Thank You Readers

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On this Thanksgiving week I want to say a thank you to you.

To those who have read, followed, commented or expressed an interest in my blog. Thank you for the kind words, encouraging words and supportive words. I have enjoyed the interactions and the opportunity to express thoughts in a different forum that welcomes dialogue.

Thank you for your support and I pray that this weekend is filled with love, laughter and gratitude for you.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Leadership and Power

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In a recent conversation I referenced what I called "an old adage about people and power". Well, as I tried to share this adage, I realized I wasn't thinking of an adage, but rather an observed phenomenon. Sigh, the brain goes fast in your older years!

Here is the observed phenomenon: if you want to see a person's real character, give them power.

And we certainly see that in our leaders today. From local club leaders, coaches, selectors to national leaders and global influencers, we see their character in their use of power. Some serve with humility, others shine with success. But then, there are those who lord it over their subordinates, and still others who steal the light of others.

Power is an addictive drug. One to be wary of and treated with great respect.

There is one truth, among others, that I notice in the world about power.

Power seeps away.

Every leader loses power eventually. Wise leaders plan for this seepage and prepare others to take up the mantle in their departure. Unwise leaders try to hold on to their power, often in tyrannical ways and diminish their legacy, their organization and their followers in their wake.

If you are a leader: share the power, plan for its loss, and pass it on sooner rather than later.
If you want power: beware the addictive drug, reach for it tentatively and bring others with you to stop it from controlling you.
If you are a under the leadership of one with power: you are not powerless, hold them accountable, give them honest feedback and look for those who lead with power well.

Half Empty or Half Full

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So, the latest poll in the impeachment process is out.

The poll asks the following question: Based on what you have read or heard, do you believe that President Trump should be impeached and removed from office, or don't you feel that way?

The results are exactly as they were when this same poll was taken in October - 50% of those asked responded that President Trump should be impeached and removed from office. It is slightly up from when the poll was initiated in June (42%). The same link for the poll results above shows comparison polls about President Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

No one is surprised at the lack of movement and everyone is doing their best to portray the result one way or the other. This is part of the reason why I think many (some, few - not sure of the right metric here) people don't seem phased by the impeachment process: they don't think it will make a difference in the end. Maybe it will, but I tend to agree with them. This is a dance with the result already decided.

So, is this result a glass half empty or half full for you. I am honestly interested in your view. What does this poll mean to you? Is 50% a good sign or bad sign?

Sneakers, Songs and Souls

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This past Sunday Faith Community held a combined service of the two campuses. It was a joyful occasion of sneakers, songs and souls. In the midst of the celebration, I was overwhelmed with the generosity and sacrifice of our volunteers.

Volunteers in a church always blow me away. They don't have to be there, they seldom gain anything from the work they do and are often criticized for what they do. Someone always finds a way to complain about something, but forget the complaints. That's not what this post is about today. This post is about the volunteers who gave of themselves, served beyond what was expected, even at their own expense.

I'm amazed at a single dad, with a broken down car, who ubered to the service to fulfill his commitment.
I'm amazed at a woman, with a wedding a few weeks away, who woke up sick, but took some medication and came anyway.
I'm amazed by the single mom who collected sneakers all morning, while other volunteers cared for her kids.
I'm amazed by the dual working couple who served for 7 hours, walked almost 20,000 steps to make the services warm and welcoming.
I'm amazed by the married dad, who worked as a project manager for weeks, and then served all morning, while his incredible wife coordinated children, support and rides.
I'm amazed by musicians, technicians, and light personnel who rehearsed, coordinated, set up, led worship, broke down all with smiles, focus and a desire to honor God.
I'm amazed by a school bus driver, who despite the staggering personal loss of her mom, coordinated food, coffee, drinks, snacks and hospitality for others.
I'm amazed at the dozens of people who got on their hands and knees to get face to face with children, so children would feel loved and cared.
I'm amazed at the group of men and women who braved the rain, early morning set up, break down and rain again to create a space for people to express their faith.
I'm amazed at the leaders who encouraged, supported and inspired these volunteers with their example and service.
I'm amazed at the many people who gave sneakers to make a difference in the life of children in need in the Framingham Public Schools.

Yes, I am amazed by these volunteers. The world might harp on the bad, and the proud and the takers, but this past weekend I was privileged to see volunteers give sneakers, hear volunteers sing songs and experience volunteers filling the souls of those they served with joy, love and peace.

And isn't that what faith is really about? I think so.

I would like to invite you to experience this for yourself. Faith Community is where these volunteers serve and you can experience what I did every Sunday: 146 E Main Street in Hopkinton at 9am and 10:30am or 301 Brook Street in Framingham (Walsh Middle School) at 10am.

