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Jul 18 2012
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Change, Transformation

Transformation

When a caterpillar moves emerges from the cocoon we stop referring to it as a caterpillar and begin to call it a butterfly.  The reason is fairly simple, because although the insect is still the same, there has been a transformation that occurred that makes us see an entirely different creature.

Transformation is the consistent and ongoing process of changing into who you were born to be.

Far too often the instincts of people are to get to a point and stop.  Feeling comfortable, busy with schedules and deadlines we push transformation to the background, fooling ourselves into believing that we have arrived primarily because of our age or season of life.  We collect information, read the books, listen to the stories of those who are transforming, and believe one of two things:

1.  I am not as bad off as they are/were   or    2.  I already know it all

Transformation is an individual action that may be birthed out inspiration, goals, or even dreams.  But in the end, transformation is the internal conflict bubbling over to a decision of action or safety.  Comfortability is the enemy of transformation, and good becomes the enemy of great.

Even information begins to leave us stagnant.  Information lies to us; we believe the more we know the more we transform.  In realty, information does not equal transformation, but rather,

Information + Application = Transformation

Transformation is the fight to become who you were created to be in this world.  Like the caterpillar weaving the spool of silk that encased itself for transformation, we too must work toward the transformation process.  However, we must not get caught hanging in the safety of our own cocoons.  True transformation only occurs when we escape from the darkness, and spread our wings to fly the way we were created to do from the beginning.

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Jul 02 2012
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Behavior, Change, Decisions, Reality

Facing Reality

It’s much easier to turn away than it is to stare straight ahead.

Facing what is in front of you is a difficult task.  More often than not, our society and culture tells us, “Don’t worry about it, because it is probably someone else’s fault that you are in the position that you are in.”  The truth–the reality–is that we are most likely to shirk the reality and responsibilities of life.  Whether in our financial, physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual lives facing the realities that stare at us in the mirror are exactly that; a reflection of our choices.

There will always be outside circumstances that fling themselves into our lives, but we are not responsible for what comes our way that we can’t control.  We are responsible, though, to react and not continue down the same path when the terrain has changed.  It is our job to act; to face reality head on.

Herein lies the problem.  When you and I face a problem or a situation which calls us to change our current way, we usually react in one of two ways:

We Face Reality Because it is an Easy Fix

This is the easy one.  These are the problems that we find in our day-to-day lives that really don’t seem like a big deal.  They are the type of problems that we engage because they are easy.  We can make decisions because we feel confident that even if we make the wrong decision, it probably won’t do too much harm to re-change our decision if needed.

We Face Reality When We No Longer Have a Choice

This outcome is far more likely to happen to us than the former.  Most of us don’t like confrontations.  Definitely when we need to confront ourselves.  We see this happen in businesses and individuals lives all the time.  We try to not engage the problem(s) because it just seems too overwhelming and quite frankly, we just want it all to go away.  The problem is, the longer we wait the fewer options we have, and usually the deeper we dig ourselves into a hole.  For individuals and businesses, no matter the realm, facing the reality of a situation is that best thing we can do.

Facing reality is your best friend.

Choosing to engage your reality can be the difference between living a life of self-sabotage, and living a life of self-confidence.  Too often we live the life of self-sabotage simply because it is an “easier” life.  By the way:

Indecision is a decision.

A life of self-confidence, control, and engagement takes work.  It takes decisions and habits.  There is a constant battle inside of us all.  Decide to engage.  Decide to live life in reality.  Reality is much better than an alternate world.  In reality you can make a change, decide to become better, and face the mirror in the morning with a sense of purpose.

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Jun 21 2012
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#wcalgs, Andy Stanley, Bill Hybels, Change, Christianity, Church, Culture, The LIFT Project, Willow Creek

The LIFT Project Week 2 – Culture Can Change

We are on week 2 of the LIFT Project that focused primarily on the values and behaviors of the leadership culture of an organization.  There are 3 sections that I want to highlight from this weeks sessions.

