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How to Build a Legacy into a Home

You may have noticed I haven’t written for a while. We’ve been busy moving into our new house, painting, unpacking, putting furniture together, and generally getting organized. It has been a daunting task.

As I painted the house from top to bottom I kept thinking about the legacy that is a home. We recently left behind a home where we had lived for fifteen years. Our children grew up there. They will always remember significant moments of their lives there. The house was built in 1938 and still stands as a testimony to the families that lived there and the hopes, dreams, and wishes that were realized.

I wonder if the first owners of our previous (1938) house wondered, like I am about this new house, how long it will last.  More than 70 years later that house in an established Milwaukee neighborhood is still standing. A neighborhood around it thrives. It is now a new home for a new family. That house won’t be going anywhere soon.

While I painted every inch I couldn’t help but think about how long this house will stand. What will its walls see and what will its windows view? How many families will live here over the course of its own life? What joys, sorrows, dreams, and discussions will be held around the tables, in the living room, and up in the loft? How many years later will people still be living and loving in this house?

When you build a house you build a legacy. A house is something that often outlives the builder. But the legacy, the hopes, the dreams, the wishes fulfilled never die and never go away.

It’s a reminder of the home we have that will never perish, spoil, fade, or be torn down. The truest and most lasting legacy is the household of faith Jesus left behind when He established the church. There, true hopeful expectation is never disappointed. Dreams of lifeafter life after death come true. Wishes for forgiveness and salvation don’t just blow away with the wind but stand firm on the foundation of faith.

There will be a day when even our new home no longer exists. But there will never be a day when the household of faith, the eternal home built by the blood of Jesus, will ever cease to exist.

That’s a lasting legacy.

When was your house built? What stories would it tell?

 

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10 Things That Scare Me

Our family never really “celebrated” Halloween. We just never thought it was a totally “appropriate” holiday for Christians. We certainly don’t judge those who have fun at this time of year by dressing up, trick or treating, and the like. It simply wasn’t a priority for us. The darker side of life is scary enough without adding to it.

However, at the risk of being a bit too transparent, here are some things about life that truly scare me:

  1. Living far enough away from my future grandchildren that I wouldn’t get to see them grow up.
  2. Seeing people that I really love, respect, and care for live life without faith in Jesus.
  3. A National Debt that will have a very real, very negative impact on my children and grandchildren.
  4. Another terrorist attack on our American shores.
  5. Serious illness in someone I love.
  6. Never having the opportunity to travel to places of which I dream.
  7. Earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornadoes.
  8. Living life without fulfilling certain hopes and dreams.
  9. Random acts of violence or accidents.
  10. Disappointing people who believe in me.

That’s why I lean on this psalm:

God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).

And on these words of Jesus:

Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid (Mark 6:50).

What brings you comfort at times of fear?

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How to Make a Difference Where It’s Really Needed

We hear too much of it lately. Last week in our suburban Orlando community, a man went into a beauty salon with a gun, killed his girlfriend and two others, then went home and turned the gun on himself. In light of these kinds of events a community feels helpless.

Within a day or two, one of the local pastors contacted me asking if we might want to get other clergy together and have a prayer vigil. So we did some quick planning, inviting, and writing. We brought members of our churches. First responders attended. The mayor of our city was there. Media covered the event as well.

We did the only thing that could be done in such a seemingly helpless and hopeless situation. We prayed.

After the vigil, everything honestly seemed the same. People milled around. The family’s of the victims were still missing their loved ones. Reporters did some more interviewing. The fire truck and ambulance pulled away. A few people left remembrances at the front of the beauty salon.

Everything was actually now different. Faithful people prayed. The Lord listened. And He will answer those prayers. He promises to do so.

We prayed for healing, peace, for our first responders, and for hope. I, for one, believe that the Lord is the One who gives all of those gifts:

  • Those who hurt are healed by His grace, sometimes using the instrument of modern medicine or psychological therapy, sometimes using miraculous means.
  • Those who need peace will receive it from the only source of true peace.
  • First responders are themselves a gift from God. He uses them to protect us and to bring us help when we need it.
  • Those who need hope, even in desperate situations will receive it from the promise of eternal life through Jesus who gave His life to secure certain and lasting hope.

In the end, we didn’t make a difference. A difference was made because God was and is present through His Word which brings healing, peace, protection, and hope.

