Saturday, December 27, 2008

Don't fly at Christmas and Some Year End Thoughts


This is one of the best quotes I have read in the last few weeks about air travel, I have really felt for those folks. Yesterday in Atlanta they had a problem with air traffic and could only land one plane at a time......this is from today's NY Times and this is about the O' Hare issues from weather.
“I tell myself every year: ‘Don’t fly during Christmas week, don’t fly on Christmas week,’ and every year my sister turns on the guilt trip and I fall for it,” said David Kilpatrick of Eugene, Ore., who struggled this week to get to Baltimore from the snowy Pacific Northwest only to find himself stranded at O’Hare on Friday on a returning layover with his wife and 3-year-old son. “Next year, she’s coming to us, God as my witness. Never, never, never, never, never again. Never.”
I don't blame him.
Quote from Frank Rich column (NY Times) on the choice of Rick Warren to give the invocation at Obama's swearing in ceremony (12/27/08):
"You can’t blame V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, the first openly gay Episcopal bishop and an early Obama booster, for feeling as if he’d been slapped in the face. “I’m all for Rick Warren being at the table,” he told The Times, but “we’re talking about putting someone up front and center at what will be the most-watched inauguration in history, and asking his blessing on the nation. And the God that he’s praying to is not the God that I know.”
Old V. just doesn't get the bible does he? Take it a step further and he really doesn't understand the bible or history. He is living what he wants to believe not what the words says.
I mean he must have picked up another version. I have even heard Bill O'Reilly say that Jesus didn't have anything to say about homosexuality. I think he did as he spoke about marriage between a man and a woman all the time to Jews who knew that homosexuality was a sin just like adultery.....just like when Paul talked about sin issues with the Corinth church amidst a pagan culture things haven't changed. Prop 8' s defeat shocked people. Genesis and what had God brought about a helpmate for man is quite clear. It has resounding impact today on our culture and it is the ultimate story of God's protection and deliverance of authority. (He is the head) and we have trouble with that. He set it up in a beautiful way. Profound.
This summer at Promise Keepers Larry Jackson nailed those things that were provided in the Old Testament that we will deal with as men and Satan tempted Jesus with them too.
1) Lust of the flesh 2) Lust of the eyes and 3) Pride of Life
Look around right now and see how that is affecting all of us. Recession-lust of the eyes to have more, pride of life-all about self......pornography-lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes....adultery-lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes...marriage failures-pride of life---me--me---me....not you.
Rick Warren was a solid choice and I have heard evangelicals upset but these are the same people who have been jealous of him for years since Purpose Driven Life came out. (Woe to someone who would write a book about this an actually affect people's lives today in a tough to break thru culture)
Church people would argue with a wall if it would talk back. Focus here is not on the right things.
I'm not saying I am smarter than V. Gene Robinson on this. I am just saying that I have looked at the word from the beginning, see God in my life and have no problem with whomever a modern day king chooses for one prayer when there are millions of prayers going up everyday. Trillions for a lost and dying world that needs the grace of a loving God.
What are you praying for today? Are you listening? Are you patient in waiting on God?
I love what Richard Swenson (Margin) had to say about our patience today. In the old days if we missed a stagecoach we would have to wait a week to catch another one.......can you imagine that today?
Be Still.....reflect on scripture....let God speak....get out of the way...remember what Solomon said about there being nothing new under the sun....there isn't....
May 2009 be a year where amongst all the turmoil of this world you ask God to lead you, guide you in His way- not yours....if you have issues you are dealing with- look at the right hand side of this site and click on Are You Troubled and Need Help? and they are several excellent links to help you and I.
Top Christian News Stories of 2008:

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

It is Well With My Soul

This time of year is cold and we are chased indoors. Time to remember what the summer will hold. Here is a clip of the Cadets of Bergen County playing It is Well With My Soul
somewhere on tour post show during the summer of 2007.

A reminder that summer is coming soon and so is another drum and bugle corps season across the country.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCeruXgOES0&feature=related

Merry Christmas!

Hank

Sunday, November 30, 2008

I Pity The Future


There is a great scene in Ferris Bueller's Day Off where he is pretending to be Abe Fromon, sausage king of Chicago and has a run in with the concerige where he utters the line, "I pity the future."
Well, right now in certain areas I do. You probably have heard alot about the generations stuff today. For example, there are five generations in the church today, four in the workplace.


Today I am going to show you the difference between mine and this younger one.
A good friend and I were having breakfast one morning and one of the conversations that the table of six young people at the table across from us were having was about missing work that day and how several were going to skip work.

This is something I would never have considered. My parents would have made sure of it but I have always wanted to work. There are things that come from it. I couldn't imagine slacking from work in my day and just the sheer thought of explainin that to my manager.

Skip ahead to shopping at the Riverchase Galleria on the day before Thanksgiving and watching Build A Bear implode due to lack of employees. They were two to three short and it took my wife and girls 90 minutes to make their way thru their annual tradition of getting a new BABear.
Fast forward to Cracker Barrel two days later after some intense Black Friday shopping and we are seated amongst five tables that haven't been cleaned at 8pm at night. The reason I lean on the younger generation here is that that I haven't seen older people ever cleaning tables at CB just the young ones. This one was hurting. Good food, good service....
Here is my theory. You have probably heard of the "helicopter parents" that watch over their kids in college. Every move has been orchestrated for years. Well, my theory is that you also have alot of kids that are just doing as they please. They watch things they shouldn't be watching at their age, play video games that they have no business playing, and why should it be any different for them to blow off a job? Its a pretty day, and they go from fast food to fast food job never learning any real work ethic and not really caring.

This is going to be a tough wake up call for them when they have to decide on a career. Mom and Dad today aren't going to say much as long as they are pulling some change down at a entry level job but when they start to get into college it could be interesting. I don't think they see the problem this creates for their manager or supervisor. Nor do they care, but when you are continually late or not at work you start to put yourself in a position to be liberated.

In the Letter to the Ephesians that Paul wrote to the Christians there (6:4) he asked the "fathers to not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
Fathers are called to teach their children the word of God so they will know what to stand on in this world. There are a couple of areas that Dads need to watch against with their children.

1st is overprotection. There are things we are protecting our kids from and there are things thru relationships that they will have to learn. But, they being taught the word of God it will help them make that decision as well as their heart condition.

Next is discouraging them. Doing this continually is going to affect their self-esteem as well as their confidence. You are their dad, not their best friend. You need to encourage them as God gifts them. Cruel words, actions or neglect are not things you need to do as a dad.

Thirdly is micromanaging them. We learned this as soon as the twins arrived that we needed to schedule but all be in agreement. For example, if we did everything and pushed them into everything we wouldn't have a family we would have a transportation service. Don't be pulled into the "Wants" side of the world. Carefully plan and don't forget time for bible study. Help them learn how to study on their own. See how God has gifted them but don't mistake your parenting versus what the Jones are doing. Ask God and seek Him if you have questions.

Harvard and Yale were established to teach men to be in the ministry. Times change don't they?
In fact, Harvard was started because the thinking was Yale was becoming to liberal. Dartmouth was established to teach missionaries. Little different today at colleges who are no more supermarkets of knowledge than what they once were. I know in my field, I could care less where you went to school, what value do you bring?

John Meador said several years ago at a night service at the Park that your children need to hear these three things:
1) I love you
2) I am proud of you
3) You do this well

I worry about many youngsters that I see in retail work environments as they don't have even enough gumption to understand what customer service is or care. After we get thru this recession we will run smack dab into a shortage of workers as the boomers retire and it will get really tough from a talent standpoint to staff some of these jobs. 2011 to 2012 will show this.


Parents today need to be thinking about these things in my opinion. The world is not going to do anything but challenge you to think like it. God thinks about things differently.
As a man, dad or husband you are here on this earth for a short time. This is your training ground. Heaven is your destination. Show your children what Paul said. Instruct them around scripture, if you don't know it get into it. Where do you start? As David Lawson says ,"just pick it up and start reading." Ask God to speak to you thru what you are reading. If you are a dad I would start in Ephesians....
You will not be able to understand the Christ Life fully until you know what the word of God says about it. I know this by experience.
Oh and about the coming event in Washington in January, this person gets it right. The last big 1 million plus event in Washington was PK. It was historical and so will this event in January:

May God Bless you today and grant you the desire to know Him more by learning more about His word..

