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5 Reasons Advent Is the Best Time of the Year

Tomorrow we will put up the Christmas tree at our church. We gather together with a few faithful members and put it together, piece by piece, ornament by ornament. Thankfully it’s a pre-lighted tree. At least we don’t have to go through that struggle. The tree is a huge visible reminder that the church’s hopeful season of Advent is upon us. It’s my favorite time of the year.

christmas-trees

I don’t take that lightly, or say it without a great deal of thoughtfulness. Other times of the year are great. But the month of December, and Advent, soar above the others for five wonderful reasons. Each of them can be summed up in one word.

  1. Anticipation. The church’s season of Advent is all about anticipation, looking forward, waiting for the ultimate to come to fruition. From a spiritual standpoint, it’s looking forward to the coming of Christ at Christmas; but also to the ultimate and final arrival of Jesus when He comes again to deliver His people fully and finally. But it’s also a season of human anticipation as we look forward to family, friends, and the opportunity to show our love for people by exchanging gifts on that most special of days.
  2. Music. Some of my favorite hymns of the entire church year are Advent hymns: Prepare the Royal Highway, On Jordan’s Band the Baptist’s Cry, and Rejoice, Rejoice Believers and Let Your Lights Appear. I’d put these hymns up against most any from any other season of the church year. More than that, we begin to hear Christmas music on the radio and in the stores, many of which I enjoy (though I’d be happy if a few of them would go away forever…I’m talking to YOU All I want for Christmas is You).
  3. Hopefulness. Advent means “arrival.” The kind of hope I have as a Christian is a certain hope. It’s an expectation. It’s not the kind of hope American’s think about when they say: “I hope such and such will happen.” It means I firmly know and believe it’s going to happen. Just as certain as Jesus came to Bethlehem’s manger, He will come again to restore me and all things. I have a most certain hope that this will happen.
  4. Thoughtfulness. It seems to me that in these weeks before Christmas, this Advent time of year, people are much more mindful and thoughtful toward others. Food banks fill up. Blood banks receive far more donations. People are more pleasant and complimentary. Thoughtfulness is much more the order of the day, it seems, than late February or the dog days of summer.
  5. Ambiance. Things look more special at this time of the year. Not only is the Christmas tree up at church. People start putting lights up on their homes. Restaurants and stores decorate. Even people seem to dress up more during this season. The ambiance almost all around us is pleasant and festive.

I’d encourage you to look and listen the next few weeks. See if you find yourself with more anticipation and hope. Listen for the sounds of the season and receive gratefully the thoughtfulness of others. Pay attention to the festive ambiance and decorations.

What do you like about this time of year?

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An Amazing FREE PDF Download to Prepare You for 2017

Is 2017 sneaking up on you? I know the feeling. I felt that way as 2015 was winding down. I wanted to accomplish a great deal in 2016, but wasn’t quite sure how I was going to do it. That’s when I discovered that a little bit of preparation would lead to amazing results.

rocket

I started thinking ahead earlier than I ever had before. And that’s all it really was: thinking. I thought about what I wanted to accomplish. I jotted a few of those thoughts down. Then I sat back and hoped for amazing results. Those results didn’t just happen by thinking about them. But that was the start of meeting and accomplishing goals like I never had before.

So I think the secret to making this new year count is simply taking a few moments to prepare for it. That’s why I love this (free!) PDF download. In it, 30+ well known influencers all share the most important thing they do to set themselves up for a banner year.

It’s a who’s who of successful people — Tony Robbins, John Maxwell, Dave Ramsey, Chalene Johnson, and Andy Andrews, plus more than 20 leaders. These are the people that you look up to, respect, and admire. They’re the ones that set the standard for getting things done. They’re the ones who set goals and accomplish them.

When you see what they’ve done it’ll be much easier for you to do it yourself. Give yourself a head start to 2017 by learning from the experts.

Access to their answers is all yours (at no cost) here. Check it out! It’ll get you on the path of thinking through what you want to accomplish in 2017. I’m sure it will be amazing.

P.S. This free PDF is a wealth of wisdom to kickstart 2017. If you’ve felt stuck for a while, don’t miss it.

What goals do you want to accomplish in 2017?

