A Forgotten Word...That Should Not Be!

There have been some great words that I have tried to bring back over the years. In high school I tried to bring back the word 'bitchin', as it was used in the 60s. In college I tried to run words together like 'fantastic' and 'fabulous' to create fantabulous; although I am pretty sure I'm not the first to try those words together. I've tried to use words to expand my everyday vocabulary with new words, some stick some don't. Some words I used as a 12 year old kid-still roll of my tonugue like "rad", because the word is...well, it speaks for itself. I've even tried to create new words even-yep, not an English major. Every once in a while, I will hear a word; it will be sparked as I read, that I have not used in a sentence for a long time. That was the case today!
I'm reading through the prayers of the Bible and today I came across a prayer that caused me to think about a word I haven't heard in a while, except to describe a comic book. This word was drawn from an interchange between the prophet Isaiah and Hezekiah. II Kings 20:1-6, tells us the story of Hezekiah and him getting ready to die. It is as follows: In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.” Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, “Remember, LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
Isaiah is on his way from delivering the message when, he is stopped in his tracks by God, and told to return to Hezekiah and tell him his life will be granted 15 more years. God says, tell him "I have heard your prayers, seen your tears, and will heal you!"
The word that comes to me today to live by and think about is: MARVEL

When was the last time you experienced something that causes amazement, awe or admiration? When was the last time you stopped to MARVEL at something?

If God is working in your life, then you can stop and MARVEL!
If you have been set free, you can MARVEL!
If you need a healing, you can believe God for a miracle and MARVEL when it happens!
If you need hope, MARVEL at God's grace!
If you need provision, Marvel that God provides for you!
When you fear, and that fear is taking away...MARVEL!
Walk faithfully in God and see the work that GOD will do in your life.

Don;t look back, look ahead and be ready to MARVEL at what God can and will do.

LESSONS IN MEETING ETIQUETTE

In college, I took a Marketing class that gave me the tools that I needed to be meeting ready. No matter what profession or family you are a part of- meetings happen! Most everyone sits in meetings-some daily, weekly, or monthly. Over the years one of my biggest pet peeves has been people's actions, demeanor, posture, or reactions in meetings. Most of these people didn't have a professor, professional, or coach give it to them straight up about how to conduct them self. This blog post today is to set some ground rules that people should think about before setting foot into a meeting room of any kind. I have observed some very interesting meetings in my professional career. I have seen people doze off, I have seen people storm out of a room, and I have been tempted to even call people out, but have refrained because I learned a few things I think I can pass on. Here are some thoughts on MEETING ETIQUETTE:

* Show up before the meeting starts. If you were interviewing for a job, you wouldn't be late. If you are invited to a meeting(whether daily or monthly) show up on time. Showing up late, gives the impression you don't care. If you are going to be late-make sure the chair of the meeting knows.

* If you are going to yawn in a meeting, you better do everything you can to hide that yawn. I understand people can be tired, and some meetings can put people to sleep. But if you yawn, at least cover your mouth. If you were to sneeze phlegm into the air, you'd be embarrassed, you should be too, if you yawn without covering it up too.

* MUTE YOUR PHONE! Cell phones should be turned off or muted. Nothing says RUDE like interrupting a meeting to answer your cell and leaving the room while covering the mouthpiece whispering "hello!?" ***Phones are fine if you are A.) Waiting for your wife to deliver a baby B.) You have someone on their death bed C.) You are using phones to gather info pertinent to the meeting. D.) You work for a wireless company.

* COMPUTERS. I have sat in meetings where guys have their Macs open and pretend they are taking notes on the meeting or looking up info that may be needed. As soon as the focus is redirected, they start writing blogs, checking e-mail, looking for lunch spots, and playing games. These are the times when I want to slam the screen down and call them out; but I refrain so I don't make myself look like an idiot. Because, everyone in the room who knows these people are doing it-already know that the idiot in the room is the one trying to multi-task at the wrong time.

* If you can't come into a meeting with passion, excitement, ideas-then don't show up to the meeting.