Where do you see the need for a difference to be made?

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How to Live Large

My grandmother was one of the largest personalities I ever knew. She was the matriarch of the family, the queen of The Lutheran Home (where she spent the last years of her life), and the jewelry diva of the city of Milwaukee.

On Saturday we lay her to rest. But her presence is larger than life and will last in the legacy that she left.

Grandma Eggebrecht lived large. There was nothing timid, shy, or fearless about her. She filled a room with a personality that wouldn’t quit. Wherever she was there was laughter, conversation, drama. But there was never more than two seconds of silence. Grandma had to fill that space with words.

She lost her husband, my grandfather, more than thirty years ago. Until then she didn’t know how to drive. She took lessons. Learned to drive. And tooled around in her sedan for most of the rest of her life. She had more friends than anyone I know. She loved cards, and manhattans, and polkaing at weddings. She was always the life of the party.

My cousin, Suzy, captured her so well:

Auf Wiedersehen, Grandma Eggebrecht. I’m so glad we got to say goodbye to you last night. I’ll always remember someone who laughed a lot, loved to dance and always seemed to sing the loudest in church; who always had Donettes when we slept over, Bugles at her parties & bags of mixed nuts for us under the Christmas tree; who taped quarters to the insides of our birthday cards and who I watched roll a quarter off her nose in a bar the first time she ever played a game of quarters; who once gave me a firm scolding for telling someone to shut up but everyone once in a while let some questionable language of her own slip out; who learned to drive at age 60 and then would sometimes drive car loads of little old ladies past our house so they could see where we lived (those poor ladies held hostage :)). Now you and Grandpa are polkaing thru eternity…

She is living large right now, because throughout her entire life she leaned large on the One who gave her new life in the waters of Baptism. That’s why you could always hear her singing in church louder than anyone else, see her reading her Portals of Prayer every morning, and unashamedly speaking of her faith…even literally laughing in the face of death.

Grandma’s life was so large that it lives on in the lives of her great-grandchildren. In them you can see her dramatic personality, her amazing ability to imitate people, her love of fashion, her gift of gab, her sense of humor, and her passion for food. Though she was very poor for a major portion of her life, she never seemed to complain about lacking anything. Instead she lived large until her last day.

I learned from my Grandma how to “live large.” Here’s how:

  • Laugh
  • Smile
  • Pray
  • Sing from the bottom of your throat
  • Talk to anyone who will listen
  • Never be afraid to dress “loudly” or wear gaudy jewelry
  • Brag about your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren (in moderation) to anyone who will listen
  • Read your Bible
  • Enjoy dinner and a drink
  • Dance the night away at weddings
  • Enjoy the privilege of age

Never regret living large. Life here is short. But with saving faith it leads to living a much larger life in the age that is to come. With that in mind, how can we help but live large?

Whom do you know that provides a great example of living large?

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A Lesson in Encouragement

I made a mistake last week. I know, I know. It wasn’t my first, and it certainly won’t be my last.

Our son, Ben, is working on a new project. He’s writing songs and in the very beginning stages of creating a new album. It’s a time of creative brainstorming, business planning, coordinating schedules with musicians and producers, and plenty of excitement interspersed with occasional frustration.

He and I were talking on the phone about one aspect of the project that was not going as well as he had hoped. And that’s the point where I made the mistake. I said, “I’m only going to say this once, and then I won’t say any more about it. If you had done this a few months ago when I was encouraging you to do so, you wouldn’t be in this predicament right now.”

Wrong. Thing. To say.

Ben was already stressed about the situation. He didn’t need me to remind him of things that couldn’t be changed. And he told me that. Ben was not happy with me, and in retrospect I don’t blame him.

After we had both cooled down a bit Ben taught me a lesson that I needed to learn. He reminded me that when he finds himself in such a situation, he doesn’t need his dad to remind him of something that brings about even more stress. He doesn’t need me to impart my “adult wisdom.” He doesn’t need me to pile on.

What he needs is a good dose of encouragement.

Life is stressful enough without the people closest to you adding to the stress. Why not offer a word of encouragement instead of speaking a word that’s been heard before…and doesn’t need to be heard again? Why not lighten the load instead of adding to it? Why not paint a better picture of the future instead of dragging out the faded photos of the past?

Here’s a word of encouragement to encourage someone close to you today.

Who needs your encouragement right at this very moment?

