Angry Clouds

What do you see when you look at this picture? Do you see the mountains, or the water, or the clouds? Maybe you see the snow on the mountains, or maybe the ice in the water. I guess it all depends on our perspective.

I have a friend and colleague who says that everyone has their own version of reality. If we would think about that statement, I'm sure we would agree.

We normally see things through our own "perspective" or "filter. If we are seeking to see things from another's point of view, we try to see things from their perspective.

Sometimes we simply see things the way we want them to be.

When I look at the picture, I see angry clouds. Now you may not consider these clouds to be angry, but as I interpret this picture, they are angry. Does this make me right or wrong? Does this make me good or bad?

Often when we don't agree with another person's perspective on something, we judge them. We think they are wrong and we are right. What we must remember is that it is "their perspective". Not ours. Maybe we ought to try and see it from their perspective. Maybe we could use a little balance in our lives.

This could go a long way in help us relate to our spouses, our children, our friends and even strangers.

Angry clouds? Maybe not for you. But for me today, maybe.

Sleeping and Dreaming

I think there are some differences between sleepers and dreamers. Here are a few:

A sleeper closes his eyes; A dreamer sees beyond the visible.

A sleeper lies in one place; a dreamer soars.

A sleeper uses a pillow and a blanket; A dreamer uses his heart and his imagination.

A sleeper sounds like this: "zzzzzzzzz"; A dreamer sounds like this: "hmmmmmmmm".

A sleeper revitalizes his body; A dreamer invigorates his mind.

A sleeper sleeps in darkness; A dreamer dreams in color.

A sleeper wakes up ready to face the world; A dreamer wakes the passion within him.

Are you a sleeper? I encourage you to wake up and dream!

What Do You Discuss?

Admiral Hyman Rickover, known as the Father of the Nuclear Navy is quoted as saying, "Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people." Hmmmmm.

Listen to practically any conversation and it falls in one of the three categories listed above. And if I had to do a quick survey based on personal experience, I'd say that a vast number of conversations that I have heard or joined have been about people or events.

It's a mirror of our society. Idea Magazine won't be found on many racks for sale, but at practically every checkout register in practically every grocery store in America you'll find People Magazine. Sad commentary.

It is not often that ideas are discussed. It's easy to discuss people or events because well, it's easy. Ideas cause us to think, to reason, to create and even to disagree. Sometimes our Christian culture discourages disagreement. But I say share your idea, even if it is contrary to what is being offered.

So here's my question today: "What do you discuss?"

Too Much Nudging?

In response to the appreciated anonymous comment on my previous post:

I know exactly how you feel when it comes to asking God for a glimpse (or a full set of plans) of what He has laid out for us. I am a fifty-year-old father of three (one still in high school), seeking to pay my bills, put some money away for retirement and have a significant impact on the world. Do I want my world turned upside-down? Am I really willing to ask God to really speak to me?

Then I think about Abraham, Moses, Paul, the Disciples and even contemporaries who heard from God and completely re-vamped their lives.

Yes, we all pray "Lord, I want to hear from you", but are any of us really willing to "hear" from Him? When Peter put his net out on the other side of the boat (deep water) after having fished all night and caught nothing, he was saying, "Whatever you have for me Lord, I choose to do it - even BEFORE I know what it is." Now to me that is faith: fishing in unknown water, listening to a carpenter tell him where the fish are, catching the fish and then giving it all up and following Jesus.

So if I nudge too much, I apologize. But I do hold my ground when I say pursue your dreams, ignite your passions, and get in on what God is doing, using the gifts He has given you.

Old Friend, New Passion

Today, I met up with a friend whom I hadn't seen for a year. He is from South Africa, and is passing through the area on his way to work at a camp in the Midwest. We caught up on the "regular stuff", but then I proceeded to ask him about what was really happening in his life.

He began to tell me about a passion that he has had since he was a child: to make movies. Although he had been involved in Youth Ministry for the past year, he knew it was time to get back to his first love. And get back he has!

After working with a large broadcast network in South Africa and gaining valuable experience, he has stepped out on his own and formed his own production company. Already he has completed a large project for distribution and the contractor has ordered two sequels, with a possibility of a production in the Middle East after that.

What captured me the most was not that he had accomplished so much in a short period of time, but rather that he was so full of excitement and life as he related how his life had "fallen into place every step of the way". What he was sharing was not a story, but rather a journey.

I put my hand on his shoulder and encouraged him to continue to pursue his dreams, to fulfill his calling and to be courageous. I reminded him that a life of faith is a life of living one step at a time, as God reveals His plan to us as we walk it out daily.

And I prayed for him. I prayed that not only would his art be seen in his work, but also his heartbeat would be felt.

I came away from that meeting encouraged. I was encouraged because I saw a friend who was using his creativity and gifting to passionately live out his life and fulfill what he was created to be.

Say It!

