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Maddie Bobbitt for PRESIDENT

Maddie and I were driving home yesterday after I picked her up from school.  Because of the different presidential yard signs we saw in our neighborhood, we started talking about the upcoming election.  I told her that if John McCain is elected that Sarah Palin will become the first woman Vice-President.

Maddie paused for a minute and then said, "Daddy, I want to be the first woman president--NOT VICE--The REAL President!"

Hold on to your hats folks, Maddie Bobbitt is throwing her hat into the political arena.  If we are basing our votes on cuteness and compassion, Maddie Bobbitt will win in a landslide.  The first election when she will be eligible age-wise will be 2036 (although we hope to tackle the unconstitutionality of age-limits well before then).  Her campaign platform currently consists of chocolate ice cream as the official after dinner dessert, no stuffed animals left behind, raising the Bobbitt family bedtime to 9 PM, and a Hannah Montana 24 hour TV network!

I'm Maddie Bobbitt's Dad, and I proudly approve this message!!!

Mid Week Thoughts

• Wow, it was a busy morning at work...we are definitely entering the busy time of the year at Starbucks...and I'm loving it!!!
• Alison and I both voted yesterday...men and women through the history of our great country have sacrificed their lives to protect this right of ours...it is our duty to vote!!!
• Speaking of voting, it is amazing how many people gripe about standing in line, even for a few minutes!
• Saw the trailer for Season 5 of "Lost" coming up in February--can't wait!
• There is a special "24" movie coming on in November that will bridge the gap between last season and the new season coming up--very exciting.
• Through Facebook, I was able to re-connect with a former college buddy (Jon Becker) who now serves a church in Memphis.  Jon and his son Caedmon popped by to see me at work today and we were able to hang out over coffee and I am looking forward to having lunch with Jon tomorrow!
• Another college friend, Winn Collier, has released his newest book, Holy Curiosity.  Everything Winn writes is really good, and I am very excited to read this book...buy a copy today!
• Sports update...Alabama should roll on over Arkansas State at homecoming this weekend, the Titans will have to play tough to beat a very good Green Bay team but I am still hoping for a win, and I am really needing to pick up a QB and WR for my fantasy football league this weekend to put together another winning weekend!
• Bad news--The tickets for the Titans/Jets game did not work out...Great news--looks like we will have tickets for the Titans/Browns game in December--you are the bomb, Tom!
• My small group totally rocks...last night we met and passed out 100+ bags in the neighborhood where we meet to collect cans and dry goods for the Collierville Food Bank on Halloween...it was freezing, but no one grumbled about the cold and I think we all had a great time doing a great thing!
• Maddie made a very exciting announcement to me in the truck today on the way home from school that I will share with you on tomorrow's blog!

What a Great Season (So Far)

Alabama Crimson Tide 8-0

A guy could get really used to this!!!  Roll Tide Roll!
Go Titans!!!

(P.S.--Team Bobbitt Fantasy Football is undefeated since I joined the league as well--is this my year or what???)

Tennessee Titans 7-0

I Forgot What This Feels Like

Last night I had the opportunity to preach at a special Sunday night service at my church.  Today I feel like a truck backed over me.  Preachers affectionately refer to this feeling as the "holy hangover."  I normally go to bed around 8ish when i have to get up for work the next morning at 4:15 AM, but I was keyed up after preaching and couldn't settle down until about 11 PM.  Add to that the fact that I woke up at 3:38 AM and couldn't go back to sleep.

Okay, enough whining...the truth is I had a ball.  When I have the opportunity to preach, there is a part of my spirit that comes alive in a new way.  I spent weeks wrestling through what to teach about and after several hours of prayer, study, and discussion with my friend Alan, it all came together in a beautiful way last night.  Our small group pitched in Sunday afternoon and helped us get the chairs ready as well as arranging candles and bringing luggage for our set design.  Alan and Elaine did an amazing job leading worship.  There were moving moments at the altar and through the message.  People were challenged to quit playing god and let God be God in their lives.  I believe that many were listening.  My prayer is that they live out that challenge today and beyond.

It has been almost eighteen months since I preached in a church service.  I made a deal with God earlier this year.  I promised Him that I would not take any message for granted, and that I would preach every sermon the rest of my life like it might be my last.  I hope last night wasn't the last one, but if it is, I know in my heart that I did everything I could to let God speak through me and that I gave my best effort to honor Him with the words He placed in my mouth.

Even though I am completely wiped out right now, I'd do it all over again next Sunday if I could!

