I am sitting here with my wife watching our TiVo’d show of “Undercover Boss” where they are at White Castle. I enjoy this show for many reasons, bt I always ca walk away from watching this show learning something new or having lessons reinforced for me.

Here are the fly overs of some of the lessons that I picked up while watching the show this time.

1. Supervisors need to work o the front line with their teams. Often times the atmosphere of the team can be down and that is when the supervisors need to make sure they know the pulse of their teams so they can make sure they move from their “breakrooms” (the place a supervisor on the White Castle episode was found often) to the front line with their teams. It is really during these times that the teams need to feel the support and see the leaders lead.

2. We need to make sure regardless of the type of business we need to focus on the people we serve. The show had a drive through cashier who really stood out because of his love for the people. He really kept this goal of making the peoples experience of driving through White Castle as good as he could. What a thing for us to keep an eye on as people come into our churches, fr us to make sure we can do what we can to make the experience a good one.

3. The last one I will make mention of with this post is that with every position this undercover boss went to work in, he was always trained with/alongside someone doing the position with him. What a lost art form that we in the church have a let go. More often in churches we may see people come in and we throw them in, give them a manual, or something along those lines and call them trained. The we go on our way. Instead, what a great difference it would make if we really “Trained” or “Did ministry with them/alongside of them” for a period of training time before allowing them to do it alone.

Who else is watching this show? What do you enjoy about it? What lessons are you seeing or enjoy seeing it reinforced? 

Over the years it has been hard to keep a blog going that is my ministry blog and my personal blog all wrapped up in one. I try to cover topics that my church wants and needs to hear all the while trying to cover other topics as well that I enjoy outside of my specific ministry in the church of Take TWO.

Well last night I was given the opportunity to say yes to very kind offer that is going to allow me to have created a Word Press blog. I am excited as I feel this will for once allow my church to be tailored too with the information I should have in this Take TWO blog like: Highlighting ministries, Spotlighting Volunteers for living in a Take TWO way, event announcements, event coverages, videos from the ministry, texting Tuesday questions and answers, parent talks to help and assist them to be the heroes of their homes and int he eyes of their kids and so much more.

Then with my new personal blog to cover books I enjoyed reading, leadership topics, lessons I learn from ministry and the Sundays at my church, my family at times and so much more.

So be on the look out and I will keep you posted as it comes along.

I am siting here in my home office updating Kidology’s Blog watch when in comes my daughter. She is showing me her new drawings from some shows she has been watching this morning as she had to stay home due to a fever. I took a look at the drawings and was very surprised to how much she has really improved improved in her drawing abilities.

This great improvement drew me into asking, “How did you draw these?” She goes on to explain how since we have TiVo she pauses the shows and then draws what she wants from the paused frame and then hits play to finish watching the show.

What a genius!! This made me begin to think so much that I had to take a break and come over to my blog here and post this reinforced lesson that my 9 year old daughter just taught me again with out her knowing.

We have to have tools or systems set up in our life (TiVo in this case for my daughter) that can be used to “pause” life for a while. During this paused time we need to use it to get a better picture of some of the details of our life in proportion. It really isnt until these “Paused” times can we really get a clear picture. Nor can we really spend the time we need to, to invest properly into things.

So what systems or processes do you have set up to help you Pause life for a while?
What tools do you use?

Again here is the post for our Texting Tuesday where the questions below come from our Studio Kids (4-6th graders) who will during the Sunday Studio Kids service text in their questions to us as we take them through a message. The question below have been un-edited with the exception of us taking out their names and phone numbers. Each week the kids ask great questions and it is our belief by keeping an eye on these questions it will give everyone a great inside look into the minds and hearts of the kids. Use these to hold family devotions, use them to sharpen your knowledge in the areas that kids are wanting answers in, or come up with other creative ideas and share them with us, so we can share them with others.

It is my prayer that these texting Tuesdays may be a blessing to everyone. Feel free as well to leave comments in the post if you want to further our answers or ask your own questions as well.

1. Why does jesus get mad at the people in luke 9:41
- v41 Jesus answered, “You people have no faith, and your lives are all wrong. How long must I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”
The Everyday Bible : New Century Version. 2005 (Lk 9:41). Nashville, TN.: Thomas Nelson, Inc. I think Jesus set it up with the reason when He talked about them not having any faith and the condition of their lives. Remember the Bible tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God. Our faith in Him should constantly bring our lives more in line with what He wants for us.