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3 Thoughts You Have When You Watch a Sunset

After a very busy early fall, my wife, Tammy, and I had a little opportunity to get away. The holidays and a brand new grandchild are just on the horizon. So we thought we’d better take the opportunity to get away for just a few days. One of the benefits of living in Florida is having world-class vacation destinations and an incredible sunset within close driving distance.

beach-sunset

So we went to Anna Maria Island. It’s a place famous for its sunsets. People gather on the beach most every evening to see the sun dip down into the water and finally disappear beyond the horizon. The sunset on Anna Maria is a beautiful sight filled with pinks, oranges, reds, and purples.

The beach was just steps from our door. So we checked the time of the sunset. We walked over to the beach about ten minutes before it set. Then we stood there waiting to watch the day’s finale.

It happens everyday. But we rarely pay attention to it. The sun rises in the east. Then it sets in the west. When you watch, you can’t help but be a bit pensive and reflective.

Here are three thoughts I had (and you might, too) when watching the sunset:

  1. Time slips by quickly. I probably don’t need to tell you this. But watching a sunset at the beach really drives this home. When the sun first touches the horizon you think it’ll take a while for it to disappear. But before you know it the sun plunges into the water. It’s such a vivid and stark reminder that time passes by so very quickly. Use it wisely. Take advantage of it. Don’t let it slip away.
  2. Life is filled with colors of all kinds. When the sun sets the colors in the sky are almost indescribable. They change. They blend from one into another. They dance in front of your eyes. In light of recent events, we’re all too aware of the stark differences there area amongst people in our country. At the risk of being too simplistic, our diversity is our strength. The variety of people, interests, skills, gifts, talents, and, yes, colors makes life interesting. Yes, it sometimes makes it frustrating, too. But if we were all the same there would be nothing but monotony.
  3. There is light even after the sunset. If you watch the sunset at the beach you will notice that it’s still light even after the sun sets. The afterglow is beautiful to watch. You recognize that daylight doesn’t go away, it simply moves to another part of the world. The lesson is that even when life seems dark — or darkest — light is still shining somewhere. It may not be evident. But it’s there. The daylight will dawn again.

Value time. Appreciate diversity. Daylight will dawn.

What does a sunset teach you?

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When Change Comes at Just the Right Time

Something earth shattering is taking place in the next couple of weeks. Our congregation is going to a brand new format for our worship folders (bulletins). Change is never easy. But for some unknown reason, change seems to be especially difficult in Christian congregations. To be fair, people like to be comfortable in church. Transitions are apt to move people out of their comfort zones. And that can be difficult.

autumn

So we’re moving from a 14-page book-like thing, to a large, tri-fold piece of paper. The entire service will no longer be printed out. The new format will include an outline of the service, announcements, prayer requests, a weekly schedule, and all kinds of other information. We already present the entire service on screens in front of the church. Now people will be reliant on those screens and the hymnals in their hands. It’ll be “hard.” It’s a big change.

But maybe this change is coming at just the right time. The new church year is starting. After a long, hot Florida summer people seem just a little bit complacent. We’re on the verge of some major renovations and repairs to our buildings and property. So maybe, just maybe, this little jolt will be enough to bring a bit of life and light a little spark. In the grand scheme of things it’s small; but it’s big enough to open some eyes.

Here’s what can happen when change comes at just the right time:

  1. It shakes people out of complacency. When things are the same day after day, or week after week, it’s easy to get lulled into a sense of sameness. People get too comfortable. Comfort is OK for a couch or for a good night’s sleep. But when you’re trying to move forward and accomplish things comfort can hold you back. A little discomfort can be good for people or groups trying to move forward in significant ways.
  2. It breaks people of monotony. When boredom sets in it’s tough to get people motivated. But when they’re just a bit on edge their eyes are opened, their senses are heightened, and their wills are piqued. Responsible change breaks monotony and often inspires motivation.
  3. It wakes people to new possibilities. When even small change takes place it allows people to see that larger change can be good, and possible, as well. If we can make it through the trials and challenges of smaller change, our brains are awakened to the fact that overcoming larger obstacles might just be possible as well.

