johnlaeger.com

Lessons from Brett Favre

From Mark Wilson

Farewell to Favre

My 19 year old son, Ryan, said that he has never seen a Packer game without Brett Favre at the helm. It's sure going to be different now, and poor Rogers has some huge shoes to fill.

After pondering over what made Favre such a great champion, here are a few sentimental observations:

1) He Showed up to Play Every Sunday.

Regardless of what was happening in his life (i.e. his father's death and his wife's cancer), he still found a way to get to the game on time.

2) He Played Through the Hurts.

I've watched just about every Packer game since Favre's debut. I've seen him clobbered, hammered, hamstrung, smashed, and boggled. Yet, Brett kept getting back on his feet again. Remember the year when he played half a season with a broken thumb? Somehow, the desire for victory was far greater than the physical pain.

3) He Took Risks and Made Plenty of Mistakes.

Not only does he hold the career touchdown record, he holds the interception record as well. You can't win big by playing it safe. Consider the turtle, who makes no progress until he sticks his neck out. Brett stuck his neck out all the time.

On countless occasions, I've seen him do something crazy, and yelled, "NO!! NO!! DON'T DO THAT!!" But then, it's the crazy passes, completed as touchdowns which will go down in history as the greatest and most memorable.

4) After He Blew It, He Shook it Off.

Nothing could rattle his confidence. On the next set of downs after an interception, he'd throw deep (and crazy) again. Favre didn't allow failure to be final and always believed that setbacks are supposed to be followed by come-backs.

He never blamed others for his mistakes, and always took responsibility for losses on the field.

5) He Inspired the Team.

Brett always had a good word of encouragement for the younger guys around him. I remember when Ryan Longwell, as a rookie kicker, muffed an easy field goal against the Eagles, and lost the game. The crowd booed. Favre went over to his dejected teammate and said, "Hey, don't worry about it. It's not your fault. We lost this thing together."

6) He Kept Smiling.

The thing I appreciated most about Brett Favre was his enthusiasm and love for football. Most of the time, he really enjoyed himself and was glad to be there (There were a few exceptions, such as the ice bowl in Chicago, but normally, he'd grin for at least three quarters, anyhow!) Brett's lighthearted spirit was contagious. Win or lose, it was still a good game.

7) He Didn't Quit Until the Clock Ran Out.

Many players give up when the tide turns against them, but not Brett Favre! He played his heart out every second of every down in the game. Perhaps that's why he led his team to so many last second comeback victories.

Reasons Why Marriages Get Into Trouble

From Perry Noble.  (Perry will be speaking - via video - at Meadow this Sunday for week #3 in our OnePrayer series.)

Seven Reasons Why Marriages Get Into Trouble

Since we are in the middle of a relationship series targeted towards men I thought I would share seven reasons why I feel that marriages wind up getting into trouble.

#1 - Unrealistic Expectations

When a person goes into a marriage thinking the following…there is trouble on the way…

“I know he/she isn’t exactly what I want right now–but marriage will change them.” (Hint–if you aren’t ready to commit to them as they are–DON’T COMMIT!)

• “This person will make me happy.”
• “I know he/she cheats on me now, but when we get married they will stop.”
• “I know he/she talks to me like I am garbage right now, but when we get married they will see the value in me.”
• “We’re going to have sex ALL OF THE TIME!” (Singles–marriage is about A LOT more than just sex!)

#2 - Ignoring The “Gut Check” Before The Marriage.

I have spoken to lots of people who have unfortunately experienced divorce–and nearly every single one of them, when I pressed down on the issue, has said that they knew before they got married that they should not have–but wanted to go ahead and go through with it to save themselves from the embarrassment.

If you KNOW it’s wrong–better a little embarrassment now than a lot of pain later.

#3 - Unwillingness To Work Through Issues

Married couples have their issues–that is just the way it is; however, the people you know that have strong marriages work through their issues. They talk honestly and openly with one another–they hold true to Ephesians 4:26-29.

Once again–they talk TO ONE ANOTHER, not ABOUT ONE ANOTHER. They don’t go to their Bible study, accountability partner to bash their spouse…they sit down like a real man and woman and work it out!

#4 - The Other Person Becomes Unimportant

When work, hobbies or the kids replace the importance of the spouse then bad times are sure to follow. It’s work…but the marriage MUST remain the most important relationship on the planet.

#5 - The Greener Grass Syndrome

When a man/woman begins looking at “other options” and fantasizing about them–THAT is always trouble. The line between fantasy and reality become blurred…and often lines are crossed because a person will think, “I’ve done it wrong in this marriage…but he/she is my chance to start over and it will be wonderful.”

