"Satisfy me in the morning with your unfailing love, that I may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make me glad for as many days as you have afflicted me, for as many years as I have seen trouble...May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon me; establish the work of my hands for me-yes, establish the work of my hands" Psalm 90:14-15, 17
Make up the bad times with good times. I have seen way too many bad times!
I went on a nature trail with a friend of mine over the weekend. It was a perfect day to hit the great outdoors.
We went out on about a 5 mile trail and we saw all kinds of wildlife. Turtles, ducks, all types of birds, and butterfies. I was enjoying every minute of it until we ran into two snakes. Yeah, not good!
I screamed. Pushed my friend into the snake. Screamed again. Then laughed.
My goal is to have a healthy body. In order to obtain this goal, I must work hard. Lately, I have been focusing on....
"When it comes to eating right and exercising, there is no 'I'll start tomorrow.' Tomorrow is a disease." V.L. Allineare
Every Monday, I gather with individuals in a coffee shop who are spiritually curious. We have some that believe Jesus Christ is God while others are not too sure. Until then, I continue to use the Bible as our curriculum. We have read over the Gospels and now we are in the sweet book of Acts.
Lately, we have been spending around ten minutes looking over archeological evidence that proves that the Bible is real. We have also dove into the scientific studies as well as historical proof. We have discussed the findings and the meaning behind Dead Sea Scrolls. We have also discussed the big hoax of the half ape half man when it comes to evolution. We have had some great discussions!
We have been slowly diving into the book of Acts. We read a chapter. Discuss it. And then apply it to our lives. The book of Acts stirs me up big time to make an impact here on earth. I love reading when...
Just if we saw this nowadays!
When it comes to work, it is so easy to get all wrapped up in strategic planning, event planning, program development, fundraising, operations, paper work, and stuff that just takes up our time. When we get tangled in that mess we often forget to focus on the power of a thank you.
Thanking our staff and volunteers is extremely critical in the workplace. Yet, we often neglect them. I heard someone once say that we should spend 20% of our time thanking people. To add to that, we should thank our staff and volunteers 5-7 times a year. Wow!
Saying thank you is powerful. Now, why should we should we do it? To cultivate relationships. To show that you care. To show appreciation. To retain healthy and happy volunteers and staff.
Ways to say "thank you"
The bottom line is that if you do not have time to thank volunteers and staff, you might just lose them. Gotta go now. I have plenty of people that I need to say thank you to! :)
I am a strong believer that there needs to be checks and balances in every organization, business, school, and even church. Especially when there is money involved.
One simple way to instill checks and balances is to measure performance from all employees. And yes, it includes the top dogs. It is also known as an appraisal. Appraisals help assist everyone into performing their duties in a more competent manner. Areas of strength are identified as well as areas of weaknesses.
Currently, I am in the process of setting my staff's goals for the year of 2009. If they pass with a certain grade, they will receive a raise. It is simple!
I set three to six goals with measurable objectives. One to two of their goals are financially driven. I tend to set goals that tap into their strengths but goals that also stretch them as individuals.
It is all about building leaders!
Spring and summer time is always a demanding season for me. This week, I am working seven days straight in a row which totals to around 72 hours. It has definitely taken a big hit on my body.
Here are a few projects that I have been working on.
"The world can do almost anything as well as or better than the church. You need not be a Christian to build houses, feed the hungry, or heal the sick. There is only one thing the world cannot do. It cannot offer grace." Gordan MacDonald
I thank my Lord for the beauty of grace!
My goal was to sleep in yesterday. Well, I failed. I ended up rolling out of bed at 8 a.m and I headed out in the bitter cold for a run.
Within the first 5 minutes of my run, my ipod shut off for some odd reason. Now every time I run or workout, I have to have my ipod on. It is a must. I usually mull over a sermon or music that will spur me on. Listening to something is much better than focusing on the pain and torture of a run. When my ipod began to get a bit moody, I was ready to just give up seeing that I desperately needed something to listen to. I knew that the kind of run I was going to do was going to be rough. I wanted to instill sprints, skipping, and shuffling in the middle of the 2 mile run. Pure torture! I am telling yo...I really needed my ipod!
Well, I decided to run without it which was rough at first. During the run, I reflected on my life journey here on earth. Then, I began to reflect on who God is to me. Yes, to AnneMarie! I began to think about His character and His amazing attributes. I began to think about the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. I began to think on how I can trust Him with my life journey. I can trust that He loves me and that He is guiding me. As I reflected on Him, the run became easier and easier for me. Surprisingly, I ended up running a longer distance.