Saturday, November 22, 2008

During Green Week-Weather Channel axes "green programming


Amazing timing at a NBC property during Green Week to dump all Green programming. Weather Channel let go 50 staffers and Media Bistro has some of the information that NewsBlues unearthed this week.
Very interesting move. See link below:
Ramblings:
Vince Carter's shot last night in OT was carried live on NBA TV and was the play of the year so far. Nets and Raptors had battled back and forth all night and into OT when with just 2 seconds left the throw in and just watch as Vince lingers for a second on the rim
How Athesists are reaching out -Human Light
{from the Wall Street Journal 11/18/08)
Late next month, atheists, humanists, freethinkers, secularists -- in short, nonbelievers of every description -- will gather in dozens of cities to mark the holiday they call HumanLight.
Whether by singing from a Humanist Hymnal, decorating a winter wreath or lighting candles dedicated to personal heroes, they'll celebrate what has been an exhilarating ride for the faithless -- a surge in recognition that has many convinced they're on the brink of making a mark on mainstream America.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation, which represents atheists and agnostics, kicked off an ad campaign with this billboard in Madison, Wis.

During the past three years, membership has grown in local and national associations of nonbelievers. Books attacking faith as a delusion shot up best-seller lists. For the first time, the faithless even raised enough funds to hire a congressional lobbyist.
Building on that momentum, nonbelievers have begun a very public campaign to win broad acceptance. On billboards and bus ads, radio commercials and the Internet, atheists are coming forward to declare, quite simply: We're here. And we're just like you.
"We've had an undercurrent of emotional and academic support, but we've been waiting to make a movement happen," said Joe Zamecki, an Austin landscaper who recently organized Texas' first statewide convention of nonbelievers. "It's a very new age."
Not really Joe, same stuff outlined historically across the bible. Some believe, some don't. Not new at all. One thing is the same. Hebrews 13:8

Not so fast, religious leaders respond. They point out that the vast majority of Americans believe in God. A poll by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life earlier this year found 71% of American adults are absolutely certain God -- or some sort of universal spirit -- exists, and a further 17% said they were fairly certain. Only 5% said flatly that they don't believe.
Atheists "are talking to a very small slice of the population," said Mathew Staver, a leading Christian conservative and law-school dean. "In some ways, they're really just talking to themselves."
Nonbelievers point to a different set of statistics and societal trends. Americans are shifting away from formal allegiances with specific faiths. In 1990, about 90% of the U.S. adult population identified with a religious group, according to the widely cited American Religious Identification Survey. When the most recent survey was conducted in 2001, that dropped to 81%. Relatively few go so far as to call themselves atheists, but young Americans, especially, are drifting from organized religion, other surveys have found.
Unlike in Europe, where secularism has a strong hold, many atheists in the U.S. have felt like a shunned minority. Politicians often reflexively end speeches with "God bless America." Schoolchildren pledge their allegiance every day to "one nation, under God." City parks display the Ten Commandments. When atheists talk openly in public, "we often see people shaking their heads and moving away, like there's a plague zone around us," said Iggy Dybal, a real-estate broker in Kansas City, Kan.
Secularist groups say their membership began to surge in 2005, when Congress sought to prevent Terri Schiavo's husband from removing her feeding tube. Many new members said they hoped nonbelievers could serve as a counterweight to religious influence in political affairs.
Rather than renew old battles, such as the symbolic fight to remove "In God We Trust" from currency, members are mobilizing to repair what they view as breaches of the wall between church and state -- such as federal funding for faith-based charities and teaching of intelligent design in science class. They believe many others sympathize with their views -- but are too timid to commit.
The new ad campaigns and other public-relations efforts are designed to raise comfort levels about atheism by making the point that nonbelievers are "just as ethical and moral as anyone else," said Lori Lipman Brown, who lobbies Congress on behalf of the Secular Coalition for America.
As Doug Krueger, a philosophy professor in northwest Arkansas, put it: "Step one is for people to know we're not crazy, we're just regular people [who have] perfectly satisfactory lives without believing in God."
This type of evangelism is interesting as the total lack of understanding of what a changed life in Jesus Christ is to look like versus having a religion. Your life, your outlook, your focus is not on the things of this earth.

So the American Humanist Association is spending $42,000 to plaster buses in Washington, D.C., with ads asking: "Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake." FreeThoughtAction and its local affiliates have put up billboards all over the country asking: "Don't believe in God? You are not alone." Eight billboards are going up this month in Denver.
At the same time, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, based in Madison, Wis., has hit at least nine states in the past year with billboards that look like they're made of stained glass but say "Beware of Dogma," "Imagine No Religion," or -- coming soon -- "Reason's Greetings." The group also advertises on the liberal radio network Air America. One spot features Ron Reagan, son of the former president, who signs off: "Ron Reagan, lifelong atheist. Not afraid of burning in hell."
Local groups of atheists are also making a point of getting out in public to show that they're part of every community.

The Pennsylvania Nonbelievers rehabbed a women's shelter this fall. Kansas City FreeThinkers hold monthly walks in a dog park and weekly coffee-house meet-ups, advertised online. Secularists in Sacramento, Calif., stage a family-friendly Freethought Day each fall, complete with roving magicians.
Organizers of such efforts generally say they aren't trying to evangelize. Instead, they say their goal is to make the public more comfortable with the concept of atheism and give fellow nonbelievers a sense of community.
In seeking the spotlight, the movement risks a backlash. Some Christians find the billboards deeply offensive, especially at this time of year. In recent weeks, press releases from the religious right have accused atheists of "mocking" and "insulting" Christmas. In rural Chambersburg, Pa., one Christian group responded to an "Imagine No Religion" billboard with a giant sign of their own, asking: "Why Do Atheists Hate America?"
Even some who share common goals with nonbelievers are uneasy with the provocative nature of the ad campaign.
"Atheists can act very much like Christian fundamentalists from time to time," said James Webb, president of the Community of Reason in Kansas City, which includes both believers and skeptics. "It's important not to be in-your-face with people."
Some nonbelievers respond that this is a critical time to reach out, as a new administration prepares to take office in the White House.
For instance, some atheists are dismayed by some of President-elect Barack Obama's proposals, such as his pledge to funnel more tax dollars to faith-based groups running soup kitchens, tutoring programs and the like.
He likes them because he realizes that they are results based and even saw some of it as a community organizer. It works.

Others are more hopeful.
They note that in a big speech on faith last summer, Mr. Obama called for "Christian and Jew, Hindu and Muslim, believer and nonbeliever alike" to work together. It isn't often that politicians specifically mention nonbelievers, they say.
Paul did on several stops in the Acts of the Apostles

Secularists also are encouraged by Mr. Obama's eclectic upbringing. He has written that his mother disdained organized religion but exposed him to a variety of faith traditions and holy books as an anthropological study. Though he now talks often of his Christian faith and envisions a role for faith in the public square, Mr. Obama has sought to use inclusive language and signal respect for different traditions.
Obama transition spokeswoman Amy Brundage, in a statement, said, "People of all backgrounds and beliefs will have a voice in the Obama-Biden Administration."
Still, leading activists say nonbelievers tend to be just as wary of organized atheism as they are of organized religion -- making it tough to pull together a cohesive movement.
"A pastor can say to his flock, 'All rise,' and everyone rises. But try that in an atheist meeting," said Marvin Straus, co-founder of an atheist group in Boulder, Colo. "A third of the people will rise. A third will tell you to go to hell. And a third will start arguing....That's why it's hard to say where we're going as a movement."
HA! A third tells you to go to hell. They believe in something then don't they! That is funny and sad at the same time. You have to believe in something. The most inclusive and wonderful relationship is to know that Jesus Christ is who he said he was. If you like business news I urge you to make the online WSJ a Christmas gift. All the stuff in the print is right there online for much less than print.
As Thanksgiving approaches it is a good time to think about what you are thankful for whether you believe of not, this message from David Jeremiah I heard on the way into work on Friday on SiriusXM 170 and it is a great message to think about for your year:
Last but not least, lots of talking about the Big Three automakers this week, here is a look back at what was done back with Chrysler, interesting read:

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Dropping The Puck on Hockey and Performance Reviews




Well, they are back and really not much seems to change with the Thrashers when I watch them. (Last night's 5-3 loss to the Red Wings) it was on the road and it is a tough place to play. Links to the right will link you to the Thrashers and the Preds. I hope both make the playoffs.

Time to get the Thrashers jersey out and wear it!


Below is an interesting article about something I am always involved in performance reviews....ah...yes.....and I have added my comments inside the thingamabobs....