Hey, guess what–the grass IS greener on the other side–but ONLY because it happens to be over the septic tank!

#6 - Money

I have seen more couples have the dumbest arguments over money. A couple will “fall in love” with each other and then “fall in love” with stuff, thus going out and accumulating debt in massive amounts so that they can have in three years what it took their parents 30 years to accumulate!

If a couple isn’t doing the budget thing and having honest discussions about financial priorities–it WILL wreak havoc on the marriage.

#7 - Church/Godly Influences Are Pushed Out Of Their Lives

I’ve seen it so many times…a couple will be doing wonderful…involved in church, establishing solid friendships–until, one of them (usually the man) gets “busy” with work…the lady tries to hang in there without him for a while–but eventually become discouraged and gives up. Next thing you know they have absolutely NOTHING in common & wind up being strangers sleeping in the same bed.

There is something absolutely amazing about connecting on a spiritual level–going to church and praying together, having godly friends that will encourage and support you. I know that this is HUGE for ‘Cretia and I! I just don’t think we were called to do life alone. (Hebrews 10:24-25.)

Ten Questions

Here are a few questions I have rolling around my brain this week.  Questions we all should be asking ourselves.

From Craig Groeschel

Ten Questions

1. Is our vision so big that we obviously can't accomplish it without God?
2. Am I doing ministry from memory or from fresh direction from God?
3. What ministry (or program or meeting) has lost its effectiveness and should be stopped?
4. Is there a person who needs to be moved to another role (or removed), and I haven't done it?
5. What faith risk is God calling me to take?
6. Have I repented to my team at least once in the last year for a failure in leadership?
7. Have I done everything in my power to make sure my team is living without unconfessed sin?
8. Am I expressing love and care for my team members' families?
9. Am I living with delayed obedience toward God in any area of leadership?
10. Is Jesus my sole motivation for ministry or has my motivation become clouded?

Something to Chew On

From Seth Godin's  Is it Worthy?

"The object isn’t to be perfect. The goal isn’t to hold back until you’ve created something beyond reproach. I believe the opposite is true. Our birthright is to fail and to fail often, but to fail in search of something bigger than we can imagine. To do anything else is to waste it all."

Lean Into It

From Steven Furtick

Lean Into It

Chances are there’s a relational confrontation that you’re attempting to avoid right now.  Stop hiding from it.  Instead, lean into it.  You’ll come out on the other side with a stronger relationship (best case), or realizing that the relationship is no longer worth investing in (still a valuable outcome).  Either way, relational progress is never achieved by bobbing and weaving.

I’ll also make a wild guess that God may be initiating a transition in an area of your life these days.  (Because that’s what He does.)  If God is urging you to leave behind a current way of doing things-and this could be something as major as your career path or as seemingly detailed as your daily schedule-don’t fight against Him.  When you feel the internal pull to abandon a comfort zone for greener pastures, the worst thing you can do is put on the parking brake.  Ask the children of Israel, who managed to turn a 3 day journey into a 40 year holding pattern.
Running away will keep you grounded.
Only when you lean into your change can God propel you to a higher place.

Eliminating credit card debt - the bottom line

We are headed out in a few days for a week of vacation!  I am REALLY looking forward to it.  One reason is that this vacation will NOT be put on credit cards.  In fact, there is nothing about this trip that will be put on credit.  We have the cash for it.

BUT...this has not always been the case.  I can remember the time when we used credit cards to go on vacation, go out to eat, buy furniture, buy clothes, etc.  And we accumulated A LOT of debt buying and doing things that we couldn't afford or were, to be honest, unnecessary and extravagent.

This post by Seth Godin pretty much describes how we eliminated that debt.  The one thing he doesn't mention is tithing.  We never stopped tithing.  Why would we rob God of the tithe to pay for debt our selfishness and lack of self-control brought us?

If you are fighting debt - Seth's words are real and they work.

Urgent Personal Finance Advice

If I could only share one piece of personal finance advice to grads or to just about anyone, it would be this:

Only borrow money to pay for things that increase in value.

It's a short list: your business, your house and your education, mostly. Stocks if you're smarter than me. That's pretty much it.

If you have credit card debt, you're in big trouble. Your bank account has a huge leak in it, and it's getting worse. Hence the urgency.

If you have credit card debt, that means that every time you spend money (even cash), you're borrowing money to do so. And so, if you're going out to dinner or buying a new pair of shoes, you've just broken the single most important rule of personal finance. You're spending borrowed money on stuff that is decreasing in value.

