Category Archives: Misc.

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Leaders Answer the Questions No One Asks & 8 Other Posts You Should Read This Week

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leader

Each Friday I share some posts that I’ve come across in the last week. They range in topics and sources but they are all things I’ve found interesting or helpful that I hope will be interesting and helpful to you. Here are 9 posts I came across this week that challenged my thinking or helped me as a leader, pastor, husband and father:

  1. My Big Predictions For Social Media In 2017 by Steve Fogg
  2. 5 Questions to Up Your Parenting Game by Sherry Surratt
  3. How to Be a Real Leader And Great Manager by Lolly Daskal
  4. Why Kids (and Parents) Need Routine by Jenna Scott
  5. 7 Ways To Live Out The Gospel in a Post-Truth, Post-Fact Culture by Carey Nieuwhof
  6. Three Probing Questions every Pastor should Ask Himself by Charles Stone
  7. Leaders Answer the Questions No One Asks by Jonathan Pearson
  8. 6 Things Millennials Need From Pastors by Joe Hoagland
  9. How Senior Pastors Can Schedule Their Week For Maximum Impact by Brian Jones
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Wednesday Mind Dump…

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  • What a week it’s been in the Reich house.
  • Sunday was an incredible day.
  • Our Steelers beat the Chiefs.
  • Besides this being awesome simply because we won, much of Katie’s family lives in Kansas City and roots for the Chiefs.
  • Loved texting them to remind them they got beat by a kicker!
  • Revolution was amazing on Sunday.
  • We had 17 guests on a rainy, cold, holiday weekend.
  • Simply blown away by that.
  • And we had 83 people take the next step of working on their life map.
  • This is an exercise Katie and I did with the counselors from Crosspoint.
  • It is such a powerful exercise.
  • Katie and I taught together (which I love doing) on the topic of family of origin and your family narrative.
  • The response was overwhelming.
  • If you want to watch it you can do so here.
  • Katie will be back on stage with me this week as we talk about “how to enjoy your marriage” and do a live Q&A.
  • Can’t wait for that.
  • This topic fires me up and I think every pastor should preach on marriage every year.
  • It is that big of a deal.
  • The growth Katie and I experience when we do a series on marriage is incredible and it serves the people in your church well.
  • I get asked a lot about books and 2 books that have been influential to Katie and I on the topics of shame, family of origin and family narrative are The Soul of Shame: Retelling the Stories We Believe About Ourselves by Dr. Curt Thompson and The Relational Soul: Moving from False Self to Deep Connection by Jim Cofield and Rich Blass.
  • That was only the beginning of the excitement in our house this week.
  • Because not only is Katie and 3 of our kids sick with whatever is flying around Tucson right now, but our 9 year old broke his arm at a birthday party Monday morning.
  • Never a dull moment with 4 boys.
  • Time to get back to it.
  • Praying I don’t get sick!
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Tuesday Mind Dump…

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  • Felt so good to be back in a normal routine of Sunday morning at Revolution.
  • We didn’t meet on December 25th and January 1st.
  • The break was great for our family and I heard the same thing from many people in our church.
  • Each year we take off the Sunday between Christmas and New Years.
  • I know it made Sunday feel more special (in a weird way).
  • Tons of guests as we kicked off Mr. and Mrs. Better Half. 
  • If you missed it, you can watch it here.
  • We had so many guests this past Sunday.
  • So exciting to have Revolutionaries bringing their friends up to introduce me to them.
  • Love the inviting culture we have at our church.
  • We’ve done a lot of marriage series at Revolution in the 8 years of our church, but this one feels really different from the ones before.
  • I don’t know if it is because Katie and I are older now or because we’ve grown more in the last year than almost any other time in our marriage.
  • Got to enjoy the second half of my Steelers giving the Dolphins a beat down on Sunday.
  • It’s the best kind of playoff game, the one that is not stressful.
  • I’m not expecting that at all this week.
  • The Chiefs are going to be a hard out.
  • But I feel good about it.
  • I finished reading The Soul of Shame: Retelling the Stories We Believe About Ourselves today.
  • Wow.
  • I’m not even sure how best to describe this book.
  • I don’t know that I would say I struggle with shame or have a lot of feelings of shame, but was blown away to see how much shame can define my life.
  • It was really eye opening.
  • I’m really excited for this Sunday because Katie and I are teaching about one of the biggest lessons we’ve learned in marriage.
  • It’s one of the most important things we’ll ever talk about because of how big of a deal it is.
  • Watching the college football playoff last night was fun.
  • I love football so any time there’s a good game on, I’m in.
  • Lats night did not disappoint.
  • Unless you root for Bama.
  • Then…
  • Finished my cover up tattoo last Friday.
  • It hurt a whole lot more than a tattoo.
  • I know were in the middle of our marriage series, but I’m starting to work on our next series in the book of Psalms called Pray. 
  • Really excited to dive into Psalms for 8 weeks and look at 8 different Psalms.
  • So much in there that I think it will be great to dive in.
  • I’m thinking we might do a short series on Psalms each year as a church until we’ve preached through all of them.
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3 Simple Time Hacks for Parents and 6 Other Posts You Should Read this Weekend

