Evotional.com - Mark Batterson

Over the past year I've put together a list of 100+ life goals. It has absolutely revolutionized my life. It's a great way to adventurize your life. And for me, it's an expression of faith. After all, faith is being sure of what we hope for. Most people don't get what they want out of life because they don't know what they want.

So here's the deal. I believe life goals are so important that I wrote 10 Steps to Setting Life Goals. It plays off one of the themes in Wild Goose Chase: play offense with your life. And if you pre-order a copy of Wild Goose Chase, 10 Steps is a freebie!

You can download it at www.chasethegoose.com.

Here are the 10 Steps that I elaborate on. I also share my personal list of life goals.

1) Start with Prayer 2) Check Your Motives 3) Get Ideas from Others 4) Think in Categories 5) Be Specific 6) Write them Down 7) Include Others 8) Celebrate along the Way 9) Think Big 10) Keep Dreaming

I'm a huge football fan. Love watching the NFL on Sunday afternoons. So it's been cool to hear through the grapevine about some NFL players and chaplains who have been reading In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day.

Yesterday I got a call from Anthony Johnson, chaplain for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He read the book and invited me to do their team chapel before the play the Redskins in the final pre-season game. Here's the funny thing. It's the week before final cuts. I have a feeling chapel will be packed!

Honestly, I'm a little nervous. But I'm also very excited.

My publisher got a little surprise this morning! We got 200+ review offers overnight! Blown away by the response! It certainly proves one thing: people like free books!

We've already exceeded the limit of giveaways, but here's the scoop. We'll give one free copy to the next 300 reviewers.

If you'd like to review Wild Goose Chase, email ccagney@randomhouse.com. Please include name, address, and a link to your blog.

Thanks!

Calling all bloggers!

If you'd be willing to review Wild Goose Chase, email ccagney@randomhouse.com. You'll not only receive a free copy for yourself. My publisher is throwing in a giveaway copy as well. Please include your name, address, and a link to your blog.

So here's the math: 1 Blog Review = 2 Books.

It's as simple as reviewing the book on your blog on or before the day the book releases, August 19. A limited number of books are available!

Chase the Goose!

I spent two hours signing a 1000 more bookplates for bookschristian.com last night. Let's just say that my signature looked more and more like a doctor's prescription! By the end it was virtually unrecognizable :)

Bookschristian is offering an autographed copy of Wild Goose Chase to the first 1000 pre-orders.

Really praying for wisdom today! I announced our protege program a few weeks ago. We got lots of inquires and applications. And we're meeting today to try to decide who we invite to come. We're only taking 3-4 proteges this first time around so it's going to be an agonizing decision because we have some amazing applicants. Feels like "final cuts" in football.

I started twittering a little over a month ago. Absolutely love it. Until today! I discovered that about 300 followers mysteriously disappeared. It was like a twitter rapture!

I love the twitter concept. 140 characters. Little life updates. It's become my "mini-blog". But seems like their are some gaps in the technology. I'm no geek, but even I back up my information. The old save button!

If you want to follow or re-follow here's a link.

One of our major initiatives next year is going on ten missions trips as a church! We'll cast the vision this weekend as we launch our next series based on Acts 1:8.

I honestly believe that God will bless us in proportion to how much we give to missions! Praying we get a bigger and bigger heart for missions! And this little phrase keeps echoing in my spirit: grow more so we can give more!

I was asking my publisher this week when Wild Goose Chase would go to press. I thought it'd be another week. Just got eight cases of books today! What a nice surprise!

Pretty sweet to hold the bad boy in my hand. A little surreal actually. You write and write and write. Then you wait and wait and wait. It's sort of like holding your baby for the first time. Not nearly as special or scary, of course. But it's the only way I can describe the feeling.

Wild Goose Chase will officially be released August 19. But you can pre-order now. Bookschristian is offering an autographed copy to the first 1000 orders.

www.chasethegoose.com

It just dawned on me. Can't believe I almost forgot.