This is an emergency. It's an emergency because every single day you wait, the problem gets worse. A lot worse.

My suggestion: Go to defcon 4, and do it immediately. Shift gears to live well below your means. That means:
No restaurants
No clothes shopping
No cable TV bill
No Starbucks

It means:
Take in a tenant in your spare bedroom
Carpool to work
Skip vacation this year

Eat brown rice and beans every night for dinner. Act like you have virtually no income.

The result? You'll save $5,000 to $20,000 a year. Send all of it to the credit card company. Do this until you're debt free, the faster the better.

There. Now you're rich. Now you get interest on your savings instead of paying the bank. Twenty years from now, this emergency action will translate into perhaps a million dollars in the bank, depending on how much you earn and how serious you are.

In my face challenge

Perry Noble is one of my most read bloggers.  I listen to his messages maybe more than I listen to any one else's.  He challenges me personally.  He says things that need to be said - everyone knows they need to be said but aren't saying them because they are too afraid to say it - Perry says it.  God is using him to challenge me to higher levels of leadership, ministry, and living.

Here is a small bit of his post today.  Once again - his words are stirring in my brain, making me uncomfortable, and will affect what I do and how I do it.

"Be who God called you to be…take risks…pray “stupid” prayers…ask people for commitment…believe in those no one else dared to believe in…PREACH JESUS…listen to the Holy Spirit…give everything your best…spend time BEGGING God to change lives…understand that God wants your church to grow more than you do…stop trying to make people happy…take some time for yourself…hire the people God tells you to hire…LEARN DAILY…spend whatever amount of money you need to spend to grow…develop your strengths, delegate your weaknesses…ignore your critics…STOP trying to be someone else…HONOR GOD’S GIFTING AND CALLING ON YOUR LIFE!!!"

Leadership "Sweet Spot"

As soon as I posted my thoughts on the 3 types of leaders, I checked my Bloglines and saw this one from Shane Duffey.

Consider it additional food for thought to 3 Types of Leaders.  Check it out.

Sweet Spot

Lots on my mind

Lots of stuff on my mind today.  These two posts are helping me process it all...

• Only God Knows
• Position or Vision?

We are experiencing some extremely healthy growth right now and I want to do whatever it takes to keep it going.  I believe its a vision and leadership deal to do so - under the guidance of God's will and calling for Meadow.

There are issues - both serious and not-so-serious - that need to be addressed and dealt with.  Issues that are at Meadow and issues that do not involve Meadow.  Issues that if I/we don't deal with them will only continue to distract me, distract us, and this momentum we are riding right now will just become another blip on the radar.

Here are two main session teachings from Perry Noble which are also creating this healthy unsettlement in my heart and brain right now.  It will take you some time to watch and listen, but it will put far more value in your life than Idol, Law & Order, Survivor, NCIS, or CSI - all combined.

• Unleash - "Three Questions That Need to Be Asked" and "Five Things I Would Love to Say to Pastors"

I am also wrestling with my June 8 message ... "God, make us eager."  This will be the first message of the "One Prayer" series that as of this morning there are 587 churches from all over the world participating in.  This message is already setting up to be one from the passion of my heart.  Passages like Acts 17:11, Rom. 1:15; Rom. 15:20; and Jude 20-25 are really disturbing me right now - especially about the future of Meadow.

The parenting series ("Parenting in Hi Def") starting this Sunday will be like no other parenting series I have ever taught.  25 years in ministry, 26 1/2 years of marriage, and parenting two kids who are now grown has taught me some things that I am going to be very clear on.

Lots on my mind.

An inside peak into my brain

I know some will disagree, but there really is stuff in my brain.  And the wheels are turning - in fact, they never cease turning.  Here is a great post from Steven Furtick about what leaders and pastors tend to think about.  As I read this, I thought, "Dude, that is so me!"

On the Lookout

Is it from God?

The major initiative for this summer (which I will be announcing on Sunday, April 27th - and NO - if you won't be here, I'm not going to give you any clues!) - it's coming together in a very, VERY exciting way.  BUT...to be totally honest - this is an endeavor that WILL NOT happen outside the direct hand of God moving in and through us.

This post by Perry Noble could not be more true regarding this initiative.  In the last few weeks as I have been praying about and planning for this summer - EVERY ONE of the points Perry makes has happened or is happening.

"How Do You Know Your Vision is From God?"

