Thanksgiving And Black Friday

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It's an interesting phenomenon: Families gather, some traveling many miles. Great feasts are prepared. Family members share what they are thankful for. Heartfelt prayers of thanks are offered. It's Thanksgiving Day!

Another interesting phenomenon: People gather early, some traveling many miles. Great pains are taken in preparation. Selfish people elbow their way down the aisles. Heartfelt shouts of anger are offered. It's Black Friday!

What binds these two days together? People.

Many times it's the same people who offer prayers to God on Thursday thanking Him for what they have, are taking great pains (sometimes to others) on Friday to get more stuff.

Think about that...

Question: What will you do this Black Friday to demonstrate that you are still thankful from Thursday? Share your thoughts below in 'comments'.

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From Dreaming To A Dream

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From Today's Word devotional:

It doesn’t take much effort to let your mind drift and dream. But it takes great effort to set your mind to the task of developing a clear goal, of having a clear and compelling dream.

One leader says: For me the whole process begins with questions I must ask myself. The dream is always rooted in the dreamer, in his or her experiences, circumstances, talents, and opportunities. I ask:

• What am I feeling - what are my emotions telling me?
• What am I sensing? - what is my intuition telling me?
• What am I seeing? - what is happening around me?
• What am I hearing? - what are others saying?
• What am I thinking? - what do my intellect and common sense say?

A clear picture may come to you all at once, in lightning-bolt fashion, but for most people it doesn’t work that way. Most people need to keep working at it, clarifying it, redrawing it. If the process is difficult, that’s no reason to give up. In fact, if it’s too easy, maybe you’re not dreaming big enough.

Just keep working on it because a clear dream is worth fighting for. If you can get a clear sense of where you are, what you know, and what you want, you’re well on your way to understanding and embracing the thing God put you on earth to do.

Moses spent the first two-thirds of his life working out what God wanted him to do, trying to do things his own way, only to fail. But he had a heart for God, and a vision from God, and eventually he succeeded.

And you will too!

Question: What moves you from dreaming to a Dream? Share your thoughts below in 'comments'.

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I've Got Nothing

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I'm sure you have heard that statement: I've got nothing. Usually it's delivered when there is no witty comeback, or not having an answer when asked a question.

As I have been preparing to write this post, that's the way I have been feeling: I've got nothing.

I'm not feeling any creativity. I'm not generating any ideas. Right now I'm feeling pretty void.

Call it dealing with some personal/professional challenges. Call it burnout. Whatever I call it, the bottom line is: I've got nothing.

The conversation at the dinner table on Monday evening moved to the devastation in the Philippines as a result of Typhoon Haiyan. I informed my family that at least 10,000 people have been killed by the typhoon, known locally as Yolanda, with hundreds of thousands of more left homeless.

Here are some of the headlines I found:

Typhoon 'Yolanda' Haiyan: Half a Million Left Homeless in the Philippines

Typhoon 'Yolanda' Haiyan: Eye-witnesses Describe Survivors 'Foraging Like Zombies'

Typhoon Haiyan Kills at least 10,000 in Philippine Provence Leyete

Super Typhoon Haiyan Tears Philippines Apart

When considering the unmeasurable destruction, the lack of water, food and shelter, and the bodies laying in the middle of streets because cleanup efforts have not begun, I realize that the Filipino people are the ones who have nothing.

 

Can't come up with a salient idea for a Blog post? Far be it from me that I use the phrase I've got nothing.

 

Question: When you feel empty or lacking, who do you compare yourself to? Share your thoughts below in 'comments'.

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Small Steps, Big Impact

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I am doing it again: I am finding myself drawn to a collection of Psalms in the Bible that have played a significant role in my spiritual/character building.

I read a book in the early 1980's called "A Long Obedience in the Same Direction" authored by Eugene Petersen, who also authored "The Message" translation of the Bible. Since my first reading of the book (I have since read it multiple times), I have become a fan of Petersen's work.

In A Long Obedience, Petersen looks at the Songs of the Ascents, Psalms 120 - 134. His basic premise (as identified by the title) is that life is about small, daily practices that order our steps and define our lives.

