A speaker at my church shared this concept last weekend that I thought was really cool. His theory was to imagine seeing everyone you come into contact with for the next two weeks as God sees them.
Everyone?
Yes, everyone.
That means for two weeks, even the most annoying, self-centered, high-maintenance people (Lebron, I'm talking to you) would be greeted with grace, understanding and forgiveness.
This would transform the world, at least your world, in just two weeks time. But man, is it hard to really do.
I've wanted to do this over the past week, but must admit I have failed miserably.
Because everyone means everyone.
The debby-downer co-worker that just wants to complain...
The old lady driver in front of you that doesn't know how to merge and thinks 45 mph is just fine on the interstate...
The Bama or Gator fan in your life...
The "YouTube video guy" that swears the clip is going to get hilarious in another 6:23....
The reality show contestant or latest celebrity trainwreck...
The black-hole on the basketball court who never met a shot he wouldn't take. Wait, that's me...
The test is to see EVERYONE you see as God sees them. I'm going to start my two week test over again next week. Give it a shot yourself and let me know how it goes.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Mistakes
I have made some unfathomly stupid mistakes. Things that make me cringe when I think back on and just wonder how mind-blowingly insensitive, selfish and immature one person can be.
Stupid is as stupid does, I guess.
But rather than rewind these mental tapes constantly and berate myself for my lack of control or lack of judgement, I've asked for grace. Grace to be forgiven. And, equally importantly, the grace to LEARN from the mistake. Suffice it to say I've got plenty I can learn from.
But I come to believe that it's one thing to do somehting dumb. It's quite another to KEEP doing something dumb. Hall of Fame QB Joe Montana tells a story that sums that idea much up much better than I can:
“As if screwing up on the field in front of millions of TV viewers wasn’t enough, the Monday after every game I got to relive my mistakes—over and over again, in slow motion and with commentary from the coaches! Even when we won, we always took time to review our mistakes. When you’re forced to confront your mistakes that often, you learn not to take your failures so personally. I learned to fail fast, learn from my mistakes and move on. Why beat yourself up about it? Just do better next time.”
So take it from Joe Cool when you make a mistake. Learn from it and move on. Easier said than done. But worth it.
Stupid is as stupid does, I guess.
But rather than rewind these mental tapes constantly and berate myself for my lack of control or lack of judgement, I've asked for grace. Grace to be forgiven. And, equally importantly, the grace to LEARN from the mistake. Suffice it to say I've got plenty I can learn from.
But I come to believe that it's one thing to do somehting dumb. It's quite another to KEEP doing something dumb. Hall of Fame QB Joe Montana tells a story that sums that idea much up much better than I can:
“As if screwing up on the field in front of millions of TV viewers wasn’t enough, the Monday after every game I got to relive my mistakes—over and over again, in slow motion and with commentary from the coaches! Even when we won, we always took time to review our mistakes. When you’re forced to confront your mistakes that often, you learn not to take your failures so personally. I learned to fail fast, learn from my mistakes and move on. Why beat yourself up about it? Just do better next time.”
So take it from Joe Cool when you make a mistake. Learn from it and move on. Easier said than done. But worth it.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Summer Reading
This Summer, I haven't been blogging much due to the job change and, to be honest, the well has been pretty dry. Those who know me would say that my well has always been dry. Nonetheless, I will get back to a more regular blog posting schedule soon. At least that's my goal. I have been reading some excellent books of late that I wanted to recommend:
Hear No Evil by Matthew Paul Turner.This guy is a huge music geek, has a popular blog Jesus Needs New PRand has lived in Nashville. It's just like me, except for the having a popular blog part. Anyways, he's a tremendously funny writer. His chapter where he dedcided as a teenager that God was calling him to "become the Christian Michael Jackson" is one for the ages.
Nine Ways God Always Speaks by Mark Herringshaw and Jennifer Schucmann. I read this duo's first book and was blown away by the depth of the stories and inspiration it generated. This book picks up where the last one left off, and tackles the great struggle of trying to truly know and hear when God speaks. As the book says, that whether you are a Christian or not, many people have unusual experiences, conditions, or encounters that have left them wondering, Is God trying to tell me something? The authors say that God does indeed communicate with us all the time. We just need to learn how to hear his voice. This book will help you tune in to the right frequency to hear what God is saying to you everyday.
Jesus Calling Devotional by Sarah Young. Simply one of the daily devotionals I've ever read. After many years of writing in her prayer journal, missionary Sarah Young decided to "listen" to God with pen in hand, writing down whatever she believed He was saying to her. It was awkward at first, but gradually her journaling changed from monologue to dialogue. She knew her writings were not inspired as Scripture is, but they were helping her grow closer to God. Others were blessed as she shared her writings, until people all over the world were using her messages. They are written from Jesus’ point of view, thus the title Jesus Calling. Highly recommended.
