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My 10 Favorite Cities in the US

I’ve always been a city boy. Never had much interest in the country. It’s too boring. Not enough for me to do.

It’s been my pleasure to be able to visit and live in some incredible cities over the years.  Here are my ten favorite cities, in order.

10. Denver. Mountains. Culture. Stadiums. Theme Park. Great place to visit.

9. New Orleans. French Quarter. Fantastic food. Lake Ponchartrain. Fantastic architecture. Trolleys.

8. Orlando. Disney. Weather. Enough said.

7. San Francisco. The ultimate in multi-culture. Cable cars. Great food. Golden Gate Bridge. Fisherman’s Wharf. Incredible views.

6. San Diego. Perfect weather year-round. Beaches. La Jolla. Seals. Gaslamp District. Downtown baseball.

5. Washington, D.C. History. Monuments. Smithsonian. Traffic. The Beltway. Friends. Politics. Smart people.

4. Chicago. The Magnificent Mile. Great neighborhoods. Magnificent architecture. Shopping. Walking. Food. Fun. Lake Michigan.

3. Milwaukee. The most underrated city in the United States. I’ll pit the restaurants there against most any city in the U.S. Beautiful architecture. No traffic. Salt-of-the-earth people. Lake Michigan. Great biking. Fantastic theatre. The Third Ward.

2. Nashville. Music. Southern hospitality. Night Life. Interesting Neighborhoods. 12th Street South. Franklin, Tennessee. Weather. Hills. Bluebird Cafe. Music. Music. And more music.

1. New York City. Broadway. Diverse neighborhoods. Walking tours. Restaurants like no other city. The High Line. Energy like no other place on earth. New discoveries every day. Rockefeller Center. 5th Avenue. Boroughs. Times Square. Subway. Music. The ultimate city.

Do you agree with my list? What is your favorite city?

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What Are You Doing Today to Insure Success Tomorrow?

Over the course of a lifetime there are many opportunities for parents to learn lessons from their children. Our son, Ben, is an Entertainment Industries Studies student at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. He has become pretty intent recently on having a real go at the music industry as a singer/songwriter and leader of a band called My Red and Blue. It’s a tough industry, and he knows it.

Knowing that, he spends most every day doing things that will hopefully help him defy the odds and actually make a living as a musician and entrepreneur. Here are some of the things he’s been doing:

  • Helping other people. He doesn’t do it just so that favors get returned. He does it because he’s genuinely interested in people, and in helping them succeed.
  • Setting goals. He has a clear vision in his mind of where he’d like to go, and where he’d like to one day be. With that before him he has road to take and a path to pursue. There’s no floundering. It’s a very real plan.
  • Networking. This week I had the opportunity to attend a show that Ben and his band played along with a couple of other acts. Wisely, after the show, he stuck around to speak with people who had attended, and to find Nashville and industry connections that just might provide future opportunities.
  • Working hard. When you’re doing something you love, working hard on it is actually fun…not “work.” So every chance he gets he co-writes songs with other songwriters, spends time on his own writing, or jots down notes that may one day turn into a full-blown idea.
  • Relying on people who know. Ben’s a good listener. Whenever he can he picks the brain — and listens — to people who have been there, who know what they’re talking about, who have experience. Instead of making mistakes, it’s always wise to learn from someone else’s…and from their successes.

This all isn’t to say that Ben has done everything right. Some opportunities have slipped by. He could be better at getting things finished right now instead of “putting them off until tomorrow.” If he had done some things months ago, he’d be well on his way to things that will help him in the days and months ahead.

But Ben has taught me (or reminded me) to:

  • Help other people.
  • Set goals.
  • Network.
  • Work hard.
  • Rely on people who know.
…And maybe not to procrastinate so much.

While they are no guarantee, doing these things today will lead to a much better chance for success tomorrow. That’s a lesson I’m gladly learning from my son.

What are you doing today to insure success tomorrow?

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Why Weddings are Both Weird and Wonderful

Weddings are both weird and wonderful. The weird part comes from a conglomeration of people who have never been together before — and never will be again — joining to celebrate the union of two people with whom they somehow have a relationship. There are two families and two sets of friends. It makes for a mishmash at the reception that leads to interesting discussions, long lost friends being found, and serendipitous meetings. I’ve even known couples who have met at weddings that eventually themselves get married.

The wonderful part happens at the most unexpected times. Our niece was married this past weekend. We love her and her new husband. They are fun, faithful, and a fantastic couple. They proved it, when at the rehearsal dinner, they both spoke eloquently, thanking their parents for bringing them to this point in time.

