Moving My Blog

Last night I decided to move my blog to Tumblr. I have been thinking about it for awhile and I finally pulled the trigger. I am really enjoying the simplicity of Tumblr. Stop by and pay me a visit jodyearley.com.

Steven Furtick and Rick Warren on Relationships

I came across some very interesting thoughts on the role of relationships today. This morning Steven Furtick of Elevation Church posted a quote on twitter that read, "You've got to follow Jesus for yourself. But you can't follow Jesus by yourself. Who's got your back?"

Then this afternoon I listened to an interview of Rick Warren of Saddleback Church (via the catalyst podcast) and he mentioned the importance of right relationships within ministry.

Rick said, "To make it in ministry over the long haul you need four kinds of people in your life..."

Here are the four kinds of people he mentioned:

1. Mentors - The coaches. (Even Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods need coaches.)

2. Models - People who have come before you and are no longer alive, but have finished the race strong.

3. Partners - Co-workers and peers.

4. Friends - People that love you no matter what.

Do you have these four kinds of people in your life? Who's got your back?

Listen to the entire Rick Warren interview here and follow Steven Furtick on twitter here.

Moving to OKC

Well, the family and I are moving to Oklahoma City aka "The City" (I promise to never call it that again). We are very excited! Over the past 10 months Mandy and I have been seeking God about what our next season of life would be. We have been considering several different options recently, but we would either hit a closed door or choose to close the door ourselves. Then last month an opportunity came knocking at our door. Through a series of God orchestrated events God connected us with People's Church in OKC. People's Church is an amazing church that is only 7 years old and reaching over 2500 people. It is a multicultural church with some of the greatest people we have ever met. When Mandy and I visited we felt right at home and connected with everyone.

So, starting Sunday, July 12th I will be serving on the Leadership Team of People's Church as the Children's Director. Mandy and I are very honored to join the family of People's Church. We are very grateful for the remarkable things that God has done in our lives over these last several months and will miss our friends and family in Tulsa. Thankfully we are still going to be very close.

Most importantly I am in awe of God's faithfulness in our lives and how he has led us down this path. I look forward to seeing the work that God continues to do in us and through us. The best is yet to come!

My Favorite People

Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,

who walks in his ways!

You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;

you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine

within your house;

your children will be like olive shoots

around your table.

Behold, thus shall the man be blessed

who fears the LORD.

The LORD bless you from Zion!

. . . May you see your children’s children!

– Psalm 128:1–6

I am blessed.

A Little Pick Me Up

I just want to take a minute and encourage you today.

God is on your side. The creator of the universe. The all knowing, all powerful God, is on your side. You may have been a part of some amazing opportunities in your life, but the best is yet to come. He is not done with you. God sees your heart. He knows that you are striving to honor him and live for him. Commit to becoming a better parent, better spouse, better neighbor, better person. Take courage! Believe that greater things are yet to come! You are positioned for promotion. Have faith in a God that is bigger than your sins and failures, that is bigger than those that wrongly accuse you or don't believe in you. To know God is to trust him. You are in good company: Moses, David, Paul... and You. God is in the business of taking people that look like they have been counted out and using them for His glory. May people look at your life and say, "Truly God has done a great work in them and through them". Choose to trust God and strive to become a FULLY DEVOTED follower of Christ. Live your life in such way that you can boldly proclaim, "Follow me as I follow Christ".

What's His Name?

This past weekend I came across this video from Elevation Church. It really resonated with me and thought I would pass it along. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Elevation Church Easter Opener from Elevation Church on Vimeo.

How I Co-Authored a Book with Donald Miller

Jody Earley Co-Authors New Donald Miller Book, "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years"

Ok. So this is a big fat lie. But it's also an ingenious marketing campaign to spread awareness of Donald Miller's new book. Read the excerpt below and then take a look at the site here.

Donald Miller's new book "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" is his first release in nearly two years. Anticipation has been high, however, just before press date, the book-world was hit with a surprise. Donald Miller has a co-author, the as yet unknown Jody Earley. It is uncommon for Donald to share writing credentials with another author, especially an unknown, but in this case he felt the collaboration made for a better book

"Jody Earley added so much critical feedback" Miller said "and added to the text so gracefully that by the time we were done, I felt compelled to let the secret out. Essentially, I had a coauthor." Jody Earley had signed a nondisclosure agreement and could not talk about the book, even to close friends or family. On Don's decision to share credit, Jody Earley comments:

"Don is a masterful storyteller and it was an honor to work with him. I look forward to how this story will help shape the stories of others. I can confidently say it is the best book that I've ever written, but also the first. "
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years hits shelves on September 8th. A 66-city tour will support the book. It is unknown whether Jody Earley will join Don on stage during book readings, but we can only hope to meet this burgeoning literary sensation in person.

Everybody wants to see their name in lights and on the cover of a book. What a great way to promote something - make people feel a part of what your doing. How can you take this principle and apply it to your church, organization or brand?

To coauthor a book with Donald Miller click here.