So, we’ll see how the new bulletin format goes. But I’m even more interested to see how the larger changes and challenges on the horizon are met. I’m willing to bet that they’ll be met with a bit of skepticism and fear. But I’m also willing to bet that the same skepticism and fear will turn into massive motivation and larger victories ahead. Stay tuned

What’s your attitude when you face changes in your life?

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A Question I Ask Every Time I Meet Someone New

Don’t judge me. I took some training in community organizing. Utter the phrase “community organizing” these days and you’re apt to get an eye roll or a sigh. But I spent some of the most enlightening times of my life organizing people to bring about effective change in an urban neighborhood. One of the keys of community organizing is sitting down face to face with other people and asking a question.

questions

The key to organizing people is to build relationships. Relationships start with two people sitting down face to face, talking to each other, but mostly listening. The organizer, the one trying to accomplish things and get stuff done begins by asking a question. Sure, you might start by asking your counterpart to simply tell about themselves.

But a better, more revealing question is:

What are you struggling with right now?

That question alone helped us to find the pain of the people who lived in our neighborhood. It helped us to empathize with struggles and begin to plan solutions for people who really needed help. Asking that question propelled us toward things like getting stop signs on corners that needed them. But it was also the starting point of getting banks to set aside $35 million to renovate the abandoned homes they owned in our community.

The money from the banks was great, and all. But what I really appreciated was that I got to know, and got to be friends, with people I would have never known before. I’m pretty sure I would have never been in the same room as some of them. But despite our profound differences, we became friends. We worked together to accomplish much.

People in sincere relationship with one another can put aside differences and make things happen. That’s why starting with this simple question, and then paying attention to the answer, will improve a great many things.

So, How can that apply to your job? Where can that improve your church? How could asking that question improve relationships in your family? What positive change will happen tomorrow simply because you asked this question?

Go ahead and give it a try.

P.S. If you’d like to receive my exclusive email newsletter, click here.

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How Taking a Risk Can Help You Live a Better Life

Last Friday my wife, Tammy, took a huge risk. She put notice in at her workplace that she will be leaving at Christmas. Tammy’s been a teacher for more than twenty-five years. That run is about to come to an end. For a number of years now she has dreamed of taking a risk and trying something else with her life.

risk

The reasons are numerous. Teachers are encumbered with enormous amounts of paperwork these days. They are threatened by regulation that is way too strict. And the pay is far, far below what it ought to be for the people who are training up our children. Not to mention the fact that we will soon be grandparents.

More than that, Tammy is a creative person. Her sights are set on turning her creativity into an income. So she started a decorative pillow company that is already seeing income and growth.

All of this came to a head when she watched a Tedx Talk. It’s a talk entitled, “Risk Forward.” The speaker recounts how she studied with world renowned mime, Marcel Marceau. In his class he taught his students a basic move. The move calls for you to put one foot forward, slightly off balance, with your heart out. Risk forward. (I can’t recommend this Tedx Talk video highly enough. Go watch it now. Really…go watch it now.)

This mime move is a metaphor for those who don’t know what they want to do with their life. Or those who are contemplating a risk, like Tammy. One foot forward. Slightly off balance. Heart out.

When you take a risk and step out like that, you will be able to see around the corner. Right now you can’t see around the corner of the unknown. But when you take a risky step forward you will be able to see things that were previously unseen. You will be able to encounter the unknown and respond with things that you do know.

Blogger and entrepreneur, Michael Hyatt, says in a post: “Leap and the net will appear.”  His point is that people with big dreams aren’t willing to take a plunge until they are absolutely certain. But that time never comes. So they never leap. “Leap,” he says, “and the resources will appear.” It’s not recklessness. It’s faith in its purest form.

It’s a scary time for us. Tammy and I don’t yet know what kind of income this will all produce. We certainly need an extra stream of money. But we are confident that when she leaps, the net will appear. And life will be better for her in numerous ways: more freedom, creative expression, less restrictive work hours, and an opportunity to take her business as far as she can or wants to.

So…if you’re looking for some really nice pillows… 😉

Although risk is scary, it produces growth. Both success and failure are an education in and of themselves.

What risk are you ready to take?

