Pushing Through

I watched my favorite college team (go Gators) play their football game today against a supposedly over-matched opponent. It was supposed to be an easy contest to keep them sharp before the big game against our in-state rival next weekend. In fact, the experts had projected Florida as 31 point favorites which means this game should have been over shortly after halftime. 

Regardless of what the football gurus predict however, the game isn't played out in discussion and opinions but on the field. The opposing team wasn't going to forfeit the game because someone decided they were supposed to lose by a wide margin. They were going to compete with a fierce desire to win combined with growing confidence as they realized the opportunity in front of them. Even though they came up short in the end (thank goodness) they still showed what can happen with a little bit of tenacity and discipline. 

What seemingly insurmountable odds can be overcome in our personal lives with some confidence and discipline? What mindset do we need to be able to endure when everything seems to be working against us? Will we persevere when things don't go as easily as we hoped or will we cave under pressure? Some days we will have to work harder to be successful than others. 

Lack of Leadership

I have been a Florida Gator fan all of my life. I watched the second half of our annual rivalry game with FSU yesterday and wasn't too surprised when we ended up losing. While I had certainly hoped that we might be able to pull off the upset it wasn't unexpected when we fell short. 

I didn't catch all of the game, but the part that I did see had some pretty clear leadership lessons. It was very obvious why FSU is now undefeated over their last 28 games, are the defending national champions, and will have an opportunity to defend that title very soon. Florida on the other hand is wrapping up another unsatisfactory season in a minor bowl game and is already looking for another head coach. The game spoke volumes about the way successful leaders and teams operate.

1. They are disciplined: the Gators had 9 penalties for 100 yards and had several potential drives thwarted due to the inability to play disciplined football. Undisciplined leaders lose control of their emotions in tense circumstances.

2. They don't waste opportunities: the defense of Florida forced FSU's quarterback (and reigning Heisman trophy winner) into four interceptions and yet only managed to score six points off of those turnovers. Leaders don't let opportunities to move forward slip by without maximizing the impact.

3. They are focused on proper execution: even though their kicker kept them in the game, he ended up missing two field goals that would have ultimately given them the win. Even if circumstances are not ideal, winners find ways to be successful by executing at the right time.

4. They know how to shift momentum in their favor: Florida had a chance to put the game away early when they had a lead of 9-0. They were about to score near the FSU goal line when their quarterback threw an interception that was returned 94 yards for a touchdown. Instead of potentially being up 16-0 Florida was only up 9-7 and momentum had shifted. Leaders learn to divert negative circumstances for the betterment of their organization.

Give & Take

Understanding your personality type is a huge benefit. When you are comfortably aware of who you

are, you are able to invest in things that bring great satisfaction and encouragement. It has taken me many years to come to this understanding on a personal level and now I am able to intentionally make time for interactions that energize me.

The past two and half days has been a perfect example of that practice. I was blessed to spend that time down in my hometown with a constantly full schedule of meeting with friends and family. It's a frenetic pace filled with laughter, coffee, prayers, encouragement, and very little sleep. As much as it eventually tires me out physically (mainly due to a lack of restful hours) it increases my emotional and spiritual energy exponentially. I am grateful for a wife and family that understand my need to do this periodically and a church home that allows me to have the time as well. I am still processing all that I experienced and shared in and am very content in the fullness of my heart.

Journey of the Spirit

I just returned from another trip to Florida and was blessed in so many incredible ways. I truly can't even begin to describe what a powerfully rewarding trip it was for me (and I feel safe to say-for others too). A lengthy paragraph-style blog won't cut it so we'll bust out the bullets for highlights:

