1+1= Much More!

A couple of evenings ago, my wife and I took a short walk from our house to the shore of the "sound" (body of water running along the Florida panhandle separating the mainland from the island). There we sat in a couple of chairs in the sand at the water's edge, and watched the sun go down.

There was a fog/mist coming in from the Gulf of Mexico, and combined with the ever-changing colors of a Florida sunset, we had a 45 minute "piece of paradise".

We spent the time talking, being thankful, and sharing dreams. We also pointed out to each other things various we observed: She noticed the Purple Martins nesting in their house; I noticed the cloud patterns in the sky.

We ended the evening with a long walk, holding hands and talking some more. It was a glorious evening!

Later, as I was reflecting on our time, I was struck with this thought: As we sat and noticed things, what my wife saw was different from what I saw. But as we shared our observations with the other, together we saw much more than we would have seen alone.

That's the way it is with relationships: Together, people tend so see much more then they would see by themselves. Husbands & wives, friends, work teams, artistic collaborations.

I encourage you to value those you interact with. Allow them to see what you don't see, to observe what you might miss, to add to your vision. I promise, you'll see much more!

Question: When have you seen much more by collaborating with another? Share your thoughts below in comments.

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The Best vs. The Next

I recently had a conversation (spirited exchange) with a colleague on the subject of which musicians to use in our church's band. He said we ought to use the same "A" players every week. I countered with the idea that we should have rotating teams using a combination of the "A" players, and younger "B" players.

I understand his rationale: always have the very best in the most prominent place. But I am also driven to investing into, and giving opportunity to developing musicians. By exposing the "B" players to the "A" players, they gain valuable experience and mentoring.

Plus, the musician pool is larger, giving opportunity for players to be involved in other ministries. And, the likelihood for burnout because of overuse is lessened.

I'm sure there are many opinions on this. Have you got one?

Question: What are your thoughts on using developing musicians alongside of seasoned ones? Share your thoughts below in comments.

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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.

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Are You Living Your Dream?

Are you living your dream? Are you dreaming at all? Or are you simply dreaming to live, allowing life to go by while you try to keep up with it?

I had lunch with a friend last week, and as we talked he shared that he had built a bass guitar from scratch. No kit, not instructions. Just a hand-made creation that he brought to life from raw materials.

The more my friend described the process, the more animated he got. I quizzed him on time and material needs, on different finishing techniques, and on his ability to procure raw materials. The more he answered my questions, the more passionate he became.

I asked him, "If you could quit your job and build custom, hand-made bass guitars for a living, would you do it?" Absolutely, he replied.

Was it financially possible for him to do that? Not at the moment he said. Could you begin with this as a hobby that could evolve into a side business, that could eventually become a way to support his family. Perhaps, he conceded.

I encouraged him to press forward. Make another one. Show them off at trade shows, get a "player" to endorse him. Perhaps this could be an opportunity for my friend to live his dream.

Question: Are you living your dream, or are you dreaming to live? Share your thoughts below in responses.

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You Have Been Chosen

One of my favorite Bible Guys is Jeremiah. He did pretty cool stuff. He faced a lot of opposition but stayed strong. He showed incredible character. Even his name is cool. Say it out loud: Jeremiah.

One of the reasons I like him so much is found in the 1st chapter of his book in the Bible. It says that God told him, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

God had a plan for Jeremiah, even before he was born. He knew him, set him apart, and appointed him. He was chosen.

I believe that all of us are chosen. God know us, sets us apart, and appoints us. Some people chose their own way. Others fulfill their destiny.

You may think that some people are more chosen than others, looking at skills, talents, giftings, and opportunities. But if we believe that God is the great Creator, then He created all of us (you included) just like He wanted us to be.

So be what God has in mind for you to be. He knew you, He set you apart, and He appointed you. You were chosen!

Question: What are your thoughts about God choosing you? Share your thoughts below in responses.

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I Lost My Glasses

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This morning when I opened my backpack and took out my glasses case, it was empty. But I didn't panic.

I am a planner, a big picture visionary, and an adapter. One of my Clifton Strengthsfinder Themes is Strategic: ...creating alternative ways to proceed.

As a result, I have planned ahead and keep an extra pair of drugstore reading glasses in my desk just for situations like this.

Being strategic, I was able to quickly back-track my movements, and remembered the last time I had them on: swapping iPad app ideas with my host-for-the-week (I am a gypsy while in Maryland). I am sure I left them on his couch.

So no worries, all is good. I can see as I type this Blog post, I will make it through the day, and I will retrieve my glasses tonight.

But what happens as creatives when we "lose our glasses" and don't have a back-up plan? (No internet connection, floor monitor not on the correct side, slightly-off color paint, blue pen instead of black... you get the picture.)

Do we fuss, fret and become hard to be around. Or do we adapt and make the best of what we have?

Life is full of losing our glasses. In fact, most of go through every day and lose our glasses.

As for me, I am adapting to my contingent drugstore reading glasses. People in the office are asking me if when I started wearing glasses. The lenses are too strong and I am getting a headache. And they look really tacky. But, they work!

Question: How do you adapt when you "lose your glasses"? Share your thoughts below in responses.

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Creativity Amid Chaos

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Several weeks ago I posted Creativity Amid Distractions on this Blog. I know that we can usually find ourselves in a distracting environment.

Yesterday, I asked this question in a Twitter update: Can you be creative in the midst of chaos? Some of us are not simply being distracted, but we are in the midst of chaos: mothers taking care of multiple preschoolers, firefighters, families gathered in the emergency room, a person being released from their job.

Now you may be asking yourself, "Why would I want to be creative in the midst of chaos? I don't even know how to paint." I am not referring to artistic creativity, but rather to tapping into the creative capacity that all of us have been given.

Deep down inside each of us is an aptitude for creativity, to look at a situation and determine a better way of achieving a desired outcome.

Has your toddler climbed up into your baby's bed and fallen asleep? A couple of pillows on either side of a blanket on your bed may work in a pinch.

Downsized at your job? A kind word to your boss as you leave will go whole lot further on a recommendation letter than a word spoken in anger.

All of us are going to find ourselves in chaos. The question is will we continue to be creative?

Question: When you found yourself in a chaotic situation, how were you creative? Share your thoughts below in responses.

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