OCTOBER 20, 2008 , Wall Street Journal
Human Resources
Get Rid of the Performance Review!
It destroys morale, kills teamwork and hurts the bottom line. And that's just for starters.
By SAMUEL A. CULBERT


You can call me "dense," you can call me "iconoclastic," but I see nothing constructive about an annual pay and performance review. It's a mainstream practice that has baffled me for years.
To my way of thinking, a one-side-accountable, boss-administered review is little more than a dysfunctional pretense. It's a negative to corporate performance, an obstacle to straight-talk relationships, and a prime cause of low morale at work. Even the mere knowledge that such an event will take place damages daily communications and teamwork.

The alleged primary purpose of performance reviews is to enlighten subordinates about what they should be doing better or differently. But I see the primary purpose quite differently. I see it as intimidation aimed at preserving the boss's authority and power advantage. Such intimidation is unnecessary, though: The boss has the power with or without the performance review.
And yes, I have an alternative in mind that will get people and corporations a great deal more of what they actually need.
To make my case, I offer seven reasons why I find performance reviews ill-advised and bogus.


TWO PEOPLE, TWO MIND-SETS
Let's start with an obvious reason: The mind-sets held by the two participants in a performance review work at cross-purposes. The boss wants to discuss where performance needs to be improved, while the subordinate is focused on such small issues as compensation, job progression and career advancement. The boss is thinking about missed opportunities, skill limitations and relationships that could use enhancing, while the subordinate wants to put a best foot forward believing he or she is negotiating pay. All of this puts the participants at odds, talking past each other. At best, the discussion accomplishes nothing. More likely, it creates tensions that carry over to their everyday relationships.
Then there are second-order problems. A subordinate who objects to a characterization of faults runs the risk of adding another to the boss's list: "defensiveness and resistance to critique." And the boss who gets her mind turned around by a subordinate's convincing argument runs the risk of having a bigger boss think she failed to hold the line on what had been decided and budgeted. Good luck to her when she next gets evaluated. {He is right here}


PERFORMANCE DOESN'T DETERMINE PAY
Another bogus element is the idea that pay is a function of performance, and that the words being spoken in a performance review will affect pay. But usually they don't. I believe pay is primarily determined by market forces, with most jobs placed in a pay range prior to an employee's hiring. {He is wrong here}
Raises are then determined by the boss, and the boss's boss, largely as a result of the marketplace or the budget. The performance review is simply the place where the boss comes up with a story to justify the predetermined pay. If the raise is lower than the subordinate expects, the boss has to say, "We can work to get it higher in the future, and here are the things you need to do to get to that level." Or the boss can say, "I think you walk on water, but I got push-back from H.R. and next year we'll try again."

In other words, too many lines spoken in a performance review are a cover story for the truth and have little to do with performance. Even when it's a positive review, the words spoken are likely to be aimed more at winning the subordinate's gratitude than at providing a candidly accurate description. {You need to be thinking of what value you have brought to the organization and is it is seen and not seen -He is missing this point. Activity versus Results is key to those leaders that understand this system}


OBJECTIVITY IS SUBJECTIVE
Most performance reviews are staged as "objective" commentary, as if any two supervisors would reach the same conclusions about the merits and faults of the subordinate. But consider the well-observed fact that when people switch bosses, they often receive sharply different evaluations from the new bosses to whom they now report.
To me, this is just further proof that claiming an evaluation can be "objective" is preposterous, as if any assessment is independent of that evaluator's motives in the moment. Missing are answers to questions like, "As seen by whom?" and "Spun for what?" Implying that an evaluation is objective disregards what everyone knows: Where you stand determines what you see.
The absurdity is even more obvious when bosses -- as they so often do -- base their reviews on anonymous feedback received from others.

{Employees always need to think about all relationships and when they start to close doors with solid leaders it is going to be a negative. The leaders that have people problems are already known and their comments are not usually valid.}


This illogic is highlighted in the contemporary performance-reviewing fad called "360-degree feedback." Hate mail, I suppose, is similarly "objective." People are told, "I can't tell you who said this," as if the alleged truth-teller has no ax to grind and the allegation is unrelated to a specific motive or a disagreement in a relationship. Come on! Isn't "anonymous" just a slicker way for people to push what's in their political interests to establish, without having their biases and motives questioned?

{360 degree feedback was squelched even at GE because as Jack Welch said people were figuring ways around it -I 'll give you a good review if you will give me a good review.}
What will it take for people to really understand that any critique is as much an expression of the evaluator's self-interests as it is a subordinate's attributes or imperfections? To my way of thinking, the closest one can get to "objective" feedback is making an evaluator's personal preferences, emotional biases, personal agendas and situational motives for giving feedback sufficiently explicit, so that recipients can determine what to take to heart for themselves.
{Passitivity is common but good leaders know that associates have strengths and weaknesses and understand the middle where it all falls. Most don't like pointing out poor performance as they are thinking I know what I have and if I let them go, I may not get that slot back.....}


ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL
Employees all come with their own characteristics, strong suits and imperfections that they orchestrate in every attempt to perform their best. Because no two people come similarly equipped, they draw upon the unique pluses and minuses they were endowed with at birth along with compensatory assets they subsequently developed.


Failing Grade
The Promise: Performance reviews are supposed to provide an objective evaluation that helps determine pay and lets employees know where they can do better. {Performance during the year all year long is determining your future, never forget that}
The Problems: That's not most people's experience with performance reviews. Inevitably reviews are political and subjective, and create schisms in boss-employee relationships. The link between pay and performance is tenuous at best. And the notion of objectivity is absurd; people who switch jobs often get much different evaluations from their new bosses.

{Duh, they should. Different job, different role. Learning Curve is what I refer to it as. Employee made the decision to move to.Remember the other leader hired the person, this one did not. The one that hires too will not want to let someone go normally because that is a sign that they made a mistake in hiring someone }


The Solution: Performance previews instead of reviews. In contrast to one-side-accountable reviews, performance previews are reciprocally accountable discussions about how boss and employee are going to work together even more effectively than they did in the past. Previews weld fates together. The boss's skin is now in the game.

And yet in a performance review, employees are supposed to be measured along some predetermined checklist. In almost every instance what's being "measured" has less to do with what an individual was focusing on in attempting to perform competently and more to do with a checklist expert's assumptions about what competent people do. This is why pleasing the boss so often becomes more important than doing a good job. Create a positive impression and the boss will score you high on any dimension presented.


{Biblically, we are called to please the Lord in any job we do. Most all men will be extremely pleased if you do your job well. As Chip Ingram has said, your boss should say....I want 10 just like you!}


Worse, bosses apply the same rating scale to people with different functions. They don't redo the checklist for every different activity. As a result, bosses reduce their global sentiments to a set of metrics that captures the unique qualities of neither the person nor the job.

{They are not trained on how to do this most of the time, don't want to have conflict, or draw attention to themselves and aren't thinking about the customer.....they think of self.}


Maybe, for instance, there's a guy who doesn't voice his viewpoint when he disagrees with something said. Does that mean he should be graded down for being a conflict-avoider -- as if the boss's in-your-face way of communicating is superior? He may be seen as doing a bad job based solely on an incompatibility of styles that may have little to do with actual performance.

{He needs to understand that conflict is normal in a job and get with real life and not be in a shell. If the boss doesn't want to hear good ideas he may need to move to another job. No one is handcuffing him. It is a job.....not prison.}

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT IS IMPEDED
The drive for improvement goes on in big and little ways at work. You would think that the person in the best position to help somebody improve would be his or her boss.
Yet, thanks to the performance review, the boss is often the last person an employee would turn to.
Why is that?

{Fear of authority and admitting weakness to a leader....not knowing them....}

The No. 1 reason for that reluctance is that employees want to turn to somebody who understands their distinctive talents and way of thinking, or knows them sufficiently well to appreciate the reasons behind the unique ways they are driven to operate. By contrast, people resist help from those who they believe can't get them in proper focus, especially when they have tried on many occasions to tell them.


{How many people have a close friend that will tell them no...that they are wrong and that they need to quit whining OR how many have friends that agree, tell others and don't do anything but create negativity around the workplace?}


What's more, people don't want to pay a high price for acknowledging their need for improvement -- which is exactly what they would do if they arm the boss with the kind of personal information he or she would need to help them develop. It could all come back to haunt them in the performance review. No wonder the developmental discussions the boss wants to inject at the time of a performance review so often get categorized by subordinates as gun-to-the-head intimidation requiring false acquiescence, lip-service agreement and insincere, appearance-correcting actions.

