BeautifulCanvas.org » Catalyst

Change the Score

Dave © — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 13:32:59 +0000

There’s so much I could write about my trip to Atlanta for Catalyst 2010. The speakers were great and the company was even better (my dad, my brothers, Wes and Steve, and new friend, Jason). But I want to start with a thought that’s been swirling around my head and heart for a couple of months now.

I’d like to take you back to Carmen’s funeral for just a moment. I want you to read a few of the words that Dr. Pedreira communicated:

If a life can be measured by the joy we bring to others…
if a life can be measured by the faith we inspire in those who see us…
if a life can be measured by the hope that only total trust can bring…
then Carmen had a very successful life.
– Dr. Frank Pedreira, during Carmen’s Funeral

***

While at Catalyst, I was waiting in a long line to get free coffee from Project 7 when I noticed someone giving stuff away (quite common at events like this). I took one of what they were handing out. Without knowing what it was, I stuffed it in my bag. Later, I discovered that it was a rubber bracelet much like LiveStrong and many others. There was a phrase on it that caught my attention. It simply read, “Change the Score.” Instantly, it reminded me of Dr. Pedreira’s words.

***

Am I bringing joy to others by valuing and loving them unconditionally? Am I inspiring deeper faith in those who look at me as an example? Am I raising hope in others by displaying total trust in The One who is fully trustworthy?

Most days I fail miserably but this is what I want: to live by faith, to be a voice of hope, and to be known by love.

I love my new bracelet! It’s a blatant reminder that the American Dream isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be and that I need to change the score of what I’m living for. Every. Single. Day.

What about you?

More Fun From Catalyst 2009: Professor Splash

Dave © — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:15:23 +0000

It’s been a long week. Thought I’d share another fun moment from Catalyst. Enjoy!

Yes, this guy really did jump off a platform 35’9″ from the ground into a kiddie pool with just under 12″ of water in it. He’s done this on shows like Jimmy Kimmel but this was a new Guinness world record.

Catalyst 2009: Malcolm Gladwell “Mistakes Leaders Make”

Dave © — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:30:07 +0000

Leadership Lessons from Catalyst 2009: Malcolm Gladwell with “The Mistakes That Leaders Make”

Humans tend to overestimate the value of information.
We think that if we have more information we will make better decisions…but that’s not always true.
It is true that we will have more confidence in our ability to make better decisions when we have more information.
The more information we have, the more confident we are in ourselves.
Overconfidence in our own knowledge and abilities can lead to disastrous mistakes.
“When you are trapped in overconfidence, the world can change around you and you won’t see it.”
“In times of crisis, we think we need daring, overly competent and bold leaders. We don’t. What we need is humility.”
Action Item: Humble myself and declare my dependence on God each and every day.
Action Item: When faced with decisions, seek advice from others.

Next up in the Leadership Lessons from Catalyst 2009 series: Shane Hipps with “The Medium is the Message”

Catalyst 2009: Andy Stanley “Making a Mark”

It’s impossible to adequately portray the experience known as Catalyst so I won’t even try. I would, however, like to pass along a few leadership tidbits from various conference speakers. I won’t recap each discussion; that has been done excellently here (look at the “Latest Articles” section”). Instead, I just want to pass on a few 3×5 card-sized bits of usable information. My hope is that they will challenge you and help you move forward as a leader as they continue to do the same for me.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll post similar “3×5 card” summaries of the messages that impacted me the most. Here is the first one.

Leadership Lessons from Catalyst 2009: Andy Stanley and “Making a Mark”

Most people worry about who’s on their side.
The question, however, should not be “who’s on my side” but “who’s side am I on?”
God has invited us to play a part in his story
Will I submit to play whatever part God has for me?
Will I seek to make my own mark or have God make his mark through me?
What will you do? Whatever you decide, you must choose who you will serve (ref: Joshua in the Bible).
Action Item: Wake up each day and ask myself, “Who’s side am I on?” and remember that God takes full responsibility for a life fully devoted to him.

Next up in the Leadership Lessons from Catalyst 2009 series: Malcolm Gladwell with “The Mistakes Leaders Make”

Something Fun from Catalyst 2009

As Lana mentioned in the previous post, I’m planning to pass along a few leadership lessons from the 2009 Catalyst Conference. Before I get to anything serious, though, I thought I’d start with something fun. So here is the first tidbit, which does come with a lesson: when you surround yourself with creative people, it’s only a matter of time before something like this happens.

For those of you who might not know, “Andy” is Andy Stanley, lead pastor of North Point Community Church in Atlanta, GA. Each year, he is one of the main speakers at the conference. The video above was an “introduction” by his good friends Lanny Donoho and Reggie Joiner before Andy’s closing message.

PS. The other guys in the video are not Lanny or Reggie. They are Tripp and Tyler, two guys who entertained us at various times throughout the conference.