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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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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How to Get the Most Out of Your Reading

May 22, 2010 Leave a comment

I’m continuing with the theme of reading from earlier this week. (You can check out my summer reading list, Part 1 and Part 2.) Over the years I have tried to stick with several principles to help get the most out of my non-fiction reading. (I don’t read a lot of fiction.) You may find one or more of these helpful. I also invite you to add your own thoughts in the comments section.

  • Read with a pen in hand. I underline, write question marks, and make notes as I read, then go back and review what I’ve highlighted when a book is finished. I very rarely read borrowed books; I almost always buy a copy (used if possible) so that I can write in it and make it my own.
  • “Pre-read” the text. This is a speed-reading technique where you quickly scan the layout of a book before reading it in-depth. Within less than five minutes you can scan a non-fiction book and tell if it’s worth your time. You can also scan headings within a chapter. This is a quick way to get familiar with the contents before diving in.
  • Use a “regulator” to increase your reading speed. I often use my finger or a pen to go down a page, line by line, as I read sentences. Your eyes follow your finger (or pen), and you have less eye strain as a result. It’s a grade-school technique, but still very useful. (If you’re worried about how you’ll appear to other people, just remember that you will be reading and retaining more information than them.)
  • Keep notes on good quotations or illustrations. I heard about this technique from John Maxwell and have adapted it for my own use. After reading a book, I scan through it again and write down the page number and topic for material I want to file. I usually write the topic and the page number of the quote in the back of the book. Then I have someone copy those pages and file them accordingly. For example, when I read a book of quotations from Disney, I marked and filed several dozen great quotations on a variety of topics.
  • Most important: Take a book with you wherever you go. I have literally taken a book to a Cardinals ballgame, to Six Flags (to my wife’s embarrassment) and just about everywhere else. You would be amazed at how much reading you can do in the spare moments waiting for things to happen. Last year I went to the DMV to renew my license plates, knowing I would be waiting for about an hour. There were several dozen people in the area, and they were all staring at the wall or playing with their phones. But I got about an hour’s worth of reading done that day.

As the saying goes, “Leaders are readers.” One of the best ways to grow in your personal and professional life is to read good books. You may want to check out this great post by Michael Hyatt (CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers), entitled “In Defense of Books.”

Questions: What other tips for effective reading can you share? Have I missed anything?

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My Summer Reading List, Part 2

May 19, 2010 1 Comment

Yesterday I posted Part 1 of my summer reading list. Here is Part Deux.

A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn, and A Patriot’s History of the Unites States by Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen. People’s History is from a liberal viewpoint, and Patriot’s History from the conservative side. I’m working through both at the same time, getting a different take on each period of U. S. History. I hope to finish these this year.

Every Man’s Marriage by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker, and Hedges by Jerry Jenkins. My marriage is important to me, and I need to grow in my ability to love Melanie as Christ loved the Church. If you want to grow in leadership, ministry, music, or whatever, you need to read. Marriage shouldn’t be any different. Plus, I have personally known enough Christian leaders who have done really stupid things with their lives and marriages, and it has scared me into being more pro-active about keeping my marriage healthy. (And that’s a good thing.)

Culture Making by Andy Crouch. The sub-title is, “Recovering Our Creative Calling.” I’ve chosen this as a required text for my Introduction to the Arts classes this fall. I want students to understand how the Church can make a difference in culture through the arts. (I figure I should read the required texts also!)

Everyone Communicates, Few Connect by John Maxwell. Maxwell’s stuff is usually good and this one looks like a real winner. Who couldn’t use some help connecting with others? Plus, they included my picture on the inside cover, so I’m “connected” to the book.

How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler and Charles Van Doren. This is the classic work on getting the most out of your reading. I’ve read snippets of it, but need to go through the whole thing. As much as I read, this can only be helpful.

Linchpin by Seth Godin. I read Seth’s blog every day, and I loved Tribes and The Dip. Looking forward to this one that came out earlier this year.

Questions: What books do you plan to read this summer? If you have read any of these books, what did you think?