DISRUPTION TO TEAMWORK
Managers can talk until they are blue in the face about the importance of positive team play at every level of the organization, but the team play that's most critical to ensuring that an organization runs effectively is the one-on-one relationship between a boss and each of his or her subordinates.
The performance review undermines that relationship.
That's because the performance review is so one-sided, giving the boss all the power. The boss in the performance review thinks of himself or herself as the evaluator, and doesn't engage in teamwork with the subordinate. It isn't, "How are we going to work together as a team?" It's, "How are you performing for me?" It's not our joint performance that's at issue. It's the employee's performance that's a problem.


{He is really clueless here, we do pre-evals of your performance which always should be positive about yourself. Leaders should be pointing out how you are rippling across the organization}


All of which leads to inauthentic behavior, daily deception and a ubiquitous need for subordinates to spin all facts and viewpoints in directions they believe the boss will find pleasing. It defeats any chance that the boss will hear what subordinates actually think.
Here's a simple example: In a performance review, the boss cites a subordinate's missing a high-profile meeting as cause for a reduced rating. What if the reason was something personal -- perhaps a son picked up by the police -- that the employee doesn't want to reveal? Why not reveal it? Because one-way accountability inevitably creates distrust. Does the boss self-reflect and ask, "What did I do, or should I be doing, to build up the trust?" No, the boss faults the guy for secretiveness. It's a vicious cycle.


{Never have seen this in my area. That is a poor leader}


IMMORALITY OF JUSTIFYING CORPORATE IMPROVEMENT
I believe it's immoral to maintain the facade that annual pay and performance reviews lead to corporate improvement, when it's clear they lead to more bogus activities than valid ones. Instead of energizing individuals, they are dispiriting and create cynicism. Instead of stimulating corporate effectiveness, they lead to just-in-case and cover-your-behind activities that reduce the amount of time that could be put to productive use. Instead of promoting directness, honesty and candor, they stimulate inauthentic conversations in which people cast self-interested pursuits as essential company activities.
The net result is a resource violation, and I think citations should be issued. If it's a publicly held company, shareholder value gets decreased. If it's a governmental organization, time is lost that could be spent in pursuit of the public good. And what participants learn in the process has more to do with how to survive than with meaningful self-development.
I've often thought that every organization should be considered partially a public entity since they exist, in part, to provide meaningful activities for the people who work in them. Skills and mind-sets acquired at work go home with people to affect family, community, culture and even the world. The more positive an atmosphere we can create at work, the more positive an impact it has at home. In short, what goes around comes around.

{I would say if you have leaders who can't talk about vision, the next year where you are headed and what you need to be working on yes....we don't operate that way.}


SO, WHAT'S THE ALTERNATIVE?
The alternative to one-side-accountable, boss-administered/subordinate-received performance reviews is two-side, reciprocally accountable, performance previews.
Let me explain.
The boss's assignment is to guide, coach, tutor, provide oversight and generally do whatever is required to assist a subordinate to perform successfully. That's why I claim that the boss-direct report team should be held jointly accountable for the quality of work the subordinate performs. I'm sick and tired of hearing about subordinates who fail and get fired, while bosses, whose job it was to ensure subordinate effectiveness, get promoted and receive raises in pay.
Holding performance previews eliminates the need for the boss to spout self-serving interpretations about what already has taken place and can't be fixed. Previews are problem-solving, not problem-creating, discussions about how we, as teammates, are going to work together even more effectively and efficiently than we've done in the past. They feature descriptive conversations about how each person is inclined to operate, using past events for illustrative purposes, and how we worked well or did not work well individually and together.
The preview structure keeps the focus on the future and what "I" need from you as "teammate and partner" in getting accomplished what we both want to see happen. It doesn't happen only annually; it takes place each time either the boss or the subordinate has the feeling that they aren't working well together.
Realistic assessment of someone's positive qualities requires replacing scores on standardized checklists with inquiry. As a result, step No. 1 in giving effective feedback almost always involves "active questioning" inquiry. Inquiry contrasts with most performance reviews, which begin with how the evaluator sees the individual and what that boss has already decided most needs enhancing. Both participants need an answer to the most significant issue at hand: "Given who I am and what I'm learning about this other individual, what's the best way for us to complement one another in getting work accomplished with excellence?" If in the process the other person decides to change and develop, so much the better.
Bosses should be asking all the questions that occur to them in inquiring about how a subordinate thinks he or she can best perform the job. Then, after they have exhausted their questions, they should ask the subordinate for what else they need to know. At a minimum, they should be asking "How will you be going about it?" and "Specifically, what help do you need from me?" Why not get it all when, at the end of the day, the boss still has the authority to play ultimate decider?
Some of you may also ask if the performance review goes away, how do we prepare the groundwork if we want to fire somebody? For the better, I'd argue: Take away the performance review, and people will find more direct ways of accomplishing that task.
Substituting performance previews for performance reviews promotes straight-talk relationships for people who are up to it. It welds fates together because the discussion will be about what the boss-subordinate team accomplishes together, which I believe is the valid unit to hold accountable. It's the boss's responsibility to find a way to work well with an imperfect individual, not to convince the individual there are critical flaws that need immediate correcting, which is all but guaranteed to lead to unproductive game playing and politically inspired back-stabbing.
There are many bosses who would like to change that game, but they feel handcuffed by the rules already in play. I'd like to believe that if given the chance, they would embrace a system that allows them just as much authority -- but in a way that promotes trust, not intimidation.
Keep in mind, of course, that improvement is each individual's own responsibility. You can only make yourself better. The best you can do for others is to develop a trusting relationship where they can ask for feedback and help when they see the need and feel sufficiently valued to take it. Getting rid of the performance review is a necessary, and affirming, step in that direction.—Dr. Culbert is a consultant, author and professor of management at the UCLA Anderson School of Management in Los Angeles. He can be reached at reports@wsj.com.

{Last point happens in a healthy relationship culture. Not really that big a help to this. Kinda weak....regular conversations on what is happening, where things are going and coaching on improvement is basic leadership. This guy hasn't according to the list above been in the trenches and done this. Therefore be careful with the material. It would have been better to have point-counter point. Your pay, your performance, your staying power in an organization is up to you each day. If you look at your job as you doing this for the Lord you will look at it differently. Do it full out. Don't look at work like men look at it as drudgery, look at it as your calling. Make a difference where He has placed you. Small steps, consistent moving forward. Do people see something different in you? Do you complain like everyone else? Do you talk about your leader in a negative way? Be careful.......are you will start to be like everyone else and right now while the whole world is in a state of worry, you need to be rock solid, offering encouragement, saying positive things. Because you know this world is always going to be in sin and one day you will not be here to let people know that. You were placed here right now to make a difference as a believer. Make that difference.....now.}

Monday, October 13, 2008

Pray for those in Oklahoma


Oklahoma Is Sued Over Required Ultrasounds for Abortions


OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An advocacy group is suing over an Oklahoma law that prohibits a woman from having an abortion unless she first has an ultrasound and the doctor describes to her what the fetus looks like.
In the lawsuit filed Thursday in Oklahoma County District Court, the Center for Reproductive Rights says that the requirement intrudes on privacy, endangers health and assaults dignity.
The law, set to go into effect on Nov. 1, would make Oklahoma the fourth state to require that ultrasounds be performed before a woman can have an abortion and that the ultrasounds be made available to the patient for viewing, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a health research organization based in Washington. The other states are Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.
Backers of the lawsuit say Oklahoma is the only state to require that the ultrasound screen be turned toward the woman during the procedure and that the doctor describe what is on the screen, including various dimensions of the fetus.
Elizabeth Nash, public policy associate with the Guttmacher Institute, said the Oklahoma law appeared unique in that its intent was that the woman seeking an abortion view the ultrasound images.
Lawmakers overrode Gov. Brad Henry’s veto to pass the anti-abortion legislation in April. Mr. Henry, a Democrat, said he vetoed the bill because it did not exempt victims of rape or incest from the ultrasound requirement.
State Senator Todd Lamb, a Republican, said supporters of the law hoped that it would curtail abortions in the state.
“I introduced the bill because I wanted to encourage life in society,” Mr. Lamb said. “In Oklahoma, society is on the side of life.”
Mr. Lamb said he believed the lawsuit would stand a constitutional test. He disagreed with arguments that it forces a woman to view the ultrasound. The law says women may avert their eyes during the ultrasound.
“This bill provides more information to a mother,” he said.
The lawsuit against the state was filed on behalf of Nova Health Systems, doing business as Reproductive Services in Tulsa.
One provision of the law prohibits women from collecting damages based on claims that a baby born with defects would have been better off aborted. Abortion rights activists have said they fear that the provision could allow doctors to withhold information about abnormalities in the fetus that could lead to complications after birth.
“Anti-choice activists will stop at nothing to prevent a woman from getting an abortion, but trying to manipulate a woman’s decisions about her own life and health goes beyond the pale,” said Stephanie Toti, staff lawyer in the U.S. Legal Program of the Center for Reproductive Rights and lead lawyer on the case.
“Governments should stop playing doctor and leave medical determinations to physicians and health decisions to individuals,” Ms. Toti said.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

"bound with this chain"


“It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.” Things have not changed much since Paul wrote these words, a loveless world can still cause people to hate and to kill.