Great question…here are a few suggestions…

• If you feel confident that you can accomplish what is in front of you with no problem at all…then you didn’t hear from God.
• If no one is angry at you…then you didn’t hear from God.
• If you don’t have to ask anyone to sacrifice to make the vision come true…then you didn’t hear from God.
• If religious people are not steaming at you, blogging about you and/or leaving your church…then you didn’t hear from God.
• If you have the money in the bank to do what God has asked you church to do…then you didn’t hear from God.
• If every step is perfectly designed and nothing happens to totally throw you off along the way…then you didn’t hear from God.
• If someone doesn’t try to talk you out of what you are about to attempt…then you didn’t hear from God.
• If you don’t stay up at night thinking about the vision…then you didn’t hear from God.
• If your vision is in contradiction to God’s Word…then you didn’t hear from God.  (And no, you didn’t get a “special revelation” that gave you permission to trump His Word!)
• If you know all of the answers…then you didn’t hear from God.

We have a powerful Sunday planned for this Sunday.  It may well be one of the most powerful Sundays you have ever been to at Meadow.  But as you pray for and prepare for Sunday, April 27th and what you will be hearing (and having the opportunity to join and be a part of) - keep these words by Perry fresh on your mind.

Money Thoughts & Challenges, Pt 4

This one is tough - but true.  Tim Stevens doesn't mince any words on tithing.  If you aren't tithing, this one will create some pain - probably well-needed pain.  "No pain - No gain."

You Are A God-Robber

"I'm in college and can't tithe right now" or "I'm on a fixed income and can't tithe" or "I'm a single parent and can't tithe right now." This is typically followed by, "When I'm making more money I'll begin tithing." No, you won't. It's a heart issue, not a money issue. You aren't tithing now because you don't trust God. You don't think God can meet your needs if you begin to honor him with your money. You want to maintain control.

"It is so hard to tithe on my limited income." Anyone who has lived a portion of their life with very little money, and another portion of their life with ample amounts of money--will tell you that it is much harder to tithe when you have lots of money rather than just a little. Money has a way of getting entangled in your values as it increases and materialism is the fastest growing cell in your heart. Start when you have nothing and see what God does in your heart and through your life.

"I'm really tired of this church talking about tithing." In 22 years of ministry, I've never once heard a tithing person complain that we are talking about tithing. Those who tithe have experienced the blessing of God and the freedom that comes with obeying God, and they want others to have that same experience. Whenever someone tells me they are tired of the church talking about money, it's like they have a flashing LED sign on their head that says, "I rob God!" Really, you should just lay low and go stealth. Quit advertising your hard heart.

There's more.  Read it here.

When God Moves at Meadow

Without question, God is doing something at Meadow right now that I have not seen before.  We are consistently packing the theater out on Sundays, there is a consistent buzz taking place, MeadowKIDS is going wild, we are experiencing record numbers of hits and downloads on our web site and podcast, giving is up, people are hearing about Meadow via the buzz, and most incredible is that not a week goes by that someone does not cross the line of faith and become a follower of Christ!

But its not all rosey.  When God moves at Meadow - the opposition increases too.  People leave.  Emails come in bringing problems.  Financial issues arise.  Suggestions and requests come in vying for my time and mental energies.

However, in the midst of all of this - I am as full of energy and joy for Meadow as I have ever been.  Seriously.  It may not be the sort of joy that sends me doing somersaults at a party.  But it is a joy of determination knowing we are doing exactly what God is calling us to do.  I love this church.  I love the people who are coming.  I am stoked that so many new people are coming and they are bringing friends and their friends are bringing their friends.  This Sunday is our next Next Step Lunch and we have over 20 new people coming!  That is awesome!

Here's a post by Perry Noble that I just read this morning.  God's timing is so perfect.  This post hits it dead center.  Yes, what he says is true at Meadow and true in my life.  Opposition but passion to not give up.

Before you read it...let me tell you what I told the staff a week ago and told community group leaders and ministry team leaders this past Saturday.  God is bringing growth and health to Meadow.  And THERE WILL BE OPPOSITION.  And it will come from places and people you would never think of.  People WILL leave.  People WILL criticize - most of it over the most ridiculous and selfish and trivial issues.

Stay focused on why we are here.  And why is that?  To reach the 80% of those in this community who are not in church and not experiencing a refreshing relationship with Jesus Christ.

I LOVE THIS CHURCH!  AND I LOVE WHAT GOD IS DOING!  There is no other place I would rather be than right here.

Here is that awesome post by Perry Noble.  Q & A with Pastor P

Money Thoughts & Challenges, Pt. 1

In light of yesterday's message, I want to continue the challenge of doing money God's way.  To help with that, this week, I will be posting thoughts, challenges, and elements that have made a difference in my life and issues I want to pass on.

