Surfing the Inner N8

Insights & Outsights from a Guy Trying to Follow Jesus

Leadership

  • Falling On Our Knees

    At CrossWay on Sunday we talked about dying to our sin-riddled selves and being given new life in Christ.  We read the really strange story in Acts 20:7-12 and then walked through Romans 6:1-14. The highlight of the day for me came at the end of the second service.  When we reached our prayer time Continue reading

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  • Coaching…But At What Cost?

    The apostle Paul was imprisoned in a dungeon a short time before he was to be executed.  He sat down to write one last letter.  He’d written many letters to many churches and individuals over his long ministry.  This final letter was written to Timothy, a younger man that Paul had coached as Timothy began Continue reading

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  • Principles & Principals

    This afternoon I was part of a pretty exciting meeting.  Several pastors and church leaders from our community met with the top education administrators in north Worcester County.  It started out great because lunch was provided, but then it got even better.  The churches’ agenda was simple: we wanted to find out how we can Continue reading

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  • On the Obama Victory

    Sometimes you just gotta give the spotlight to people who can say things better than you.  So on this first morning with our new President-elect, I’m turning the mic over to Darren Plummer, a church planter friend in the D.C. area. Click here to read his thoughtful and well-expressed reaction to the Obama victory. Continue reading

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  • And My Vote For President Goes To…

    … Merv Stoltzfus!  I believe Merv is the man who can reach across the aisle and bring this country back together.  As we look ahead to the future, President Stoltzfus can lead this nation through our current troubles with his wise and discerning leadership. Plus, he’s a good friend and our Conference Minister. Here’s a Continue reading

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  • A Third Way

    With the big national election tomorrow, we talked yesterday at CrossWay about the political scene and how we should respond. Conclusion: rather than placing our faith in McCain and the Republicans or Obama and the Democrats, we should choose a Leader who really is the answer for the messes we’ve created.  His name is Jesus, Continue reading

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  • My Pastors

    With tomorrow being the last day of Pastor Appreciation Month, this post is about 30 days overdue.  Lately I’ve been thinking about how grateful I am for the many people who pastor me, and those who have pastored me in previous seasons of my life. So here is my tribute to some of those people Continue reading

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  • Catalyst: Steven Furtick

    Of all the speakers at Catalyst, the one who was the biggest hit had to be Steven Furtick, the founding pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.  His presentation and passion can’t be captured in notes, unfortunately, but here are some of the highlights: Between God’s promise and its payoff is a process–a painful Continue reading

  • Catalyst: Brenda Salter McNeil

    Some notes from Catalyst speaker Brenda Salter McNeil: “Nobody wants to change the world more than God.” When we really look at God, we can’t stay the same. We can’t afford to just stay where we are in our comfort zones.  There has to be movement outward. We all have a “Samaria” (see Acts 1:8), Continue reading

  • Catalyst: Jim Collins

    Another excellent speaker at Catalyst was Jim Collins, author of Built to Last and Good to Great.  Some of his insights: “Good is the enemy of great.” “Greatness is not a function of the cards we’re dealt,” but of conscious choice and discipline. “You will find a culture of discipline in every great enterprise.”  But Continue reading