Category Archives: Inspiration

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Leading Means Listening to One’s Own Words

This week, as the new school year was getting ready to commence, I had the opportunity to spend some time with our school’s teachers. I shared with them a DVD of Michael Hyatt’s talk at the 2011 Recreate conference. As I listened to Michael that cold day in February, I realized then and there that I wanted to share his words with our staff. It was a thoughtful, Scripturally based speech about handling criticism in a positive and constructive way. You can read about it here.

It turns out that I was the one who needed to pay attention to Michael Hyatt’s words and concepts. I diligently watched the DVD again, and found the advice simple yet profound. Little did I know I would soon have to heed the words myself.

I had just come back from vacation. Within the first few days back I became the victim of unfounded criticism. It’s funny how leaders often preach and teach things that they feel are for other people. I quickly realized that what I had been relaying to our staff through Michael Hyatt and others was also meant for me.

Too often leaders are insensitive and oblivious to their own needs, while trying to teach and lead others. I really, really needed to go over and rehearse Michael’s words a number of times before I could get through the emotion I was feeling. I had to pay very close attention to what I was teaching others. I had to listen to myself.

Leading is about more than teaching and telling others the way to go. It’s living and listening to one’s own words, thoughts, and teachings.

Where have you found your own words and teachings applying to yourself?

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How Zig Ziglar and Seth Godin Taught Me to Write and Keep Goals

It was late in the summer and another activity year was on the horizon. Floating around in my mind were all kinds of ideas, deadlines, possibilities, prospects, options, and opportunities. It was overwhelming and frustrating. I knew I needed to prioritize, but didn’t quite know the best way to go about it.

That’s when I turned to Zig Ziglar’s Legendary Goals Program, updated and simplified by Seth Godin. It has been newly published under the title Pick Four. At one point in his life Seth Godin felt very much like I had been feeling:

I was rudderless. Every project seemed like a shiny new toy, a new opportunity to make something work. I was so busy lurching from one project to another that I never had time to do the work necessary to make my ventures succeed. The lurching was a natural response: when things get tough, go do something else.

…Then I found Zig…Within a month I had written down all the steps he describes in his goals program, and I started following the steps. Drip, drip, drip. Day by day, bit by bit, I started to make progress. And then, quietly, my progress started accelerating. Suddenly, the bricks started falling into place, sales were made, personal goals achieved.

So I heeded Seth’s advice and began to work through the opening pages of the book. It is safe to say that it is just that: work. But it’s a good kind of work. It clarifies thoughts, ideas, and priorities. It’s even a little scary. Seth says:

…the reason we don’t set goals is that we’re afraid. We’re afraid of saying a goal out loud, even to ourselves, and certainly afraid of writing it down. We’re afraid of trying to achieve a goal and failing. And, surprisingly, we’re afraid of reaching our goals, because reaching them means our lives will change, and change is often at the center of our fear.

As of this writing I have composed my four goals and intend to keep track of my progress the next twelve weeks. I’m sleeping on them for a couple of nights before I sign the book and make my final commitment. I’m hoping that when I waver, this little notebook will keep me on track. When it doesn’t, I hope that my family and those close to me will.

If you have read this far, I want to give you a special opportunity. Pick Four comes in a four-pack, meant to share. I would like to give away my three extra workbooks. If you would like a chance to receive one of the three workbooks, completely free, here’s what to do:

  1. Comment on this blog post (not on Facebook or Twitter…but right here on this blog);
  2. Explain in your comment why you should receive the Pick Four goal setting book;
  3. Share a link to this blog post either on Facebook or Twitter.

At my discretion, I will select three people who do all three of these things to receive a copy of Pick Four. I will send or deliver it to you at my own expense. Then we can, together, bring priority, change, and accomplishment to our respective lives.

How do you prioritize and set goals?

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20 Things I Learned During 20 Years of Life as a Pastor

This summer I marked 20 years as a pastor. It’s been quite a ride. In some ways it flew by. In other ways the start of my ministry seems like it happened in another lifetime.

