Homework or Research?

There is a world of difference between these two things.

Homework is about the activity that has been assigned. Homework is heads down and task oriented. Homework is finite and focused on just getting it done.

Research is about the subject being explored. Research is eyes open and expansive. Research opens infinite avenues of exploration and is focused on the joy of discovery.

Too often we approach our relationship with Jesus like homework. Prayer prayed...Bible read...offering given...church attended...done.

But when we truly walk with Jesus, we must approach it as research. Jesus doesn't invite us to a task list. He invites us to delight in the totality of who he is. He invites us to explore his character and participate in his plan for the world. He invites us to into endlessly new discoveries of his infinite greatness.

The unfortunate end of homework Christianity is either a disappointing emptiness or a self-defeating legalistic pride. The end of research Christianity is a purpose-giving, joy-producing, hope-inspiring, world-changing delight in the God of the universe.

Homework or research: In which direction is your pursuit of Jesus taking you?

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Location:Stanhope Ln,Normal,United States

What is your Leadership Absence

The activity director for our Senior Independent Living community does a monthly newsletter for all our residents. In it is a section for me to write an article as the campus administrator. I must admit that among my responsibilities this has gotten overlooked more than once.

This past month I didn't submit an article. But when I read the newsletter, I noticed that a section with my name and picture. I asked the activity director about it. She said that whenever I don't submit an article, she finds an story or poem or cartoon and submits it under my name.

It got me thinking that as leaders we often can have influence even when we aren't present.
-By passing on your leadership values you ensure that the organization operates by those values even without you being there.
-By empowering your leaders to execute with autonomy you communicate that success isn't dependent on your presence.
-By investing is developing your organization's culture you ensure that those norms define your organization whether you are there or not.

We often talk about leadership presence...But what about your leadership absence?



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Location:Stanhope Way,Normal,United States

Contentment and Complacency

I have to admit that I've been restless lately. I just get the sense that I'm treading water, and I'm not moving forward. I feel that there is something God is preparing me for, but I don't know what it is or when He will choose to reveal it. In times like this, it's important to fight for contentment, but just as important to fight against complacency.

God expects us to have contentment in every circumstance. There are certainly times when God's call on our lives is simply to pause and be faithful in the moment God has us in. Even though these seasons can be filled with restlessness, we should be content and even have joy in these seasons as we learn to patiently wait for God's movement in our lives.

However, we must be just as vigilant to be sure that we don't fall into a malaise of self-satisfaction which leads to inaction.

Even times when God's will for us is to pause are purposeful. Perhaps God is calling us to move deeper into relationship with Him. Perhaps there is a hidden sin we are to do battle with. Perhaps we must learn that where we are is where God wants us to be and our desire for the "else" is a product of our own sinful making.

So I'm praying today, "God, make me joyful enough with where I am to be content, and restless enough to avoid complacency."


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Location:7th St,Lincoln,United States

Compliance or Cooperation

It seems like too often in my life I want cooperation from the people I lead, but my actions are actually producing compliance, instead. 

• I want my employees to enthusiastically pursue the vision of our organization, but I settle for them simply avoiding another write-up.
• I want Toni to trust my leadership of our family, but I'll settle for her simply not forcing me to get another dog.
• I want Karizma to want to be the kind of person who respects her things and cares for them, but I'll settle for her room not being such a disaster that she gets punished.
• I want Koke to love and protect his sister, but I'll settle for them just not fighting the whole way to Wal-Mart.

The problem is cultivating cooperation is exhausting. It requires patiently repeating core values. It requires explaining why certain behaviors are preferred again, and again. And hardest of all, it requires that I consistently model those values and behaviors myself. 

The truth is that I can't always be looking over my employees shoulders...I know that passionately pursuing Toni's loving submission is my calling in our marriage...I know my kids deserve a father, not just a rule enforcer.

So I'm praying that tomorrow, I'll be more of the leader that people want to follow than the leader that people fear...I'll be more of the husband who is trusted instead of tolerated...the dad who is honored instead of placated.

Phil 2:12

Old Words

It's interesting how some words make you seem old just by the fact that they came out of your mouth: trousers, davenport, depreciation...

Apparently TRAPPER KEEPER is also an "old" word. Koke started Jr. High and they needed a three ring binder with multiple pockets organized by his classes. Now for anyone who remembers when New Kids on the Block weren't a novelty act, that is a Trapper Keeper.

However, Koke insists it be called just a binder and when I called it by it's true name he looked at me like I had just ordered a prune juice cocktail with my early bird special dinner.

Here's the question, as a parent do you embrace that you are never going not be cool to your kids and just own your trapper keeper dorkiness or do you submit to the binder and hope that you can maintain some sense of relevance to your kids?


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Location:Stanhope Ln,Normal,United States