"And God saw that it was good..."
There is a "law of first mention" in Biblical research. I will come back to that but let me first state that there is also such a law in business, but with a different definition. In business, the person who first mentions or first defines a problem or a solution can wield great power over the subject or definition at hand. It is with the first word, realization, or point of view that much can get done because others will follow the one who leads or speaks first. There is a fine balance between being the person who speaks first and becoming the person who never listens or jumps to conclusions. That set of actions and reputation can take a very smart person and turn them into a fool. But those who successfully finds that balance and can still step forward courageously and confidently will be the ones who will rise to the top. If we are not one of these people who speaks forward confidently, then we should look to others to learn and see what skills we can acquire and develop in this area.
Back to the law of first mention. A definition I read for this was, "The 'law of first-mention' is the principle in the interpretation of Scripture which states that the first mention or occurrence of a subject in Scripture establishes an unchangeable pattern, with that subject remaining unchanged in the mind of God throughout Scripture." This alone is a great reason for us to study the Old Testament alongside our New Testament learning. A great example of the law of first mention comes with God recording His thoughts at the end of each day of creation with, "It is good." We can apply this first mention as a pattern for us because God found good in His creation and His handiwork. We are made in God's likeness and image and we have been given our own ability to create and work. So, it is with us that what we create and what we can do with our work can be "good". As we finish out this day, this month, and this quarter, let us not forget that if we are working in accordance with His will and a purpose of bringing Glory to God in all that we do, then the law of first mention only reinforces to us that what we do is and can be is "good" and powerful.
Reference: Genesis, Chapter 1
Friday, March 30, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
day 858: Group On
"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
The name of the company that has built a popular business on bringing us together to purchase at a better price from local retailers, is "Groupon". It's a nice play on words with the words "group" and "coupon" getting put together makes perfect sense when you hear or read the name. Up until Groupon, the best collective purchasing power we had was insurance and that was never that satisfying was it? So when Groupon showed up it was hard to not have wanted to participate. The same was true when other competitive services appeared like Living Social. It is debatable whether or not these business models can survive, and only time will tell, but the idea of coming together with others, whether we ever know our fellow purchasers or not, we like this benefit of grouping. Grouping can be powerful if we figure out how to tap and harness that power. Technology certainly is helping us today and the way business will be done in the future will have to take in account the collective as much as the individual. It is in the knowledge of the group and how it behaves and desires that we can learn what works best for reaching, marketing and selling.
We have long known the power of grouping in our faith. Jesus himself tells us that if we gather as two or more in His name that He will be there with us also. We should not ignore this basic lesson in our work lives. Somewhere in the office is another believer who we know. We might even go to church with them. But do we think to get together, even for a few minutes and together ask God to come into our workplaces and strengthen us as we go about working to bring glory to Him, as our purpose. We can be assured that God's desire for us to group in His name is the most powerful return and reward that we could ever imagine. What group can you form today, for Him?
Reference: Matthew 18:20 (King James)
The name of the company that has built a popular business on bringing us together to purchase at a better price from local retailers, is "Groupon". It's a nice play on words with the words "group" and "coupon" getting put together makes perfect sense when you hear or read the name. Up until Groupon, the best collective purchasing power we had was insurance and that was never that satisfying was it? So when Groupon showed up it was hard to not have wanted to participate. The same was true when other competitive services appeared like Living Social. It is debatable whether or not these business models can survive, and only time will tell, but the idea of coming together with others, whether we ever know our fellow purchasers or not, we like this benefit of grouping. Grouping can be powerful if we figure out how to tap and harness that power. Technology certainly is helping us today and the way business will be done in the future will have to take in account the collective as much as the individual. It is in the knowledge of the group and how it behaves and desires that we can learn what works best for reaching, marketing and selling.
We have long known the power of grouping in our faith. Jesus himself tells us that if we gather as two or more in His name that He will be there with us also. We should not ignore this basic lesson in our work lives. Somewhere in the office is another believer who we know. We might even go to church with them. But do we think to get together, even for a few minutes and together ask God to come into our workplaces and strengthen us as we go about working to bring glory to Him, as our purpose. We can be assured that God's desire for us to group in His name is the most powerful return and reward that we could ever imagine. What group can you form today, for Him?
Reference: Matthew 18:20 (King James)
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
day 857: Handshakes (Redux)
"Yes, this is the sign of my covenant with all the creatures of the earth."
Most of the agreements we make at work within the company are done on the equivalent of a handshake. Many a business person from the past has said that they did all of their business on a handshake and the handshake agreement was a contract that wouldn't be broken among honorable people. Few external agreements in today's business are now made without having a written and signed contract. So, the handshake agreement is really only used within work and with our peers and we count on those type of agreements so that we can get our work done predictably and consistently. This is the essence of teamwork; being able to count on each other and know that we each do what we say and can count on each other to follow through. The handshake is a sign of a covenant that we make with each other.
God did this too in Genesis 9:17; "Yes, this is the sign of my covenant with all the creatures of the earth." God's handshake with His people comes in the form of a rainbow in the sky. We each can use God's approach with others by ensuring that the commitment that comes with our handshakes of agreement are bound tightly and are as good as any written contract. If we can establish ourselves as being this consistent then when we speak of our faith others will know that when we say something we speak from a place of truth and integrity within our hearts. To work God's purpose on our jobs we must come from a place of our handshake being as true to our word as any legal contract. The long-term impact of our followed through on handshake can be a real difference.
Reference: Genesis 2:17 (New Living Testament)
Most of the agreements we make at work within the company are done on the equivalent of a handshake. Many a business person from the past has said that they did all of their business on a handshake and the handshake agreement was a contract that wouldn't be broken among honorable people. Few external agreements in today's business are now made without having a written and signed contract. So, the handshake agreement is really only used within work and with our peers and we count on those type of agreements so that we can get our work done predictably and consistently. This is the essence of teamwork; being able to count on each other and know that we each do what we say and can count on each other to follow through. The handshake is a sign of a covenant that we make with each other.
God did this too in Genesis 9:17; "Yes, this is the sign of my covenant with all the creatures of the earth." God's handshake with His people comes in the form of a rainbow in the sky. We each can use God's approach with others by ensuring that the commitment that comes with our handshakes of agreement are bound tightly and are as good as any written contract. If we can establish ourselves as being this consistent then when we speak of our faith others will know that when we say something we speak from a place of truth and integrity within our hearts. To work God's purpose on our jobs we must come from a place of our handshake being as true to our word as any legal contract. The long-term impact of our followed through on handshake can be a real difference.
Reference: Genesis 2:17 (New Living Testament)
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
day 856: Speed Bumps
"Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that is promised."
Yesterday, Congress passed the "Jobs Act". Among many incentives for businesses, the Act really opened up the path for start-ups to move from an idea to a full-fledged business with less regulations and speed bumps. There are also some very creative allowances for how to fund a company that provides more opportunities on how to tap capital infusions. Some would say that the removal of the speed bumps will accelerate companies moving into the public markets and/or receiving more capital. This might be true but it doesn't provide any underlying accelerators really. The only accelerators to faster business growth (even with unlimited capital) are the talent of the people in the organization and market readiness, which can certainly be influenced by marketing and creativity. When we see an overnight success we think they all can be that way. Don't we wish. What we need to remember is that perseverance and commitment goes a long way and we should not forget that the long run also gets us to the same destination and that speed bumps are only there to make us less reckless.
We can't accelerate God's timing or God's will either. Paul tells us in Hebrews that we must be patient and have endurance. The Pastor of my church (http://cornerstone-sf.org) , Terry Brisbane, spoke over the winter about this and I noted what he said one Sunday, "Faith is preparing for the moment that will never happen, but we believe it will." How remarkable our careers and lives could be if we were to wake each day with that imprinted within us? If we did, then when we hit our own work and life speed bumps we could just power through with the faith and endurance that God expects from us. Let's today consider where we are letting the speed bumps get the best of us and figure out what we need to change in ourselves that lets God power through for us!
Reference: Hebrews 10:36 (New Living Testament)
Yesterday, Congress passed the "Jobs Act". Among many incentives for businesses, the Act really opened up the path for start-ups to move from an idea to a full-fledged business with less regulations and speed bumps. There are also some very creative allowances for how to fund a company that provides more opportunities on how to tap capital infusions. Some would say that the removal of the speed bumps will accelerate companies moving into the public markets and/or receiving more capital. This might be true but it doesn't provide any underlying accelerators really. The only accelerators to faster business growth (even with unlimited capital) are the talent of the people in the organization and market readiness, which can certainly be influenced by marketing and creativity. When we see an overnight success we think they all can be that way. Don't we wish. What we need to remember is that perseverance and commitment goes a long way and we should not forget that the long run also gets us to the same destination and that speed bumps are only there to make us less reckless.