Paul after his third missionary journey went home, back to Israel the land he loved, only to be arrested. The Jewish leaders wanted to kill him because He was preaching the good news of Jesus. The Romans took him into custody to keep this from happening and after being arrested by the Roman soldiers, Paul appealed to Caesar, because he was legally a Roman citizen and wanted to be treated fairly. Paul is then sent to Rome and when he finally arrives, he makes this statement, “It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain”.

In this statement, Paul uses the word “hope” and “chain” as if they go together. Paul loved Israel, he loved his Jewish brethren so much he was willing to go back to Israel knowing that it might cost him his life. And it does cost him, Rome later executes him.

There is nothing more polarizing than the Cross. The Cross brings everyone to a crossroad, a personal choice has to be made, which way will I go? The paradox about this is that one road leads to life and safety but it’s covered with blood, and the other road leads to, well……. a hammer and nails. I know this is a very unsettling way to describe this, but there it is and there is no way around it. The child that was born in a manger in Bethlehem, the child we love to celebrate at Christmas so precious and sweet, is the same child that was nailed to a cross. He was guilty of loving us too much, too much to leave us as we are….......

He knowingly gave His life, because He knew it was the only way to change a heart of hate into a heart of love. We cannot, we must not, under estimate the power of love.

Sharing the gospel story may cost us, people may dislike us and even hate us, but it’s the greatest gift we can ever give………. May we all be “bound with this chain”. - Gary

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Man's Greed gets the best of all of us


This started out as something you didn't like to hear, people who took out loans they can't pay and then we moved into financial businesses like the once famous HomeBanc here in Atlanta that was the pinnacle of how to treat employees and was in one of the best places to work in America but a change in leadership and greed lead to all losing their jobs in about five years with the beginning of the downturn.
Then this had to start moving into another area but do notice how it was like the Wizard of Oz {PAY NO ATTENTION TO THAT MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN!} that the media even didn't think of what the next step could be... Ron Paul looks like a genius now..............and because the leaders were hoping the pace of the economy would pick up but instead it got heavier and then they all started to recreate the scene in "It's a Wonderful Life," and I believe that most of the last four weeks was carefully orchestrated to be released in order to avoid margin call on all of this. It was too much coming out one at a time.
Now, don't you find it interesting that when we have the weakest leadership in Washington on both sides of the coin that this happens. This a chance for true leaders to stand up and be known. Everyone was eager to just sign onto the $700b bailout but some said. Hold on here, let's make this better.
Oh, there are so many men and women in Washington today that are more worried about re-election than they are our country. Like some Kings in the bible right?
There are so many in the media that are progressives that don't work in a real world, they cover the real world and never actually have to make decisions in it so they are always telling us what SHOULD have happened. Not in the fray but covering it is so much easier. Reading a teleprompter makes them someone we should trust. I think not.
We neeed real reform, we need to look at different tax structures, we need to repeal Sarbanes Oxley-it failed and we need to turn to the Lord and ask for forgiveness as a nation.
My only hope from all this is that deep with men's souls to get involved now in changing the structure in Washington and turn to God for wisdom.
Some can but just like other great cultures we have gotten too smart, too materialistic, for God. After all how can you believe all that? It's just a myth...just stories.....
For like the Roman empire we have reached our peak and now morally and ethically we are headed in a downword slope.
May the Lord have mercy on the United States of America.

Sunday, August 31, 2008

GameChanger

As Barrack Hussein Obama concluded his speech at the Democratic Convention, the next day John McCain flat out checkmated Obama with the announcement of Sarah Palin as his VP nominee.
Out of nowhere into the lime light. Pro-life, evangelical, tough, NRA member, hockey mom and you know you sit there and go wow.

Now if you are saying but what about her experience? Wait. Wait. This election isn't about experience. Mr. Obama is less experienced than Clinton was when he ran.....You see John McCain's people saw the historical nature of this campaign as experience always loses to change.
{see Bob Dole for example. Still a great American statesman} so if people want change you have to give them change.
You will hear many inside the beltway be nice and say kinda things but doubting her cred. These people are the ones with a lower popularity rating than the president and they still don't get it! Isn't that amazing?

This election is about change. That is what is wanted by the American people. Think about everytime you have someone ask you what Obama has done of any national setting, they can't because they simply don't care. We want change.
Well, McCain shot across the bow of change and now it will be an interesting push to the end.
The male vote is pretty much sealed, the female vote is not and the borderline states are full of value voter moms.....See realclearpolitics to the right to see how close it is by state. Latest poll show one to three points.......no bump this time......
I will throw this right now and let's see where it goes later. The fact that Obama didn't get more of a bump from the week has got to be driving the Dems crazy. This was orchestrated and it all fell apart. I just don't want to hear all the flack when Obama loses that we weren't ready racially to accept a black president. The best part will be election night on MSNBC for Keith Olberman for he will get to cover McCain every night after he wins. It may be enough for him to change jobs again.
Speaking of coverage this past week, the glue that held MSNBC together- Tim Russert was sorely missed. The comments from Matthews (my detractors can go to hell!) and Olberman asking Scarborough to get a shovel....was lacking any level of professionalism. When Obama loses in November this will be a night to DVR the program.

But, for now this is what politics is supposed to be about issue driven and today we need change. We just don't need change that makes us a socialist country.

Have a safe and happy Labor Day and God Bless those folks on the coast.


These are my favorite commercials right now, especially the vacuum one:
http://www.silenceyourrooster.com/watch_the_clips.aspx


Drum Corps Associate's Championship Results from this weekend. Bucs win again. Minnesota Brass made a move from prelims. CorpsVets from Atlanta almost caught the Renegades from California this year.

1st - 97.913 - Reading Buccaneers
2nd - 96.513 - Minnesota Brass
3rd - 95.063 - Empire Statesmen
4th - 94.913 - Hurricanes
5th - 93.625 - Caballeros
6th - 93.425 - Bushwackers
7th - 90.013 - Brigadiers
8th - 89.675 - Renegades
9th - 86.763 - CorpsVets
10th - 83.738 - Rochester Crusaders

Monday, August 25, 2008

Teach-Ability


In the early church in the book of Acts the apostles are arrested many times for preaching Jesus. In one story they are arrested and then freed by an Angel only to be brought back before the Sanhedrin to answer questions again about their preaching. An interesting thing happens in that story. When Peter and the other apostles answer their questions, the scriptures say the men in the Sanhedrin become angry and want to kill them. Then one member of the Sanhedrin, Gamaliel, stands up and tells everyone if what the Apostles are preaching is from God then they will lose if they fight against these men. Let me quote that reply: Acts 5:39 “But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Another story in the book of Acts takes place among those who are believers in Christ. It takes place after Paul’s conversion to Christianity. Paul goes to Jerusalem after his Damascus road experience and he tries to join with the disciples but they are all afraid of him because of his past history of persecuting the church. A man named Barnabas comes along side Paul and helps him meet with the disciples. Paul may never have been accepted in the Jerusalem church if it had not been for Barnabas.

As I thought about these two stories I began to see something they both had in common. We have a group of leaders in Jerusalem who do not believe in Jesus and within the group we have men that are willing to kill anyone that disagrees with them, and then Gamaliel was open to the possibility that they were wrong. In the other story we have a group of leaders in the church that would not have anything to do with Paul, but Barnabas was open to the fact that Paul could have really changed and he knew he needed his help. Gamaliel and Barnabas are open or teachable and the other’s are not. What makes them so different? I wish I could easily answer that….. then I could go on a speaking tour and get paid big bucks! But it’s just not that easy.

