Underdogs Book - Update - Sunday, July 29th, 2012

So many of you have been wondering and asking, "How's it going?"

Well, here's an update:

1. This is a pressure unlike any pressure I've ever felt before.

And trust me, planting a church with very little money, a new baby, a wife and 2 college guys, (1 of which smoked) felt like a lot of pressure.

But this is different. This is a new kind of pressure. It's not bad pressure. Its just different pressure. I'm definitely feeling a pressure to keep pushing myself, writing, editing, rewriting, adding, deleting, etc.

I also have to fight the pressure to over think the process, or sike myself out. I have to trust that God has called me to this and therefore I am trusting that He is guiding my hands and thoughts as I put them together.

2. I'm having a blast! 

Having said all that, let me just say, "I love this!" Which must mean its a calling right?!? As of midnight last night, I have 6 of the chapters out of my head, written and rewritten to a point that I'm ready and willing to send them to my agent and publisher to get their High-Level take on them. (Yikes)! It's so much fun!!!

There's nothing like seeing it down on paper (or screen) to make it feel real!

3. I continue to believe the Underdogs Message can become a movement to inspire so many people! 

And that's what keeps me driving forward amidst everything else going on. Pastoring, speaking 3 times on the weekend, a fast growing church, leadership development, team dynamics, coaching other pastors, and training leaders. Needless to say, there's a lot going on.

Oh yeah, and my wife and kids!! haha. Just kidding! I actually feel like they're getting a pretty good version of me right now. Even though I'm carrying the burden of this project.


How You can Pray:

1. Pray my thoughts will be led by the Lord as I continue to write and rewrite the final chapters.

2. Pray for courage and security as I begin working with my editors, etc.
     I want to see us create the best possible book we can, which means I can't afford to let any insecurity or selfish opinions interfere. There's simply too much at stake.

3. Begin praying for the readers who will read the book next year!
     It's not too early to begin praying for those who will hear and be inspired by the Underdogs Message.

I'm so humbled and honored that you would want to follow along this journey with me...

Thank you.

Matt Keller

@MatthewKeller

One Day Training Event in Midwest for Pastors & Leaders

On Monday, August 27th, from 9am to 2pm, we will be hosting a FREE One Day Leadership Training Event at Freedom Church in Lebanon, IN; about 30 minutes Northwest of Indianapolis.

If you are a pastor, church planter or leader, we would love to have you join us. Lunch is provided and space is limited.

Below is a link to the information page and details for registration are found there.

I look forward to seeing you there!

#AddingValue

@MatthewKeller

http://www.MyNextLevel.me/OneDayEvent

Provision in the Snake Bites - (My #SOAP from Acts 28)

On the last weekend of June, (Around the Table - Part 4) I taught on the method of SOAP; The way we use to study and apply God's Word. As an example, and as an encouragement, I wanted to share what I SOAPed on on Thursday, June 28th. The chapter we were reading was Acts 28.

============================

S: Scripture.

Acts 28:3b "...a viper driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his (Paul's) hand."


v. 6 "...after waiting along time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds."
     - The people thought that since Paul was a prison on the boat that was shipwrecked in chapter 27, that apparently God was giving him what he deserved and that 'Justice was being done' in the end. But Paul didn't die from the snake bite.


v. 7 "...the chief official...welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitably."

O: Observation.

At 1st glance, when you read about Paul getting bit by a snake bite, you go, 'Man, this guy can't catch a break,' but then you realize that God is indeed in that, even that! Because once nothing happens to him, they completely change the way they are treating him. Paul goes from prisoner washed up from a shipwreck to 'god' immediately. And he goes from sleeping on the beach to sleeping at the governor's mansion. Unreal!

A: Application.

We must be careful that we don't pre-judge the snake bites in our lives! It's easy to get so focused on the shipwreck, the cold and rain and the snake bites that we forget the greater thing God might be up to.

The provision Paul needed for the next leg of his journey was hidden inside a snake bite at a campfire surrounded by cold wind and rain following a shipwreck caused by someone else's disobedience!

When it looks like God isn't or couldn't be at work... every time... He is!

P: Prayer.

"God, I know there have been times in my life, even recently, that I have cursed the snake bites or gotten frustrated or angry because I feel like it seems that I can't catch a break. Forgive me of that, Lord. Help me to not get so fussed up when it looks as thought things aren't going my way! Amen."

=============================

So there you go... that's an example of what I see when I study and read God's Word. I hope it encourages you and challenges you.

? What "Snake Bite" have you been failing to see as a blessing in disguise?

Thanks for reading,

@MatthewKeller

#AddingValue

Why I don't follow everybody on #Twitter

As many of you know, I'm a bit of a Social Media Nut, & the reason is because I believe its the best invention of our time in terms of greater Gospel implications. You can listen to two of my talks on my most current thoughts on Social Media / Twitter / Facebook / Etc. here.

http://bit.ly/buzztalkarc

http://www.mediafire.com/?fhxtbapwy9qkpxp

One of the big questions I am often asked is,

"Why DON'T you follow everybody that follows you on twitter?" 

Here's my answer:

1. I don't think that's what the purpose of twitter is supposed to be about. Twitter is different than Facebook in that people can follow you, but you don't have to follow them. It's a bit of a selectivity thing for me, and if I follow everybody, then I lose that.

2. I am not interested in "padding my numbers." Some people follow everyone because then everyone will follow them. I don't feel compelled to do that. Could I have more Twitter followers if I did that? Sure, but who cares. For a very concise perspective check out this Seth Godin video.



3.  Twitter, for me, is like reading the newspaper and all my friends, mentors, and major influences of my life are in the headlines. Could I put people in a list? Sure, but I want to keep me twitter feed clean and simple.

4.  In order for people to be able to DM you, you have to follow them. If only they follow you, then you could DM them, but not the other way around. DM'ing in my mind is a layer of access that I want to reserve, (like a private e-mail account, etc.).

Just a thought, if you're not on Twitter, and have wondered what all the hype is about, @MichaelHyatt wrote a great article on it. View it here.

? What do you think? ? Do you follow everyone who follows you? Why / Why Not?

#AddingVALUE

@MatthewKeller

Great Read on "Building Your Tribe" by @JeffGoins

Ran across a great read on "Building your Tribe" by @JeffGoins Recently. Here's the guest post on @MichaelHyatt's website.

http://michaelhyatt.com/building-influence-that-matters.html

Enjoy...

#AddingVALUE

@MatthewKeller

What I believe about the Next Generation

Over Mother's Day weekend this year, I shared what I believe to be a Ground-Breaking / Culture-Shaping Message for our church, Next Level Church. But also, I believe it could be a powerful for the Big-C "Church" as well.

If you didn't get a chance to watch/listen to the talk on "Believing in the Next Generation" I would love to hear your thoughts and feedback.

I feel like it was a message 13 years in the making. Up until this time, I have never shared my worldview on this subject at Next Level Church. This was a culture shaping weekend for sure.




Additionally, I ran across this article recently on "Gen Y" or The Millenials in the Workforce. Definitely a must-read...

http://www.openforum.com/articles/the-key-to-managing-gen-y

Just trying to #AddValue

Remember, you can subscribe to this website by clicking the button on the top right...

@MatthewKeller