Creative Commons: Will G
Love is a lot like fire.
The more you give, the more it grows.
Come to think of it, so is
Try to hoard any of these, and the flame goes out. For you and for others.
Share them copiously, and you’ll see the blaze take over your life.
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? – James 2:14
Creative Commons: Adam Cohn
It’s time to acknowledge that we all deal with junk. Sometimes it’s a product of our own doing. Sometimes it’s from someone else.
But that beautiful mask you’ve constructed is still a mask, hiding who you really are.
Quit hiding. It’s not doing you any good.
Your messy story paints a beautiful picture of grace, mercy, hope, and love. No need to hide.
Find refuge in Gospel community, not in the secrecy of your beautiful mask.
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! – God (Isaiah 43:1)
My son doesn’t like having his picture taken.
But instead of giving you the full context here, I thought I’d ask you to fill in a funny caption. And in return, I’ll reward you. I’m so thankful for you guys and the community we’ve built here that I’d just like to say, “Thanks.”
Ian is speaking at the upcoming Story conference, and is a highly sought after communicator.
Ian’s book is a great read. It’s fun, engaging, and is a great picture of one man’s pursuit of God despite so many things stacked against him.
1. Leave a caption. Make sure to include how many of the additional entries (below) you’ve also done.
2. Tweet this: Do. Not. Take. My. Picture! Caption contest for @IanCron ‘s ‘Jesus, My Father, the CIA & me’ via @benreed: http://su.pr/3DbcNp
3. Facebook this: Do. Not. Take. My. Picture! Caption contest for Ian Cron’s ‘Jesus, My Father, the CIA’ on Ben Reed’s blog today here: http://su.pr/3DbcNp // (be sure to tag me in the post so I know to count you in the drawing)
4. Subscribe to receive updates to this blog HERE.
I’ll be drawing the winner at 9 pm central time on Saturday, September 2nd.
image via BioJob Blog
Innovation doesn’t stop with the latest success
or slow down with the last failure;
it trudges on amidst a flurry of opposition,
enduring through the “No!”
“Better” is its carrot.
“Enough” doesn’t compute.
“Finished” isn’t an option.
“Change” is its motto.
“Creation” its creed.
Innovation asks, “What’s next?”
What’s the standard response time for responding to an email?
image via iStock Photo
I try to respond to all emails within 24 hours. Sometimes on the weekends, things can pile up and it takes a bit longer than 24 hours, but I try.
But I don’t know what’s standard.
Is there a standard for email responsiveness/promptness?
If you know you’re going to take longer than your standard, do you put up an “away” message alerting people it may be a bit longer?
What do you go by? What time frame do you shoot for?
Is there a different standard for your work email than for your personal email?
Do you respond more promptly for social media interaction than email?
Does your promptness (or lack thereof) reflect something about you?
Question:
Pick one of the questions above and help me out. Wrestle through this with me!
image via RadioManKC
I’ve seen this a lot on people’s blogs, and frankly it bothers me.
Sorry, life has been busy and I haven’t had time to blog…
And then it’s often followed up with a promise
I’m going to be blogging every day for the next 289 days, that’s my commitment to you!
And then, 12 days later, I read yet another apology on their blog.
I’m not going to start with an excuse like that. Because when I start with ‘Sorry…it’s been a busy season…’ I insult just about every reader of my blog. Because what I’m saying is, “I’m much busier than you. Because I assume you are checking my blog every day and are shaking your fists at me, foiled once again because you were hoping I’d write another post to fill up your day because you have nothing else to do. You lazy sloth. Get a job.”
Ok, so maybe I’m not actually saying all of that…
I’m not going to use those excuses, because you don’t care if I’m busy. You don’t care how long it’s been since I’ve blogged. You just want me to write.
And this mindset and subsequent offense happens all of the time in life. Not just on blogs. Check this out. Maybe you’ve said something like this.
Likely I’m not any busier than you are. We’ve all got 24 hours in a day. And we all make time for things that we value.
When I lead with, “Sorry, I’m busy…” I presume that you’re not also busy. I presume that my time is more important than yours. That I’m more important than you, and that your time with your job, your family, your church, and your hobbies isn’t also important.
So I’m going to quit apologizing and just start doing the work. No promises or apologies or excuses. Just creating art and forward momentum.
Instead of wasting the time it takes to fill you in on why I haven’t lived up to expectations, I’ll just start living up to expectations.
Question: Am I the only one with a busy schedule?
Without you, I look silly.
Without you, I look like a mouth. I can scream and shout, but I can’t hear anything. And do you know how annoying that is…the guy who talks but doesn’t listen?
Without you, I’m a hand that’s stuck in one place. I can’t move. I need you. I’m like The Thing. Just plain weird.
Without me, you’re a foot that can walk anywhere it pleases…but can’t pick anything up. Because…have you ever tried to hold a hammer with your foot? Ever tried to write a note with your foot? Good luck with that.
Without me, you’re a set of eyes that can do nothing about what you see. And I can’t even begin to fathom how frustrating that would be.
I need you and you need me. There’s just no getting around that.
And when we work together, it’s called the Church.
We’re better together.
Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? – 1 Corinthians 12:14-17
Retweeting to get a Retweet in return may be the most base form of fake generosity that social media has spiraled into.
image via PLR Internet Marketing
(if you’re not sure what a Retweet is, get a crash course on verbiage I wrote HERE)
Here’s what happens. You notice that I have quite a few followers. You want my followers to like you and follow you and read your blog. So you read my blog post, retweet what I said about it, and sit and wait. Just hoping that I’ll return the digital favor.