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What I See in Central Florida Clouds

You haven’t seen clouds…or lightning…until you’ve lived in central Florida. The clouds that dump the rain most every summer afternoon tower taller and higher than any I have ever seen. They roll, and blow, and flow. When it’s grayer than gray over one’s own house, in the distance there is in plain sight blue sky and puffy clouds. A mile away from us it may be raining cats and dogs and never rain at our house at all. Almost every day the clouds are a work of art on the canvass of the sky.

Central Florida is apparently the lightning capitol of the world. The conditions here are perfect for the generation of static electricity. You should see the formations and cloud-to-ground strikes, or the flashing spider webs of light, the create cracks in the sky. It is an awesome, and sometimes scary, sight.

These natural occurrences are reminders to me that art and creativity are all around. Sometimes all we need do is open our eyes to what is most familiar to us. Inspiration is everywhere.

Looking for a way to jazz up your presentation, your paper, your writing, or your art…whatever it may be? Take a look around. Enjoy a closer look at something you see every day. Linger for a moment. Slow down. Try and notice something you haven’t noticed before…

…Like the shape of the cloud as it passes by on a summer afternoon.

Where have you noticed creativity in something boringly familiar?

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What I’m Learning Living in a Retirement Community

While we are waiting for our house to be built, my wife, Tammy, and I are temporarily living in a retirement community. Our first day here a lady pulled up next to us in her golf cart and we said, “How’s your day going?” She responded: “It’s always a great day at the Haven!”

And that has been the sentiment of almost every person we have encountered here ever since.

Here are just a few observations I’m making about life in a retirement community:

  • All kinds of people are walking, riding bikes, and exercising early in the morning.
  • Clouds of perfume remain even after women walk away.
  • Couples walk hand-in-hand at sunset.
  • Golf carts become the major mode of transportation on “campus” (wouldn’t YOU love to tool around in one of those things whenever you wanted?).
  • People are relaxed and always friendly.
  • Everyone waves.
  • It is a law to sit on the porch in the afternoon when the weather is nice.
  • When you live here you get to say whatever you want…no filters!

Every morning the humid Florida air leaves a heavy layer of dew on the grass. It’s like manna from the sky. I’m convinced that along with that dew a layer of love is left behind. When you get to the point in life that the days ahead are shorter than the days behind, nothing is more important than love. And it shows itself around this place in many and various ways.

On those sunset evenings when romantic walks are taken around the grounds, hand clings to hand knowing that life is short and love is what matters.

Living at the retirement community reminds me that 

  • Life is short
  • Love is long
  • Waving is the magic wand that sprinkles good will all around
  • Sometimes sitting on the porch on a warm summer afternoon is just what the doctor ordered
  • Use just a little too much perfume every once in a while
  • When all else fails, relax a little bit
  • …And drive a golf cart every once in a while so that you feel like a kid again

What have you learned from those who are older than you?

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6 Tips to Generate More Response From Your Social Media Posts

It was a privilege for me last week to sit in on a seminar on Short Content Form Writing presented by my friend, Gretchen Jameson. Gretchen is the owner and principal of PurePR, whose mission it is to “support people of passion and purpose to build the conversations that shape communities and change our world.” I believe in Gretchen’s work, because I have had the first hand experience of seeing how it had a positive impact on our ministry at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

At the seminar, Gretchen drew us in with some fascinating and interesting facts about writing for social media. If you think you know everything there is to know about writing for social media, think again. Did you know these facts?

