Yes, you read the title correctly and you have every right to think I’m nuts.

Our world is full of chaos and distractions that continually pull us away from what we should be focused on. As individuals we can easily let the everyday chaos pull us away from our time with God, family, the church, and our friends. As a church or organization we can let chaos dictate our vision, principles, and goals when it raises its ugly head. By putting out one fire after another in our personal life and organizations we turn our focus away from the vision and calling God has placed upon us. We eventually become centered on man’s desire instead of God’s.

So how can chaos be a good thing?

1. At some point you and your organization will have enough! You will come to the realization that if you let chaos be in control there will be no control.
2. Chaos can reveal the desire for simplicity. We all desire less choices and boundaries… even if we complain about it. Organizations also thrive with a specific and simplistic message that followers can grasp, relate to, and repeat.
3. Chaos can force you to release leadership and delegate. The more you have on your plate the quicker you realize you are not the Lone Ranger and you begin to equip those around you. The more an organization has on its agenda the quicker its employees/members burnout which leads you back to #2.
4. Chaos can force you and your organization to define itself. Will you and/or your organization be known as the catch all, professional plate spinners, and fire brigade? Or will you begin the painful process of simplicity and learning to say no.
5. Chaos can reveal great leaders. If you survive the painful process of simplification you will find yourself confident in who and what God has called you to be. If your organization survives the simplification process you will lose “leaders” that are content with keeping the peace, mediocrity, and a desire to be needed. It will gain sacrificial and courageous leaders that equip those around them, and are laser focused on a simplistic vision for the organization.

I’m sure this list is not complete and would love to hear your thoughts and additions.

The Martin home is getting ready for the arrival of our 3rd daughter, Holland Hope. She is expected to arrive in early June and I’m so excited that I am excited. Yeah, I know that sounds weird, but with our first two daughters I was extremely nervous throughout the pregnancy and delivery. With Holland I am a lot more relaxed and more excited than nervous. I guess after having experienced the miracle of birth twice I have a reassured trust in Christ’s protection and will for our family.

I have also noticed that each time we have a baby my perspective of ministry changes. As a newlywed I was working countless hours and had huge aspirations of being the greatest within student ministry. After Sydney Grace was born I realized the overwhelming responsibility of being a Dad. I started cutting the overtime down and began prioritizing and setting boundaries between the Church and my family.

When London Faith was born, about 4yrs later, I began to internalize that it really doesn’t matter what I do for a career. At 18 months the saddest part of her day is when I say bye in the morning, and the happiest part of her day is when I walk through the door that evening. The girls running to give me a hug screaming “Daddy, Daddy!” with huge grins on their faces reminds me of the love Jesus has for me and my calling to demonstrate that love to them. The only thing that matters is how much my girls know that their Daddy loves them unconditionally, will protect them with every fiber of my soul, and how important it is for them to see Jesus living through me.

As Holland Hope begins to make her arrival “ministry” is beginning to gain so much clarity. Church ministry happens with or without my efforts. Jesus is in the life changing business and I am in awe to be a simple tool that He chooses to use from time to time. My calling, purpose, and ministry is centered on raising my girls to fall desperately in love with Jesus. If I can’t lead our home to fall in love with Jesus how could I expect a church to follow. A leader should be a living example and let Jesus take care of the details. Regardless of where the Holy Spirit has me or sends me to serve my awesome wife and precious daughters will be with me, therefore they are first! The most important thing my daughters can experience is a Christ centered home that believes in the power of the Holy Spirit, the unconditional love of Christ, and the Fatherhood of God.

For some people reading this post these perspectives may seem radical, warped, or a little over the top. You are completely free to have your own assumptions and opinions. (just as I a free to place mine on my blog) You are also completely entitled to be absolutely wrong! Jesus entrusts me (not the church) to lead my family to Him everyday, and if I can’t do that then He definitely will not trust me to lead the local church toward Him. It’s the fathers responsibility to show the Fathers love at home first!!! Let that last sentence sink in….

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of spending the day in beautiful Charleston, SC at Seacoast Church with Mac Lake. Mac is the Development Pastor at Seacoast which currently has 13 campuses stretching across SC, NC, and GA. Mac and I began chatting on twitter so I wasn’t sure what I had gotten into, and it kinda felt like a blind date. I had heard that Mac was the “real deal” and was passionate about investing in the next generation. After a day of laughs and learning Seacoast Church and Mac Lake are the “real deal” they are laser focused on seeing lives transformed for Jesus. Here are a few takeaways from the trip:

