Catalyst Notes

Last week, Kyle and I went to Catalyst Conference in Dallas.  Catalyst is a conference for pastors and other church/ministry leaders.  There were so many great speakers- Andy Stanley, Katie Davis, Mark Batterson, Matt Chandler, Bob Goff, etc.- and the worship was wonderful.  We loved this conference and felt like it encouraged and challenged us in many ways.  Since I shared my notes from the last conference I attended, I thought I'd share some from Catalyst as well.  It would take me a long time to type them all, so here are a few...actually, this is a lot, but I promise it's not even half!  I'll also attach some pictures- Kyle and I enjoyed taking some self portraits while we were waiting for the Gungor concert- we were close to the stage in the "red zone".

Mark Batterson:
"When you pray regularly, you can be sure that irregular things can happen on a regular basis"
"We want God to do something new, but we want to keep doing the same old thing."
"God opposes the proud- He can be opposing you as you're doing His will."
"There will be moments where you'll have to risk your reputation to establish God's reputation."
"Don't seek opportunities.  Seek God."

Lysa TerKeurst:
Your reaction determines you reach.
Feelings make good indicators but not dictators.
2 Chronicles 20: 12, 15- we are powerless, the battle is God's
Praise and thanksgiving changes everything: we don't praise for the tough circumstance but we praise in the circumstance
Our attitude should not be "I have to..." but "I am able to..."
In conflict, am I trying to prove I am right or improve the situation?  I need to acknowledge my need of grace, give them grace, and then ask them to give me grace.

Reggie Joiner:
Are you willing to be present in someone's life who is different than you?
Maybe the best way to love God is to love who God loves.
The more different someone is from you, the more potential you have to show God's love.
What your neighbor needs to know:
1.God's love is bigger than your religion. (The world doesn't believe we love them because they don't think we like them and we don't love each other.)
2.You will be present as a friend even if they never believe what you believe.
3.Even your own faith is not at 100%.  (There are always questions.)  Then he said that we need to allow our children to process their own doubt so they can own their own faith.  He said it's not the amount of faith you have but where you put it.
4.You are not trying to change them.  (The Bible does not say "change your neighbor".)
5.The Bible is not just a good book.
Am I getting involved with people who are different???

Jud Wilhite:
"God is not calling you to a spectacular ministry but to a faithful and sincere heart."
1.Do a gut check.  Look at your ambition and why you are doing what you are doing in ministry.
2.Stay a little crazy for God.  Take risks that make you depend on Him.  Your "crazy" is not going to be everyone else's "crazy".
3.Be compelled by Christ's love.  It will ground you in all the trials and difficulties.