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The Top 10 Reactions to the Results of the 2016 Presidential Election

I have watched, with fascination, and not a little bit of trepidation, the results of the 2016 presidential election. Needless to say, these are tense and trying times for our country. Social media and electronic media have, no doubt, fueled our collective response to what has happened in this election.

mount-rushmore

Here are the top 10 responses I’ve seen to the results of the 2016 presidential election:

  1. Stunned silence.
  2. Laughter.
  3. Crying.
  4. Rejoicing.
  5. Sadness.
  6. Despair.
  7. Protests.
  8. Ignorance.
  9. Hopefulness.
  10. Satisfaction.

The thing about most all of these reactions is that they put their hope in human beings rather than in something higher. Much Higher.

An old story is told about a missionary. He lives amongst a tribe that has no written language. He wants to translate the Bible so that they can actually have it written down; so that they can read it and write it.

So he goes about beginning to translate the Bible into their language, little by little. This tribe has no abstract words, so it’s very difficult to translate words like “faith.”

One day the missionary travels with the tribe to a local village where they can pick up some supplies. They come to a very deep ravine with a rickety bridge from one side to the other. All the tribe members have no problem pouncing on the bridge and making their way easily to the other side.

But the missionary isn’t so sure. He doesn’t trust the bridge. Meanwhile, the tribe is calling him from the other side using a word he’s never heard before. Finally, they coax him onto the bridge and he sheepishly makes it to the other side.

When he gets there he asks them what that word is they were using to coax him to use the bridge. They tell him the word, and they explain that it means: “You can put your full weight on it.” He now has his word for “faith.”

In this presidential election, it seems to me that far too many people put their full weight on the results. When we put our full weight on the results of a human institution, we can easily end up falling into the deep ravine.

But when we put our full weight on that which is Higher, namely Jesus Christ and Him crucified, we have a hope that can never be disappointed.

What is it upon which you put your full weight?

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The Two Keys to Measuring Your Effectiveness as a Leader

The election is now over. It’s time for the new president to lead. Based on what I saw from both of the campaigns, it will take a great deal for our new president to prove his or her effectiveness (this was written before the election results were revealed).

sparklers

I just so happened to be listening to a leadership podcast today. The guest was Dr. Henry Cloud. Dr. Cloud is a clinical psychologist and author. He works with leaders of organizations both large and small. His book, The Power of the Other, says:

the best performers draw on another vital resource: personal and professional relationships that fuel growth and help them surpass current limits.

In the podcast, Dr. Cloud said that the two keys to a good leader are:

  1. Results: Can you measure positive results in some way, shape, or form?
  2. Relationships: Do people value their relationship with you?

If you really want to measure your effectiveness in these two areas, Dr. Cloud gives the following advice. Every leader has a “wake,” like a boat. The people in that wake are the ones who know and feel the effectiveness of your results and relationships. So Dr. Cloud says that in the next week you should ask three people to have coffee with you: someone “above” you, one of your peers, and someone “below” you. When you have coffee with them, ask each of them these two questions:

  1. How do you see the effectiveness of the results over which I have control?
  2. How do you view the relationships I have with others, including my relationship with you?

Then sit back and listen.

You will learn a great deal about your effectiveness from those three conversations. Strengths in these areas will be revealed. You will also discover ways you can improve as a leader.

We are all leaders in one way or another. If you are a mother, a father, an employee, a boss, a teacher, or a student, you are a leader. That means it would do you well to work on sharpening the way you produce results. It would also do you well to improve the many relationships you already have, or in which you will soon find yourself.

Good, effective leadership goes a long way to improving not only your own life, but also the lives of others. Isn’t that one of our calling as Christians? Provide positive results. And improve relationships with others.

Now if only our new president will do the same.

How do you measure the effectiveness of a good leader?

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How to Instantly Make Someone’s Day

This week was one of those weeks. I’m sure you’ve had them, too. There were car problems, inconveniences, appointments that went awry, and the home team losing (twice). Everything was just a little…off. It felt like I was under a cloud that was following me around. But as a new week started, someone made my day, probably without even knowing he did so.

morning-light

As a pastor I take very seriously the “metrics” of my congregation. I know it’s not all about the numbers. It’s not all about attendance, and meeting the budget, and volunteer hours. But as a human being I can’t help but view those things as a reflection of my own effort, passion, and faithfulness. When those numbers turn downward, even a little bit, I can feel a bit discouraged.

