Confessions of a Recovering Pharisee

I didn’t think there was anyway that the Catalyst Conference could top the first day.  So I went into day 2 with pretty low expectations. But I was pleasantly surprised.  Lanny Donoho brought an Elephant in the Arena & said there has been an Elephant in the room.  Then he brought out a double of himself.  It was great.

Tim Stevens of Yahoo had a good opening session talking about taking your faith to work.  He had a touching story about how Timberland company giving shoes to people in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Aaron Keys led us in worship again and he is very gifted.

Dave Ramsay was incredible. He really didn’t talk about money very much.  He did say that we need to quit worrying because God is in control.  But mainly he talked about leadership in his company.   He said the biggest form of Gossip in the church comes in the form of a prayer request!”   Then he said ”Fear is not a Fruit of the Spirit!” “Breath!” He also said “God is still on the Throne-the world is not coming to an end.”

Following a break 12,000 people praying in groups- we prayed “together” w/ our Canadian friends and that was cool.  Then some African children sang and Jeff Foxworthy was on stage w/ Lanny talking about 4-10 Bridge ministry that Lanny started for those children.  It was moving because as crazy as Lanny is, he got all choked up and you could see that God had touched him and Jeff too.

I should have brought Klennex-How much more emotional can this get? Because next was a Billy Graham tribute. His son Franklin came out and talked about “The Gospel” what else.  

Then Andy Crouch talked and he “it is easier to criticize culture than to create culture!” That is powerful when you think about it. 

Later the funniest Catalyst video yet w/ Lanny & Jeff Foxworthy followed by a big announcement atalyst is going California in April.  

Mike and I stayed for one more set of Fee leading in worship and then we had to return home. I hate that we missed Matt Chandler and especially Andy Stanley’s last talk but Mike had to go on a another trip.

I still need to unpack what I learned and share with you what God taught me.  It was moving to say the least. Craig Groeschel’s message yesterday is still ringing in my head. Steven Furtick’s was inspiring.  Andy Stanley’s was practical. Dave Ramsey’s will help me for my new job.  I’m not sure with my new ministry if I will be allowed to come back to Catalyst.  It is my favorite conference and I’ve been 7 times including the 1st.  The worship is inspiring and the speakers always challenge me.  I’m sure my friends thinks I know everyone because I seemed to run into all of my old friends and people who recognize me from this blog.

Here are our front row cushy seats!

I got in late after I updated and someone stole my seat! But Seth Godwin talked about Tribes.  Then John Foreman sang again before Craig Groeschel spoke from Joel 2:13-14 about what do you do when you lose “IT.”  Well, that message really spoke to me.  He said God wants to Stretch us, Heal us and Ruin us.  But he wants to ruin us in a good way.  He doesn’t want us to rip our garments but our hearts.  God wants us to be broken so that we can be used by God.  I was moved to say the least.

We got to go eat with some good friends Jeff and Claudia Hunt following the day and I’m just now trying to unpack what I learned.  Of course Craig prayed we wouldn’t sleep all night so I guess that will happen.

Here are some pictures we took.

“We will rock You/ We Shine”

World’s largest “Floam” ball

Made during worship time.

Wow!  What an awesome Conference so far.  Our friends from Canada got us front row seats.  I mean nice cushy front row seats. They began the conference with stompers and the Fee sang “We will rock you” and then “WE SHINE.” Awesome. 

Andy Stanley spoke from Nehemiah about how our words don’t mean anything without deeds. Then Jim Collins had a great talk about how Good is the enemy of “Great.” 

My friend Stuart Delony is hanging out with us and we ate at Kroger for lunch.  Then John Foreman of Switchfoot sang and it was incredible.  He was followed by one of the 5 best messages I’ve ever heard by Steven Furtick of Elevation Church in Matthews, NC.  I can see why their church is growing.  I’ve got to run to the last session and then dinner with some other friends from Atlanta.  I will unpack what I learned tonight.

Mike and I woke up to rain here in NE Atlanta.  We had breakfast at the Country Inn and Suites and Mike found a nice surprise in his sausage! Needless to say we both lost our appetite.  So we went to Starbucks and then over to the labs.  

When we got to the Gwinett Civic Center Robert from Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee saw our Starbucks cups we were in trouble!  Anyway I dumped my Starbucks Pikes Blend and drank 5 cups of free 1000 hills coffee the rest of the day.

The labs started off by Mike and I sitting on the front row for Aaron Keyes leading in worship.  Man is God all over his ministry.  He is one of the most spirit filled worship leaders I’ve ever heard.  Then I stayed in my seat to listen to Dr. Tim Elmore speak on leadership.  Tim use to work for Dr. John Maxwell before starting his own ministry.  I once had lunch with Tim 11 years ago (he wouldn’t remember it) and I’ve always loved his ministry.

He talked about leadership of Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.  Here are some nuggets from his talk.

1. There is not just one right way to lead
2. Great leaders will change styles but not principles
3. Lasting leaders determine their style by developing people

Mike Landrum and I are in Atlanta for the Catalyst Conference.  Today we had lunch with Ask an Atheist at Bahama Breeze.  A3 is one of the most genuine, nice people you will ever meet.  He allowed us to pray for our food and he even paid!  Thanks A3!

Then Mike and I went to my old church Peachtree Corners to see everyone there.  We are back at our motel room and are looking forward to a great conference this week. We are scheduled to see Bryan Riley, Chuck Bryce, Stuart Delony, Cole Phillips and others.  I will give you all of the highlights as they come!