13) The list could go on and on . . . but I can't close the book until I mention small groups. My first two groups were Sunday School and Pee Wee baseball back in the 60's. Groups are powerful. Groups are like families. In groups you do life together, good and bad. Also, groups often see you act beyond your roles.
My family group experience at Willow Ridge has raised my bar because we talk about real life. What are the kids doing? Who is going to bring the mac and cheese next week? How was your week? What did you learn from this morning's sermon? Did I even listen to this morning's sermon? I spent over two years in a men's group where we did everything from the MasterLife Discipleship course, to wrestle with the hardest questions we could think of.
A new group for me is the Sons of Italy, an organization with the purpose of preserving Italian culture. I am on the School Improvement Committee at Abby's school. I spent many years as part of an A.A. group in New Orleans. In A.A. we talked about everything from Jesus, to flying saucers, to Jesus in flying saucers. All these groups raised my bar in some way. All of them made me uncomfortable, in a healthy way, for some reason.
No matter the agenda of the group you are in plain view of people. When you are on your own you can drive the agenda. With groups, driving the agenda is not as easy. Protecting yourself is not as easy. Your accountability bar is raised . . . Playing for Pizza tomorrow.
What a weekend! When I pull for the other team the winning percentage of my real teams has raised(66%). So, I am pulling for the Gamecocks and the Jaguars (10/28) next weekend. The relevance of my 2007 football season is hanging by a thread. Carowinds was fun. I did Top Gun (roller coaster) twice in a row with Anna. I am thinking I might retire from coasters.
Heard Ruppe and Dustin preach. Two great young communicators. Chris had a strong word on self-awareness from Ps 139. Dustin addressed baptism, in preparation for the big baptism thing next week at The Coop. In Columbia today working on Cypress Project material. I'll keep you posted.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Friday, October 19, 2007
Raise Your Own Bar (10-12) Sir, What do You Think?
Preacher legend tells about a salesman's shocking experience. While going door-to-door one day, he was greeted by an eight-year-old boy. A large, smoltering, Cuban cigar was hanging out of boy's mouth. The salesman asked, Is your mother home? The little boy pulled the cigar out of his mouth, tapped the ashes on the carpet, and asked, Sir, what do you think?
Lets see, where was I? Oh yeah, personal accountability. How to raise your own bar.
10) Have Ongoing Conversations with People from Your Past. The miracles (I date myself here) of unlimited nights and weekends along with email leaves no excuse for not staying connected with a treasured few from the good old days. Why? Because they know you beyond your current roles. Most people around you value you for what you do. If you are pretty good at what you do, you are a great person. People from your past know you for who you are. They know what you stink at, because they have seen you in various roles over a span of time.
11) Read. Almost anything. Reading is an ongoing conversation with an outside voice. Don't waste all your reading time with books that tell you what you want to hear. Some of your most valuable reading will be from people or about people you do not agree with. Ten Eternal Questions by Zoe Sallis, is a good place to start. The book features people from Jack Nicholson to Bono, who answer questions about eternity.
12) Hang Out with People Not Like You. A man who spends all his time with people who thinks, acts, and lives like he does is a coward. He is under challenged and not accountable for his thoughts about God and life. I feel lonely, at times, out in the real world with normal people. It remains, however, the place where God wants me and one of my most important positions of Kingdom influence. New topic Monday.
Talk about you movement makers, I forgot to mention Wednesday night's meeting with a group of a dozen high achieving Asian -Indians, who, will plant a church in Columbia. We heard their stories, one by one. These, strong in the Lord, missionaries will swim hard and fast to save those who are drowning. They have a passion to reach the world. Coaching was on my agenda yesterday, along with a great visit with Carl Martin, Ken Lewis and the Savannah River movement makers in Bluffton. Incredible! Had my favorite salad in the world at Cheeburger, Cheeburger in Bluffton.
My weekend will include deacons is White Oak, family in Carowinds, North Rock Hill Church, Midtown, and football! Roll Tide!!! Go Dirty Birds!!! I will keep you posted.
Lets see, where was I? Oh yeah, personal accountability. How to raise your own bar.
10) Have Ongoing Conversations with People from Your Past. The miracles (I date myself here) of unlimited nights and weekends along with email leaves no excuse for not staying connected with a treasured few from the good old days. Why? Because they know you beyond your current roles. Most people around you value you for what you do. If you are pretty good at what you do, you are a great person. People from your past know you for who you are. They know what you stink at, because they have seen you in various roles over a span of time.
11) Read. Almost anything. Reading is an ongoing conversation with an outside voice. Don't waste all your reading time with books that tell you what you want to hear. Some of your most valuable reading will be from people or about people you do not agree with. Ten Eternal Questions by Zoe Sallis, is a good place to start. The book features people from Jack Nicholson to Bono, who answer questions about eternity.
12) Hang Out with People Not Like You. A man who spends all his time with people who thinks, acts, and lives like he does is a coward. He is under challenged and not accountable for his thoughts about God and life. I feel lonely, at times, out in the real world with normal people. It remains, however, the place where God wants me and one of my most important positions of Kingdom influence. New topic Monday.
Talk about you movement makers, I forgot to mention Wednesday night's meeting with a group of a dozen high achieving Asian -Indians, who, will plant a church in Columbia. We heard their stories, one by one. These, strong in the Lord, missionaries will swim hard and fast to save those who are drowning. They have a passion to reach the world. Coaching was on my agenda yesterday, along with a great visit with Carl Martin, Ken Lewis and the Savannah River movement makers in Bluffton. Incredible! Had my favorite salad in the world at Cheeburger, Cheeburger in Bluffton.
