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Prairie Heights Sermons

Reproduce My Influence

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Prairie Heights Sermons

Activate Your Gifts

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Prairie Heights Sermons

Engage My Future

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Prairie Heights Sermons

Deepen My Faith

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Prairie Heights Sermons

The Domino Effect

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Pilgrimage

To paraphrase the famous opening lines of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, “When the spring is in the air…people long to go on pilgrimages.” It wasn’t in the spring, but last summer I felt strangely and strongly compelled to start 2019 by going on a pilgrimage. I wasn’t sure where or even what I was looking for, but my soul was craving renewal and a fresh perspective. I carry a heavy spiritual and emotional burden for our community, church members, and church staff. As much as I want to lessen or avoid it at times, I cannot. It is what a senior pastor does.

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Leadership roundtables

I am super blessed to participate in a book club and leadership roundtable led by Dr. Faith Ngunjiri, the director of the Lorentzsen Center at Concordia College, and Dr. Paul Dovre, Concordia College president emeritus. I am thankful for these two gifted leaders and each member of the group. Each of them bring a wonderful insight, perspective and wisdom I learn from and grow forward with.

Habit #7 in Stephen Covey’s classic “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” is called “Sharpen the Saw.” The concept is simply that we must actively commit to continual personal and organizational growth or our “blade” will get dull and ineffective.

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Play the Man

Last Sunday I wrote about my favorite local eats. I received many outstanding restaurant and menu suggestions, including mouth-watering pictures from Julie of fair delicacies! I am anxious to try your suggestions and will give you an update. Today, I will get back to a more typical topic.

A friend and I are reading and discussing the book “Play the Man: Becoming the Man God Created You To Be” by Mark Batterson. It is excellent. Many of us men go into adulthood, marriage and fathering wanting to hit the mark we were created for, but lacking the practical tools we need.

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Does anyone care?

Our 4th-grade daughter Brooke started Taekwondo in January and she has learned several self-defense patterns. She will ask me at home, at the grocery store, anywhere the two of us are together, “Dad, can I show you my new pattern?” Children love to have their mom or dad, grandma or grandpa, watch them roller-blade, play T-ball, play a video game or jump on the trampoline.

The truth is that at every age we like to be watched. When we are in a group photo who is the first person we look for? Ourselves! But to be a great leader, we have to move from “watch me” to “connect with others.”

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Prairie Heights Sermons

Lead Yourself