Here are 20 things I have learned, one for each year in the ministry:

  1. You can’t please all the people all the time. If you try, you will find yourself incredibly frustrated. I learned this within the first six months of being a pastor.
  2. Be true to yourself. Don’t try to be someone else. People want you to be you, and they will love you for who you are.
  3. After God, your family is #1, not your church. Your family was there before your church, and will still be there after your church. Give them the time, love, and care that they need.
  4. Make sure that you are involved in the selection of church leadership. You must be able to work with those who are chosen to be leaders in the church. If not, at best there will be ineffectiveness; at worst, there will be conflict.
  5. If possible, hand write a birthday card to every member of the congregation on her or his birthday. It’s a great way to show people you care, remind inactive members that they are missing church, and even people who have left the congregation remember it as a personal touch from their pastor.
  6. Some things just aren’t worth changing, or “choose your battles.” Some things, some people, some programs are not worth fighting with or about. Wait for the things that really matter, like doctrine or unity, then put your integrity on the line.
  7. When “change” is necessary, do it slowly and with love and care. It may not happen at the speed you would prefer, but it will be much more palatable for all involved.
  8. Visit with people at home or at work. Meet them in settings away from the church. You get a whole new perspective.
  9. Pray for your people and for your church. And let them know that you are. And ask them to pray for you.
  10. Hire support people and other staff members who share your vision, passion, and strategies. It will save you time, effort, energy, and even heartbreak.
  11. Create significant time and space in your schedule to study and write your sermon. Creative and engaging preaching is born out of solid study and significant time to engage the text and culture.
  12. Make your day off a day off. Make sure to take time for personal sabbath. Burnout is significant amongst pastors. If you don’t “come apart” for a while each week you will come apart.
  13. If your congregation doesn’t have a sabbatical policy, encourage them to put one in place. One of the most significant times I spent in my twenty years of ministry was a three-month sabbatical in my eighteenth year of ministry. It should have happened much sooner than that.
  14. Go to conferences and classes that stretch you. Be an avid learner. Don’t be afraid to go beyond your comfort zone. Attend conferences where you know no one else. Take classes that are outside of your areas of strength.
  15. Read, read, read. Read theology. Read classics. Read about leadership. Read about writing. Read about relationships. Read.
  16. Become adept at social media. Sorry, but it’s not going away.  It’s going to make you more effective in ministry not just tomorrow, but already today.
  17. Say “thank you.” Then say it again. People love to be appreciated, people need to be appreciated, and people will be much more willing to help and serve when they are appreciated.
  18. Find friends outside of the congregation. You need people in your life with whom you don’t always have to be “on.”
  19. Work on becoming a better speaker, teacher, and presenter. The Gospel deserves the best speaker, teacher, and presenter you can be.
  20. Take care of yourself. Exercise. Eat right. Care for yourself emotionally.
What things have you learned in your work that would be valuable for others to know?
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How to Be a Neighbor (“The Good Samaritan” Unplugged)

He loaded the animal for the daily trip from Jerusalem to Jericho. That city provided much needed work. The daily trek through treacherous territory was a small price to pay. Good wages and amenable fellow workers made each day a welcome adventure. But this day would find exceptional surprise.

The Good Samaritan, by He Qi. Used by permission. Go to www.heqigallery.com to view and purchase prints and posters.

As he and the animal climbed the path that passed random caves on one side and a dangerous drop on the other, two men went running by. They were nothing but a blur in the dusky dawn as they passed. It was unusual, but nothing to keep him from pressing on for a days’ wage.

When the morning sun peeked over the horizon he saw a shadowy figure slowly walking toward him. As it drew closer he noticed the robes of a priest. His head slowly bowed as the holy man walked by. He averted his eyes, but noticed a nervous shuffle in the priest’s step. Glancing back he watched the robed one throwing his gaze up to the heavens.

The sun was climbing and so was his animal. Picking up the pace toward a day of work, He pressed on. The footsteps of the animal pointed straight toward another stranger on the way. In the clear light he knew it was a Levite. The day seemed doubly blessed. But as he walked by the Levite raised his eyebrows and shrugged.

Rounding the next turn brought some much needed shade. For a moment his eyes were blinded. As they adjusted to the shade a twisted pile appeared on the ground in front of him. Drawing nearer his heart quickened to the discovery that the lump lying in front of him was a man.

