“I’ve discovered in order to win people to Jesus Christ…you can only win friends…not enemies.” – Rick Warren

Recently, God has put people in my life that are about as far from Him as you can get. They have stretched me challenged me and have taken me completely out of my comfort zone ….and you know what?

I love it!

It takes me back to the vision of WHY we started Northway Church. Helping people far from God…find God. Imagine the person you know that is far from God as you can get…imagine the person you know that would be the last person to be caught dead going to church. Got the person?

That’s WHO and WHY Northway Church exists.

Let me encourage you today to pop the Christian bubble and go win some new friends!

So I caught a red eye home from the West Coast….and you’ll never guess who I ran into!!

I’ll give you a hint….His last name is Jackson…

No, not Michael.

No, not Randy from idol…Dog.

This Jackson is a Reverend.

You guessed it! The one and only Reverend Jesse Jackson! I introduced myself to the Reverend Jackson and he couldn’t have been more nice and friendly. I shared with Mr. Jackson that I pastor a church in upstate New York and he seemed genuinely interested in Northway Church. Reverend Jackson asked me how our church is doing. I told him… God has blessed us and we are jamming and having a lot of fun in the process….The Rev. told me he loved it! He then said that I should have him come and speak.

Very Cool.

You never Know!

Have you ever had one of those moments where God hits you with a Mac Truck? I mean one of those moments that brings clarity and direction to your life?

For me, last week was one of those moments. While at Catalyst West, I heard fantastic speakers… but it was something the unannounced Rick Warren said off the cuff that reached out and captured my heart.

Rick said…if you want to know my agenda??? If you want to know what Rick Warren is about???? Here it is…

“I’m addicted to changed lives.”

Rick went on to say… “I’ve discovered that in order to win people to Jesus Christ…you can only win friends…not enemies.” Let me repeat that… “I’ve discovered that in order to win people to Jesus Christ…you can only win friends…not enemies.” WOW! So simple but so profound!

Kind of reminds me of how Jesus lived and rolled.

Why do you think the Christian community struggles with this approach so much?

Have you ever had a conversation with a cow before?

It’s about saving lives!

“Lukewarm pastors build lukewarm churches.” – Craig G

“Never compare yourself to anybody….but learn from everybody.” – Warren

“Forget time management….it’s about energy management.” – Warren

“You can’t win your enemies to Christ…you can only win your FRIENDS to Christ! – Warren

“I’m addicted to changed lives….that’s my agenda” – Warren

“When you create something great you will create conflict.” – G Kawasaki

“The higher you go in any organization the higher the complexity and uncertainty.” – Stanley

“Retreat to your vision.” – Stanley

“You can be uncertain as a leader…but you can not be unclear” – Stanley

“Inventors must stay in a state of denial” – G Kawasaki

“Catalyst west is about great speakers…great networking… and great food” – Buddy”

More still to come…

Would you buy my book when I write it?

Another one! More still to come…

Even more highlight videos…

Do you wish you were at Catalyst West??? I bet you do!

More highlight videos…

Every year I try to hit up one major conference to recharge my batteries and stay fresh. I have to say C3 is my favorite… Unfortunately I couldn’t attend this year. I’ve never been to a Catalyst conference so I decided to hit up Catalyst West. This year’s line-up is pretty tight with Craig Groeschel, Brian Houston, and Andy Stanley to name a few. Great men of God…

I’ll keep you posted right here on the highlights…

Enjoy this first highlight…

Thoughts?