  • Writing for social media not about YOU. When you write, write from the perspective of the “fan.”
  • Posts of 80 characters or less get the highest engagement rates.
  • You have got to show people that you’re listening by the way you respond to their “likes” and “comments”. (By the way, did you know that there are 6 phases of engagement on Facebook? Here they are…and see if you haven’t followed the same flow yourself: Lurk, Like, Like a comment, Post a Response to an Initial Post, Make an Unsolicited Post on a Page, and Share a Post.) Acknowledge those who are liking, commenting, and sharing your posts.
  • Be LIKEable, Kind, Curious, Empathetic, and Generous.
  • Think of social media like an actual social event. If someone commented on something you said at a social event, would you just ignore her and walk away?
  • Be brief. Briefer is better.
  •  Use the word YOU.
That’s all great stuff, but here are six tips from Gretchen Jameson that are sure to help you get more response from your posts on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media:
  1. Lead with what matters. Say what you need to say right up front. Whether it’s an attitude, idea, or concept, make the main thing the main thing.
  2. Tap into human needs. People want to be validated. They love things that are “exclusive.” They appreciate it when they feel as though you have been helpful. Be an authority on something. And know that people give you time before they give money.
  3. Make it personal. An effective post is a post that is emotion-rich. That means you ought to have fun with your posts, make them positive, but write it so it sounds like it could come from anyone.
  4. Be Useful. Give a new idea. Lead with a number (Did you notice the title of this post?). Start with “how to.” List it out (people love lists that they can quickly read through). Share secrets.
  5. Use A Digit, a Power Word, or a Promise. These three things are very likely to draw people in.
  6. Have fun with your Facebook Page or Twitter Account. Coca-Cola got HUGE response when they tweeted something like this: “We’re trying to get exactly 10,283 likes and 8,761 shares on this post.” Guess what? They got more than both of those numbers.

What tips do you have for creating more engagement…and more fun!…with your social media posts?

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How to Surprise Yourself

The other night our church did an “improv night” to raise money for our young adult ministry. Since I am the “new pastor” I was asked to be one of four people who would participate in a series of improv games and sketches.

It was definitely outside of my comfort zone. I’ve seen improv done plenty of times before, enjoyed it, laughed heartily, and even went away from the evening satisfied. But I had never done it.

How does one think so quickly on one’s feet? As I prepared for the evening and looked over the list of games and sketches we were going to do I knew I was either going to think quickly on my feet or I was going to bomb. I don’t mind being in front of people if I can plan ahead what I’m going to say or learn lines from a script. But making up things as I go? That’s a whole different ball game.

So the evening began and the games began to unfold. We started with a game in which I did fairly well. I even ended up “winning” it. After that I became increasingly more comfortable.

I surprised myself. I didn’t succeed at every game. I didn’t think I was always very funny. But there were some things I did that made people laugh, and that was enough for me. We finished the show to lots of laughs and a great deal of applause.

Here’s the lesson: Do something today that makes you uncomfortable. 

  • You just might surprise yourself
  • You will definitely stretch yourself
  • You will grow in ways you might not expect
  • You may find skills or talents that you never knew you had
  • You might even find a new hobby that’ll bring a certain sense of joy, purpose, or relaxation into your life

What uncomfortable thing will you do today to surprise yourself?

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5 Blogs You Ought to Be Reading

At the Apple Store today I received incredible service from an employee who just happens to be a young, upstart filmmaker. I give the guy all kinds of credit for following his passion and pursuing his dream. He and a couple of friends are starting their own company even as we speak. I have a heart for young people who are doing the one thing they are passionate about. We have two children who are doing just that.

So while we were talking and closing the transaction, I wanted to do whatever I could to help him out. I recommended that he sign up to receive Seth Godin’s blog every day. I know for a fact that if he reads it, and follows what Seth says, it will help his young company thrive. Godin’s advice isn’t always easy, but it’s always right on target.

It dawned on me that since I have been on Twitter, I have learned more than I could have ever imagined from some fantastic blogs that I discovered there. I want you to reap the benefits, too. So here is a list of five blogs that I almost can’t live without. Pick and choose the ones that are best for you. They may not all fit your station in life, but there just may be one that does.

1. Seth Godin This blog, by the bestselling author if Linchpin and Purple Cow, comes to your inbox every single day. It has to do with marketing, standing out, doing life and business in a purple cow kind of way in this web 2.0 world.

2. Michael Hyatt This blog on Christian leadership applies even to those who don’t feel as though they are leaders. It applies to many areas of life, and may just get you to carry out your own “life plan.”

3. Allison Vesterfelt  Ally’s writing tugs at my heart just about every time I read it. Her blog is so diverse that both my 23-year-old daughter and I love it. You will think deeper thoughts about both yourself and your faith life when you read this blog.

4. Jon Acuff This bestselling author of Stuff Christians Life and Quitter is brilliantly funny with perceptive commentary on the Christian faith and life.

5. Donald Miller Another bestselling author, Miller wrote Blue Like Jazz (which is now also a feature film) and A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. Now he has rebranded himself to encourage people to “live better stories.” If you read his blog you almost certainly will.

Click one of the links above and begin exploring. Your day will be better for it. Your life may even be better for it.

Which blog would you recommend that others read?