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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?

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How Consistency Creates a Sweet Swing and Artistic Hits

To put it mildly, the New York Yankees are not my favorite baseball team. My dislike for them goes back to the days that the Milwaukee Brewers were members with them of the American League. Their dominance, buy-a-championship ways, and cockiness have only fueled my fire.

I was certainly not the first to stand up and cheer when Derek Jeter recently reached the 3000 hit milestone. But I was intrigued by an article in the Wall Street Journal that shared a secret of his hitting success.

It came out of the mouth of Tampa Bay Rays manager, Joe Maddon. What he saw in Derek Jeter over all these years was:

Consistency.

 “Guys always want to change guys, or if they struggle a little bit, they say, ‘Let’s change his stance, let’s try this, let’s try that.’ The really good guys look the same out of high school as they do 15 years later. And that’s pretty cool,” the Rays manager said.

Apparently Jeter’s stance looks the same now as it did when he was scouted by Major League scouts when he was in high school. Already then he was building a foundational swing that, with consistency, would make him a hall of fame hitter. Though there was temptation all along the way to tweak and change his stance or his swing, Jeter always went back with consistency to the foundation he had built.

Even in creativity, there is something to be said for consistency. Certain talents, traits, and God-given gifts build the foundation for art and creativity that is distinct and unique only to you. Step too far outside your own box or comfort zone and you may be wasting precious time and material.

Creativity demands trying something new, something different, something that may be viewed as inconsistent. But an approach to creativity that includes the consistency of practice, or a certain talent, or a specific routine, could make you a hall of fame creative.

Start with a firm foundation, a great stance, or a sweet swing, and fantastic art will flow from it in every direction. Consistency matters.

Where do you see consistency helping your creative life?

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How Failure Led to Twitter Success

Have you ever heard of ODEO? Neither had I, until I saw a story about the other night on a show about technology and social media. While the stories vary, most agree that in one way or another, the end of ODEO was the start of Twitter.

ODEO was meant to be a platform for podcasting. But when apple came out with iTunes, it destroyed any hope ODEO had of gaining a mass market. Read more about it here.

Instead of giving up, the developers of ODEO decided to try something different. Out of failure came Twitter. It’s an understatement to say that the 140 character platform for social media is a success.

When I started this blog  I failed any number of times to get it up and running. But I kept on reading, learning, trying, and refining until this site was ready for public consumption. It can still use some tweaking, so I’m still “failing” as I try and make things better.

There is no manual for urban ministry, so my church and I are willing to try, and fail, so that in the end we are used as instruments to bring about Kingdom growth. Amongst many other things, we’ve overhauled our church governance, started a new service, and brought outsiders in to help and evaluate. Some of it has “worked.” Other things have not. When we fail we learn from it, get up, dust ourselves off, and try again.

Ask any artist, writer, or creative how many times they failed before they achieved any “art” or “success.” Please don’t be afraid to fail. You will learn. You will grow. You will find creative solutions.

You may even create the next Twitter.

What failure has led to success for you?

 

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What I Learned Waiting in Line 16 Hours for a U2 Concert

The alarm went off at 4:00…….a.m. Four of us jumped out of our beds, brushed our teeth, and ran through the lobby of the hotel to catch a cab. We arrived at Soldier Field by 4:45 a.m. There were already 181 people in line ahead of us.

Thus began the sixteen hour wait to see U2 in concert as close as is humanly possible. One learns a great deal about oneself, and about society in general, waiting in line, being herded like cattle, and feeling the exhilaration of the opening strains of a concert for which you have waited all day.

Here are just a few of the things I learned:

  • There is always someone more fanatical than you. You think we were crazy to get up at 4 a.m. to get in line? The people at the front of the line had already been there for two days. Others got there at 1 a.m. There are fans, and then there are fanatics. U2 has apparently delivered a product that creates fanatics. What would it take for your product or service to have no holds barred fanatics?
  • Self-policing only goes so far. At U2 concerts, those in the front of the line are the self-proclaimed line keepers. As early arrivers get to the line they must check in and have a number written with sharpie on their wrist. Everyone readily accepts their place in line and stays there all day. That is, until the time when the line is finally let loose and the cattle make their way down the tunnel to get onto the field for the concert. Then the entire system breaks down. It’s a free-for-all-every-man-and-woman-for-him-or-herself. If you want order in your life or organization, there must always be accountability…right up to the very end.
  • Someone will always try to scam the system. Toward the end of the day, just as we were finally getting ready to head into the stadium, two interlopers came and tried to crash the line. They wrote fake numbers on their wrists and attempted to slip in without notice. This is where the self-policing aspect of the line became very interesting. Those who had been waiting all day noticed these two rogues and from one end to the other saw to it that they were not welcome in the front of the line. Fair is fair. Sometimes it takes hard work, discomfort, and long days to achieve a goal. Those who cheat the system are cheating themselves…and making life more difficult for others. Don’t be one of those people.
  • Uncomfortable situations are made easier with family and friends. Throughout this day of waiting I was accompanied by my wife, our son, and my best friend. We provided company for one another, shared our discomfort, held the place in line for those taking a bathroom break or going to get food for lunch, and, in the end, shared the joy of finding the perfect place for the concert. When life gets uncomfortable, make sure you lean on those you love. They will be happy to support you.

