Social Networking vs Living

I love the irony of this video. There is much to be said about this video, but instead of reading my meager words, reflect upon the 30 seconds of this commercial. 

Generation iY - 4 Points to Consider

I have just started reading the book Generation iY: Our Last Chance to Save Their Future by Tim Elmore and I am intrigued, curious, frustrated, and long for hope of this current generation. Tim defines the iY generation as those born between 1984 and 2002. Here are four quick points in the first 2 chapters and how Tim defines the current struggles of the iY generation.

Overwhelmed: This is a generation who feels pressure to perform in school, occupations, and stress about finding a "good" job. "Many of these pressures come from parents who put pressure on them to perform...for the trophy."

Overconnected: Hyper stimulation from all the various forms of social networking and playing of video games. "Technology with maturity can be hazardous."

Overprotecetd: Safety has been allowed, but has trumped growth and "America has become obsessed at protecting children at all cost and have suffered because of it." 

Overserved: Everything is about them iMac, iPod etc, the songs they listen to are about themselves and studies are revealing a higher trend in Narcissistic Personality Disorder. "Most of their life has been served instead of taught or challenged."

Now, I realize this sounds very negative and well frankly we all need a wake up call in raising this generation. I have already skipped to the end of the book to see what hope he offers and I like the picture he paints about how we can all play a part in saving their future. 

"That's not the whole picutre of course. Generation iY can also be energetic, confident, and capable. They dream big, they care about their friends, they thrive on activity. I can honestly say that some of my most meaningful relationships are with iYers."

I echo Tim's statement and this is why I love working with teens and their families because there is so much potential to change the world as long as we can embrace them and take hold of the future together.

I am thankful that Toni from NTCA for giving me this book a few weeks ago. I am excited about March 31st when Tim Elmore will be speaking at a dinner fundraiser on behalf of NTCA. I would encourage you to consider coming to the fundraiser dinner. I will continue to post a few blogs about this book because the information is valuable to all who work with children and teens.

Go here and read the first chapter it is only 5 pages: Generation iY: Our Last Chance to Save Their Future

Dreams Becoming a Reality

Watching the NFL draft has my emotions running. Not because I really care about the NFL.  In fact, I can count on one hand how many games I watched last year.

You see the draft is about dreams. Dreams that have shaped these men for many years. Now their humble dreams are becoming a reality.

That is what captures our hearts, minds, and imaginations about watching the draft. It sparks a hope and creates wonder in us as adults to see if we have the capability to still dream.

However, they did not get to the stage overnight or arrive by merely dreaming. Here are three things that helped all of these young men get to the next level from a dream to a reality:

• Focus
• Discipline
• Perseverance

Do you still dream? Have you given up on your dream becoming a reality?


What are three things that you think helped these young men reach their dreams?

The Art of Telling Stories in Your Family -- Part 3

This brings us full circle to the end of Deuteronomy 6 and Part 1 in The Art of Telling Stories in Your Family.

At the end of Deuteronomy 6 a son asks his father, "What is the meaning...?"

You see all stories begin with a question. We must begin to ask questions of one another so we can hear each others Egyptian story.

There is a problem most have with sharing our stories due to what I call in Part 2 the commercialization of the family. The art of not only telling stories, but asking questions needs enlightenment. Questions are the catalyst that leads to connection.

We have an enormous amount of communication, but few meaningful connections of one another including our very own family members. Everyone is communicating through social networking, reading the news, watching TV, and listening to the radio to only mention a few mediums of communications.

Sensory overload within all the mass communications has led many of our relationship to lack the power of presence. Sure we all communicate, but are we slowing down enough to connect?

Our stories have value. Our stories deserve to be told to future generations.

May we come to realize the value in asking questions so the stories of how Christ freed us can transform generations to come.

She Deserves More Than the Same

"Your life will never be the same."

Let's face it I really don't want my life to be the same.

That's boring.

That's not unique.

That's not being a Linchpin.