Eight years ago today I should have died. I went in for emergency surgery on my ruptured intestines. I was actually on a respirator for two day. So 07.23 is my second birthday.

It was the worst day and best day of my life. I have such a raw appreciation for life. One of the maxims in my next book, Wild Goose Chase, is live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Nothing like a near-death experience to change the way you live life.

Counting my blessings today!

Good to be alive!

I've only been on facebook for about a month. Loving it by the way! Great way to connect and reconnect. But I must be a creature of habit. I don't like the new facebook design as much as the old facebook design. I went to the new look and then went back to the old look.

Maybe I'm just old school.

The Chase the Goose website is now officially up and running. We are t-minus one month till the book releases.

You can download a free sample chapter. And if you pre-order the book before August 19, you get a free download called 10 Steps to Setting Life Goals. One of the themes of the book is play offense with your life. Setting life goals is a practical application.

Chase the Goose!

The results are in and it's official. Ebenezers was named City's Best Coffeehouse by AOL Cityguide. We were up against some pretty stiff competition. Some great coffeehouses in DC. So thanks to blog readers who voted. Especially those who voted multiple times :)

When we opened Ebenezers we knew we had to pass the Starbucks Litmus Test in terms of product and aesthetic. We certainly need to continue upgrading everything we do. You never arrive! But I believe excellence honors God. So we're rejoicing. I gave out a little hoot and holler when I heard the news.

From Day 1 we prayed for God's hand of blessing. Definitely feeling it on a day like today! All I can say is this: Ebenezer! Hitherto the Lord has helped us!

I was pretty disappointed yesterday when I learned that Parker didn't meet the age requirement for the Dewey Beach Triathlon. I emailed the event coordinator, but didn't really think they'd make an exception. I was wrong. They emailed today and gave Parker permission to race.

Here's the amazing thing. I immediately went to register him because the event was selling out fast! They take 1000 registrations and there were less than 10 spots left. It sold out a few minutes later!

We were so fired up we went out and biked 4 miles and ran 2 miles. Dewey Beach here we come! Going to be a huge challenge. But it will meet the physical challenge component of the discipleship covenant we signed.

Here are a few more pictures from Baptism by the Bay. Thanks to our NCC photographers for sharing their shots!!!

Registered for the Dewey Beach Triathlon today. Look forward to trying to beat last year's time. And hopefully get even with the ocean. The swim leg ate my lunch last time!

My big disappointment is that when I registered I found out that Parker is too young to run! So bummed because we wanted to do it together. Looks like we'll have to wait a couple years till he qualifies.

Here are a few shots from Baptism by the Bay. Few moments in life are as joyful as seeing people come up out of the water. What an amazing rite of passage.

Several years ago I read Choosing to Cheat by Andy Stanley. And I quote one statement all the time. It might be a paraphrase by now. But here goes: saying yes to one thing is saying no to something else. So good. So true.

I'm really struggling right now with saying "no." I am genuinely humbled and honored by invitations to speak at conferences and churches. And Lora and I jokingly kid about the way I say every opportunity is an amazing opportunity. But every opportunity is an amazing opportunity :)

In doing a little self-examination and schedule-examination, I feel like I might need to scale back a little bit in 2009. The problem is that 2009 is virtually booked with speaking engagements. In the past week I've turned down a couple invitations. Yes, they were a "amazing opportunities" :) It's so hard to say "no." But I also feel like it's a way to say "yes" to my family.

I'm living in the tension of being a good steward on both fronts. And I'm certainly counting my blessings that it's a tension I need to manage. I love to be at home. And I love to speak to pastors. Just trying to make sure it stays a win/win and doesn't become a lose/lose. And I'm learning that I need to error on the side of family!

Thanks for letting me process!

I've gotten hundreds of emails from hundreds of churches that have done a Chase the Lion series. But this one is unique. To close out the series, Westchester Church has invited the entire church to go skydiving! How crazy is that? Now that is what I call extreme fellowship. You know what would be really cool? Celebrate communion in mid-air!

