Favorite Things Friday - Sept 28

Good Reading

No Drama Policy (from Donald Miller)

Walking The Leadership Tightrope & The Secrets Of Imperfection (from Dan Rockwell)

Teaching Your Kid To Argue (from Jay Heinrichs)

Phil Vischer from Story 2012 (notes by Justin Wise)

Favourite Slam Poem

Favourite Bad Lip Reading


Favourite NHL Lockout Rant


Favourite Surprise Ending


Favourite Real Life Re-Creation Of Playing With Hot Wheels

Lazy Farmers

I used to think farmers were some of the hardest working people in the world.

Last weekend I was talking to my friend Matt, who works on a farm. I mentioned that I'd like to work on a farm for a week, to get the feel for what it's like, but no longer because I hear it's incredibly hard work.

His response?

"No it's not. Thanks to technology, we hardly do any work now."

Excuse me?

Apparently with the advances in modern technology, a GPS drives the tractor, a machine harvests the grain, a computer sorts the potatoes and the human oversees it all.

Those lazy farmers!

But as I thought about it, we've all become lazy.

Scott Jackson loves to point out that when he started in radio they played "carts" on the air. The DJ would have to find the right cart, cue it up, and start play at the right time. Mix in taking phone calls and  sounding like a star when the mic is on, and Scott claims he'd be soaking wet with sweat by the end of a show.

Now the DJ has a computer that finds the song on a hard-drive, cues it up and starts it when the preceding song ends. All the DJ has to do is turn the mic on and be awesome.

Sounds even lazier than Matt the farmer.

No, farming isn't as difficult as it used to be; but they still work harder than a radio DJ, so I'll just keep my mouth shut.

How has technology made your job easier?

Distractions & Double Rainbows

I was on way to speak at InsideOut Orillia last night when I looked into the sky and saw the most incredible rainbow I have ever seen. This thing was super bright, and made it fully across the sky.

As I pulled up to the red light at 90 & 27, I took a closer look and noticed a muted twin taking up residence just left of the brighter rainbow.

A DOUBLE RAINBOW!

I reached over to the passenger seat and grabbed my phone, opened up Instagram and snapped this shot.

I begin to write a clever caption for the newly minted photo, when I felt a [WHAM] from behind. I checked my rear-view mirror to see what caused the commotion, and saw nothing. As a put my phone back on the passenger seat, I snuck another glance in my mirror and noticed a man in a motorcycle helmet staggering around my rear. I quickly unsnapped my seatbelt and hopped out the door.

"Hey, you ok?" I inquired of the mystery man.

He removed his helmet and slowly replied: "Yeah man, I was just looking at the rainbow. I'm sorry."

After a two or three additional exchanges similar to the first, I pulled my car forward, dislodged his bike and offered him my phone number if he needed anything. 

He started up his bike, and went on his way. No damage to either vehicle. 

Can't say the same about his pride though.

Ever had a weird encounter on the road?

Favorite Things Friday - Sept 21

A mixed bag of favs this week.

Favorite Posts
The Expert From Afar (from Phil Cooke)
Are You Hurting Your Own Cause? (from Harvard Business Review)
4 Biggest Time Traps In Your Life (from Sanders Says)
Stop Trying To Look Cool (from Jon Acuff)

Favourite Bus Ad


Favourite Place To Play Hockey


Favourite "How'd You Get That Past Security?" Moment

Favourite Explanation For Cutting Your Sister's Hair Off





Anything catch your eye this week?

Unleash!

I've mentioned before my love for podcasts. Perry Noble's Leadership podcast is easily one of my top 5. This week Perry releases a new book, Unleash!, and I was sent an advance copy to check out and review.

I wasn't sure what to expect. I like his podcasts and his messages, but as a writer? I didn't know what to expect. Overall, I was impressed. 

Unleash! is similar to Mark Batterson's In A Pit With A Lion or Erwin McManus' Barbarian Way in it's overall feel. Encouraging the reader the leave their life of normalcy, push past the fear and doubt, and unleash the life God has for you. Overall a solid, enjoyable effort.

Mind you, I've got a natural bent towards this type of message.

In particular, the chapters on The Great American Lie and More The We Can Handle were especially awesome.

Here are some tweetable quotes that stuck out to me:
- God is not after our begrudging submission. He is after our joy.
- If you are in Christ, you are loved because you are His. Not because of anything you’ve done.
- One of the quickest ways to forget what God says about me is to focus on what the enemy says about me.
- Forgiveness is not achieved but rather received.
- No matter what circumstances we face, they don’t change who God is. He is still God.
- Understand that information about Christ doesn’t always lead to intimacy with Him 

No matter where you are at in your walk with God, I think this is a solid read. (Church and ministry leaders especially) A great first effort from Perry Noble.