However, this is a statement I have heard and made in regards to being a father this coming May.

This May will bring a new season into my life.

There will be joy and conflict...

There will be laughter and tears...

There will be love and sadness...

There will be an adventure and a story to live because...

There will be a father to his daughter.

Yeah...my life will never be the same...

My daughter Kennedie will not allow the same, she deserves more than the same.

Love you Kennedie, see you soon!

Mack Brown's Burden...?

Many of us have experienced the pain of wanting to win the approval of our parents and specifically our fathers. Take a few minutes and let Mack Brown's experience resonate in your heart and mind if you are running after someone's approval, but possibly have not realized it yet.

ESPN by Pat Ford

In a rare interview a couple of years ago, Sally Brown said, "I feel like everyone has something they carry with them that's their burden."

I asked her this week what Mack's burden is.

She thought for a moment and said, "Probably pleasing his father. Mack grew up in a wonderful little 'Ozzie and Harriet' family, but his dad was real hard on him."

Complete story by Pat Ford at ESPN

7 Elements to 2010

I have spent time during December and this week thinking about 2010 and the story I want to create within the context of God's bigger story of redeeming man. The story is not complete, but I have narrowed down 7 elements that need to be in my 2010 story.

Spiritual

• How does my relationship with Christ grow this year?

Martial

• What can I do to build upon 5 great years of marriage as I invest in Jessica and our marriage?

Relational

• Who do I need to go deeper with in our relationship and who needs to be reached out to for a deeper relationship?

Physical

• What do I want to accomplish in my new passion of endurance events?

Occupational

• How can I become the best therapist and minister with the gifts God has given me?

Financial

• What debts do we have and how can we save and give more?

Personal

• What are the uncharted territories that I have only dreamed about and now it is time to start?

Within these 7 elements I narrowed the focus after pondering over these areas by listing 3 ideas under each one. This is continued work in progress this week and I will share more about my 2010 story and some of the more well defined areas after talking with Jessica and several friends who are going through their own process of creating a meaningful 2010.

(Image: Trond Gjerde)

361 Days Left to Make 2010 a Good Story

If you have not started your new year's resolution don't fret or worry and give up now.

Maybe you have not even thought about writing down goals or ambitions...you still have time.

I have been brain storming and playing word association about goals and dreams for 2010, but the picture is not complete and I am not sure I have even started on any goals for the new year. I am running a half marathon on Saturday which inspires me to keep going and setting new goals, but I want more than goals. I want a story.

Since you have 361 days left and Don Miller wrote an excellent blog about goals and or story take a few minutes and read what he has to say about Living a Good Story; An Alternative to New Years Resolution.

His main point is that goals are met when one has an overarching narrative plot.

Take a few minutes today and this coming week to think about your 2010 narrative...you do have 361 days left...

(Image: Phillip Klinger)

The Greatest Currenency

What kind of footprints do you leave everyday?

No. Not some kind of "footprints in the sand" idea.

No. Not some kind of going "green" idea.

The idea of leaving a footprint is traceable.

After finishing Crush It recently by Gary Varynechuck he has left me with a resounding impression on my head and heart.

Many of us are busy consuming and chasing the great currency that allows us to amass things. Gary is not much different, wanting something bigger and better like the consuming power of one day owning the New York Jets.

(Image: hmgpdx)

However, he has given many a little nugget that allows us to put our pursuit of things into perspective.

He states in his book that "legacy is greater than currency."

If this is true than why do we spend much of our time worrying about the currency that buys things?

Are you leaving a footprint that is worth tracing?

Who is someone you know that has left a great legacy?

What is it about this person that makes a legacy meaningful?

My Superhero Suit

What makes you come alive? You know that feeling like you can take on the world and pursue your passion no matter the cost.

Maybe its not taking on the world, but confronting a fear and realizing you are one step closer to overcoming that fear.

Or are you really even living and are totally confused already?

