Day Two at Catalyst did not disappoint! I came expecting a great day of connecting and learning and growing, but I have to admit to a little bit of grumbling at the early hour this morning! I am NOT a morning person, and the first session was an unknown (to me) speaker, so really why not sleep?
Glad I didn’t! I knew better.
So for now, here are the highlights of Day Two
Priscilla is an amazing speaker. She brought it for the first session of Catalyst this morning, and woke that crowd up right away! The daughter of preacher Tony Evans, she learned her preaching skills well. Today she spoke about “Life Interrupted,” a life that is divinely called and sent in a new direction. In other words, my life and your life.
- We need to yield to the interrupted life. It is God’s way of moving us in a new direction.
- Joshua is a biblical example of a man living an interrupted life.
- Joshua acted immediately after hearing from the Lord. What is it that God is asking you to do? Act on it immediately! We are so good at excuses.
- Joshua acted fearlessly, using the Holy Spirit inside of him.
- Joshua acknowledged the presence of God, and so should we. “If God isn’t going, we don’t go, either.” jesus did his father’s will…and nothing else. What would it be like if we only moved when we sensed God moving?
- Anticipate God’s miracles: stop playing it safe.
Priscilla told a story that bears repeating. Her young son was encountering the tooth fairy for the first time. He received $5 under his pillow, an amount his momma thought was extravagant. Hubby told Priscilla, “Don’t worry…I used the money from all those birthday cards he got and we put away.” In other words, Priscilla pointed out, her son was excited over a treasure he already possessed. Christians are often the same way: we have the treasure of the Holy Spirit within us but need to rediscover it.
Most of you have probably heard Dave Ramsey speak on radio or television about finances. Today he spoke about building momentum. Enjoyably, he began his presentation by having the crowd sing the lyrics to “The Beverly Hillbillies.” We knew every word. Even though 80% of us (not me, unfortunately) were born after the show was cancelled in 1971. That’s momentum.
- When you have momentum, you look better than you are. When you don’t, you are better than you look.
- Momentum is created. It does not randomly occur.
- “Some of you haven’t ever worked hard enough to be burned out!” You have to pour yourself into your craft to create momentum.
- Momentum is Focused Intensity over Time, multiplied by God. (I have no idea how to type mathematical equations…sorry!)
- Focus is amazing in a culture that has none.
- If you try to do it all, all at once, you won’t be able to get anything done!
- Two things can cause you to lose momentum: fear and greed.
- Excellence dissipates when you look too far ahead and anticipate what you haven’t yet earned.
- Intensity: Pour intensity into things that matter. Nothing moves unless it is shoved. Intensity moves things!
- “Light that is dispersed will light up a room, but light that is focused into a laser can perform surgery.”
- “I persist long enough to win.” Og Mandino
- Time: Remember the story of the tortoise and the hare? The tortoise wins every time. Think about it.
- God: You are finite, but God is infinite. He multiplies your effectiveness when you pour yourself into something that matters. Shed the things that don’t matter.
After Dave Ramsey came a special, unbelievable time of discussing sponsorship of children and adoption. I am too emotionally spent to discuss it now, and it deserves its own post. Let’s just say that when they were finished, I was undone, wrecked. And that doesn’t happen easily.
OK, gang, that’s going to have to hold us over for the night. I’m so tired I can’t see straight! There is so much more to share. First up tomorrow, Catalyst 09’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Chuck Swindoll. Not to mention Louie Giglio and another Andy Stanley message! David and I drive home in the morning…lots of time to type!
Goodnight from Catalyst 09!
