The C3 Conference launched this morning at Fellowship Church in Dallas. I’m sitting about five rows back, center stage with about 30 of my closest friends from NewSpring. Emily is at my side. It’s always more fun enjoying experiences like this with my wife.

Ed Young launched the first session. Here are the highlights…

  • “Pit happens.” You get betrayed. You get pushed into the pit.
  • Ed did an elephant imitation. His imitation of Joel Osteen was better.
  • Bishop T.D. Jakes says: “There’s always a Judas at your table, and he’s close enough to kiss you.” (Tony says: I don’t know if I agree with that.)
  • “Are we blogging or bragging?” Slandering? Self-promoting?
  • There’s something hanging from Ed’s sweater. Is it a button? It’s flopping around. Nice sweater though. Wonder if he shops at the Buckle…
  • Ed shared the story of Joseph and his brothers. Genesis 37.
  • “Betrayal is fueled by envy and jealousy.”
  • “Envy engineers and engages betrayal.”
  • Ed shared stories about the three times he’s been betrayed by others.
  • “When you’re betrayed, ask God: ‘Why me?’ but move quickly to ‘What now?’”
  • “When you’re in the pit, don’t look down and around, look up to God.”
  • Psalm 40:1-4.
  • Ed did several cheers that Emily says she did in the seventh grade. “U-G-L-Y you ain’t got no alibi…”
  • Hang out with “ladder people”–people that lift you up and point you to God.
  • If you have staff that don’t have ladders, you better fire them…in love.
  • “The bigger the blessing, the bigger the betrayal.”
  • “If the betrayal is happening, the blessing is around the corner.”
  • “Joseph had talent that could take him places but didn’t have the character to keep him there.”
  • “When the talent and the character sync up, you’re going to a whole ‘nother level.”
  • “In the pit of life, we need godly endurance.”
  • True success is living in the will of God.
  • “Potipher was married to Hot-ipher.”
  • Where are you now?