Surfing the Inner N8

Insights & Outsights from a Guy Trying to Follow Jesus


  • Quote

    “It doesn’t matter who gets the credit as long as God gets the glory.” – Craig Groeschel 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

  • Christianese Blooper

    I just stumbled across a funny reminder that Christians need to be careful not to slip into Christianese.  When I saw a podcast sermon title and clicked on the information button to see what it was about, it said: “A study in Romans chapter 8 encouraging Christians to be anxious for nothing.” Sounds kinda like… Continue reading

  • Catalyst: Andy Stanley (part 1)

    The first session of Catalyst, the conference I went to near Atlanta a couple weeks ago, featured Andy Stanley as the speaker.  Some highlights: As pastors and other Christian leaders, we’re called to influence people we don’t have official authority over.  In other words: “We can’t make them do anything.” In order to motivate people… Continue reading

  • Living Stones

    We had some last-minute changes in our worship service yesterday at CrossWay.  Fortunately God has placed some gifted people in our congregation to stand in when needed.  Our worship leader, Josh, had to be out of town for a funeral.  I was unable to preach due to sickness.  But the music in the worship service… Continue reading

  • Gems About Writing

    Recently I got together over lunch with Randy Walter, editor of the Manna (a Christian newspaper for Maryland’s Eastern Shore).  He’s got a lot of wisdom and experience in the realm of Christian publishing, as well as a full cache of fascinating stories.  We had some delicious crab cakes as we talked about writing. Some… Continue reading

  • 10 Years

    Tonight will mark exactly 10 years since I began following Christ and sobered up. Wow, I can’t believe it’s been a full decade.  What a ride!  I’m so grateful for the countless, unbelievable ways that God has blessed me.  Thank You Jesus!!!!!!! Continue reading

  • Mr. Hyde and the Pediatrician

    All week I’ve been sick and have waited for it to just blow over.  Finally I called the doctor and set up an appointment for this morning. I felt kind of dumb and wimpy.  There have been several times in my adulthood I’ve gone to the doctor, but usually it was to get a prescription… Continue reading

  • No One’s Calling This Guy A Sissy

    Would you cut off your finger to play football?  This guy did. Continue reading