2. In luke 8:26-33 why did jesus not send the demons into the abiss but chose to send them into the pigs
- Demons have faith (James 2:19), but it is not saving faith. They believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God with authority to command them. They believe in a future judgment (Matt. 8:29) and in the existence of a place of torment to which Jesus could send them (“the abyss,” Luke 8:31). They also believe in prayer, for the demons begged Jesus not to send them to the abyss. They asked to be sent into the pigs, and Jesus granted their request. The Bible does not give any specific reason why He chose that outside of our knowledge of knowing that He can dispose of it as He pleases.

3.  what is heaven
- We know that the earthly tent we live in will be destroyed. But we have a building made by God. It is a house in heaven that lasts forever. Human hands did not build it.
The Holy Bible: New International Reader’s Version; New International Reader’s Version. 1998; 2007 (2 Co 5:1). Zondervan; Grand Rapids, MI.

4. why are suppposed to wait till we are married to have sex
- Here is what you can be sure of. Those who give themselves over to sexual sins are lost. So are people whose lives are not pure. The same is true of those who always want more and more. People who do those things might as well worship statues of gods. No one who does them will receive a share in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
The Holy Bible: New International Reader’s Version; New International Reader’s Version. 1998; 2007 (Eph 5:5). Zondervan; Grand Rapids, MI.
5. how do we know what is true love
- God is Love. We should measure love by who God is. He is giving, comforts, stern when stern is needed, available and the list goes on.

6. how do i forgive
- Simply said but not always easily done - through prayer.

7. does god love people who have done really bad things like kill people and murder
- Yes. If you remember the day Christ was being crucified and as He hung there on the cross, there were 2 criminals. One believed He was the Christ and Jesus said to him that day, that he would be with Jesus.

8. how do we know what the right and wrong thind to say
- Not sure I understand this fully but when ever we are in doubt we can always ask God and listen to that small quiet voice of His. We can also ask for guidance from others who may be able to help as well.
9. what is true love
- see above, already answered.

10. how can you make your love with god grow bigger fast?
- Just like we do with our relationships here on earth. Spend time with God, talk with Him, Listen, Worship Him. These are a few ideas that work, feel free to post more that you feel work as well.

11. What should u do if u keep trying and trying but u cant make someone a cristian
- First remember that none of us can “make” anyone a Christian. That is not our job but Gods. We are suppose to keep sowing the word, living the life in front of them as well, praying for them.

12.  why is it so emarrising to for me to talk about Jesus
- This was answered from the girls on stage during the service but basically they said, sometimes it is fear of what people may think of you. Trying new things is usually hard and uncomfortable at first, but the more you do it the more comfortable it becomes.

13. how do i trust god
- Start. Sometimes you may have to start with some smaller things for you and as you see that He is not out to get you, but He loves you, even if He says o to things you may want, He always has your best interest in mind. As you experience this it will grow.
14. Why did GOD not tell us about sins in the first place
- He did when He set up with Adam what he was to do and what he could not do.

15. Why did Jesus always speak in parables
- It was more common to speak in parables then than now

16. What the difference between the word apostle and disciples bcause the 12 disiples were later called the 12 apostles
- Apostles were a definite number of men selected by Christ to be his witnesses, to testify to his doctrines, to the facts of his life, to his death, and specially to his resurrection. To qualify them for this office of authoritative witnesses, it was necessary,
  (1.) That they should have independent and plenary knowledge of the gospel.
  (2.) That they should have seen Christ after his resurrection.
  (3.) That they should be inspired, i. e., that they should be individually and severally so guided by the Spirit as to be infallible in all their instructions.
  (4.) That they should be authenticated as the messengers of Christ, by adherence to the true gospel, by success in preaching (Paul said to the Corinthians that they were the seal of his apostleship, 1 Cor. ix. 2); and by signs and wonders and divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost. Such were the gifts and qualifications and credentials of the original Apostles; And as for Disciples, a Disciple is a follower of Jesus now.

