I have been in Haiti for the last two days. We’re heading home in a couple of hours.
I will post some video logs recorded along the way over the next couple of days. These will share some of the emotions and thoughts along the way. After the videos are posted, I will share what can be done to help here and ways to get involved.
As is true everywhere there is devastation and poverty, the issues are complex. However, there are simple things that can be done to make a difference. In the end, only God can bring the change to a nation. He will use ordinary people who are fully surrendered to Him to do it.
The photo below is of a cathedral destroyed by the earthquake January 12.
While I’m taking a break from blogging and plotting out the next several posts, here are some great reads elsewhere to check out:
- It’s hard for us to get on the same page with God about our future because the future we’re concerned about might not be the future God is living in. Or it is the future God is already living in and therefore has no anxiety over because He’s simultaneously there and every step that it takes to get there. (read the rest at Steven Furtick’s blog here)
- I have found during my most stressful times it is best if I just stop and focus on who God is…it’s a time when I set my requests aside and just seek HIM… I’ve made a list that helps me when I tend to freak out… (read the list at Perry Noble’s bog here)
- Everything I’ve ever done is laced with selfish ambition. Why? Because I’m not completely sanctified. If you want to go to the next level of leadership you need to allow God to crucify your selfish ambitions, but that is only half the equation. You also need God to intensify your godly ambitions. (read the rest at Mark Batterson’s blog here)
- Yes, indeed. Imagine actually doing your work—at work, rather than dragging it home to do in the evenings. (read the rest at Michael Hyatt’s blog here)
There you have it, four great reads for today.
I will be going to Haiti for a quick fact-finding trip in less than two weeks. If I haven’t posted before then, I will blog about the trip and the conditions and on-going relief work that is happening there.
These are great! Click the link at the bottom to see all 45…
Click here to see the full article and list.
Too many people see prayer as a formal ritual with hops that must be jumped through; too many formulas and models of prayer; too many rules; too much pressure.
Last night, my daughter came to the office with me a couple of hours before church. She wanted to be with daddy. We grabbed some food and sat at my desk eating. She chattered away the whole time. Truth be told, she didn’t say anything profound or life changing important. But it was what was on her mind and heart at the moment and she had the undivided attention of her daddy. So, she talked. I had many other things that could be done in that moment. There were lots of other voices I could listen to, but the one that mattered most was the one sitting across the desk because she is my daughter. It was a joy to hear her speak. It was a joy to give her my attention.
I believe God feels the same way. He is looking forward each day to us pulling up the chair and sitting with our Father chatting away about whatever is on our heart and mind at the moment. It brings Him joy.
“Do you have to have it now or can you wait?”
This was asked of me today regarding something I was ready to purchase. I could get one today, but not the one I was looking for, or I can wait a while and get the one I had planned. I am waiting. I’m not very good at waiting.
It’s probably a human trait, but is very much an American characteristic, we don’t like to wait. We want it (whatever “it” is) and we want it right now. Microwave ovens, the internet, cell phones, smart phones, and an abundance of other things are all designed to make something faster for us. As we rush about and strive for the next thing, anything that causes us to wait or slow down is the enemy: stop lights, stop signs, traffic, out of stock, slower speed limits, slow internet connection, etc.
I am reminded today that, often, it is best for us to wait. We need to wait before speak; wait before we react; wait before buy; wait before we judge. Yes, there are times for immediate action. Much of the time though, waiting is the right thing. So many regrets would have been avoided if we waited. Many things would be worked out before becoming an issue if we just wait.
So, here’s to slowing down and being a little less impatient.
I speak a lot about adding value to others. The more we give of ourselves and build others up, the more fulfilled our own lives become.
Today, I stopped by the drive-thru at White Castle. I know, not healthy etc., but I do like their chicken rings. Anyway, the lady working the drive-thru was an absolute joy. Here she is middle-aged working the day shift of a drive-thru of a fast food restaurant. In human terms she has no incentive to add value to people or her job. Yet, she does. She was full of energy and life. Her smile was genuine and large. She treated the interaction as one that was valuable and worthy of her best. She exceeded every expectation one would have of a fast food drive-thru experience. What is usually a mundane or forgettable experience became something worth mentioning. She added value to the moment.