We can't accelerate God's timing or God's will either. Paul tells us in Hebrews that we must be patient and have endurance. The Pastor of my church (http://cornerstone-sf.org) , Terry Brisbane, spoke over the winter about this and I noted what he said one Sunday, "Faith is preparing for the moment that will never happen, but we believe it will." How remarkable our careers and lives could be if we were to wake each day with that imprinted within us? If we did, then when we hit our own work and life speed bumps we could just power through with the faith and endurance that God expects from us. Let's today consider where we are letting the speed bumps get the best of us and figure out what we need to change in ourselves that lets God power through for us!
Reference: Hebrews 10:36 (New Living Testament)
day 855: Second-Hand Smoke
"So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the message God has planted in your hearts, for it is strong enough to save your souls."
In just about every part of the country we have now banned smoking in restaurants and places of public eating and drinking. There are lots of people who don't like government and regulations but after enough years of knowledge and learning, for the most part, we have come to the conclusion that the government's regulating smoking and in particular, second-hand smoke, is a good thing. It wasn't that long ago we sat in restaurants, our offices, and in airplanes and inhaled the second-hand smoke of others. At that time, no one thought about the other people around a smoker, we were only concerned with the smoker themselves. We have since learned that the downstream affects of the products of a company and the actions of its' consumers can have negative outcomes on others. If we were to stop and think about this in the times of product design and business plans, we might think differently about our businesses. I'm not saying that any of our businesses are creating second-hand smoke, but even in how we go about our business, conduct ourselves and our practices, and how we treat our people, can have their own negative consequences.
I can remember once as I was arguing for something that I thought was right, that someone said to me, "Who died and made you Pope?". It startled me as I didn't realize I was advocating so forcefully that I would come across as taking a moral high ground. It must not have been too important because I can't even remember now what the conversation was about, but at the time I must have been passionate. As believers we are, by nature of our beliefs, burdened with watching for second-hand smoke impact. What I mean by that is that we have to monitor our own lives carefully and then we have to be willing to step up and into those areas where we have influence to be sure that we are not letting harm come to other people. And, no, it's not always obvious what the cause and the effect is and can be. Allowing for that one person at work to be teased and made fun of behind his back could have ripple affects for generations on him and the others who get used to making the fun. It could be that we are put in the places we are put to be the ones to be the speed bumps, the blockades, the persuaders, and the ones who open the window for fresh air for others when the second-hand smoke comes in the room. It's something to think about today.
Reference: James 1:21 (New Living Testament)
In just about every part of the country we have now banned smoking in restaurants and places of public eating and drinking. There are lots of people who don't like government and regulations but after enough years of knowledge and learning, for the most part, we have come to the conclusion that the government's regulating smoking and in particular, second-hand smoke, is a good thing. It wasn't that long ago we sat in restaurants, our offices, and in airplanes and inhaled the second-hand smoke of others. At that time, no one thought about the other people around a smoker, we were only concerned with the smoker themselves. We have since learned that the downstream affects of the products of a company and the actions of its' consumers can have negative outcomes on others. If we were to stop and think about this in the times of product design and business plans, we might think differently about our businesses. I'm not saying that any of our businesses are creating second-hand smoke, but even in how we go about our business, conduct ourselves and our practices, and how we treat our people, can have their own negative consequences.
I can remember once as I was arguing for something that I thought was right, that someone said to me, "Who died and made you Pope?". It startled me as I didn't realize I was advocating so forcefully that I would come across as taking a moral high ground. It must not have been too important because I can't even remember now what the conversation was about, but at the time I must have been passionate. As believers we are, by nature of our beliefs, burdened with watching for second-hand smoke impact. What I mean by that is that we have to monitor our own lives carefully and then we have to be willing to step up and into those areas where we have influence to be sure that we are not letting harm come to other people. And, no, it's not always obvious what the cause and the effect is and can be. Allowing for that one person at work to be teased and made fun of behind his back could have ripple affects for generations on him and the others who get used to making the fun. It could be that we are put in the places we are put to be the ones to be the speed bumps, the blockades, the persuaders, and the ones who open the window for fresh air for others when the second-hand smoke comes in the room. It's something to think about today.
Reference: James 1:21 (New Living Testament)
Monday, March 26, 2012
day 854: OMGPOP
"What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen."
Last week we read of a little company called, "OMGPop" that had developed and launched an iphone app called, "Draw Something". Within weeks of launch the app had been downloaded over 30 million times and everywhere you turned someone was talking about the game. Within the same weeks the game big company Zynga swooped in and drew up their offer for OMGPop and days/hours later the deal had closed at a purportedly $180 million dollar sum. If that doesn't feel like 1999 all over again, nothing does. Later we learned that at the time, OMGPop was on their last dollars and if that Draw Something had not become a hit that the company was headed for the dead pool. Out of nowhere and into the jet stream in a flash. It doesn't happen often but when it does it gives MBA classes and young entrepreneurs a new story to tell and a new motivation. The problem with the story line is that OMGPop is one of a thousand, but that's okay. What we need to see is the possibility, the dreams and the conquests to be made. These are what keep the entrepreneurial flames burning.
For those of us who are in this world, but strive hard to not be of it, moments like OMGPop's can be hard to reconcile. We may think that because we are living our lives in accordance to God's desire for us that we should be given and have our OMGPop reward in our own work. That is not what God says to us. What we are told and know that is if we walk in the will of the Lord that by our faith, that those things that we hope for we can with "confident assurance" knowing will happen. But what we don't know, nor can we learn somehow, is what is truly in God's will for us. That is where we are to put our faith and our hope; in the lap of God so that His will will come to fruition for us. What we hope for in the future can only be fulfilled with our faith now and ongoing, but let's put those hopes and faith where they can be of most use; for what God can do for us in His Kingdom.
Reference: Hebrews 11:1 (New Living Testament)
Last week we read of a little company called, "OMGPop" that had developed and launched an iphone app called, "Draw Something". Within weeks of launch the app had been downloaded over 30 million times and everywhere you turned someone was talking about the game. Within the same weeks the game big company Zynga swooped in and drew up their offer for OMGPop and days/hours later the deal had closed at a purportedly $180 million dollar sum. If that doesn't feel like 1999 all over again, nothing does. Later we learned that at the time, OMGPop was on their last dollars and if that Draw Something had not become a hit that the company was headed for the dead pool. Out of nowhere and into the jet stream in a flash. It doesn't happen often but when it does it gives MBA classes and young entrepreneurs a new story to tell and a new motivation. The problem with the story line is that OMGPop is one of a thousand, but that's okay. What we need to see is the possibility, the dreams and the conquests to be made. These are what keep the entrepreneurial flames burning.
For those of us who are in this world, but strive hard to not be of it, moments like OMGPop's can be hard to reconcile. We may think that because we are living our lives in accordance to God's desire for us that we should be given and have our OMGPop reward in our own work. That is not what God says to us. What we are told and know that is if we walk in the will of the Lord that by our faith, that those things that we hope for we can with "confident assurance" knowing will happen. But what we don't know, nor can we learn somehow, is what is truly in God's will for us. That is where we are to put our faith and our hope; in the lap of God so that His will will come to fruition for us. What we hope for in the future can only be fulfilled with our faith now and ongoing, but let's put those hopes and faith where they can be of most use; for what God can do for us in His Kingdom.
Reference: Hebrews 11:1 (New Living Testament)
Friday, March 23, 2012
day 853: The Interest Graph
"I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me."
It's been at least two years ago now when Bill Gurley, a venture capitalist from Benchmark Capital, and Max Levchkin, one of the founders of Pay Pal, sat on a panel together and defined the "next big thing" as the "Interest Graph". What we have known to date has been the "Social Graph". This was MySpace and now is Facebook, LinkedIn, Tagged, Google+, etc.; the connection of our "friends" and the ability to share, publish and converse across a network. Certainly this is compelling enough to have created all of the companies above. But what happens when we have connected with everyone who matters and there aren't any more old high school, college and lost work acquaintances that would be meaningfully additive to our lives if we were to reconnedt? Then what? That's where we have gotten to and thus the rise of the "interest graph". Pinterest has successfully blown up because it doesn't run on the social graph, but cuts across interests. And Pinterest is not alone as we are seeing new interest graph services arriving weekly. We'd be well served to understand and follow this next trend as each of our businesses and services fit into someone's interest graph and finding the intersection between what we provide and what our consumers are passionate and interested in, opens up an all new way to connect with them.
This is simple, but complex; Jesus rolled together for us in Himself the ultimate search engine, social network and interest graph. Stay with me. He said to us, "Seek first the Kingdom of God". He said to us, "Go into the world and share the Good News". He said, "No man comes to the Father but through me". See! Search/Seek, Share/Social Network, I am the Way/your interest! As believers we have found Him. He then expects us to share His Word and message to all, especially those closest to us as our neighbors. And, he asks us to make Him our first and foremost interest and then to fellowship with those who share the same interest in Him. I am constantly amazed at how we can find all that we work, live and do, right back in the messages and the life of Jesus. Let us finish this week strong knowing that our interest graph is alive, well and aligned!