Lately I have been meditating on these Psalms and the concept of daily disciplines, and how they affect me. I realize that it's not the big events that cause my growth as a person, but the regular disciplines that I incorporate into my lifestyle that shape my character and transform my nature.

Too often we look for the route that's quick and easy, when the slow and tedious is the path that will take us to our desired destination. As my wife reminds me in her subtle way when we are traveling in the car: It's not the destination, but rather the journey to get there that makes the trip interesting.

Question: Are you ready to walk on the path of a long obedience in the same direction? Share your thoughts below in 'comments'.

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#LeadWell

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One of my favorite encouragements that I share is to Lead Well. I share this as often as possible, with whoever I am speaking or writing to.

I have always believed that everyone is a leader, because everyone has some level of influence. Even if we consider ourselves as the lowest of low, there are others who look at us, who look to us.

Without realizing it, we exert influence: At home, on the job, socially, and religiously.

Most people don't consider themselves as leaders. They simply won't embrace the truth that they do hold sway over others. Even purchasing habits influence marketers and product brands.

Toward good or toward bad, we lead. Aggressively or passively, we lead. With purpose or by default, we lead.

Give it your best. Base it on your convictions. Value those you invest in. Lead Well.

Question: How do you Lead Well? Share your thoughts below in 'comments'.

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Infrastructure Maintenance

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There is a lot of activity going on in the counties where I live and work. Some call it road work. Others call it development. Most everyone calls it a huge inconvenience. I call it Infrastructure Maintenance.

Roads being resurfaced, bridges being repaired, drainage culverts being replaced. Things that are needed and necessary. Some things that are preparing for the future. Improvements, preservation, expansion. However one defines it, it's happening.

A thought occurred to me as I observed the many projects that all seem to be scheduled at the same time: Even as our public systems require Infrastructure Maintenance, so do we as people.

There are basically four areas of our lives that need consistent attention, upkeep, and regular Infrastructure Maintenance. Like road work it involves effort. Like development it requires time and attention. Like any lifestyle improvement it begins as an inconvenience.

Allow me to briefly describe them here:

• Physical - (Following is not a discussion what to eat/not to eat; do/not to do.) Our bodies need proper nutrition, exercise, rest, and if you'll allow me, fasting to maintain our physical health. A lifestyle of healthy eating (as opposed to going on a diet) tends to keep us out of the doctor's office and decelerate the aging process, and regular exercise and rest keeps our bodies working much better more than pills, medicines, and surgeries do.
• Mental - (Following is not a discussion on what to read and what to watch.) How well do we stimulate and exercise our minds? Are we constant learners, avid readers, and critical thinkers? Or, do we sit for hours watching mindless TV shows, video game screens, and cat videos?
• Emotional - (Following is not a discussion on who to have as friends and who to avoid.) Are our relationships healthy? Do we invest in other people, or simply see what is in it for ourselves? Do those whom we have relationships with enrich us? When others speak to us, do we seek to listen and be interested, or jump in with our comments/stories and be interesting?
• Spiritual - (Following is not a discussion on whether or not there is a God.) I believe that this is the most important part of Infrastructure Maintenance. If we are not healthy spiritually, than we cannot be healthy physically, mentally, or emotionally. This is the way were created, designed, and fashioned. Are you healthy spiritually, in right relationship with God?

Infrastructure Maintenance. Our roads need it. Our bridges need it. Our sewers need it. We need it.

Question: When have you found that your lack of Infrastructure Maintenance has affected you? Share your thoughts below in 'comments'.

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Confessions Of A Creative Boy Scout

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Disclaimer: This post serves no inspiration or influential purpose. It is accurate (as best as I can recall), and strictly for entertainment purposes... Enjoy!

One of the highlights of my time as a Boy Scout during my teenage years was the summer I spent as a counselor at our council's Summer Camp.

Nine weeks of scoutcraft, teaching, leadership, and sweating in the South Florida sun.

One of the highlights of that summer was a practical joke that myself and two accomplices played on the entire camp.