Have you stopped living and are now content behind a TV screen watching the world pass by? Many people have and you would not be alone.

However, deep down within all us we desire to live. Not this pretend wake up and go to work and come home and do it all over the next day. No, that is insanity, that is not living.

I have been striving to live and just realized something that made me come alive. Not that I have not be living, but sometimes you have one of those moments that helps you realize that you are playing a character in a story and the story has meaning and it is tangiable.

Well, that tangible realization was when I came home for lunch and realized my Hammer Nutrition Tri suit had arrived. I immediately walked in the living room and did what I need to do to put the suit on. WOW!

I felt like one of those super heros, you know like when Clark Kent takes off his clothes and he beholds the magical Superman suit.

For a brief instance I felt like I should attempt an Ironman, not a Sprint Triathlon. And I realized that a dream for several years is unfolding and I am alive.

Are you alive? What are your dreams? What fear is holding you back? Maybe you should order a Hammer Tri suit and you might come alive, if not keep trying!

Order your endurance nutrition needs from Hammer and receive 15% when you order from the referral link.

Referral friend: Lantz Howard and Customer #1619 for %15 off.

Are you open minded?

Or are you like the Pharisees and the religious leaders of Jesus day who were not open minded?

This is something we all need to think long and hard about.

Because we may be missing a relationship with Jesus Christ just as the religious leaders missed out on the most important relationship in history.

Fathered by God Book Review

In 2001 I read a book that changed my life forever and possibly sent me into this desire to read books that will lead me closer to God and enrich my life and others along the way. John Eldredge wrote Wild at Heart which was the catalyst in my life and this book has transformed many lives since its debut. Eldredge has several other books out but the essence of all his books rest in his best work of Wild at Heart.
I have recommended Wild at Heart to all my friends and in several counseling sessions. If you have not read Wild at Heart you need to read that one first before you dive into Fathered by God.

Fathered by God was not life changing or altering for me, but John laid out a well developed thesis of the stages of a holistic man. The book was first published as the Way of the Wild Heart, but he felt the book was not understood by his intended audience as he planned. He reworked the book and republished as the new title, Fathered by God. This book has allowed me to slow down and look at the big picture of my personal life and aspects of the journey cannot happen until a certain "phase" is completed or understood.

One aspect of John's book that I find myself getting jealous about and often upset at is his portrayal that you have to live in the mountains of Colorado in order to be a "man." I know this is not his intention, but he paints a picture from his own journey that unless you climb of fly fish than you may not be a manly man. I am not going to lie, I would love to live in the mountains of Colorado and be on a adventure everyday. There is a adventure to live anywhere you may live. You have to be intentional to create the adventure and get outdoors. In essence he is trying to direct men to get outdoors and his outdoor experience is based in Colorado.

To be totally transparent. I am jealous that I have not had similar adventures until recent. I have climbed mountains, repelled a 200 ft cliff, and find myself yearning to get out more often. So possibly I get upset because I wish I would have had these experiences earlier in life.

My Father is God and I know he has a plan for me. We are all on a journey and we have to allow Him to mold and shape us in His image.

Clarifying Your Dreams

Here are some questions I need to ask myself as I move forward in John C. Maxwell's book Put Your Dream to the Test.

• What would I do if I had no limitations?
• What would I do if I had only five years to live?
• What would I do if I had unlimited resources?
• What would I do if I knew I couldn't fail?

Should I answer these questions and hold my self accountable here on this blog?

Is Facebook changing our theological views of Jesus?

This image was suggested to me this morning on Facebook to join the "Friends of Jesus" group. Now I realize that many things on Facebook and in general are intended to have fun and not necessarily have deep theological meaning.

However, I desire more than being a "fan" of my Lord and Savior the true Messiah.

I want to be an intimately connected disciple of Christ.

I am not cheering Christ on for a victory because that victory was won at the cross and through the empty tomb.

When I become a fan of Christ I reduce what has already happened at the cross down to a mere one time event like last years Super Bowl which we quickly forget.