• Seacoast is huge on placing/moving people into positions based on strengths.
• Seacoast has a ton of leaders under 35. That’s awesome!!
• Mac really believes in the next generation and spends the majority of his days coaching.
• Those that Mac leads have a high level of admiration and respect towards him.
• The Greenhouse Project (in it’s infancy) has been developed so that each staffer has a mentor which also includes a plan of personal, spiritual, and professional development. I believe The Greenhouse will revolutionize Seacoast!
• Mac and Seacoast are not blinded by success. They constantly tweak concepts that work, and they are quick to eliminate anything that does not produce results.
• Mac is huge on respecting time and releasing the staff. I sat in on a meeting where he discussed how to eliminate and shorten other meetings that were sucking time away from the staff.
• They believe that failure is a learning tool.
• They value spirit filled worship. I listened as one upper level staffer spoke of personal tears and a filling of the Holy Spirit during the previous night of worship.
• Staffers were quick to share how the church was close to their heart and how it was changing their lives.
• They love pastor Greg Surratt and deeply respect the fact that he loves the people of Seacoast. I listened as a group of 8 young leaders spoke of Greg’s accessibility and how he loves to mingle with the church family.

I’m sure this list is not complete, and I really appreciate the time I was able to spend with Mac and some of the Seacoast leadership. Thanks again for a great day!…….. Ummm, this post would not be complete unless I included some of the funny things that I learned from the trip.

• Ernest Smith LOVES long meetings and has either an evil twin or split personality named Carey. I might create a twitter profile for Carey.
• Jason Surratt stole my chair before the meeting but I was afraid to say anything because, well…. did you see his last name?
• Brandon Hair is a ticking time bomb! He just bottles it up!!
• Brandon Lake respectfully disagrees on the amount of times he has seen his father angry!
• Scott Kinney is a 25 yr. old trapped in a 26 yr. olds body! I would enjoy getting into trouble with Scott. He is a trip!!
• Here is the map of Sugartit, SC! It’s not much guys!!
• THE BEST for last!!!!! Josh Walters owes me a bio and I will never forget his face when I told him I was there to evaluate new hires within their first year! Priceless!!!

OK! Lets get one thing straight… I stink at brackets! Every year I fill out a March Madness bracket and every year it seems to only get worse because I’m a sucker for the underdogs. That’s also why I love watching the first round of the tournament. I love the fact that if a team works hard, no matter the school size, they get a chance at the dance. I also love seeing new players emerge as leaders on the court.

Here are a few leadership truths we can learn from basketball:

• A leader wants the ball during the tough times. Great leaders believe they can lead the team to victory even when there is absolutely no chance of it.
• A leader is a game changer. Everyone knows when he’s on the court the game will go the way he has already mapped it out in his head. Or he will die trying!
• A leader does not hide from confrontation. If there is a problem on the team he courageously gets to the bottom of it and provides a solution. He knows that disunity = failure.
• A leader knows each players gifts and talents. He knows when to throw the ball to each specific player. He knows this because he has invested genuine time and an open relationship with his team.
• A leader bleeds the school colors. He has bought into the vision of the school/organization and sees himself investing quality time to see progress.
• A leader listens to his teammates. He has learned that victory takes more than just one person and there is no “i” in team, but there is in WIN.

• He believes in the best for the team and his team mates. He sees the potential in the school/organization and in each player. He can envision a bright future for both.

Finally, and the most important, the team trusts and believes in the guy that wants the ball. They all know from previous experience that he can lead them to victory. The team has seen him on court, off court, and outside the game prove countless times that he’s ALL IN! He makes it easy for them to follow and believe.

Michael Jordan once said, “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” So, do you want the ball?

More quotes from the greatest BB player of all time… Michael Jordan!

“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.”

“I never looked at the consequences of missing a big shot… when you think about the consequences you always think of a negative result.”

“My body could stand the crutches but my mind couldn’t stand the sideline.”

5 reasons chasing a rainbow can kill you

• You will never find the pot of gold! Searching for a man made gimmick will lead you and those whom follow you down countless dead ends. The Holy Spirit and desperation for the lost is what sparks a revival.

• Everyone else knows the gold isn’t there! Each pursuit will leave wounded along the journey. Soon word gets around that it’s just another wild goose chase. You’ll look over your shoulder to see less and less people following you.

• You start retaining baggage! Each time you return from a holy quest you bring back more for your camp to maintain. Each pursuit reveals programs, events, habits, and traditions that produced mediocre results. All of the additional items become a burden for someone else to bear. The more those you lead have to maintain the more frustrated, lethargic, and reluctant they become.

• You develop gold fever! Each adventure will also produce glimpses of progress and a false hope in man. But, something is better than nothing right? You become an addict of the chase and begin to depend on the next chase to bring you validation and a right to lead.

• You become blind! Finally, you realize that you are so accustom to chasing rainbows that you really don’t need a rainbow to begin the chase. If fact, your identity and self-worth no longer resides in Christ because it is consumed by results.  You have forgotten that at one time you were just like those you lead who simply admired the miracle and mystery of the Rainbow itself. It didn’t have to be explained just experienced.

As leaders we must realize that God gives us a specific vision when we are where He can use us, and we are spiritually hungry for it. Sometimes not having a clear vision for a leader can be detrimental. You have to come desperate and broken to God willing to do whatever He asks. No fear – No Questions – Just Obedience!