Stop it!
Generosity gives, expecting nothing in return. True generosity doesn’t scratch your back so you’ll scratch mine. And when you give expecting a retweet, you rip the generosity right out of the gift.
And you give expecting the return gesture, you completely miss the point of sharing. The point of sharing is not to bless the writer of the post. It’s to bless YOUR followers. The ones who look to you saying, “What new stuff have you found lately?”
Imagine this crazy scenario. I give you a nice new gift. Let’s say I give you a new iPad. But the whole time, I’m looking over my shoulder, wondering if Apple is going to reward me for purchasing an iPad. And you’re left wondering, “Did he just use me?”
I like what Dale Carnegie says in How to Win Friends and Influence People:
Let’s cease thinking of our accomplishments, our wants. Let’s try to figure out the other person’s good points. Then forget flattery. Give honest, sincere appreciation. Be “hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise,” and people will cherish your words and treasure them and repeat them over a lifetime—repeat them years after you have forgotten them.
Instead of looking at social sharing as a way of gaining followers, look at it as a way of blessing those who have chosen to follow you. Of sharing with the world what you’re learning, who’s influencing you, and what’s shaking your world. The more generous you can be, the more people will cherish your words and treasure them. But leave a hint of personal gain in your generosity and your followers will sniff you out.
Will you join me?
Over the past few months, I’ve had the chance to preach at my church, Grace Community Church, three times.
And I’ve loved it. Each time, though, I’ve learned quite a few things. Some about myself. Some about the art of preaching. You can read what I’ve learned HERE and HERE.
Well, this past Sunday was no exception.
1. It’s incredibly easy to get distracted.
I notice every single person that stands up to leave. Every one. And I try oh so hard to not get distracted by them. Remember that next time you get up in the middle of a sermon.
2. To preach well, you have to give of yourself.
When I preach, I pour myself, my life, my personality, my research, my stories, my heart and my mind into the craft. And this past Sunday, I had the privilege of preaching 3 times. It was a beautiful exhaustion.
3. Beware the death blow.
Want to know how to deal a crushing blow to a pastor? Right after they say ‘Amen,’ find them in the hallway and tell them which part(s) of their message were a disaster. They’ll love you for it. And by love, I mean…watch out, because they may swing at you. Preachers should elicit feedback, but it’s okay to wait a day or two.
4. If you want to get better, you’ve got to work at it.
I work to get better every single time. I evaluate what I said and how I said it so that next time I can communicate more effectively. And, hopefully, I’m improving.
5. Preaching is an unbelievably incredible motivational tool.
I talk so much about the importance of community. In fact, that’s what my sermon was about on Sunday. And I talk so much about community that I can almost forget how powerful the public, spoken word can be in someone’s life. We saw people taking steps of faith in droves on Sunday, as they took a step towards community by signing up for small groups.
Question: Has God worked in your life through hearing someone preach?
When I was in graduate school, I worked at a coffee shop.
There, I developed a great love for coffee. Good coffee. Coffee that’s handpicked, handcrafted, and consumed at just the right temperature. Coffee that’s paired with the right pastry, in the right season, at the right…heck, who am I kidding? I’ll drink coffee anytime.
My all-time favorite hand-crafted masterpiece was the con panna.
photo via Justin Mcintosh
Con Panna means “with cream,” and it’s a simple drink to make. Grab a canister of whip cream. Then pull 2 (or, if you’re feeling extra frisky, make it 3) shots of espresso. As soon as the shots are done brewing, transfer the shots to your demitasse cup, then top with whip cream. It’s heaven. In a cup.
Most coffee shops, though, won’t have this drink listed on the menu. They’ll have the traditional cappuccinos, lattes, and cafe mochas. But no con panna. And it’s not that they don’t know how to make it. It’s just not a huge seller in America. Most people in America want something with a little less kick…a little smoother and creamier. They’re not looking for something with so much punch.
But if you want to be super cool, just order a con panna next time you’re at your local coffee shop. The barista will look at you with eyes that say, (*read the following with an Italian gangster accent)
How do you know about the con panna?
Then you’ll look back with eyes that say,
Hey! I know my stuff!
To which his eyes will respond,
A’right. A’right. I didn’t know. I’ll give ya a little respect.
To which your eyes will respond,
Don’t mess it up. I might mess you up.
I’ve shared the beauty of this drink with a lot of folks who frequent coffee shops. You know what every one of them tells me? “I am going to order that drink next time I go!” Why?
There’s something about us that wants to feel like we have a leg-up on others. That we’re a step ahead. We know a bit more. We are in a bit deeper. We’re just a little bit more awesome than the rest of the people in this coffee shop.
You might spin that thought and think that it’s related to pride. But I don’t think it is. I think it’s a reflection of our desire to learn, grow, change, and improve. And when it comes to leading people, this is an invaluable quality to overlook.
The more knowledge you give people, the more valued they feel.
The more knowledge you give people, the more they feel like a vital part of the organization.
The more knowledge you give people, the more they will give of themselves.
The more knowledge you give people, the better results your entire team will experience.
Try it.
Question:
Have you ever had a con panna? Do you even like coffee?
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