September Newsletter Bits
BUILDING YOUR LIFE
After 30 years of building houses for Ben, a prominent land developer, Sam announced that he wanted to retire, buy some land of his own, and build a small home for himself and his wife. Sam had hoped for a large bonus for all his years of service, but instead Ben asked Sam if he would just build one more house. He gave Sam plans for a lovely home located on a choice piece of land with a magnificent view. It was for a very important person, Ben said, and he urged Sam to do his best work.
Because Sam was resentful, his heart was not in the project and his work was shoddy. He ignored architectural details and he even substituted inferior materials so he could pocket the difference.
When the house was finished, there was a big celebration and Ben gave Sam an envelope as a parting gift. "At last! The bonus!" Sam thought.
But there was no check in the envelope. Instead, it included a key, and a note: "For everything you've done, the house is yours."
Sam was ashamed and embarrassed. He not only misjudged Ben; he betrayed his professionalism by building an inferior home, a home that turned out to be his own.
Through our daily actions we all build the houses we will ultimately live in. Careless decisions and neglected relationships, lies and insincerity are the shoddy workmanship and inferior materials of life-building. Whenever we take shortcuts to get us through the days, we shortchange ourselves for years. Whenever we put in less than our best and ignore our potential for excellence, we create a future full of creaky floors, leaky roofs and crumbling foundations.
We Need ZZZs: If they're sleeping in church, it's because they don't sleep at home. Lack of shut-eye is dunning our days, including job performance. Nearly one quarter of those polled report catching a few winks while in a meeting, while 18% say a presentation suffered as a result, and 14% blame lack of sleep for missing a meeting or a flight. In Books & Culture, Lauren Winner called on Christians to do a really counter-cultural thing—stop your overachieving and get a good night's sleep.
“ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT”
“Account management” is a principle for working with people. You open an account with everyone your encounter. As you build the relationship you continue to manage the account. In a church or any public service organization you have to manage accounts on a number of levels; with colleagues, constituents, supporters, prospects and volunteers.
When you initiate a new relationship, you usually start out with a small positive balance. This is sometimes called “the benefit of the doubt.” Your account will then fluctuate based on your exchanges. You can make more deposits through positive exchanges. You make withdrawals through negative exchanges. The goal is to manage your accounts with people so that you maintain a positive balance, making more deposits than withdrawals, and
building up a larger account.
It usually takes several more deposits to equal a withdrawal. This is not fair. It’s just the way it is. You cannot make a withdrawal that exceeds your deposits without bankrupting the relationship. But provided you have made massive deposits, it is possible to survive massive withdrawals.
When you achieve a negative balance, others will close out your account. When an account is closed out on a minor withdrawal it is sometimes called “the straw that broke the camel’s back.” When an account is closed out, word gets around and you may find that others are less likely to do business with you. This is sometimes called “getting a bad reputation.”
What sorts of activities are deposits? What are withdrawals?
Deposits Withdrawals
Doing what you say you will, when Not following through.
you say you will.
Communicating regularly, clearly and Inconsistent, vague consistently.
communication.
Making things easier for others. Making things more difficult for others.
Taking initiative. Only acting when told.
Doing a lot of listening. Doing a lot of talking.
Paying attention to details. Letting details slide.
Showing interest in others. Being seemingly interested in only yourself.
Maintaining a positive attitude. Going negative.
Unfortunately, we do not receive a “statement” in the mail to tell us where our relational accounts stand. But people who get referred to as “a pain” are usually people who do not manage their accounts well, and are bankrupting their relationships. People who get referred to as “great people” are people who have very healthy account balances with lots of people. They are rich relationally.
HOW IS YOUR DAY?
There was once a woman in the nursing home who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror and noticed she had only three hairs on her head. "Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today," so she did and it was a wonderful day.
The next day she awakened, looked in the mirror and saw she had only two hairs on her head. "HMM," she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today," and she did and she enjoyed a grand day.
The following morning she looked in the mirror and saw she had only one hair left on her head. "Well," she said, "Today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail." So she did and it was a fun, wonderful day.
The day after that she checked her hair in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head. "YEAH!" she exclaimed, "I don't have to fix my hair today!"
And she was the first one to breakfast where she met everyone else with a smile and a "This is going to be the best day ever!"
One Line Parables
If you want your dreams to come true, don't oversleep.
The smallest good deed is better than the grandest intention.
Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.
The best vitamin for making friends....B1.
The 10 commandments are not multiple choice.
The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.
Minds are like parachutes... they function only when open.
Ideas won't work unless YOU do.
