Satisfied

One of my favorite activities is reading Wikipedia. This is ironic because I used to make fun of my mother for reading the encyclopedia for fun. I guess we are destined to become our parents. Oh well.

So I was reading the article about the Amish. I've always been sort of a fan of the Amish since they seem to stick to their peculiar way of life despite the rest of the world. But one thing really struck me as I read. Their reasoning for not using certain technology is not out any belief that the technologies are evil but rather that they allow people to be evil. For example, why do they not use motorized tractors but do use modern chemical fertilizer? Because the tractor would allow a farmer to farm more land thus possibly depriving another farmer of that land. They are satisfied were their simple standard of life and want to ensure that no one gets greedy.

So why am I not satisfied? I have far more material possessions than the Amish. I have a car, an apartment and a satchel I take with me pretty much everywhere. Yet I envy people with other cars and imagine myself living in a big house. The problem tends to be that I make up in my head (with the help of our society's mindset) that my life would be substantively better if I had one of these things. These other people with their better satchels seem so much happier than I. But I know it is the poor who are happy and the humble who are blessed.

So for at least today I am satisfied. I have a beautiful wife to wake up to each morning, work that I find rewarding and friends to laugh with. For everything else, I know I am loved more than sparrows or lilies.

Policies vs. People

I've had a couple of recent conversations that have caused me to think about the reasons for poor leadership. How come so many organizations have overbearing policies? A friend related to me that at his workplace they recently implemented a strictly defined dress code - a list of what constituents appropriate attire for the office. When I inquired about what caused the policy, he explained that a co-worker routinely dressed in a very sloppy manner. So management's response was to develop a 'complete' description of the boundaries of office-wear. Now in reality this dress code does little to improve the sloppy employee (who was unable to follow the simple dress code let alone this complex one) however causes much frustration for his fellow employees who now feel oppressed by the 'legalistic' rules. Further, other employees may blame the rules on the offending employee. This is another example of the classic management failure - the solution that fixes no problems but causes more.

What is the better solution? Simple. The manger should discuss the offending employee's dress with him. This makes it clear to the individual employee (who is the real problem) without involving other employees. Most likely the individual will improve his dress.

So why do mangers not have these conversations? Fear. Simply put it is easier to 'draft a policy' than to have a difficult conversation with an employee. In reality the conversation doesn't need to be that difficult.

Facial Hair

So it is kinda lame that I've have not posted anything for a very long time. So I'll give all those so interested an update of sorts.

First of all, after almost 6 years, I've decided to change up the ole' goatee. I shaved of the mustache part and may do more, not really sure yet. See the picture Any suggestions in this department would certainly be welcome.

Second, I am happy to report that for the past few weeks, I've been doing WeightWatchers for Men online with some good results. I've been able to lose 20 pounds since November (not all of those are with WW, but most are). I have to say I like the system, it seems like something I could do long term without feeling deprived.

This was a nice story for Christmas

North Pole Flight

The Love of God

If tomorrow my life falls ever apart
From the beginning I must again start
If I am found the ever lowest place
If judgment and destruction I must face
If tomorrow I fall and wonder how
God will love me as He loves me now

If tomorrow I am an ever better man
Who grips reality with ever stronger hand
If tomorrow I reject each and every lie
If I live to God and to myself die
If tomorrow I keep every vow
God will love me as He loves me now

If tomorrow is just like today
Some victories, some failures, some hard to say
If tomorrow is unremarkable and bland
Perhaps a good day but nothing too grand
If tomorrow is anything but wow
God will love me as He loves me now

Busy

So I failed to post even a single item for all of September. If you happen to be reading this, I apologize. But I'll give a quick update, I'm super busy with school, work and life. I am happy to be able to return to some ministry at Skillman Bible Church which I am falling even more in love with. I am increasingly convinced that the Church is God's primary tool for changing lives and changing the world.

I've also been toying with the following idea concerning mission/vision. In Dr. Malphur's PM301 class he talks about how the mission of the Church is basically the Great Commission, though churches may express this in different ways (namely using different imagery or alliteration). The mission tells us what the Church should be doing (going, making disciples). I think this idea is good, the mission of the Church does not change. But I think we can go farther.

If the mission of Church is the Great Commission, then the vision of the Church is the Eternal Kingdom of God (see Revelation 21-22). The vision tells the Church where we are going, what it looks like. Normally church vision statements talk about having a biblically functioning community where people are growing, worshipping, where lives are restored, where every tear has been wiped away, where the nations are healed and where there is no more night. The end goal of the Church, the place where we are heading for is the Eternal Kingdom. This is what we look forward to, the day when Christ rules, when there is justice and everything has been set right.

I think most church vision statements are already basically going this direction, but not intentionally. Vision statements picture a 'perfect world' which is by definition exactly what the Eternal Kingdom is. We may express it differently but the vision is the same.

This is the most important election since time began and other hog-wash

Ok, here it goes. I'm fed-up. If I hear one more person say, 'this is the most important election of our lifetime/the century/the millennium/eternity' I am going to publicly flog them.

We hear this every election. Politicians and their minions use it to whip up support and create a sense of urgency. Other language that I also detest is 'we are at a crossroads' which is obvious since we are having an election.

Every election is the most important because it determines the future. Past elections aren't as important because they are over and their influence is already measured. Future elections are beyond our grasp so they lack importance. Saying 'this is the most important election' is similar to saying 'When you walk the step you are about to take is more important than the steps you have already taken since you can change course'.