altonleewebb.com

Inspiring Times

So glad to spend this week meeting some new friends from the Shelby Disability Resource Center and some folks fighting drug addiction through a local program called Christians against Drugs. 

The Shelby Disability Resource Center is a great organization that gives local people who have disabilities a chance to earn a living and contribute in real ways to our local economy.  I met a new friend while eating pizza named Randall. After he opened some presents, he downloaded me on any & all UK basketball stats.  We laughed and smiled while I quizzed him.  Knowing more then I do on the topic, he then proceeded to beat me in a game of pool.  I hope to visit with him and the folks again soon...But next time, I'll be practiced up!

Today I spoke to and hung out with folks going through the local drug court program @ a lunch sponsored by Christians Against Drugs.  I was so blessed to be there with them.  Their transparency and willingness to take on these tough addictions was inspiring.  We talked about how none of us our perfect and how Christmas is the time to celebrate the perfect nature of our Lord Jesus...We celebrated that He covers all our imperfections with His sacrificial blood.  Now, since we are free in Him, we experience a love that trumps legalism & compels us to love God, love others, & serve our community. 

This continues to be such a great & new adventure.  I'm loving these experiences - God is showing & teaching me & Rachel much.  Praise Him. 

CATS go for 2000 All-Time Wins Tonight!

For Kentucky Basketball Sucess = Change

Kentucky Basketball is getting closer to being the first program to win 2000 Basketball games.  An amazing feat for the greatest tradition in college basketball history.  How are they doing it?  Here's a thought... 

When Coach Rupp took over the program no team could keep up with the style they played.  Up and down the court - Talented players from KY who played tough defense and practiced precise fundamentals.  4 Titles.  The game was ready for a change and Coach Rupp knew it.    

In the late 80's Rick Pitino comes in, recruits a big name player named Jamal Mashburn from New York and puts KY boys with tons of heart & talented shooting around him - What a perfect combination for the fan base.  The games are electric.  Coach Pitino knew that the three pointer would become a thrilling game & program changer.

The last two years things did not go well.  The program was in jeopardy of extended mediocrity & falling behind other schools in "all-time" wins.  UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhardt & UK President Lee Todd knew the program needed a change.  They find Coach Cal who starts these CATS off 10-0.  How?  Coach Cal is a change agent.  He introduces a new dribble drive offense, frees the players, & unleashes their talents...He's able to sell the product to top ranked recruits.  They come to he Commonwealth and here we are...Gonna be first to 2000 wins.  These gentlemen knew the program was hungry for a change and the nation was ready for it too.  Looks like he might have something special this year.

Common denominator?  Forget status quo. Seek the right timing & opportunity to promote change.

 

Five Year End Options

This time of year in the real estate market you have at least five options...

1. Work like crazy to finish the deal that must close before year end.
2. Deliver Christmas baskets & wreaths to let your clients know how much you really appreciate them. (As if you shouldn't be doing this already)
3. Squeeze your Christmas shopping between appointments.
4. Read about the market expectations & projections.
5. Develop a plan for a strong start in 2010.

As for me, I'm trying to do all these things.  Tis the season!

Our New Adventure - An Update

As yall probably know, my family is a part of a recently formed ministry in town following God's call to launch a new church in our community.  For the last three months we've been meeting on Sunday afternoons together to connect, pray, learn from God's word, serve, & share a meal.  It's been an exhilarating experience.

Today our launch team prayed and talked about Matthew 9:35-38... 

"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

We had great round-table discussion marveling at the pure & true compassion Jesus has for those who are harassed and helpless.  Those without the good shepherd.  A shepherd that knows us by name. We talked about the incredible need to pray.  We asked, "How we might be further compelled to authentically love God, people, and our community?" 

Then we saw how God was working in our community through 2 real life examples...Lee Bean who initiated & leads the effort for the newly established men's homeless shelter and Fred Moffat who is the interim pastor of a downtown church that feeds and helps folks 5 days a week.  All of us are emboldened by the willingness of these men & their organizations.

Each Sunday our team has shown a growing heart for Jesus and a desire to follow His teachings more deeply.  Rachel and me remain extremely honored and challenged to be on this journey with such cooperative people that truly want to see our city transformed.  I'm very proud that we've also finished our first service project this weekend (see here) and look forward to many more.  Our special thanks to those who are praying and cheering us forward.  Be encouraged as we are in Christ. 

College Sports in 5

1 - Some Alabama fans resented me picking Florida to win the SEC Championship.  Actually, I'm glad Bama won, its time for a change.  Just couldn't go against Tebow - Thought he wouldn't let the Gators lose. Roll Tide!   

2 - John Wall, John Wall. John Wall. Watch this.

3 - Gotta give Head Coach Rich Brooks @ KY some credit - I was one of the fans who wanted to see him gone, but he made me & many others eat crow. Four straight seasons to bowl games and hopefully four straight wins.  Randall Cobb. Randall Cobb. Randall Cobb. 

4 - Big game tonight for the CATS vs. Uconn in Madison Square Garden.  Cats by 3 in a squeaker.

5 - Louisville hired a terrific football coach today - A huge get & real steal - Charlie Strong.  Solid choice.   

Alton

I'm proud to be named for my father, Alton.  A unique name, most people have trouble pronouncing it...For the record, its not AL - ten...It's AHH - ten...It least that's the way we like it here in the south.  According to this site,Alton is an English name and its meaning is "Old Town."  Not a very appealing origination, but who cares. 

As you may know, we also named our businesses after our first name - Alton Webb & Associates.

Growing up, I never knew another Alton, well except for Alton Lister (A former NBA 7 footer.) I didn't mention that to folks because the sole play I can remember from his career was getting dunked on by Shawn Kemp...See below video...

In this way, Mr. Lister and I have much in common - I am accustomed to getting dunked on with a height of 5'8", but at least with share a name to be proud of.  If you have an Alton story, please pass it along...Love to hear it!   

Chan on the Bible Belt

Big Game Saturday

Today the top two college basketball teams in history take the floor.  Of course, I'll be pullin for the Big Blue.  My prediction:  Cats by 5.  Then, tonight the battle for the SEC Championship...Just can't see Tebow losing...Gotta go with the Gators over Bama 31-24.  Say you?

The last minutes of Continuing Ed...

Are you in a profession that requires continuing education like me? That was my day & Boy is it a struggle to endure an entire day of lecture, power point & fake quizzes...How did I ever make it through college?

The best part of these sessions is towards the end.  By this time, each licensee has set through 5-6 grueling hours of emotions ranging from utter boredom to distant daydreaming...Then, the laughing starts.  Like hysterical prisoners unable to use our IPhones & Blackberry's we start freaking out...This is especially tough for real estate folks - for us, the abrupt human shaking commences after 29 minutes without our phone/email device.

It starts to happen - the last minutes of continuing ed are the best...The guy next to me falls asleep & is snoring.  The intellectual next to him is just about to finish today's crossword puzzle - aloud.  The lady next to him is laughing for no reason.  The good student is distracted.  Something smells really bad. The guy in the front row is responding to email directly in front of the teacher, when the teacher asks him to stop, he does momentarily, then quickly finshes when the teacher turns his head...as if to say to the teacher/mall rentacop, "I'm not scared of you.  Really, what can you do to me?" 

Even though these days are long, hang in there...  The misery is about to conclude & the excitement is worth the wait.  The clock signals the day is over & the gallery rushes out like NASCAR drivers utilizing every exit to clear the building, cell phones lit up, & cars practically ram each other trying desperately to vacate the premises.  The last minutes are over & we couldn't be happier!