The internet is amazing. I found Eric Whitacres’s presentation at an April 2011 TED conference to be inspirational and moving. There is no better time in the history of mankind than right now to connect the people of the world with a common interest. The result is beautiful.
Those Crazy Christians
I have a new reason to love the ABC sitcom “The Middle.” Besides being true to life in that it depicts a REAL modern family who’s father is in charge and a little gruff at times, a mother who’s trying to hold things together in a not always perfect way and teenager antics so real they are funny, the star is a Christian. [NOTE: If you’ve never seen the episode with the church youth group holy hay ride and the alternative new year’s party you need to find it and watch it as soon as possible].
In a 2006 Christianity Today Post interview Paticia Heaton said
“There’s a need for Christians to stop being portrayed in our industry as crazies,” she said. “Christians….have just been stereotyped to death. You try to be a model of kindness and love and forgiveness to all those around you, because you have received kindness and love and forgiveness from God through Christ. That’s what Christianity is.” (Lee Warren“Patricia Heaton Says her Politics have Cost Her Possible Roles” Christian Post May 21, 2011
Agreed. Take her final sentence and place it in your life. If you are one of those crazy Christians who make it easy for the entertainment industry to stereotype us you will be better suited to practice kindness, love, and forgiveness instead.
7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. (Titus 2:7-8, New International Version)
Photo by Matt (originally posted to Flickr as Patricia Heaton) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Look at Me
I’ve never felt okay ignoring people who are putting themselves out there for my protection. Several airplane flights ago I gave in tomy unease and started watching the flight attendants during their safety brief. Along the way I began noticing something peculiar…they never make eye contact.
This was confirmed when during a very rare first class flight (I’m usually in coach) I was clearly the only one among the 16 passengers watching. The attendant acted like a husband who wants to make sure his wife knows he is not looking at the attractive girl walking by. He looked in every direction but mine. (more…)
Just Do Good Work
“Just do good work. Work, and do it well. Don’t put too much thought into what it is and what it can do for you and how it will be perceived before you even make it. You don’t have control over those other things. Learn your stuff. Do it well. Show up on time. You’ll work”. Actor Steve Zahn quoted in the May 2011 American Way magazine describing advice from older actors he’s worked with including Tom Hanks.
Put People at the Heart
Good leaders make people feel that they’re at the very heart of things, not at the periphery. Everyone feels that he or she makes a difference to the success of the organization. What happens people feel centered and that gives their work meaning – Warren Bennis
Wisdom Over Rules
At work I am often asked to write policy letters to cover every possible contingency of human behavior. These policy letters are reviewed by lawyers to ensure every lawsuit is avoided, operations officers look for the impetuous for action, the employees immediately look for a loop hole which, when found, prompts more policy letters. ENOUGH! You can’t write a standard operating procedure for common sense.
A recent presentation by Barry Swartz at the TED conference struck a cord with me. In it, Dr. Swartz describes practical wisdom as defined by Aristotle as the “combination of moral will and moral skill.”
Lower Your Expectations
There a few phrases I use almost like mantras with my daughters. One I find using more and more is “lower your expectations without lowering your standards.” It’s a phrase born in a desperate discussion with my oldest when one of her friends had been caught drinking. The choices were to break-up with her friend or lower her expectations and maintain an influence.
The message is this, we can’t expect perfection from our friends. The trick is to not give into the temptation to join them in their poor choices. We have been called to be merciful and in doing so extend the influence of the gospel.
Some parents will not trust their children to not give in to temptation. My experience (after 19 years) is the exact opposite. When our children are empowered with permission to extend mercy they become stronger in their own standards.
The mantra: you sometimes have to “lower your expectations without lowering your standards.”
G.O.S.P.E.L
Just watch and try to not be amazed at the simplicity of the Good News of Jesus Christ our Messiah.
Parable of the Hidden Treasure
Summary: The traditional interpretation of the parable of the Parable of the Hidden Treasure describes the value of the kingdom of heaven (treasure) and the process by which one acquires that kingdom (sell everything). But there is more to this short parable, when placed in context and in light of all teachings of Jesus the interpretation gets turned on its head. Jesus sold everything and bought us (the treasure). (more…)
Six Word Bible Story
Inspired by a tweet from Brian Chen @bxchen who referenced a 2006 article in Wired magazine I asked a couple Twitter followers to compose a six word story using the Bible as inspiration. The Wired article promoted the concept of a six word story which is based in a work Ernest Hemingway considered some of his best that only used six words, “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” Here are the stories Joel, Cynthia, and I wrote throughout the day. I would love to read your six word stories, comment below or tweet to @GregChaney using the hashtag #sixwordstory (more…)