• Connor & Cameron Barie running to greet me after having to wait an extra day to see that I was actually there
• Late nights talking with Glenn & Kathy-Jo
• The many divine appointments-from unexpected hugs in Starbucks, to walking out of a building as someone walks by to seeing a Milledgeville college student in front of a restaurant. It was a God-guided trip!
• Walking into my old barber shop and sitting down to discuss Gator football-some things never change!
• Having lunch at the best pizza place I know (Sorrento's-shameless plug!) with a really good friend-I miss Eddie Corns & his family tremendously
• Having the chance to meet Pastor Bill Collins face-to-face and preach at The Attic. I have an immense amount of respect for him and the work that God is doing in & through him. It was an honor for me to speak there.
• The joy of hugs (and even tears) as about 60 old friends showed up at The Attic that night-several of them that I didn't know were coming that brought a huge smile to my face!
• Spending about 5 hours at Mainland High School. So many people there that have been my family for over 20 years. I love them dearly and I am glad that I can be the unofficial campus pastor for them.
• 40 oz. Angel Food smoothie from Smoothie King. 'Nuff said.
• Graduation party for Brittany Johnson-she waited for me to be in town to have it! Got to spend 3 hours laughing & talking with people that I miss connecting with!
• Wedding rehearsal & dinner for Ashlee & Ryan (the true motivation behind the planning of the trip)
• Two hours of conversation with Adam Bruno at the dinner-convo that we haven't had in a really long time. I miss getting to see him regularly!
• Breakfast with my brother/friend Mike Roberts-so much history & time serving together-every time we get together it's like we were never apart
• Coffee with Bill, Paula & Ashley Anderson-one of my very favorite families!
• A lunch with four young adults that are very special to me-a surprise for three of them that I was going to be there-even now I tear up thinking about it!
• Praying with a group of college students (including one from GCSU!) as God brought us all together at just the right moment
• Spending time at the DOC with Ray & Susan Kelley. I have so much respect & love for them and what God is doing in their lives. They mean more to me than they probably know (and had a surprise stop-in from Katlin too!)
• Coffee with an old friend that was good for both of us.
• A last minute-decision to stop at the Herbruck home that led to an impromptu jam session with Sam & Jesse. I don't think you could have painted bigger smiles on all three of our faces when we got done.
• A night hanging out at the Presswood home-great friends & conversation, good food & a blast playing in the pool with their kids & the Barie children-can't put a price tag on the night!
• A beautiful wedding in Sugar Mill gardens-the love of Ashlee & Ryan is so evident and it brought me great joy that they wanted me to be part of their day
• A home to return to with a gorgeous wife, three daughters & a church family that I don't deserve.

There will be further unpacking of the impact of this trip, but those highlights (and many, many others) will be with me for a long time. Thanks God for giving me the past four days.

A Glimpse of Heaven

The old (somewhat cliche) story is that when you get to heaven you will see the people that you influenced while you were here on earth.  It is difficult to see the positive impact that you might be having when you are in the middle of that life.  My family was blessed last week to gain a small glimpse into that truth as we visited Florida.

As we left Ormond Beach this past September we did not have the opportunity to say goodbye to our friends & family in the church-some of whom we had been investing in for almost 14 years.  The parting was certainly difficult for my family and it was not easy for those close to us as well.

When we discovered that we would be heading back to Florida for a wedding, we knew that we needed to set a time to connect with people in Ormond.  Our friends were gracious enough to open their home for us and we quickly spread the word that we would be there last Thursday.  What transpired that night is firmly etched in my mind and will always be one of the most special days of my life. 

Starting at 6 p.m. a crew of people started coming in and the crowd did not die down until 9:30.  I am sure that I must have given out close to 300 hugs and shared countless moments of joy in that living room.  I hear that the cars were parked up & down the entire street and that a line led out of the house, down the front stairs, and down the driveway at one point.  There were tears mixed with laughter, pats on the back, kisses, bear hugs, words of encouragement and pictures with red-eyed youth.  The night was overwhelming and yet healing at the same time-definitely for us and hopefully for many others.

My family and I are blessed to have such a great group of family & friends in Georgia and in Florida.  One man does not deserve all the love that I have found in my life.  I don't know that I will ever be able to put into words all of the emotions of last week, but I do know that if heaven is anything like the love that we experienced in that home, I can't wait to get there.