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leader

Each Friday I share some posts that I’ve come across in the last week. They range in topics and sources but they are all things I’ve found interesting or helpful that I hope will be interesting and helpful to you. Here are 7 posts I came across this week that challenged my thinking or helped me as a leader, pastor, husband and father:

  1. 3 Simple Time Hacks for Parents
  2. 5 Tips to Blog Faster by Ellen Jackson
  3. Creating a Blog Content Plan for 2017 by Nicole Avery
  4. 6 Disruptive Church Trends That Will Rule 2017 by Carey Nieuwhof
  5. What Should Pastors Do with Personal Pain? by Charles Stone
  6. 10 Ways the Role of Pastor is Changing by Chuck Lawless
  7. The 12 Most Important Things To Read, Watch Or Listen To As You Start 2017 by Brian Jones
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Tuesday Mind Dump…

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  • It is hard to believe it is Christmas week.
  • Even though I’ve spent 9 Christmas’s in Tucson, it is still always odd when it doesn’t snow or get below zero. Not mad about it or complaining as many of my friends are shoveling snow.
  • Just odd.
  • I’ve been blown away by the generosity and excitement of our church around our Christmas offering and 30 Days of Love.
  • So cool to see.
  • Katie and I spent Sunday afternoon walking around the mall shopping.
  • Blown away by how many cars were there, but it was a lot of fun.
  • Yes, shopping from your couch is easier.
  • But walking around a mall let’s me talk to my wife while doing it (without my kids).
  • Sometimes, when you have 5 kids, you have to go to a crowded mall to have time alone.
  • Parents feel me on that.
  • I finally put together my list of 10 favorite books of the year.
  • Yes, this year is only 10 not 16.
  • Why?
  • I read less books in 2016 than before and I didn’t have 16 favorites.
  • I’ll post those next week.
  • One book I just started reading that isn’t on the list because I didn’t finish it yet (but would’ve been near the top) is Making Sense of God: An Invitation to the Skeptical by Tim Keller.
  • Really, really helpful.
  • And I’ll share my favorite 9 albums on instagram later this week.
  • If you don’t follow me on instagram, you can do that here.
  • Last Friday we had our staff and elder Christmas party at my house.
  • This is always fun, but this year was by far my favorite one.
  • I feel like the last year or so we have really emphasized community among our leaders, not just accomplishing a mission and the party, the feeling in our house showed that.
  • We laughed so hard throughout the night.
  • Such a blessing for me.
  • Speaking of our team, we announced on Sunday that Cory Bull is joining our team part-time as our Worship Director.
  • Love seeing the way God has brought Cory to our church at just the right time.
  • We also announced on Sunday what our next series will be and I can’t wait!
  • Katie and I will be teaching a series called Mr. & Mrs. Better Half. 
  • So excited for this and what God is going to do through it.
  • Well, time to finish my Christmas Eve message.
  • Merry Christmas!
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The Communication Secrets of Craig Groeschel & 8 Other Posts You Should Read this Weekend

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leader

Each Friday I share some posts that I’ve come across in the last week. They range in topics and sources but they are all things I’ve found interesting or helpful that I hope will be interesting and helpful to you. Here are 9 posts I came across this week that challenged my thinking or helped me as a leader, pastor, husband and father:

  1. Don’t Brag At Long Sermon Prep; Get Efficient by Joe Hoagland (via Rookie Preacher)
  2. 3 Parenting Myths We Are All Tempted To Believe by Tim Challies
  3. 7 Books That Changed My Life by Russell Moore
  4. The Top 17 Books Christian Leaders Should Be Reading In 2017 by Brian Dodd
  5. Praying For My Son (Who Was Adopted) by Adam Weber
  6. 8 Principles Of Great Preaching by Brian Moss
  7. How Your Control Freak Tendencies Stunt Your Church’s Growth by Carey Nieuwhof
  8. The Communication Secrets of Craig Groeschel (via Preaching Donkey)
  9. 10 Discipleship Questions for you for 2017 by Chuck Lawless
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Thursday Mind Dump…