My best friend Larry (who was also my cabin-mate, and Boy Scout mentor) and I were talking late one night, evaluating the past pranks of previous camp staff. It seemed that the same pranks were pulled year after year: Reversing the layout of the dining hall, moving the camp director's car to the middle of the parade ground, adding green food coloring to the camp water supply (green oatmeal for breakfast), and holding hostage the 12-gauge cannon that we used for our evening "colors" salute.

Maybe it was tradition, maybe it was a lack of creativity, but the same pranks were pulled year after year. The only thing different was the camp staff who pulled them.

As we discussed the current lack of authentic ideas for pranking, an original idea began to formulate after I made the statement, "Wouldn't it be cool if we could color the milk?"

My friend Larry - who was also in charge of the dining hall (an asset for our prank: keys to the kitchen) responded that it could be done... All we needed were syringes and red food coloring.

Syringes weren't easy to come by back then, so we enlisted then help of an adult with medical connections who secured the syringes. A trip to a restaurant supply store on our day off landed us four quarts of red food coloring, and we were ready to go.

Twice a week, 300 half-pint milk cartons were delivered to our camp by a local dairy. The milk sat in the walk-in cooler until the next morning when each camper and staff member received two cartons with their breakfast.

In the middle of the night before the breakfast with milk, Larry, the previously mentioned adult with medical connections, and myself let ourselves into the kitchen. We proceeded to fill the syringes with red food coloring, and inject each milk box with 4cc's of the colorful liquid. A quick shake and then carefully stacking the milk boxes into the crates, and our prank was ready to be unleashed.

The next morning, 140-plus campers and staff gathered in the dining hall. No food or drink was touched until everyone was present, the Boy Scout Oath was recited, and a prayer was voiced by the camp chaplain.

The usual buzz could be heard as the campers began to eat, and then the buzz turned into yells, screams, and laughter as milk cartons were opened and our pink milk was discovered.

The camp director was ready to call the dairy to complain, the other camp staff immediately saw it as a prank, and Larry and myself simply were amazed with everyone else. We never let on that we were responsible.

Years later, campers and staff alike referred to the Pink Milk Prank as the greatest of all pranks that were ever played at our Boy Scout Camp.

Question: Got any original pranks that you initiated? Share below in 'comments'.

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Driving In A Roundabout

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I love Roundabouts.  Maybe I just love driving. But for me, Roundabouts make driving more fun.

When used properly, Roundabouts can take flowing traffic and move it effortlessly through an intersection.

Roundabouts almost completely eliminate the most deadly of crashes at intersections: The perpendicular or "t-bone" crash.

To me, Roundabouts are the traffic equivalent of of a fine watch: The gears sync precisely with the other gears, making the unit function as one, keeping perfect time.

Europeans have been using Roundabouts since 1768. Washington, DC is full of them (the only reason I liked driving in DC when I lived there for 10 years).

Proper usage of a Roundabout:

• Approach the roundabout with caution, but do not stop (unless signage mandates it).
• If at all possible, enter the roundabout at the same speed as the traffic in the roundabout.
• Signal your intention to leave the roundabout when your exit approaches.
• Exit the roundabout without slowing down.

Roundabouts are a great picture of relationships:

• When everyone is working together properly, they flow smoothly.
• Yielding is essential, and ultimately others yield for you.
• Sometimes you are behind, other times you are in front.
• Interaction is mandatory.

I believe that Roundabouts were designed with my Mini Cooper in mind. Maybe that's why I like to drive in Roundabouts so much...

Question: What are your thoughts on Roundabouts, and Relationships? Share your thoughts below in 'comments'.

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A Refreshing Passion

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My oldest son had a friend over to "jam" this evening. When I got home from work, I was greeted by guitar and drum riffs emanating from our open garage.

Most people my age would be put off by the loud noise. I on the other hand, was encouraged to hear young musicians make music. (Or maybe it was because it didn't seem that loud to my tinnitus-affected hearing...)

I love to see and hear young artists pursue their passion. I love to feel the creative energy, the boundless enthusiasm, the infinite optimism.

Later we invited my son and his friend inside to join us for dinner. It was there, around bowls of my wife's homemade chili and fresh-baked bread, that we also heard the heart of this young man.