Reference: Proverbs 8:17 (New Living Testament)
It's been at least two years ago now when Bill Gurley, a venture capitalist from Benchmark Capital, and Max Levchkin, one of the founders of Pay Pal, sat on a panel together and defined the "next big thing" as the "Interest Graph". What we have known to date has been the "Social Graph". This was MySpace and now is Facebook, LinkedIn, Tagged, Google+, etc.; the connection of our "friends" and the ability to share, publish and converse across a network. Certainly this is compelling enough to have created all of the companies above. But what happens when we have connected with everyone who matters and there aren't any more old high school, college and lost work acquaintances that would be meaningfully additive to our lives if we were to reconnedt? Then what? That's where we have gotten to and thus the rise of the "interest graph". Pinterest has successfully blown up because it doesn't run on the social graph, but cuts across interests. And Pinterest is not alone as we are seeing new interest graph services arriving weekly. We'd be well served to understand and follow this next trend as each of our businesses and services fit into someone's interest graph and finding the intersection between what we provide and what our consumers are passionate and interested in, opens up an all new way to connect with them.
This is simple, but complex; Jesus rolled together for us in Himself the ultimate search engine, social network and interest graph. Stay with me. He said to us, "Seek first the Kingdom of God". He said to us, "Go into the world and share the Good News". He said, "No man comes to the Father but through me". See! Search/Seek, Share/Social Network, I am the Way/your interest! As believers we have found Him. He then expects us to share His Word and message to all, especially those closest to us as our neighbors. And, he asks us to make Him our first and foremost interest and then to fellowship with those who share the same interest in Him. I am constantly amazed at how we can find all that we work, live and do, right back in the messages and the life of Jesus. Let us finish this week strong knowing that our interest graph is alive, well and aligned!
Reference: Proverbs 8:17 (New Living Testament)
Thursday, March 22, 2012
day 852: The Intangible Drive
"For our God is a consuming fire."
I'm doing some work with a small company that has never been good at assessing new hires. They feel like they always come up short when it comes to sussing out who are really committed and willing to do what it takes to get the job done. They have been burnt too many times with people who say they want the job, will work hard and want to go the extra mile, only to find out after they hire them that they come up short. We've talked about this many times and part of it may well be that the company is not giving an accurate explanation and preview of how hard the work can really be, but I tend to think that it is more that they just aren't able to find and listen to "why" it is that someone wants to do their job for them. It's not just this company. I see it all over. We all miss it too often and have a hard time getting to that intangible drive that is the one that makes us want to work extra hard, put up with more than we should, and bounce back after rejection or defeat. The best I have been able to come to is that we have to get enough to the core to figure out where that "drive" (if it is there) comes from in each person. It's no different as to why one student drives him/herself so hard for the A and another person is satisfied with the B or the C. Or, an athlete who burns inside to win and knows that second place is just the first loser. Whatever the drive that burns inside of them, the better we can get at finding it, assessing it, and then testing as to whether it will continue to burn strong in our company, the better off we will be.
When we believe and follow Jesus, if we allow it, it can be like a consuming fire that becomes the true driver of our lives. A fire that burns inside someone can't help but make things happen. The question we have to ask ourselves, over and over, is are we wanting and willing to keep that fire stoked within us at all times? We do that by seeking and staying close to the Lord in our reading of His Word, in our prayers, and with the fellowship of other believers. We all know that our work can many times act as a damper to that fire and cut off the needed oxygen to keep it burning strong inside of us. Let's be sure and today not let the fire be consumed by those things that want to tamp and put it out, but instead, feed the fire with God's pure fuel so that the fire truly consumes us!
Reference: Luke 9:62 (New Living Testament)
I'm doing some work with a small company that has never been good at assessing new hires. They feel like they always come up short when it comes to sussing out who are really committed and willing to do what it takes to get the job done. They have been burnt too many times with people who say they want the job, will work hard and want to go the extra mile, only to find out after they hire them that they come up short. We've talked about this many times and part of it may well be that the company is not giving an accurate explanation and preview of how hard the work can really be, but I tend to think that it is more that they just aren't able to find and listen to "why" it is that someone wants to do their job for them. It's not just this company. I see it all over. We all miss it too often and have a hard time getting to that intangible drive that is the one that makes us want to work extra hard, put up with more than we should, and bounce back after rejection or defeat. The best I have been able to come to is that we have to get enough to the core to figure out where that "drive" (if it is there) comes from in each person. It's no different as to why one student drives him/herself so hard for the A and another person is satisfied with the B or the C. Or, an athlete who burns inside to win and knows that second place is just the first loser. Whatever the drive that burns inside of them, the better we can get at finding it, assessing it, and then testing as to whether it will continue to burn strong in our company, the better off we will be.
When we believe and follow Jesus, if we allow it, it can be like a consuming fire that becomes the true driver of our lives. A fire that burns inside someone can't help but make things happen. The question we have to ask ourselves, over and over, is are we wanting and willing to keep that fire stoked within us at all times? We do that by seeking and staying close to the Lord in our reading of His Word, in our prayers, and with the fellowship of other believers. We all know that our work can many times act as a damper to that fire and cut off the needed oxygen to keep it burning strong inside of us. Let's be sure and today not let the fire be consumed by those things that want to tamp and put it out, but instead, feed the fire with God's pure fuel so that the fire truly consumes us!
Reference: Luke 9:62 (New Living Testament)
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
day 851: Farmer Lessons
"Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God"
It was September 22, 1985, in Champaign, Illinois when the first benefit concert called Farm Aid happened. Being raised in Indiana and a Purdue graduate, I remember it well as our own state son, John Cougar Mellencamp was one of the founders of the movement. In 1985 the American Farmer was in real trouble with farms being foreclosed at a staggering rate and little profit to be made. Purdue being such a strong agriculture school gave me friends who came from family farms and returned home to them after graduation. Farming was, and is, hard work. Plants and animals don't know days off like weekends, Sundays or holidays. Every day is a farming day and there is much to be learned. The resilience of a Farmer can best be seen in the lesson that a farmer can never look behind them as they till or plow a line for once they do the line in front of them will never be straight again. It's a metaphor that being from a farming state you learn young and it sticks with you. Fortunately, nearly 30 years later the American Farmer is thriving. Globalization has caught up with farming and there is now an export market for our home-raised food that has the price of land rising exponentially and farmers once again being lifted up on the pedestal of economic standards that they once had and again deserve. The perseverance of the American Farmer; a lesson to be learned by all.
Jesus was a man of, and an observer of the people. He knew the hard work of the farmer and He taught many of His parables out of the lessons and knowledge of the land and farming. Jesus told the want-to-be follower that if this person looked back once he put his hand on the plow then the man would not be fit for the Kingdom of God. To truly believe there is no looking back to evaluate or try and draw a line from our past to our future. God tells us to give up what is behind us and only fix our eyes on His path in front of us. That is the field that is ours to plow, maintain and someday harvest. The lesson of the farmer challenges us today to ask ourselves how much time are we spending looking over our shoulder, or are do we have our eyes fixed and forward as He tells us to do?
Reference: Luke 9:62 (New Living Testament)
It was September 22, 1985, in Champaign, Illinois when the first benefit concert called Farm Aid happened. Being raised in Indiana and a Purdue graduate, I remember it well as our own state son, John Cougar Mellencamp was one of the founders of the movement. In 1985 the American Farmer was in real trouble with farms being foreclosed at a staggering rate and little profit to be made. Purdue being such a strong agriculture school gave me friends who came from family farms and returned home to them after graduation. Farming was, and is, hard work. Plants and animals don't know days off like weekends, Sundays or holidays. Every day is a farming day and there is much to be learned. The resilience of a Farmer can best be seen in the lesson that a farmer can never look behind them as they till or plow a line for once they do the line in front of them will never be straight again. It's a metaphor that being from a farming state you learn young and it sticks with you. Fortunately, nearly 30 years later the American Farmer is thriving. Globalization has caught up with farming and there is now an export market for our home-raised food that has the price of land rising exponentially and farmers once again being lifted up on the pedestal of economic standards that they once had and again deserve. The perseverance of the American Farmer; a lesson to be learned by all.
Jesus was a man of, and an observer of the people. He knew the hard work of the farmer and He taught many of His parables out of the lessons and knowledge of the land and farming. Jesus told the want-to-be follower that if this person looked back once he put his hand on the plow then the man would not be fit for the Kingdom of God. To truly believe there is no looking back to evaluate or try and draw a line from our past to our future. God tells us to give up what is behind us and only fix our eyes on His path in front of us. That is the field that is ours to plow, maintain and someday harvest. The lesson of the farmer challenges us today to ask ourselves how much time are we spending looking over our shoulder, or are do we have our eyes fixed and forward as He tells us to do?