Every day, in every interaction with another person we have a choice, add value or don’t. The world would be a much better place if we all chose to add value. Encourage. Respect. Listen. Care. Smile. Engage. Give. Make the most of every situation.
Ahhhhhhhhhh.
We had a great time away the last couple of weeks. Our family thoroughly enjoyed the time together to relax, see some interesting sites, and have fun.
The trip started in Washington D.C.; moved to Williamsburg, VA; and then to Emerald Isle, NC.
Along the way, we made a couple of stops to see friends and family.
Here’s a few more shots from our time away:
The night before Christmas, graduation, a new job, vacation, a wedding, moving, all of these have one thing in common – they breed anticipation. We get excited, we get nervous, we can’t hardly stand it when there is something right in front of us that we are looking forward to happening. Anticipation is a good thing. It brings us joy. It builds excitement. It motivates. It helps us focus on a goal or direction. There is one down side though. It can cause us to miss out on the now. We must be careful not to be looking forward to something that is ahead with such tunnel vision that we don’t see what is right around us. Flying is a very efficient and (generally) convenient way to travel. It gets us where we are going quickly. But, it misses out on the sites and experiences of a journey on the ground. In life, though, we need to be aware of our immediate surroundings and enjoy the whole journey instead of focusing only on the destination. Otherwise we will miss things taht are invaluable and timeless. We will miss memories and moments of significance. We will miss relationships and lose so much.
Let’s anticipate where we are going, yes, but let us not forget to enjoy the journey and process that gets us there.
Seth Godin calls it the “lizard brain.” It’s that voice inside that rises up and protests doing anything different. The one that feels threatened by a new direction or new idea. It’s the one that defends the status quo. Often, it employs the slippery slope argument to protect its position. The argument that says if we make this change or take this chance it is only a matter of time before the sky falls and civilization as we know it comes crashing down. OK, that might be a bit extreme, but I have heard some put that kind of fear into their arguments.
While using fear can be an effective tactic for debate or to “win the day,” it is dangerous.
Fear keeps us from being able to properly discuss the issue at hand because it causes us to bring up other things to help us pass along that fear to others. Fear likes company. It hates being alone. It’s fear that causes companies and organizations to take 20 years to change. In the world and time we live in today, that is too long. We don’t often have the luxury of that kind of time to wait for everyone to get over the fear and catch up.
The ironic truth is that fear is the real slippery slope. When fear directs the decisions, the worst case scenario becomes a self-fulfilling reality. When the lizard brain wins the people and organization loses. Fear might allow for a seeming short-term victory, but it leads to long-term failure.
Yes, we must look ahead, calculate risks, and use wisdom and experience. But, we must not make “wisdom” the scapegoat of fear. Change is natural and necessary. Progress demands it. Growth requires it. There is always a better way to do something, a more effective tactic, a different perspective. When fear rules, these are silenced and ignored. Eventually, when fear rules the organization becomes irrelevant and obsolete.
Would love to hear your thoughts or even stories of when you have seen fear hinder an organization…
Today is Memorial Day. A day of remembrance. So many have given so much that we may enjoy the life and freedoms we have in America. It really doesn’t matter what a person’s politics are or how they feel about the war or military, everyone citizen and resident of America should feel a sense of gratitude for the men and women of the armed forces today. Even if you disagree with war and military action, you have that right to think and speak your mind freely because of others.
America is not perfect. She has her flaws. There are times when our country takes a wrong position. Regardless of any of this, our military personnel past, present, and future deserve honor for standing in harm’s way on our behalf.
Today we remember those who fought and died. Today we honor those who served. Today we thank those who currently wear the uniform.
Here is a video we showed in our services Sunday honoring those who have and continue to protect the freedoms we enjoy.
All gave some. Some gave all.
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