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My Summer Reading List, Part 1

May 18, 2010 3 Comments

It’s that time of year again–time to decide how I will spend my reading time this summer. I read all year round, of course, but summer is a special time to get a good deal of reading done because of my unique teaching schedule. As usual, this is kind of an eclectic list. I have included links to Amazon so you can check out any books that pique your interest.

Worship Words by Debra & Ron Riestra. This is a book on how we use language in worship. This was an assigned book for a get-together of graduates from the Worship Studies program at Lincoln Christian University. It’s not a book I would have necessarily chosen, but it’s been very insightful so far.

The Noticer by Andy Andrews. I received this from Thomas Nelson’s Booksneeze program and need to post a review. I’ve heard great things about the book.

You Haven’t Taught Until They Have Learned by Swen Nater and Ronald Gallimore, and A Brief Guide for Teaching Millennial Learners by J. Bradley Garner. Each year I try to read some things that will help my classroom teaching. The first book is all about Coach John Wooden’s principles of teaching, and the second is about how the current generation of college students learn. Both are fairly short and look great. (The link to the Wooden book is for a new edition, but there is no publication date listed. I would recommend the first edition if you can get it.)

On the Incarnation by St. Athanasius. A little early church theology is good for the soul. The introduction by C. S. Lewis is absolutely phenomenal.

Batman: The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale. This is one of the greatest Batman graphic novels. I read it a few years ago and plan to revisit it. I love a good story told visually. Plus, you just need to have some fun once in a while.

The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley and William Danko. I’ve heard Dave Ramsey talk about this one for years, and now would be a good time to read it.

Worship Matters by Bob Kauflin. I’m using this for a required text for a worship leading class this fall. This is probably the most balanced yet thorough book on worship leading I have seen in a while.

Check back tomorrow for Part 2!

Questions: What books do you plan to read this summer? If you have read any of these books, what did you think?

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Learning from Leonardo

September 22, 2009 2 Comments

382px-Leonardo_selfEach fall when I teach Introduction to the Arts, my interest in the arts is renewed. I once heard a good piece of advice from a fellow teacher: every time he teaches a course he tries to read a new book related to the subject. I haven’t always followed that advice, but this semester I am having more fun than ever revising a couple of my courses and digging into related topics. I picked up a short biography of Leonardo da Vinci a few days ago and am enjoying learning some new information about his life and art.

One of the most intriguing aspects of da Vinci’s life is his incredibly wide range of interests. Although we think of him mostly as a painter and designer, he was also fascinated with biology, optometrics, mathematics, architecture, sculpture, medicine, flight, music, warfare, city planning, and a host of other fields. He was the original “Renaissance Man,” making contributions in a wide variety of fields. For instance, he dissected cadavers to learn more about the human body so he could portray is more accurately in his artwork.

This seems to be the opposite approach we encourage today. In order to be successful, common wisdom says, we have to specialize in one area and rise to the top of our field. There is surely something to be said for choosing area where we’re gifted and sticking with our strengths. However, I think it’s also wise to read widely and learn about a variety of things. This is called “cross-fertilization,” and I believe it’s one of the keys to Leonardo’s originality and genius. He gained fresh insights and creative ideas from exposing himself to a variety of seemingly unrelated fields of study. Then within those fields he found information and ideas he could apply to other areas. His main areas were painting, geometry, architecture and the like, but he was not afraid to be curious and learn from any source possible.

Have we lost our curiosity and drive to expose ourselves to new ways of thinking? Have we learned all there is to know? We literally have the information of the world at our fingertips, but we have only scratched the surface of what is possible. What is something new you will learn this week?

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Mind Your Worship (Part 2)

August 4, 2009 Leave a comment

bibleInfo003In the last post I mentioned Romans 12.1-2 and how Paul emphasizes the mind in the process of worship. This brings to mind the importance of what we’re feeding our minds. The mind is like a muscle that we must exercise if we want to see growth. Our bodies become flabby, tired and lazy if we don’t give them regular exercise. The same thing happens to our minds. And there are many Christians out there with flabby minds!