Huh! Getting my eyes on Jesus Christ makes a big difference not only in the middle of a hard run but also in every day life. It is just so simple!
The first season of my men's adult basketball league was a success. At first, I was extremely nervous about serving adult men but I was relieved after I had a chance to get to know all of the teams. I have teams coming from all over Metro Detroit. It is an intense league but it is also filled with lots of laughter. It is a league filled with men that are obsessed over basketball.
Watching these men has taught me that I need to be obsessed with what I do. I need to be just as passionate with the areas I am overseeing. Hard work and a healthy obsession will lead to success!
"To have long term success as a coach or in any position of leadership, you have to be obsessed in some way." Pat Riley
Round Two of this league starts this Sunday!
Around a week ago, we hosted our very first Chili Cookoff at my workplace. The event was to help raise awareness and financial donations for our Strong Kids Campaign. We had around fifteen to twenty entries that were fighting for first place in the cookoff.
My assignment for the cookoff was to recruit one of the three judges. They wanted me to go after someone famous. Well, I decided to go after a 323 pound man. I decided to go after a man that cheers his sons on at the sidelines of my soccer fields while I coached them. This man is the starting right guard for the Detroit Lions. Yup! Stephen Peterman. He along with his two boys joined us the day of the event.
It was great seeing Stephen dive into the chilis and interacting with others at our event. It was great seeing children approach him for an autograph. On my fields, I noticed that he is a humble easy going man. He proved it again at our event. Gotta love professional athletes that believe in pouring back into the community!
My sweet innocent neice is in the midst of the terrible two's stage. The word "no" comes frequently out of her mouth. Lynnsey's mood changes a lot. At times, you can even find her running around stark naked because she refuses to put on her pajamas after a bath. Deep down inside we realize that she is just trying to express herself. We are realizing that we just need to offer her limited choices and try our best not to laugh at her moody behavior in front of her.
Gotta love the terrible twos!
Nothing or nobody can beat that. The Bible is a unique book and it can be trusted. It is true and it has much value. It causes reaction and it creates faith. The Bible produces change, renews one's mind, and brings forth healing. It is a powerful book!
Ah! Just if others would see that!
The other day I gathered with 30-35 middle schoolers at 9:30 a.m. in a nearby high school. Yes, I did say 9:30 a.m. The room was filled with energetic students eating Krispy Creme donuts and M & M's. Healthy, eh?! When I first arrived, some were playing the good old game of four square while others were playing floor hockey.
That morning, we talked about M & M's. We talked about the mysteries and miracles of Jesus. Every teenager had a Bible cracked open while listening attentively to the speaker. I was impressed with the spiritual hunger that was in the room. Some of the students were seekers while others have put their faith in Christ. It was great!
By hanging out with those students, I was awakened to how critical for us to reach that age group. Middle schoolers along with high school students are in a chancy stage of life.
Whever you have the opportunity, reach out to a student. Take them out to lunch. Love them. Listen to them. Mentor them. Encourage them. Even take some time to discuss M & M's of Christ. Students need our attention!
Ugh! I am one bitter woman.
Right now, the Pistons are playing against my all time favorite Chauncey Billups. I had tickets to tonight's game but I had to give them up for a business meeting. Not good.
I wanted to spend some bonding time with Billups and Rip so so bad. :(
Last night, I was part of a town hall meeting in the city of Birmingham. This meeting was about the development of our new building. There were many individuals of influence that attended the meeting. Some were connected to our organization while others never even stepped foot into our building.
One of the highlights of the meeting was when a few of us were called on to share stories on how we have impacted those that we serve. Some the stories brought forth laughter while others brought tears. Personal stories always tend leave a lasting mark on those that are listening.
The purpose of the meeting was to dream up the spirit of the building. We discussed what types of thoughts or feelings we want people to experience as they walked into the new building or even participate in our programs. We talked about what we want to be known for. We talked about what seperates us from many other gyms.
New beginnings. Celebrations. Raising Leaders. Team work. Relationships. Pride. Life skills. Success. Community. Values. Diversity. Confidence. Character. Strong Mission.
That evening, we realized that the key leaders and the people of influence that attended the town hall meeting are expecting a lot out of us. We, the staff team, are ready to meet that challenge. The good thing is that many are willing to team up with us in the big challenge as we move forward with the development.
Shouldn't Valentines Day be every day? Seriously! We should be thankful for that one specific loved one every day. I personally do not think it just should be on "V" Day or Sweetest day. Don't you?
I had a fantastic "V" Day. I went to the movies with Joi, Jayne, and Jenniy to see a hilarious chick flick. I know it might surprise some but we were seriously the loudest ones in the theater. We had too much fun. After the flick, the anton and I ended up cooking a delicious dinner and watched the All Star Slam Dunk contest. What more could one ask for?!
