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Givers, Leaders, and Drinkers

Greetings from Jaguar Creek, Belize! I’m here with a dozen or so givers, leaders, and drinkers. Not necessarily in that order. The third annual Junkyard Wisdom Belize is happening and we’re having a blast talking through the challenge of being a good donor, a wise leader, and a sober … well, never mind.

Seriously though, the conversations are amazing. Most conversations about philanthropy take place in fancy hotels. Most conversations about leadership happen in large conferences or online TED Talks.

What I love about this event is we have these conversations in the rainforest of Belize, within a few …

Junkyard Wisdom Belize 3.0

Want to go to Belize with me in November? I’m heading there November 17 for a 4-day workshop focused on generosity, faith, and leadership. This is definitely not like any other trip before it! Read on for more information.

A few years ago, after the publication of my first book Junkyard Wisdom, a few friends suggested a retreat event based around the themes of the book. That led to the initial Junkyard Wisdom in Belize where we had an amazing event with twenty or so people. The next year we did it again.

This year one of my collaborators, …

Book Launch Team

If you’d like to help my book Salvaged get off to a rousing release, please consider joining my book launch team! I’m looking for folks who will help get the word out about the book. Could be social media, hosting an event, blogging, podcast or …. well, send me your creative ideas!

There will be perks of course. I’m not sure what yet. Not-cheap Champagne, maybe? Blueprints for an acetylene powered tennis ball bazooka? Cake and pickles? Tips on cheating at marbles?

How about a flamethrower? Maybe not; the Boring Company Not A Flamethrower by Elon Musk are selling for …

Free Book!

Want a free book, specifically a copy of Junkyard Wisdom???

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Put your email address in the form below, I’ll be notified you did so, then I’ll contact you via email for a mailing address, and send you a free copy of Junkyard Wisdom. Plus, you’ll start getting weekly email updates about posts on this blog. No more than weekly, I promise.

What’s the catch?

Well, there really isn’t one. Look, obviously I don’t want you unsubscribing after you get the book. Sheesh, don’t be THAT guy! But other than …

Wealth, Wisdom, and Howler Monkeys

Wealth, wisdom, and howler monkeys? Well yes, actually, they do go together.

A year ago D’Aun and I, along with Ken and Tamara Wytsma, hosted an event called Junkyard Wisdom Belize. Two dozen folks joined us for 5-days of discussion, adventure, prayer, and going deep into the themes of my book. We did this at the amazing Jaguar Creek, where howler monkeys regularly wake people in the morning.

So yeah, they all do go together!

As you read this we are probably on our way to Belize to host the second annual event. We will again spend …

Firecrackers Junkyard Style

We needed a funny way to liven up a boring evening, and firecrackers seemed like a great idea. Steve and I shared an apartment with two other guys, Ron and Ford. They often went to sleep early — way too early for college students. So it was time to jazz things up a bit.

I held the firecrackers. Steve held the match and the doorknob. Once the pack was lit, Steve quickly opened the door. I tossed the pack (yes, a full pack, not just one firecracker) onto the only flat surface visible in the dark room — a desk …

An Exciting Update!

I’m very excited to announce that I’ve signed a contract with NavPress for my second book! See my big smile in the picture? That’s me happily signing the contract.

Tentatively titled Salvaged: Leadership Lessons Pulled from the Junkyard, the book will be released in early 2019 if all goes as planned.

A number of people are deserving of mention for making this happen, but I want to mention three in particular.

First, thanks to D’Aun for graciously making the margin in our lives for yet another of my crazy adventures.

Second, thanks to Nancy Ortberg for telling me over …

Junkyard Wisdom Belize – the Recap

My goodness. Junkyard Wisdom Belize was … well, I don’t know how to put it into words! Wonderful. Amazing. Thoughtful. Deep. Fun. All of the above!

Twenty people gathered in Belize for five days to talk, think, reflect, and share. Each day, Ken Wytsma shared about the theology of wealth, the need for holy discontent, the importance of doing things right, and feasting in celebration of God. His wife Tamara led an early morning workshop about the challenges and hardships of obedience. My wife D’Aun led another early morning session on the embarrassment of wealth. Each day I weaved the …