The Gospel

This is from Donald Miller's blog. Read the whole post here.

American invention

This item was highlighted on the Jon Stewart show last night. As Jon said, "for those of you who want to have a heartattack, but are to lazy to cook some bacon."

Leadership Model clarification

If you've been around Campus Crusade you'll at least recognize some of the terms on the Leadership model. When you're new staff you're supposed to have a working understanding of it. Check out this post by Brian Barela helping to clarify some things that might help new staff and at least one old one...me!

This was super helpful and encouraging when I think about how I'm wired and how my giftings and passions can be used for the Kingdom.

Bozeman Police Reports: Monday February 16, 2009

I'm starting a new posting series based on the Bozeman police reports in the local paper. I don't know who does the writing but the amount of details is hilarious. They are too funny to keep to myself. Here's a sampling from today...

-A caller reported her neighbors making loud sounds and yelling, "oh my God." Upon investigation, the occupants of the apartment said they were excited to see an acquaintance on television.

-A report of suspicious activity was made when two males entered a rug shop and told the reporting party that they were male strippers "looking to make some money."

I just met Alec Baldwin...kind of

What follows is my recent Facebook chat with our friend John who works at Saturday Night Live in New York City.


8:39 John
I'm still at work...ugh
8:39pmMatt
which work?
8:39pmJohn
SNL
and the new Jimmy Fallon show
8:40pmMatt
say hi to the Jimster for me
8:40pmJohn
okay
he's a very nice guy
8:40pmMatt
you live on a different planet than me
I'm sure of it

9:14pmMatt
Jody says hi
9:16pmJohn
hi Jody

Alec Baldwin is standing over my shoulder

I'm explaining Facebook to him

LOL Alec officially says hi to you guys

9:18pmMatt
tell him we think he's great on 30 rock

9:18pmJohn
he just left...but you just indirectly met Alec Baldwin

9:18pmMatt
yes, my life is complete

9:19pmJohn
nobody will believe you...

Death by Meeting - A quick review

I just finished Patrick Lencioni's book Death by Meeting.

It's a quick read and if you've read any of Lencioni's books you know that they are fun to read. The term Lencioni uses to describe them is "Leadership fables". Anyway, this book was interesting, funny and challenged my thinking about how the tone of our "corporate" meetings influence the rest of our organizations performance, moral and motivation. Staff meetings should be a highlight of your week. Some of the most stimulating and challenging conversations should take place during them. If you lead meetings regularly I highly recommend this book.

Immobile

I'm currently helping my Chiropractor save up to put his two kids in college.

My lower back has been giving me fits for a number of years now, often seizing up completely in opportune times...like when I was leading a summer project in Croatia last June.

On Saturday morning I went and did some Nordic Skiing with some friends and by nightfall I couldn't really walk, stand up, sit down, or assume the prone position without any pain. I'm not sure what the problem is, but I'm becoming close friends with Dr. Anderson who I will see for the second time today in a few hours.

Back injury has got to be one of the most demoralizing injuries ever. I can't "do" anything. What an interesting reminder that my significance isn't dependent on what I do (or don't do).

So now I lay here in bed waiting for my back to stop yelling at me.