One thing you can't recycle is wasted time.
One who lacks the courage to start has already finished.
The heaviest thing to carry is a grudge.
You don't learn safety rules by accident.
We lie the loudest when we lie to ourselves.
Jumping to conclusions can be bad exercise.
A turtle makes progress when it sticks it's head out.
One thing you can give and still keep... is your word.
A friend walks in when everyone else walks out.
The pursuit of happiness is the chase of a lifetime!!!
MORE GOOD BOOKS.. Books and Authors...
America's Longest River - By: Misses Hippy
Artificial Clothing - By: Polly Ester
Breaking the Law - By: Kermit A. Krime
Broken Beds - By: Squeak E. Springs
The Color of Eggs - By: Summer Brown
Danger! - By: Luke Out
Don't Hurt Me! - By: I. Bruce Easley
Downpour! - By: Wayne Dwops
Errors and Accidents - By: Miss Takes and Miss Haps
The Fall of a Watermelon - By: S. Platt
Falling Trees - By: Tim Burr
French Overpopulation - By: Francis Crowded
History of Texas - By: Al E. Moe
Hours in the Bathroom - By: R. U. Dunnyett
House Construction - By: Bill Jerome Holme
How to Be Organized - By: Miss Place
How to Groom Your Yard - By: Ray Cleaves
I Didn't Do It! - By: Ivan Alibi
I Don't Get It - By: Anita Clew
I Love Crowds By: - Morris Merrier
I Need Insurance - By: Justin Case
I'll Do It Soon - By: Will B. Dunn
Mineralogy for Giants - By: Chris Tall
No Appreciation For Art By: - Drew Lousy
Old Furniture - By: Anne Teak
The Past to the Distant Future - By: I. C. All
Ripping Pants - By: Ben Dover
Snakes of the World - By: Anna Conda
Where the Stars Are - By: Horace Cope
Painters and Pointers: Vastly Different Communication Styles
Why can't some people "get to the point?" They seem to on and on, jumping from subject to subject and never really saying anything. I get so frustrated. Why don't they just say what they mean without going into all that other stuff?
Why can't some people express themselves? I never know what they are thinking. If I do get something out of them, it is just a grunt or one word - or, if I am lucky, a whole phrase. How can I know what they are thinking if they don't communicate?
Wow - what a difference! People have two vastly different communication styles and they frustrate each other (and usually marry each other). Take the advice of James 1:19 - to be "quick to hear and slow to speak."
One style is that of a "painter," who "paints a picture" when he/she talks. There is a lot of emotion and colorful detail as the person expresses a frustration or something exciting that just happened. You have to sit back and watch the picture being painted to get to know this person's soul!
The other style is that of a "pointer," who will "get right to the point" when he/she talks. Unlike the painter, the pointer does not have to talk in order to process things inside. Instead, the pointer will think things through first, then come out with a summary. You have to ask for details to get to know this person's soul!
So if you are a "pointer," be aware that you may be listening to a "painter." Instead of looking for "the point" and getting frustrated, just sit back and enjoy the richness of the picture - then you can summarize all the detail yourself into the point.
And if you are a "painter," be aware that you may be listening to a "pointer." Instead of getting frustrated with no detail, listen carefully to the exact summarizing word of the pointer and double click" on it, asking for more detail.
Can God make a rock so big he can't lift it? I'm ashamed to admit it, but that question has plagued my faith walk ever since my early days of recess-evangelism in elementary school. It's a stupid question, I remind myself whenever I start thinking about it. Childish, immature, and unscientific. Yet, always, just when I think I've closed the door on the subject, two little words sneak through under the crack: Can he?
Of course, I have browsed through much of the intellectual arguments surrounding the issue. I know that it creates a straw man. I know that God's omnipotence refers to power more than odd abilities. I have even encountered mathematical equations proving that the question attempts to divide a number by an imaginary number (or something like that), and is thus invalid. Still, I wonder.
One thing I've noticed over the years, however, is that the question almost always pops up when I'm feeling far from God—on dreary Monday mornings when I only slept three hours the night before because the baby wasn't taking a bottle and my wife was sick and I've got a meeting in ten minutes and have to finish this newsletter introduction before I go. Those kinds of times.
Conversely, when I find myself in the presence of the Lord, the question never comes up. I just find there are more important things to think about.
This experience fits in with Isaiah 6:1-8, it teaches that once we've seen God, we respond by worshiping, confessing our sin, and going where he sends us. All the other stuff simply fades away.
Just to set the record straight, God is more powerful than we could ever imagine. As a result, he is sufficient for all of our needs.