Their informal speeches were filled with quiet passion, emotion, and a strong dose of their Christian faith. In short, they were wonderful.

There we were in the party room of a dimly decorated place  near downtown St. Louis. The room was quieted, and the two began to speak. The speech our niece gave was formed around the phrase: “When I think of you, I think of…” She made a list for each of her parents, recalling many of the things they had each done to bring her to this point in time, and make her who she is. She recalled the ways they helped create her competitive spirit, her love of art, and instill in her the Christian faith.

It was masterful. The words she spoke were so much from the bottom of her heart, that they welled up in her and made her cry. They were tears of love. And tears of love are the sweetest of all tears.

Those tears were not at all weird. They were wonderful.

But the love didn’t end there. It kept flowing the next day as we all came together in the Lord’s house to see right before our eyes a picture of Christ and His bride, the church.

In a wonderful way, as vows were said, we were reminded that as a husband gives of himself for his wife, Christ gave His life for the church. Given the opportunity, a husband ought to do no less.We were reminded that as a wife loves and serves her husband, so the church loves and serves her husband, Jesus. Given the opportunity, a wife, and the church, ought to do no less.

The weird thing is that Christ did what nobody really expected. Though He was God, He became man and gave His life for His bride, the church.

The wonderful thing is that the church (though sinful and often self-centered) willingly and lovingly serves her husband, Jesus. Though she is frail and fails, the bride finds joy in serving and service.

Weird and wonderful. It’s strange to think that this will all culminate in the ultimate wedding feast at the marriage feast of the Lamb in the kingdom that will have no end.

I imagine it will be a wonderfully weird conglomeration of people on that day. There will be passion, emotion, and tears of joy that will be eternally wiped dry.

What do you find weird and wonderful about the picture we are given of Christ and His bride, the church?

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How a Dental Exam Made Me Spiritually Uncomfortable

Today I saw things I didn’t want to see. I made my first trip to the dentist here in Florida, and had an experience that I had never had at my dentist back in Milwaukee. As I sat in the chair, the dental assistant pulled a TV screen down in front of my, placed a wand in my mouth, and one by one showed me each of my teeth, larger than life and in living color.

Not really the way I wanted to start my day.

I saw my kingly crowns. I noticed a couple of old silver cavities. I cringed at the thought of a repaired tooth. I’m just not into seeing every detail of the inside of my mouth.

It’s even more uncomfortable when that little camera called God’s Law scans its way across my life and points out all my flaws:

  • My failure to help others in need
  • My secrets that should never be known
  • My outbursts of unjustified anger
  • My hatred of those I shouldn’t hate
  • My impatience
  • My lack of giving 100%
  • My frustration with things that ought to be considered blessings

I just want to turn my eyes away from that little camera. But sometimes I need to fix my eyes on that screen. I need to see the ugliness of my sin so that I note well the terror of its consequences.

The teeth of the Law have done their job when I begin to feel the jaws chomp down and I do my best to wiggle away.

But I cannot wiggle away. I am trapped. The jaws of death will not let go.

I need rescue and release. And there is only One who can take the camera of the Law off of me, and turn it on Himself. He took the trap upon Himself so that I am free. Baptism makes me clean, washes away all the ugliness of sin, and releases me from the trap of my own awful self.

When the little camera of God’s Law is turned upon Jesus, it scans its way across His life and points out His perfection:

  • Always helping others in need
  • Having no secrets that need hiding
  • Never an outburst of unjustified anger
  • Loving those others would hate
  • Perfect patience
  • Giving all, even to the point of death
  • Being the perfect blessing to the world

Because of Him, I get to see things I should have never seen.

What reminds you of the incredible gift of forgiveness?

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Funny As a Heart Attack

One of my very best friends had a heart attack the other day. And that’s not funny. In fact, it was about as serious a life event as one could ever go through. You’ve heard the saying, “I’m serious as a heart attack.” Well, this was serious.

Some said the heart attack was “minor.” A heart attack is only “minor” if it’s not happening to you. It’s serious.

Having said that, when I visited my friend in the hospital, we laughed.  And laughed. And laughed. Following his procedure, he was feeling better than he had in months. He almost couldn’t contain his excitement. The day he had the heart attack just happened to be his birthday. He said that his new lease on life was the best birthday present he could have received. He said and did things that made the three of us in the room with him laugh extremely hard. As a pastor, I’ve been in many, many hospital rooms over the years. I have never laughed in a hospital room as hard as I did that day.