I plan to dive in a little deeper and really chew through this book in the near future.

Check out the website for the epic trailer and a sample chapter.

The Mystery Of "God's Will For My Life"

Last week the CRTC announced their decision in regards to the vacant 88.1 frequency in Toronto. Trust Communications applied for it, but the CRTC awarded the license to fellow Barrie broadcaster Rock 95.

Rock 95 applied for an indie station offering exposure to unsigned, local talent. I can't argue with that. It'd be nice to see ToTell, Bleeker Ridge, Jill Jambor and Bob Charters get some radio love in Canada's largest market.

Needless to say the vibe around LIFE was pretty dark once we heard the news. We believed this was our time. Christian radio was going to become a reality in Toronto.

Thousands of people prayed.

Scott felt God's hand and calling on this application.

People prophesied that Christian radio would happen.

So what happened?

Scott wrote a post questioning everything leading up to the decision, and asking a question I think we all wrestle with: how do you really know what God wants you to do?

I don't think there's an easy answer.

I'm in the middle of a stage where I'm asking the same question. God, what do you want me to do? I haven't received a clear answer, and in the absence of a clear answer, you begin to look for answers in all sorts of things.

You seek wise council and they encourage you to pursue it. During worship on Sunday you get a tingly feeling, that must be God telling me to go for it. You encounter a roadblock and you think to yourself: Is this a sign? Maybe this is God telling me to stop? Maybe this is just Satan trying to slow me down and get me to give up? You begin to look for signs in all  sorts of places and pray you get a burning bush moment, or that a voice wakes you up in the middle of the night to give you a definite answer.

No such luck.

So what does God want me to do with my life?

I think unless God clearly speaks to you in one of those miraculous moments, it doesn't matter what you do. We need more Christians who are plumbers. We need more Christians who are film-makers. We need more Christians who are police officers.

I believe God is more interested in who we become, than what we do as a vocation.

He has given you talents, passions and abilities. If you use those in a God-honoring way, I don't think it matters if you are a lawyer, carpenter or mechanic.

So how do you know if it's God or the hot wings you ate last night? You'll never be sure. All you can do is look at scripture, make sure it lines up, and go for it.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I wish I had a better answer, but until I get my own burning bush that's the best I've got.

Thoughts? How do you know if it's God's will for your life?

Favorite Things Friday - September 14

Favourite Potential Nutritional Development

Meet our President | Nutrition Science Initiative from Nutrition Science Initiative on Vimeo.

Favourite Way To Wait At A Traffic Light

STREETPONG from HAWK Hildesheim on Vimeo.

Favourite Radio Commercial

Favourite "I Hope He Is Wearing Diapers" Moment


Favourite Discussion On Spiritual Depth

BFF Returns!

It's that time of year again, the Barrie Film Festival is just over one month away!

Tonight was the volunteer information meeting at Barrie City Hall. A hot, sweaty group of volunteers packed into the Huronia room just outside of council chambers for a standing-room only run-down of this year's festival.

A quick explanation of the 10-day festival schedule. Parties, after-parties, the short-film competition, the education series, the director's brunch. So much more than just the 25 films being screened.

To be honest, I'm really excited about the 2012 festival. With each year my involvement grows, and I love it more.

Weird how that happens huh?

The more invested you are,
the more ownership you take,
the more connected you become,
the more your heart leans into it.

We could apply this to our spiritual walk, but that's another post in itself.

Bottom line: If you are into movies & film (even in the slightest) you need to check it out. You may, or may not, recognize some of the titles, but I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy the films regardless.

Even better if you can combine a movie screening with one of the after-parties, or special events.

You can get more info HERE.

See you at the festival!

Solid Advice

Favorite Things Friday - Sept 7 Edition

Favourite Motivational Video
Part 1

Part 2



Favourite "Whoa" Moment


Favourite Airline Ad


Not Sure I Can Use The Word "Favourite" Here, But It Is Incredibly Moving

Waking Up from Jonathan Reisinger on Vimeo.

Manifesto

As you may know, I am a reader. Mostly non-fiction, but the odd work of fiction captures my attention (Hunger Games)

There are a handful of authors I enjoy more than others, and I have read all their material. Erwin McManus, Malcolm Gladwell and Mark Batterson to name a few.

One of my favorite books from Mark Batterson is In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day. The title is taken from a story that has its beginning, middle and end in one verse in II Samuel.

The entire book is fantastic, but I particularly enjoyed the "Lion Chaser's Manifesto". This belongs on the wall in my office.

Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshiping what’s right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze new trails. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don’t try to be who you’re not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Don’t let fear dictate your decisions. Take a flying leap of faith. Chase the lion!

Any quotes, mantras or manifestos on your wall?