• 2009 – Fun, Global, Leadership
• 2010 – Healthy, Flexable, Inspire
• 2011 – Faith, Focus, Intensity

However, 2012 is going to look a little different. As I have been praying and seeking God I couldn’t settle on three Words…only one word is jumping out. It is much more of a theme that will become the vision and direction for the year.

The Parable of the Talents from Matthew 25:14-30 has been a huge focus of my prayer time, and reflection these past few days and weeks. Learning more about what Jesus was talking about when he referred to the talents has been eye opening…seeing the talents as EVERYTHING we are. What are we doing with it, how are we being good stewards of all we have and all we are? Learning that with great stewardship we will grow and be blessed, and our capacity will grow. With greater capacity stewarded appropriately, we will grow more. However, the opposite is true as well. And so you have it…

My Word for 2012 – Stewardship

The stewardship word and theme will be focused around my wife, family, expense of time and all our resources.

I am excited to step in to 2012, and see where and what God does! It is my humble prayer that the verse below will be a reflection of my year.

“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ – Matthew 25:21

Ok, so let me expand…because right now you might think I am nuts! Don’t get me wrong, what we do for a living is important…at least I hope it is. The Bible tells us to work 6 days a week, I can not imagine that God intended for us to spend this much time without purpose. However, where the significance issue comes into play is when ”what we do” becomes who we are. Did you catch that? What we do for a living…where me make our money, what we call our job, maybe our ministry, becomes a core issue when it defines who we are.

I call this “Misguided Significance”. Our desire to be significant in this world is fed by what we do for a living, and that starts this dangerous cycle. We quickly then become consumed by feeding this desire and before you know it “what we do” becomes “who we are”. We can learn a few things from Jesus’ words:

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Luke 16:13

16 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 17 Jesus called out to them,“Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”18 And they left their nets at once and followed him. Mark 1:16-18

Is your Misguided Significance wrapped up in money, maybe power or the corner office? What “thing” is defining who you are? Maybe it’s the performer in you that is trying to look great in your boss’ eyes. Maybe it’s driving the right car or SUV to fit in at the country club. Whatever it is, let me tell you…it’s misguided.

Who you are is NOT what you do. We must realize our significance can not come from what we do, it must come from who we really are…in Christ. If we chase the significance of what we do we will sacrifice the critically important parts of our lives, our spouses, our kids, our family, and our relationship with Christ. Our priorities will end up totally out of whack.

As leaders we are even called to a higher standard with this principal.What example are we setting? What do our team members see when they look at our lives as leaders? Are we examples outside of what we do at the office? Again, Jesus nails this topic as well:

1 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! 2 It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin. Luke 17: 1-2

But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. Luke 12:48

Wow, the other morning when I read Luke 17:1-2 this jumped off the screen. I had read this many times, and I typically related it to my children…my little ones. However, reading this with a different lens, I now see the importance of this verse to me, as a leader…what example am I setting? A bit convicting!

So, the next time you are tempted let me encourage you to – Stop telling people how great you are at work…while your marriage is falling a part. Stop telling people about your new promotion and raise, while your kids have no real connection with you. Stop telling people about how great you manage your schedule and keep your house together when you can not remember the last time you read your Bible. I once heard TD Jakes put this best…it’s time to stop focusing on being a public success, if you are a private failure.

In closing let me leave you with this:

Give up the dearest, choicest, and apparently most needful thing, if it leads you into sin. (Pleasures which block the road to heaven ought to be given up) The same rule that bids you avoid sin, bids you also avoid all that leads to sin.- Charles Spurgeon

If you can not get your significance under control…if you can not land your priorities in the right order…then it might be about time to make a RADICAL change. Misguided Significance just might be that major block in the road as Spurgeon mentioned.

• Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas
• Black Bean Lasagna
• Whole wheat pasta and homemade marinara sauce
• Strawberry, Pistachio and Goat cheese pizza
• Pasta with Roasted Peppers, Onions, Feta and Mint
• Fresh Corn, Tomato and Mozzarella salad
• Spinach and Ricotta stuffed shells
• BBQ Chicken Salad (I removed Chicken)
• Lentil Tacos
• Amazing whole wheat blueberry muffins
• Simple fish tacos
• Penne w/ Chickpeas, Tomatos &, Feta
• Smokey Potato Pancakes
• Spicy Mexican Bean Burgers

Dads, let me encourage you to spend some alone time with your kids…Daddy Daughter Dates have been awesome for us and I know as they get older this time will be critical for me to really understand what is going on in their lives.

Pictures from my little cousin Darin’s wedding in Dallas.

Reese and Reia both responded.

- Daddy likes to eat healthy

- Daddy loves riding his bike.

- Daddy really loves YouVersion, the Bible.

We can learn so much from our kids, we can even learn what our priorities are. How about you dad…what are your priorities?

Wow, I love being a dad to the best girls in the world. I love you Reese and Reia!

Top Left- Reia riding in the Element w/o a booster!
Top Right- Reese loving life like she always does!
Mid Left- Cho. Milk and doughnuts at Starbucks…
Mid Right- Daddy getting his Tom’s Shoes.
Bottom Left- Of course…the Apple Store!
Bottom Right- Playing at the fountain.

And finally. The Christmas gift that keeps on giving all year long…and it’s Red!

Off to the store to get the RIGHT laundry detergent. A perfect excuse for a late night Starbucks run! It has been a great day…I hope yours was great as well.

Tomorrow Today Robin and I got to “teach” a class together at the LC.tv December event. We should have had a blast doing it. The two classes will be held back to back, and are only 30 min. Yeah…blogging in 30 minutes! Here is the plan.

What is blogging?
Wiki has good info here.

Who should blog?
Anyone can blog…but that does not mean you should! Thinking about it? Read here…here…maybe here. Still unsure? Go here.
How do I get started?
WordPress.com, Blogger.com, Tumblr.com or Typepad.com

Blogging tips and tricks!
Use an RSS reader. I recommend Google Reader.
Like pictures? Use Flickr.com
So much more to talk about…only 30 min!

FAQ’s…right here. Ask your question in the comments area, and Robin and I will respond!

Let us know if you have more questions.

Have a great day, and go Cowboys!