The last few days I have been working my way through John Maxwell’s book Leadership Gold: Lessons I Have Learned From A Lifetime of Leading.  This is by far probably the best leadership book I have read.  Maxwell lays out some incredible wisdom for becoming a better leader.  I am about half way done and I have gleaned some great quotes so far:

“Some people will attend a conference and their lives will start to turnaround. Others will come and tune out everything I say.”  From The Chapter: Don’t Send your Ducks To Eagle School

“There’s nothing wrong with ducks. Just don’t ask them to soar or hunt from a high altitude. It’s not what they do.”  From The Chapter: Don’t Send your Ducks To Eagle School

“The team can make adjustments when it knows where it stands.  In other words, reality is the foundation for positive change.  If you don’t face reality, then you will not be able to make necessary changes.”  From The Chapter: A Leader’s First Responsibility Is To Define Reality

“A time of turbulence is a dangerous time, but is greatest danger is a temptation to deny reality – Peter Drucker” From The Chapter: A Leader’s First Responsibility Is To Define Reality

“The best leaders are highly intentional about developing t ehir people.  But good or bad, leaders always impact their people.  And if you want to know whether a leader is successful and effective, don’t look at-or listen to-the leader.  Simply look at the people.”  From The Chapter: To See How The Leader Is Doing, Look At The People

“Leaders may impress others when they succeed, but they impact others when their followers succeed.” From The Chapter: To See How The Leader Is Doing, Look At The People

For those of you with a blackberry, there is a new Bible app you can use from your phone. It is sponsored by Lifechurch.tv. If you are looking for a good application for your phone check out this link.

This morning, my dad, Josh and I went to Hobbs State Park for a hike.  It was a mile and a half trail in the Ozarks.  We had a great time and I got some great pics.  It is always great to be out in nature and I always come away with a renewed sense of awe for our Creator.

Friday evening my parents came in for a week’s stay.  It was great to see them and we look forward to a good visit together.  There is a slight problem with the grandparents visiting though, we have been replaced.  Usually in the mornings Hannah wakes up calling for Danny, but now she wakes up asking for MiMi.  When I walk into the house, she no longer runs down the hall calling out Danny, in fact she no longer runs down the hall.  I have been replaced by her grandparents.

It is only day three now, but it seems that I no longer exist.  Sonya and I are not needed anymore because of these relatives that have come for a week’s stay.  I wonder now if Hannah loves me anymore.  One of the good things however, is when Hannah dirties her diaper she cries for MiMi to change it.  But let’s get back to my pity party.  Why is it that parents are so easily replaced by grandparents?  They give her what she wants and now I look like the bad guy.  Now, I am kicked to the curb and unwanted.  At least they are only staying a week:)

How often do we feel unwanted in our lives?  How often do we feel cast away or that no one cares about us?  I am jesting about Hannah and her grandparents but there are many people who actually experience rejection and hurt.  There are a great deal of people who have felt like outcasts and feel unloved.  It is hard to find joy and peace when you feel these ways, but there is a God who loves the out casts and loves the unloved.  No matter what heartaches you find in this world, you can count on a God who knows where you are and knows you by name.  Next time you feel unwanted, remember that God wanted you, that is why He created you.  You will never be replaced, you are the apple of His eye.

On Bro. Maynard’s blog he shared some amusing ponderings.  I have often thought many of these things and I wanted to share them with you.

* Why are there interstate highways in Hawaii?
* Why are there flotation devices under plane seats instead of parachutes?
* Why are cigarettes sold in gas stations when smoking is prohibited there?
* If a 7-11 is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, why are there locks on the doors?
* If a cow laughed, would milk come out her nose?
* If nothing ever sticks to TEFLON, how do they make TEFLON stick to the pan?
* Why do they put Braille dots on the keypad of the drive-up ATM?
* Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways?
* Why is it that when you transport something by car, it’s called a “ship”ment, but when you transport something by ship, it’s called “car”go?
* You know that little indestructible black box that is used on planes, why can’t they make the whole plane out of the same substance?
* Why is it that when you’re driving and looking for an address, you turn down the volume on the radio?

This morning I was reading an article from Family Life Ministries. It was on how to start family traditions. As we enter into the Christmas season, my prayer is that we all focus on the right things throughout this time. This article will help you focus on the right things and how to engage in these as a family.

Starting Family Traditions by Sabrina Beasley

It may sound strange, but Christmas traditions don’t have to be … well … traditional. You can start new activities that bring meaning to your holidays and build a legacy for your family. Perhaps you came from a family of non-believers, and you have never celebrated traditions that were based on Christ. Or perhaps you have found that your current traditions have no meaning for your family. This year, we have compiled 10 ideas for new traditions, some from FamilyLife and some from our readers.

1. What Does God Want for Christmas? The Christmas holiday is really just a part of the gospel story—God came as man in the flesh to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. His birth signifies God’s grace and love for His people. FamilyLife has developed an interactive nativity set that not only tells the story of the birth of Christ, but it also presents the gospel to children.

This resource, What God Wants for Christmas, can be used in your own family, in Sunday school classes, or as an outreach for neighborhood Christmas parties.

2. Use decorations to tell about the entire life of Christ. Christmas is a time that usually emphasizes the birth of Jesus, but decorations can also celebrate the remainder of His life on earth. In addition to the basic nativity set, angels, and stars, include crosses, verses that talk about the life of Jesus, and statuettes of Him while He was on earth.

3. Fast a meal. In America, Christmas includes a large focus on food. This year, during the week before Christmas, sacrifice a meal and pray during that time for the poor, hungry, and spiritually lost in the world.

4. Watch a movie that remembers the life of Christ. There are several good films that focus on the birth, death, and life of Christ. We recommend “Jesus of Nazareth,” the film, “Jesus,” or for mature audiences, “The Passion of the Christ.” Or for a change of pace, try “Ben Hur,” a movie that begins with Jesus’ birth and ends with His death, and tells the story of a man who was transformed by His love and forgiveness.

By watching movies that focus on other aspects of the life of Jesus, the Christmas celebration of His birth is put into proper perspective. This can be an excellent opportunity to talk to your children about why Christ had to come in the form of a child.

5. Share stories about how God has worked in your life. Have you ever told your children the story of your salvation? How about your spouse? While the family is together during the holidays, use the time to share your personal stories about faith, redemption, and life change. Also, reflect on the previous year and talk about how you have grown in your faith individually and as a family.

Click here for the rest of the article

We finished putting up the Cheney Christmas Tree after church tonight.  As is our annual custom, Sonya and Josh decorate while I eat cookies.  When they are done, I put the star on the top.  It is a beautiful tradition!