I look forward to seeing you!

A window to my past: Stranger Things Thoughts

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So, I'm late to the Stranger Things party and only just getting into season 2 (second episode, so no spoilers please!).

But as I watch this complex, well written, wonderfully interesting show with too many jump scares and not enough real scares, it reminds me of my teenage years. It feels surreal to look into a time when I was a teenager and things from my past.  Things like movies I remember, events of my teens and the clothing (oh my word we were weird - stove pipe jeans anyone)!

I have enjoyed Stranger Things and my oldest son and I watch it together. It's a great bonding time as we explore the Upside Down world, try to make sense of the monsters and who really is the bad guy in the show. And mostly, I enjoy every now and then just getting my own jump scare on my oldest, which requires a lot of laughter and rewinding to watch what we missed.

Some of those surreal times were the arcade scenes in episode 1 and 2. Who remembers Dig Dug and Centipede. I hated Centipede, but loved Dig Dug. I thoroughly enjoyed learning how to play Dragon's Lair, but agreed with the sentiment that it was a money sink hole. I must say, I don't remember the cartoon princess though.

Anyway, that's a window into my past as I watch Stranger Things. 

What do you think about Stranger Things and do you have any recommendations for what to watch next?

Breaking the Glass Ceiling

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I posted this on Facebook earlier, but it is worth repeating.

Melissa Linehan is a powerhouse of humility, love, compassion, care, hard work and grace. She recently received an award, chronicled in an American Way article. She is also glass ceiling breaker: Melissa "...is the first female general manager of sales in Pernod’s history" (American Way article).

And here's the point, you can be too. Don't wait, don't get permission, do it even in fear, break the ceiling stopping you. The world needs you to put your best foot forward. We need you to. So please read this article about Melissa, but then with courage, step out and make a difference.

https://americanway.com/en/features/2019/10/secret-scotch-society

P.S. I hope so many women break the glass ceilings above them that it no longer exists.

Telling the Big Man

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I was asked by a friend to "tell the big man" they wanted protection.

I promised I would, if they would.

But here's a little secret for you: I don't know how prayer works.

I know what prayer is.
I know God asks us to pray...
...responds to our prayers,
...helps us pray,
...prays for us (still the most amazing thing I have learned about prayer)
...and listens to our prayers.

But how it actually works: that I don't know.

I don't know why it is that miraculous things happen when we pray. I don't know why it is that we seem to find our hearts more settled, our souls more peaceful and our bodies more rested when we pray. I don't know why it happens, or why, more often than not, when we pray, God does amazing things to answer our prayers.

But actually it doesn't matter.

I don't know how my phone works, or how the apps that I use work, but they do.
And like my phone or those apps, they work when I use them.

Prayer works when we do it. We don't need to know how it works, just that it does, and that we can all pray.

So, how might I pray for you?

I will, if you will too!

New Amsterdam: simplistic answers or profound simplicity

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I am currently watching New Amsterdam. Spoiler alerts follow.

I love it.

The show captured me in the first season with a new medical director who arrives at a massive hospital called New Amsterdam. On his first day he fires the entire billing department, cardiac department and provides increases of interns and attendants. His catch phrase is "How can I help?" He is harassed by board members, but as the hero of the show, begins to gain popularity and influence. He is also hiding cancer from everyone. All that happens in episode 1 of season 1 and about 5 minutes into the episode.

The show deals with a variety of issues: adoption, foster care, psychiatry, gender issues, addiction, relationships, lying, racism, family values, multiculturalism, religion and grief to name a few.

For example:
When faced with the problem of the rise of African-American heart disease and the problems of health care for African-Americans that has grown out of systemic racism of the past, the show offers an intriguing solution: have hypertension diagnosed and prescription medication prescribed by people African American men trust - their barbers. Medical help provided with the oversight of the doctor involved. The hospital board chair is obviously furious and accuses the medical director of "decentralizing and de-professionalizing health care".

Another example:
Season 2 focuses on grief and how to deal with the love of a lost one. They delve into illusion, denial, anger, bargaining, anxiety, withdrawal and a host of other issues. This story line is a story arc of the second season, so I don't know how it resolves yet. But it is fascinating and intriguing.

I find myself pondering the problems and the solutions the show poses. Are the solutions fictional nonsense and simplistic answers OR are they profound in their simplicity and reveal a lack of courage on our part to really fix the problems we face.

I personally believe it's the latter. We are afraid to try as people. We are afraid to attempt solutions out of fear for what might go wrong, or what might not work. We are afraid. I find the show pushes me to face that fear and to at least try something. Try to make a difference. Try to find a solution. Try to contribute.