Reference: Luke 9:62 (New Living Testament)
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
day 850: Freemium
"But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere - ..."
When we sign up for entertainment applications and services that are "Freemium" models then we have to be ready for some distraction and interruptions. The "Freemium" model is one that many people subscribe and don't even understand it is happening to them. We sign up for something that is "free" and we get a "baseline" service or offering and it's enough to get the job done, but it usually comes with something that is missing or something that we don't want and if we move up to a paying customer (even if that is a little) then something is either added or removed that makes the service better. As I write this I am listening to a contemporary christian music playlist on Spotify; the latest and hottest music streaming service. I don't pay for Spotify, I have the free baseline offering which means at nearly every second or third song I get a commercial advertisement. It's 15-30 seconds of something like "Team in Training" or a promotion for another artist's new album. I don't mind really as it's a small distraction. Also, without out paying I can't stream on my iphone, but again, that's not a big enough incentive to make me pay. So, I listen to the ads and move on. the same is true for Pandora, online free videos, etc. It's the "Freemium" world we live in.
Aren't we so happy and blessed that God didn't set up a "Freemium" model for our salvation and eternal life? He didn't deliver us a baseline offering that we then could pay or earn our way up or into. Instead he did the just the opposite. He laid it all on the line for us and paid it all forward so all we have to do is "download" Him into our life and then let Him have access to our heart. How awesome is that model? As we carry His model into the world with how we live, act, work and share, let's be sure that we are following His truly free model and be sure that we are loving others under His terms and standards. Think about this today!
Reference: Acts 1:8 (New Living Testament)
When we sign up for entertainment applications and services that are "Freemium" models then we have to be ready for some distraction and interruptions. The "Freemium" model is one that many people subscribe and don't even understand it is happening to them. We sign up for something that is "free" and we get a "baseline" service or offering and it's enough to get the job done, but it usually comes with something that is missing or something that we don't want and if we move up to a paying customer (even if that is a little) then something is either added or removed that makes the service better. As I write this I am listening to a contemporary christian music playlist on Spotify; the latest and hottest music streaming service. I don't pay for Spotify, I have the free baseline offering which means at nearly every second or third song I get a commercial advertisement. It's 15-30 seconds of something like "Team in Training" or a promotion for another artist's new album. I don't mind really as it's a small distraction. Also, without out paying I can't stream on my iphone, but again, that's not a big enough incentive to make me pay. So, I listen to the ads and move on. the same is true for Pandora, online free videos, etc. It's the "Freemium" world we live in.
Aren't we so happy and blessed that God didn't set up a "Freemium" model for our salvation and eternal life? He didn't deliver us a baseline offering that we then could pay or earn our way up or into. Instead he did the just the opposite. He laid it all on the line for us and paid it all forward so all we have to do is "download" Him into our life and then let Him have access to our heart. How awesome is that model? As we carry His model into the world with how we live, act, work and share, let's be sure that we are following His truly free model and be sure that we are loving others under His terms and standards. Think about this today!
Reference: Acts 1:8 (New Living Testament)
Monday, March 19, 2012
day 849: While We Are Waiting
May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven."
Business is by nature impatient. No where do I see that like I do in the world of Private Equity. Private equity and Venture Capital are different and also similar. Both are other people's money. Both are outside influences on a business and on the leaders of the business. Both are in a hurry, but for different reasons. Venture Capital is in a hurry because they are usually racing to be first or largest to market. Venture Capital is like feeding the 16 year old boy as much food and nutrients as the boy can take to keep him growing as fast as he can. Venture Capital creates and expands. Private Equity is different. Private Equity is extremely impatient and will go to extremes to pare and prune back a business to see if the new shoots will grow the business more efficiently with a greater return to the shareholder. Rather than feed, Private Equity starves and limits the overall intake in hope that "fat" will be reduced so muscle is what is left. I have friends in both industries and I must say that the harder job is Private Equity because the draconian actions necessary to cost-cut to increase shareholder value is very, very difficult. The two ways of business building, with neither being better than another, are still both impatient in their own way and demand founders/teams to bend to the will and pace of the investor.
Jesus teaches us to pray for the Kingdom of God to come soon. We are to desire and reach to God for Him to deliver the Kingdom. However, in the next sentence, Jesus tells us to be patient and wait for the will of God to be done. There is much in life that we can influence to go our way, but the will of God is not one of those. This we must trust to happen and then follow the path that God puts in front of us. Maybe in this we are more like Venture Capitalists that we are to be as additive to God's will as we can to assist in His will being done. And, still we are to be like those in Private Equity in paring and removing the distractions and the superficial that distract or take us away from the main reason we are here. Regardless of the similarities or the differences, we are to learn and have patience to allow God to work in our lives to His will, not ours. This week, let's have a look at who is leading whom? Is it us trying to pace and lead God, or have we surrendered enough to let Him take the lead?
Reference: Matthew 6:10 (New Living Testament)
Business is by nature impatient. No where do I see that like I do in the world of Private Equity. Private equity and Venture Capital are different and also similar. Both are other people's money. Both are outside influences on a business and on the leaders of the business. Both are in a hurry, but for different reasons. Venture Capital is in a hurry because they are usually racing to be first or largest to market. Venture Capital is like feeding the 16 year old boy as much food and nutrients as the boy can take to keep him growing as fast as he can. Venture Capital creates and expands. Private Equity is different. Private Equity is extremely impatient and will go to extremes to pare and prune back a business to see if the new shoots will grow the business more efficiently with a greater return to the shareholder. Rather than feed, Private Equity starves and limits the overall intake in hope that "fat" will be reduced so muscle is what is left. I have friends in both industries and I must say that the harder job is Private Equity because the draconian actions necessary to cost-cut to increase shareholder value is very, very difficult. The two ways of business building, with neither being better than another, are still both impatient in their own way and demand founders/teams to bend to the will and pace of the investor.
Jesus teaches us to pray for the Kingdom of God to come soon. We are to desire and reach to God for Him to deliver the Kingdom. However, in the next sentence, Jesus tells us to be patient and wait for the will of God to be done. There is much in life that we can influence to go our way, but the will of God is not one of those. This we must trust to happen and then follow the path that God puts in front of us. Maybe in this we are more like Venture Capitalists that we are to be as additive to God's will as we can to assist in His will being done. And, still we are to be like those in Private Equity in paring and removing the distractions and the superficial that distract or take us away from the main reason we are here. Regardless of the similarities or the differences, we are to learn and have patience to allow God to work in our lives to His will, not ours. This week, let's have a look at who is leading whom? Is it us trying to pace and lead God, or have we surrendered enough to let Him take the lead?
Reference: Matthew 6:10 (New Living Testament)
Friday, March 16, 2012
day 848: Bossin' Around
"For we are not our own masters when we live or die."
In October there is a day called "Boss's Day". Really? Yes, but you won't see Hallmark making a big deal out of sending "Boss's Day" cards. Most of us appreciate our boss, to a point, but that is to a certain point and then it stops there. Why is this? Well, first of all we can respect our boss's and stand behind them without reservation but there is something that never can get past the point that they are our boss. Rarely can we be best friends with our boss. I remember the story I once heard of a learning from a boss. this executive/boss was sitting at the dinner table with his family and he was speaking poorly of his boss in front of his family and badmouthing the boss in so many ways that finally one of his sons said, "You know Dad, it sure is a good thing that the people who work for you aren't at home talking about you like you are talking about your boss." What an eye-opener for this executive. Yes, it happens to all of us. If we are in a leadership position it comes with the territory that we are going to get the good and the bad with the job. Let's just remember that no matter how much we think we are being a great boss, that someone, or many, at one point or another, will think of us in the stereotypical perception of "the boss". The best we can do is to "boss up" and do our best to manage and lead through pure values, principles, integrity and consistency. Let's all try to "boss up" in the right way today.
Paul tells us in Romans that we can't expect to be the boss of ourselves if we are also believers. It's a fact, there can only be one boss at a time in our work and in our lives. The idea that we can serve multiple masters just isn't so. We might vacillate but we choose what and who we are going to follow at any given time and that becomes our boss. We need to think hard about who we are letting be the boss of our lives. What we say and what we do may not be the same. Let's consider what/who is bossin' us around today?
Reference: Romans 14:7 (New Living Testament)
In October there is a day called "Boss's Day". Really? Yes, but you won't see Hallmark making a big deal out of sending "Boss's Day" cards. Most of us appreciate our boss, to a point, but that is to a certain point and then it stops there. Why is this? Well, first of all we can respect our boss's and stand behind them without reservation but there is something that never can get past the point that they are our boss. Rarely can we be best friends with our boss. I remember the story I once heard of a learning from a boss. this executive/boss was sitting at the dinner table with his family and he was speaking poorly of his boss in front of his family and badmouthing the boss in so many ways that finally one of his sons said, "You know Dad, it sure is a good thing that the people who work for you aren't at home talking about you like you are talking about your boss." What an eye-opener for this executive. Yes, it happens to all of us. If we are in a leadership position it comes with the territory that we are going to get the good and the bad with the job. Let's just remember that no matter how much we think we are being a great boss, that someone, or many, at one point or another, will think of us in the stereotypical perception of "the boss". The best we can do is to "boss up" and do our best to manage and lead through pure values, principles, integrity and consistency. Let's all try to "boss up" in the right way today.
