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Seismics, shipwrecks, and superstorms

Posted on by Jon Cook

Sea of Galilee - 01Scripture Reading: Matthew 8:23-27

26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. (Matthew 8:26, NIV)

Have you ever seen a storm appear out of nowhere? One minute it’s a beautiful day, and the next the sky is dark and boiling. That’s what happened to the disciples in these verses. I’m guessing that the disciples didn’t have “shipwrecked” on their to-do list that day, but that’s what they were facing. They’re in a boat, rowing the five miles or so to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, and a storm breaks over the water.

But this storm wasn’t your off-brand rain and clouds; this storm packed a punch. The Greek word that Matthew uses to describe this storm is seismos. If that sounds familiar, that’s the same root word where we get the word “seismic,” like the seismic shift of an earthquake. It’s a shaking, a physical unsettling beneath you. It’s the same word that Matthew used later on to describe the earthquake as the angel rolled back the stone from Jesus’ tomb. There’s unbelievable power in this word.

In the boat with the disciples, Jesus calmed the storm. “Peace… be still.” At the tomb after the earthquake, the angel told the two women that their Savior is alive. When all hope seemed lost and their worlds were shaken, that’s when God moved in close to them. In both of these places, the people closest to Jesus were told, “Don’t be afraid.”

One of the easiest times to feel fear is when our worlds are shaken, when we’re not sure how this is all going to end. That’s the same place the disciples were in these verses. The storms of life are real and they threaten to wreck us if we let them, but peace is what Jesus speaks over us. Peace in our work. Peace in our homes. Peace in the middle of massive uncertainty. Peace in the shaking of whatever you’re standing on in life right now. Peace.

We look for peace because of what Jesus promised us in John 13,

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 

May you have peace in your storm today. May you feel Jesus move in close during whatever’s shaking your world. May His peace calm your storms and draw you closer to Him.

Chick-fil-A Leadercast – May 10th, 2013

Posted on by Jon Cook

CFA Leadercast 2013 Banner

I’m a huge fan of Chick-fil-A. Everything from their chicken sandwich (better than any burger, ever) to their customer service to the strategies and principles of business that Truett Cathy started with decades ago, all of it is a part of what makes Chick-fil-A so successful. The people at the Mecca of Chicken Goodness work incredibly hard to create a culture of exceptional service.

One of the most impressive parts of Chick-fil-A is their culture of leadership. Enter the Chick-fil-A Leadercast. I’ll let them tell you about in their own words though…

What is Chick-fil-A Leadercast? 

Chick-fil-A Leadercast is a one-day leadership event broadcast LIVE from Atlanta, GA to hundreds of locations around the world on May 10, 2013. Strengthen your leadership by simplifying your life. SIMPLY LEAD.

Full. Our lives are full of things that we think will grow our businesses and increase our influence. We are busy – and that may, unknowingly, be holding us back.  What if there was potential impact in simplifying our lives so our leadership could thrive? Leading in a complex world requires simplicity to cut through the clutter. Saying NO to what may seem good could help increase your capacity to live your life to the fullest. Join us at Chick-fil-A Leadercast as we learn to Simply Lead.

The speaker lineup says a lot about a conference’s attention to their audience. Chick-fil-A has hit a home run this year (my thoughts in parentheses):

  • Jack Welch, Former Chairman and CEO of General Electric (Business and leadership genius)
  • Andy Stanley, Best-selling leadership author and communicator (It’s a Christian leadership conference in Atlanta. Not inviting Andy Stanley would be like not wearing red, white, or blue on 4th of July.)
  • Mike Krzyzewski, Head men’s basketball coach, Duke University and Team USA (As a Duke fan, this makes me drool.)
  • John Maxwell, Best-selling author and leadership expert (See Stanley, Andy for similar response)
  • Dr. Henry Cloud, Best-selling author and leadership consultant (I’m reading his book Boundaries right now. Get a copy, let it wreck your heart in a beautiful way.)
  • LCDR Rorke Denver, Navy SEAL and star of the 2012 movie Act of Valor (Navy SEAL. Done.)
  • Sanya Richards-Ross, 2012 London Olympic gold medalist, track & field (This is the wild card for me. I’m really curious.)
  • David Allen, Best-selling author of Getting Things Done and productivity expert (A newer name in the business world, but a valuable voice to hear.)
  • Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State (2005-2009), via exclusive Simply Lead video interview (In the words of my friend, she’s the U2 of women in politics. Agreed.)

Also, Chick-fil-A is proud to announce the Chick-fil-A® Leadercast® Blog App. I took a gander through it over the weekend, and I’m excited to see their new content roll out soon. It’s going to be solid gold!

Visit the main Chick-fil-A Leadercast site to find a local simulcast site, sign-up, and get more info. It’s $60 and it’s an investment in your leadership future. Do yourself a favor: don’t miss this.