To simply say we need to be open minded and not so dogmatic about everything will not work. According to scripture…..some people are just not teachable or open minded about certain things, especially the preaching of Jesus. One of the saddest commentaries I know happened in the last part of the book of Acts when Paul is trying to teach the Jewish people in Rome about Christ. Some were convinced by what Paul said, but others would not believe. They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement:

“The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet: ‘Go to this people and say, You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them’ ”.

Teach-ability according to this scripture seems to have a lot to do with having a tender heart. Refusing to hear or see what God is trying to teach us leads us to a calloused heart, a heart incapable of being healed. Sad. Sad because people can react so violently when someone challenges what they believe. People are killed all the time for the good of mankind. This is true of non-Christians and Christians alike. I personally feel anger rise up in me when someone strongly disagrees with me. In many cases if I keep my cool I discover that I’m the one in error. But there are other advantages in keeping your cool, it gives you the opportunity to help them if they are in error. God calls us to love, and that’s something we cannot force on people. Violence will never change someone’s heart, only the love of God can do that.

God help us to be open, to be teachable, and to graciously love those that disagree. Grace and unity - Gary

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Gang of 10-What Planet are they on?

Well, The Apple Dumpling Gang actually made more sense than the Gang of 10.


Republican Energy Fumble
August 8, 2008; Page A13 , Wall Street Journal

Politics has its puzzling moments. John McCain and most of the GOP experienced one late last week. That was when five of their own set about dismantling the best issue Republicans have in the upcoming election.
It's taken time, but Sen. McCain and his party have finally found -- in energy -- an issue that's working for them. Riding voter discontent over high gas prices, the GOP has made antidrilling Democrats this summer's headlines.
Their enthusiasm has given conservative candidates a boost in tough races. And Mr. McCain has pressured Barack Obama into an energy debate, where the Democrat has struggled to explain shifting and confused policy proposals.
Still, it was probably too much to assume every Republican would work out that their side was winning this issue. And so, last Friday, in stumbled Sens. Lindsey Graham, John Thune, Saxby Chambliss, Bob Corker and Johnny Isakson -- alongside five Senate Democrats. This "Gang of 10" announced a "sweeping" and "bipartisan" energy plan to break Washington's energy "stalemate." What they did was throw every vulnerable Democrat, and Mr. Obama, a life preserver.

That's because the plan is a Democratic giveaway. New production on offshore federal lands is left to state legislatures, and then in only four coastal states. The regulatory hurdles are huge. And the bill bars drilling within 50 miles of the coast -- putting off limits some of the most productive areas. Alaska's oil-rich Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is still a no-go.

The highlight is instead $84 billion in tax credits, subsidies and federal handouts for alternative fuels and renewables. The Gang of 10 intends to pay for all this in part by raising taxes on . . . oil companies! The Sierra Club couldn't have penned it better. And so the Republican Five has potentially given antidrilling Democrats the political cover they need to neutralize energy through November.

Sen. Obama was thrilled. He quickly praised the Gang's bipartisan spirit, and warmed up to a possible compromise. Of course, he means removing even the token drilling provisions now in the bill. But he's only too happy for the focus to remain on the Gang's efforts, and in particular on the five Republicans providing his party its fig leaf.

Equally gleeful was Louisiana's Mary Landrieu, the Senate's most vulnerable Democrat. She had been sweating the energy debate, especially after her vote against more oil-shale production -- a position her Republican opponent, John Kennedy, had used against her to great effect. Yet there she was, chummily standing with the Gang of 10 and boasting that she is working with "five Republicans" to "lower prices at the pump by increasing offshore drilling here at home."
Mr. McCain, who had been commanding the energy debate, was left to explain why he, of all people, wasn't more enthusiastic about a "bipartisan" effort on energy, especially one that includes "drilling." His camp was forced to take refuge in taxes, explaining that their boss couldn't sign up for a bill that included more. If this is what Mr. McCain's good friend Lindsey Graham considers "helping," somebody might want to ask him to stop.

And pity poor Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has been working overtime to stanch GOP losses this fall and head off a filibuster-proof Democratic Senate. His dogged efforts to highlight Democratic opposition to drilling has kept energy in the news and laid the groundwork for GOP candidates to use the issue to their advantage.
In the Colorado Senate race, Democrats had christened former GOP Rep. Bob Schaffer "Big Oil Bob" -- hoping to smear his oil industry career. "Big Oil Bob" has instead embraced his pro-drilling positions and is pummeling opponent Mark Udall for his antidrilling stance. In recent weeks, Mr. Schaffer has erased Mr. Udall's lead. Polls show Republican Sens. Norm Coleman (Minnesota) and John Sununu (New Hampshire) both climbing in the polls on the back of strong energy arguments. As two of the GOP's most vulnerable senators, both might well have run for cover with the Gang of 10. Instead they're fighting on the merits.
The "bipartisan" Republican senators have undercut these efforts, and boosted Ms. Landrieu. They've even put a smile on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's face. He'd been struggling to tamp down the energy debate through November, where he hopes to increase his majority and permanently shelve drilling. He's now counting on the Gang to fruitlessly continue "negotiations" straight through the Senate's short September session and solve his problem for him.
Not one of the five Republicans in the Gang is facing a tough election this year. That's the sort of security that leads to bad decisions. And theirs is the sort of thinking that could leave Republicans in a permanent minority.
The Florida OutPouring's sad ending.
I am wondering who was discipling him? If he had accountability of any serious nature after the issues he had years ago? and how easily he was not challenged in Florida for his past before he arrived. So sad.
This is a good article for leaders- Are you Transactional or Transformational?
May God Bless you richly this week.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

"Fuzzy Lines"

Joe Mulroney at Woodpark last Sunday challenged me with Col.3:23 about how I should look at my work. He is right that we should look at our work as something we do for the Lord, but….let me talk a little about this work thing and me.

Work has some gray area’s for me. In the IT business it can be slow at times and too fast at others. It’s the slow times that create issues. Creating work in IT at the slow times cost money, and many times there is a freeze on spending………so you are forced to wait? In the slow times I can take care of the needs of the bank and do personal work at the same time, but I’m uncomfortable at times with this. Those in authority over me give me freedom and my reviews have always been excellent. But there are unseen boundary’s that are not clear. Going home in the evening does not mean I’m off from work, it just means I’m in a different place (fuzzy line one). I have to think about my work all the time no matter where I’m at (fuzzy line two). So balancing work, home, and ministry is always a challenge because all three are going on at the same time.

Black and white for some, not so for me…. at least not yet. Being in harmony for me at work means being very aware of the Holy Spirit’s lead. Easy to make mistakes in this kind of arena, but also a great place for personal growth and reward. I can see how God leads us to such a place to teach us many things, and it’s also a great place to influence many people.

I believe lack of confidence plays into my confusion with work, and it’s one of my primary weaknesses. I am continuously battling this confidence issue, and I know God would love for me to move past this ………but I’m so hard headed. My past has very deep roots that keep pulling me back to “I can’t” thinking. “ We can do all things in Christ Jesus” is such a great truth. One thing I see in that verse that gives me comfort is that there is no dead-line, or time involved in this statement. It’s a statement of fact with no mention of how long it would take to “do all things”. I believe God is happy with our baby steps in “doing all things” as long as we step in the right direction. When Jesus said, “His burden was light” He meant it. Kingdom Living shouldn’t be a burden, and God gives us the time to learn this new kind of Living.

Wise friends plays a big part in learning good judgment, and good judgment builds confidence. Confidence will lead to clearer lines (black and white), and less gray…..I’m confident of that. But as Hank reminded me, “there should be a balance between confidence and humility”. Thanks for being a wise friend Hank!

Grace and unity - Biggar

Friday, August 1, 2008

At Promise Keepers


Fletcher and I are headed to Atlanta today for Promise Keepers with 30 guys from our church.
The event sold out Monday so we will be there with 10,000 men worshipping the Lord.
Will give you a report on Sunday night.
Pray for all the men attending. Pray for all of us to be better husbands, fathers, leaders, good-named workers.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

A Small Glimpse of the Future

We saw a small glimpse of the future this past week in Berlin when presidential candidate Barrack Hussein Obama went to Europe to prove that he could speak in public well.
He hasn't really done anything yet.
But, notice that the crowd of 200,000 came to here a man that not of office but a curiousity.

In the last days there will come a man in that will be like Obama in his speaking ability. He will be the anti-Christ. When he will come we don't know but it just showed me how people haven't changed since the Old Testament and that Solomon was right. (See Ecc. in your bible)

It just goes to show you that if people will come out for someone from the West, how easily they will be lead by someone promising them peace and things that their heart desires during trying times.