Paul tells us in Romans that we can't expect to be the boss of ourselves if we are also believers. It's a fact, there can only be one boss at a time in our work and in our lives. The idea that we can serve multiple masters just isn't so. We might vacillate but we choose what and who we are going to follow at any given time and that becomes our boss. We need to think hard about who we are letting be the boss of our lives. What we say and what we do may not be the same. Let's consider what/who is bossin' us around today?
Reference: Romans 14:7 (New Living Testament)
Thursday, March 15, 2012
day 847: What Does Fit Mean?
"You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless."
One of the most overused words when recruiting and assessing new people for a company is the word, "fit". The word is invoked over and over, even when no one really knows what it means. Someone only needs to say to others after interviewing a candidate, "He just doesn't fit", and that will either start a debate or it ends the conversation and the candidate is rejected. The feedback that goes back to the candidate is just as vague; "There just wasn't a fit". Hiring is hard, of course, but there is more than just trying to finding fit like the trial and error of finding the right piece in a jigsaw puzzle. Every company has a culture and "fit" is certainly important, but knowing how to define the attributes of the culture to a level of specificity so that there can be a true definition of "fit" is typically where companies fall short. That leaves vast room for the continued guessing game of who fits and who doesn't. At that point, we continue on with always trying to circle in on what is "fit" and what is not. Probably the best definition of what is fit and what is not comes from the attributes that the successful people in a company take on, reinforce, and evolve towards. Since we hire in the likeness of ourselves it only makes sense that a homogeneous culture gets created and everyone ends up being more like the same. And so, "fit" becomes defined. This insular evolution, without discipline, can leave a company one day wondering why they have lost a creative edge, lost their external customer focus, or worse yet, have fallen into group think and can't make decisions. Companies can benefit by being open to people who "run against the grain" and push the envelope in their thinking and background. Companies can benefit in expanding their definition of "fit".
Those of us who are believers and spend our days on the job trying to live out our purpose, run against the grain each day and in our own way, should be defining our own "fit". We read in Matthew 5:13 that we are to be different and if don't then we have thrown away tremendous opportunity; "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless." We all want to fit in the companies where we work. What God is saying is that we can both fit in our companies and also be different. And we can be assured that the saltiness and flavor that God wants us to have can be the exact ingredient that others on our job need to see to view the reflection of God in what we do. Today, as you think about your role and fit within your company and job, remember that the salt that you can bring can be a needed expansion of the definition of "fit".
Reference: Matthew 5:13 (New Living Testament)
One of the most overused words when recruiting and assessing new people for a company is the word, "fit". The word is invoked over and over, even when no one really knows what it means. Someone only needs to say to others after interviewing a candidate, "He just doesn't fit", and that will either start a debate or it ends the conversation and the candidate is rejected. The feedback that goes back to the candidate is just as vague; "There just wasn't a fit". Hiring is hard, of course, but there is more than just trying to finding fit like the trial and error of finding the right piece in a jigsaw puzzle. Every company has a culture and "fit" is certainly important, but knowing how to define the attributes of the culture to a level of specificity so that there can be a true definition of "fit" is typically where companies fall short. That leaves vast room for the continued guessing game of who fits and who doesn't. At that point, we continue on with always trying to circle in on what is "fit" and what is not. Probably the best definition of what is fit and what is not comes from the attributes that the successful people in a company take on, reinforce, and evolve towards. Since we hire in the likeness of ourselves it only makes sense that a homogeneous culture gets created and everyone ends up being more like the same. And so, "fit" becomes defined. This insular evolution, without discipline, can leave a company one day wondering why they have lost a creative edge, lost their external customer focus, or worse yet, have fallen into group think and can't make decisions. Companies can benefit by being open to people who "run against the grain" and push the envelope in their thinking and background. Companies can benefit in expanding their definition of "fit".
Those of us who are believers and spend our days on the job trying to live out our purpose, run against the grain each day and in our own way, should be defining our own "fit". We read in Matthew 5:13 that we are to be different and if don't then we have thrown away tremendous opportunity; "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless." We all want to fit in the companies where we work. What God is saying is that we can both fit in our companies and also be different. And we can be assured that the saltiness and flavor that God wants us to have can be the exact ingredient that others on our job need to see to view the reflection of God in what we do. Today, as you think about your role and fit within your company and job, remember that the salt that you can bring can be a needed expansion of the definition of "fit".
Reference: Matthew 5:13 (New Living Testament)
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
day 846: Accurate Wieghting
"The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights."
I have written many times before about the importance of accuracy, integrity, and honesty, etc. I have even used the verse above literally as we think about the work that we do when it comes to completing a transaction. I had someone pull a fast one on me last weekend in Austin at SxSw. It was raining hard on Friday night and there wasn't much of an option to get across town other than to grab a taxi. Imagine trying to get a cab in NYC on Friday afternoon at 5pm when it is raining. That was the same difficulty we were having on this rainy Friday night in Austin, TX. When it comes to this dilemma, I have resolved to find a hotel and have the bellman get you the cab. We went to the W Hotel which was around the corner from the Austin City Limits Music Hall. The bellhop, a young guy, does his job and within a couple of minutes we had a cab waiting. All I had was $20 and I asked him to give me back $17. As I got in the cab and unfolded the wad of ones and fives he had stuffed in my hand I found $13, not $17. An honest mistake maybe? But I knew it wasn't as I looked back out of the rain dripped window and he was looking right at me to see if I had caught him or not. Had I not been in the car with others and we were already moving, and it wasn't so wet and cold outside and the cab was dry and warm, I would have stopped and gone back. So, that kid picked up a few extra bucks, but with it, he hurt the reputation of the "W" and his other bellhops, which neither I or the other people in my cab, will forget. The point is, it's the little things that can really matter. It always is and always will be.
As believers and ones who represent our Lord in our everyday lives and work, we can't afford to cheat the system. The stakes are way too high for us to cut the corners and be vulnerable to others feeling like we didn't deal with them fairly. Let's today take a hard look at what we are doing and working on to be sure that we are accurately weighting how important our integrity and character is for those around us. The tip of the scales in a way that disfavors another can be more negatively heavy than we know.
Reference: Proverbs 11:1 (New Living Testament)
I have written many times before about the importance of accuracy, integrity, and honesty, etc. I have even used the verse above literally as we think about the work that we do when it comes to completing a transaction. I had someone pull a fast one on me last weekend in Austin at SxSw. It was raining hard on Friday night and there wasn't much of an option to get across town other than to grab a taxi. Imagine trying to get a cab in NYC on Friday afternoon at 5pm when it is raining. That was the same difficulty we were having on this rainy Friday night in Austin, TX. When it comes to this dilemma, I have resolved to find a hotel and have the bellman get you the cab. We went to the W Hotel which was around the corner from the Austin City Limits Music Hall. The bellhop, a young guy, does his job and within a couple of minutes we had a cab waiting. All I had was $20 and I asked him to give me back $17. As I got in the cab and unfolded the wad of ones and fives he had stuffed in my hand I found $13, not $17. An honest mistake maybe? But I knew it wasn't as I looked back out of the rain dripped window and he was looking right at me to see if I had caught him or not. Had I not been in the car with others and we were already moving, and it wasn't so wet and cold outside and the cab was dry and warm, I would have stopped and gone back. So, that kid picked up a few extra bucks, but with it, he hurt the reputation of the "W" and his other bellhops, which neither I or the other people in my cab, will forget. The point is, it's the little things that can really matter. It always is and always will be.
As believers and ones who represent our Lord in our everyday lives and work, we can't afford to cheat the system. The stakes are way too high for us to cut the corners and be vulnerable to others feeling like we didn't deal with them fairly. Let's today take a hard look at what we are doing and working on to be sure that we are accurately weighting how important our integrity and character is for those around us. The tip of the scales in a way that disfavors another can be more negatively heavy than we know.
Reference: Proverbs 11:1 (New Living Testament)
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
day 845: Replaced
"So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever!"