17. Did all followers of christ (like the ones who didnt get famouse 4 following christ) change there name to apostles
- No

I have been a huge fan of Michael Hyatt the CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers ever since I first found out about him. Michael is one of those guys who has a way of thinking that is contagious, inspiring, and just down right good. Today Michael posted on his blog site: “What the Bible says about Leadership and Delegation”. Of course it was a fantastic article and one I will briefly just give the main points to here and encourage you to actually go to his site and read the whole perspective of his. But it was this blog post of his that inspired my thinking about the “delegation” part.

Here’s a quick glimpse of Michael’s blog post -

Jethro had pulled Moses off to the side to make some candid comments about leadership and delegation and here they are:

1. Admit that working non-stop is unsustainable.
Jethro didn’t pull any punches. He said matter-of-factly: The thing that you do is not good. Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself” (vv. 18:17, 18)

2. Understand your unique calling. 
He exhorted Moses, saying: “Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do” (vv. 18:9, 20)

3. Select qualified leaders to assist you.
“Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, [and] hating covetousness” (v. 18:1a)

4. Give these leaders responsibility and authority.
He provided an outline: “… and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And let them judge the people at all times” (vv. 18: 21b–22a)

5. Only do those things which others cannot do. 
He said, “Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you” (v. 18:22b)

So here are 5 great points that Michael blogs about. But I can hear many of my friends now and those that I coach through Kidology Coaching asking and saying, well that is great by theory. Then they would follow up by saying that I delegate all the time but do not see those kind of results. Well my simple answer on this would be that you have not completely done all of the above fully then.

See I have learned through the years that regardless of the results I get if the Bible tells me…do this and this will happen, and I “think” I did it but do not see the results the Bible talks about, then it usually if not always my “thinking I did it” that is incomplete or wrong. Often times with the missing results in delegation it is due to not fully doing all of the above steps with delegation. There is a huge difference between delegation and dumping.

Now quickly here lets review the steps above.

1. We are to “...show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do” (vv. 18:9, 20) Often times people don’t turn out what we were hoping because we short changed them the full explanation of what and how and why they are doing what they are doing. And training them properly according to those values, but instead we dump on them and expect them to do it.

2. “Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, [and] hating covetousness” (v. 18:1a) Here is another place that we weaken our potential and hurt others under our leadership. We try and put privates in charge like they were generals and we put our generals in charge of things that privates should be over. We are rushed and take what ever comes our way and slap them in place. I love the word “select”. This word means “pick, draft” not “request, plee”. Those we “select” should be prayed over and intentional.

3.  “Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you” (v. 18:22b) I think we often feel we are more important than we are and that more things need our opinion than really do. Through this “I am important and must give my input” we train people alright, to not be self thinkers or problem solvers, but to be dependent on us.

Bottom line for me is I really feel that usually people are getting the results that they are structured for. Moses was getting burnt out, would not have made it in the long run under his current structure. Jethro helped him change how he was structured so that he could get different results.

What results are you getting? Maybe it’s not so much the people as it is you the leader. Examine your delegation closely.

Wow it has been almost a month since I did a Backstage Pass to allow a little sneak peak access into the lessons I learn, re-learn, or the bloopers that I commit. So, let’s take a look into some more from this past weekend.

1. Anytime you do not prepare properly (even though each time this has happened I always felt that I had good reasons until I flopped on my face on Sunday), it will effect your sleep on Saturday night. I could not sleep Saturday night and was up and down and up and down every hour or so. So when I showed up Sunday morning, I was dragging and no amount of Starbucks was going to help. Fortunately the day went ok except me knowing it could have been better.

2. Never try to have a real serious service when the kids and parents minds are on the Super Bowl or other type of after church service stuff. We had to rally the troups several times that Sunday due to where their minds where at. Plus me being tired probably did not add to the situation.

3. Keep your mission at the top and values in line with that mission.

4. There are times you need to nip bad attitudes right away before they walk away and spread them to others on the team.

5. Always keep asking yourself why you do what you do the way you do it and challenge everything. Once you stop doing that you have started to become irrelevant. 

6. When you have great team members, it is amazing how much more you can do and how much faster and more efficient you can do stuff. So out of all of my budget items, investing in the team s something that should never slip. I love my team members.

7. When you can foster a spirit of “we don’t care who get’s the credit”, it makes those who do care who gets the credit even more obvious.

Well there it is, the good, the bad, and the ugly. But what a grat God we serve as He has helped me make the proper adjustments for to battle and overcome each one of those.
To God be all the glory!!

