I can’t believe 2009 is halfway over! Where is the time going?

The spring of 2009 was absolutely crazy! In the beginning of the year I really felt like my “theme” for this year would be “A year in the wilderness” – and it definitely has been. Some of the biggest ups and downs of my life so far! A lot happened in the spring… Here are some of the highlights…Enjoy:

I got to meet Erwin McManus!

And Craig Groeschel!

The Boys on our Trip to Orange County for Catalyst West Coast

We did it! We ran the Pittsburgh Marathon (26.2 Miles!)

I finally graduated college (Robert Morris University)

My good friend Mark Damico and his Bride Rachel!

Cadre Retreat in Atlanta with Jeanne Mayo and some Incredible Youth Pastors

While in Atlanta – I got to check out Stone Mountain – Pretty Sweet

In the Winter I Totaled my Saturn… I ended up Buying a 2009 Toyota Corolla

Chris Martin and I at Bible School Graduation – 3 years went so fast!

With some Boys at Jumonville Camp… Got to be the camp speaker – what a privilege

Impartation Conference at our Church was awesome!

Finally to end the Spring I was in the Hospital in Rushville, IL during our youth camp… Fun times

How was your spring?

Alright.. It’s definitely been a while… and since I’m resting and recovering today – I want to put the ball in your court.

If you haven’t participated before – here’s how it works:

Ask my any question you want in the comments section – about my personal life, ministry, leadership, God, etc. and I’ll do my best to answer it by the days end.

Ask away…..

I originally heard about John Wooden through John Maxwell. Wooden has mentored Maxwell for years! So I obviously had to pick his brain by reading his book. John Wooden is the Coach of the Century according to ESPN, his teams won 10 NCAA March Madness Championships, and 88 straight games at one point.

This book was incredible! It was the first book I’ve read written by a coach. It was very insightful as well as practical as he goes into the details of how he actually ran his teams, what he expected of them, his coaching philosophies, and much, much more.

Here were some of my key takeaways:

• We need to believe in a standard higher than victory

• Success may result in winning, but winning does not necessarily mean you are a success

• Live as thought you’ll die tomorrow. Learn as though you’ll live forever.

• For all the shortcomings I see in others, I keep in my that my own failings are many

• Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best you are capable of becoming.

• Work had; prepare properly; some day your chance may come. If opportunity comes and you are not prepared, it may not come again.

• The role of any leader is to make those “many” become “much”

• All that we accomplished each day in the gym could be quickly undone by poor decisions off the court.

• The more concerned we become over things we can’t control, the less we will do to improve those things we can control.

• The past is for reverence, the future is for dreamers; the present moment is where you create success.

• Passion is unsustainable over the long term…Success is a long-term process. Passion is temporary!

• Make each day your masterpiece!

I’d highly recommend this to anyone looking to live a better life, become a better leader or coach, or on how to live a successful life.

Final Grade: A+      Buy it here!