What do you think?

Are you a Facebook narcissist?

The University of Georgia did some research last year about detecting narcissism on Facebook and I was just pondering the thought of the growing trend of Facebook among all generations and the growing trend of Twitter and how this is allowing us to connect in ways we have never connected before. At the same time it is allowing others to have selfish gain.

According to narcissism and the research, ones behavior on the net will not be to different than the "real" world. If one has numerous friends on Facebook and many wall post then odds are their relationship in the "real" world will be similar to having several friends but no real connection.

True narcissist have superficial relationships with several people and lack conversation depth.

You might be a Facebook narcissist if _________________ (fill in the blank in the comment section.)

Twitter, Facebook, Blogging, and other networks have an inherent framework for one to have a peronsal and selfish gain that would lend to narcissim. However, with all things there is both sides of the equation and we need to strive for a balance.

This is my prayer today, Psalm 119:36...

"Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain."

Please forgive me if I use this platform for selfish and personal gain.

Do you know what this sign means?

This is your pedestrian sign that many people in Las Vegas do not understand. This sign means stop when a pedestrian is in the cross walk. This sign does not mean speed up and ignore the pedestrian.

Have you ever been a pedestrian?

Most pedestrian are on a journey from point A to point B.

If your life was considered this sign of a pedestrian ("walking") who would you be walking with?

Consider this BibleGateway.com search and think about who you are walking with on your journey.

The reality is that the enemy is hard pressed to run you over, whether you are in the crosswalk or not. You must be on your guard when walking with God not to step into a busy street.

Continue your journey, but beware of this sign.

Greater things to come in Las Vegas

The Chris Tomlin concert last night was awesome. Catch a glimpse...

For a few minutes pretend you live here in Las Vegas and last night you were in a room filed with over 2000 people listening to this song. WOW! Words cannot describe the atmosphere.

How many generations are working together?

There are four generations currently working together in the same environments which can often lead to conflicts. These various generations bring to the table different perspectives and understanding depending on his or her worldview.

If one can look at the big picture of how generations bring positives and negatives to the table then one could only assume the generations would not collide.

All generations have negative and positive aspects of their particular time frame, but we often cannot remove our generational lenses to understand one another and move beyond the surface.

I made these brief points recently at counseling supervision which shed light onto a particular situation. Understanding what generations are at the table can bring the big picture into light.

One suggestion to bridge understanding of the generational gaps of one another and the collisions is to ask oneself, "How is his or her generational worldview affecting our conversation and overall goal?"

Generational differences are neither right or wrong, it is just the reality of today.

Attacking Sexual Immorality

After living in Las Vegas for nearly four years I have learned that God's grace is bigger than Sin City, but God wants us to take a 180 degree turn when we start walking with Him.

We must take appropriate steps to confront sins in our life and especially sins of the flesh.

Especially in Las Vegas we must attack the enemy of sexual idolatry. However, don't be fooled sexual idolatry is in every town, on any TV, on the Internet, magazine racks, convenience stores, and any other medium Satan can use to get a foot hold on sexual idolatry.

The story in Numbers 25 about sexual idolatry entering into the eyes and hearts of the Israelite's is our story today. Men and women everywhere are being confronted with sexual images and messages everyday.

The Midianites were destroyed because their lack of sexual purity. The Israelite man was also killed because he walked straight into the tent with a woman and was killed during their sexual activity.

One by one men must rise up and take the "spear" and drive out the sexual impurity in our lives and the lives around us before we are destroyed either literally or emotionally.

"Society Let You Down"

When will we take personal responsibility?

From consumer debt to the national banking crisis people have bought into this mentality that society is responsible for me and my family.

Now I am not exactly sure who "society" is when someone makes this statement, but we must start taking personal responsibility.

The encouraging side is that when a teen responds to an adult and says, "Society did not let me down, I let myself down by my personal choices. Society did not let me down."