Chase the Lion!

By the way, all of our graphics and videos are free downloads at www.chasethelion.com. You can use them as is. Open-source. But I also love it when churches customize a graphic. Pretty sweet branding by Westchester. Love the Hebrew touch!

Over the past year, Parker and I have identified four values that will be part of our coat of arms. It was so hard to narrow down the list. So many things we value. And we could have used so many different words. And why not three or five or seven? But these are the four values we landed on as values that we want to define our lives: gratitude, humility, generosity, and courage.

Each value is multi-dimensional. For example, I think humility has degrees of teachability and curiosity. And generosity isn't just a money issue. It's an open-handed approach to life that believes that the more you give up the more you get back. It's all about eternal rewards. I think gratitude for everything is the goal of life. Gratitude is far more important than happiness. In fact, it determines our level of happiness. And we want to live courageously for the cause of Christ.

I'm sure I'll share more thoughts on those four values but they are shaping the way I think, the way I act, and the way I make decisions.

Can't wait for our annual Baptism by the Bay on Sunday! Nothing compares with rite of passage we call Baptism. Love seeing people go public with their faith. And I love doing it at a public place. We'll head to Sandy Point State Park on the Chesapeake Bay.

We'll do a picnic. Play some games. My personal favorite is the water balloon toss. I think we're the defending champs if I remember right. Or maybe that was the year before. Then we'll head down to the water and worship on the beach. And it all culminates with people getting wet. Nothing like it!

If you want to see previous baptisms, check out evo-media on the right sidebar.

I got Josiah a disposable camera at Sea World yesterday. Got the pictures developed today. I laughed when I saw them. Lots of amazing pictures of...his finger! Most of the pictures are close ups, very close up, of his finger covering the lens. Too funny. That said, he did capture some really good shots of Shamu. Looking at those pictures was pure joy.

Had a blast at Sea World today! Josiah loved it. Especially Shamu! He got his first disposable camera and went nuts! Kept saying "I missed it" and "I got it" all day. Amazing how fast 39 exposures goes when you take a picture of EVERYTHING. Can't wait to get the thing developed.

The only thing Josiah didn't like was the helicopter ride in Arctic Wild. He held his dad's and grandpa's hands very tightly!

By the way, either my friend Scott Hodge has a twin or he's working the Clyde and Seamore Show at Sea World this summer!

Is your church in the sticks?

So excited about a conference I'm speaking at November 11-12 in Loudonville, Ohio. Wanted to put it on the radar. This is a great conference for leaders who are in small towns but have big dreams!

Excited about tag-teaming with my friends Charles Hill and Tim Stevens!

Check it out.

Just thought I'd share a personal observation I've made recently. On personality assessments I come out as an extrovert. But as a pastor I'm around people all the time so I honestly feel like I get my batteries charged by time alone. I love days like today--lots of interaction with lots of people. It's energizing. But it's also exhausting. So I've come to the conclusion that I'm an extrovert by personality and an introvert by necessity. If I didn't have an outlet to be with people I'm sure I'd go crazy. But because of the nature of what I do--pastoring a church, speaking at conferences, lots of meetings--I need some PT to stay fresh.

By the way, Jesus was an ENFP. That's for all of you Myers-Briggs fans out there!

Great day at ICRS.

Started out with a radio interview with WMBI. Fun to go on a station I used to listen to in the Chicago area. Did a couple book signings. I used to feel really awkward signing books, but I've learned to love it. Great way to make a personal connection with readers. Also met with retailers. Nice to be able to say thanks to the people who buy books and sell books.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Bumped into lots of old and new friends again today--Margaret Feinberg (The Sacred Echo), Andy Crouch (Culture Making), Dave Kinnaman (Unchristian).

Tomorrow we're going to spend the day at Sea World. Then we fly home tomorrow night. Fun to have Josiah along for this trip! He's loving the time with dad and grandparents!

