5 Key Ingredients For Managing Chaos
Leading, moving and managing a large group of people is a lot like HERDING CATS! This is especially true in the context of a big event; and especially true when two-thirds of those in the group are children.
[This is part of the Why We Cannot Wait For Summer Series. Have you seen the other posts yet?]
Think about it, the task of simply moving a large group of people, in a short amount of time, from one place to another is just like trying to move a few dozen cats from the café serving tuna-surprise to the store down the street that claims the world’s biggest ball of string.
The Essential Traits That You Need To Be A Leader Worth Following
Sometimes it seems like leaders are like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re gonna get. Some leaders are great motivators and can inspire you to accomplish more than you ever thought possible. Other leaders seem to be in over their heads and struggle even in leading the way out of their cubicle.
Think, for just a moment, about the leaders you have had? Which leaders stand out as the most influential? What is it that you really remember about that person? What made you want to follow in the footsteps of that person?
There are few people I remember as being leaders worth following. For those that I do remember, I don’t recall many specifics of what they said; but, I do remember their personality, how they treated people and how they lived their lives. read more
How Your ReActions Reveal Who You Truly Are
Actions may speak louder than words. But our reactions tell an interesting story that reveals our true character.
Many people try to manipulate the perspective of others through their actions. They try to portray a specific desired identity with the things they say and do. But, our re-actions reveal whether or not our actions are honest.
In his book, Wild Goose Chase, Mark Batterson writes that “our reactions reveal who we really are” (p.99). I have also heard similar thoughts though the years. I was once told that it is not the hard times in life that define who I am. Instead, it is how I respond to those hard times that will define who I am.
Growing our reaction muscles (reflexes to what happens in life) takes intention. Mark also writes about these instructions that Jesus gave to condition those reflexes:
- Pray for those who persecute you.
- Love your enemies.
- Bless those who curse you.
- If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
- If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
It is not enough, though, to just know how we should respond. We need to be intentional about our responses; and, we need to practice.
We can’t just give up the first time we hit trials and hard times. We have to keep working at it, keep learning from our experiences, and keep striving to do better.
So, how are you known? What do your reactions reveal about you, your character, your attitude, your view towards others? Maybe a better question is how do you want to be known?
Question: Have you had an experience where your reaction to a situation caused others to see something different in you than what the initial situation would have shown? You can share your story by clicking here.
I Didn’t Know Raising Children Meant Training Parrots
Before I had children, I had grand ideas of what I would teach my children, how they would respond, and the blissful life that we would have together. However, there are three things that I forgot to take into account.
First, I don’t know everything that my kids need to know and that I need to teach them. Second, I know (e.g. say and do) way too many things that I don’t want my kids to know (e.g. say and do). And third, I didn’t know raising children meant training parrots! I didn’t know that they would repeat everything I say and do.
Raising Parrots
It all starts out simply enough. In fact, it is usually really cute (is ‘cute’ okay for a guy to say?). Think about a baby mimicking a smile or a toddler repeating a funny sound, word or phrase. read more
Top Posts for June and Birthday Gift Winner
June has passed and the Fourth of July Weekend is upon us! This is a time of celebration for the independence that God has blessed us with. And, it is a time of celebration on this blog!
Okay, so maybe Independence Day is a little bit bigger of a deal; but, today we will celebrate the two winners of the Birthday give-away. And, before that, I want to celebrate you and say… read more
Happy Birthday! And Here Is Your Chance To Win A Free Gift
Today is my birthday! Congratulations to my mom – you had a boy!
In honor of my birthday, I would like to celebrate you. Thank you for joining this growing community and adding to the conversation. It is a blessing to share my thoughts with you and then for you to share your thoughts and responses. I am excited for the conversations to come.
So, today, I would like to give a gift. I will give away one of my favorite books as a free gift to one lucky person. What are my favorite books? Well, there are many; but, these are a few that have had an impact on my life:
- Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson (click here to see my review)
- i am not but i know I AM (Kindle edition only) by Louie Giglio
- Next Generation Leader by Andy Stanley
- Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
- Radical by David Platt
- Spiritual Parenting by Michelle Anthony
The lucky person will receive their choice of one book from the list above.