So today, as I was ending a not-so-good week, and reflecting on some human metrics, I heard words that made my day. There was a guest at church today. He was there to bring news from one of the ministries our congregation supports. So he joined us for worship and stuck around to talk afterward.

What he said had nothing to do with metrics or numbers. He said, “This congregation is really alive. I felt so welcome. You all are more supportive of our ministry than any other church in the area. And I really enjoyed your sermon.” Day made.

So here’s how to instantly make someones day: Pay a specific compliment. It doesn’t even have to be directly about the person to whom you are giving the compliment. Sometimes it means even more to compliment the things with which they are intimately involved:

  • Compliment the teacher on the behavior of her class
  • Tell the dentist how much you enjoy his staff
  • Make a point to tell a store manager how much you appreciate the store itself (Can you imagine what it would mean in the midst of all the complaints they get?)
  • Ask your waiter to tell the chef how great you think the food is in the restaurant

I’m going to start my new and better week glowing about the congregation I am privileged to serve. They are a people “alive.” People feel welcome in their presence. They provide outstanding support for people outside their own walls.

Pay a compliment to someone about the things with which they are intimately involved. 

You will make a day. 

Maybe even a week.

What does it take for someone to make your day? 

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The Real Reason This Year’s World Series Was So Great

This year’s World Series will certainly go down in history as one of the greatest. Two historic franchises trying to win one for the first time in eons. The Cubs finally got the goat off their back. They are now World Champions. Chicago-land went apoplectic.

wrigley

If you know me well, you know that I’m not much of a Cubs fan (to say the least). But that’s another post for another time. I thoroughly enjoyed every game of this World Series. Game seven was probably one of the greatest, if not the greatest baseball game I have ever seen. But just because I don’t like the Cubs doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy the baseball.

In fact, this World Series was great for reasons that far transcend just baseball. Baseball has always brought people and families together. But the Cubs fan base has a long and sordid history. It has decades of futility. There is that incredibly iconic stadium. The Cubbies have supporters throughout much of the midwest, and beyond. All of this adds up to one of the things I most enjoyed about watching everything that led up to the Series, and the Series itself.

Did you notice that so many Cubs fans were wishing they could be watching games with people who no longer live here on earth? 

  • The grandfather who listened to games on the radio
  • The dad who rode the L in to Wrigley with the son or daughter
  • The mom who loved tuning into those day games WGN before there was either cable at home or lights at Wrigley

This feeling was so prevalent that people began to use chalk to write the names of deceased loved ones on an outside Wrigley Field wall. “This one’s for you dad.” Names of grandfathers, uncles, brothers, and mothers were written there. They were such touching messages that heaven and earth almost came together in a chalk mark on a seemingly sacred brick.

People say sports don’t matter. But tell that to the Cubs fans who, upon that last out, looked up to the sky with tears streaming down their faces. Tell that to my daughter who learned how to score a baseball game sitting at my side at Miller Park. Tell that to my son whose glove wore out from all those times we played catch in the front yard on 53rd Street.

Tell him that those rides to and from Little League games and practices was time wasted. Tell him that the lessons he learned about winning and losing, team work and goal-setting, discipline and hard work mean nothing.

Tell that to my family. Remind them of the times we laughed, cried, cheered, and even sat quietly together at Milwaukee Brewers baseball games. I dare you to tell them it meant nothing.

You can’t do it. You can’t do it because sports, and especially “thinking” sports like baseball, draw families together. It is a form of love shown and shared. Baseball, in many ways, is a metaphor for life. It’s filled with disappointments and bursts of joy. The lows are very low. And the highs are very high. It’s a reminder that doing well even three out of ten times is to be “successful.” And it’s an epic lesson in patience.

When families share all of these things together there is a bond. It’s a bond that sometimes even transcends this life to those who have already gone on to the next.

And that’s a very good thing. That’s why, even though it was much to my chagrin, the Cubbies winning a world series was so much greater than just a game. It brought together hopes, dreams, wishes, memories, and, finally, a World Championship.

Now maybe someday, sooner than later, it will be the Milwaukee Brewers’ turn. And I hope I get to share that same joy with my children (and grandchildren?) before I pitch a game in that great baseball field in the sky.

What impact has baseball had on your life?