The man had been beaten, bloodied, and left for dead.  Now he knew why two men had been sprinting in the early dawn. Apparently both a priest and a Levite had ignored the twisted pile of a man. But ignorance and ignoring would no longer take place. He got off his animal, took out his first aid kit, stopped the bleeding, and straightened the body as best he could. He heaved the pile off the ground, lifted it to the animal, and started off to the first place care could be given.

He gently laid his palm on the twisted pile of a man and moved with purpose. The animal’s empathetic eyes looked at its load with grace. They came to the place. “Please take him in. Care for him. I’ll pay you everything required. I’m on my way to work but will return this evening. If there’s any extra expense I will pay you then.”

As the sun set he came back to the place where care and comfort was given. He sat by the bed night after night, returning from each days’ work to do all he could to help the healing. He was a neighbor.

“Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37).

Where have you seen mercy provided in an extraordinary way?

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Do You Live in a Mansion or a Tent?

When Muslims go on the hajj (one of the five pillars of Islam, a pilgrimage to the city of Mecca), they dress all in white from head to toe. As millions from around the world carry out their rituals together, no one knows who is a king or who is a pauper. They are all dressed alike. No one is treated better than another.

I was reminded of that practice recently when our church conducted some focus groups. The purpose was to evaluate our communication, improve our connections, and enhance our outreach. One of the focus groups consisted of new members. It was an energetic group of women who are still getting to know our church, and, that day, had the opportunity to get to know each other.

As the session concluded, one woman made a comment that made me realize our church is becoming what I had once hoped it could become. She said, “At our church you don’t know who lives in a mansion and who lives in a tent.” The consultant who had asked the question was duly impressed.

In fact, sitting around that table were almost literally those who live in “mansions” and those who live in “tents.” It’s a wonderful statement about the family of God. It’s a great picture of the level ground in the Kingdom of God.

St. Paul said, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). We don’t have to walk around all wearing white robes. We know that all sinners brought to faith in Christ are one with God and one with each other.

Through faith in Christ we figuratively wear the white robes of His righteousness. We have been made clean, brought to salvation, given eternal life…and it matters not where we live. In the end, we are living under the tent of God’s love and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

Where have you seen evidence of Christian unity?

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A Modern Day Pentecost Opportunity

My wife and I went to Ikea the other day. Have you ever been there? It’s a landscape littered with furniture that needs an allen wrench to be put together, inexpensive household items, and even plants and food.

The closest location to our home is in suburban Chicago. Chicago is one of the largest cities in America, and certainly one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world.

That was evident in Ikea’s aisles as we heard European, Asian, and Latin languages all within a matter of a couple of hours. It was exhilarating and fascinating. Here we all were under one roof from all corners of the globe.

I’m sure most of the people who spoke in other tongues could speak English. Otherwise, how could they manage to ask questions, directions, or check out? I was reminded that I am sadly mono-lingual. I would love to speak another language (Italian would be my choice so that when I go to Italy someday I would be able to ask for a specific type of pasta without even using a menu). Americans expect that English will be spoken everywhere, and are then surprised when it’s not. In that way we are selfish.

The thought occurred to me that Ikea is a sort of modern day Pentecost waiting to happen. “Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound (of the wind), a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken” (Acts 2:5-6).

The world has come to our country’s shores. Like on the first Pentecost, the nation’s have been brought to us. Even if only English is spoken there are opportunities for the Spirit to work in and through us to bring life and hope to an Ikea filled with foreign-language speakers.

The world today is small. It is connected by every new technology under the sun. It is increasingly easy to meet, and reach, and understand others, no matter their land of origin.

Ikea is a microcosm of our modern-day world. There are opportunities for Gospel-giving, Gospel-living, and Gospel-loving.

I wonder if the two Buddhist monks we saw would have been open to listening to the story of Jesus.

Where have you noticed unique opportunities for Gospel-giving?

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All Things (Yes, All Things) Work Together for Good

Where have you seen God at work this week? Was it in the nice thunderstorm the other day? Was it the unexpected check you got in the mail? Was it in the good report from the doctor? Did you see God working in the flowers and vegetables growing in your garden? Did you see Him working in love and forgiveness after a family fight?

