Blake Bouldin

Shout Out to Brad's Teacher, Mrs. Southard!

Have you ever had one person in your life that can totally change your world?  Our son, Brad has for the past two years.  Angie and I were a little worried when Brad started kindergarten at Indian Trail Elementary.  We knew it would be a challenge following behind the footsteps of his siblings, the "Bouldin Bunch."  Not to brag, but the Bouldin children had left a legacy of well-mannered, gifted, polite, sweet children that had been around for the past 7 years.  When staff heard another Bouldin child was coming along there was an expectation - an unrealistic expectation for little Bradley!  Needless to say, it was rough.  There were many conferences and phonecalls and Brad begin to lose hope in himself.  That is, until God answered our prayers and he landed in Mrs. Southard's 2nd grade class.  We knew from the first day that that year would be different.  She invested in Brad enough to recognize his strengths and his weaknesses and allowed him to flourish.  For the first time he enjoyed school and had a desire to learn.  Mrs. Southard wanted so much for these kids to thrive that she moved up with them to 3rd grade to ensure their success.

Friday was Brad's last day with Mrs. Southard.  She left for a few weeks after having a baby girl, but took time to write each student a note.  Here's what she said to Brad:

"Brad - I don't want this year to end because I am not even close to being ready to say good-bye to you!  The one happy thought I have is that you will be here next year, so I will at least get to see you in the halls!  Brad, I am so proud of all the accomplishments you have made in the past two years and I can't wait to learn about the many more you will make in the future!  You are such a well-rounded young man.  Not only did you make a 4 on your EOG, you also make it into AIG!  WOW!  Oh yeah, on top of all that, you have an amazing personality and you're just too cute for words!  Your handsome smile and gorgeous eyes always collect compliments from everyone who sees you!...Brad, you have been an absolute joy to teach and I know I will never forget you and your wonderful family!  Have a fabulous summer and keep in touch!  Love, Mrs. Southard - 2nd and 3rd grade teacher."

Here's a "Shout Out!" to you, Mrs. Southard.  Thank you for changing Brad's world!

Things I love

It is 9:28 pm on Wednesday night and I am sitting on my deck with 3 tiki torches lit around me and a fan blowing in my face and I am simply overwhelmed at how much I enjoy the simple things in life.  In fact, and this is no joke, there are only a few things in life that I enjoy doing more than sitting on this deck and chilling.  Let me share with you what they are.

1. I enjoy playing basketball in the driveway with my sons Bryson and Brett on any night of the week during any season of the year.  There is just something about being out there with them shooting hoops and watching them grow up that brings joy into my life.  Tonight, my 13 year old son Brett schooled me in a couple of games, and while I hate to lose, I can't think of anyone I would rather lose to.
2. I love sitting out by the pool in Panama City Beach, Florida at the Edgewater Beach Resort.  This is where I went with my family over spring break and we have never had better weather.  Sitting by the pool, which is only a stones throw from the ocean, relaxes me just about as much as anything I can think of.  Being around my beautiful wife in a bathing suit is also exciting!  She is so hot!
3. I love great Sundays where the attendance is great, the spirit is high and the attitude of our fellowship is one of excitement.  Believe me, as a pastor, nothing stirs my soul more than watching God move in a mighty way in church.  One of the things I pray for every week is that God will pour His spirit out among our people at WCC.  Sometimes He chooses to do it more clearly than others, and when that happens, I am pumped.
4. I love having lunch with my son Brad at school.  Brad is my youngest child and so sometimes, because I have "been there done that" with my three older children, I forget how special certain things can be.  Recently I had lunch with Brad at his school and before I left he reached over and held my hand and said "I love you Dad!"  That made my week!
5. I love late night talks with my wife.  In August, Angie and I will celebrate our 20th anniversary.  I can't believe it.  Not because it seems like an eternity, but rather, because it seems like we just tied the knot.  I have never loved anyone else but Angie.  I have never wished I could be married to anyone else.  I have never wished I could be single again.  She is IT for me.  So, when I get to stay up late and talk to the love of my life, it satisfies something deep inside my soul.
6. I love it when God speaks to me.  Sometimes, and I can't quite explain it, God will speak into my life and even though it isn't audible, I will know it is Him.  Recently, I was having my quiet time and I felt His presence and I heard his voice and while I don't want to reveal what He said, it was so clear and so meaningful...and so REAL.  Believe me, I am not a super spiritual guy, but God does speak.
7. I love weekends, especially Saturdays, with nothing to do.  Angie and I are always on the go on weekends.  Sometimes, and this isn't an exaggeration, we will go to 3 or 4 ballgames on a Saturday.  Couple that with preparing for church on Sunday and trying to catch up on housework and it is exhausting.  On rare occasions we get a break.  This weekend is one of those weekends where we get a break. I can't wait.