1.  Leading Culture

The first session video by Bill Hybels talked about the purpose of leadership: “To Move People from HERE to THERE.”  This is as simple and as difficult as it gets.  Hybels brought the realization that people want to stay in the “here” because it is generally safe and comfortable.  People oftentimes remember the former “here to there” movement and are satisfied with the former movement.  As leaders, we can’t afford to be satisfied.  What Hybels suggested next was a great way to help jumpstart vision for the future.  Essentially, the leader must make the current reality seem unimaginable.  The current reality must appear unjust, unreasonable, and in need of major renovation.  The leader must eloquently help people realize that the current reality is neither safe or comfortable any longer.  When that message is received, then the message of the preferred future is ripe for the people to pick.

2.  Values in Culture

The second session video by Mac Lake discussed the values of an organizations team.  Values oftentimes are just words that organizations strive for, but never actually achieve.  Values are the behaviors in an organization.  Values are actions.  Organizations must strive toward creating systems that reinforce the desired values and behaviors that they want to see.  Words on paper mean nothing without the behaviors to follow them up.  Since values are behaviors, the behaviors end up creating the organizational culture.  Like Andy Stanley says, “What gets rewarded, gets done.”  What cultural behaviors are rewarded get done.

3.  Ministry Team Dysfunctions and their Effect on Culture

Finally, an article by Nancy Ortberg touched on a topic that I believe is often overlooked by teams because when they see the word, “dysfunction,” teams don’t even bother to look at the information because there is a belief that, “We might have problems, but not dysfunctions.”  Dysfunctions brings about thoughts of mental and emotional derangement; as if there is an abnormality.  This doesn’t resonate with most leaders, because how many leaders are going to see their teams and organizations as something that are drastically abnormal in mental or emotional functions?  In reality the 5 dysfunctions that Ortberg addresses all fall under the area of communication.  This is not communicating from a platform or sanctuary, but rather communicating within a team culture environment.  Ortberg states the “Absence of Trust, Fear of Conflict, Inability to Make a Commitment, Avoidance of Accountability and the Inattention to Results” make up the 5 common dysfunctions of a team.  In almost every single one of these dysfunctions is the solution of starting with a conversation.  They might not be easy conversations, but conversations nonetheless.  When there is good communication on the leadership level, it breads a culture of trust, confidence, commitment, accountability, and better results for the organization.  Communication gives birth to a culture that doesn’t have a “lone ranger” mentality, and shares the responsibility in creating a culture that moves people from “here to there.”

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Jun 18 2012
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#wcalgs, Change, Clarity, Coaching, Culture, The LIFT Project

The LIFT Project Week 1 – Culture Matters

Week 1 of the LIFT Project is in the books and what a great start it was.  The opening video sessions included teachings on why culture matters by Lance Witt.  Witt examined how spiritual, relational, and organizational cultures work together to form any and all organizations.

Witt opened up the talk discussing the difference between culture and vision.  His distinction between mission and vision clarity compared to cultural health put into perspective the importance of how vision doesn’t drive an organization, but rather culture.  Every team has a culture.  ”Culture is the unspoken rule for how things get done.”  Where organizations get into trouble is the expectations that each individual brings to the table.  It was so ironic that Witt brought up this idea of “expectations” because I have been tossing around this concept of expectations for a while now.  When it comes to culture, however, unhealthy cultures are usually a result of colliding expectations.  If the expectations of the leadership culture is not firmly articulated, then side conversations will happen which end up fracturing the leadership culture of the team.  It is not good enough to have clarity of vision and mission; cultural clarity actually drives  the organization.  Andy Stanley puts it like this,

“The system down the hall, trumps the vision on the walls.”

This is why, “Kingdom values must be in our leadership culture.”  Kingdom values, when engrained into the leadership culture trickle down to the relational and organizational cultures.  Kingdom values always involve people and their development.

“The greatest multiplication of your ministry will be through the people who you develop; more time with fewer people equals your greatest impact.”

Witt described how practicing the presence of people is a must.  This may be difficult, but true cultural impact involves people.  Within practicing the presence of people is creating a culture of trust.  Trust does not equal niceness.  Trust does not equal a culture of utopian harmony.  Trust involves honesty, security, and a proven dedication to each other.

Finally, Witt brought the point of how each cultural system (spiritual, relational, organizational) work together.  When you have healthy organizational systems, they breed healthy spiritual practices and relational fortitude.  Each system  an organization puts into place create habits and behaviors.

Culture matters because people are involved.  Whenever systems and principles of life affect the very creatures that God breathed His Spirit into, it matters.  Culture matters.

