Think About It

          According to one of those “This Date In History” websites, today is the anniversary of Elvis Presley’s first professional performance.   On July 30, 1954 Elvis opened the Overton Park Shell Concert in Memphis by singing “That’s Alright Mama” and “Blue Moon of Kentucky”.   (In and of itself, putting those two songs together in a set predicts the type of career the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll would have.)   Oh, and by the way, who were the headliners for the show – Slim Whitman and Billy Walker.   Just about everyone I know is familiar with Elvis Presley, not everyone has heard of the other two guys.           The reason I bring up this event is that it is a reminder that we never know the potential of the people waiting in the wings.   I am sure that on that day in 1954 no one had a clue that the kid from Tupelo, Mississippi would not only eclipse the popularity of t...

I am not a big fan of change.  I have found that I like what I like and efforts to make me do something new tends to irritate me.  I am excited by things that are new, I just like to feel comfortable in the way things have been.  Interestingly, I am apt to put an extraordinary amount of effort in to keeping the status quo.  The other day I came across a quote from the venerable sage Socrates, who spoke to people like me, “ The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”.  As I reflected on these words I recalled way too many times when I invested too much emotional effort in being an anchor and not enough time adjusting my sails.  No, I am not saying that we should accept every new thing or thought, but when something innocuous comes along I have to decide the best way to invest my energy – in blocking change or building new paths. As you might imagine, I have rarely (if ever) been accused of being ...

           If you have ever worn a uniform in service to your community or your nation, you understand that it is more about the clothes – it is about the commitment.  Whether your uniform was in the military service or public service it symbolized a promise you made to protect and serve a system of values greater than yourself and the people in your care.  Your uniform served as protection, but it also made a point.  It was more than style, it was substance and it represented something about who you were.            As I got to thinking about uniforms, I was reminded of a passage in the New Testament in which Paul described what he would call the armor of God by noting, “ Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;   in addition ...

           MLB 2020 (the real version) is up and running.  The Major League Baseball season got underway last weekend and, despite what I had feared, I actually enjoyed it.  There are several aspects of the game that I haven’t grown to love (like the cut-out posters of people in the stands), but I think there might be something positive in the season.  You see, without the crowds I feel like the games are being played at a crisper pace and there seems to be less showboating.  I am not sure what the rest of 2020 will bring, but I am intrigued enough to keep watching – at least for a little while.           The reason I bring up the start of this year’s baseball season is that it reminded me of how much we can do when we don’t worry about playing for an audience.  When we are committed to playing the game of life to the best of our ability and not merely to be seen by onlookers, we will ...

Has God ever delivered you from a challenge?   Has the Lord defeated an enemy of yours that wrongly accused you?   Has He ever lifted you up from the depths of despair and restored your health or reputation?   Most of us who are believers can answer in the affirmative and that is great.   However, a more important question might be what did we do when He came to our rescue?   Did we acknowledge His actions privately?   Did we publicly praise Him?    I realize that God doesn’t do what He does for publicity or praise, but that doesn’t alleviate our responsibility to acknowledge His work on our lives. When King David found himself surrounded by problems and challenges he asked for God’s help then promised, “ I will tell of Your name to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise You.” (Psalm 22:22).   It is noble to profess a belief that God can and will deliver us, but when He does let’s give Him what He deserves.   ...

          Have you ever heard the phase, “It easier to ask for forgiveness than permission”?   (I won’t ask how many of us have used the phrase because that might hit too close to home.)   While the mantra sounds good and is a pretty convenient excuse for plunging headlong into questionable activity, is it really wise?   Yes, it might help us to get our way, but have we ever thought about how much it costs?   Is it worth the loss of our reputation as a “stand up” person to do something quickly?   Is it worth the hit our trustworthiness takes when we rely upon someone’s forgiveness rather that considering their feelings?   Yes, from a self-serving perspective, this might make sense, but is the reward worth the risk?           Interestingly, the Old Testament book of Proverbs seems to have something to say about this, “ Also it is not good for a person to be without ...

I have always been uncomfortable with the phrase “I did my best”.  In all reality, when I look back on what I did – I probably could have done better.  While this might help me not be dismissive of poor work, it also adds to the challenge of feeling like I am not living up to my potential.  As I thought about this internal conflict recently, I came up with a few ways that might help me find a compromise: 1.  Under-promise and over-deliver .  I am apt to get into a bind if I exaggerate what I can (or will) do.  Maybe the best way to avoid letting people down is to only pledge what we know we can do and then do it.  If we are able to do more than we promised, that is a bonus for everyone. 2.  Hold myself accountable for what can accomplish and what I do .  Sometimes I don’t do my best because I just don’t put forth the effort.  Sure, I can claim that I have done my best, but am I being deceptive to others and myself?  Continually...