by David Docusen | June 25, 2009 | Uncategorized
I spent the morning caffeinating Charlotteans at Caribou Coffee today. I absolutely love working at the coffee shop. I love the time that I’m able to connect with my co-workers. I love meeting new people from our community and chatting with our regular customers.
Another aspect of this job that I love is being in an environment where there are differing views on religion, politics, sports, fashion, life, etc. I think that truth is found in the tension of opposites. So when I engage in conversation with people that think and believe differently than I do, I feel that truth rises to the surface. Even if I may not agree with someone, I respect their vantage point enough to hear them out and enjoy healthy dialogue.
I love people. I love talking. I love coffee. What a great combo.
by David Docusen | June 24, 2009 | Uncategorized
I try to read as much as I can in the arena of advertising and marketing. One of my favorite blogs is written by Seth Godin. I was reading his blog today and one part stuck out to me so much he was talking about the fact that we don’t need to do what everyone else has done that was successful. Just because it worked for them doesn’t mean it will work for us. Check out his thoughts:
“Avoid obvious mistakes, don’t follow obvious successes. Find your voice, don’t copy someone else’s.“
This line of thinking fits right into a personal calling that God has placed on my life. In many areas (not all), I would much rather create than follow. Call it an adventurous spirit. Call it entrepreneurialism. Call it blazing a new trail.
God instructed a man named Joshua in the Old Testament just before embarking on an impossible mission to “be strong and courageous.” He then reemphasized this statement and said “be very strong and courageous.”
Lord, help me to be strong and courageous. Help me to expand my horizons and challenge me to think new thoughts that bring you all the honor and glory. Help me to find my voice.
by David Docusen | June 23, 2009 | Uncategorized
I received an email today from the team that runs the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta, GA. They are a leading voice on what’s happening in the world of leadership and their podcast is an awesome resource for young leaders. They had heard about our story of planting Hope Church in Charlotte and one of their team members nominated Dara and I for a scholarship to attend the conference this year. Dara and I have wanted to attend this conference for years.
I was so humbled and blown away that someone had even thought of us. Not sure what comes out of this, but I am so grateful that we are even being considered.
So encouraged today by the most random email. God uses so many different ways to remind us that we are on his mind 🙂
by David Docusen | June 23, 2009 | Uncategorized
Luke 18:17 – I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.
I was on the stage Sunday morning during the final part of Mike’s message. As I looked out at the crowd, I saw something that gripped my attention and impacted me so deeply. Upon completing his message, Mike asked if there were people who were in need of healing in their lives.
Sitting in the second row was an elementary aged boy with his father. He has been battling a sickness for several years. His lifted hands were formed in the shape of a cup as he reached to heaven. Tears streamed down his face as he was literally crying out to God to set him free.
My mind was instantly reminded of the many times that Jesus instructed us to have faith like a child. When this boy was raising his hands to heaven, the expression on his face was filled with expectation that God would do exactly what Mike was talking about. He believed that God would heal him.
I need this. I need to lift my hands to heaven as tears stream down my face. I need to believe like a child. Life has taught me to believe in what I can do. What is logical. What is practical. Faith like a child means reaching out to to heaven with full expectation that our unseen God is on the other side of our cries.
Lord, help me to have faith like a child.
by David Docusen | June 23, 2009 | Uncategorized
There is no greater honor in my life on this side of heaven than to be called husband and daddy. My wife and kids honored me in such an amazing way on Sunday. The kids came running down the stairs so excited to give me my Father’s Day present they had worked so hard on all week.
Each of them answered questions asked by Dara and she put their response into a scrapbook with pictures. They drew me original Docusen Kid artwork. Each of them told stories (even Jack, our two year old) and Dara wrote them out word for word. The last page of the scrapbook was a collection of pictures from the last 5 years of being a daddy.
Tears came to my eyes. Their answers were so precious. They are so loving and genuine. This was such an amazing day for me. I am so blessed to have an amazing wife that is so thoughful. I am so blessed to have incredible kids.
All day long I kept on getting unsolicited “Happy Father’s Day” from the kids and kiss after kiss. I love my family.