  • I’m getting too old for this. A day spent in this manner takes a great deal of fortitude and patience. It was hot, uncomfortable, and tiring. At the end of the concert we sprinted to find water to drink. It may be the last time I ever attend a concert in this way. Next time I’d like a seat with my name on it. I’ll let the younger folks spend their day waiting.
That’s not to say it wasn’t worth it. As the concert began I looked at my arm and it was filled with goose bumps. The sheer joy on the faces around me as I caught glimpses of them throughout the concert were almost worth the price of admission themselves. And, I don’t care what you say, U2 puts on the best show of any band out there. If you like them at all, you must, at least once, experience them in concert with a General Admission ticket, inside the circle, within arms reach of Bono.
Who or what would you wait 16 hours to see?
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10 Reasons to Love the 4th of July

July 4th is a bittersweet holiday. It’s sweet because it’s right smack in the middle of summer. It’s bitter because it means that summer is flying by.

Nonetheless, there are plenty-o-reasons to love the 4th of July. Here are ten of them:

  1. It was on this day that the Continental Congress voted a second time on the Declaration of Independence. John Adams wrote in a letter to wife, Abigail: “It ought to be commemorated as the Day of Deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.”
  2. Speaking of John Adams, every 4th of July my dad watches the movie musical 1776. It is a wonderful re-telling (with a bit of artistic license) of the days leading up to that first July 4th in Philadelphia in the midst of turmoil within the First Continental Congress. Rent it this year. You’ll love it.
  3. It’s a great excuse for great food. Ribs. Burgers. Brisket. Pulled Pork. Cole Slaw. Potato Salad. Watermelon. Appetizers of all kinds. Need I say more? Yum.
  4. Everyone seems to be in “vacation mode.” That’s a good thing. People are happier, more friendly, and sharing plenty of toothy smiles.
  5. The world’s greatest music festival, Milwaukee’s Summerfest, is in full swing. Is there a band you’d like to hear live? Chances are they’re playing at Summerfest over the course of ten wonderful days.
  6. It brings back memories for me of living in small town North Carolina and watching the Old Soldiers Parade. It’s a throw-back to post Civil War times and true Americana. It’s also a day to remember another slice of Americana: sitting on the curb with a box of donuts watching the Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, 4th of July Parade with great friends.
  7. Singing the National Anthem often makes me well up with tears. I’m a patriotic person, and July 4th is a whole day set aside to be thankful for the freedoms of my beloved country. Have you ever seen the American Experience at EPCOT in Disneyworld? Talk about tear-inducing.
  8. Many women and men have sacrificed time, comfort, and even their lives for my freedom. July 4th is a day to remember and thank them.
  9. I love a good fireworks show…especially if I’m the one who gets to set them off. I fondly remember my brother-in-law putting a firecracker and a teddy bear in very close proximity with one another…but that’s another story.
  10. (Your idea here)

I have intentionally left number 10 blank because I’d like for you to suggest your own reason to love the 4th of July. Please respond below with a comment.

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U2 From the Top of the Stadium or From the Front Row?

Would you rather see U2 from the top of the stadium or with General Admission tickets where you could watch so close you could touch Bono’s hand? Would you rather watch a baseball game from the front row or one level up? When you’re making your way through daily life would you rather put your nose to the grindstone with only a micro-view or do you have the ability and desire to take the long view?

I have strong opinions about the first two questions, and am quickly forming an opinion about the third:

  1. I would rather get up at 5:00 a.m., sit in line all day, and stand right in the front when the opening strains of the U2 concert begin. In fact, I’m going to do that in Chicago this July 5th.
  2. When I go to a baseball game at Miller Park to watch the Milwaukee Brewers I would rather sit up one level where I can have an overview of the whole field than sit in the front row where the perspective isn’t quite as good.
  3. I’m learning that taking the long view of tasks, work, and vocation is better than seeing only the task in front of me.

I’ve been learning about this by watching our kids make their way through their college experience. It’s been particularly clear this summer as I see them both working hard at jobs that, at first glance, may not seem to be career enhancing positions. But from my perspective (1000 feet up, as it were), I see the skills they are learning, the connections they are making, the responsibilities they are taking, and the networks they are building.

I’ve had telephone conversations with both kids, listening to them (mildly) complain about the weight and responsibility of full-time summer jobs. From the perspective of a parent I see the many ways these summer positions are preparing each of them for life in the working world and for vocations that will be fun and fulfilling.

It got me to thinking that I far too often take the near view in my own daily life. The old cliche is that I “can’t see the forest for the trees.” More accurately, I can’t see God’s plan for my life because my own near-sightedness gets in the way. When I take the time to step back, take the long view, head to the top of the stadium, I see from where I’ve come and to where I’m going.

Here’s what I’m trying to do:

  1. Beginning the work day prioritizing the things that will have the greatest impact.
  2. Ending the work day reviewing what I’ve done, what it meant, and what it means for tomorrow’s work.
  3. Take stock at the end of each week to see whether the goals set have been met, and if so, what new goals ought to be set.
  4. At least once a month taking some time to think about the major things that have taken place so far in the current year, and what that means for next steps as the year proceeds.

How do you take the long view in your daily life?