Today at a staff meeting I shared with our team my weekly Leadership Minute, where I seek to give a quick encouragement that will help us become better leaders. This week I spoke on Communicating Clearly: Making sure what is said is what is heard.

Many times I find that good communication is sacrificed for verbiage, and the message is lost in the words. Let's face it: many people like to hear themselves talk. And their talking isn't always communicating.

So what do we do? I suggest that we consider our audience. Ask, Who am I seeking to communicate with, rather than what am I seeking to communicate? Remember, our goal is communication, rather than simply sounding good.

Also, careful word choice will always produce better results than using choice words. Think about what you are saying. Don't just say what you are thinking.

Bottom line: It’s not what you said that matters, but it’s what the other person understood that makes for successful communication.

Follow The Leader

The headline this morning reads, "Steven Spielberg endorses Hillary Clinton". Spielberg is quoted as saying, "I've taken the time to familiarize myself with the impressive field of Democratic candidates and am convinced that Hillary Clinton is the most qualified candidate to lead us from her first day in the White House."

Now this is not about Hillary Clinton, but rather about Steven Spielberg. I know you will agree with me that he is a brilliant filmmaker who not only has proven himself with commercial success, but also with artistic achievement.

My question is this: How does impressive film making and commercial success qualify someone to give a public opinion about something that is not in his area of expertise? Isn't the guy who works in the warehouse across town and has himself taken the time to familiarize myself with the impressive field of Democratic candidates just as qualified to have a political opinion?

The list is endless: Tom Cruise talks about psychiatry, Oprah Winfrey recommends a book, and Ludacris tells Pepsi "what to do" in a song lyric.

And because a person is perceived as "successful", we hold on to every word they say and make our decisions based on their opinions.

Well, that's my opinion. Do what you want with it.

Off to Jail

The headlines read, "Paris Goes To Prison", and "Hilton Heads For Jail." The Monday morning media obsessed with the fact that Paris Hilton began her 23 day sentence. And we all watched with great interest. Once again our society turned its attention to an event that involved a person who has really no bearing in the larger scheme of things.

This past Sunday our church ordained five people as ministers. These five are already involved in ministries that are affecting the world. Part of our ordination process is to take the hands of the person and tie a rope around their wrists, symbolizing that they are bond servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. It's a pretty cool event!

As we were tying the wrists, one man who many years ago had been arrested remarked to me, "The last time I did this it was for something I did wrong. Now I am doing something right." Imagine that!

What Do You See?

When you look at the image here, what do you see? Do you see the flower? Do you see the hands? Do you see a flower presented by hands? Or maybe "growing" from the hands?

Often when we look at a picture, we may see differently than another might see while looking at the same picture. It's all about perception and interpretation.

The same is true when we look at people. One may see a homeless man as a nuisance or potential threat. Another may see him as someone in need. A third person may see him as someone who is one break away from "making it".

The next time you see someone and form an opinion about them, ask yourself why you are interpreting him or her the way you are. Do you see a problem or potential? Do you see beauty or ugliness? Do you see a bother or a blessing?

The Heart of a Creator

Do you have the heart of a creator? When you see something that is "bigger than you", do you stand in wonder and awe? When you encounter a problem or setback, do you begin to consider solutions? When you get a profound thought do you "insert it in a story", put it to music, or perhaps visualize it in color?

I believe that everyone of us is given the heart of a creator. Some express it easily. Others need a bit of encouragement. So, let me encourage you.

Look deep inside your heart and see if there is an eagle waiting to soar, or maybe a gazelle itching to run. Sometimes we are so busy living "life" that we neglect being who we were created and designed to be. Understandably, we have responsibilities that demand our time and attention. And we would be negligent if we laid those aside to be "creative". (Even the Word of God has something to say about that.)

But our creativity can be used to adjust our schedules so we have time to pursue those deep things within our heart. Can you carve out 30 minutes a day to "run"? Are you able to stop doing something else so you have some time to "soar"?

Can you "create" while you do other tasks which don't use creative side of your brain? (There are seasons when we can only do the essentials - which take up all of our time. But those seasons emerge into new seasons with "time".)

Look into your heart, the heart of a creator!

I Miss It!

A musician I know had the opportunity to play in a band this past weekend. He hadn't played for about two years, and he jumped right in with passion. His chops might have been a bit rusty, but it didn't show.

Afterwards in a discussion, he conceded that he really enjoyed himself. He said he missed playing, and went on to describe a renewed desire to pursue his music.

I love stories like that. To hear a person describe the joy he or she gets from doing what they were designed to do, exercising the gifts that they have been given, and pursuing a passion that drives their soul.

What about you? Is there something that you are taking a "break" from, something that you have been gifted and "called" to do that you are not doing right now? Are you avoiding expressing what is deep in your heart. Are you missing out on fulfilling what you were created to do?

Thank about it. Do you "miss it"?