Here is another Texting Tuesday post from our questions during our Texting services done in Take TWO’s The Studio. This week we had less questions to post due to bad weather and us canceling all services but the 2pm service. I still want to encourage parents to use what is here as devotional material with your kids. Use it to talk with them on some topics that to tell you the truth have surprised some of us that kids even had on their radar let alone some actually dealing with these issues. We love the kids and we love their parents, and it is through this love and understanding that parents will have a far greater influence into their kids lives than any children’s pastor like myself or any volunteer like the ones we have throughout all of Take TWO will ever have. So it is our intention to provide this Texting Tuesday material for family use. Plus when kids need an answer that is given with the heartbeat of God, this will be a place they can come. We even power our search field through Google so they can search for answers that may have been given a while ago.

Just a reminder, we do not edit the questions outside of taking all phone numbers and names out.

Q: How do i get my anger out at my dad? He cheated on the best mom in the woreld! Just becuse sex! He lied to my face in a store last year! He looked in my eyes and said he was not cheting but when i was mowing the lawn wit my grandpa my mom came out screaming becuse she fond out that my dad was cheating on her! How do i get my anger out?
A: This is by no means an easy answer or easy to do either. But check these out as examples that also where not easy to do but necessary:
* The Apostle Paul instructs us to “be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32) All of our sins had equal part in driving Christ to the cross.
* John tells us, “The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked” (1 John 2:6).
* Jesus Himself is our pattern for forgiveness. On behalf of those who drove the nails through His hands, spit in His face, mocked Him, and crushed a crown of thorns onto His head, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34). He is our role model. The severity of any offense toward us cannot match what Christ endured.
* The writer of Hebrews said, “You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin” (12:4).
Now as this may have been much easier to write, it is not as easy to follow. Deep hurts like what is taking place with you from the sins of your dad will take time. But it takes obedience from you to continue to lift it up to the only One who can truly help you with this. Do it daily, be honest with Jesus of your pain, anger and all the feelings. Over time, He will walk with you out of this shadow of pain and then you will have a strong testimony of Gods love to share with others who may be in the same kind of pain.

Q: Whos fault was its adam or eve?
A: both because we are all responsible 4 our own acts. they both made their own descision to disobey God.

Q: Hey i have aa question;when nicole was talking about being cut i want to know how i can fill my love.
(Just a little brief explanation of this question, we had someone share of how for years they were into “cutting” trying to find release from all kinds of stuff, trying to find love, trying to find forgiveness etc.)
A: the only way u can fill ur love is finding Jesus. allow Him 2 come in and fix our mistakes. complete surrender from ur heart. God will come in and do the rest.
Q:  What is the real definition of love
A: 1 John 4:7-10 - 7 Dear friends, we should love each other, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has become God’s child and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love to us: He sent his one and only Son into the world so that we could have life through him. This is what real love is: It is not our love for God; it is God’s love for us. He sent his Son to die in our place to take away our sins.(The Everyday Bible : New Century Version. 2005 (1 Jn 4:7–10). Nashville, TN.: Thomas Nelson, Inc.)

Here we have another batch of questions that have been asked by the kids that we did not get to during our Studio Kids service. It is our desire to get to the place of posting these every Tuesday here on this blog for our Texting Tuesday post. What is a Texting Tuesday post day exactly? We have started to allow kids in our studio service (4-6th grade) to bring their cell phones and use them during our service. We have found out that often times kids have more on their minds that we are aware. The there are those parents who want a way into the thoughts and concerns of their kids but are unsure of how to get this accomplished. Well here is part of our answer for this. Please note, I did not go in and edit spelling or punctuation for this because we wanted to stay as true as possible to what and how the kids asked their questions.

Parents, please continue to check this blog out every Tuesday (well every Tuesday once we get a rythm for ourselves that is). You will be able to read what is on the minds of kids, your kids through a venue that they enjoy - texting. We do not connect the kids with the questions, and we take out the phone numbers, as this is not relevant for what we are attempting to do. But even with all that taken out, the real goods are still here - their questions, thoughts, concerns etc. Feel free to pick through these and talk to your kids about. Who knows, your may have some of the same thoughts and concerns.