South by Southwest (SxSW) has become a huge music, film, and interactive festival in Austin, TX. Over a two week period the town is overtaken by those who work in their respective industries as bands, films and technologies are showcased. It's a real scene and it's also a see and be seen event. I had an interesting observation this past weekend while I was there about how the world changes and the impact of that on people. In 2007 I was at the SxSW music week with the digital music company I was running at the time. That year we had a tent with bands that attendees really wanted to see so we, and my team, were an "attraction". But, we were far from the biggest attraction. At the time there were others who were on top the industry who couldn't move through the streets without being swarmed by people wanting to talk to them, pitch their bands, businesses and services. Everywhere, in particular these two co-founders went, they had an entourage and they held court for a week. I distinctly remember a moment in the lobby of the nicest hotel in town with the two of them being photographed by the press as if they were rock stars. Well, at the time, they were rock stars in their own way as they once graced the cover of every magazine and periodical. But as we know, fame is fleeting. Fast forward to the present and this year's SxSW. As the huge late night crowd, in the same hotel lobby, sought out the current "stars" I walked in and there sat one of the two, now by himself, with his head down over his smartphone, doing email, texting, or maybe playing a game. There was no one coming up to him. It appeared that few even knew he was. The moment had passed and the star had been brought back down to earth and replaced by another set of people who were now on the rise.
The things of this world, like our businesses, people around us, and our "fame" are replaceable, just like we all are. We can't hang our egos and identities on the things of this world. They come and go. The only thing that can't be replaced and won't ever be replaced is Jesus and our relationship with Him. We live in time where everything moves faster than ever. Our lives and the days that we have here are fleeting from us quickly. When all is said and done it won't be the scene in the hotel lobby that carries us to the next chapter in our eternal lives, it will be the star of all stars who will be the One to carry us forward in His arms. What a promise. What a gift. Whatever we do today, let us please not take for granted the irreplaceable One who is our Lord and Savior and what we can do to bring glory to Him.
Reference: 2 Corinthians 3:11 (New Living Testament)
South by Southwest (SxSW) has become a huge music, film, and interactive festival in Austin, TX. Over a two week period the town is overtaken by those who work in their respective industries as bands, films and technologies are showcased. It's a real scene and it's also a see and be seen event. I had an interesting observation this past weekend while I was there about how the world changes and the impact of that on people. In 2007 I was at the SxSW music week with the digital music company I was running at the time. That year we had a tent with bands that attendees really wanted to see so we, and my team, were an "attraction". But, we were far from the biggest attraction. At the time there were others who were on top the industry who couldn't move through the streets without being swarmed by people wanting to talk to them, pitch their bands, businesses and services. Everywhere, in particular these two co-founders went, they had an entourage and they held court for a week. I distinctly remember a moment in the lobby of the nicest hotel in town with the two of them being photographed by the press as if they were rock stars. Well, at the time, they were rock stars in their own way as they once graced the cover of every magazine and periodical. But as we know, fame is fleeting. Fast forward to the present and this year's SxSW. As the huge late night crowd, in the same hotel lobby, sought out the current "stars" I walked in and there sat one of the two, now by himself, with his head down over his smartphone, doing email, texting, or maybe playing a game. There was no one coming up to him. It appeared that few even knew he was. The moment had passed and the star had been brought back down to earth and replaced by another set of people who were now on the rise.
The things of this world, like our businesses, people around us, and our "fame" are replaceable, just like we all are. We can't hang our egos and identities on the things of this world. They come and go. The only thing that can't be replaced and won't ever be replaced is Jesus and our relationship with Him. We live in time where everything moves faster than ever. Our lives and the days that we have here are fleeting from us quickly. When all is said and done it won't be the scene in the hotel lobby that carries us to the next chapter in our eternal lives, it will be the star of all stars who will be the One to carry us forward in His arms. What a promise. What a gift. Whatever we do today, let us please not take for granted the irreplaceable One who is our Lord and Savior and what we can do to bring glory to Him.
Reference: 2 Corinthians 3:11 (New Living Testament)
Monday, March 12, 2012
day 844: The Last Seat
"There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?"
I knew there was going to be a problem when I didn't receive my day before "you may check-in now online" notice. I also knew from my itinerary that I had not been given an assigned seat. With both of these things in mind I decided I better head to the airport early. My flight from Austin to Salt Lake City was scheduled for 8:10AM. I arrived at the airport at 6:40AM and sure enough, when I checked in, I still didn't have an assigned seat. As I fretted at the check-in terminal, I watched a security line grow that wove its way through most of the Barbara Jordan Terminal. I don't have any status on Delta so I was resigned to the serpentine and the "turnstile-ing" as if we were waiting on a Disney World ride line, without the excited anticipation. I got through the line at 7:20AM and hustled to Gate 5. It was a good thing I didn't wait to pass go as the gate agent gave me the last seat on the plane; 20D which, was the last row against what should have been a window, but with no window. I couldn't complain because those who didn't get a seat were being told that the next available flight out of Austin, because of Spring Break and South by Southwest, would be tomorrow afternoon. I didn't wait to see if they got any takers on the $400 travel voucher and overnight stay with dinner in the airport. The last seat is always better than no seat at all.
Isn't it great to know that God has already reserved us a seat and more in His and our eternal home? No matter when we show up, it will be ready for us. As we go through today and this week let's not fret over our "reservation" in God's Kingdom and let's not doubt Him in any way. Instead, let's this week approach all that we do with no reservations about Him and the work He has put us here to do for Him. Let's work hard and purposefully to bring glory to Him in anticipation of the fully reserved seat He has waiting for us!
Reference: John 14:2 (New Living Testament)
I knew there was going to be a problem when I didn't receive my day before "you may check-in now online" notice. I also knew from my itinerary that I had not been given an assigned seat. With both of these things in mind I decided I better head to the airport early. My flight from Austin to Salt Lake City was scheduled for 8:10AM. I arrived at the airport at 6:40AM and sure enough, when I checked in, I still didn't have an assigned seat. As I fretted at the check-in terminal, I watched a security line grow that wove its way through most of the Barbara Jordan Terminal. I don't have any status on Delta so I was resigned to the serpentine and the "turnstile-ing" as if we were waiting on a Disney World ride line, without the excited anticipation. I got through the line at 7:20AM and hustled to Gate 5. It was a good thing I didn't wait to pass go as the gate agent gave me the last seat on the plane; 20D which, was the last row against what should have been a window, but with no window. I couldn't complain because those who didn't get a seat were being told that the next available flight out of Austin, because of Spring Break and South by Southwest, would be tomorrow afternoon. I didn't wait to see if they got any takers on the $400 travel voucher and overnight stay with dinner in the airport. The last seat is always better than no seat at all.
Isn't it great to know that God has already reserved us a seat and more in His and our eternal home? No matter when we show up, it will be ready for us. As we go through today and this week let's not fret over our "reservation" in God's Kingdom and let's not doubt Him in any way. Instead, let's this week approach all that we do with no reservations about Him and the work He has put us here to do for Him. Let's work hard and purposefully to bring glory to Him in anticipation of the fully reserved seat He has waiting for us!
Reference: John 14:2 (New Living Testament)
Friday, March 9, 2012
day 843: There Should Be An App For This - 2012
"Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does."
I am off this morning to South by Southwest Interactive (SXSW) in Austin, TX. This interactive festival has established itself as the premier launching pad of interactive technology start-ups so we will see what will come out of this year. With that said, it made sense for me to revise something from 2011 for today.
"There should be an 'App' for this." Thirty six months ago, this was becoming a popular saying as people played with their iphones and thought about their soon to arrive ipads. three years later, as we have our ipad 1 & 2 and wait on our ipad 3 and we have upgraded our iphones to newest generation, we say less often, "there should be an App for this" because today, there seems to be just about an "App" for everything so we say more often, "there is an App for that." In actuality, it's probably about a few hundred thousand Apps that have been created for the Apple platform and then a fraction of that many for the Android operating system. Still, it now seems that there is an App for about anything, other than some of the more mundane things we may still do at work. But, watch out, those are coming soon. It may well be soon that an ipad for work becomes standard issue. As all of these innovations continue to occur it is important that we stay on top of what is new and that we understand what is coming next. To be most competitive in our field or industry, we have to be ahead of the competition and in touch with the next generation of talent that walks through our doors. To not be in touch with the future is to live in the past. There is no App for telling and understanding the future. That is on us to do.
An App is also a publishing tool that allows a developer and innovator to share his/her creation across the users of a platform and spread this software virally through sharing it with their social graph. Technology is the tool for evangelizing a resource, tool, service, etc. If you think about it, God was ultimately the first App developer in that He created all of us to be the spreaders of His Good News. We are God's Apps and as we are told in in 1 Chronicles, we are to be the publishers of his glory. Think about this today and know that God is looking at us and saying in all of the situations that we are given and face, "Here is my app for this."
Reference: 1 Chronicles 16:24 (New Living Testament)
I am off this morning to South by Southwest Interactive (SXSW) in Austin, TX. This interactive festival has established itself as the premier launching pad of interactive technology start-ups so we will see what will come out of this year. With that said, it made sense for me to revise something from 2011 for today.