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This could be the craziest post I have ever written! Rainbows and pots of gold! Where’s the leprechaun?

I was looking through some old notes today and found a page from the Tony Morgan coaching network I attend earlier this year. Here are a few ways to maintain personal growth in several areas of life.

1. Write down what God is teaching you. How you see Him working in your life and those around you.
2. Married couples should always go to bed together. It’s a healthy practice and great for communication, keeping your priorities in order, and intimacy.
3. Schedule a daily “no meeting” closed door time. This special time is great for prayer, devotion, or gaining clarity for the day.
4. Continually strive to learn new concepts and be open to new culture and changes.
5. Be open to criticism but also be confident in your boundaries, passions, and calling.
6. Know your personal, professional, and organizational weakness and be open to growth in your most difficult areas.
7. Give tasks away and trust people to do a great job. You must first trust a person before you actually know if you can trust them.

So those are a few notes I ran across today. I hope they will help you grow as they continue to help me! Tony has great insights posted on his blog check him out at www.TonyMorganLive.com.

This has already been called one of THE most powerful moments in Catalyst history; there wasn’t a dry eye in the arena after Jimmy Wambua met Mark, his Compassion Sponsor of 19 years, for the 1st time. It was an unbelievable moment…Jimmy begins to share at minute 3:45.

Will you sponsor a child through Compassion International?

To sponsor a child please visit www.compassion.com

Click to view the highlight video of the Young’s picking up there international adopted child Jake. I was honored to be a witness to such an amazing night! Thanks again! You can follow there story at www.jasonyounglive.com

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Many people question God’s existence and involvement in today’s world. We consistently overlook how God intervenes through daily miracles. My answer to those people is to just go hang out at an airport, watch, listen, and be patient. Last night I experienced one of the most amazing nights of my life. I was honored to be a part of a true miracle when my friend Jason Young asked me to film and produce the homecoming of his S. Korean son. Jake is 9 months old and after 16 months of waiting, a 23 hour flight, and 4 different care takers within his first 9 months he finally met his new parents Jason and Stacey Young.

I left Atlanta at 1:30am and returned home at 4:00am. The entire trip home I replayed the events and miracle that had happened earlier that night. It began with couch interviews of Jason, Stacey, and Bella sharing the transparency of their journey. Later at the airport, watching Jason check the flight status every 30 seconds and seeing his reaction when the status changed to “arrived”! There were eyes piercing through hundreds of people and searching for a little Korean lady with a baby. Wondering what Jason and Stacey were feeling (anxious, scared, happy, etc…). Then she appeared! Holding a sleeping little boy! I will never forget the smiles on their faces. Overjoyed that the hardest part of the journey was over “the waiting”! He was here, he was healthy, and he was at peace. The escort cried, Jason cried, Stacey cried, and I cried tears of joy!

On the drive home I was overwhelmed by what I had just witnessed I couldn’t hold back the tears. I kept finding myself trying to imagine giving up one of my children, and also hurting for Jake not having the bond every child should have with their parents. I was overcome with humility because of the honor my friend bestowed upon me, the magnificent love of human life God gives us, the sacrifices people make for their children, and the financial immaturity of my life that prevents me from giving more. I questioned everything I had been given responsibility for and found myself so under qualified and desperately clinging to God’s embrace. I quietly entered my home and resisted the urge to wake up the girls and just hold them! There is truly no greater love than that of a parent. I praise God for my life and stand broken in His presence knowing that He sacrificed His son for me.

Jason, Stacey, Bella, and Jake thank you for revealing God to me and renewing my tired spirit. Jason your friendship has filled a void in my life that was left several years ago. I will truly never forget this experience thank you for being my friend.

Follow there story at www.jasonyounglive.com

“Every generation refreshes the world!”

That is the closing statement made in last year’s Super Bowl “Pepsi Anthem” commercial featuring a mash up of Bob Dylan’s 1974 song “Forever Young” and Will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas. There are a few leadership, church growth, and funny insights that can be taken from this commercial.

Each generation expresses themselves creatively.

Clothing and hair styles usually cycle back around.

Many times a common goal or purpose is shared.

Speedos are not cool, EVER!

Clear communication to one generation may look silly to the other.

Technology and methods consistently change and improve.

Great communication reflects the culture without changing the message.

Every generation has needs, wants to be heard, and will find creative ways to impact culture.

Our military protects, even when we are not appreciative.

Kids are our legacy!

People want to change the world and be a part of something bigger than life.

No one will ever be as fast as Bruce Lee! EVER!

Gumby was weird but really cool.

I will never, EVER, dance on camera!

There is usually one great American leader/communicator within each generation.

People will always find joy in the simple things in life!

Lyrics for Forever Young

May God bless and keep you always,
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous,
May you grow up to be true,
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you.
May you always be courageous,
Stand upright and be strong,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy,
May your feet always be swift,
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift.
May your heart always be joyful,
May your song always be sung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.