You will notice the format of this is I post their question ad then myself or one of my leaders answer the question. I am Google voice for all of this so that I have a record of what is being asked and answered as well. I then for the most part copy and paste here for your family to use. We are also finding that this is becoming a great data base for them to refer their friends to as well, seeing that also have my search feature powered by Google and it is making a great data base for answers for kids and families. Parents. may you also feel free to ask a question or so and we will respond to you the same. Ask your kids for our number they all have it.

Enjoy

Q: Is it bad to watch whichcraf like harrypotter of wizards of waverly place
A: Yes, The Bible give us very clear guidance on shows of this type. The Bible describes the sin of witchcraft. It also tells us that we should not call evil, good or good, evil. Both these shows call what is evil, good.

Q: What is sexual sin
A: Simply put sexual sin is sin the goes against what God has saved for married people.

Q: Why are we born with sin
A: GRACE! What the Bible defines as sin serves as a schoolmaster to show us all that God’s grace forgives. If we were not sinners we would not need grace. We sin because we are sinners. Note the difference from: we are sinners because we have sinned.

Q: Sometimes people dont understand me. H0w do i help them understand me?
A: Communication, People will understand you when you share your life with them. If you want friends. Be a friend.

Q: Is it true that when parents disipline you, they d0 it because they love you?
A: Yes, In most cases your parents discipline you because they love you. They see future consequences of your actions that will harm you.

Q: Why does god let us mess up?
A: The short answer is free will. God made us in his image. God is the ultimate Creator. We also have the ability to build and create things. Sometimes we can create a mess.

Q: How do you break the swearing habit????
A: To break any negative habit, like swearing,replace it with something positive. Php 4:6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Q : Is it ok when you are doing a good deed to think of the later reward
A: It is ok to think of the reward as long as the reward is not the reason for the deed. Your motive is what counts. The Bible compare good deeds with wrong motives to straw. And when the fire comes it will be burned up. If the good deed is do with pure motive then it is compared to gold and it will last.

Q: If god created us perfect how did adam and eve sin
A: The Bible says Gen 5:1 when God created Adam it was in Gods likeness or resemblance. God is described as All knowing, All powerfull, Eternal, None of those were used to describe Adam. Adam was born without sin, but did sin though his willful disobedience of Gods command.

Q: Why doesn’t god hardly ever answer in words when you pray
A: That one is tough. If I had to give an answer to why does God not answer audibly, I would say because we could not handle it. If you remember Moses face glowed because he saw God, Isiah had to be hid in the clef of a rock and was only allowed to see God’s back as he passed by so he would not die.

Q: why is it illegal in some counties to worship God….
A: Not all counties have America’s Heritage, our founding fathers knew all of our rights are given by God. Not all counties in fact very few were founded by Godly people that trusted God to lead them to form Government. A lot of foregien countries do not want to admit God has all power. If they did they would have the power themselves.

I must start off this review with a confession. This book took me longer than any other book to read for only one purpose: My life became very busy from the moment I took on this book. This book is an easy read and one that should keep you engaged.

Ralph de la Vega is the author of “Obstacles Welcome” and the president & CEO of AT&T mobility and consumer markets. As the tagline of the book, ‘turn adversity to advantage in business and life’ suggests this book comprises of writer’s lifetime experiences and the theories and attitude he followed to achieve his goals.

I enjoyed how every chapter of the book ends with ‘Takeaway Messages’, giving points to spark continued thinking about through our daily struggles or opportunities in life. His way of looking towards life is admirable and can provide inspiration in thought.

Obstacles Welcome outlines a simple set of strategies for people at every level of society who face challenges in their businesses, education and personal lives.

1. First, de la Vega says, when faced with a challenge we must assess the situation, examining our strengths and weaknesses.

2. We must establish a vision, what we have decided we are going to accomplish.

3. We must create a plan for success, listing the steps necessary to make the vision become reality. “Hope,” de la Vega points out, “is not a strategy.”

4. Lastly we must put the plan into effect, monitoring and adjusting it with incoming information as we progress toward the goal, keeping in mind a solid foundation of values. Ethical practice is not only “the right thing but the wise thing to do,” de la Vega declares.

As the book ends, so I want to end this the same way..

“So now my work continues…creating experiences to convince the youth of the world that life can be more than they ever dreamed if they get an education and use it to bring their own best ideas to reality.

I want this ongoing journey to be their own plane to freedom, helping to lift them above their limitations and landing them where their opportunities have no limits.”

Read this book and maybe you too will pick this heart beat of the author up.