"There should be an 'App' for this." Thirty six months ago, this was becoming a popular saying as people played with their iphones and thought about their soon to arrive ipads. three years later, as we have our ipad 1 & 2 and wait on our ipad 3 and we have upgraded our iphones to newest generation, we say less often, "there should be an App for this" because today, there seems to be just about an "App" for everything so we say more often, "there is an App for that." In actuality, it's probably about a few hundred thousand Apps that have been created for the Apple platform and then a fraction of that many for the Android operating system. Still, it now seems that there is an App for about anything, other than some of the more mundane things we may still do at work. But, watch out, those are coming soon. It may well be soon that an ipad for work becomes standard issue. As all of these innovations continue to occur it is important that we stay on top of what is new and that we understand what is coming next. To be most competitive in our field or industry, we have to be ahead of the competition and in touch with the next generation of talent that walks through our doors. To not be in touch with the future is to live in the past. There is no App for telling and understanding the future. That is on us to do.
An App is also a publishing tool that allows a developer and innovator to share his/her creation across the users of a platform and spread this software virally through sharing it with their social graph. Technology is the tool for evangelizing a resource, tool, service, etc. If you think about it, God was ultimately the first App developer in that He created all of us to be the spreaders of His Good News. We are God's Apps and as we are told in in 1 Chronicles, we are to be the publishers of his glory. Think about this today and know that God is looking at us and saying in all of the situations that we are given and face, "Here is my app for this."
Reference: 1 Chronicles 16:24 (New Living Testament)
Thursday, March 8, 2012
day 841: Day To Day
"...and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern."
We write, read and talk a lot about taking the long view and having strategy in place to lead us. All of that is true, necessary and valuable, but in reality we also have to make it through day to day. It's great to have that anchoring statement, that lighthouse, that compass point to know we are heading in the right direction. Yet, we also have to know how to take one step at a time and get through the day in front of us. Businesses, and business people who can also put in place quarterly, monthly, weekly, and yes, sometimes daily plans (all of which align to the vision, mission, strategic plan) are the companies that fare the best. The balance and the value in both the long view and short perspective is so important to have. Without both, a company can end up with great vision but no action. Day to day, in the right direction, and moving forward everyday can bring great success.
I have pondered and prayed over Matthew 6:33 and the words "day to day" stand out for me. By Jesus choosing those words versus leaving them out, it also reinforces to us the importance of our day to day dependence on Him. Yes, He provides for us always, but as He says, it may be "day to day". Not worrying about tomorrow is one of the hardest challenges we face in our work and our lives. What Jesus is saying to us is to put the day after tomorrow of worries out of our minds for he will take care of us and we just need to know and believe that He will be there for us, "day to day".
Reference: Matthew 6:33 (New Living Testament)
We write, read and talk a lot about taking the long view and having strategy in place to lead us. All of that is true, necessary and valuable, but in reality we also have to make it through day to day. It's great to have that anchoring statement, that lighthouse, that compass point to know we are heading in the right direction. Yet, we also have to know how to take one step at a time and get through the day in front of us. Businesses, and business people who can also put in place quarterly, monthly, weekly, and yes, sometimes daily plans (all of which align to the vision, mission, strategic plan) are the companies that fare the best. The balance and the value in both the long view and short perspective is so important to have. Without both, a company can end up with great vision but no action. Day to day, in the right direction, and moving forward everyday can bring great success.
I have pondered and prayed over Matthew 6:33 and the words "day to day" stand out for me. By Jesus choosing those words versus leaving them out, it also reinforces to us the importance of our day to day dependence on Him. Yes, He provides for us always, but as He says, it may be "day to day". Not worrying about tomorrow is one of the hardest challenges we face in our work and our lives. What Jesus is saying to us is to put the day after tomorrow of worries out of our minds for he will take care of us and we just need to know and believe that He will be there for us, "day to day".
Reference: Matthew 6:33 (New Living Testament)
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
day 840: The Copy Room
"...and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern."
I got caught up in the TV show "Mad Men". In the second season there is a scene where the advertising agency gets their first copy machine. It's 1962 or '64, I can't remember, but the machine is the size of a Volkswagen Beetle and they don't have anywhere to put it so it ends up in the hallway, obstructing everyone who goes by. It's television, but I can imagine that the same thing happened all over American with companies and that the copy machine (dare I say, Xerox?) created a whole bunch of activity by adding in architects to redesign the space, construction work to reframe and drywall, cabinetry to redo/create the place for the paper and supplies, painters to repaint, etc. One piece of technology that met a need and created all of that activity and change in behavior. Not to mention the change in work and productivity that in an affordable way everyone could look at the same piece of paper at the same time and take it with them. As we devise and create the future, just be ready for the change that will come with technologies that fulfill a need and change the way we go about our work.
Jesus tells us we never have to worry about or be concerned with what is to be our needs of the future. All the supplies of our life can be found in one place and that is with Him. He is the one who fulfills all and is there for us at all times. Lots will come and go in the world around us but He and His Word remain a constant. As we step into the new rooms and technologies of our lives, let us not forget to draw on Him first for all that we need!
Reference: Matthew 6:33 (New Living Testament)
I got caught up in the TV show "Mad Men". In the second season there is a scene where the advertising agency gets their first copy machine. It's 1962 or '64, I can't remember, but the machine is the size of a Volkswagen Beetle and they don't have anywhere to put it so it ends up in the hallway, obstructing everyone who goes by. It's television, but I can imagine that the same thing happened all over American with companies and that the copy machine (dare I say, Xerox?) created a whole bunch of activity by adding in architects to redesign the space, construction work to reframe and drywall, cabinetry to redo/create the place for the paper and supplies, painters to repaint, etc. One piece of technology that met a need and created all of that activity and change in behavior. Not to mention the change in work and productivity that in an affordable way everyone could look at the same piece of paper at the same time and take it with them. As we devise and create the future, just be ready for the change that will come with technologies that fulfill a need and change the way we go about our work.
Jesus tells us we never have to worry about or be concerned with what is to be our needs of the future. All the supplies of our life can be found in one place and that is with Him. He is the one who fulfills all and is there for us at all times. Lots will come and go in the world around us but He and His Word remain a constant. As we step into the new rooms and technologies of our lives, let us not forget to draw on Him first for all that we need!
Reference: Matthew 6:33 (New Living Testament)
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
day 839: Seed Stage
"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in the field."
When I tell people I invest in companies at the "seed stage" they either immediately understand, or I have to explain to them what I personally mean by "seed stage". For me, a "seed stage" company is one where the business idea and the original team are encapsulated in a seed and planted just below the ground where it can't be yet seen. For anyone who has ever gardened, you know that this the most mysterious stage of growing. How can these little pellets turn out to be a big plant or vegetable? And, once they are in the ground it is all about doing our part of giving them protection from the elements, enough food and nutrients in the dirt, water and sunlight and then watching and waiting. That's what seed investing is like. It's funny, I know many investors who lose patience too quickly with a start-up and then force them to try and grow faster or differently than what they were intended. What I have learned is that sometimes you have to wait and be patient and with the right "gardening' and tending, they will come.
Jesus told us that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed. The mustard seed is the smallest of all and turns into a huge tree. But that mustard tree only grows at the pace that it is supposed to grow and if we someday want to sit within its' shade, we must wait. We must wait on the Kingdom of Heaven. God gives us glimpses along the way but He expects our faith to be strong enough that waiting for something miraculous is just fine with us. What has ever come from instant gratification? Not much that I can conjure up. Today is about another step forward in our journey to God's Kingdom. Let's make the most of today and do all that we can to purposefully work to bring glory to Him in what we do.
Reference: Matthew 13:31 (New Living Testament)
When I tell people I invest in companies at the "seed stage" they either immediately understand, or I have to explain to them what I personally mean by "seed stage". For me, a "seed stage" company is one where the business idea and the original team are encapsulated in a seed and planted just below the ground where it can't be yet seen. For anyone who has ever gardened, you know that this the most mysterious stage of growing. How can these little pellets turn out to be a big plant or vegetable? And, once they are in the ground it is all about doing our part of giving them protection from the elements, enough food and nutrients in the dirt, water and sunlight and then watching and waiting. That's what seed investing is like. It's funny, I know many investors who lose patience too quickly with a start-up and then force them to try and grow faster or differently than what they were intended. What I have learned is that sometimes you have to wait and be patient and with the right "gardening' and tending, they will come.
Jesus told us that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed. The mustard seed is the smallest of all and turns into a huge tree. But that mustard tree only grows at the pace that it is supposed to grow and if we someday want to sit within its' shade, we must wait. We must wait on the Kingdom of Heaven. God gives us glimpses along the way but He expects our faith to be strong enough that waiting for something miraculous is just fine with us. What has ever come from instant gratification? Not much that I can conjure up. Today is about another step forward in our journey to God's Kingdom. Let's make the most of today and do all that we can to purposefully work to bring glory to Him in what we do.