The Friday Update

• It was nice to have a relaxing Friday...no work, no work, no work.
• Normally the only reason I get to be off on Friday is because I am working Saturday and Sunday--BOO!!!
• I have gone 19 days with no caffeine...that's a little crazy for a guy who works in a coffee house
• My fast is over tomorrow at lunch time--pizza will be the meal of choice
• Part of my fast was to read through the New Testament during these 20 days...I just finished before starting this blog entry
• If you live in the Memphis area, you NEED to come to The Summit at The Church at Schilling Farms in Collierville, this Sunday night at 6 PM.  It is going to be an incredible night of worship led by my friends Alan and Elaine and I will be preaching!
• For some reason, I am super-excited and super-nervous about preaching all at the same time.
• 10 years ago tonight, I asked the love of my life, Alison Marie, to marry me...she did say yes by the way!!!  Happy "Engagement" Anniversary, Love!
• Alabama plays Tennessee this weekend.  ROLL TIDE ROLL.  I am hoping for a BIG win complete with Alabama actually showing up for both halfs this week!!!
• The Titans do not play until Monday night, so I will be able to focus on preaching without my favorite distraction being interrupted.
• Mom and Dad have been out of town for too long!!!  MiMi and Granddaddy, please come home soon...we all miss you!!!
• My atheist friend is planning to come to the Summit on Sunday night--please pray for him!
• Thought for the day--"Sacrifice that does not require you to move ALL IN is not sacrifice!"
• Have a fantastic weekend!

Leadership Myth #1

Leadership Myth #1--A Title or Position Makes You a Leader

This is so far from the truth it is unreal to me.  Leaders are not defined by their titles.  People who hide behind titles yet do not lead gain ZERO respect.  On the flip side, a true leader is not stopped by the lack of a title or position! Leaders lead in spite of their position or title.  They lead inward, upward, and downward. 

I was talking to a friend last week and he was sharing struggles in his job saying that people were not showing him the respect he was due.  I asked him what he had done to EARN the respect of his team and peers.  He got a little unnerved and a little upset (I am about as subtle as a jackhammer most days), but he continued to listen.  I shared with him that someone believed in him enough to make him the boss, but now he was going to have to start leading by example.  I told him that his team should see him as the hardest working person on his shift, he should treat people with respect, he should correct and encourage on the spot, he should ask his team for help so that he could accomplish his goal.

I was happy to talk with my friend again today.  Life is much better.  He is leading with passion and enthusiasm.  He believes that his title simply means that he is more accountable to the "higher ups" for how his team performs.  He is now viewing leadership as active servanthood rather than an entitlement that serves him.

God expects the most out of His leaders or He wouldn't have gifted us with that gift.  Your title is not an entitlement, it is an opportunity for accountability.  What are you doing with your position to prove that you deserve to keep your title (or better yet, get a more important one)?

Life Rolls On

• It was another busy weekend in the life of the Bobbitt family--very good, but very busy--seems to be the theme of our lives and many of our friends
• Alabama rolled, rather strolled, to a tight victory over Ole Miss.  This team could be dangerous if they bring the same team that played the first half out for the second half.  I am relieved that "Mount Cody" looks to only be sidelined for two weeks.  That is one big, fast dude!!!
• The Titans on the other hand were firing on all cylinders this weekend.  I hated to see Brodie Croyle, former Crimson Tide QB, knocked out for the season, but he knows that the NFL is a place where you need to wear your "big boy pants" to work every down and that injuries are an unfortunate part of the game.  Chris Johnson is making his case for Rookie of the Year every week, and this week was no exception.  Seeing him play the bongos after scoring his TD was worth the 15 yard penalty. 
• Another Titans note of note--my buddy Tom is trying to score me a ticket to join him and see the Titans play the Jets on November 23 in Nashville--how sweet would that be???
• It's so nice to actually be enjoying a little fall weather in Memphis.  I was beginning to wonder if it was ever going to show up!
• God has definitely been at work in my heart and life in some wonderful ways.  I am in the home stretch of reading the New Testament over the last 20 days and it has been a great journey.
• Four and a half more days of fasting...it has also been a great experience, but if I am really honest with you, I am very excited to eat food again!!!
• I had a great afternoon doing worship planning with my friend Alan yesterday.  We are doing a special service at our church this Sunday night called "The Summit."  If you are in the Memphis area, you need to come to The Church at Schilling Farms this Sunday night at 6 PM!!!  It is going to be an incredible night of worship!!!
• Thought of the day--"Anointment must precede appointment, but the space between can sometimes be maddening!"
• more tomorrow!

