wait to get my hands on it! Nelson is not just someone I learn from he is one of my best friends (how is that for name dropping?). I know this guy and how much he learns and applies that knowledge to his own situation/church/business endeavors. What you will get here is not just theory but learning in action.

I haven't been this excited since I got my first AC/DC album (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Album)!

BUY IT NOW AT http://www.churchleaderinsights.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=25...

Here are some folks I really love and dig. And they blog too!

http://lisa.shropshires.net/
http://mark.shropshires.net/
http://www.steph-confessionsofasahm.blogspot.com/

Please pray for Chris and Denise Elrod. They have lost their baby. Chris is an awesome guy (I go to his blog about every day). I really hate this for those guys. They thought they couldn't get pregnant and we ecstatic when they did. I'm sure they are really hurting right now.

It's ironic that on July 7/8 we (Rocky River Community Church) are going to be joining Compass Point (where Chris is the Lead Pastor) and about 10,000 other churches in a service series called ONE PRAYER (www.oneprayer.com). I think that ONE PRAYER should start right here and now with all of our churches praying for this awesome pastor and his wife. And don't forget to pray for his church too because they are hurting and concerned for their pastor and his wife.

God bless Chris and Denise...
THANKS!

www.chriselrod.com

Saturday night the family hooked up with some great friends (Jeff, Sharon, Andrew, Brandon and April - all serious rednecks!) to go racin'! It was a great time! I mean a great time - except that JR didn't win :(.

Oh yeah, I may not look like it but at heart I'm a BIG TIME redneck. I love racin'! Headed out tonight to the "Winston." Yeah, I still call it the Winston and not the Sprint All Star race. NO WAY! Winston cigs made NASCAR and that's what I grew up calling it - THE WINSTON. I went to the first one back in the day with my dad and uncle Johnny when Rusty snookered Darrell Waltrip out of the victory (beautiful - what a moment!). I was also there live and in person for Dale Earnhardt's "pass in the grass." The last time I went to the "Winston" the guy next to me spilled a beer all over me.

Anyway, I pull for JR. If he could win and the Bush brothers could both end up against the wall the evening will have been perfect.

Perry - man I hate Clemson :), but this is about the best video I've ever seen. Very meaningful. This is what church is all about. God bless New Spring Church!

Folks - you've got to take a couple minutes and check this out!

Come out to Frank Liske Park for our 2nd Annual Service in the Park. We will eat at 5:30pm and the service will begin at 6:15pm. There will be hot dogs & hamburgers with all the fixings for everyone. Bring your friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. and a lawn chair. It will be OFF the hook. Seriously, it will be meaning and loads of fun too!

A liar, slave, a murderer, the son of a prostitute, a prostitute, a runty shepherd boy, a peasant girl, a fisherman, and even a tax collector. Will you let Him use you?

Last night our Bible study was in Judges 6. I had a few insights that I thought I would share with you guys. Assuming you just read Judges 6…

6:2. The Midianites were ancient enemies to Israel. God had told them to completely destroy them but the didn’t – completely. The result is that these people repopulated and rearmed and became a stronger enemy to Israel.

The same thing happens when we don’t fully wipe out our enemies – like addictions, bad habits and hidden sins (like masturbation –bet you weren’t expecting that!).

6:6, 7. Israel waited until they hit rock bottom before they called on God for His help. God doesn’t want us to do that. God’s help was available long before they asked. His help – supernatural help – is available to you RIGHT NOW.

6:8. God often sent prophets (preachers) to speak to His people after they call out to Him for help. The children of Israel didn’t listen. Are you listening?

6:13. Gideon questioned God. I think that is fine. There are plenty of examples of this in the Bible. However, Gideon was blaming God for the consequences of Israel’s sins. They had refused to be obedient to God and do the things that would keep them safe and free from their enemies.

Are you blaming God for the consequences of your bad decisions? Stop blaming and start listening.

6:14-16. God calls and gifts every person to serve Him. Yet most people don’t feel adequate to do what God calls them to. Gideon pulled a Moses here. He thought that because he was a farmer, maybe no education, etc. that he couldn’t possibly be the one to lead Israel.

What has God “called” you to do that you’re putting off because you feel inadequate? Stop making excuses and start following. ☺

6:25ff. Sometimes when you take risks to follow God people call you crazy and think you’re a nut. And then, when you begin to have some success and accomplish things for God, some of the folks you thought would join you will actually become your greatest critics and even your enemies.

There’s probably more to share but those are some of my big thoughts/insights.

I can hardly wait. The service is going to be "smokin'" hot! Don't miss! Don't miss! Don't miss!