After 30 years of building houses for Ben, a prominent land developer, Sam announced that he wanted to retire, buy some land of his own, and build a small home for himself and his wife. Sam had hoped for a large bonus for all his years of service, but instead Ben asked Sam if he would just build one more house. He gave Sam plans for a lovely home located on a choice piece of land with a magnificent view. It was for a very important person, Ben said, and he urged Sam to do his best work.
Because Sam was resentful, his heart was not in the project and his work was shoddy. He ignored architectural details and he even substituted inferior materials so he could pocket the difference.
When the house was finished, there was a big celebration and Ben gave Sam an envelope as a parting gift. "At last! The bonus!" Sam thought.
But there was no check in the envelope. Instead, it included a key, and a note: "For everything you've done, the house is yours."
Sam was ashamed and embarrassed. He not only misjudged Ben; he betrayed his professionalism by building an inferior home, a home that turned out to be his own.
Through our daily actions we all build the houses we will ultimately live in. Careless decisions and neglected relationships, lies and insincerity are the shoddy workmanship and inferior materials of life-building. Whenever we take shortcuts to get us through the days, we shortchange ourselves for years. Whenever we put in less than our best and ignore our potential for excellence, we create a future full of creaky floors, leaky roofs and crumbling foundations.
We Need ZZZs: If they're sleeping in church, it's because they don't sleep at home. Lack of shut-eye is dunning our days, including job performance. Nearly one quarter of those polled report catching a few winks while in a meeting, while 18% say a presentation suffered as a result, and 14% blame lack of sleep for missing a meeting or a flight. In Books & Culture, Lauren Winner called on Christians to do a really counter-cultural thing—stop your overachieving and get a good night's sleep.
“ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT”
“Account management” is a principle for working with people. You open an account with everyone your encounter. As you build the relationship you continue to manage the account. In a church or any public service organization you have to manage accounts on a number of levels; with colleagues, constituents, supporters, prospects and volunteers.
When you initiate a new relationship, you usually start out with a small positive balance. This is sometimes called “the benefit of the doubt.” Your account will then fluctuate based on your exchanges. You can make more deposits through positive exchanges. You make withdrawals through negative exchanges. The goal is to manage your accounts with people so that you maintain a positive balance, making more deposits than withdrawals, and
building up a larger account.
It usually takes several more deposits to equal a withdrawal. This is not fair. It’s just the way it is. You cannot make a withdrawal that exceeds your deposits without bankrupting the relationship. But provided you have made massive deposits, it is possible to survive massive withdrawals.
When you achieve a negative balance, others will close out your account. When an account is closed out on a minor withdrawal it is sometimes called “the straw that broke the camel’s back.” When an account is closed out, word gets around and you may find that others are less likely to do business with you. This is sometimes called “getting a bad reputation.”
What sorts of activities are deposits? What are withdrawals?
Deposits Withdrawals
Doing what you say you will, when Not following through.
you say you will.
Communicating regularly, clearly and Inconsistent, vague consistently.
communication.
Making things easier for others. Making things more difficult for others.
Taking initiative. Only acting when told.
Doing a lot of listening. Doing a lot of talking.
Paying attention to details. Letting details slide.
Showing interest in others. Being seemingly interested in only yourself.
Maintaining a positive attitude. Going negative.
Unfortunately, we do not receive a “statement” in the mail to tell us where our relational accounts stand. But people who get referred to as “a pain” are usually people who do not manage their accounts well, and are bankrupting their relationships. People who get referred to as “great people” are people who have very healthy account balances with lots of people. They are rich relationally.
HOW IS YOUR DAY?
There was once a woman in the nursing home who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror and noticed she had only three hairs on her head. "Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today," so she did and it was a wonderful day.
The next day she awakened, looked in the mirror and saw she had only two hairs on her head. "HMM," she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today," and she did and she enjoyed a grand day.
The following morning she looked in the mirror and saw she had only one hair left on her head. "Well," she said, "Today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail." So she did and it was a fun, wonderful day.
The day after that she checked her hair in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head. "YEAH!" she exclaimed, "I don't have to fix my hair today!"
And she was the first one to breakfast where she met everyone else with a smile and a "This is going to be the best day ever!"
One Line Parables
If you want your dreams to come true, don't oversleep.
The smallest good deed is better than the grandest intention.
Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.
The best vitamin for making friends....B1.
The 10 commandments are not multiple choice.
The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.
Minds are like parachutes... they function only when open.
Ideas won't work unless YOU do.
One thing you can't recycle is wasted time.
One who lacks the courage to start has already finished.