Friday Catch Up Post

• So I sat down several times to blog this week and was very frustrated...lots of drafts, few posts...I am working out some thoughts on "leadership myths" but they are still at the drawing board...hopefully, I can work out the kinks and have some good stuff coming on the blog in the next few days
• Cool weather finally decided to show up in the Memphis area...it feels like fall...I am about to go out on the back deck and do a little reading and enjoy the cool temp and sun
• Alison and I enjoyed a great day off yesterday...it was raining most of the day, so the only thing that got us out of the house was a lunch date...the rest of the day we just hung out and caught up on some tv watching and conversation
• The pace of work is definitely picking up with fall temperatures...the day flies by when you have a crazy stream of customers
• I really wish that I could have attended Catalyst this year...everything I read makes me jealous that I wasn't able to make it...Catalyst West Coast in April has an incredible line-up of speakers and Hillsong United will be leading worship
• Fasting update--The fast is going well.  My connection to the Lord has definitely been strengthened over these last twelve days.  I started eating a little soup on day ten to supplement my juices and water.  Eight days to go.  Pray that I can finish strong.
• Along with the fast, I am reading through the New Testament in this 20 day period.  It has been a wonderful whirlwind journey through the Scripture.  I am reading it in chronological order, a first for me.  I have really enjoyed it and have heard God speak volumes to me at a very loud volume!
• If you are looking for a fantastic show to watch, check out "The Chef Jeff Project" on Food Network on Sunday nights!  Alison and I watched the first episode on Sunday and absolutely loved it.  Chef Jeff has an amazing story and an incredible heart to help young people with similar backgrounds to his.
• Football season is back after a bye week for both the Tide and the Titans.  Both teams should dominate, but we'll see!
• I am 3-0 since joining my fantasy football league, but I take on the number one guy in the league this weekend.  Kinda hoping to knock him off the pedestal!
• Tomorrow is going to be an awesome day of hanging out with my friends and family watching football.  Sunday will be great with church and then seeing our church band play at a local festival Sunday afternoon.  I hope you have a great weekend!

Book Review: Through the Storm

Through the Storm doesn't fit into my "normal" book genre, but I am grateful that I had the opportunity to explore this interesting and entertaining story.

Through the Storm is the life account of Lynne Spears, mother of Bryan, Britney and Jamie Lynn Spears.  This book creates a window that allows the reader to see life from the other side of success, fame, and the intense scrutiny that one receives when living in the spotlight of pop culture.

The first part of Through the Storm introduces you to the early part of Lynne's life, including her upbringing, her marriage to Jamie, and of course the arrivals and growth of her children.  The rest of the book focuses on the personal journeys of child stars Britney and Jamie Lynn and how their paths to stardom have forever changed the Spears family.

I was moved by Lynne's honesty and openness to talk the early struggles she and Jamie faced in their marriage which eventually ended in divorce.  She is also very candid about her feelings regarding the paparazzi, her personal walk with Jesus Christ, Britney's questionable decisions and their sometimes turbulent relationship, her opinions about her son-in-law Kevin Federline and his parenting skills, and the pain she felt when discovering that Jamie Lynn was pregnant.

It was hard to put this book down.  I found Lynne Spears to be genuine, loving, and proud of her family.   One of my favorite lines from the book is actually on the first page and does a great job of framing Through the Storm: "Most people have no idea how fame can warp the closest relationships in your life, or how big dreams can turn into nightmares."

If you are a person who enjoys knowing "the other side of the story," Through the Storm might just be the next book you need to choose to read!

My Weekend Highlight

It was a great weekend, particularly Sunday.  We had quite a bit going on.  Our small group was meeting for dinner that evening.  We were taking care of my nephew Noah for the day.  And, of course, we went to church.

It is always interesting to me to look for how God will choose to manifest Himself to me when I am at church.  Sometimes it is through the sermon.  At other times, it may be a particular song or special element where I see the Lord in a real and compelling way.  God never fails to show up, even though sometimes I have to look harder than others.

Sometimes God chooses to reveal Himself through another person in the congregation to me.  That was the case yesterday...and the person just happened to be my daughter.

Our church has all of our younger kids in for the music part of our worship gathering and then dismisses them to kids church.  Madalyn was standing between me and Alison for most of the service.  At one point in the first couple of songs, I looked down and just saw Maddie singing her heart out.

In that moment, God decided to show His goodness to me.  My daughter singing praise to My King. 

Maddie has not made a personal decision to follow Jesus as her Savior yet.  I pray for her to do that almost every day.  Yesterday, God used her singing to remind me that He is at work in her life.  I felt a gentle assurance in my spirit that Madalyn will one day accept the Lord.  She doesn't yet know Him, but He knows her and loves her.  He has a plan for her that is so much greater than the plans her earthly daddy has for her. 

I also know that God heard her praise as she sang yesterday.  And it was music to His ears.

In a weekend filled with lots of fun and laughs and rest, that was my highlight!

What was your weekend highlight?