He spoke of his broken family, of his Puerto-Rican heritage, and of his younger brother back in New England. He shared his musical influences, and his heroes. And with deeper probing by my wife and me, he shared the vision and passion for his life.

He expressed a desire to move to New York, and to work with industry-leading musicians and producers. He gave a timeline that not only included geographic information, but also musical achievements.

What impressed me the most about this young man was that instead of using words like rich, make money, and be famous, he used the words impact, influence, and mentor.

His passion was to be excellent at his musical craft. But his passion wasn't to be excellent for the sake of personal gain. Rather, it was so that he could influence others both in his field and in the culture as a whole.

A refreshing passion.

Question: What is your Refreshing Passion?  Share your thoughts below in 'comments'.

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Keep It Interesting

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A few weeks ago while in Fort Worth for my sister's wedding, I was running along a sidewalk. I noted that periodically along the two-mile road I was traversing, the sidewalk would curve away from the road in a lazy arc and then return to its original position paralleling the street.

This intrigued me, because there was no reason to alter the otherwise straight sidewalk. There were no trees to circumvent, no bus stops to bypass, no fire hydrants to avoid. My guess was that the designers were simply seeking to keep it interesting.

As a communicator I believe that as long as I keep the communication style interesting, listeners and readers will keep their attention targeted to my message.

As soon as my style becomes less than engaging, I lose the audience. So I seek to keep it interesting.

Several years ago as a youth pastor, I was speaking to over 150 high school students in a meeting at our church. Seated in the crowd was a young lady who was deaf. In front of her with her back turned away from me was her sign-language interpreter.

As I recall the evening, I felt like I was on my "A" game. I was dynamic. I was engaging. I was funny. I had a rhythm going. I knew it was going to be a powerful message with a powerful ending and a powerful response.

About two-thirds of the way through my talk, the deaf student put up her hand to catch my attention. When she knew that I was looking at her, she took her index finger and placed it next to her nose in a drilling motion on her face.

I assumed she was complementing me in her own way. Wow! I thought: I am communicating at a level that even those who can't hear are getting it! With renewed passion I continued to be my engaging self, delivering an incredibly compelling message.

As the evening was winding down, I sought out the interpreter and asked her what this sign meant (as I mimicked the deaf student).

"Boring" was her reply.

Ouch! My deflated self gathered whatever dignity I had left and slumped away from the conversation.

It was then that I determined to use whatever means necessary to not only assume that I was dynamic, engaging, funny, interesting, informative, and challenging. I was going to work at it. I purposed to keep it interesting.

I may not succeed every time I preach, teach, write, or converse. But I do keep an eye open for the strategically placed index finger on the face of one of my listeners.

Question: What do you do to Keep It Interesting?  Share your thoughts below in 'comments'.

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The Easy Rider

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My son Zach is taking a road trip on his big bike this week. After four years of riding a Honda Metro through the streets of Ft. Lauderdale, he traded up to a big road bike. And he is coming to visit us!

The father in me is nervous. It's a long way to our house on a motorcycle.

I had him promise to take breaks. I have helped him map a route that avoids the interstate. I have even convinced Zach to let me track his iPhone during the trip so I can know right where he was at any given moment.

His mother is even more nervous than I am. But that 's what parents are supposed to do: Be nervous when their children attempt risky things.

But a big part of me is proud of him. Zach is pursuing a passion that he has had for several years. He's always wanted a big motorcycle. He's always wanted to travel on it. Deep inside of my son is a desire for adventure, a quest for the unknown.

He demonstrated that desire when he joined me earlier this year in India. He explored new areas. He engaged the local people. He tried new foods. He took risks.

That sounds a lot like his dad.

I am not sure that I have had a desire to ride a big bike on long trips. My adventurous passion has been to go into the remote villages of India among the unreached people groups with the Good News of Jesus.

So as a fellow adventurer and risk-taker, I applaud my son. I tell him to go ahead and ride the 12 hours to visit us. I encourage him to step out and try something new. And because I know his heart, I know that it will be an easy ride for him.

Question: What are you doing to encourage the passion within yourself and in your children? Share your thoughts below in 'comments'.

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