Reference: Matthew 13:31 (New Living Testament)
Monday, March 5, 2012
day 838: Take A Walk
"The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory."
A few weeks ago someone who I am doing work with suggested that instead of meeting over a cup of coffee that we instead go for a walk with each other and go through our business while we were walking. This was not the first time I had done walking meetings as I have worked with/for people who do this regularly, and I also have used walks for meetings with people who worked for me. But, what I used to do with a walk was to use it to help diffuse a situation or just change the venue to clear the heads in involved. What I found in this most recent walk was that instead of having some ulterior motive that just being outside stimulated some creativity. Maybe it was the extra oxygen to my brain or just the beauty of the day, but there was a freeing that came with the time. Patti and I went for a walk last week and she had a bunch of stuff for us to cover off on. I may get addicted to the walking meeting.
As believers we get the wonderful opportunity to walk with Christ each and every day. He walks with us through our workday and beyond, if we allow Him to do so. What is so great about our walk with Christ is that the walk goes well beyond the life we have here on earth. Walks are made up of steps and each step that we take towards our eternity should be deliberate and worthwhile. As we start this workweek, let's pray that each step of our walk will be ones that are pleasing to God and that we do not lose our way but walk within His will at all times.
Reference: Revelation 21:24 (New Living Testament)
A few weeks ago someone who I am doing work with suggested that instead of meeting over a cup of coffee that we instead go for a walk with each other and go through our business while we were walking. This was not the first time I had done walking meetings as I have worked with/for people who do this regularly, and I also have used walks for meetings with people who worked for me. But, what I used to do with a walk was to use it to help diffuse a situation or just change the venue to clear the heads in involved. What I found in this most recent walk was that instead of having some ulterior motive that just being outside stimulated some creativity. Maybe it was the extra oxygen to my brain or just the beauty of the day, but there was a freeing that came with the time. Patti and I went for a walk last week and she had a bunch of stuff for us to cover off on. I may get addicted to the walking meeting.
As believers we get the wonderful opportunity to walk with Christ each and every day. He walks with us through our workday and beyond, if we allow Him to do so. What is so great about our walk with Christ is that the walk goes well beyond the life we have here on earth. Walks are made up of steps and each step that we take towards our eternity should be deliberate and worthwhile. As we start this workweek, let's pray that each step of our walk will be ones that are pleasing to God and that we do not lose our way but walk within His will at all times.
Reference: Revelation 21:24 (New Living Testament)
Friday, March 2, 2012
day 837: Reconciliation
"Be reconciled to God!"
To be reconciled is by definition, "To cause (a person) to accept or be resigned to something not desired: He was reconciled to his fate, to win over to friendliness; cause to become amicable: to reconcile hostile persons; to compose or settle (a quarrel, dispute, etc.); to bring into agreement or harmony; make compatible or consistent: to reconcile differing statements; to reconcile accounts." This definition sounds a lot like the daily activities that happen at work. That could be right, that what we do all day long is reconcile. It's not a bad thing. In fact, those who can reconcile better than others probably end up succeeding over others. Let's consider the alternative. Those who can't reconcile probably don't last long in the workplace. We are better off being able to reconcile with others and we have to be able to bring things together in a way that makes sense to most, if not all, or the organization just won't work. As we look at our teams and our talent, let's pay attention to our collective abilities to reconcile to where the business wants and needs to be.
We are told clearly that we are to be reconciled to God. If you read earlier in 2 Corinthians, Chapter 5, you will find that we are also to be ones who reconcile others to Him. Why are we to do that? Because, Jesus made the greatest reconciliation of all when He reconciled "The world to Himself, no longer counting people's sins against them." What a gift we have been given! Let us today as we close this week reconcile what we have and and do for furthering God's Kingdom here on earth, in our town, on our worksite, in our neighborhoods and in our homes.
Reference: 2 Corinthians, Chapter 5 and 5:20 (New Living Testament)
To be reconciled is by definition, "To cause (a person) to accept or be resigned to something not desired: He was reconciled to his fate, to win over to friendliness; cause to become amicable: to reconcile hostile persons; to compose or settle (a quarrel, dispute, etc.); to bring into agreement or harmony; make compatible or consistent: to reconcile differing statements; to reconcile accounts." This definition sounds a lot like the daily activities that happen at work. That could be right, that what we do all day long is reconcile. It's not a bad thing. In fact, those who can reconcile better than others probably end up succeeding over others. Let's consider the alternative. Those who can't reconcile probably don't last long in the workplace. We are better off being able to reconcile with others and we have to be able to bring things together in a way that makes sense to most, if not all, or the organization just won't work. As we look at our teams and our talent, let's pay attention to our collective abilities to reconcile to where the business wants and needs to be.
We are told clearly that we are to be reconciled to God. If you read earlier in 2 Corinthians, Chapter 5, you will find that we are also to be ones who reconcile others to Him. Why are we to do that? Because, Jesus made the greatest reconciliation of all when He reconciled "The world to Himself, no longer counting people's sins against them." What a gift we have been given! Let us today as we close this week reconcile what we have and and do for furthering God's Kingdom here on earth, in our town, on our worksite, in our neighborhoods and in our homes.
Reference: 2 Corinthians, Chapter 5 and 5:20 (New Living Testament)
Thursday, March 1, 2012
day 836: Accountability
"The one who plants and the one who waters work as a team with the same purpose. Yet they will be rewarded individually, according to their own hard work."
Accountability is a hard principle to establish and an even harder principle to ensure. It has been my experience through the years of working in business that many people (I won't say most, but it sometimes feels that way) do not want to be held accountable for both the success and the failure of something. There's usually not much problem on the wanting to be accountable for the success, it's the other side that they avoid. But, the fact is, it can't go both ways. Well, it can, but no one is happy in that place. For people to be held accountable and rewarded as such, they have to be willing to share in the acceptance of failure and more so, their own failures in the outcome. Failure is an amazing spectacle to watch. Everyone runs away from a failure like school boys fleeing the broken window from a baseball. No one wants the personal blame. But like those same school boys if the ball goes straight and over the fence, landing in the area called a home run, the batter will proudly strut across all four bases. In business, we need to fill our companies with people who want to take accountability and who don't run and hide when the ball breaks the window. It is those who can stand up, learn from, and move forward with new information and experience who will be the leaders of the future.
Paul works with his team in Corinth to help them understand how to work together to do God's work. He teaches them accountability in 1 Corinthians 3:8. He explains that while we all are working together to plant and water, that in the end we will be judged individually, according to our own "hard work". What is so great about our God is that we are accepted into His Kingdom not by our works, but by our faith, but Paul makes a point here as well for us. We are not saved by committee. We don't walk into Heaven as a team. We come to Jesus personally and we do so on our own faith and our own decision. Yes, we are held accountable individually on this decision. From there, God allows us to water, plant and be watered and grown, but again only as much as we personally will allow. Today, let's stand up for accountability and take some on our own growth in Christ. Let's not let the team around us either pull us down or artificially prop us up. Let's be accountable for our own walk with Christ and make that walk deeper and stronger, starting today.
Reference: 1 Corinthians 3:8 (New Living Testament)
Accountability is a hard principle to establish and an even harder principle to ensure. It has been my experience through the years of working in business that many people (I won't say most, but it sometimes feels that way) do not want to be held accountable for both the success and the failure of something. There's usually not much problem on the wanting to be accountable for the success, it's the other side that they avoid. But, the fact is, it can't go both ways. Well, it can, but no one is happy in that place. For people to be held accountable and rewarded as such, they have to be willing to share in the acceptance of failure and more so, their own failures in the outcome. Failure is an amazing spectacle to watch. Everyone runs away from a failure like school boys fleeing the broken window from a baseball. No one wants the personal blame. But like those same school boys if the ball goes straight and over the fence, landing in the area called a home run, the batter will proudly strut across all four bases. In business, we need to fill our companies with people who want to take accountability and who don't run and hide when the ball breaks the window. It is those who can stand up, learn from, and move forward with new information and experience who will be the leaders of the future.
Paul works with his team in Corinth to help them understand how to work together to do God's work. He teaches them accountability in 1 Corinthians 3:8. He explains that while we all are working together to plant and water, that in the end we will be judged individually, according to our own "hard work". What is so great about our God is that we are accepted into His Kingdom not by our works, but by our faith, but Paul makes a point here as well for us. We are not saved by committee. We don't walk into Heaven as a team. We come to Jesus personally and we do so on our own faith and our own decision. Yes, we are held accountable individually on this decision. From there, God allows us to water, plant and be watered and grown, but again only as much as we personally will allow. Today, let's stand up for accountability and take some on our own growth in Christ. Let's not let the team around us either pull us down or artificially prop us up. Let's be accountable for our own walk with Christ and make that walk deeper and stronger, starting today.
Reference: 1 Corinthians 3:8 (New Living Testament)
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