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Mar 13 2012
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Change, Direction, Discipleship, Growth, Mentoring, Stephen Blandino

Owning Personal Growth

When Christopher Columbus set out in August of 1492, his goal was not to discover a new world, but rather to find a world that already existed.  Columbus’ desire was to find a new shipping passage to Asia in order to have a more efficient trade route.  What he found was something totally different; something better than his original mission.

I was just reading a blog post from Stephen Blandino (www.stephenblandino.com) on the importance of people development in the church setting.  In the post, Stephen states,

“Our growth equation is often nothing more than Activity + Attendance = Personal Growth. As a result, people fail to “own” their growth.”

I believe that this is spot on for the church today.  What stuck out to me the most, however, was the correlation between personal growth and ownership.  This is where Columbus comes into play.  No one had to tell him what to shoot for; he knew what his desire was.  In other words, he owned his potential.  How many Christian can say that they truly own their personal Spiritual growth potential?  How many can say that they take responsibility for their personal growth, families, decisions, etc.?

For personal growth to be effective and take motion, ownership is the key.  When there is desire to accomplish a goal (spiritual, physical, etc.), little planning is actually needed; it’s simply fueled by desire.  We are willing to try any number of plans, ideas, and actions to attempt to accomplish our desired change.

Some might say that, “I am no Christopher Columbus.  I have no great ideas or desires to discover new worlds or routes.”  We have heard it said before, “Dream no little dreams, because they stir not the hearts of men,” but what about our own hearts.  We must dream large enough dreams to stir our own hearts.  The activities, attendance’s, schedules, and plans if not funneled correctly will stifle the fuel that ignites the passion and drive for personal betterment.  You define your potential personal growth.  It is not set in stone.  Columbus wanted to discover a new route to Asia, what did he find in return?  A whole new world.  What could you find in your own life?

When your heart is stirred to action and you place a goal in front of you to achieve, you accept ownership, and begin your journey for success who knows what new worlds you will discover?  Who knows the people you will impact?  What we do know is this: If you dream no dreams, if you continue to use addition in the equation of your personal growth, you will never multiply.  You will not multiply your personal spiritual growth, physical growth, emotional growth, or any other potential growth that you see in your lives.

We must take ownership of our lives.  Let’s not stand on the sidelines waiting for someone else’s dreams to come along and move us.  Let’s move ourselves to action.  When we do, we will find that personal growth will come naturally.  It will come because we have decided to move towards something, and if that something is directed by God, then new worlds will be open that we never thought possible.

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Nov 16 2011
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#Cat11, Change, Craig Groeschel, Preparation

Preparation

Kristina and I will be moving to a new apartment in the next few weeks (very excited by this).  This, however, takes a lot of time and preparation to be a smooth and successful move.  There are all sorts of things that must occur before we can really make the move.  If we don’t have our “stuff” in order then this move will change from excitement to a frustrating event.

I think this is where most of us fail in life.  Preparation is pivotal for change; more specifically successful change.  I am sure that most of us have said, written, or even proclaimed goals for change in our lives, and yet the change either comes so slowly we get frustrated or we never even get off the ground.  Preparation is the key.

Not long ago, I got the opportunity to hear Craig Groeschel speak at Catalyst Conference – Dallas on the subject of generations.  In his talk, Groeschel brought out the point that the younger generation has an entitlement problem.  They expect to get what they want because they want it.  I think this goes in to preparation in a big way.  Why?  Preparation takes time.  It takes energy…it simply takes work.

Most of us are familiar with the old saying, “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.”  Change occurs when we are prepared.  Many of us wonder sometimes why God has not blessed us in particular areas of our lives (finances, love, leadership, etc.) and the simple answer is that we have not prepared ourselves.

I am reminded of a story that my mom tells about what my dad said about getting his B.A. and M.A.  He said that getting your education might not be for everyone, but without my education the doors wouldn’t have been open for me to walk through.  This is preparation.

If you want to be used by God in a higher position of leadership, then prepare yourself for that position.  If you want God to bless you financially, then be wise with the way you spend/save your money.  If you want to find love, then prepare yourself by being a person of character and integrity.

Opportunities will come our way, the real question is will we be prepared for them when they come down our road?

