Lessons I’m Learning at 37

July 26, 2011 Leave a comment

I haven’t been active on my blog for several months, and wanted to take this opportunity to start things up again. I hope you will check back often as I post new material.

Life is a journey, and it never stops. In the words of the great philosopher Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” As I pause today for my 37th birthday, here are some things I’m learning about life:

1. Make friends where you can find them. There have been times when I’ve been hesitant to invest in a friendship because I didn’t have much in common with the person. But many of those people have turned out to be great friends who have been a real encouragement.

2. Let go of unrealistic expectations. Sometimes the idealistic dreams of our youth can set us up for disappointments later on. You can find real freedom when you let go of an idea, dream, job, or relationship that will probably never happen.

3. Trust God. At some point in my journey of faith I began to set aside my need to have every question about God resolved. We can’t fully understand God and how He works, and that’s OK. It’s incredibly refreshing to let go and step out with childlike faith and see the amazing things that happen.

4. Treasure the small things in life. The best moment of yesterday was when my 7-year old son made chocolate milk and brought it to me outside. It was a real gesture of love. Don’t miss the great little moments in life. Read more of this post

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Review of “The Noticer” by Andy Andrews

January 3, 2011 1 Comment

I received The Noticer through Thomas Nelson’s “BookSneeze” book review program for bloggers.  The title refers to an old man named Jones who interacts with the people of a small coastal town. He mysteriously appears at critical times in their lives to “notice” them and offer much-needed perspective on their difficult situations. Although The Noticer is a work of fiction, it’s really a parable designed to help the reader look for the broader, more hopeful perspective in their lives (and the lives of those around them). At 150 pages, it’s a quick, easy read that reminds us of the need to step back from difficult situations and see things from a different point of view.

It’s easy to dismiss these kinds of inspirational books as light and superficial, and to an extent that’s a valid criticism.  This is not great literature, and some of the dialogue and situations lean toward the corny side.  That being said, it’s important to remember that the point of a book like this is not the storytelling, it’s the message behind the story.  It’s really an extended parable.  The Noticer is an enjoyable read with several good points of application to help you “notice” the people around you.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze, a book review bloggers program from Thomas Nelson. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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David Crowder’s “SMS [Shine]” Video

November 18, 2010 Leave a comment

Here’s a fantastic video for “SMS [Shine]” from David Crowder Band’s Church Music album. This was all done with stop-motion photography. You may need to watch it a couple of times to catch the story. I love this kind of stuff!

For several short segments on how they made the video, search for “The making of “SMS [SHINE]” on youtube.

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Boasting in the Lord

November 7, 2010 Leave a comment

You can tell a person’s priorities by how they spend three things: their money, their time, and their words. The first two are not always evident if you don’t know someone well, but you can gauge what is important to someone pretty quickly through casual conversation. There are really only a few things that dominate a person’s life. Life is complicated, and we all have various commitments and responsibilities, but only a handful of things are truly important to each person. Through our words, we reveal what’s important to us. It’s impossible not to.

What sorts of things tend to come up in my conversations? There are only a few major things: my family, guitars and music, my work at SLCC, what books I’m reading, and what movies I’ve seen. Others may have different lists that include their cars or houses, how much money they make, who they’re dating, their titles or position, or other things (and people) that make them feel secure and important.

These are the areas where take pride, or “boast.” It’s where we find our identity.  In the academic world, it’s not uncommon for professors to take great pride in their degrees, publications and awards. Likewise, students get much of their identity through grades.

I was struck recently by how different all of this is from the words of Jeremiah:

Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.” (Jer. 9.23-24)

I hear all kinds of conversations that center around sports, music, culture, grades, accomplishments, family, health, and a thousand other things. But I can’t recall many conversations when someone “boasted” about understanding and knowing the Lord more intimately; where it was evident this was the driving priority of his or her life.

As we come out of a week where the headlines have been dominated by the loss and gain of political power, and as we will soon enter into the time of year when we are obsessed with giving and receiving material gifts, may we take to heart Paul’s words from 1 Cor. 1.31: “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Worship leader Paul Baloche has done a great job of capturing this thought in the song “I Will Boast.” Check it out on iTunes.

