Think About It

Last week, Jeane and I were enjoying a tropical vacation when Hurricane Jerry came to life.  The origins of the storm had been brewing for several days, but when it gained strength, it developed very quickly.  As soon as the hurricane began heading west it became obvious that the track of the storm was going to bring it close to the northern Antilles – right where we were!  Throughout the next couple of days the threat of the storm was real, but the models just didn’t seem to point to a landfall at our location; however, visitors and locals on the island had an uneasy feeling.  You see, everywhere you looked you could see the remnants of a major hurricane that had struck the island two years before.  The logical assessment of the low probability of being struck by the hurricane was overwhelmed by the fear of what they had already experienced. Now that we are safe at home, it is tempting to say “told you so”, but as I look back on the experience, I see somethi...

I love to travel.   I even really enjoy planning travel – we’ll, sort of.   I like shopping for deals, booking flights, lodging and excursions.   I even get excited reading about the history and researching the local cuisine of the destination.   However, there comes a point in time when the fun turns into a mild form of anxiety.   I begin to watch the forecast and wonder if the weather will cooperate.   Does the lawn need to be mowed or can it wait until we get back?   I start to think about what time we need to leave home to make sure we get to the airport on time.   Speaking of airports, where is our airplane coming from – will it make it on time so that we can make all of our connections?   If I am not careful, the upcoming details tend to rob me of the excitement of the trip.   Periodically, in the days and weeks leading up to a trip, I need to stop and refocus on the joy that awaits. Does that sound familiar?   No, at this ...

What makes a leader?  Is it results ... power ... fear ... planning?  There are several definitions of leadership out there, but to me there is only one that makes sense:  Leadership is influencing others in a way that they can become the best that they can me.  Leadership isn’t about us achieving our own goals, it isn’t even getting the best effort out of those around us ... it is about helping people achieve what is possible with the talents they have been given.  Sure, it is great when they will partner with us on a shared vision, but even if they decide to leave us and head out on their own – if we have helped them eventually reach their peak, we have demonstrated leadership. One of my favorite authors on leadership is Simon Sinek.  Sinek has written a couple of books on the topic and has become a valuable resource in helping leaders develop themselves.  One of the reasons I like Sinek is because he doesn’t confuse leadership with management or ...

I may not look like it, but I am a millionaire many times over.   How is that possible, you might ask?   The answer is simple, the Internet told me.   You see, I have gotten emails that I am a part of class-action suits that will pay me thousands of dollars if I just reply with my social security number.   Even better, I have been contacted by royal families from around the world stating that they are looking to share their wealth with me – all I have to do is send them my banking information.   Yep, if I would just listen to those in the cyberworld I would be rich beyond my wildest dreams! I hope you got a kick out the previous paragraph because you, too, are millionaires – or at least you could be if you did something advertised through what we all know to be bogus claims.   Very few people take these scams seriously because we have been raised on the credo, “If it looks too good to be true, it probably is”.   The problem is that someone, somewher...

Have you noticed how easy it is to justify just about anything?  I have heard people explain away everything from lies to extramarital affairs to murder.  It may seem odd and it may not make sense to those around us, but if we are inclined to do so (and if we think hard enough about it) we can make sense out of any of our actions.  While being able to rationalize anything is possible, it doesn’t make it true.  Just because I have a “reason” for something doesn’t mean that it is right – either in the eyes of others or, even more importantly, in the mind of God.  The other day I came across a challenging reminder, “ All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the Lord weighs the motives.  Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.” (Proverbs 16:2-3).  Sure, we might be able to convince our friends, our followers – even a counselor, prosecutor or judge – that something is justified, but unless our actions and our motive...

I like chameleons.  Now, let me say that I am not sure that I have seen a whole bunch of REAL chameleons, but I grew up around certain lizards that had the ability to change their skin color to adapt to their environment.  If they were amongst a bunch of foliage, they would turn green.  If they were in a wood pile, they would take on a tannish or brown color.  The reason for these critters to adjust their skin tones is safety.  If they blend into their environment, it is easier for them to avoid their predators. As I thought about how this is a blessing in the animal kingdom I got to wondering if it was curse with humans – especially Christians.  Why do believers work so hard to blend in with their society?  Is it really to be able to influence them or is it so that they don’t stand out in the crowd?  Is our desire to blend in with the world really a way to evangelize or is it so that those who would like to make fun of us or persecute us will ...

In my thought for yesterday I mentioned a social issue that is facing our nation – homelessness – and challenged us to do what we can to make a difference in the lives of the people who need us.   As I thought about this challenge, it got me to thinking about something else, loneliness.   If homelessness is a silent problem, loneliness is a hidden problem.   By their very nature, people who are lonely are typically ignored.   It’s not that they (necessarily) bring it on themselves, they just feel it more intensely.   Whether they want to be around people or not, they haven’t found a way to connect in meaningful relationships.   So, what can we do to help the lonely? 1.   Talk to people – especially those you don’t know .   When we take the time to have genuine interactions with people, we can help them feel valuable.   Often, just a simple (but sincere) conversation with someone can leave them more confident and engaged with life. 2. ...