Lots of interviews and connections today! Really enjoying ICRS.

Along with quite a few radio interviews and magazine interviews, I met several authors that I really admire. Dr. Gary Chapman wrote The Five Love Languages. And Dr. Bruce Wilkinson wrote The Prayer of Jabez.

Had a great conversation with Alex and Brett Harris who wrote Do Hard Things. Parker and I just read their book recently. And I bumped into Dan Merchant who produced Lord, Save us From Your Followers.

Nice to connect briefly with some friends as well--Gabe Lyons (Unchristian), Kerry Shook (One Month to Live), and Brad Lomenick.

Gotta say that I love Multnomah. So grateful for an amazing publisher! Love being part of the team. They are doing a great job gearing up for the release of Wild Goose Chase.

Off to Orlando for a couple days.

I'm headed to ICRS--International Christian Retail Show. My publisher, Multnomah, has set up a couple dozen meetings. I'm put on my "author" hat for a couple days. Really enjoy every opportunity to learn more about the publishing industry.

I'm taking Josiah on this trip. My mom and dad live in Florida so they'll meet up with us. Siah will hang with grandpa and grandma for two days. Then we'll add spend a day together in Orlando. Not sure what to do yet. So many options in Orlando!

We took about three hundred pictures on our trip to the Grand Canyon. I posted a few of my favorites in a photo album on facebook.

Still trying to digest last week. Accomplished three life goals in one week. We hiked the Grand Canyon rim to rim. We rode a mule around the rim. And we did a helicopter ride over the Canyon.

I actually cried when the helicopter flew over the Canyon. Can't put into words the rush of worship I felt. I'm sure part of the emotional response was physical exhaustion. We hiked out of the canyon earlier that day. But I was absolutely overwhelmed by the grandeur of the Canyon. What a Creator!

One of my roles as a parent is to create memories. And one of the ways you do that is via shared experiences. This trip was more than a trip. It was part of the year-long discipleship program I've been doing with Parker. We still have a few more things to do before Parker accomplishes the three challenges I set out for him at the beginning of the year. But this trip was the reward. Proud of the way my son has grown this year.

Thanking God for some unforgettable memories!

This week I'm participating in something called a virtual coffee break. It happens between 3-5 PM EST on Thursday, July 17. Love to hang out online with some blog readers. It's sponsored by Threads, the young adult division of Lifeway that published the Chase the Lion curriculum.

It's actually a face-to-face discussion via a cool technology called ooVoo. You can sign up here. First come. First serve.

I go away to the Grand Canyon for a week and things get crazy in Green Bay. Alright, my blog title is a little dramatic and a little overstated. But I've gotta post on this. How can you not let Brett Favre unretire? Are you kidding me? He is the Packers! He's the face. He's the heart. He's the soul. And you want to go with Aaron Rodgers?

I've been a Packers fan since our family moved to Wisconsin when I was seven. Die hard. I was totally depressed when Favre retired. I was actually in Wisconsin when he announced it. I start getting my hopes up when I hear rumors of his return. And now the Packers want to "move forward." I'm ticked at the Packers organization!

Favre for President.

Had to get that off my chest!

Three words say it all: rim to rim.

Long story short. We hiked 23.5 miles in two days. Definitely learned a few lessons. Travel light. I'm guessing my pack was 30-40 pounds with all of our camping gear and supplies. And Parker's wasn't much lighter! We also learned that temperatures are measured in the shade. What's up with that? It was 110 in the shade and 130 in the sun. We were in the sun most of the way!

I was weighed for the mule ride before the hike and the helicopter ride after the hike and I lost 13 pounds. I've run a sprint triathlon, half marathon and played sports my entire life. This was hands down the greatest physical challenge of my life because of our heat and the packs on our back.

Really proud of Parker! He was a trooper. Or should I say hiker!