Nov 09 2011
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Authentic, Change, Democrats, Election, GOP, ideas, Obama, Passion, Politics

Election Cycles and Ideas

So another election cycle is over.  Wait, what?  Yeah, the elections were held throughout the nation yesterday, but we didn’t hear a whole lot about them, because we have already focused on 2012.  This is probably the 3rd time that I have not voted in an election.  Not to say that I am proud to help make up the 18-29 year old age group that consistently doesn’t vote, but there are life issues that do happen that makes voting really tough.

Having a degree in Political Science  from the University of Kentucky (Go Cats!), I have always liked government, politics and history.  However, I think the more and more I see of politicians (from both sides of the aisle), I wonder what outcomes these elections mean?   Depending on the side you talk to, one will say it is an indication that the President is on the right track.  To the other, it is not an indication that the President is on the right track, but rather districts and states that have traditionally voted a particular way.  Politicizing the votes that they desire is rather funny.

The hardest part about politics is the desire to be seen as authentic, and yet not really being authentic.  Another hard part is the desire to hide, cover, or keep out of the public view the simple understanding that mistakes have happened in the past.  We all have them right?  Somehow politicians and even the voters are fooled every election cycle to believe that being authentic is being squeaky clean; that authenticity is perfection.

The crazy thing about elections as well is the belief that the extremes need motivating.  The extremes of both parties are always motivated…they don’t need any more motivation.  Elections are about the undecided.  And those are few and far between if we are really honest.  Even more crazy is the fact that we want to sway people who have no particular stand on issues.  The undecideds are the same undecideds year after year.  So politicians strategies about what issue is the important issue to sway the undecided.

And yet the issues have less to do about whether an undecided will vote for a particular person or not.  Voters look to the individual.  Can they trust them?  Are they the most authentic?  And when they find the person that they believe in, they vote that way.

I am not directly opposed to this type of voting, because you have to feel like you can trust your leader, but trust in a leader generally needs some sort of foundation.  Over the last 20 years there has been shift in the foundation.  I am not going to argue whether is it good or not, because it just is what it is.  There is a shift in GOP voting as well as Democrats.  What “is important” has changed in people’s minds.

So another election cycle is down and we are left wondering what changes will take place.  We wait wondering, and yet in the past 20 years we recognize the change.  Although change has happened because of the leaders we elect, I think there is far greater change that has occurred simply out of circumstance and belief in ideas.  Circumstances will always arise; from unseen wars, economic crisis, etc.  But the most change comes from ideas.  Ideas that spread like fire across the prairie.  President Obama’s slogan while running in ’08 was “Change we can believe in”, and yet the people changed it to “Yes we can.”  This was not a decision made by politicians, but rather the idea of people who changed what was a simple statement into action.

The point is this:  Election cycles are important.  It is important who we elect.  But don’t forget where real change comes from.  Change comes from the ideas and foundations that move people to action.  When a politician realizes this, they will be tough to beat because authenticity will flow out of them, and they won’t care about the rhetoric of perfection.  They will strive to push their idea(s) out of obligation to help others, out of obligation to bring change, out of obligation to themselves.

Aug 23 2011
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Behavior, Change, Decisions, Direction, Family, msnbc, Personal Responsibility, Relationship

Marriage, Health, and Person Responsibility

I just was reading an article on MSNBC.com entitled, “Marriage’s ‘dark side’: Spouses catch each other’s bad behavior”.  This rather short article on a recent study about marriages and long-term couples catching each other’s bad behaviors is interesting.  I don’t disagree with the fact that we all (individually) bring bad behaviors into marriages and/or relationships.  Some are not good for our health, spiritual life, or many other areas in our lives.  Specifically in the this article, the issue of bad behaviors of health are discussed.

The author cites three major problems where behaviors are hurt within a relationship: “influence, synchronicity, and personal responsibility.”

I do think that all three are factors within relationship health, not just general physical health.  But as I look at these three, I wonder which of these is the most important factor?  Or can focussing on one bend the bad to being good?

It is clear to me that personal responsibility is the overriding factor.  Why?  First of all, personal responsibility is in short supply in today’s society.  There is a constant “blame game” that goes on at every level of leadership and cultural groups in the US.  This also includes marriages.  I believe that most people who are married want to “catch” good behaviors from each other.  Yet personal responsibility is lacking.  When a spouse has personal responsibility (over physical, spiritual, emotional or mental health) positive influence is built.  The other spouse can look on with pride at the responsibility level of his or her partner.  This creates positive influence.  With that positive influence comes synchronicity.   All of the sudden couples find themselves working out together, eating healthier, reading together, praying together; moving in synchronization together.

