I took lots of pictures from the day, but I’m dog tired and need to get to sleep so I can enjoy day two of Catalyst tomorrow. Jason has saved the day, though. He’s already uploaded several pictures and video clips.

By the way, I’m rooming with Jason. There are certainly advantages to rooming with the tech guy. He’s already helped me with a problem I encountered with my laptop. His solution? Reboot. It worked.

And, that’s what I need to do with my body. Shutdown and reboot, because there’s more fun to come tomorrow.

John Maxwell concluded day one by offering these stages of his leadership journey:

Stage 1: I want to make a difference.

Stage 2: With people who want to make a difference.

Stage 3: Doing something that makes a difference. We need to be doing something that is eternal. Something beyond ourselves.

Stage 4: At a time when it makes a difference.

John offered these steps to add value to other people:

• Value people.
• Know and relate to what they value.
• Make yourself more valuable.
• Do the things that God values.

Donald Miller, author of Blue Like Jazz, was part of the session that most exceeded expectations today. I guess I was just projecting my perceived shortcomings (he may be a writer, but don’t let him speak) on Mr. Jazz. And, yet, he came through with a great message today filled with the types of stories and other fun anecdotes you’d expect if you’ve read any of his books.

Here were the key thoughts Miller shared:

First he started by stating that we need to repent from being around people that just validate our opinions. Then he offered a few ways Christ-followers can take Christianity into today’s culture.

1. Acknowledge that other people exist. How do we view other people? We think it’s all about us. We treat people that way too. (Favorite quote of the day. It just struck me funny. When referring to exchanges we have with people who are just trying to do their jobs: “If we don’t get cheap crap quick, we are frustrated.”) Life is not about me. It’s not about us. It’s about God. Look at other people as if they’re more important than you.

2. Recognize that nobody will listen to you unless they know you like them. Miller expressed the very cynical view people typically have of Christians. He said it’s reflected in the way people process what’s considered “truth.” When people make statements, he said he realized he stopped asking is it true? Instead, he has found himself asking whether or not the world would be a better place if everyone in the world believed the way this person believes.

3. Unless people understand God loves them, they won’t listen to God. Everyone is asking “am I lovable?”

Everyone has wounds. We can help bring Jesus to the wounds.

Louie Giglio, founder of the Passion Movement, presented some challenging thoughts on leadership and worship. He suggested that question is not are you going to lead, and how are you going to lead? Instead, he said the question we need to be asking is are you going to live, and how are you going to live?

Here are some other highlights of what Louie had to share:

We get one shot called life. The best thing you do is not lead, but live. In Jesus, we should experience unbounded joy.

What God wants us to hear today is this: “You are prized by majesty, who has given supremely.” That’s where living begins.

Out of that understanding, our desire will be to respond extravagantly to him. We’re falling in love with majesty. That’s our core. That’s our life. That’s are worship. Revelation and response. That’s what worship is all about.

Worship is simple. Worship is me in His hands. My life in His plans.

We get a great song, and we sing it to death. Then we crave a new song. We might just be infatuated with the experience of worship. Our lives might not be in His hands at all.

Are we consumers of worship? Worship is supposed to be the place where we are consumed. Paul said, “I’m being poured out like a drink offering.” Here’s me. Use me up. I’m putting my life in Your hands.

Consumers ask what’s in it for me? “Consumees” say I’m in it for You. For consumers, worship is about style. For consumees, worship is about surrender.

If you’re leading, you’re also departing. How are you going to invest this short time on this planet in something that will not be fleeting and will not fade away? People can stop you from leading, but no one can stop you from living. No one can stop you from putting your life in God’s hands. And, nothing can stop the power of God in your life.

Andy Stanley opened up this year’s Catalyst Conference with a message addressing the integrity of a leader. Here are some highlights from Andy’s thoughts on this issue:

1. Your leadership ability has the potential to take you further than your character can sustain you.

2. Leaders get in trouble when their character/integrity doesn’t keep pace with the momentum created by their giftedness. John Maxwell once shared: “There’s no correlation between giftedness and maturity.”

3. Our commitment to integrity can be easily eroded by our love of progress.

4. These are the excuses we are most tempted to use: (1) God promised it. (2) I deserve it.

When opportunities line up with our prayers and our passion, it is difficult to exercise restraint. Emotional environments are like fog. It becomes difficult to make decisions. An open door, is not necessarily an invitation from God.

Don’t try to replace what God has put in place. Even though you may know where God wants you to be, you need to let God put you there. Don’t compromise.

The most direct route to what you want is rarely the best route. Instead, weigh every opportunity against the law, wisdom and principles of God. Decide everyday that I’m not going to sacrifice integrity for the sake of progress. Give the right people an all-access pass to every leadership decision you make.

Being a leader doesn’t excuse you from wise counsel–it necessitates it.