I could go on because life is good, God is good, and I am blessed.  I hope you feel the same way.  Check out this song that Angie sent me.  It sums it up.  Have a great evening.

Blake

A Winning Team

People ask me from time to time what we do in staff meetings.  There really isn't a simple answer because it varies.  One thing, however, that we are committed to doing is talking about leadership and teamwork.  As a leader, I am of the opinion that you should never stop learning.  I also believe that because team dynamics are so important, striving to have the very best team you can have, is crucial to the overall success of any organization.  That is why at every staff meeting we spend time on leadership development and team building.

Today at staff we discussed an article written by Dave Ferguson who pastors the 3,000 member Community Christian Church.  Here are some of the statements he makes that we discussed.

• Great leadership teams are always clear about the cause.  A lot of other stuff may get fuzzy, but the cause is always clear.
• We must be committed to the cause first and each other second because ultimately it is the cause that brings us together and keeps us together.
• It is when we put other things or other people before the cause that we compromise what God dreamed of in the church and in the Great Commission.
• There is never a great "lead" team when the cause is not clear.
• Question: Why do men always remember athletic teams or army platoons as the place where they experienced the most genuine community?  Answer: Because a clear cause created community.  The cause of winning a game created a team. The cause of defeating a common enemy created a team.

In case you are wondering what WCC's "cause" is...Our cause is our mission:  "To reach people and help them become fully devoted followers of Christ."  The bottom line is this - It is the staff, otherwise known as the lead team, that will create the culture and the ethos of our church. When you have a lead team that is clear about the cause, willing to die for the cause, and where serving feels like fun you have created a church culture where people start to believe in the cause.  They start to believe that through us God will REALLY change the world.  I believe we have that team - a winning team!  Thanks, guys (ladies!)  We are on our way!

Seismic Shifts

This past Sunday I began a series called Seismic Shifts based on the book Kevin G. Harney wrote back in 2002. Seismic shifts can be defined as "the little changes that make BIG differences in your life".  All of us, if we are honest, have minor adjustments that we could make that would prove to literally be life changing.  There is one caveat though, and that is you have to make the changes. Our circumstances will never improve if we continue to do the same things we have done that created the circumstances in the first place.  What could possibly hold us back from making these small, yet life transforming, seismic shifts in our lives?  Let me mention several that I stold from a guy named Henrik Edberg.

1. Not Showing Up
Woody Allen once said that 80% of success is showing up and of course, he is right!  One of the easiest things we can do to make sure that our lives are moving in the right direction, whether it's in our social lives, our careers, or our health, is simply showing up.  For example, if you want to improve in your physical life, then you need to show up at the gym every time you should be there.

Bottom Line: Just showing up more can really make a big difference in any area of your life.  Not showing up will not get you anywhere.


2.Procrastinating
Here are 2 ways to get out of a procrastinating state:

-Swallow that frog. I read somewhere that if you swallow a frog the first thing in the morning then the rest of the day will look pretty good.  This principle is centered on doing the hardest and most important task you have the very first thing in the morning

-How do you eat an elephant?  This principle says, "don't try to do everything all at once".  Anything that becomes overwhelming can lead to procrastination.  Focus on getting things done one step at a time.


3. Thinking Too Much
Paralysis by analysis can waste years of your life.  I said Sunday that thinking about and worrying about what we don't what will NEVER bring us what we do want. Do some research, make a plan, explore potential upsides and problems, and then ACT!


4. Not believing in yourself
There is so much more to all of us than our current reality.  Unfortunately many of us never find this out because we never develop a clear personal mission statement.  Paul says it best when he says, "God can do anything, you know--far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams.  He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us."  Ephesians 3:20  If you haven't already, craft a mission statement based on what you think God can do in and through your life and then BELIEVE He will give you whatever you need to accomplish it.

Each of us have what it takes to live lives that are making a difference.  Let's get going!

Blake