It was a funny couple of hours. 

But there was something that made the day poignant, as well. What impressed me more than anything else was that my friend, having just had a heart attack and gone through a cardiac catheterization, was seemingly more concerned about other people than he was about himself. He got on the phone there in his hospital bed planning, making arrangements, and feeling badly for people who would be negatively impacted by his inability to do certain things over the next few days and weeks.

Attack or not, the guy has a heart. He lives the Christian life. He knows that loving and serving God means loving and serving people right here on earth. He doesn’t just say it. He lives it.

His is a forgiven heart (as are yours and mine). And a forgiven heart is a giving heart. Forgiveness fuels hearts to do what God calls and enables them to do.

A heart attack is nothing to joke about. But when the heart of a giving person attacks others with love, the world is changed. That’s the kind of heart attack that can bring smiles, joy, and laughter.

When have you seen someone make the best of a difficult situation and show great heart?

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The Sentence of Our Generation

When Neil Armstrong died last week I was reminded of his famous words when he set foot on the moon. The words he uttered became one of the most famous sentences of all time. He said,

“One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”

This sentence has defined my generation. As young children we sat and watched our black and white TV’s as Neil Armstrong took that famous step. Now we make giant leaps of our own, holding tiny computers in our hands. Just last week my best friend in San Francisco took me on a tour of his house as I watched on my iPhone. He was 2800 miles away. He could see me and I could see him. I felt like Dick Tracy.

Our children barely know what it’s like not to have a cell phone. Now they wonder how technology will impact their children. I can only imagine.

It seems as though giant leaps are made almost daily. But far too often those leaps are made by others. While our own hopes and dreams remain just that — hopes and dreams — others are working to make their hopes realities. They are persistent. They show up. They make the best use of their time.

They take the first step.

Sometimes just a small step is actually a giant leap:

  • Taking an idea and writing it down.
  • Planning the next step.
  • Building a model.
  • Having a meeting.
  • Following up.
  • Doing something uncomfortable.
  • Taking the risk by telling someone else.

Neil Armstrong could never have landed on the moon had someone not done the above things. Your goal may not be to land on the moon, but it could be something just as significant or life-changing.

Today I want to nudge you to bring forward idea you have in the back of your mind and take the first step toward making it a reality. Write it down. Plan. Tell someone else. Ask them to hold you accountable and follow up.

Take a risk and take a small step that just might be the giant leap this world…or maybe just your small corner of the world…really needs.

It may just be the impetus for the sentence that will define this next generation.

Go. Now. Do it.

What small step have you taken that, in the end, became a giant leap?

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If He Can Do It, I Can Do It

While you were watching the Olympics this summer, did you see the Nike commercial? You know…the one with the overweight kid “running” toward the camera? Well, really not running…more like shuffling. He barely puts one foot in front of the other while a voice talks about “greatness.” The commercial ends with the words: “We’re all capable of (greatness). All of us.”

That. Commercial. Motivated. Me. It wasn’t so much the words. In fact, I don’t think I even paid attention to the words any of the 83 times I saw the commercial. What I said to myself every time I saw that commercial was: “If he can do that, I can do that.”

I have been a sporadic “runner” off and on for many years now…more “on” than “off.” But over the past year or so it’s been very easy for me to find one excuse or another: “I’ll never be able to run again like I used to.” “I have this ‘fatigue’ that the doctors can’t figure out so I might as well give in to it.” “It’s too cold.” “It’s too hot.” “It won’t help me lose weight, anyway.”

So my running has been more sporadic than ever. But then I saw the kid on the Nike commercial. If he can do it, I can do it. Over the past couple of weeks, more often than not, I have been getting up, slipping on the running shoes, beating the heat with an early morning venture into the misty air, and putting one foot in front of the other. If you saw me “running” you’d see that it’s really not unlike the kid on the commercial.

But if he can do it, I can do it.

You know what? It’s really just about showing up. Making it a pattern. Creating a habit.

I haven’t noticed any big improvement, or that it’s becoming any easier. In fact, I wish I’d see at least some improvement. But I just. keep. thinking. about. that. kid.

If he can do it, I can do it. 

Nike says that it’s about “greatness.” I’d say that

  • It’s more about a competitive spirit and not giving up.
  • It’s about showing up.
  • It’s about making helpful habits.
  • It’s about using whatever it takes to motivate oneself.
  • It’s about lacing up the shoes and getting out there: hot or cold, rain or shine, energetic or tired.

