Under The Influence 2

As I have thought about it all over the past several days... there are quite a few more men that have been incredibly influential in my life... so I continue. And just for the record there is no specific order.

Randy Sheeks - Randy taught me how to fear riding with others. Among other things, he also was a great example of organization and excellence. Except for his desk he always seemed to have it together. He taught me that laughing could possibly be a spiritual gift. We laughed a lot together. He has shown me how to carry and present myself with a Godly dignity and was the greatest picture of integrity. A great man.

Joe Mayeux - After spending almost every Thursday morning with Joe for more than a year... he taught me how to be a great husband. Through his teaching and through his example. He poured into my life in so many ways. He is one of those tender warrior types that you aspire to be like. A great man.

Darrell Garrett & Elliot Hicks - Wow. Almost ten years ago, who knew? These two guys in tandem allowed me to see what real friendship is all about. They saw the real me and chose to still call me friend. I can't really explain it... it's like a brotherhood in and of itself. With these two, I know if I go to battle... they've got my back. They have proven that time and time again. Two great men.

Jerry Hart - My father in law. A man that can do anything. He's been a resource like no other. When I break something... he tells me how to fix it. At an early age he invested into my life always teaching me. He trusted me when I didn't appreciate it. He has taught me more that just about anyone else in my life about being a handyman (not that I'm all that handy). Most importantly he trusted me with his daughter. A great man.

Tim Brown - Tim taught me that some people in this world do get it. He is one of the most sincere men I have ever known. He lifted me up so many times when I needed it most. He too believed in me. I have said many times that there are few pastors that I would love to work with... Tim Brown is tops on that list. A great man.

This may continue for a third season and if it does... just read and smile.

happy Anniversary to me...

one year ago today...

I experienced one of the most bitter-sweet moments of my entire adult life. As I have gone throughout my day today I have reflected back to the one day and even the one moment that truly changed the course of my families future. One year ago today, I sat alone on the beach conversing with God. It was a very private moment and a deeply personal moment. I guess from the time I sat down until the time I had some clarity it probably totalled somewhere between 20-30 minutes. Karie and I had felt these inner nudges but really couldn't figure out what they were all about. You see, I was living out my dream. I had a great job, surrounded by amazing people, and I worked for the Almighty. But we were so unsettled. We knew something was up but just couldn't put it all together. THEN... January 17th... the moment of clarity. As I sat there I sensed in a crazy-real kind of way that God was speaking to me. I didn't hear Him but I heard Him... (that's wild I know). As Daddy spoke to my heart I felt this... "If you trust Me... step out." Followed by "Draw a line in the sand." So I did. The past year has been a whirlwind.

We didn't really step out in faith but more like ran as fast as we could toward the cliff, knowing it was a cliff, blind-folded, and just held hands and jumped! We left our comfort and the life we adored to pursue the next chapter. Little did we know that nine months later I would have a new job, our family would have a new church, we would move across town and we would have literally hundreds of new faces in our life. Happy? Not so much at first. Mainly confused mixed with a lot of trust and dependence. Happy? Now... more than I can possibly begin to describe. We love all the people that come into our life. It is like a new friendship every single day. So in the words of Pete Carroll... we've come to wake up every day "expecting something amazing to take place."

one year ago today...

Goals, Goals everywhere Goals

First things first. How many words can you make from the word GOALS: slag, logs, go, as, Al, gas, sag, Sal, so, gal and maybe several others. I don't know about your world but in mine, the beginning of each new year always comes with someone telling me I should set some goals and they want to see them. I've been setting annual goals for more than a decade now and they seem to always be extremely similar.

Goals at work. Goals with my family. Personal goals. Goals at church. Personal spiritual goals. Financial goals. Physical fitness goals (Brian Burns... where are you when I need you most?). Goals, goals everywhere goals. If my beloved Crimson Tide could have scored that many goals against tebow maybe we could have won!

You get the idea. We launch out into each new year with a fresh set of goals and the zeal to conquer them all. As the first month rolls on maybe our goals are already in need of revision (that's a cool word by the way: Re and Vision - get my vision again). For me, I am one of those guys who simply needs to first of all know what the bottom line is in order to set the best goals.

for example: If I need to eliminate $1000 of debt this year... that's the bottom line and I can see it and set appropriate goals accordingly. If I set a goal to 'get closer to God' this year... that's the bottom line and I know I need to schedule a set reading and prayer time. But this year as I thought through this goal thing I have just stepped back and tried to get the BIG picture view and to reassess as well as determine my overall bottom line. As complicated as I may attempt to make it... it really is simple.

My ultimate bottom line, my ultimate goal in life is this. To live in such a way that I will one day stand before my Creator and hear Him say... "Well done son. Come join me forever."

Under the Influence

Men have always influenced one another. Jesus influenced the disciples. Fathers influence sons. Leaders influence followers. Uncle Jesse influenced Bo and Luke. Influence is one of the factors that is at the root of human nature. It happens. Often for the good and some times for the bad. We can probably all think of a few bad influences... at least according to our mother's perspective. Who knows, maybe I am the bad influence that other kids moms warned them about.

Regardless of who, where, when, or even how we have all been influenced by someone. As I thought about the magnitude of influence I began to reflect back on my own personal top 10 list of men who at different phases of my life have had a significant impact and influence. This is not a comprehensive list and there is really no real order to it except for the last one I'll list. I will save the best for last...