The heaviest thing to carry is a grudge.
You don't learn safety rules by accident.
We lie the loudest when we lie to ourselves.
Jumping to conclusions can be bad exercise.
A turtle makes progress when it sticks it's head out.
One thing you can give and still keep... is your word.
A friend walks in when everyone else walks out.
The pursuit of happiness is the chase of a lifetime!!!
MORE GOOD BOOKS.. Books and Authors...
America's Longest River - By: Misses Hippy
Artificial Clothing - By: Polly Ester
Breaking the Law - By: Kermit A. Krime
Broken Beds - By: Squeak E. Springs
The Color of Eggs - By: Summer Brown
Danger! - By: Luke Out
Don't Hurt Me! - By: I. Bruce Easley
Downpour! - By: Wayne Dwops
Errors and Accidents - By: Miss Takes and Miss Haps
The Fall of a Watermelon - By: S. Platt
Falling Trees - By: Tim Burr
French Overpopulation - By: Francis Crowded
History of Texas - By: Al E. Moe
Hours in the Bathroom - By: R. U. Dunnyett
House Construction - By: Bill Jerome Holme
How to Be Organized - By: Miss Place
How to Groom Your Yard - By: Ray Cleaves
I Didn't Do It! - By: Ivan Alibi
I Don't Get It - By: Anita Clew
I Love Crowds By: - Morris Merrier
I Need Insurance - By: Justin Case
I'll Do It Soon - By: Will B. Dunn
Mineralogy for Giants - By: Chris Tall
No Appreciation For Art By: - Drew Lousy
Old Furniture - By: Anne Teak
The Past to the Distant Future - By: I. C. All
Ripping Pants - By: Ben Dover
Snakes of the World - By: Anna Conda
Where the Stars Are - By: Horace Cope
Painters and Pointers: Vastly Different Communication Styles
Why can't some people "get to the point?" They seem to on and on, jumping from subject to subject and never really saying anything. I get so frustrated. Why don't they just say what they mean without going into all that other stuff?
Why can't some people express themselves? I never know what they are thinking. If I do get something out of them, it is just a grunt or one word - or, if I am lucky, a whole phrase. How can I know what they are thinking if they don't communicate?
Wow - what a difference! People have two vastly different communication styles and they frustrate each other (and usually marry each other). Take the advice of James 1:19 - to be "quick to hear and slow to speak."
One style is that of a "painter," who "paints a picture" when he/she talks. There is a lot of emotion and colorful detail as the person expresses a frustration or something exciting that just happened. You have to sit back and watch the picture being painted to get to know this person's soul!
The other style is that of a "pointer," who will "get right to the point" when he/she talks. Unlike the painter, the pointer does not have to talk in order to process things inside. Instead, the pointer will think things through first, then come out with a summary. You have to ask for details to get to know this person's soul!
So if you are a "pointer," be aware that you may be listening to a "painter." Instead of looking for "the point" and getting frustrated, just sit back and enjoy the richness of the picture - then you can summarize all the detail yourself into the point.
And if you are a "painter," be aware that you may be listening to a "pointer." Instead of getting frustrated with no detail, listen carefully to the exact summarizing word of the pointer and double click" on it, asking for more detail.
Can God make a rock so big he can't lift it? I'm ashamed to admit it, but that question has plagued my faith walk ever since my early days of recess-evangelism in elementary school. It's a stupid question, I remind myself whenever I start thinking about it. Childish, immature, and unscientific. Yet, always, just when I think I've closed the door on the subject, two little words sneak through under the crack: Can he?
Of course, I have browsed through much of the intellectual arguments surrounding the issue. I know that it creates a straw man. I know that God's omnipotence refers to power more than odd abilities. I have even encountered mathematical equations proving that the question attempts to divide a number by an imaginary number (or something like that), and is thus invalid. Still, I wonder.
One thing I've noticed over the years, however, is that the question almost always pops up when I'm feeling far from God—on dreary Monday mornings when I only slept three hours the night before because the baby wasn't taking a bottle and my wife was sick and I've got a meeting in ten minutes and have to finish this newsletter introduction before I go. Those kinds of times.
Conversely, when I find myself in the presence of the Lord, the question never comes up. I just find there are more important things to think about.
This experience fits in with Isaiah 6:1-8, it teaches that once we've seen God, we respond by worshiping, confessing our sin, and going where he sends us. All the other stuff simply fades away.
Just to set the record straight, God is more powerful than we could ever imagine. As a result, he is sufficient for all of our needs.
posted by joypastordon at 6:28 PM
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