My Journey with Jon Acuff - Inspiration & A Challenge

I don't intend for this to turn into a "My Journey with Jon Acuff" blog, but that's kind of where I'm at now.

Today's 'homework' is to post a video that inspires you. I chose one from Good Will Hunting for a couple reasons.
1 - I'm starting to realize the importance of having someone in your life that challenges you. Someone who will keep you accountable and push you when you're settling for less than being awesome.
2 - I can identify with Will. I'm a reader, but it stops there. I read a lot of blogs, books and articles, but seldom act on it "until the time is right". In a sense I'm overfed and out of shape intellectually.
3 - Like Will I tend to see the negatives.
4 - I get sarcastic and mean when I'm challenged.
5 - I don't know what I want to do, so I blow smoke and shovel it as a defense mechanism.

This clip (and the film) inspires me to live for more.
To do the work
To chase after awesome.
To drop the B.S. and really take a look inside and ask if I'm living true to myself.


Careful, there are a couple swears if that sort of stuff bothers you.

Haters Gonna Hate

For those lab-rats people taking part in Jon Acuff's START Experiment today is "International Ignore A Hater" day.

Our task today is to ignore the haters. Ignore the email, tweet, or facebook comment that is slinging mud. The idea is to enjoy the peace of mind that comes when you disregard the haters.

I laughed. Okay, challenge accepted. I don't run into many haters anyway.

So I've taken the challenge and I'm ignoring those that try to bring me down today.

So far (about noon'ish as I type) I've run into people who have told me my dream is dumb and unrealistic.
Said my show is too worldly
Told me they want the old morning show hosts back.
Called me a false prophet.
Said I lack spiritual depth and questioned my salvation.

Oh snap!

This is harder than I expected.

Feel like hatin'?
Comment below, but I won't respond... Today.

Favorite Things Friday - July 26

Favourite Reads
Mark Wahlberg On Prison, Faith & Gratitude from Donald Miller
Hipster Traps from AdWeek
Culture Of Accountability from Stephen Brewster

Favourite Athletic Showdown


Favourite Prank

Favourite Timelapse Video


Favourite Piece Of Marketing Genius


Favourite Mosquito Repellent

The Most Powerful Currency

If there is one thing I have learned in 2013 it is this:
Doesn't matter if you're rich or poor
Single or married
Wealthy or homeless
If you don't have hope, you have nothing.
Conversely, if you have hope you are rich.

Hope is the most powerful currency.

The Most Helpless Feeling

At the cottage, teaching him to build a fire.

This past weekend Kyler had an intense case of "the runs", (I guess he caught some bug at daycare), which meant we ended up doing a lot of laundry. From all external appearances he felt fine, but once you opened the diaper...

I'll stop there.

The point is I felt so helpless.

I wanted so desperately to be able to fix it for him, (apparently I'm a 'fixer'), but couldn't do anything but wait it out.

It sucked.

I think having a sick child might be one of the worst feelings you can experience. Everything within you wants to help your kid. If there was a way to take the sickness on yourself, you'd do it in a heartbeat. Anything to make your kid feel better.

I guess I'm gaining a better understanding of what people mean when they talk about "a father's heart".

Favorite Things Friday - July 19

Favourite Reads
You Can Do Better Than "Sent From My iPhone" from The Atlantic
11 Benefits Of Lemon Water You Didn't Know About from LifeHack
21 Travel Rules from Tim Ferriss

Favourite News Segment


Favourite All-Star Game Moment


Favourite New K-Mart Commercial


Favourite Nightmare Inducing Ad


Favourite Marketing Stunt

Ego, Ministry and Money

Let's open up a can today.

You watched the video, what do you think?

I agree that people in traditional ministry roles should be well compensated. I don't believe the student ministry/music/kids ministry director should have to work a part-time job to pay the rent. They already have an extremely stressful job that requires them to be "on" 24/7. We shouldn't compound the stress by paying them a "ministry salary" and trusting "the Lord will provide".

Maybe he wants to provide through a paycheque?

Back to the video. I realize it was produced to communicate a certain tone. Clips may have were likely taken out of context. But the ballin' rap video vibe still bothers me.

Money isn't evil. But I think (at least from this trailer) these fellas are walking dangerously close to the line between pastor and idol.

No doubt they are all great guys, (in fact I think I'd probably be friends with the tattooed skater dude), just with some flawed theology... Like me.

Curious to get your thoughts: Pastors and their big houses/fancy cars/flashy bling.

Favorite Things Friday - July 12

Favourite Reads
The Case For A Narrow Focus - from Dan Miller
Get More Business, Starting Today - from Stu McLaren
3 Signs You've Found Your Passion - from Jeff Goins

Favourite 'Creep Me Out' Video


Favourite 'Blows My Mind' Video


Favourite Nerdy Science Video


Favourite Authentic Moment


Favourite Retro Video

Favorite Things Friday - July 5

Favourite Reads

Sell Everything When You Move - from LifeHacker

How To Cook Perfect Bacon - from The Kitchn

Draw A Line In The Sand - from Scott Dinsmore

Favourite Car Ad



Favourite Videobombs


Favourite Timelapse Video


Favourite Pro-Christian Video


Favourite PSA