There are literally hundreds of people in the U.S. that are part of Toastmasters that can speak better than Obama on any given day and on their feet too by the way. The media wants change in this country. The people want change too. Leadership in Washington is weak. Leadership is weak in many places.
In this time we have to figure out how to get men of integrity out of business and into politics.
Men who don't need attention, they just want to get things done for change. Men who have values but can sit down and have good conservations about our country's future and lead others in that thinking. You really have to come to the end of yourself sometimes before change can happen.
If mind you, If the Obama goes before the world and can only stay 8 points in front of a candidate like McCain the Dems have to be worried. They ditched the Clintons to win. They threw it all for this run and if they don't win, the problem is that the Republicans in the Senate are so weak it won't help.
The VP candidates will be an interesting pick won't they? Wouldn't you like to have been a fly on the wall with the Clintons when Obama was speaking in Berlin. I sit here and laugh thinking about how they were saying nice things....probably.

Looks like Promise Keepers in Atlanta will be sold out again this year. Fletcher and I head that way Friday.

May you have a blessed week and remember that in all this craziness that there is a God that is there and He loves you. Hebrews 13:8

Saturday, July 19, 2008

We Need To Start All Over in Washington




This picture is of the Charles B. Rangel for Public Policy- this article for John Fund sitting in for a vacationing Peggy Noonan is very sobering click on the link and read it and then we can talk.


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121642241569366643.html?mod=todays_columnists

Kinda of grabs you doesn't it? Takes you back to modern Rome doesn't it? Politicians have become more consumed with gaining attention to themselves than ever before and true leaders aren't anywhere to be seen. We have a leadership crisis at every level of government to the local level. People are going to have to get involved soon or we will really be in trouble.

It is not a secret that today more people that attend church are biblical illiterate. This is spreading more and more to pastors, I give you two examples from the recent California movement to same sex marriages and it's profound effect on the United Methodist Church:

"I'm tired of being part of a church that lacks integrity," said the Rev. Janet Gollery McKeithen of Santa Monica's Church in Ocean Park, who plans to conduct weddings for two gay couples in August and September. "I love my church, and I don't want to leave it. But I can't be part of a church that is willing to portray a God that is so hateful. I would rather be forced out."

Janet, bless your heart but Jesus Christ is the most inclusive thing in this world. He asks all of us to repent from our sinful ways. Homosexuality is one of those ways that the word has spoken of. It was man and woman from the beginning. Jesus taught about marriage between a man and woman. (He didn't have to teach the Jews at that time about homosexuality-the McAbees had things pretty straight during that time)

And:
The Rev. Sharon Rhodes-Wickett of Claremont United Methodist Church joined a retired deacon from her congregation to co-officiate at the July 5 wedding of two longtime members, Howard Yeager and Bill Charlton. The wedding was held off site -- at a Claremont complex for retired clergy and missionaries -- to avoid violating the rule against such ceremonies in churches. Rhodes-Wickett, who led the Lord's Prayer and gave a homily, said she hoped to avoid discipline by stopping short of actually pronouncing the couple married. That action was performed by the retired deacon, who also signed the marriage license. Rhodes-Wickett said she did not want Yeager and Charlton to leave her church to exchange vows. "This is my flock," she said, adding that the men have been together 40 years, 22 of them as members of her Claremont congregation. "It's a matter of integrity and a matter of what it is to be a pastoral ministry."

No, Sharon I am afraid you have the gospel according to Sharon there in front of you. The apostle Paul would like to have a word with you in his letters. So sad that there are people following teaching here. But alas, in these last days Paul said there would be years like this.

Forgive us Father for our sinful ways as a nation. Please have mercy on this once great nation founded on your principles and law. Lord, rise up leaders to take on the mantle of your word, your love, your message of forgiveness to the nations.

Review of Saturday:

We went to Hobby Lobby today and they already have their Christmas and Thanksgiving merchandise out. Some good looking stuff. It was weird.

We then went to Barnes and Noble. They are moving to a larger location in November and it will be a ginormus size store next to a Red Robin. Everybody was busy.

Ended at Publix. Got a black and white. nothing quite like a good black and white with a nice glass of milk. The check out lady knows our kids and remarked how they are growing. You can tell we shop alot there.

DCI San Antonio is tonight. Watched Troopers before we left in prelims. Carolina Crown performs last tonight at the AlamoDome. Web streaming starts in mere minutes here is a post performance shot of them playing "Before the Throne of God Above," after a win over Cadets this past week.

I believe Blue Devils will win tonight. I am looking at who has added stuff to shows this week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuDSHr7QoIg&NR=1

Dr. Michael DeBakey Died this past week. He had a profound affect on my dad's life and my father's in laws life and if genetics is any indication, mine too. Here is the story:

http://www.kansascity.com/811/story/702281.html


More later on VW coming to Nooga.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

The Question is Moot


Back Several years ago, Jesse Jackson hosted SNL and somewhere in the show he hosted a gameshow called, "The Question is Moot." This was a catch phrase around campus at college the whole next week and still is just laying there for me today.

This week Jesse Jackson the modern misery merchant was caught by an intern screening tapes late at night saying something about Barrack Hussein Obama that was just plain wrong.

His own son came back at him, almost made me laugh by telling his own dad to "Keep Hope Alive," this was Jesse's saying back in the day.

Here is a link to the story if you have been under a rock:



What is sad is Jesse's press conference as he was trying to circumvent the media of Fox News breaking the story on O' Reilly. (that ploy was for MSNBC and CNN-to cover the ratings spread for the evening) anyway, it is a man that has issues. Here is man about to be crowned king in a stadium in Denver and it isn't him. YOU can only imagine the Clinton's feelings.

This is what should be asked of him. He should be asked to give up his "reverend" title. Look, Barrack's comments on Fathers in America, (black and white) are dead on. It hit Jesse hard because he had a child out with a woman other than his wife a few years ago. It hits hard.

The other thing is the media should be asking for him to give up his title, these comments this week were worthy of it. Someone asked me this week, what if James Dobson had said those words? yes, what if?

The question is moot though. They won't ask for this. He will still go around and create news off of people's misery, it's all he knows about his gospel.

His apology was weak, full of pride and words that he likes to use but none reflected his heart.

Jesse Jackson had his Sister Souljah moment and is fading out of American politics because of his own jealousy of another man. Cain and Abel to today.


AS a man today, how do you handle anger? How do you handle things when they don't go your way or someone else gets the promotion? Is it about title and things?

Jesus Christ is at the center of why you have a job or career. He should be the focus on your steps, your direction and not man. When man gets in the way he will fill him self with jealousy, anger, bitterness, want, and it is all self wanting and lusting.

That is not what we need today.



Also we are sad of the loss of Tony Snow. God, Family and his Career. Good Man. Will be missed. Classy and not self promoting. Peace be with his family.

Would you take time today to pray for those families around you? It is a good thing but in these tough economic times the financial strain is going to lead to a lot of divorces in America, which will affect them and their children. You won't hear the media talk about this. We need to pray.

Monday, July 7, 2008

Santa Clara Vanguard's new unis


From Stanford, California at DCI West on Saturday night.
Click on image to see up close the subtle changes for this year. Blue Devils won West, now everyone heads to Denver this weekend.
Santa Clara's show is called "Three." It is divided into three parts, Mind, Body and Spirit.
Spirit has not been added yet, drill was given this week and should be ready by Drums Along the Rockies on 7/12.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Good Brain Food from Fred Smith

This week I really enjoyed these memories shared from Fred Smith and it is over 10 years old!You can get ideas from his teachings on leadership at Breakfast with Fred.com. His family keeps his website going with weekly e-mail gems like this each week.


Fred would often “scattershot” while dictating or sitting at his vintage Selectric typewriter. In 1989 he listed ten thought starters and gave thumbnail sketches. These are good brain food.


1. Hurt opens the heart – Often the best and maybe the only time a person will open up to help is when the hurt is too great to bear alone.

2. Gratitude cures depression – There is no stronger medicine for depression than genuine gratitude. If we find ourselves saying, “Yes, but,” we are not fully grateful. The truly grateful say, “Yes! Yes!” The Bible says, “In all things be grateful.” When it says, all – it means all.

3. Sit loose to things – Oswald Chambers is not against having things, nor enjoying them. But he is against getting so stuck to them that if they go, they take you with them. So long as you own them and not vice versa, everything is in right perspective. Develop the “sit loose to things” reflex.