 

Filed under Life, Worship

Desiring God 2010 Conference Promo

July 30, 2010 2 Comments

For a long time I have appreciated the ministry of John Piper. He has produced an amazing number of books and resources over the years through his organization, Desiring God. It’s quite amazing that they make so many great resources available for free on their website. I’d encourage you to check it out.

Each year Desiring God hosts conferences, and the promo for their 2010 National Conference looks very cool. Not only do I love the topic, but I love the way it’s creatively presented. Hats off to the folks who brainstormed and created the promo video.

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A Fascinating Talk on Book Publishing by Seth Godin

July 28, 2010 Leave a comment

One of my favorite writers is the marketing guru Seth Godin. I read his book Tribes last year and it was great. He also updates his blog daily and it is nearly always thought-provoking and interesting. Although he focuses on topics related to business and marketing, his ideas have wide-ranging impact for all kinds of leaders, thinkers, writers, teachers and just about everyone else.

He recently gave a talk to the Independent Book Publishers, and has made an mp3 of the talk available at his blog. You can find a link to the mp3 via this blog post. Anyone who reads books, uses technology (especially an e-reader or iPad), or is involved in leadership, education or ministry at any level will find something interesting here. At least I did. Check it out.

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Reflections on My 36th Birthday

July 26, 2010 3 Comments

Today I turn 36 years old. To some reading this, I am still a young pup. To others, I’m an old geezer. But to me, I’m just where I’m supposed to be. I’m sort of a reflective person, so I wanted to share a few thoughts that best express where I am in my journey through life. These are in no certain order.

I am more aware of mortality. Not just mine, but of my parents’, friends, relatives and many others. The fact that we will all die eventually isn’t just a concept; it’s a concrete reality. It is hard to see people you love getting older, and sometimes getting sick.

I miss my childhood more. Lately I have been thinking about my childhood home a lot more, and watching home movies. I am very thankful for where and how I grew up, and I’m sad that I will never be able to return there. Sometimes when I go to bed I close my eyes and mentally walk through our old house, our yard and the woods I enjoyed as a kid.

I am less impressed with titles and positions. One of my most influential profs in college was a man we all called by his first name, and I have adopted that practice (at least with students who are comfortable with it). I feel that your influence comes from loving and helping people, and being a good teacher, not from some title or position you hold. At the same time, being a “Professor” does come in handy sometimes. :)

I am more convinced that attitude and character are what matter most. Students are usually concerned with getting good grades, but what matters more in ministry and life is having integrity, a good attitude and a servant’s heart. I am thankful that at our school we have some built-in ways to emphasize these qualities as well as academics.

I have fewer convictions, but the ones I do have are more firm. I still have opinions about lots of things, but getting older (and hopefully a little wiser) has helped me sort the essential from the non-essential issues. Part of being a mature person is knowing what issues you will die for, and which you can let go.

I am more family-oriented. Back in my 20′s I was a real workaholic and wanted to please everyone. These days, my greatest joy is being at home with my family. (If we can all be together at Steak-n-Shake, so much the better!) Read more of this post

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The Stereotypical Worship Leader

July 20, 2010 Leave a comment

How would you describe the typical artist/musician/worship leader? Aloof? A little strange? Disorganized? An “artsy type”? Even effeminate (only for the guys)? I’ve been involved in worship ministry for around 20 years and have heard all kinds of adjectives used to describe worship leaders. Much of the time it’s been negative. Some of this has been deserved, and I can think of a few worship leaders who have done their part to deserve criticism. (You might even want to check out this hilarious post from Stuff Christians Like, but keep your tongue firmly planted in your cheek.)

But when I think of the many worship leaders I’ve known over the years, the vast majority of them are hard-working, godly people who strive week-to-week to lead their congregations in effective worship. They are committed to their local churches and want to serve their pastor. They are talented, creative, and intelligent. Most of them are also able to preach and teach effectively.

