Good not to hear yourself breathe
By Ron | July 2, 2009
Yes, you read the title correctly. This post is not about after-death events or flat lining on the EKG. A friend and I were talking at church last night about running. Few people enjoy running. I am growing more accustomed to it but I don’t come home saying, “I want a 5-mile run with extra sweat and hurting calf muscles for dinner.” So, why do people run and how do you get started? I ran a good bit when I was in the Army, but that was twenty years ago and way fewer pounds to carry around the track. The thought of running seemed barbaric compared to riding a bike or a quiet low-impact elliptical.
But here is my problem. I am not a morning person and love what Bobby Jackson says about it, “If God had intended me to see the sunrise, He would have scheduled it much later in the day.” I cook for our family and that may help you pray harder for them. But by the time I get home, cook, and spend time with the family it is dark. Part of that issue is being on the eastern side of the central time zone. But you can’t ride a bike in the dark safely and I don’t own an elliptical, so I am not obligated to exercise . . . YAY! Not so fast. I could go for a walk and that sounds more attractive. But again trying to value time, if I am going to invest the time, how could I get the maximum number of calories burned in the shortest amount of time? I came back to the dreaded running answer. I reasoned that I could run after dark and be safe, plus the heat would be greatly diminished.
I don’t like Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Leadership, Miscellaneous | No Comments »
These guys are good!
By Ron | June 24, 2009
I saw a set of these NFL Fantasy League promos yesterday and my mind went immediately to the team that we have at Randall House. These ladies and men are some of the very best you will find anywhere. So as you watch these clips, realize that you too were picked for a team and that we all strive to do amazing things for God. Work hard to be one that is picked to do your job. That is job security.
Topics: Leadership, Randall House Talk | No Comments »
Free T-Shirt
By Ron | June 19, 2009
I love free stuff. If you were planning on doing something anyway and you get a free gift on top of it – BONUS! If you are not then it is easy to walk away. We have been running a social networking promotion that is coming to an end June 22, 2009.
Register online for the D6Conference and get a free t-shirt and $15 off the price but this offer ends midnight Monday. Enter the code D6DAD. The D6 Conference is going to be a family expo of worship and church models for dads and moms as well as church leaders. Come hear people like John Daly, Tim Hawkins, Angela Thomas, Richard Ross, Mark Matlock, Darren Whitehead, Jay Strother, Dave Ramsey, Renee Swope, John Trent, Rob Reinow, George Barna, Joe Grizzle, Kurt Bruner, Fred Stoeker, Jimmy Holbrook, Ryan Rush, and Brian Haynes all on the main platform. These experts on family ministry will help you identify what model might work for you and together unpack the biblical principles of Deuteronomy 6 (D6). This is a father’s day special that we have been promoting through social channels like twitter, facebook, and blogs. Sign up and join us at the D6 Conference.
Topics: Leadership | 2 Comments »
New Site You Must See
By Ron | June 17, 2009
Once in a while a new site pops up worthy of extra attention. This site talks of practical areas and principles. It is a multiple contributor site. Each writer has some serious experience or positions that warrant their comments. This is the one that you get anxious for the people who are posting to post again soon. Check it out! Pastor connections
Topics: Leadership, Randall House Talk | No Comments »
GM and customer choice
By Ron | June 4, 2009
I can still remember buying my first car. My dad helped me purchase it, providing the down payment to reduce my monthly payments. I remember looking around the lot filled with cars and my dad showing me some practical options like a four door “something” and a mid-size safe generic “something.” These “somethings” were what my dad had in mind and I am sure they were probably better for me and might have been more practical, but my dad gave me the freedom and individuality to buy a two-door sports car with louvers and sports striping. The muffler pack announced to everyone around how powerful and fast that car could be. I personally believe the car was what attracted my wife to me even though the car has long been sold and I still have her, thankfully.
