Never Judge a Book By Its Cover

In case you are one of the 5.8 billion people on the planet who missed it, there was a remarkable story off the show Britain's Got Talent this past week. Susan Boyle, a 47 year old, never been kissed, unemployed lady took the stage. She stumbled over a few early questions, said she wanted to be like Eileen Page, and had a few people in the crowd rolling their eyes. Even the judges(Simon, Amanda, & Piers) were in for a surprise. They totally misjudged her; "cynical" was the word the judges used. Look at their reaction from them as she starts to sing. They are blown away and the crowd reacts too. She wasn't really put together real well, she stepped out not worried about what she looked like, and then took the world-yes the world by storm. This week she has easily over 12 million hits on youtube(from just one video-while there are many other of the exact same video with over a million) from her performance. Simon Cowell of American Idol, is a judge on this show, along with the two other judges were obviously shocked by what they heard next. Why is it we judge a book by its cover-so to speak. I listened to Susan sing this song from Les Miserables over and over again, and each time there was a freshness that came as the crowd roared and the judges were amazed-yes amazed. I must admit, I had to confess taht I have judged far too many people in my life time and this was a wake up for me to be careful how I judge. I, by looking at her, would have judged her the same way-but because I had heard about her via the web, I knew I was in for something special. This week I was reading Psalm 139 and after reading that and listening to this, it gave me new perspective. Their is beauty in each of us because we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Even if she couldn't sing, she was created by God. We are God-created and made in His image, and because of that, when we judge people, we are judging...well God. This is a fresh reminder to me that I better be careful not to judge to much by the outside, because on the inside a person can suprise you, just like Susan Boyle did me and the rest of the world. If you haven't seen it you chould check it out.

Throwing Rocks

As a kid, I threw plenty of rocks. The first time I went to the principal's office was for throwing rocks at girls on the playground. Hey, I had to get their attention, they were cute. I always love throwing rocks into a body of water. I often still today stand in amazement as I watch the ripples start as the rock goes kerplunk. Our lives are like rocks that make ripples.
I never met the man, but I have been told of this man who was brought up with integrity, influence, leadership, and an amazing work ethic. He developed these traits and led by example for his oldest son, Ruben. Who in return passed it onto Ruben Jr., who modeled it for William, whom passed it onto his kid, Phillip. Now, I have the task of instilling that in Luke, a 6th generation first born boy. Five generations later the ripple effect is still moving through yet another generation. The legacy that I leave, I too want to be talked about 6 generations from now. The work ethic, convictions, integrity, leadership, equipping that I spend time on today will hopefully make ripples. I understand I have to be willing to create and cultivate a place for ripples to take effect in the lives I come in contact with. My hope is that I will represent a rock that is tossed in water, and my example will cause the water to be interrupted and the effect will go on and on. So, next time you see a calm body of water- STOP. Throw a rock and see how the ripple takes effect. Then think about what ripple you will make.

A Princess Date

This past week I took my 4 year old daughter, Ella, on a date. We went to her fave spot, Starbucks (what have we created). These type of activities are special outings in our family. They happen on a regular basis, not too frequent to take away the specialty of them, or too far a part to forget how fun they are. This week Ella was bummed that the 'bucks had run out of banana bread, her fave. So, she settled for a cookie and hot chocolate. We sat and talked about life. I love the mind of little kids. They say the funniest things, think the craziest ideas, and far more creative than any adult. She told me about her pink Toyota Forerunner she wants to drive, how she wants to help people, and how she really isn't interested in marrying anyone right now. It was quite a fun conversation. For me it was special because I got to spend time with one of the most important people in my life, my little girl. She asked me questions and as I sat there, I realized in a few short years she'll be out of the house, all grown up, and I will have wondered where the time went. I value these times with my kids, and quality time is my love language. I had fun on this princess date, and can't wait until the next one. If you are a parent, no matter what the age of your kid, it is always good to get in their world and talk. Some parents think they do a great job, but in reality they suck at it. As a former pastor working with students, it was the number one complaint of students. You may think your kid doesn't want you around, but the truth is they want to be heard, loved, and talked too. So dads...moms... think about it, would a date with your little princess or prince, be such a bad thing? NO!

