The End Of The World, As I Know It

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As a boy, whenever I would complain about anything, my Dad would always say, "Quit your bellyaching. It's not the end of the world." Guess what: He was right!

All my problems, changes, and inconveniences were not the end of the world back then. And they still aren't.

This is the week I leave my ministry in Maryland for my ministry in Florida. It is a huge change for me: I am going from a comfortable salary, to having to work a marketplace job. I am going from a large, established church to essentially a pioneer work. I am going from 10 years of familiarity, relationships, and influence, to a life of the unknown.

But it's not the end of the world.

Rather, it's what faith is: taking a risk and stepping out of the comfort of the familiar into the excitement of the unknown.

And it's not the end of the world! In fact, it's just the beginning.

My wife and I are in our mid-fifties. We should be settling down, slowing down, gearing down. Instead, we are embarking on an adventure of epic proportions.

No, it's not the end of the world: It's just the beginning!

Question: What has been the end of the world (as you know it), for you? Share your thoughts below in comments.

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Pitfalls Of Having An Impact

I got a lot of traction from my last post Doing A Good Job, Or Having An Impact. Not a lot of comment traffic, but an abundance of personal conversations with people whom I engaged through the reading of this Blog.

As I listened to other's thoughts, and reflected on my own in this area, one theme emerged: there are pitfalls to having an impact. Here are a few you might want to consider if you purpose to have an impact, and not just do a good job:

-You may have to change your way of thinking: Most people are comfortable with just doing a good job.

-You may be perceived as a non-conformist. Status quo still rules.

-You may be seen as "sucking up". It's true!

-You may have to take huge risks. That may cost you a lot.

-The opportunity for failure is always greater among those who take risks.

Oh, but having an impact is so worth it!

Question: What other pitfalls do you feel await those who desire to have an impact? Share your thoughts below in comments.

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Doing A Good Job, Or Having An Impact

All of us want it to be said that we do a good job. Nobody wants to hear that their performance is poor. Even if mediocrity is accepted, we'd rather excel.

But is doing a good job good enough? Are we satisfied with being in the top 15%? Is being recognized as one who outshines his peers satisfying?  Is "well done good and faithful servant" enough?

I have the feeling that although we desire to do a good job, we'd rather have an impact. Affect a life, create a niche, change your world.

Ask yourself: What can I do? Who can I affect? What is my destiny?

So what are you striving for? Doing a good job, or having an impact?

Question: Do you seek to do a good job, of do you purpose to have an impact? Share your thoughts below in comments.

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What I've Learned From My Two Lives

Well, this week it finally caught up with me: Living my Two Lives, in two different states, serving in two different ministries has become almost too much. (See my previous Blog posts: A Man Without A Home, and A Man Without A Home... Part 2.)

Now I am not throwing in the towel and giving up. The commute will come to an end at the end of this month. (Our last Sunday at Immanuel's Church in Maryland will be March 27th.) But frankly, I'm tired.

So what have I learned from my Two Lives:

-I'm not as young as I once was (I could drive 10 hours twice in one weekend to see my to-be-wife, and be ready for Monday morning class when I was in college).

-I'm better at maximizing my time (I can get a lot accomplished in a 2.5 hour flight with just my iPad and my creativity).

-My wife and children are worth every minute I can give them, because when they are not with me, I am less of a man.

-I miss the physical benefits and solitude of running (logistically it's just not possible right now - I am exercising a bit though).

-I have incredibly generous friends (I rotate between three families, staying at their homes when I am in Maryland).

-I don't miss television.

So there you have it: Living my Two Lives has not been a bad thing. It has served a purpose, and it has allowed me to serve my purpose.

Question: What have you learned from unusual seasons in your lives? Share your thoughts below in responses.

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Celebrating Your Uniqueness

I believe there is a lot to be said for uniqueness. There actually is a lot to be said about uniqueness. (I just Googled the word and the counter showed 10,900,000 results!)

My question is: Are you unique?

What about you sets you apart from everyone else? I'm not referring specifically to the size of your nose or your "bring-down-the-house" singing ability. But rather the total of all of your traits, talents, and travels; your looks, leanings, and likes; your creations, competencies, and character. (The creation of that last sentence is what makes me kind of unique!)

All of us are unique, in that we were created by the Creator in His image, yet he personally planned out everything about us. (See Psalm 139: 13-16 in the Bible for that.) Because of this, you (and I) are not only unique, but you're highlighted by your Creator. Called, set apart, chosen for something that only you can do.

So I say celebrate your uniqueness! You are the only you there is. Only you can do what you were set apart to do. Only you can fulfill your destiny!


Question: How are you unique, and what do you feel is the thing that only you can do? Share your thoughts below in responses.

(If you like this post, please re-post it or Twittter it to your followers. Follow me @Bigcloudmusic on Twitter if you find me interesting.)