:: eric michael bryant ::

A few months ago I had a chance to meet Phil Cooke at an event we did called Awaken. I have enjoyed tracking him online at his site “The Change Revolution.” (In fact, yesterday thanks to Phil, I read a fantastic article about how Pixar’s tight-knit culture is its edge).

If you haven’t read Phil’s book called Branding Faith: Why Some Churches and Non-Profits Impact the Culture and Others Don’t or signed up for his free podcast on impacting culture, check them out!

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To find out more about the Urban Poets trip to the Olympics and how you can help them get there, go here.

URBAN POETS IN ACTION

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A new friend of mine, Jamie Tworkowski, started a non-profit called To Write Love on Her Arms in order to “give hope and find help for those struggling with depression, addiction, cutting, and suicide.”

It has been amazing to see word travel these past couple of years through their myspace page, bands wearing their shirts on tour, interviews on television and conferences, word of mouth, and now in malls across the country at Hot Topic.

It all began when Jamie and some friends were reaching out to their friend, Renee, who was struggling. The t-shirts were a way to raise funds to get her the help she needed. Check out To Write Love on Her Arms for more on this amazing and beautiful story!

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I haven’t had a chance to read through the entire book, but I have enjoyed The One Minute Entrepreneur so far!

Here are some insights:

In the US, 1 million businesses started each year. 40% fail within one year. 80% fail by the fifth year. 96% have failed by year 10.

Primary reason for failure: “they are started by technicians - people who are skilled at something and who enjoy doing that thing…. They make the fatal mistake of continuing to do the work they’re skilled at while ignoring other vital parts of the business.” - Michael Gerber

“We are becoming the average of the five people with whom we are most closely associated…. [We should] associate with people we admire and can learn from.”

“You can get what you want in life if you help other people get what they want.”

“Success occurs when opportunity and preparation meet.”

“Profit is the applause you get for taking care of your customers and creating a motivating environment for your people.”

“The best management includes day-to-day coaching that catches people doing things right and redirects their efforts when they are off base.”

“The wrong leaders can send you off in directions you don’t want to go. The right leader at the right time can help steer things in the right direction.”

“You can’t predict the good that can come from helping or forgiving someone.”

To determine your aptitude as an entrepreneur, take a free assessment at www.estrengths.com (the site mentions a cost, but it still appears to be free)

For books about entrepreneurial leadership, check out Erwin’s books An Unstoppable Force and Chasing Daylight as well as Mark Batterson’s book In a Pit With A Lion on a Snowy Day.

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I would love to connect with you personally next Tuesday, July 15th at 10am (Pacific Standard Time) in our next Teleseminar.

The topic:  Catalyzing Community (starting a small group, a ministry, a non-profit, or even a church).  We’ll also interact and I’ll try to answer as many of your questions as I can.

To Register, email your name and location to: teleseminar@ericbryant.org

A reply will be sent to you via email with call details and dial in instructions.
A recording of the call will be made available 48 hours after the live call is complete.

If you have specific questions you would like to ask Eric during the call, please email those to eric@ericbryant.org.

Be sure to click the “Share This” icon below and invite a friend to join in on this call as well.

Hope to talk with you then!

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By Erwin McManus

“Somewhere in our past, many of us gave up on our dreams and lost touch with this essential part of our being. Sometimes our capacity to dream of a different us, of a different life, is beaten up and left broken by people and pain and disappointment. Sometimes what should be a dream inspiring us is actually a fantasy distracting us. Say, for instance, if you’re waiting to be abducted by aliens from outer space and have been giving your whole life to this dream, it’s probably safe to say this is not a life well spent.

Have you ever met someone who was pursuing the wrong dream? You know, it’s the American Idol syndrome. You are so sure of your talent and are waiting to be discovered, but even your friends don’t like to hear you sing. You might want to ask yourself, Is this a dream or just a fantasy?

For centuries now, Jesus has been a focus of every kind of research, from theology to history to philosophy. His approach to ethics left an undeniable mark on humanity. What has been significantly underappreciated is how Jesus changed the way his followers actually engaged life. He launched a movement that unleashed previously untapped potential in those who believed in him. He created an environment where his disciples began to believe the impossible and soon found they were turning dreams into reality. His became a movement of dreamers and visionaries. They were called and compelled to dream of a better world. He called them to touch the whole of humanity with his message of life and love. Theirs was a life of faith and a call to accomplish great things by serving humanity. Here, by the way, is one of the dramatic differences between Jesus and Buddha. Buddha once wrote “do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”

While I agree we must not dwell in the past, and I wrote an entire book on how to live and seize the power of every moment, I have to say Buddha missed it when it comes to the future – not to mention the power of dreams. Our dreams are where the future is fueled and created. This is one of the things I love about Jesus and the Scriptures – they call us to dream and to dream with our eyes open. To live wide awake you have to begin to dream. You have to dare to dream great dreams and find the courage to live them.”

(This excerpt is taken from the book Wide Awake by Erwin Raphael McManus, soon to be released in July 2008, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

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Laura from Michigan wrote about her “Patio Parties” which connected her with some of her neighbors.

She writes: “Many of us are residing in jam-packed little neighborhoods with a bunch of people that we do not even know! This did not sit well with me. It was on my mind for several months. Complacency and comfort were binding my hands, heart and feet to make any difference.

Why do I live in a NEIGHBORhood and feel so distant from my neighbors? Why don’t we just pack up and move out to the country?

I was ready to make an effort.

I made out a flier and passed it out to my neighbors, inviting them to come over on Monday night after dinner for snacks and socializing. We figured, what was the worst that could happen? No one would show because it was a lame idea and we’d have a family night playing games in the backyard. No harm done.

Monday night came and the people started trickling in. 1, 3, 4, 6…. 19 people showed up, with snacks in hand, to see what this “Patio Party” was all about!

Aside from going away to school and living in Berkley for 5 years, I have lived in this home for 30 years! I met neighbors that remember me running around outside in my diaper when I was 2!

Everyone was so happy to be here. We hung out until the sun set and decided that we would rotate “Patio Parties” every Monday night this summer.

Last night, we met again across the street. Neighbors told neighbors and we had 30 people show!

Today, I know my neighbors and relationships are being built! I looked outside this morning and saw 2 neighbors chatting on the sidewalk that lived 3 houses away from each other and never met. I look forward to going on a walk tonight and possibly running into some of the new people that I’ve met. I pray that I can show God’s love regardless of our differences.

Making a difference, one backyard at a time…”

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It’s been great to receive so many positive emails and blog posts from people who have read Peppermint-Filled Pinatas. Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to share.

If you’ve done something in your neighborhood or with your church that may be inspiring to others, let me know! I will post it on my blog. The author of the post at the end of July which has received the most comments will receive a free copy of Erwin McManus’ new book “Wide Awake” or the new Wide Awake DVD.

Post your “PFP moment” (as Dana Evans one of the leaders at one of the Mosaics in New Zealand has called them) on your blog or you can email me at eric@ericbryant.org with a brief one to two paragraph description of your “PFP moment.”

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Check out this crazy cool looking building that is going in up in Dubai. It is supposed to be the “‘world’s first building in motion,’ an 80-story tower with revolving floors that give it an ever-shifting shape.”

“The spinning floors, hung like rings around an immobile cement core, would offer residents a constantly changing view of the Persian Gulf and the Dubai’s futuristic skyline.” Read the entire article here.

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Fascinating pics of some new species that were recently discovered.

RHINO BEETLE

FRUIT BAT FROM THE PHILIPPINES

I wonder what else is out there that we haven’t discovered quite yet?!?

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