Not having the choice of cars might have prevented several tickets. It would have also affected my attitudes toward life. Better? Not sure. I am pretty happy with my experiences and would regret not having the options of doing it on my own. When government starts dictating what cars GM can make and sell, how many they produce and setting pricing structure for vehicle purchases, they have far overstepped their boundaries. When the government passes legislation on Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Leadership, Miscellaneous | 2 Comments »
Jon and Kate Minus 8
By Ron | May 28, 2009
We go to hockey games to see the fights and to the races to see the crashes; so it only makes since that a record audience of 9.8 million people would tune in to see Jon and Kate Plus 8 struggle in their marriage. This high profile marriage is not the first to find itself on shaky ground. Our fascination may recognize this television reality is more of a home reality. Every marriage of any length has faced hurt and disappointment, resulting in the questioning of one’s vows.
Each time we see a couple going through challenges, what should it do for our marriage? It should remind us that no one is immune. It should cause us to appreciate what we have in all of its imperfection. We should never ever believe the grass is greener somewhere else. We must talk more deeply with our spouse without avoiding difficult topics, such as what is bugging you. Get a tune up through some marriage book, retreat, or conference. Never underestimate the power of two or three sessions with a professional Christian marriage counselor, even if the issue seems easy to work out on your own. Challenges like this is why we are having the D6 Conference.
Affairs always begin when your self-image (not public image) is defined by someone other than your spouse. It begins with small compliments from another or by the critical condescension of your spouse, driving you to find affirmation elsewhere. A classic prevention is reading and practicing The Five Love Languages.
Sadly, if Jon and Kate do not Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Leadership | 3 Comments »
The Randall House Biggest Loser – weight loss
By Ron | May 20, 2009
Losing things frustrates most people unless it is the extra weight many of us carry around needlessly. The TV show “The Biggest Loser” has caused people to stop and realize what can be accomplished. Having watched it with my wife for several seasons I have been building back up to the mindset to get started again on losing weight. Two people recently gave me the extra inspiration to begin fresh, one of our managers who is going through substantial lifestyle changes to make this a priority in her life and the director of International Missions for Free Will Baptists.
Just over a week ago, we sent out an email that read
“I am sure we all agree that we could be healthier in our lives. Our eating habits, the amount of exercise we get, and our stress levels are probably all things we would like to improve. Randall House wants to help anyone interested in doing something about this. If you share these concerns, you are invited to join us in shipping at 9:30 on Tuesday for more information.”
This was totally Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Leadership, Miscellaneous, Randall House Talk | No Comments »
Developing writers
By Ron | May 16, 2009
I have coached recreational soccer for a number of years. Soccer like other sports reveal who spends time practicing and who does not. Players who wish to develop their skill will take the time to listen to the coach, work hard on the drills and practice on their own time. The really good players will watch better players either collegiate or professional and learn from them. Just about any recreational player will love to watch Marta Vieira da Silva, Ronaldinho, or Beckham. You can learn a lot watching, but imagine sitting and listening to pointers from them. That could draw a pretty high bid at some charity auction.
Apply those same principles to writing and who would you like to spend 10 minutes asking Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Book Reviews, Randall House Talk | No Comments »
Twittering and publishing
By Ron | May 8, 2009
I no longer have to explain when I say, “I twitter” that it is not a medical or psychological condition. Twitter has peak awareness with the recent piling on of almost every news commentator on television and radio twittering for their audience. With the news, the Sprint Now commercial, and every blog tagged with “twitter follows,” some people may not know what twittering is but at least they have heard the name.
What is twittering doing for the publishing world? Simply, it is developing better writers. Most people have never Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Miscellaneous | 7 Comments »
Saving while investing
By Ron | May 4, 2009
People debate when to invest and when to save your money. In today’s economic climate, you will get many opinions. The one guaranteed investment is the one made into your family and the families of your church. All over the country, churches are trying to reposition their ministries in order to better meet the needs of parents and kids.
Parents, ministers, and leaders are investing in their families by coming to the D6 Conference, but the real investment is when they bring two to three sets of parents to attend with them. When the staff returns from a conference and talks about shifts in ministry to benefit the congregation, the hardest part of the shift is getting buy in from core people and parents. When you take key influencers with you, that shift can take place much more quickly and with a strong buy in from families who attend the conference with you. It is this year’s family conference to attend.
Look for Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Leadership | No Comments »
