Month: March 2009
Passionate Purpose
Last week I had the honor of being part of the teacher interview process at my boys’ school. The school is unique in many respects, but one that is most vital to me is that the school has identified a clear and specific purpose. Every decision is made with that purpose in mind. Would this curriculum further our purpose, would this teacher embrace our vision, would this field trip enrich our stated goal for our children? Without a vision it is easy to get off track. And of course, this is the basic premise of Built to Last, the best-selling business book in which successful companies were studied and compared with less successful counterparts. The conclusion was that the companies with “Big Hairy Audacious Goals” fared better. That’s not surprising, is it? Having a vision is important, not just for businesses and for schools, but for people.
The Right Words
Earlier this month I had the honor and privilege of speaking at a fundraising dinner. I think there were between three and four hundred people in attendance. Even though my little talk was only about five minutes long, I was very nervous leading up to the event. I wanted to convey the message well, and I didn’t want there to be regrets over choosing me for the task.
Restoring Default Settings and Sanctification
Our hearts and minds form the motherboard of our soul which determines not only our outward behaviors but our thought life as well. And like an operating system that directs the hard drive, we also appear to have default settings. Think about that for a second. Is your natural inclination, your default setting, to embody love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? Hardly, right? Our natural state is one characterized not by the fruit of the Spirit, but by sin. Left to our own devices, we are prideful, selfish, materialistic, faithless, and discontent, and what’s worse is that somehow the little box with the words “restore default settings” is clicked upon every day, and oftentimes many times each day.
The Paradox of Fear
326 verses
Knowing & Doing
I have an article in the current issue of the C.S. Lewis Institute’s publication, Knowing & Doing. The C.S. Lewis Institute “endeavors to challenge, educate, and disciple those who will, like Lewis, articulate, defend, and live faith in Christ through personal and public life.” As I have mentioned in the blog before I am currently doing year two of the Institute’s fellows program. Learn more about the fellows program here. It would be impossible for me to overstate the influence this program has had on my life, and I recommend it to everyone who has a desire to grow deeper in their faith. Applications are due April 30th.