When Vision Becomes Fruition

This morning I stood in a brand new activity center/gym that had been dreamed about back in 1979. As a kid I went to Evergreen Christian School. We used an old church auditorium that had been turned into a gym, carpet floor and everything. Today, I heard Mr. Bruce Newman speak of the forest that lined the very place for the past 30 years, every team and kid who played on the old gym floor, and the historical look at the city even 30 years ago. I came back to Olympia and Evergreen last year after being gone for the past 25 years and now my kids go to the school I once did. The vision of this building was far more than athletic and community based events, but also a place for transformation to take place in the lives of the students, parents, and faculty that may set foot in that new building.

The great part of today was seeing vision come to fruition. A dream of a state of the art gym, with locker rooms, classrooms, bleachers, and it was packed with hundreds of kids and parents. (see the pic) When you are a part of a vision that becomes fruition, it is an amazing experience. The students who get to use this now, have parents that were kids when this vision was birthed. I can imagine the emotion Mr. Newman has since he has dreamed it for so long. As a matter of fact, the court is going to be named the Bruce & Lloyde Newman Court, in honor of the vision that was laid 30+ years ago. When your vision becomes reality it is time to celebrate and thank God for the process, no matter how long it may come to pass. The exciting part is that there was vision in the first place. So, here is to the excitement of learning, playing, and transformation that takes place in the new activity center at Evergreen Christian Community & Evergreen Christian School. Thanks Bruce for the vision and sticking with it for so long. My family is just one of tens of thousands that will see the building is used.

Don't Talk About Yourself So Much

There was a time in my life where I admit...I needed notes to keep a phone conversation going. Oh, I can talk and anyone who knows me, knows that. Yes, I was a junior higher and quite nervous on the phone. However, I learned early on, that it is smart to get people talking about themselves. To do this you need to be able to get people to open up. My dad gave me 4 H-words to get people talking about themselves that I have found useful. It also helped for him to lead by example. In no particular order here they are: HISTORY- get people to talk about where they were born, places they lived, growing up, and the like. HOME- what was there up bringing like, parents, memories, and traditions. HOBBIES- pretty self explanatory. What drives them to do what they like and how they got hooked on their activities. Finally...HOPES-what are the hopes and dreams they have. These 4-H words will be very helpful in getting people to focus on those they are in conversation with. It would be easy to talk about yourself, but really, talking about yourself all the time can be redundant. So, the best way to keep conversations going is getting the person you are talking too keep talking. So, there you have it. History, hopes, hobbies, and home are great ways to learn about people.

dot.comm(UNITY)

It is amazing to me how fast the dot.commUNITYs are taking off. I am one of 170 million people on one of the social networks, and I have quite a few friends (and yes I know them all). Recently I had an old friend contact me, I hadn't seen him since elementary school, 21 years ago-pretty WILD! One thing I have learned is that my ability to connect with people is way better in person than over the computer. I don't have to decipher between how to read a person in most face to face convo's, as I do many a times in online exchanges. I have also found true community comes with a group of people who can sit down and talk life in a fun, real, long drawn out, or even short convo. I do love the social networks that give me a chance to connect with friends I haven't seen for a while, or for that matter live over 500 miles away. But nothing beats sitting down for a coffee or a good talk with a friend. As a matter of fact, I need to do it more. Friends are one thing in life, I can't live without. (I'm a high "I" on the DISC) That being said, think about your online friends, and if you have access to taking one out for coffee(or a milkshake if you aren't into coffee) and have a really good conversation that is not "online surfacey", pick up the phone now and make that happen. dotcommUNITY happens best face to face and over a period of time, not online in a few sentence exchange. So, make the most of your friendships and hang with the people you call friends.

Insane Christianity

I was reading in the book of Acts today when I came across a phrase that I had not read in quite some time. Paul was speaking in defense to his actions. Those actions being spreading the message of Jesus Christ in various settings. Paul is then seized by the Jews and brought forth to defend his actions. As Paul is speaking, he is interupted and told, "You are out of your mind, Paul"...Your great learning is driving you insane." Paul's response is simple-"I am not insane". Then Paul goes on record to say, short time or long-I pray that God that not only you but anyone who is listening will become what I am. I love every exchange that takes place to the very end when Paul is should be free. I love the insane part of this passage, because Paul is preaching Jesus, and for it he is accused of being insane. "Are you out of your're mind?" I have been asked that many times in differing scenarios; but if I was ever challenged on the question in response for being a Christ Follower and speaking about Jesus, my response would be, "not out of my mind, just insane." Being a Christ Follower is something I want to be known for, and with it may come persecution and objection, but it will always be well worth it. Insane Christianity has a ring, and I like it.