Wednesday, February 27, 2013

We Are All Storytellers

We are all writing a story with our lives. What's your story look like?

(I'd like to thank Donald Miller for embedding the 'your life is a story' idea in my mind)

Here's a radical idea on what I think makes a good story, the kind of story I'd like to write with my life.

What if your story was about helping other people write a better story with their lives?

What if your story was about helping people succeed as a father?
A husband?
A business leader?
A neighbour?
A culture maker?
A friend?
A Christian?

That's the kind of story I want to write.

What's your story?

Friday, February 15, 2013

Favorite Things Friday - February 15

Favourite Reads
How You Approach Your Message by Andy Stanley
Bible Verses On Business Cards by Phil Cooke
Simplify Your Life - By Skip Prichard

Favourite 'Is That For Real?' Video


Favourite Ad


Favourite Fake Ad


Favourite Kid


Favourite Educational Video

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

A Dichotomy

Crystal and I haven't been on a vacation for 4 years, (apparently that happens when work and kids collide) and so we decided that in 2013 we'd take some time off, travel together and get away. We have decided to take a trip out to California and knock another item off our bucket list.

Problem is I kind of don't want to go.

I'm afraid that I'll  I know I'll fall in love with California again and I won't want to leave. I mean how could you not?
Yosemite National Park
Trestles
San Francisco
Big Sur
San Diego
Santa Monica
Catalina Island
Palm Springs
California has everything you could want.
Mountains, the ocean.
Adrenaline, relaxation.
Wilderness, cities.

It's going to be an amazing vacation that I'm never going to forget. (Best ever?)  I'm afraid I'll come home, but my heart and soul will stay on the West Coast.

Am I alone here? Anyone else struggle with this?

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Let's Talk Day

Today is BELL - Let's Talk Day across Canada in support of Mental Illness Awareness.

TSN aired a phenomenal documentary last night, telling the story of James Peek. I highly encourage you to watch this.
 

Monday, February 11, 2013

The Grammys, Facebook & A Jesus Juke

As I was scanning Facebook last night I came across a post that got under my skin. I'm sure the author didn't mean for it to irk me, but it did. The post was something along the lines of: "Home from church and I see all my Christian friends posting about the Grammys, makes me sad, I wonder where their hearts are at?" As if to say that as a 'Christian' you shouldn't be watching or posting about the Grammys. Maybe as a Christ follower all my posts on social media should be scripture verses, or cliche motivational sayings?

I doubt that was their intention, but it sparked something within me. I don't believe being a Christian means you talk exclusively about religion. In fact, I think that actually hinders you from living on mission.

Our mission as believers is to lead people into an encounter with Christ. That mean connecting with people on their level. If you approached a non-believer at work today and quoted them the 'verse of the day', they'd likely walk away from you, and maybe avoid you next time they saw you coming.  Instead, if you elect to talk to them about Saturday's Leaf game, the Grammys or Identity Thief they might continue the conversation and you tart to build a relationship.

A relationship which might allow you to talk about your faith, and how it impacts your parenting, relationships and work.

I think that is what it means to be "in the world, but not of the world."

Didn't Paul (like the Paul in the Bible) often make reference to Greek philosophers and gods (pop culture of the time) when speaking?

What's your take?
What doe it mean to be 'in the world, but not of it'?

Friday, February 8, 2013

Favorite Things Friday - February 8

Favourite Reads
Why I'm Not More Public About My Faith by Donald Miller
Why You Should Work From A Coffee Shop from Fast Company
Move To Your Future, Not Away From Your Past from Skip Pritchard

Favourite Interview


Favourite 'How-To' Video


Favourite Way To Enjoy Winter


Favourite Combination Of Babies And Dubstep


Favourite Will Ferrell Appearance

Monday, February 4, 2013

Empowering Your People & Being The Final Word

Advice to Moses from Exodus 18
21But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”

So often we get it twisted. We believe that as the leader, everything must pass through us. We are the final word on the issue. When that really just adds undue stress to our leadership.

Moses was on the verge of burnout, and was advised to empower a few chosen people to make decisions on his behalf. This eased the burden of leadership and also gave Moses an inner-circle that he would mentor and lead. The appointed people become the direct-reports of the rest of the Israelites.

What if we adopted this model into our culture?

What if we empowered those we lead to make decisions, 
to create, 
to ship,
without having to pass through us?

Not only would it ease the burden of leadership, but it might also increase buy-in from those people, and who knows what we could accomplish.

How have you seen this work in your life? In your workplace? In your ministry?

Friday, February 1, 2013

Favorite Things Friday - February 1

Favourite Reads
When Persistence Doesn't Pay Off from Dan Miller
14 Rules Of Our Revolution from Scott Dinsmore
12 Ways To Fuel Your Own Fire from Dan Rockwell

Favourite 'How-To' Stay Healthy


Favourite Creative Way To Fundraise


Favourite Drive-Thru Order


Favourite 'I Don't Like Him, But This Makes Me Change My Mind' Moment


Favourite Look Into The World Of Parkour