My weekend will include deacons is White Oak, family in Carowinds, North Rock Hill Church, Midtown, and football! Roll Tide!!! Go Dirty Birds!!! I will keep you posted.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Raise Your Own Bar III (9)
9. Go see a Doctor. My doctor, Dr. Amajad Abdulrahman, is my friend. We talk about things other than health. I avoided doctors for years. Probably for the same reason normal people avoid preachers. I know what a doctor will rant about, I am not ready to change, so I don't want to hear it.
I saw Dr. Rahman yesterday. He was easy on the insults this time. He went over details of my blood work with great care. He told me I had a pretty severe Vitamin D deficiency. Off to Web MD etc. to find out how long I have to live. Not long.
I do get to experience what a megadose of Vitamin D is like. What a hassle. I really want ask Dr. Rahman to sit on that tall table and ask, What about you, Dr. Rahman? How is your Vitamin D? You are a wreck. Problem is he really does live what he believes. He is in great shape. He cares. He has no agenda but me.
He thought out loud while I was in his office about two years ago. I wonder how much nursing home care will cost when you need one? He also thought out loud when he said, I wonder what you could do with the money you are currently spending on blood pressure and cholesterol medication?
When I decided to go back to a doctor five years ago, I was a physical, emotional, and spiritual wreck. BTW, it is amazing how all those are tied together. Raise your own bar. See a doctor, regularly. Listen to him/her. I have never seen a doctor who did not have my best interest at heart . . . and who did not make me accountable for the insane choices I was making.
I also had a great conversation with my coach, and others in Columbia yesterday. More coaching today and off to Bluffton, S.C. More to raise your bar tomorrow and a report on the movement makers.
I saw Dr. Rahman yesterday. He was easy on the insults this time. He went over details of my blood work with great care. He told me I had a pretty severe Vitamin D deficiency. Off to Web MD etc. to find out how long I have to live. Not long.
I do get to experience what a megadose of Vitamin D is like. What a hassle. I really want ask Dr. Rahman to sit on that tall table and ask, What about you, Dr. Rahman? How is your Vitamin D? You are a wreck. Problem is he really does live what he believes. He is in great shape. He cares. He has no agenda but me.
He thought out loud while I was in his office about two years ago. I wonder how much nursing home care will cost when you need one? He also thought out loud when he said, I wonder what you could do with the money you are currently spending on blood pressure and cholesterol medication?
When I decided to go back to a doctor five years ago, I was a physical, emotional, and spiritual wreck. BTW, it is amazing how all those are tied together. Raise your own bar. See a doctor, regularly. Listen to him/her. I have never seen a doctor who did not have my best interest at heart . . . and who did not make me accountable for the insane choices I was making.
I also had a great conversation with my coach, and others in Columbia yesterday. More coaching today and off to Bluffton, S.C. More to raise your bar tomorrow and a report on the movement makers.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Raise Your Own Bar II (5-8)
Continuing yesterday's list on becoming more accountable . . . remember, you can't implement all, pick two or three
5) See a Counselor. no kidding. I have. I will in the future. Everyone reading this probably needs to go to a professional counselor in the next 30 days. Hearing myself talk to a counselor, who, does not know me, exposes my thinking to an outside set of eyes/ears.
6) Begin Blogging. Blogging (http://www.blogspot.com/) costs nothing. If no one reads your blog, or your blog stinks, you still need to process. Blogging, to me, is doing life with other people. A web log also keeps you in a journaling mode.
7) Read the Bible. I had to throw in another Sunday School answer. I am an alum, you know. The Bible annoys me like no other book I have ever read. I often feel like I am looking into a mirror. Go figure (James 1:22-24).
8) Hang Out with Your Wife and Kids. They do not know you, but they know you better than any other human being. People who know you less think you are much better, smarter, and godlier than you are. Your passion to be with other people may not be as God-motivated as you think. We spend more time with people who think we are heroes.
Discovered Carolina Cafe in Camden, S.C. yesterday. Got a ticket for parking too long in the same place. Made an appeal, the Camden police were amused, and took my money anyway.
Enjoyed time with movement makers including Bryan Plyler, pastor/planter of The River. Some of my most favorite people are part of that church. What a great story of life change!
Today, I get to see my doctor. Talk about your accountability. He has been insulting me for almost three years. We (my insurance company and I) pay him to do it. I will report his latest rant tomorrow. I will also have a conversation with my coach. Wow. Talk about feeling naked.
5) See a Counselor. no kidding. I have. I will in the future. Everyone reading this probably needs to go to a professional counselor in the next 30 days. Hearing myself talk to a counselor, who, does not know me, exposes my thinking to an outside set of eyes/ears.
6) Begin Blogging. Blogging (http://www.blogspot.com/) costs nothing. If no one reads your blog, or your blog stinks, you still need to process. Blogging, to me, is doing life with other people. A web log also keeps you in a journaling mode.
7) Read the Bible. I had to throw in another Sunday School answer. I am an alum, you know. The Bible annoys me like no other book I have ever read. I often feel like I am looking into a mirror. Go figure (James 1:22-24).
8) Hang Out with Your Wife and Kids. They do not know you, but they know you better than any other human being. People who know you less think you are much better, smarter, and godlier than you are. Your passion to be with other people may not be as God-motivated as you think. We spend more time with people who think we are heroes.
Discovered Carolina Cafe in Camden, S.C. yesterday. Got a ticket for parking too long in the same place. Made an appeal, the Camden police were amused, and took my money anyway.
Enjoyed time with movement makers including Bryan Plyler, pastor/planter of The River. Some of my most favorite people are part of that church. What a great story of life change!
Today, I get to see my doctor. Talk about your accountability. He has been insulting me for almost three years. We (my insurance company and I) pay him to do it. I will report his latest rant tomorrow. I will also have a conversation with my coach. Wow. Talk about feeling naked.
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