Here are a few pictures from the trek. My personal favorite was the Lemmy Lemonade machine at Phantom Ranch. What a sight for sore feet. I would have paid $100 for that lemonade! And I'm not sure the last picture does it justice. But if you look closely you can see part of the Bright Angel Trail that led up to the south rim.

Parker and I decided to hike the Canyon from north rim to south rim. We're pretty pumped about the challenge!

We'll head down the 14.2 mile North Kaibab Trail early Wednesday morning. Camp at the base of the canyon near Phantom Ranch. Then we'll hike out the next day on the 7.2 mile South Kaibab trail. It'll be a one mile change in elevation when everything is said and done.

Forecast temperature? 112 degrees!

If I get cell phone reception I'll twitter updates.

Another memorable day with some amazing shared experiences. Parker and I rafted the Colorado River from Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry. It wasn't white water, but it was still a blast.

Also saw 48 deer on our drive back to the North Rim. Oh yah, saw eleven churches right next to each other in Page, Arizona. Contiguous properties. Gotta be some kind of record.

Here are a few pictures from today: my cowboy shadow drinking a mocha, the Glen Canyon Dam, praying hands rock formation, riding the river, some Native American pictographs and a really cool cloud.

FYI. I'll create a Grand Canyon facebook album when I get back.

Had an amazing day. Went on a mule ride. I was actually over the 220 lb weight limit but they let me ride anyway. Parker and I had mules with digestive issues. My mule pooped twice. Peed once. And let out a fart that may have registered on the Richter Scale! Poor Parker was riding behind me. Parker's mule was equally gaseous, but also had a serious wheezing problem.

For dinner we enjoyed the Grand Canyon Cookout Experience complete with entertainment by Woodie and Cleda Jane. The names say it all. Serious country music!

Ended the day by watching the sunset at Point Imperial--the highest elevation in the Grand Canyon at 8803 feet.

Parker and I arrived at the Grand Canyon just before sunset. Not sure words or pictures can capture the actual view. Our first glimpse of the Canyon was through the picture windows at the Grand Canyon Lodge. See below. "Majestic" was definitely the word of the day.

Our cabin is pretty rustic, but it had a fireplace that we kept on all night. It actually dropped into the 50's on the North Rim. The projected highs for the base of the canyon are 110 so it's a huge temperature difference!

We got up to watch the sunrise at Bright Angel Point. Did devotions on the deck overlooking the Canyon. We'll ride mules today. And hopefully catch the sunset at Point Imperial.

I'll keep twittering updates, but Internet access is spotty so blogging is tough.

Here are a few pictures.

Having a blast this weekend. Preached five services at Central Christian Church. Parker actually ran lights. He absolutely loved it! Even turned the lights down on his dad during one of my messages!

Hung out with Jud and Lori Wilhite for dinner last nice. Got to see Jud's infamous man cave. See below.

Never been to Las Vegas so the first drive down the strip was pretty wild. Loved the view from the Bellagio. Fountain show was a-mazing!

Well, we're off for the Grand Canyon.

Parker and I fly to Las Vegas today. I'll speak in six services at Central Christian. I really covet the opportunity to speak at a few churches every year. Always get new ideas for NCC. And I've heard so many amazing things about Central Christian.

We're staying at the Bellagio on Saturday night. Excited about watching the infamous fountain show. Then we're off to the Grand Canyon for a week!

Really enjoyed the 4th! Went to a parade on Capitol Hill. We actually marched in it. Loved watching Josiah throw candy and then pick it up and eat it himself! Then we did a little grill action. Went down to watch the fireworks. That's when you've got to love living 12 blocks from the Capitol. And we topped it off with our own fireworks show!

I love history. And I love America! Thought I'd share a little of both as we celebrate Independence Day.

We live in a a day and age where we almost have to defend our patriotism. I'm certainly not suggesting that America is above reproach. Far from it. But a few years ago I did extensive research for a sermon series on our spiritual heritage. And I walked away with a renewed sense of destiny. There is so much revisionist history out there that we tend to forget that a lot of our Founding Fathers were motivated by their faith in Christ.