Here is a great post by Tim Stevens.

It Just Makes Sense

Save for retirement now. We started setting money aside the first year of our marriage. That first year (we were 23-years old) we could only afford $5/month--but knew that we needed to start the habit early. We've increased it every year since.

Don't use a credit card for anything you can't pay off right away. Use a credit card for convenience, but don't ever pay interest. If you can't control yourself, get rid of the cards.

Tithe--I really believe that God blesses those who tithe. I think he keeps the car running longer, the roof from leaking as soon as it would have, and He loves to sprinkle you with raises and added cash you didn't expect.

Give generously. The tithe is the minimum. We began our first year of marriage giving 10% of our income and then increased it every year until we got to 20%. The first 10% goes to the general fund at our church. The other 10% we use to support missionaries, give to new building projects at our church, and bless people who come into our lives.

If you are married, don't ever make a big purchase without talking to each other. Really, trust me on this.

No spontaneous purchases. Okay, buying a pair of shorts would be fine. But anything that would be a significant purchase can wait 24-hours. Avoid any vendor who says, "You have to decide now." If the deal can't wait a day, then decide to walk away.

There are several more "points" he makes.  You can read the rest here.

Why do I fight risk now more than I did?

I will totally admit, that although I love risk, it seems that when God starts planting something in front of me that involves risk - I hesitate.  I used to not hesitate like this.  Risk pumps me up!  But at the same time risk scares me to death!  It didn't used to scare me like this.  I use to just "go for it" - but now I seem to want to have the risk figured out - trying to make it "safer" and maybe more acceptable by those who I know are going to be more skeptical.  This is extremely frustrating to me.

Three things have come my over the past 12 hours - that are totally rockin' my thinking and challenging me.  Each one totally unaware of what God is doing in my brain and heart and what is and is about to happen here at Meadow.

First:  Jude 20-25 - given to me by my ministry coach.  You have got to read this.  This is so much the vision of Meadow and what we want to be!  Not only are we pursuing this now, but that pursuit is going to take on new life this summer.  Read it here in the New International Version and then read it again in The Message Paraphrase.  Can't you just envision Meadow!

Second:  This post by Steven Furtick came this morning.  God's timing could not be better (but when you think of it - when is God's timing NOT the best! :))  This makes so much sense about why I (and we as a church) are more hesitant to take risk now than we were when we first started.  Risking it All is Easy When You've Got Nothing to Lose

Third:  This post by Mark Batterson (he pastors a church that meets in a movie theater).  The entire post rocks, but this statement stopped me in my tracks... "The people God uses the most are people that aren't afraid of looking foolish.  In fact, if you aren't willing to look foolish you're foolish!"  Out of Imagination

Voice Trumps Budget - Everytime

Voice Trumps Budget

Great post by Jeff Maness, pastor of Element Church in Cheyenne, WY.  They meet in a movie theater and are rockin' the place out!

This post NAILS it!  Especially since I believe God is leading us to do some insanely outrageous things this summer that will go against common sense and will go against budget.  (I will be sharing more about this on April 27.)  Those of you who keep a close eye on the numbers and money are now freaking out because - although you won't admit it - you let the budget determine the will of God and what we should do.  God does guide through our budget - but there are times when God says, "You know, I am a lot bigger than your budget.  You just have to trust Me on this one."

Maturity = Immaturity

Every once in awhile, someone will make the comment about Meadow, "You know, Meadow is a good church, but it is more for the 'new' Christian who is still learning.  I need something deeper, more 'meatier'."  Then this Christian will usually leave Meadow to seek a more mature church where they can be fed more meat.  In reality they are actually admitting their pride and saying, "Because Meadow has many new Christians and people who have not yet made the decision to receive Christ, I need something else because I am more mature."

This post by Tim Stevens puts this in a great light.  This is one worth reading and re-reading.

Thanks Tim and thanks Mark Beeson.

Maturity = Immaturity

When to pray for me

On a day when I would love to have more people praying for me (and the rest of the staff for that matter)...this post by Perry Noble came.  I don't post this here because I am feeling sick.  This is prayer that goes beyond just being sick.

Sometimes pastors - me included - have a hard time asking anyone to pray for them.  So take this post as from my heart.

When to Pray for Your Pastor

Forces of Mediocrity - Seth Godin

Seth Godin says so much that can be directly related to Meadow.  This post is right on.

The Forces of Mediocrity

Faith and Pain

In light of our current series, I found this post my Mark Waltz extremely relevant.  Make sure you read the comments as well as his post.  Just let it soak in.

Worth Remembering: Faith, Loss, and Pain