4. Beware the spirit of fear – There is a great difference in being perpetually afraid, and having specific fears. It is alright to have particular fears, but not the spirit of fear. Our general disposition is not to be one of constant fear. “I have not given you the spirit of fear, but of love and of a sound mind.” Is your first reaction to every situation fear? It doesn’t have to be. You have a Promise to shield you.

5. The power of bonding – Experts tell us the greatest benefit of gang membership for kids is bonding – the sense of family and someone to stand with them in trouble. The church should be our bonding fellowship. We should share sufferings and provide acceptance for good. We should all be bonded as fellow members of the body of Christ --- that is the true bond.

6. The power of light – We dread the dark, but it has no power. It can’t put out the smallest candle, or even a flicker of light. There is no darkness so deep that a tiny light cannot penetrate it. Christ is the eternal lamplighter and He will re-light your lamp, no matter how small or how unused it has become. Darkness never owns the light; light always overcomes the dark.

7. Enjoy the challenge of change – Every situation is either a challenge or a threat. To the confident it is a challenge; to the fearful it is a threat. The situation is the same, but the reaction is different. Would you like to change from threat to challenge? View every new potentially threatening experience as an experiment. Be objective like a reporter and become interested in watching yourself go through the experience. Gain understanding as you step outside yourself.

8. New Age is old stuff – It is like the late night advertisement for wallets made out of “genuine synthetic leather.” Its promises have no guarantor. The Bible promises are the promissory notes given and guaranteed by God. New Age gives claims to a promised land they do not own…they are spiritual squatters.

9. The beauty of balance – All things in moderation – fanatical about nothing – everything getting its due – and everything in its season. A time for everything, even winning and losing.

10. We are promised ultimate victory – There is no sudden success. Ours is ultimate joy even while going through hardship and struggle. We look forward in hope , but we do not hope in hope. Our hope is in the promises of God and in the life of Christ.

Things to consider this week: 1) Which of the ten stretched me most? 2) How can I apply one of them this week to help others? 3) When do I do my best thinking?

Where is your "flesh" vulnerable? We all have these issues. We are all human. Watch this teaching from Todd Wagner at Dallas Theological Seminary's spring conference on being real:

http://www.dts.edu/media/play/?MediaItemID=bd3318d7-3b3f-4500-b0ec-91ec380410bd

May the Lord Bless you and Keep you!

Saturday, June 14, 2008

The Moderator Chair is Empty


I was just going to shut down my laptop and pack it up for the ride home from work and checked drudgereport to see what had happened in the world and saw that Tim Russert had died and put on the XM to Fox News to listen to coverage.

It took me a few minutes to process this. He is the common man of Washington that made it big. He comes across non-partisian. He was like me and you and he was gone. It reminded me of when John Holman the space reporter from CNN died suddenly in a car accident.
http://www.cnn.com/US/9809/12/holliman.obit.02/
Even though Robert Hager retired in 2004, I miss him more than any other reporter when crisis, weather or transportation issues happened. I grew up watching him. He was simply the best there was when things were tough. Times like the Iowa floods would have been his fortay.
I miss this type of reporter for the ones today that have an agenda.
http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=74072

Tim Russert was touted last night for his work ethic, his love of family and his faith. Wonderful to have enjoyed him so many times thru the years. NBC will leave his chair vacant on Sunday.
Whom takes up the chair has shoes that can't be filled. Just can't. He was once in a lifetime just like you and I are. Created for a relationship with the one true God.

Some bullet points from things I have picked up. The Friday Chattanooga paper had an article talking about Riverbend's featured act the Bachman Cummings Band. They had issues as The Guess Who and broked up due to Bachman's devout Mormonism. But.....
He has since left the Mormon temple the article states. "We found some things that couldn't be reconciled." "Religion is a bunch of rules, a fear factor."
I thought that said alot about the Mormon church . That is not the case of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray for Randy Bachman to have someone share that with him.

A recent study by the Jenkins Group, a custom book publishing firm showed these interesting facts:
*One-third of high school graduates never read another book for the rest of THEIR LIVES
*42 percent of college graduates never read another book AFTER COLLEGE
*80 percent of US families did not buy or read a book last year
*70 percent of US adults have not been in a book store in the past FIVE YEARS
*57 percent of new books are not read to completion

Does that tell you something? It does me.

Two weeks ago we were training new internal auditors in our ISO 14000 system and before the morning started I had just looked at this article below because it talked about Pepsi's new stance on talent and sustainability. I shared with the group from this article.
A new talking point was in this article that trust me you are going to be hearing more in the business world. Thank goodness it isn't like the 2005 HR speak phrase of the year "Onboarding" -the new rave phrase among HR people for orientation. (I just don't get it still and I am in HR) but the word in this article centers off of environmental sustainability which is now pretty common place (we in flooring have been knowing this for about five years) the word is "human sustainability." Read the article to see what Indra Nooyi, the CEO of Pepsico is starting among business. It will ripple. Business loves new words like this.
http://www.astd.org/NR/rdonlyres/F467615A-B5B4-4383-A78F-D67DF9AA867F/17013/76080632.pdf


Right before I got on a plane Monday I was reading about Steven Colbert in the Chattanooga Free Press and love this quote as he was talking about his Comedy Central show, The Colbert Report and himself...."I am not a passive verb," he says," This is first person, present tense, at all times, I am a verb. As Buckminster Fuller said,"I seem to be a verb." The show is present tense, present active. We're not passive, we don't observe. We set the news agenda. We create the news. We throw the pebble of the show into reality and we report on our own ripples."

I really think he and I could get along. But, he is really quick witted.....and Buckminster Fuller did at least believe there was a God who put all of this together. But, he pulled that name in didn't he?

I do hope that the Celtics can finish off the choking Lakers tomorrow and we can move onto pre-season NFL football! Dan Patrick has Dan Shaughnessy on Friday after the 24 point come back and he admitted that he had written his column for Friday about the Lakers big win and had to do a re-write for Friday publication. Here is a link to the Boston Globe Blog from LA. Rondo is ok and Perkins still 50/50. The Lakers say they have put the last game behind them. Yeah.
Alabama has put six straight losses to Auburn behind them too. Lakers are still favored by six-seven and haven't covered a line in the last two games? Bettors can't be happy. I stepped back in the NBA season gingerly after a 15 year absence. 15 years ago I was pulling for Magic and the Lakers...today Pierce and the Celtics....
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/

August 3rd is coming up fast. Colts and Redskins for one quarter of action followed by three quarters of senseless banter. To start the NFL season back. No Brett Favre...Ouch...

While Tim Russert's death is so sad, Charlie Jones passed away too on Thursday in CA. He was on his way to dinner at Torrey Pines with friends and had a heart attack. His voice was like melted butter. He was one that I grew up with too. He always had the AFC late games with Merlin Olsen. I was just thinking of him the other day as they showed highlights on NFL Network and wondered what he was doing....He was such a joy to listen do a game. Such a joy! I must make an effort to listen to Vin Scully today before he is gone from the Dodger games. There are so few men left that truly understand how to do games and care to do them well. Most are just saying things about the moment and not painting a picture for you of what is happening and coming up. If you are watching the NBA finals you know what I am talking about. The year I got married the Celtics and the Lakers were duking it out and the announcers then were better than the three doing the game now. (Off the soap box)

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jGBDZNoq4J0JP8H9G6EpCg3otkQQD919J8L01

The next time someone starts talking about the possibility of building a commuter rail between Atlanta and Chattanooga and they say it can't be done, show them this article and tell them it is time we start working on this mode of transportation. I wish a presidential candidate would start the dialogue.

http://www.usbusiness-review.com/content/view/906/31/

Last but not least the NY Times writing about what Bush called the Pope. HA!
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/13/wait-what-did-he-just-call-the-pope/

This shocked me.
No thanks Billy Graham—that’s the message John McCain had for the renowned evangelist, who had requested to meet with the presidential candidate. A letter to Graham from the McCain campaign read: “I must pass along our regrets and do not foresee an opportunity to add this event to the calendar. I know you will understand that with the tremendous demands on his time and the large volume of similar requests, events such as this are extremely difficult to schedule even though each one is important.” The exchange comes only weeks after McCain severed ties with pastors John Hagee and Rod Parsley over controversy that erupted when the media highlighted controversial segments of the preachers’ past sermons. [newsmax.com, 6/8/08]

Happy Father's Day! 1 Timothy 3:4