I want to Have Decades of Learning from Jesus
My grandmother loved crossword puzzles and scrabble. I could never beat her. She just had too many words stored up. I now play scrabble on my android phone and think about her often. I don’t think my phone could win against her. She just had too much experience.
Jesus tells a parable the book of Mark (4:24) and the punch line says that a person of learning will gain understanding but a person that does not keep learning will lose what he already has. The more you know of God, the more you want know and put into practice. If you decide to close your eyes or your heart to understanding, your life will become dark.
I think I want to be like my grandmother. I want to be a person that has a large vocabulary not for scrabble or crosswords but for the ideas and person of Jesus. I think I want to have decades of learning with Jesus. I don’t want to lose what I have and I definitely want to learn more from Him.
I am excited to see what the next decades will bring with the new understanding. I only have to keep my heart soft and ready to be corrected, challenged and encouraged. It is true that I have to let my heart be “tilled” and “planted”. It is worth it though.
I don’t want to be only good at scrabble or crossword puzzles. I want to be good at knowing Jesus. Yep. Decades of learning more…
After turning forty…I needed a Pep Talk…What is yours?
PEP TaLK!
“The road I have taken to get here is not the one I will run.” I will choose to run the one ahead of me. More than that I will enjoy the run. I will meet others along the way, smell the roses, see the sunsets and enjoy the dream. As I do it, I will live with integrity, move with endurance, win with humility and care for others.”
My coaches’ words continue to push me through different stages of life. I turned forty last October and I realize that I need a pep talk.
I think we all need a pep talk as we move through stages in life.
What is your PEP TaLK?
Reference: Philippians 1:20-27 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past…
The Domino Effect…Unintended Consequences. Say Hi To Murphy…
When I studied computer science, we learned that bugs or errors in code were contagious. As a supervisor of employees and fixer of processes, I find the same principle lives.
Some call it…
The Domino Effect..the Law of Unintended Consequences.
Yep, I have tried to fix human resource problems, create new ways of communicating and improved poorly functioning processes. Through it all I have found that adding salt to a recipe sometimes gives you more salt and no flavor.
Sometimes salt to a recipe becomes an allergic reaction. Who knew? Who could possibly be allergic to salt. It can happen.
Other times I have decided not to do something. Surely no one will notice. The issue is small. No big deal. Live for another day…Then mutiny. Not just a battle but war. Who knew? Really war? It was that important?
I find a law at work that makes Murphy squeamish.
The Domino Effect…the Law of Unintended Consequences can sneak up on you when you least expect it. You got it right. When you are making that change or not making that change, bugs are contagious. Doing something and doing nothing can be dangerous.
Making decisions is for the brave and the courageous. Overcoming Domino Effect is for those who plan, are patient and are humble. The next time you decide to do or not to do, say hi to Murphy and squeam.
Have you been picked last? Share your story…
There is something about belonging and acceptance that goes deep into the soul.
It is a cliche. Being the last to be picked for that sports team or the last to get a date. No one likes being last.
It is always great to be chosen.
However, I have found that sometimes I want to be more than a choice. Choice might imply there is something out there of equal value or significance. I want to be appreciated as unique and important without comparison.
That is the power of acceptance and belonging. No choice needed. You are on the dance card. You have a reserved seat. You are always free to come in. The never-ending invitation.
Revelation 3:20
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Jesus
Your pain…Your Decision
As a leader of a nonprofit organization, I find myself repeating the same phrases (record player anwhere?). One of those principles I hear myself sharing over and over again is “Your pain…your decision.”
All things being equal, part of being a leader is feeling consequences of your decision. During discussions with other leaders in my organization, opinions differ on how to handle a situation. I have realized there are more than one way to handle issues that arise. In the case of a “tie”, I often let the manager or leader know they will feel the pain of the decision so it is their choice.
Through the discussion, it is apparent different choices have different repercussions. As you evaluate risk and reward for each of the choices, you might find that they have differing price tags. As a manager, you have to decide how and how much you want to pay.
As the Executive Director, I have to keep the overall pace and purpose of the organization in mind. However, managers must learn to stand on their own feet and feel the pain and joy of their decisions. Sometimes, I have miscalculated and it has cost the organization more than I thought. That is part of my pain…my decision.