Or maybe it was much more difficult for you to see God at work this week. Maybe that thunderstorm brought water into your basement. Maybe there was an unexpected bill that came in the mail. Maybe the doctor’s report was not at all what you were hoping and praying for. Maybe the heat wilted your flowers and stunted the growth of your vegetables. Maybe there are grudges still being held in your family, and you’re holding onto them right this very moment.

You know where I’m going, because you know Romans 8:28: “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” God was and is working “good” in the water in the house, the extra bill, the difficult diagnosis, the wilted flowers, and even the family fight.

St. Paul assures us that God works all things together for good, and here’s how: God accomplished everything needed for our salvation and it is given to us as a gift. It is complete. It is past tense. Or, in the words of Jesus, “It is finished.”

All things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose because:

  • God knew you ahead of time, not just before you were born, but even before the world began. He looked into His looking glass far into the future and saw you, and knew you. He loved you intimately even then. (Romans 8:29)
  • God predestined you to be His own. He has loved you with an everlasting love. He made sure that you had your salvation from time immemorial. His plan was to adopt you into His family long before time started. (Romans 8:29)
  • God conformed you to the image of Jesus. When you were baptized into the death and resurrection of Jesus you became like Jesus. In Jesus you are now perfect, obedient, in full fellowship with your Heavenly Father, and brought to an elevated place next to your Heavenly Father. It’s an accomplished fact. (Romans 8:29)

Jesus died and rose again so that all things work together for good. You may find out tomorrow that the water in your basement leads you to discover an old treasure. You may find out next week that the unexpected bill provides a chance for God to show His providing nature in a way you never expected. You may see that the family fight leads to a renewed sense of love and forgiveness.

But, then again, you may never see until the Last Day the good that is worked in these situations. Never fear. God has made His people more than conquerors over all the evils and ills of this world through the gifts of His love, forgiveness, and Heavenly eternal life. No matter what, in the end, all things work together for good because we have a good God who grants the one gift that not even sin, or death, or the devil can take away…and that is the gift of eternal life.

In the end, all things work together for good because of the intimate presence of a crucified and risen Savior who is, Himself, good. And even today, even in the midst of bills, break-ups, and bad news, He intercedes for you before the Heavenly Father. And because of the blood the Father hears and helps.

So does God work together for good in:

  • Tribulation?
  • Distress?
  • Persecution?
  • Famine?
  • Nakedness?
  • Danger?
  • Sword? (Romans 8:35)

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes.

And here’s why: Because of Jesus Christ and Him crucified, “neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

All things work together for good. Yes, all things.

How have you seen God “working together for good”?

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The Surprise of Emotion and How to Take Advantage of It

It came from completely out of the blue. I was answering questions being posed by a wonderful consultant helping our church sharpen our message. The topic of “stability” came up. We were discussing the idea of chaos in the lives of the students in our urban school. I began to speak of our school as the one place of stability in those young lives.

And right out of nowhere I began to cry. For a few moments I couldn’t even speak. Finally I said to the consultant, “I have no idea where that came from.”

She said, “You care.”

My emotion caught me off guard. I wonder if it did for Jesus that dusty day on the other side of the Mt. of Olives. Jesus found out His friend Lazarus had died, and we have the shortest verse in the Bible: “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). He cared more than we will ever know.

My care pales in comparison. But I still can’t deny the emotion I felt at the moment I thought about the impact a ministry very close to me has on lives that need stability so very badly.

It reminded me that we sometimes live our daily lives with emotion that lies right beneath the surface, but we pay no attention to it. I think that’s a big mistake. Paying attention to our emotion, noticing our feelings, and observing our passions does a number of things:

  1. It drives decisions. Recognizing my passion for the students in our school reminded me of the importance we need to place on that aspect of our church’s ministry. It means intentional decisions regarding that area of our work.
  2. It  guides a work day. As we pay attention to emotion it helps us better decide what to do at a given moment. Feeling happy? Complete a task that needs energy. Feeling contemplative? Spend some time studying. Feeling melancholy? Take the time to care for someone else.
  3. It reveals priorities. Paying attention to our emotions is probably the best indicator of what we’re passionate about, what we can’t stand, and why there are certain things that we really enjoy. Let your emotions help you to prioritize your work, your career, even your leisure and play.

I challenge you to pay attention today to your emotions. It may surprise you. You may learn something about yourself. It may even change the direction of your day.