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mind dump

  • I know, it’s Thursday and I normally do this at the beginning of the week, but that’s the kind of week it has been.
  • I got to spend Monday and Tuesday in Seattle with Acts 29 US West at a conference with Kevin Peck.
  • It was drinking from a leadership fire hose.
  • I walked away with so many ideas and things to improve on at Revolution.
  • It was also confirming in some ways because it highlighted areas we know we are weak on and have started to make changes to those areas.
  • Can’t wait to dive into those.
  • It was hard being away from Revolution the last 2 Sundays, but incredibly helpful to get some rest, pull back and do some praying and planning about the future of our church.
  • I always come back from time away refreshed and recharged.
  • I also can’t wait to get back to preaching this week and kick off our brand new series Being Rich.
  • I’m also so excited about all the things Revolution is doing this December in our community.
  • The leadership group I lead on Wednesday mornings at Revolution is about to start going through one of my favorite leadership books The Making of a Leader: Recognizing the Lessons and Stages of Leadership Development. If you haven’t read it, stop what you’re reading and read it.
  • I’m going to finish up my cover up tattoo tomorrow.
  • Can’t wait to share it with you guys to see it.
  • I still can’t believe it is December 1st.
  • Can you?
  • I love this time of year.
  • The lights, the smells, the cold, the family time.
  • Christmas specials with my kids.
  • I keep seeing everyone post about getting their tickets for Rogue One.
  • I haven’t yet.
  • I have a friend who is seeing it twice in the first 2 days.
  • That’s dedication.
  • While this past weekend for college football was great, I love championship weekend.
  • I’m also hoping for true chaos for the college football playoffs so they can expand it to 8 and have a real system.
  • I can’t believe 12 people pick the playoffs.
  • That’s almost worse than a computer.
  • Rant done.
  • Back to it…
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If You’re a Parent, This Is the Most Important Thing You’ll Read Today & 9 Other Articles You Should Read this Weekend

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leader

Each Friday I share some posts that I’ve come across in the last week. They range in topics and sources but they are all things I’ve found interesting or helpful that I hope will be interesting and helpful to you. Here are 10 posts I came across this week that challenged my thinking or helped me as a leader, pastor, husband and father:

  1. Why the Christian Philosopher’s case for Same-Sex Marriage is Shallow by Wesley Hill
  2. Eight Ways Pastors Can Cultivate Long-Term Tenures by Art Rainer
  3. 30 Observations About Fast-Growing Churches by Brian Dodd
  4. 5 Reasons for Pastors to Appreciate Their Church by Chris Hefner
  5. How To Define Your Preaching Audience by Brian Jones
  6. 7 Hints You’re About to Make a Bad Leadership Decision by Ron Edmondson
  7. The Two Most Common Practices in Healthy Churches by Thom Rainer
  8. Children and Sleepovers: What Parents Need to Know by Tim Challies
  9. Mom as Unsung Disciple-Maker by Sam Bierig (via For the Church)
  10. If You’re a Parent, This Is the Most Important Thing You’ll Read Today by Justin Barison (via Inc.)
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Monday Morning Mind Dump…

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mind dump

  • Yesterday was a lot of fun at Revolution.
  • I’m thankful for a church that is willing to dive into the hard topics and be stretched.
  • As part of our series in Romans, we unpacked how a follower of Jesus is should relate and respond to the election.
  • The response has been overwhelmingly positive.
  • If you want to listen or watch it, you can do so here.
  • Personally, we are in a crazy busy season with a ton of family visiting us.
  • Once November rolls around, people want to come to Tucson.
  • I get it because summer is horribly hot.
  • I started reading A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix over the weekend. 
  • I’ve been told recently by several leaders I respect that it is the best book on leadership.
  • Hands down, one leader told me.
  • So, I had to start it.
  • With all the reading we’ve done on adoption, attachment and family systems, I’m really interested to dive into it as there’s a lot of that in it and applied to leadership.
  • While I don’t like scary things, I’m really excited for Halloween tonight.
  • It’s the one night a year all my neighbors are out and I can meet them if I haven’t yet.
  • Here’s what our family does to capitalize on Halloween and be on mission.
  • Next week, Katie is going to a photography conference, so I get to single dad it for 4 days.
  • Praying our kids survive on cereal and pizza.
  • I’m excited for her and to see her keep growing in her talent.
  • I’m blown away at what she does and how creative she is.
  • We got to have lunch yesterday with a couple that is about to have their first child in 2 weeks.
  • That season feels like a lifetime ago.
  • But it was awesome to hear their questions and to see their desire to grow as a couple to last in their marriage and make it in parenting.
  • Bottom line, lasting and loving it as a parent and in marriage takes intentionality.
  • It will not just happen.
  • One highlight for me personally coming up is we are talking about starting my next tattoo soon.
  • Something to go along with Katie’s tattoo and the journey we’ve been on together as a couple.
  • I’m still blown away Katie got a tattoo and it is awesome looking.
  • Well, back to it.
  • While I’m not preaching on politics per se this Sunday, I’m talking about the kingdom of God and the values of it.
  • Should be a lot of fun.
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7 Thoughts for Parenting a Young Family During the Presidential Election Season & 3 Other Posts You Should Read this Weekend

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leader

Each Friday I share some posts that I’ve come across in the last week. They range in topics and sources but they are all things I’ve found interesting or helpful that I hope will be interesting and helpful to you. Here are 4 posts I came across this week that challenged my thinking or helped me as a leader, pastor, husband and father:

  1. 7 Thoughts for Parenting a Young Family During the Presidential Election Season by Ron Edmondson
  2. 3 Shifts Growing Churches Make to Welcome the Lost [The Growing Church] by Brandon Kelley
  3. The Pastor’s Facebook Feed by Lauren Hunter
  4. The Internal Battles of Even the Best Pastors by Brandon Cox