What have you been reading this summer? I'd love to hear about it...
Hear No Evil by Matthew Paul Turner.This guy is a huge music geek, has a popular blog Jesus Needs New PRand has lived in Nashville. It's just like me, except for the having a popular blog part. Anyways, he's a tremendously funny writer. His chapter where he dedcided as a teenager that God was calling him to "become the Christian Michael Jackson" is one for the ages. Nine Ways God Always Speaks by Mark Herringshaw and Jennifer Schucmann. I read this duo's first book and was blown away by the depth of the stories and inspiration it generated. This book picks up where the last one left off, and tackles the great struggle of trying to truly know and hear when God speaks. As the book says, that whether you are a Christian or not, many people have unusual experiences, conditions, or encounters that have left them wondering, Is God trying to tell me something? The authors say that God does indeed communicate with us all the time. We just need to learn how to hear his voice. This book will help you tune in to the right frequency to hear what God is saying to you everyday.
Jesus Calling Devotional by Sarah Young. Simply one of the daily devotionals I've ever read. After many years of writing in her prayer journal, missionary Sarah Young decided to "listen" to God with pen in hand, writing down whatever she believed He was saying to her. It was awkward at first, but gradually her journaling changed from monologue to dialogue. She knew her writings were not inspired as Scripture is, but they were helping her grow closer to God. Others were blessed as she shared her writings, until people all over the world were using her messages. They are written from Jesus’ point of view, thus the title Jesus Calling. Highly recommended.
What have you been reading this summer? I'd love to hear about it...
Friday, July 2, 2010
Looking Back...
I am happy to report that I have a J-O-B! In fact I am finishing up my first week at the new gig. So far the people could not be cooler and the professional opportunities for me on the horizon are tremendous. I am truly thankful.
So what have I learned through all this? As I look back on the rollercoaster of unemployment over the past four months I am more convinced than ever at one thing:
Life is hard but God is good.
My lastest bout of unemployment was no picnic. It depressed me at times, caused major friction in my house and even brought me to tears in a very popular bakery.
But through it all, God provided.
He provided friends who dropped what they were doing to help me brainstorm job leads or send gift cards for groceries in the mail.
He provided a family that drew closer to me and, with apologies to Bob Marley, ensured that everything was gonna be all right.
He provided a series of freelance jobs to help me make ends meet - in fact of the 16 weeks since I was laid off I ended up working 14 of those weeks as a freelancer.
He provided great outlets to relieve stress, including my weekly run with my basketball brotherhood, my weekly coffee with my Silas, and a unexpected retreat to the Mountains with my lovely wife.
No mortgage payments were missed. No child went unfed. While I in no way want to diminsh how scary this was, or what someone going through an unexpected job loss is feeling, I have to check myself by asking: "What was I so worked up for?"
Probably to learn the lesson of trust. To be equipped to help another who walks down this path in the future. To learn the value of what makes me truly rich - a loving family, unbelievable friends and a loving God that has my back no matter what.
If you're reading this, no doubt you have helped me through a prayer, a job lead or just by making me smile. For that I am truly grateful. THANK YOU!!!!
God bless,
Lance
So what have I learned through all this? As I look back on the rollercoaster of unemployment over the past four months I am more convinced than ever at one thing:
Life is hard but God is good.
My lastest bout of unemployment was no picnic. It depressed me at times, caused major friction in my house and even brought me to tears in a very popular bakery.
But through it all, God provided.
He provided friends who dropped what they were doing to help me brainstorm job leads or send gift cards for groceries in the mail.
He provided a family that drew closer to me and, with apologies to Bob Marley, ensured that everything was gonna be all right.
He provided a series of freelance jobs to help me make ends meet - in fact of the 16 weeks since I was laid off I ended up working 14 of those weeks as a freelancer.
He provided great outlets to relieve stress, including my weekly run with my basketball brotherhood, my weekly coffee with my Silas, and a unexpected retreat to the Mountains with my lovely wife.
No mortgage payments were missed. No child went unfed. While I in no way want to diminsh how scary this was, or what someone going through an unexpected job loss is feeling, I have to check myself by asking: "What was I so worked up for?"
Probably to learn the lesson of trust. To be equipped to help another who walks down this path in the future. To learn the value of what makes me truly rich - a loving family, unbelievable friends and a loving God that has my back no matter what.
If you're reading this, no doubt you have helped me through a prayer, a job lead or just by making me smile. For that I am truly grateful. THANK YOU!!!!
God bless,
Lance
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