There are times when one's energy starts to wane when they have been working on a big project. It is so hard to concentrate when that happens. Here are a few suggestions on how to take a break to regain some energy:
Bust out singing and/or dancing in the workplace
Take 5 minutes to shoot the breeze with a co-worker
Let voicemail take your calls and take a 5-10 minute nap in your office
Take a walk
Re-organize your office
Drink coffee!
Jesus gave his time to people when he was here on earth. I love reading about when Jesus was surrounded by a gigantic crowd of people and he stopped. He stopped and put his focus on one particular man named Zacchaeus who was spiritually curious. They ended up having a leisurly dinner together while talking about the spiritual. As a result, one man's life was changed drastically. Zacchaeus was changed from the inside out all because Jesus gave some time to sit and dine with him.
The gift of time is what so many need especially when it comes to the spritually curious. Lately, I have been realizing how important the gift of time is when it comes to the Monday Night Coffee Shop Group. The gift of time is critical even before the group starts and even when the group meeting ends. There are many in the coffee shop that are spiritually curious and all they need is the gift of time.
Not everyone feels comfortable being in a group setting but they are o.k. with one on one conversations before or after the group setting. Individuals confront us with questions or even thoughts when it comes to Jesus Christ. All of these individuals are ordinary people who do not go to church. However, they are spiritually curious. They admit that they are searching or wandering when it comes to the spiritual.
Here are a few thoughts or even questions that have been brought to me over the past few weeks.
All of the conversations were healthy and pointed towards Biblical Truth. People are bringing up honest questions or thoughts in which they want answers to. I just pray that they keep asking away. I pray that they are exposed to the Biblical Truth. I pray that they experience the thrill of who Jesus Christ is. Until then, I will continue to give my time.
Anne Jackson, a woman who is currently on staff at Cross Point Church, just recently wrote an interesting book called Mad Church Disease.
The book is for those who are in vocational ministry or even volunteers in ministry. Anne shares her personal story of burnout in the church. By reading this book, one will be able to comprehend, avoid, or even begin the healing process when one received the raw end of the deal when it comes to ministry and the church.
This woman is helping many process through the intense hurt and pain that some may have received. The good thing is that she pushes individuals to trust God and His sovereignty no matter how deep the wounds are. Sounds like a great booK!
About a week ago, ten of us gathered in Downtown Detroit for a project that we have been elected to do. I sat around a table with a CEO, COO, a few vice presidents, and a few others that have a great deal of influence in the organization that I work for. I definetely was the lowest one on the totem pole and I have no clue why I was selected to serve on this project team. However, I humbly accepted the invitation.
The year long project entails telling the story of the organization that we work for along with figuring out what type of social impact we have on the Metro Detroit area. By serving on this team, we will be developed personally and professionally. We will also be focusing on what the community wants and needs.
We were warned that this project will feel messy at times but it is extremely important that we continue to press on. I am excited and even scared about sitting on this assessment team. This qualitative project will take a great deal of time and energy but we are ready to accomplish it in order to take our organization to another level.
More to come.
This week, I am going back to the basics when it comes to my health. One of my many goals is be physically healthy. It is time for me to pick myself off the floor when it comes to fitness and nutrition. Here is what I am focusing on in order to accomplish that.
1. Drink at least 64 oz. of water a day by 6 p.m.
2. Eat three servings of fruit a day by 6 p.m.
3. Workout (meaning breaking a good sweat) 4-5 times a week.
4. Measure everything I eat.
5. NO JUNK FOOD!
While I was attending college, I would of never imagined myself serving as the Youth and Family Program Director for the YMCA of Metro Detroit. My degree is in Criminal Justice. It was my goal to become a probation officer or even an FBI agent. Little did I know that God had something else in store for my life.
About a week ago, a newspaper photographer along with the sports editor came to check out my basketball leagues. During the interview, I realized how much of an impact the organization that I am working for is having on families in Metro Detroit. I am thankful that I along with my staff and volunteers are able to pour into young people's lives on a daily basis.
Click here to read the newspaper article. Unfortunately, you cannot see the pictures they posted in the article.
"Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus woke and left the house. He went to a lonely place, where he prayed." Mark 1:35
As I study more and more about the life of Jesus, I realize how critical it is to connect with God on a daily basis. It is so important to separate myself from the madness of my schedule and to commune with Him. Jesus did it and so should I.
Healthy getaways with God are worth it. It brings healing, joy, and a greater sense of His presence!
Recent Comments