How to win:
You enter for a chance to win by leaving a comment in the comments section below. Choose one, or more, of the following question(s) to answer in your comment:
- What is the best gift that you have been given or that you have given to someone else?
- If you have read any of the books in the list above, which is your favorite?
- What is a topic (within the context of family, life and leadership) that you would like to see written about in this blog?
A winner will be randomly chosen, and then announced, from those that comment by midnight on July 1, 2011. The winner will be contacted by email for your mailing address and book preference.
Thanks again and good luck. The contest begins…now! You can click here to comment.
Why I Don’t Like 115 And 7 Ways To Deal With It
It was kind of fun to watch the numbers climb and to take pictures…as long as we stayed in the car!
My family just returned from a road trip to the homeland – Texas. I love going back home. I enjoy seeing friends and family, checking out everything that has changed – and everything that has not changed. And, I always look forward to taking in some of the local dining establishments that I loved while growing up and that you just can’t get anywhere else.
However, this trip brought something that I do not enjoy so much … intensive, never-ending, no-hiding-from, make-you-want-to-crawl-inside-of-an-air-conditioner heat!
Are You There Yet – Seven Ways To Know The Right Place And Right Time
I get anxious about things. I want something to happen. I get my mind set on something and I want it to happen now. And, I want it to happen in the way that I envision (or better – according to my perspective).
I get frustrated when things don’t happen in the way that I want them to happen.
And, I get stressed as I question how things are supposed to work out and when things are supposed to happen – especially when there appears to be a lack of progress.
I just want to know when it is the right place at the right time!
Can you relate?
7 Foundations For Creating The Best Event Of The Year
Vacation Bible School has been a part of children’s summers for, well, longer than you or I have been around. Our church is known for running one of the largest, and best, VBS’s around (I am not trying to brag here – this comes from year after year comments from children, parents and leaders of other churches).
[This is part of the Why We Cannot Wait For Summer Series. Have you seen the other posts yet?]
In fact, we often get asked how we do it. People want to know how we bring a thousand children and hundreds of adults and teens together to create an experience that no one forgets.
It all starts with two words…Let’s Pray! read more
How Two Words Can Develop Your Character And Help You Become A Leader
Today I have the honor of guest posting on Brandon Gilliland’s blog. Brandon has been writing a series on character. My post is part of that series and takes a look at two foundational words that are essential to developing character.
Here is an excerpt of my post titled “How Two Words Can Develop Your Character And Help You Become A Leader“:
What is it that makes you notice people? The way they act? The way they talk? Do you notice people more when they blend in with the crowd; or, when they do something that is a bit different? Obviously, we notice those that are a bit different. And, we definitely notice those that are a lot different.
Whether or not we like the way that these really different people are different, there are things that we can learn from them about developing our own character.
Brandon has been writing on the concept of Character…well, actually on the concept of developing Godly Character. But, there are two important components to developing our character that we can learn from observing people whether we consider them to be “good characters” or “bad characters”.
1. Conviction.
The definition of conviction is: a firmly held belief or opinion. Whether good characters or bad characters, those that stand out from the crowd have some sort of firmly held belief that guides their actions and reactions in life…
…However, a conviction by itself is not enough. By itself, a conviction is nothing more than a fleeting thought. For it to be anything more, you have to act upon that conviction. And, that action takes…
Want to know the rest of the story and get the second word? You can read the rest on Brandon’s site by clicking here.
Question: What would you add to the list as an important part of a person’s character? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
Welcome
Get Posts by Email
Recent Posts
- “Daddy! Stop! My Legs Are Too Short!” – Life Lesson #312
- Surviving The Never-Ending Questions From Kids
- Two Phrases I Can’t Stand To Hear My Children Say And What I Did About It
- The Crayon That Did Not Work – Learning To Understand Your Child
- Dad Didn’t Know I Was Watching