Those creative impulses make artistic types a little different. But those same creative impulses gave us the Mona Lisa, the music of the Beatles, and the great Hagia Sophia. They also give energy and beauty to our worship.

Every ministry has its stereotypes, and those are probably true to an extent. But in my experience, the typical worship leader is a wonderful servant of Christ who sacrifices a lot of time and energy so you and I can worship together each weekend.

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Leadership Lessons from Apple’s iPhone 4 Gaffe, Part 2

July 18, 2010 2 Comments

I’d like to share a few more lessons from the recent story of Apple’s iPhone 4 saga. (You can also read Part 1 of this article.)

4. Respond from the facts, not from emotion. It would have been easy for Steve Jobs to get irate at all the bad press about Apple over the last few weeks. (He did seem a little annoyed at the press conference, I admit.) But instead of responding emotionally, he simply communicated the facts that painted a picture of a problem that affected a small number of people. He also went to great lengths to demonstrate that every smart phones has reception problems when held a certain way. Instead of getting upset and making matters worse, he delivered facts that helped put the problem into perspective.

When people complain to us (or about us) it’s easy to get upset and respond in anger. But if we look at the facts of an issue and communicate them in a calm, caring way, that can often neutralize the situation and come to a resolution. This implies that we need to first do our research and have our facts straight!

5. Be generous. In response to the issues with the iPhone’s antenna, Apple is offering free bumper cases to iPhone users. I don’t think anyone is under the impression that Apple has altruistic motives here – this is a move to maintain customer loyalty. The bottom line is a financial concern. Nevertheless, the company could have been much less generous in its response, perhaps only offering a discount on cases, or free cases to only certain customers. However, I like Apple’s loyalty to customers, which is also expressed through its “Genius Bar” area in the Apple stores.

Leaders should personify a generous spirit in both big and small ways.  The generosity of a group, organization or church is a direct reflection of its leadership. This is one of the reasons why I love my church, Harvester Christian Church (St. Charles, MO). Our former Senior Minister, Ben Merold, and the current leadership and staff are among the most generous and giving people I know. I believe this is one of the reasons why God has blessed our church with growth over the years. God blessed people who model a spirit of generosity. (In this case, Apple’s generosity comes from a financial motive, while Christian generosity comes from a spiritual motive.) Read more of this post

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Leadership Lessons from Apple’s iPhone 4 Gaffe, Part 1

July 17, 2010 4 Comments

For the last couple of weeks I have been following the much-publicized story of the iPhone 4′s antenna issue. (If you haven’t been following this, here is a story from July 15, and another from July 16.) What began as a minor story about some problems with the new iPhone’s antenna reception quickly grew into a public-relations nightmare. This was bad news for a company that prides itself on innovative products, customer service and a “cool factor” of 10. The saga has been an interesting study in leadership and crisis management. I have also enjoyed following it because I am looking forward to replacing my Blackberry with an iPhone when my Sprint contract is up later this year, and wanted to see how Apple would address this potentially troublesome issue.

Yesterday, Apple confronted the issue head-on by holding a press conference. You can find a direct link to the video here on Apple’s website. The video is a little over 30 min., but if you have the time, it’s pretty interesting.

Here are a few leadership lessons we can take away from Apple’s handling of this crisis:

1. Don’t be condescending. When the antenna issue first came to light less than a month ago, Steve Jobs’ response was basically, “You’re holding the phone the wrong way.” This seemed to be an arrogant and condescending reply to people who were experiencing real reception problems with a rather expensive phone. (It doesn’t help that many iPhone customers already have problems with their AT&T service.) Apple also pointed to a faulty formula they had been using to calculate signal strength. Neither of these explanations curtailed the public perception that Apple seemed annoyed by people pointing out a problem with their hallmark device.

When people point out legitimate problems that lie within our areas of responsibility, it only makes matters worse when we get annoyed and treat them as if they’re stupid. Especially if they’re paying good money for something we’re providing. Read more of this post

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