And before any of you Star Wars fans send me meme's from Yoda, when I say try, I mean do.

What problems face you these days? Are you afraid to try something? Why not try it and see what happens? Maybe it will be simplistic nonsense, but maybe, just maybe, it will be a profound solution that changes your world, or those you are trying to help.

The One Eyed Man

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"In a world of blind people, the one eyed man is king"

But what is the blind person in a seeing world?

A few days ago I used 5th grade music as an analogy for politics. Today, I had the joy of watching the Ashland 7th, 8th and High School bands perform. Each band showed improvement, progression and variation from the other and from their own previous versions. Attending these concerts is a cultural mystery to me because I did not grow up in  a musical household and I myself am not musical at all. Even the shower asked me to stop singing!

I am amazed at the Arts in American schools, even though they are increasingly underfunded and limited in ability. It is the strength of a culture to develop artists, musicians, and creatives despite what The Book of Lord Shang says. The Arts is critical to our culture!

And here's where the blind man analogy comes out. I am the blind man in a world of seeing people or more correctly, I am the deaf man in a hearing world (figuratively). I love music, of all types. But, I neither sing nor play. I do have a guitar gathering dust that I occasionally pick at, but I am not musically gifted.

However, my family, both immediate and extended, are quite gifted.

• My wife sings and plays harp and piano (most often at weddings, but she has led worship and assortments of bands excellently in the past)
• My youngest plays the piano and is learning the trombone and is about to enter the musical world of band next year (and he can't wait!)
• My eldest plays piano and french horn, a member of the school band and Wind Ensemble that has won silver at the MICCA Festival.
• One sister in law was on a championship winning marching band.
• The other one sings like an angel.
• Both brothers in law are strong singers with one being on numerous choirs and ensembles.
• One nephew sings in plays regularly and will probably win a Tony or Oscar at some point. I just hope he remembers me!
• The other is already musically famous and wrote a piece for the radio show, On Point, which they heard and raved about. You can see the thread here about what the radio show thought: https://twitter.com/onpointradio/status/1137057715698581505?lang=en

All that to say I am proud of their musical prowess and blessed by what they do. I sit at a buffet of musical delicacies and am allowed to eat to my hearts content. But often, in the midst of those banquets, I wonder what they hear. I'm the deaf man, so I wonder, "Am I hearing what they hear? And if not, what do they hear? What am I missing?"

I enjoy music in an entirely different way than they do, an ignorant way.

So, what's my point? 

I don't really have one, other than to show off the gifts of my family, tell you I'm proud of them and try to persuade you that the Arts is important. Fund it.

Oh, and maybe to ask: how might I hear music better?

The Real Peach in the Impeachment Hearings

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Tomorrow the impeachment hearings on President Trump begin.

Each side has for some time been preparing their defense. Media is frothing at the mouth in anticipation. Most of us will be tracking the headlines and details from our prospective areas in the days to come.

But it all makes me wonder: with people having already decided their conclusions and rebuttals, what is the real impact of the impeachment process.

Well, for one thing, our government has ground to a halt. Congress isn't passing any bills, or it's so weighed down that movement is less noticeable than paint drying. For another, the two party system is stretching wider and wider apart and we the voters, are the ones standing with one foot on the boat and the other on the dock as we slowly contemplate when we will fall into the lake of political disaster. Law and the focus on justice seems to have been replaced by a Shibboleth test around loyalty to the president.

So, tonight as I listen to my 5th grader practice his band music and work hard to find the right notes, the sound reminds me of our political system. We can recognize the tune, understand the notes, even feel proud at how good it seems, but we all know it's far from perfect. It's not the Boston Symphony Orchestra. In fairness to my 5th grader, we don't expect it to be. And when we go to the school concerts, we go to support their work and effort because we know it is children learning to play.

But our current political system charges us the price of hearing the Boston Orchestra, has all the pomp and ceremony of a professional production and then launches into a cacophony of 5th grade chaos. And that's why I think it's the American voter who is the real peach in the impeachment hearings. We're the suckers paying the price for something less than we need.

So let's fix it.

Let's vote for something and someone better. Let's vote for people who will work towards a better future for the country and the world, because as the world goes, so we go.

Let's get back to a political system that hums with the musical electricity of tight execution, perfectly mouthed notes and a crescendo that brings the world to a standing ovation because of its profundity and beauty. Let's have a system that leads in the world, instead of being the laughing stock.

Who's with me?