10. Perry Haymon - When I was in junior high school Perry was attending our church and he was then a college student at UA. He was the most brilliant man I had ever known at the time. He was an engineer and he helped me develop a science project that actually competed in the state science fair finals (I didn't win). But Perry was a teacher. He allowed me to think for myself. He taught me the concept of discovery. He wouldn't tell me the answers but rather showed me how to figure them out for myself. I probably owe my "take it apart and put it back together" mentality to him. A great man.

9. Jonathan Barnett - Now Dr. Barnett, and for a brief time my dentist. I was a junior in high school and he was a junior at UA and also attended my church. Jonathan was also a brilliant thinker. He allowed me to learn a few life lessons the hard way. I would say that Jonathan had an influence on my life by showing me how to live as a Godly young man. No matter what the pressures were on him, he stuck to his faith and his decisions followed. A great man.

8. Kevin Kelley - One of my best friends in this entire world. We often joke that we had to be brothers from seperate mothers. Even in recent years we realized ways that we were more alike than we ever knew. He was my mentor. We traveled the world together and he taught me everything I knew/know about being a youth pastor. I learned from him how to be tough and how to be gentle. I learned from him how to take advantage of every moment in life. Every day hold countless numbers of teachable moments if we are only looking for them. I owe him more than I'll ever be able to repay. A great man.

7. Sonny Howell/Luke Morgan - This spot gets a tie. These two guys were friends in college. I was trying to experiment and find my way and they were solid as rocks. I was desperately looking for my identity and they gave me a simple push in the right direction. They may neither know it but they had a huge impact on my life. Two great men.

6. Raymond Culpepper - I spent 8 years of my life following and hanging on every word he spoke. He gave me the freedom to spread my wings and fly in ministry. There are so many one-liners that have stuck with me over the years that came from him. I watched how he carried himself as a professional and that stuck with me as well. Quotes: "What's more important is not how many people we bring in but rather how many people we send out." "We have accomplished nothing if after 20 years here we are just a flash in the pan." A great man.

5. Barry Copeland - In recent years Barry worked with me so much on public speaking skills. Every once in a while I would say something in a public setting and afterwards Barry would come and coach me a little. He has always been so encouraging and he never failed to leave me lifted. He also has shown me so many things about the market place and little pieces here and there about being a successful professional. A great man.

4. Bill McKenzie - He is my doctor which may be a little odd since he is an OB/GYN. But not only does he keep me healthy, he is a true friend. I have watched him as a father and husband and I know that he is someone I want to be like. I don't want to be him but rather I want to lead and live in the same kind of way he does. He loves his kids and they love him. He is an amazing example of a Godly father. A great man.

3. Chris Goins - One of the most profound relationships in my adult life... he gave me a chance to develop as a teacher. He pushed me to always be better and do my best everyday. He has been a great example for me in every aspect. He taught me how to think creatively. He taught me how to communicate creatively. A great man.

2. Roy McSwain - Otherwise known as Paw Paw. He just turned 87 a few days ago. I have seen him in some tough places with his health but he is a real example of a fighter. He's not mean or angry or even all that big but he has outlived two wives and a girlfriend. He fights hard. maybe it has something to do with serving in WWII. Everytime I am around him I am challenged to be better. When I see him I just want to be a fighter. A man who fights for what he knows is right and what matters. A great man.

1. Ken Andrews - The greatest man I know. I love his idiosynchrisies. I love the way he sits, stands, walks... there are patterns to them all. He has taught me how to love children. he has taught me how to love a wife. He has taught me how to get back up when you get knocked down. But more than any of that he has taught me how to love other people and to be a servant. These are two of the values that I hang my hat on. I strive to be that kind of man everyday. All of that was modeled to me by my hero... the greatest influencer of them all... my dad. A great man.

So what does your list look like?

2009

Inspired recently by a message that I heard at my church I looked up the lyrics to the tune that so many will cheer at the stroke of midnight each New Years Eve. If you've never read the words I encourage you to look them up... it is a journey in and of itself. From what I gather personally coupled with the "interpretation" from my pastor I see that we sing of the thoughts of days gone by. Most noticeably the days that have just passed by... like this past year.

I am sure so many have turned contemplative in the past week or so and may have even resolved to make some changes in this fleeting year and I would for that reason like to pass on my thoughts on someone else's words. Here's some good medicine:

From this past year... celebrate the victories. Maybe too often when something good happens to us or maybe even when we accomplish something great maybe, just maybe... we rapidly move on to the next dilemma without properly celebrating the victories. At work? When you get it right do you truly celebrate. Not to be confused with gloating or pride but I mean genuine celebration. At home with your children? When the good grades arrive or the picture that has been colored so brilliantly gets placed before you... Enjoy it. Savor it. Live in that victory for just a brief time in order to be recharged and reminded that you do have it in you.

Also from this past year... keep the good. From the awful gas prices we paid this year to the buckling economy... somewhere in the midst of all of that is our life. I say look back and pull out the good things that happened. The new jobs, the new friendships, the good people, the good places, the good things. Hold on to them. Let them propel you into the coming year.

Lastly as we revisit the past year... get rid of the bad. The failures, the disappointments, the hurt, the loneliness, the broken... leave it all in 08. Don't drag it all around. Bid farewell to the bad and run fast into the good.

So as we recover from the overindulging holidays, step out and make 2009 the best year you have ever had in ALL aspects of your life.