First, we must put good things into our minds. This includes God’s Word, good books that stimulate and stretch our thinking, good teaching and conversation, and other things that will help our minds grow strong and healthy. For example, this week I’m looking forward to meeting with a mentor (a minister from an area church) who helps me grow in my devotion to Jesus. I meet with him periodically to challenge my thinking and keep me accountable. This is good for both my mind and my soul. (But maybe not my body, since we always eat at Cracker Barrell!)

Second, we have to keep the bad stuff out of our minds. There is an immense amount of potentially negative input that can go into our minds on a daily basis. We are surrounded by media all the time that subtly (and not-so-subtly) affects our thinking. We wouldn’t dream of eating candy bars all day and expect to stay trim and healthy, yet we fill our minds with the equivalent of junk food every day and don’t give it a second thought.

If the key to worship is the mind, we need to really pay attention to what we’re putting in, and what we’re keeping out.

Filed under Leadership, Life, Personal Growth, Uncategorized, Worship

Thoughts on Personal Growth

July 23, 2009 Leave a comment

The boy observes cultivation of a young plant.I’m doing something a little different this year. Normally I have taken some time over Christmas break (between semesters) to reflect over the past year and think through goals for the coming year. But I’ve changed the timing of this to reflect the school year, and am trying to go through the process in the summer. This more naturally reflects the ebb and flow of my life these days. At the moment I’m thinking through specific goals over the next year in relation to various areas of my life. But I’m also thinking through where I want to be by the time I’m 40, which will happen in July 2014. I’ve never really considered thinking about goals five years away, but I keep coming back to the saying, “If you aim at nothing you’ll hit it every time.”

Most people never think of terms of how they want to grow as a person. They have no set plan to help guide them. I have news for you: growth in your life rarely happens automatically. In fact, the normal state of life is to be stagnant. Experience can be greatly overrated. Only evaluated experience means anything. You may hear, “So and so has 20 years experience in their job.” They may have 20 years’ experience, or they may have had 1 years’ worth of experience 20 times. It all depends whether they have grown from what they’ve experienced.

I am really amazed at how many people go through life and make no effort at learning or growing. I take a book with me everywhere I go and often listen to teaching and sermon material while driving or jogging. There is no reason for being stagnant in your mental and spiritual growth even with a busy schedule. Case in point: a couple of weeks ago I went to the DMV to renew the license plate for my truck. You can always count on waiting at least 45 minutes here. I went in, took a number and sat down. There were at least 30 people ahead of me, and as I looked around the room, not one single person was reading a book! They were all sitting there, looking around impatiently, staring at the ceiling or playing with their phone. What a colossal waste of precious time. I was happy to sit there for a little while and get some reading done. You can easily read and learn in those little pockets of time each day.

Personal growth does not happen automatically. Stagnation, however, does. If you want to grow and learn, you have to be intentional about it. We all have 24 hours a day — the question is, what are you doing with those hours?

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The Best Decision I Made This Year

July 22, 2009 3 Comments

bibleHere is a snippet from a fantastic article by Mark Batterson, from the Catalyst online magazine. The article is called “The Best Decision I Made This Year.” The “decision” was to read through the Bible this year.

“One of the common complaints people make when leaving a church is this: I’m not being fed.  As a preacher, my goal is to nourish our congregation via a well-rounded diet of sermons. And I try to preach every sermon like it’s my last, but let me push back.  My kids learned to feed themselves when they were toddlers.  If you’re not being fed, that’s your fault.  I’m afraid we’ve unintentionally fostered a subtle form of spiritual codependency in our churches.  It is so easy to let others take responsibility for what should be our responsibility. So we let our pastors study the Bible for us.  Here’s a news flash: the Bible was unchained from the pulpit nearly five hundred years ago during an era of history called the Middle Ages.

If you are relying on a preacher to be fed, I fear for you.  Listening to a sermon is second-hand knowledge.  It is learning based on someone else’s words or experiences. A sermon is no replacement for first-hand knowledge.  You’ve got to see it and hear it and experience it for yourself.  It’s not enough to hear the truth. You have to own it. Or more accurately, it has to own you. Honestly, I’d rather have people hear one word from the Lord than a thousand of my sermons.  And that happens when you open your Bible and start reading.”

Great stuff. Thanks, Mark!

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