Posted by Mike Foster:

First off, Happy 4th of July. Have fun Bar-B-Qing and blowing things up. And please say a prayer for our troops who are serving this great country.

Secondly, here is part 2 of an article I wrote for Conversant Life. It deals with the fact that I hate accountability and have an alternative.

“I truly believe it is time to reinvent and rethink this very important component of our lives. Over the years, Christian accountability has deformed into a very ugly, uninspiring, and broken system…”

Click here to read the article.

Posted by Mike Foster:

Here is an article I wrote for Catalyst Monthly about Deadly Viper.

When we launched Deadly Viper at Catalyst two years ago we had no idea what would transpire. We weren’t sure how people would receive this quirky little leadership book with lots of pictures in it. Currently we still run this thing out of my Mom and Dad’s garage and we are totally trailer park. But God is doing something that is blowing our minds.

Last week I was having a business lunch with a couple of guys I hadn’t met before. We were discussing some new projects and getting to know each other. Then completely of out the blue one of the guys stopped our conversation and asked if he could share something personal. He then opened up with me how he had read Deadly Viper Character Assassins and it really got him through a difficult season of life. The message of living with radical integrity and avoiding deadly assassins in our life struck a chord with him. But what really hit home for him during this tough season was the message of radical grace and second chances. Needless to say, we all abandoned the “business stuff” of our lunch and spent the rest of the time discussing this important topic.

When Jud Wilhite and I sat in his “mancave” and dreamed up this Kung Fu survival guide for life and leadership, we knew that radical grace had to be at the core of Deadly Viper. Too often when we talk about living with character and pursuing God’s plan for our lives, we forget about grace. We talk about justice. We talk about discipline. We talk about accountability and holiness. But somehow the idea of a second chance comes very late in the conversation.

It’s important to know that my lunch last week is not an isolated incident. My new friend’s comments did not come as a surprise to me. Without question, the majority of my conversations with leaders, pastors, and business leaders revolve around our outspoken advocacy for those who have failed, struggled, and have been annihilated by a character assassin. We celebrate with the leaders who are succeeding but we totally identify and stand with those who are broken and have blown out.

About a year ago we started a project called “People of the Second Chance” to continue this dialogue. We filmed stories from 2 days spent in a Texas prison with inmates who were putting their lives back together. We documented my friend Tony’s story of being involved in an affair, quitting ministry and then being fully restored. Our clarion call is simple: let’s be people of the second chance. When we truly adopt this idea into our life and leadership I truly believe it will completely revolutionize everything.

So what’s next for Deadly Viper? I’m not sure. I just hope it involves more lunches like the one I had last week discussing radical grace.

Posted by Mike Foster:

Some recently unearthed kung fu footage from Mount Dobong, South Korea - where a man eats molten lead.

Not a doughnut, Skittles, or a sandwich…BUT MOLTEN LEAD!

Plus some other cool kung fu stuff.

Extreme Kung Fu: Eating Molten Lead - The best video clips are right here

Posted by Mike Foster:

Caption please.

Posted by Mike Foster:

We have all done it. Their is a crash on the freeway and so we slow down, look at the accident, and then drive by.

No doubt we are fascinated by the wreckage on the side of the road and want to know what happened.

Rubbernecking happens in car accidents but it also happens when people/leaders crash and burn.

We gawk. We lean in to hear the juicy details. We devour the misfortune. And then drive right by.

People of the Second Chance are not looky lous and rubberneckers. Our call is to stop, stay a while, and try and help.

Posted by Mike Foster:

I watched Jon and Kate Plus 8 last night. My overwhelming feeling was sadness mixed with frustration.

So a lot of people are blaming the reality show as a reason for the divorce. The fame, fortune, and spotlight drove them to this.

Lots of examples of reality shows busting up marriages. Hogan Knows Best. Nick and Jessica(still bummed). Breaking Bonaduce. Till Death Do Us Part: Carmen and Dave. Meet The Barkers. and now….Jon and Kate Plus 8.

So is it reality tv’s fault? Is it a curse? Or were these marriages destined to fail anyways?