Big Is The New Small

I enjoy writing, reading, thinking, dreaming, believing and being challenged.  Sometimes the most thought provoking writing and discussions are not facilitated by a statement, but rather by the asking of a simple question.  Life is all about questions and answers.

In the grand scheme of things, often times people spend the most time trying to please the people that matter the least.

Question: “Who are you trying to please?”  Better Question: “Why?”

I was one of the speakers for Leadership Network’s TheNines Conference again this year.  This year’s task was quite simple – shoot a 5 minute video answering one the 9 questions.  This is the video that we shot answering the question: How Do You Manage Your Time?

My man @SamsonVarughese brought the video to life for me with a little extra effects.

How do you manage your time?

Over the last 5 years of serving as a Pastor at LifeChurch.tv, which has a cool, hip, relevant denim type dress code; I found that I wore denim 90% of the time and the other 10% consisted of weekend athletic apparel and an occasional suit for a wedding or funeral.  The 5 years prior to that consisted of 90% suits as I spent most of my time in business meetings, walking around the State Capitol and other environments where suits were the dress code.

Over the years style has really changed and evolved to a more overall casual look.  I attribute it to the era of the $200 designer jeans.  Men and ladies alike can dress up a nice pair of denim and they can dress down a nice pair of denim.

My wife and I recently went to an event in which the dress code was “Business Casual.”  I’ll be honest, I googled business casual just to double check, because style is ever evolving and changes my the month.  One thing I know about business casual, is there are different definitions.

My old school definition is, Slacks or Khakis with a polo or collared shirt at the least for Men and slacks, skirts, blouses at the least for women.  You can dress any of these up; however denim and shorts are not considered part of the business casual attire.

There was one guy at this particular event that had on shorts and a Hawaiian shirt.  He actually jokingly shared with the group that he had a more casual view of business casual.

Business Casual is kind of tricky… How would you define or describe Business Casual?

This is one of those questions that keeps popping up and popping up — so I thought I would just take the discussion to the people.  I was able to listen to, engage in and play devils advocate a recent Harry Potter Debate amongst some ministry staff.

According to an on-line Bible ministry that answers questions through a Biblical framework, they said this about Harry Potter and the debate: “Harry Potter books and films are full of stereotypical magic. Witchcraft and wizardry are central themes, and the lead roles are played by wizards, witches, and other magical creatures. Although the characters practice casting spells, reading crystal balls, etc., they do not communicate with spiritual (supernatural) forces. While this may be considered a positive, one definite negative is that there is no higher power to answer to at all.”

I’m not sure exactly what all of that means from a contextual perspective, because I have not seen the movie or read the book.  I have not made the choice “to see or not to see” because of any specific reason, thought or belief… I simply have never watched it.  I used to watch this cartoon called Hip Hop Harry with my youngest son, but I think that may be a different show.

The scripture that those arguing against indulging in Potter is Deuteronomy 18:10-12 “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you.”

Those on the other side of the argument, say “Why stop there the list could go on and on about the types of movies you should and should not watch.”

What do you think?

Should Christians Watch or Read Harry Potter?  Is it different for adults and children? Share your reasons for or against.  Ready, Set, Go!

Every High Capacity Leader Should Ask Themselves This Question:  Am I encouraging, developing and producing other high capacity leaders?

“The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership.” ~Harvey Firestone, Founder of Firestone Tires

Is the encouragement, development and producing of other leaders the greatest measure of success for a leader?

Everyone has a different opinion about the sequence of numbers 666.  Often times people will change their hotel room, phone number or a host of other things if the number 666 is anywhere within.  As a matter of fact just recently I had a family in my church that had to ask me to write a letter to the Social Security Administration on behalf of their young child who was issued a Social Security number ending in 666.

Here is the context from scripture in the book of Revelation.  “This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man’s number. His number is 666.” Revelation 13:18

Again, there are some people who are not bothered at all by the number…  I have a pastor friend whose mobile number ends in 666.  On the other hand there are people who are really bothered and the thought of the number causes them mental discomfort.

Where do you fall?  Are you bothered by the number 666.  Are you the person who will change your numbers and such or do you simply say no big deal?

Share your thoughts!

There is a lot of discussion about the Internet and social media and whether or not they are creating Illegitimate Experts, Gurus, Leaders… or iPhony’s.  Lets’ look at the definition of Illegitimate- not in accordance with the principles of valid inference.  By this definition the Internet and social media may be creating illegitimate experts, but that’s the beauty of the Internet; a person does not have to be in accordance with a “valid inference.” 

In the www. world you have to create your validity and my thought is “If people are listening and if you have an audience, influence, a voice, knowledge, experience, personality, talent, information… that people want to hear, you have just been legitimized” and therefore are not an iPhony. 

Let’s take a look at a recent product that in my mind was not legitimate and it’s a product that everyone has seen, The Snuggie.  Seriously a backwards robe is not a legitimate product and doesn’t serve a legitimate need.  The Snuggie has sold over 4 million backwards robes; therefore legitimizing them.  “So who am I and what do I know?”

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure…  One woman’s phony is another woman’s expert.

Do you think the Internet and Social Media is Creating Illegitimate Experts, Gurus, Leaders… or iPhony’s?   Share Your Thoughts!

Let’s wrap the weekend by sharing some insight through answering one simple question.  What Lesson Did You Learn The Weekend?  What lesson did you learn at church, school, from your spouse, through music, through sports, from a mentor, reading a book… 

Share the lesson that you learned, who knows it might just be the Lesson that someone else needs to hear.

Get your teach on… and thanks in advance for sharing!

Today, as we are wrapping up this week’s series of somewhat controversial questions, I want to say thanks for joining the discussions… many times your perspectives are enlightening and eye-opening to others.  In 2007 I had posted a blog entitled “Success vs. Excess” that examined the then controversial U.S. Senate investigation of Mega-Church Pastors, their salaries, homes, riches…  There were a lot of great responses on that post; if you want a blast from the past you can check it out here.  Today’s question was inspired by similar questions that were e-mailed to me by several people… so here we go:

Should Pastors Drive Expensive Cars or Live In Expensive Homes?

Last year I had blogged a post that asked a question very similar to the one I’m asking today; the post was entitled “Secular Music In The Church” which provided for some lively discussion.  Today’s question is simply:

Should Christians listen to secular music?  Do you listen to secular music?  Why/Why Not… Discuss!

On another note, I have been receiving e-mails, DM’s, recommendations… suggesting questions to ask during this weeks blog series.  Those recommendations have included a wide range of topics, such as: Women showing their clevage, low rise jeans, women showing their thongs, tithe 10% of gross or net, should pastors drive nice cars, how much money should pastors make…   I have decided to allow you guys/gals to pick tomorrows question.  In adition to answering todays question you can recommend what question you would like to see answered tomorrow.  Thanks in advance for your recommendations!