When was the last time an emotion took you by surprise?

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The Nightmare of a Perfectionist

It’s a dream (well, actually a nightmare) that has a number of different forms but always turns out the same way: 

  • I’m in college and haven’t attended a certain class for the entire semester. The semester is almost over and now all the work is so overwhelming I can’t catch up.
  • Or, I’ve never been to the class, never even knew where it was held, and now it’s almost the end of the semester and I still can’t even find the classroom.
  • Or, I am a pastor, the service is about to begin, and there is no sermon prepared.

The dream always ends with some sort of task, class, or sermon left undone, just short, or so overwhelmingly incomplete it’s impossible to finish. Have you ever had this dream?

I’ve been told that psychologists say it’s the dream of a perfectionist. I guess that tells you something about me. I’m a perfectionist. One of my worst nightmares is to come up short.

I haven’t been able to tell if a certain stressor or event triggers these dreams. But I do know that when they happen they are impetus for me to:

  • Do the work (ala Steven Pressfield)
  • Keep trying
  • Persist
  • Ship the project (ala Seth Godin)
  • Go the extra mile
  • Pursue my passions (ala Hugh MacLeod)
  • Finish one big thing and start another
  • Work some more on the project that’s sitting on the back shelf

Time is too limited and life is too short to waste it on things that never get accomplished. I think I’ll leave the things that never get accomplished for my nightmares.

I may have to remind myself time and again that my work isn’t going to be perfect, but I’m committing myself to getting it finished. It’s a struggle for a perfectionist, but it’s a battle that’s worth waging.

After all, the more work I deliver the better it’s going to get…and the closer it will be to the perfection I desire. It’s a reminder I need. In fact, in writing this blog post I’m doing exactly what I’m suggesting. It’s one more thing accomplished; one more item complete; one more item checked off the to-do list.

Has a dream ever taught you a lesson or provided you motivation?

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How to Score a Great Deal on a Hotel

Over the past few years my wife and I have done a great deal of traveling. It’s mostly been to see our kids who have attended schools in cities nine hours away from us. One of the great skills I have learned in this time is how to get a great deal on a nice hotel. I have found out that you don’t have to stay in a low quality, sometimes seedy, discount hotel in order to pay a low price.

I have found quality (three star or higher) hotels in major cities for as low as $50 a night. And it’s not that hard to do.

Recently I’ve been asked how I do it. I figured if one person would like to know, lots of others would as well.

So here’s my “system” for scoring a great deal on a hotel at Priceline.com:

  1. Go to the Priceline web site.
  2. Do your research. Put in the city, the area of town you want to be, and the number of stars. I never put anything lower than three stars. See what the prices of those places are.
  3. From the list that comes up according to your guidelines, figure about 55-60% off of the median prices of those hotels. Or look for a specific hotel that you like, and use that price to take off 55-60%. Priceline says right there on the web site: “Save up to 60% on hotels.” Why not call them on it?
  4. Set up an alert. You can do it on the “my profile” page of your priceline account. Look for the tab “deal preferences.” Put in the information: city, area, stars, and price (the price should be the price you determined in the last step).
  5. Priceline will alert you by email when someone has scored your price according to the guidelines you set up.
  6. After you get that alert, go ahead and try it yourself. More often than not, you will get the hotel at the price that you want.

A couple of caveats:

  1. Certain events or times of year could effect the demand of hotels, and make your price higher than usual.
  2. If you don’t get the price you first wanted, don’t panic. After 24 hours you can try the same deal again. It helps to book your hotels a week or two ahead of time so that you have this luxury. However, that’s not to say that you can’t get good deals up to the last minute.
  3. At some three star (or higher) hotels you have to pay for parking. You may want to figure that in when you name your price. Even when we have paid for parking, the price of the hotel is lower than what we would have paid without Priceline.
  4. Priceline, of course, doesn’t tell you the name of your hotel until you get the deal. I’ve never found that to be a problem. Their star system is pretty consistent, and almost always leads to a comfortable stay in a very nice hotel.

Here’s to saving a great deal of money on your next trip. Please let me know how this system works for you, or if you have any “tweaks.”

What ideas do you have for saving money on travel expenses?