Personal responsibility is a powerful tool, not only for individuals, but families as well.  The reality is that we will “catch” each others behaviors whether positive or negative.  Yet sometimes it takes just one person in the relationship to say, “Its time to take responsibility, and I choose to influence my families behavior in a positive way.”

Jul 12 2011
2 Comments
Attitude, Behavior, Change, Decisions, Growth, Resolve

Resolve Today

The lights flicker.

Like a shot of adrenaline, you begin to feel the imaginative juices and hope for a better today.  Yet like the lights flickering away, today gets in the way of the potential better today.  Confusion sets in.  The adrenaline has run its course through your veins and you need another shot to get that high that you just experienced.  The high that today, is the first day of the rest of your life.

We have all heard people (mainly on TV) that have made that statement.  They decided to make a change one day and it was a new beginning.  There was no looking back.  So why is it you and I make a decision and then fall back into the habits of today that keep us stuck in the days of yesterday?  Why can’t today be a new day; a day that is tackled, that is won, that we have victory over?

Is it really as simple as a decision?  Decision has a lot to do with it, but I think there is the underlying attitude behind the decision.  For those who we have heard and seen transform their lives through one decision, there lies hiding in the background, behind the lights, smiles, and excitment the understanding that the decision was not a simple “Today is the day.”  In words, it was simple, but in reality, if you were to ask them, “Did this take you only one try?”  They would answer no.

The key to making a life-changing decision falls on the shoulders of resolve.  

Those that have made the decisions that change lives, only are able to accomplish what they do because of the resolve to achieve it.  It is not a one day decision, it is an everyday, every hour, every minute, every second decision to stay the course.  Reality has finally set in that the hopeful future and current reality will not intersect.  The resolve is to get those roads to come together.

What do you need to resolve today?  Is your current reality going to lead you to your preferred future?

If not, its time to decide today, to decide this hour, this minute, this second, to become the person of your future.

Jun 15 2011
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Andy Stanley, Change, Consequences, Family, Legacy

Generational Consequences

Not too long ago I started using youversion.com with my daily devotions.  It is a great resource with all sorts of devotional plans and ways to share what you are learning.  Interestingly enough, one of my readings today really showed me something that otherwise would seem like monotonous reading.  In I Kings 16, the writer goes on what seems to be an endless cycle of Kings that take the throne of Israel and how they “did what was evil” in the site of God and essentially God killed them (or had them killed in battle).  Through this monotonous reading of names and how they dishonored God it hit me on how the author kept going back to the name of Jeroboam.

Why is this all of a sudden important or even significant?  The reason is that the decisions that Jeroboam made while he lived and ruled on the earth had consequences generations after he was gone.

Some people argue that families or people who continually have troubles or issues have a family or generational curse (ie. Kennedy Family).  However, I tend to lean less towards the curse idea and more towards how Andy Stanley puts it, generational consequences.

When you look at I Kings 16 the reoccurring theme is that each king, “followed in the footsteps of Jeroboam.”  They followed.  They made the same decisions that the previous generation had made before them.  We look at it from an outside view and we think, “Why did they continue to make the same mistake as the one before them?  Didn’t they see that each king was removed by God because of their wickedness?  Why didn’t they change?”

Those are easy questions to ask when we are on the outside looking in.  However, when someone has been raised to believe and act in a particular way, the way of their father’s and ancestors, change is anything but easy.  Why?  Because decisions made now by you and by me will affect the way our future generations decide as well.

This seems pretty weighty doesn’t it?  How can we be responsible for the decisions of those that come after us?  We are responsible to put the next generation on the right path through our decisions…that is our responsibility.  If they choose to deviate from that path, then the responsibility falls to them.

Why is it that people who were molested as children are far more likely to also molest when they get older?  Hurt people, hurt people.  Alcoholics generally produce alcoholics.  Addicts produce addicts.  Our decisions have a compounding impact on those around us.  They don’t just affect us or our children after us, there are generational consequences to our decisions.

What are you deciding today?

 

 

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