Categories
motivation

I blew it this weekend…and you probably did too!

"I blew it this weekend...and you probably did too!"

This was a rough weekend. It was difficult to see the riots, the anger and hatred play out in the news. Cities were burning. Both sides were pointing fingers. In the midst of this are the warnings this could make the coronavirus pandemic worse because of the mass gatherings.

Racism is ugly. It can cause pain and death. I have to admit I don’t know much about what it feels like to be on the receiving end of racism, nor do I understand how hate can dominate one’s life. The issues are much too complex for simple solutions. It can give everyone a sense of hopelessness and despair.

I let it get to me.

You probably let it get to you as well. Who couldn’t? And yet, there were some things I had to be grateful for.

  • The weather was perfect where I live
  • I have the love of a beautiful, devoted wife
  • I am alive, healthy and active
  • I witnessed the first manned launch spaceflight from US soil in nine years

But this time, I didn’t count my blessings. I let the news get me down. I let the narrative of the news sour me. It was a mistake. But it was a mistake that I’m sure a lot of us made.

We cannot ignore the hurt and pain. Yet, we cannot let it put us in a place of hopelessness. How can anything be repaired if we believe it is hopeless?

As we start a new month and a new week, let’s pick up the pieces, count our blessings, and remember there is always something to be grateful for. Then let’s fix what we can. There are plenty of things to be fixed. But let us remember to give ourselves and others grace for the things we can’t fix.

Categories
books motivation Quotes

Why is isolation so dangerous?

"When we isolate ourselves from others, we become islands unto ourselves. And like Tom Hanks in the movie 'Cast Away,' we eventually draw a face on a volleyball, name it Wilson, and start talking to it." Mark Batterson in "Whisper"

Has anyone felt isolated lately? Of course, we have! After all quarantine is a synonym for isolation. Hospitals have isolation wards that keep infected people from spreading illness. In some situations, like a pandemic, isolation is necessary.

Health professionals have told us isolation has been necessary to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Yet, It isn’t easy for any of us. There has been several recent articles on how isolation is affecting us.

I liked today’s quote by Mark Batterson because of its humorous approach. It also reminds me isolation can become dangerous because it can cause us to do some crazy things.

  • We may start believing the negative self-talk that comes from our thoughts.
  • We may find unhealthy ways to numb the loneliness
  • When we finally get with people, we may come off as desperate, or a little neurotic (especially if you introduce you volleyball as your new friend)
  • It opens us up to scammers and others that take advantage of the lonely and isolated.

Batterson’s book is about how to listen to the voice of God. He reminded me that one way to hear His voice is to be in a community of believers. We all need friends and mentors to keep us from going off the rails. Isolation and a lack of humility can be a great disadvantage when you need someone to talk through an idea.

We are all social creatures. Even introverts need time with others. We may not be able to meet face-to-face. Technology may not be your strong suit. But I encourage you to find ways to reach out to friends even when it may take extra effort. We all need others to keep us from getting very lonely, and a little neurotic.

"When we isolate ourselves from others, we become islands unto ourselves. And like Tom Hanks in the movie 'Cast Away,' we eventually draw a face on a volleyball, name it Wilson, and start talking to it." Mark Batterson in "Whisper"

Categories
church cartoons

When is it safe to reopen church buildings?

Cartoon of two mice. One says, "I hope the church reopens soon. We're nearly through the youth group's snacks." When is it safe to reopen churches
Published in the May 2020 CHOGnewsletter

Last week, a lot of news was made about when church buildings should reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, and inevitably, it’s become a political issue. It’s unfortunate because in the current environment, politics are divisive. It’s inevitable because it was government agencies shut everything down and have the authority to open things up.

There are many valid arguments on whether it is safe to reopen church buildings as of May, 2020. When I drew this month’s cartoon, I thought of how the youth groups’ secret snack stashes across the country have probably been visited by a few church mice. Youth pastors, do us all a favor and get the dumpster ready when you get back in the building. Those cheesy, wavy, salty snacks will have to go!

Many churches have learned to adjust through this crisis. I have benefited from online services. However, the cartoon I drew last month shows the pitfalls of online worship services. We may be getting too casual when we can watch church in our pajamas. Some may have to remind themselves when they return to the church to dress up a little.

Articles on when it is safe to reopen church buildings

I have no easy answers. This is partly because churches come in all shapes and sizes. a small church may have no problem meeting without going over the state’s mandate to limit gatherings. Some churches are small enough to meet in a home. However, I have belonged to churches where over a thousand people meet. You can’t treat these groups the same.

No matter the debate, we must remember that churches are not the buildings their congregants meet in. The church has never really closed through the pandemic. It is the buildings that house churches that have closed. Perhaps we have become too dependent on the buildings that Christians meet in. In the future, will we need to radically change how churches meet and provide community?

Whatever decision churches will make in the coming weeks, they need to be made with consideration congregants and those outside the building. Let the churches be known for spreading good news, hope, and joy, not COVID-19.

Cartoon of two mice. One says, "I hope the church reopens soon. We're nearly through the youth group's snacks."
Published in the May 2020 CHOGnewsletter
Categories
accountability motivation

What’s the big deal about discretion?

Cartoon of two women. One looks like a pig and has a gold ring in her nose. The caption says, "I don't get it. I thought the jewelry would get me tons of dates."

Proverbs 11:22 paints a picture. It’s imagery we use today without thinking about the verse. Who would want to put a gold ring in a pig’s snout anyway? Would anybody waste a piece of jewelry on a hog?

A beautiful woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.

Proverbs 11:22 (NLT)

When I drew this cartoon, I quoted the New International Reader’s Version. That translation uses “no sense.” Discretion adds quite a bit of meaning. It means to use good judgment and to speak in such a way as to not cause offense or reveal sensitive information.

We live in an age where discretion seems to be lacking.

  • Celebrities broadcast their dirty little secrets
  • Social media causes people to broadcast the most trivial parts of their private lives
  • Politicians weaponize words to make rival parties the enemy

Discretion’s challenge

Discretion calls all of us to use our better judgment. That can be difficult when we are rushed to make a quick comment or when we’re tempted to say something flippant.

However, it could keep many people out of trouble. How many times have you said something only to wish you could take it back? Yes, me too. Discretion can keep us from saying something that we will come to regret. It can help us keep our friendships and establish goodwill.

What if discretion came in vogue once again? What would that look like?

  • Celebrities could exchange TMI for respect
  • We could use social media to inspire and encourage others
  • Politicians could learn to compromise again and get something done

I know. It’s dreamy, pie-in-the-sky thinking. Still, the world would look and feel much better if more people used some discretion. At the very least, it could help a few more single people get some dates without a gold ring in the snout.

Cartoon of two women. One looks like a pig and has a gold ring in her nose. The caption says, "I don't get it. I thought the jewelry would get me tons of dates."
Categories
motivation Purpose

The power of purpose

Quote: "One cannot lead a life that is truly excellent with feeling that one belongs to something greater and more permanent than oneself." Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in "Drive" by Daniel Pink

If the last few months have taught us anything, it is that life is precious and fragile. We are fragile! Someone can look healthy one day, and two weeks later, they could be gone due to a tiny virus. This life is temporary.

Purpose prods us on to excellence. If all we have to work for is temporary gain, it won’t motivate us very far. Belonging to a higher purpose will keep us going when we face difficulty.

We are more than the economy. We are more than short-term gains. I encourage you to find your purpose. Strive to belong to something that is greater and more permanent that will outlast all of us. Be a person of faith and watch what is left of your life become excellent.