last second changes

Last night we had our first (of three) America’s Idol tryout for an upcoming event at CLC and we had to make some last second changes to pull the event off.

We had a good turn-out and our students had fun and we created quite a bit of buzz about this series. 

One of the main reason for our sucess was because of our teams ability to make the last second changes.

I’m struggling with that though?

I think too often we fall into a mindset that it will just come together in the end because we’ll just make ‘last second changes.’

I think we’ve all heard the saying, “If you fail to plan then you plan to fail.”  It’s true. 

Great leaders rarely have to make last second changes b/c they are prepared. 

I’m working on being better prepared – it’s a journey but I’m sure well worth it.

Today’s Walk-Away:  Look at your life – your assignments – your goals – your plans and ask yourself:  What am I doing today to be better prepared for tomorrows acheivements?

sooner or later

Since moving to Dayton my workouts have been ‘hit and miss.’  The last few weeks have been pretty good but ONE area I’m ashamed to admit I’ve been lacking on is my LEGS. 

They need the most work too!

One of the reasons I’m dreading working my legs out is that I know how much it’s going to hurt the day.

I’m usually sore after working out but it’s a good feeling BUT when you miss a month of work outs you’re not just sore you’re ‘wow this really hurts’ sore.

I’ve found that in my journey with God the same thing happens. 

If I miss my prayer time one day I don’t feel the guilt (aka -sore) but if I miss a week of prayer I feel really guilty.  I know God LOVES me even when I miss my prayer time but I want to live a life that pleases Him too.

What’s so amazing is after a great leg workout I feel stronger and after some time with God in prayer I feel like through Him I can do all things!

UNO

We had a great Thanksgiving.  My kids joked that they feel like the car is their second home.  The Warren5 have been doing a lot of driving with me working in Dayton and the family still living in Conneaut. 

Spending time with family is so valuable and making that valuable time quality time is so important.

My point:  don’t just spend time with your family make that time with your family memorable.

Yesterday we played our very first FAMILY GAME OF UNO.  It was very memorable.

Our youngest, Emma won (That’s her)!  (Twice – with a little help from Uncle Bruce)

We laughed a lot and it will serve as a great memory from Thanksgiving 2007.

I hope and pray you had a great Thanksgiving, even if you (ME) lost three straight games at UNO and your daughter is the rub-it-in-your-face-b/c-you-lost-kind-of-winner…

OH – IO

Got to spend time with family on Saturday and enjoy the Buckeyes game. 

It was a great game and hanging out with family was so cool.

As I watched the game I noticed that once the Buckeyes had the lead they made a wise choice and played to their strength – the DEFENSE.  And because of that they didn’t lose the lead.

I think too often when we get ahead in life (extra money or time) we tend to live differently. 

Maybe we spend a little more or relax a little to much and that can cost us quite a bit.

My advice:  play to your strengths!

The bible says that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” 

I’m not sure why but we sometimes like to think we can do life on our own and that’s when God’s Gameplan gets tossed.

And our time and money gets lost too…so this Thanksgiving take some time to relook at God’s gameplan and ask yourself are you using the ‘extra’ He’s provided wisely.

 

 

ho…ho…ho…nope!

According to yahoo.com (11/15/07) Santa is no longer allowed to say “Ho, Ho, Ho…” and will be encouraged to say “Ha, Ha, Ha…”  WHY?  Because “Ho, Ho, Ho…” has been deemed inappropiate and offensive to women.  The word “Ho” which is also a slang term for a prostitute, will have to be nixed from Santa’s greetings.

Wow!  I’m a little shocked…I mean “Ho, Ho, Ho” and Santa are pretty much connected aren’t they. 

I can’t think of one without the other.

That got me thinking about what people automatically think when we say Andy Warren.  Hopefully they connect ME with faithful follower of Christ, encourager, an AMAZINGLY good looking husband (right Beth), the best dad ever, and hopefully other nice things.

What about you?  What things are connected to your name?

power outage

Came into work this morning and found that the power was out.  Seemed so weird to walk around the building and everything was so dark.  It took me a while to adjust but after a few minutes I was able to navigate my way around OK.

Then when the power came back on it was so much easier to find my way around. 

My point:  in life when I’m disconnected from my power source (The Holy Spirit) I struggle to find my way around AND my temptation is to just adjust to this new ‘powerless’ life.  But thank God he reminds of how much I need His power and how much better life is when I’m connected to His power.

How about you?  Are you connected…

 

I’m full of it…

I met yesterday with a realtor and got a huge dose of encouragement. 

We are selling our home in Conneaut and moving to Dayton (I’m already there…family moves soon) but we have to sell our home first.

Our realtor said this has been the hardest year to sell a home in the past 15 years!  Last year only 5 comparable homes sold in Conneaut and (yes there’s more) our home will probably sell for $10,000 – $12,000 LESS than it’s worth.

So…I have a choice…be full of frustration or full of faith…I choose to be full of faith.

Actually it’s my only real option.  I’ve noticed that so often people can get really frustrated and allow that emotion to ruin what should be a great day.

So until my house sells I will trust that God is in control of everything.

Week ONE

Well my first week at Dayton CLC has come and gone and it’s been amazing. 

A few quick lessons I’ve learned this week…

Be outgoing – sometimes b/c we are new to an environment we tend to jump in slowly…the only problem is the perception can be you’re unapproachable or rude.  This week I was outgoing.

Be on time – never get a second chance to make a good first impression and being late to a meeting or appointment isn’t good.  By the way – WEEK ONE MEETING COUNT – 18!  Yes that’s this week.  This week I was 18 for 18 in making my meetings on time.

Be flexible – too often when things don’t go our way out attitude gets in the way.  Allow yourself to try new things or be open to trying new things.  Sometimes you’ll find you may like a new way of doing something.

So there you have it!  A few life lessons from CLC…gotta go…meeting #19 is calling…

 

Dayton, OH

Day ONE of my new journey.  I am leaving today for Dayton, OH to begin as the YP at CLC Dayton.

I am excited! 

God’s faithfulness is something that I try not to take for granted.  Too often I try to control my day and I get stressed about tomorrow but if I will just continue to know that God is faithful!

Check this verse out – God is faithful even when we are faithless.  II Tim. 2:13

This tells me that even when I can’t believe that something will happen God does and His faith in ME and in the circumstance is my strength.

How about you?  Facing something you’re not sure you can do…place your faith in God and let that fuel you across the finish line.

I’m heading to Dayton – I 71 here I come!

altar

In the Old Testament whenever Israel would experience God do something incredible they’d build an altar.  So yesterday the Warren5 hit the beach and built an altar.  Why?  To thank God for giving us three, experience filled years, in Conneaut, Ohio.

Sometimes it’s difficult to learn the lessons that God has for you.  We spend too much time in the details.  I remember praying God, help me ‘learn the lessons and forget the details.’ 

As we transition to Dayton, OH we value what we have learned and the friendships we have made.