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Andy Stanley

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As I am writing, I am in Waxahachie Texas at my parents house.  I took a day off, and headed down south to spend some time with my mom and my sisters.  It has been eight months since we said goodbye to my Dad.  These have been some of the most difficult months that we as a family have gone through.  God has been good, and He has lovingly shown us His peace, His mercy, His grace, and His amazing care for us.  I have been so blessed to have a dad like my dad.  

I was reading on the plane ride here to Texas, all while trying to keep my arms from touching either of the “elmo-esque” furry arms that awaited me on either side.  I was finishing up the book, “Next Generation Leader” by Andy Stanley.  There are several amazing lines in this book, but one stood out to me.  It feels right to share it with you…

“The question is: Have you determined what you want to become?  Your doing will flow from who you are.  The outer man will reflect the inner man.  The inner man determines the legacy of the outer man.”  

Many of you who read this blog did not have an opportunity to meet my dad.  There are a few things that I have learned about my dad since he has gone to be with the Lord.  I knew that my dad was a man of God, but I didn’t know just how much!  His legacy has left an incredible mark on my life, and the lives of so many.  There was a time when he determined… when he set before himself, his wife, and his family that he was going to follow and serve God no matter what the cost.  His inner man was set.  He was sure.  His outward actions reflected his inward convictions.  He knew he was to be a man following God’s leading.

Have you determined what you want to become?  It’s not to late.  It’s never to late.  What is the condition of your inner man?  Is your outer man truly reflecting your inner convictions?

 

As I look ahead, I know that the single most important thing that I can do is to set before myself convictions that I believe that God himself has placed on my life, and follow them with all that I have.  

What about you?

hmmm….

~Peter

So, I have been challenging myself in the area of leadership lately.  Unashamedly I want to be the best leader that I can be through the strength and leading of God!  So, I have been reading and listening to all kinds of things…  However, I just read something this morning before my meeting with some guys that blew me away… 

“A leader is someone who has the courage to say publicly what everybody else is whispering privately.  Next Generation leaders are those who would rather challenge what needs to change and pay the price than remain silent and die on the inside.”  ~Andy Stanley, Next Generation Leader.    This made me really think!  Do I have the courage it takes to be a leader even in the most difficult times?  

I  pray that the answer is YES!  GOD GIVE ME THE STRENGTH!

What do you think?  Would you rather speak up, or remain quiet?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, here’s a little bit of what’s got my attention these days.

1.  Catalyst–  I’m hoping to get down to Atlanta for this one!  This seriously looks like an amazing line up!  

2. Reverb: Catalyst Worship CD–  I can’t seem to stop playing this one. I don’t want to wear it out though… BUT, it’s too good.  Seriously.  

3. Twitter–  I know… I know… now that Oprah and Ashton are on it, it’s all old school right?  Well, maybe but I love the community that it seems to be developing.  Check out thefiveonline, to stay connected with the five, or follow me pgowesky on Twitter.

4.  Hunger+Thirst- Willow Creek Community Church– They are doing some awesome work in getting clean running water to villages in areas in the world where clean water is just about unheard of.  More importantly they are raising awareness in the lives of us, people who eat and drink to our fill everyday… Check this out.  

5. Andy Stanley–  Need I say more?  Okay, I will… I have been listening to his leadership podcast… it’s awesome!  Check it out here…   I also started reading the book, “The next generation leader”  I can’t wait to see what I learn.  

6.  Francis Chan-  This guy seriously convicts me of my sin and inadequacies any time I hear him speak.  I just finished Crazy Love, and I loved that book.  I just heard him at the Shift conference at Willow Creek last week.  I will post about what I learned there later.  

7.  Hopefully Homeowners:  Seriously enough said… this is an unbelievable process… Got tons going on there… 

8.  Flat Tires- Tiffany’s van has had two in two days… Man, let’s go for all four in four.  That sounds like a sweet sermon series, four in four.  Who knows what it would be about, but I should write that down somewhere… 4in4.  Fourin4 or quatro y quatro. Yeah, that’ll show up somewhere, sometime….

9.  All things Mac related… we have a good relationship, mac and I.  I pretty pleased to see that this church now has a total of 3 macs not including my personal one right now!  Seeing as how when I got here, there were none…  TRAGEDY… I know.  I’m slowly helping them.  Now I’ve got to get Todd to switch over.  

10.  Driving with the sunroof open…  Love it… windows down, Reverb- Catalyst Cd playing… (loud)  

11.  Michael Scott is back in the office.  Totally relieved.  

Just a few things…

~Peter