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.

1 Comment »

1. Awesome!! So true!! The world is dying to find someone who will extend some grace and give a second chance!! The world is no longer impressed by perfection but by amazing grace!

   Comment by nadine.w - Jun 18, 2009 @ 09:05 PM

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