Just thought I'd share some backstory about some of the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence. Most Americans know next to nothing about these fifty-six heroes who pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to the cause of freedom.

John Witherspoon was an ordained minister and authored several books of sermons, as well as editing America's first family Bible published in 1791.

Charles Thomson served as Secretary of Congress and was a Biblical scholar. He helped edit the first American translation of the Greek Septuagint into English.

Charles Carroll, the last of the fifty-six signers to pass away at the age of 95 in 1832, wrote out his declaration of faith at the age of eighty-nine.

On the mercy of my Redeemer I rely for my salvation, and on His merits; not on the works I have done in obedience to His precepts.

Another Founding Father, Benjamin Rush, is considered the "Father of American Medicine." He personally trained three thousand medical students. Dr. Rush also founded "The First Day Society" which was the precursor to the Sunday School movement, as well as founding America's first Bible society. It was Benjamin Rush who said the Constitution was "as much the work of Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament were the effects of divine power."

Francis Hopkinson was a church music director and edited one of the first hymnals printed in America in 1767. He also set 150 psalms to music.

Roger Sherman is the only Founding Father to sign all four of America's Founding documents: the Articles of Association in 1774, the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the Articles of Confederation in 1778, and the U.S. Constitution in 1787. Roger Sherman was also a theologian. He wrote a personal creed that was adopted by his church:

I believe that there is one only living and true God, existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the same in substance, equal in power and glory. That the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are a revelation from God, and a complete rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him.

I could share story after story, but the bottom line is this: many, if not most, of our Founding Fathers were motivated by their Faith in Christ. They wrote sermons and creeds and hymns. They founded Bible Societies and Sunday Schools. They served God's purposes in their own generation.

By the way, five signers were captured and tortured during the Revolutionary War. Twelve signers had their homes ransacked and burned. Two signers lost sons to the war they declared. Two signers had sons become prisoners of war. And nine signers fought in the war and died from wounds or hardships of war.

Hope that adds a dimension of gratitude to your 4th of July celebration!

Only 7 days left in the voting for City's Best Coffeehouse. Ebenezers is still holding on to the lead, but the margin is closing.

Vote early. Vote often.

I'm trying to wrap up loose ends before I head out to the Grand Canyon with Parker. So I tried recording an extended absence greeting on my phone. Just wondering if it takes anybody else thirteen tries to get the greeting right? I'm not kidding. Thirteen attempts. Sometimes I marvel at my little ineptitudes!

By the way, I was tempted to do an eternal absence greeting. I'm just not a phone guy. Why would you call me when you can email me? You know what I'm saying?

I'm not traveling much this summer, but I'm super excited about the places I am going. Speaking at a couple churches: Central Christian Church in Las Vegas and Northwaychurch.tv in New York.

Definitely want to put one conference on the radar. Check out the Echo Conference. The conference is all things media. Revolves around one of my passions: redeeming technology and using it for God's purposes. Here's the lineup of speakers.

Love to connect at Echo!

We have a summer tradition of sending our kids off to spend a week with Grandpa and Grandma Batterson. So Parker has spent the last week with my parents in Florida. He went fishing in the gulf of Mexico; rode an Airboat in the Everglades; and spent lots of time hanging out.

Just thinking about what a gift grandparents are. You don't really appreciate your parents until you become a parent. I think you have to "go through it" yourself to fully appreciate the sacrifices and challenges involved.

Grandparents play a unique role in the life of grandkids. Huge opportunity to have huge impact. What is so meaningful to me is that grandparents on both sides pray for our kids. Can't even put into words what that means to me! Gives me a sense of destiny for my kids. And it gives me a sense of confidence as a parent!

I joined facebook a week ago. Loving the connections and reconnections. Still trying to find my way around, but I just created a facebook group for anyone who has read In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day.

Trying to create a place to hear from readers and share lion chasing stories!

Lion Chasers Group.