If he can do it, I can do it.

And so can you.

What is motivating you today to move forward?

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Don’t Wish Your Life Away

Yesterday I realized that I’ve still got a whole suitcase full of clothes that I haven’t even opened since I’ve been here in Florida. Half of the clothes that I’m wearing right now are either in the dresser that I call “the floor” or in another suitcase. It’s definitely evidence that we are living temporarily.

We’re using furniture that’s not our own, silverware that isn’t ours, and are living a small apartment that we are only renting for (hopefully) a short period of time. It’s not easy. Have you ever just really wanted to use your own “stuff”: golf clubs, cook ware, a bike, or your computer? It just makes you feel a bit “out of sorts.” We’re waiting for our house to be built and the process is painfully slow. A watched pot boils faster.

But it’s all sort of like planting seeds in the ground and waiting for them to grow. You know that eventually something wonderful is going to pop out of the ground. You simply have to be patient until that day arrives.

As my wife’s grandmother used to say: “Don’t wish your life away.” There is plenty to be excited about for today. What is happening under the soil as a seed takes root is all about:

  • building strength
  • laying a foundation
  • measured growth
  • daily nurture
  • preparing for next stages

I only wrote that last paragraph because I have to remind myself of that principle. I am, by nature, an impatient person. But in my heart of hearts I know that this time of transition is for me

  • building strength
  • laying a foundation
  • measured growth
  • daily nurture
  • preparing me for upcoming stages in my life

I was reminded of all this by one of my favorite bloggers, Allison Vesterfelt, who recently wrote that life “never feels dreamy while you’re living it,” and “dreams come true while you’re taking out the trash, or doing dishes.” Jesus said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:33-34).

Seek His kingdom today. Tomorrow there may just be a shoot sticking out the ground, a branch growing off of a stem, or even a flower blooming at the top of your life’s plant.

What are YOU anticipating, that can just as well be “left until tomorrow”?

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If You Can Read This, Thank the Husband of a Teacher

Every year about this time a different person moves into our house. She’s a bit more serious and a great deal more intense than the person who lives here during the summer. When school is about to begin a carefree, fun-loving person is replaced by someone with intensity and dedication.

My wife, Tammy, is a teacher. There is a transition in her personality every year at this time. If there is a teacher in your household, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Fridays become holidays. Summers are savored. Christmas break is a fantastic Christmas gift.

Those who don’t have educators in their homes have no idea. In fact, I wonder just how much of the public realizes and understands the amount of work, preparation, time, effort, care, and concern that goes into teaching a class — grade school, high school, or college.

I know it’s popular to say that teachers have it easy because they get holidays and summers off. But I can tell you from first hand knowledge that they more than make up for those hours during the school year. Evenings, weekends, and free time that other people take for granted are all used by teachers to get their “take home” work finished.

If a teacher has never taught a class or grade level before, you can simply double the work about which I just wrote. Sure, it gets easier the longer you teach a class or subject. But there is always work. Every day. School year weekends. All the way through to the last day of school.

You think children are happy when school’s over? Ask a teacher how they feel about summer vacation. It’s not because they don’t enjoy teaching. It’s just that they need a break.

You’ve seen the bumper sticker: If you can read this, thank a teacher.  The teacher’s family deserves some thanks, too, for the sacrifices they make at the expense of grading papers, planning classes, and going to bed early.

So, if you see a teacher today as another school year begins, thank her (or him). You might also think about thanking that teacher’s husband and family.

What’s a memory of your favorite teacher?

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Lean Forward and Learn

I have lately noticed myself leaning forward a great deal. I find myself on the edge of my seat. I’m falling forward across desks and tables. I don’t want to miss a thing.

As I begin ministry in a new place, I want to notice all the little things. It is important to take in the details of people’s faces, the nuance of their inflection, and even their body language sending signals about who they are, what they need, and state of this church that I now serve. It’s almost subconscious, but I can’t help but lean forward in my chair.

It strikes me that we all ought to be doing significant leaning forward in our lives. There is so much to be gleaned, learned, and studied in life. Every day information explodes exponentially. So we need to be paying attention to the things that are right there in front of us.

There is more right there in front of you than you may ever dream. There are all kinds of signals, all kinds of particulars, so many facts, and so many wonderful things to hear, see, touch, taste, and smell. Take it in. Enjoy. Revel.

Lean forward.

As you lean forward right now, what do you notice?