* If you are leading the meeting, have an idea where you are going with it. If you aren't prepared for the meeting you are leading-cancel it! Don't waste other people's time with lack of direction.

* If you are in a meeting that seems to be irrelevant or you feel you it is wasting your time, you have options. Fake it until you make it through!; Leave; Encourage the chair to get people back on track; Call to table a discussion tom move the meeting along.

* If a disagreement comes up, it is the chairs responsibility to make sure it remains healthy and move on or remove people if it turns personal. No one likes the punk in the room and it can be distracting for the remainder of the meeting.

* 3 Under 30. Depending on the culture, size, and type of meeting you are in; it is relevant to have at least 3 people under 30 in your meeting. This is necessary when these meetings revolve around planning, future dreams, direction of organization, and projects. Under 30 are not tied to tradition, the past, and often times offer a fresh perspective.

* If you disagree with statements or conclusions, you can do two things: Keep your mouth shut, or make it known in a polite manner that you disagree. If you do, you may want to have some options to offer. Determine if it is a make or break decision, before you decide to open your mouth.

* Stand up to meet someone, make eye contact with people in the room while you are talking, offer a firm handshake to someone new in a regular meeting, know who the more important person in the meeting is.

* Arrive at a decision and assign actions where needed. Put time expectations on actions.

* Keep the meeting focused and on track.

* Make sure the meeting environment is one that will stem discussion, creativity, and interaction. Change it up a little to make it not so mundane if you meet regularly in the same space.

* If it is routine info you need to communicate-don't waste meeting time to communicate it! Rather send it out via the use of technology.

* Thank the chairperson. It is often a small gesture, but it is also a sign of respect.

For now, this will do. Hopefully it will give you some insight as you step into your next meeting. Meetings come in all shapes and sizes, just be ready!

The Discipline of Laziness

There are way too many lazy people that I encounter. Yes, first blog this year and the opening sentence is a bold one. I was brought up in a household that defined work ethic and also taught it. Me lazy? Only on the weeks allotted for laziness in my yearly calendar, I believe the name for that is VACATION. This past week, yes I admit, I was a little lazy. I took in a few movies, stopped working out, ate a lot of junk food, and disengaged from the normal routine of people contacts, e-mails, and phone calls. As my son put it this week, after I told him playing video games for 4 hours a day isn't healthy, "Dad, I'm on vacation." Even he understands the need for a break, on occasion, but not everyday! The opening statement is because I have observed a lot of people who get lazy on the job. Yes, calling out people with jobs, not the one's without them(at least in this particular blog). People without jobs who are lazy...well, different day, different blog.
I have seen a routine start to form among those with many different titles, that people get either comfortable, in "their groove", or even to a place without accountability, and the result is to slack off. I was in a conversation the other day, about the visualization of those who fall into the category of lazy. It centered around the practices in our life that have gotten sloppy: the way people dress, keep or rather don't keep their home, the hours they spend unproductive in front of a television or computer, personal practices, and even those who have 'koosh jobs' yet are rather not really moving in any one direction. Of course, some other factors may play into why people may seem a little lazy; but I'm not about to bail some people out on excuses. So, here are my 10 thoughts on how to overcome the discipline of what has become laziness in the lives of so many people:
1. Find balance in your life. Family, Work, Health, Friends, Finances, Faith, etc...
2. Put together a LifePlan-that pushes you toward inspiration.
3. Set goals for yourself.
4. Get out of the regular weekly routine-even if that means taking a different route to work.
5. Make new friends.
6. Keep fresh projects in front of you, with realistic time lines.
7. Find a new hobby or learn a new skill.
8. Celebrate victories in your life-by yourself and more importantly with others.
9. Find a place(cause, ministry, organization) to serve at regularly.
10. Put into play the practice of systematic renewal in the 4 Health Zones: Spiritual, Emotional, Physical, and Relational.

To break the discipline of LAZINESS, you have to do something. So start now! Make a list of the things you can do this day, this week, this month, this year, that will keep you from falling into the trap of the discipline we have become so accustomed too, called-Laziness.