Lyndseycornell’s Weblog

Andrew and I’s typical Tuesday night includes coming home from work, rushing around to get the house clean, heating up leftovers for dinner, making coffee, setting out snacks, saying a quick prayer and then squeezing in around 25 young adults in our little house. And we love it.

This is our 2nd group that we’ve had, and we’re going through John Piper’s book, Battling Unbelief. So far, it’s been a great study for me personally and I think it hits home for everyone in the group. Piper goes through some of the sins we constantly struggle with and then explains that sin boils down to our lack of faith in the promises that God gives us.

The first chapter was on anxiety. Me? Worry? Never…

At the end of the chapter Piper went through several promises God gives us for specific anxieties. For me, I have claimed 2 Corinthians 12:9. I’m reciting (well I guess typing) this by memory. You’re just going to have to trust me on that.

“Your grace is sufficient for me, for Your power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses so that Your power may dwell in me.”

This verse really hit me even though I’ve heard it a hundred times. Even though I know in my head that God cares about all the details of my life, my actions don’t show that I really believe that. I try and do it all on my own. When I feel overwhelmed, I make a plan, a list and start crossing things off. I don’t give it to God because I have it under control. But oh how much easier it is to just give it to God. I’m learning how to cast all my anxieties on Him, because I know that he does care for me. And I will boast no longer in my strengths, but in my weakness because then I can give God an opportunity to glorify Himself through me.

It was neat to hear how God is speaking in different ways to each person in the group. I’m really encouraged by the openness and honesty by everyone. We have a lot of new believers in our group and it’s so refreshing to sense their curiosity and vulnerability. We all need to remember that we don’t have every answer and we don’t have it all together.

Anyway, if you think about it, keep our group in prayer.

Andrew and I just got back from Orlando for Chick-fil-A’s Operator Seminar. Sounds kind of boring? I think not. It was one heck of a chicken celebration. Sunday evening opened up with Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio and activities included Sea World, Universal Studios, golf, a private Shamu showing, 5k race and really, really good food! And everything was paid for! (I could get used to this CFA thing)

I’ve always been a big fan of CFA, but after experiencing the true commitment to Christ and Biblical values that were displayed, I am convinced this company knows what they’re doing.

The week was themed, “Great Leaders Serve,” and each session broke down the “Serve” model of leadership into greater detail.

S-See and Shape the Future
E-Engage and Develop Others
R-Reinvent Continuously
V-Value Relationships and Results
E-Embody the Values

My favorite session was by Patrick Lencioni who wrote the book, “Three Signs of a Miserable Job.” He claims that your love or hate for your job hinges on whether or not these three different needs are being met:
1. People have a need to be known and appreciated, especially by their manager
2. People need to know their job is impacting someone else’s life
3. People have a need to measure for themselves the success and impact they’re having
I don’t feel like typing out an entire recap, but it is an awesome read. So click on the link, read a little more about it and buy the book.

I am so grateful that Andrew and I became a part of the Chick-Fil-A family while Truett is still around. He is hilarious! At one point he was presented a statue of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. They rolled the statue out on a big, black box and Truett came up and was like, do you guys know something I don’t know? You’re acting like this is my last seminar…Is that a coffin under there?

He’s 86 years old and is definitely a man that’s always had his priorities in the right order. He embodies a true servant of Christ. One of the oldest owner/operators was telling a story about how he was trying to find Truett one year at a seminar. He was looking at the front of the line where he thought he was supposed to be. He was searching everywhere for Truett and finally found him at the back of the line helping a family carry their luggage. All the honor and prestige he’s received has never altered his attitude of serving others. That’s what Chick-Fil-A is all about.

It was a great trip and really motivated and encouraged both of us. I’ve never been in a nicer, more friendly environment. I wish I could stay in Chick-Fil-A land all the time! Oh yeah…. and next year’s Seminar: Long Beach in Orange County California!

Today was church picnic day.

I have a real love/hate relationship toward picnic day due to the amount of work on my part that goes into making it happen. But I always come away with such a sense of belonging and joy.

It’s simple. Create a place for people to eat and play together and it’s amazing what can happen. Our church truly feels like a family.

I try to take some time to stop and look around at all the different people that make up our church body, and I am always humbled by God’s grace. There are so many changed lives. So many different stories.

I am beyond blessed to be a part of Calvary Jupiter. God is truly working through this place, and I am excited to see what this year is going to bring.

Picnics are just a great reminder that in God’s House, we are all family and we need to spend more time with one another… even if it’s just to play and eat together on a beautiful, sunny day.

Please continue to keep my dad in your prayers. He was at a doctor’s check-up today when they discovered a blood clot from the top of his leg down to his calf muscle. This could severely slow his healing process down, so I ask for your prayers that he would be completely healed.

Thanks!