Wine, Bread, Flesh, and Blood

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This past weekend our church celebrated communion. For us, communion is a monthly reflection on what Jesus did for all humanity. We remind ourselves through symbol of the love of God, the sacrifice of Jesus and the comfort and hope God gives us through those symbols. They are symbols of faith that encourage us, guide us and comfort us. The grow our faith.

What symbols grow your faith?

And as you consider the symbols that grow your faith, won't you say a prayer for the family in our community who buries their child today...they need hope, comfort and love more than ever.

In Honor of Children Taken Too Soon

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God, it's happened again, and I must admit, I'm angry.

Yet another family in our church lost a child today. There are too many who have died since I've been here, too, too many. 

One is too many, but it keeps happening. Please stop it Lord.

Little children, older children, dying before their parents. It is a parent's nightmare, to outlive their child. I know you know what it feels like God, but that just makes it even tougher. You know the pain of this, so why would you allow it to happen?

I know about sin, and brokenness, and suffering, and that maybe it was better for them to go than to stay, but that doesn't console. Burying children as a pastor is one of the hardest parts of the job. Living as a parent after the death of a child is harder still. 

My heart breaks for them, my soul throws prayers on their behalf and my spirit is angry, God. Angry that you would allow this to happen. Lord forgive me for my anger, and comfort them in their loss. Honor these parents and love them deeply in their grief.

To all the parents I know who have lost a child: my heart is with you. 

You are courageous beyond measure to endure each day since that heartbreak.
You are inspiring.
You are faithful. 
You are incredible.
You are worthy for you have suffered greatly.

If you know of someone who has lost a child, say a prayer for them tonight, call them and make sure they know they are remembered, if the grief is too new, offer some tangible help. Love them!

If you have children, forget about the rules and the chores, love and hold your children tonight. They grow too quickly, they leave too soon and can be taken too quickly.

I am reminded of Psalm 22, a psalm for those in the midst of grief. A psalm Jesus spoke from the cross. Here are some selected verses that may give voice to the grief you feel.

1 God, my God!

Why would you abandon me now?

2 Why do you remain distant,

refusing to answer my tearful cries in the day

and my desperate cries for your help in the night?

I can’t stop sobbing.

Where are you, my God?

...

11 So don’t leave me now; stay close to me!

For trouble is all around me and there’s no one else to help me.

...

14 Now I’m completely exhausted; I’m spent.

Every joint of my body has been pulled apart.

My courage has vanished and

my inward parts have melted away.

15 I’m so thirsty and parched—dry as a bone.

My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.

And now you’ve left me in the dust for dead.

...

19 Lord, my God, please don’t stay far away.

For you are my only might and strength.

Won’t you come quickly to my rescue?

20 Give me back my life.

Save me from this violent death.

Save my precious one and only

from the power of these demons!

21 Save me from all the power of the enemy,

from this roaring lion raging against me

and the power of his dark horde.

...

24 For he has not despised my cries of deep despair.

He’s my first responder to my sufferings,

and he didn’t look the other way when I was in pain.

He was there all the time, listening to the song of the afflicted.

...

26 I will invite the poor and broken,

and they will come and eat until satisfied.

Bring Yahweh praise and you will find him.

Your hearts will overflow with life forever!

...

The Passion Translation® Copyright © 2017 by Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc. 

Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Copied from Bible.com

In Honor of Children Taken Too Soon.

Words Matter: Reflections on the KY Election Results

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Leaders, your words matter, and people see through the spin...well, maybe!

This is not about politics, it just uses a political event as an illustration.

The Facts

This Tuesday, state elections were held around the country. In Kentucky, the governor race was closely contested. The Democratic candidate, Andy Beshear, holds 49.2% of the vote and the Republican candidate, Matt Bevin, holds 48.8% of the vote. The Kentucky secretary of state, a democrat, declared Andy Beshear the winner. Matt Bevin has yet to concede. A recount may still be declared and a recanvass has formally been announced by Matt Bevin.

The reporting of this event is a lesson for leaders in messaging and the interpretation of facts. Various news sites reported differently on this race but I want to highlight the two I watched:

The Spin

CNN hosts (Anderson Cooper, Chris Cuomo) and some of their guests, while not declaring a winner, speculated what the race means. They saw it as a loss for the Republican party, a win against what one guest called "Trumpism" and a revelation on the lack of President Trump's power and influence.

Fox News host (Laura Ingraham), and some of her guests, while not declaring a winner, speculated what the race means. They saw it as a win for the President and the Republican party, and a show of the presidents power to take a disliked governor and turn a race that should have been a 10 point loss into a closely contested race.

You, the leader

Each news source put their spin on the event. Each told a narrative. None of this is new, but it is a revelation of how leaders spin the facts to tell a narrative. It is a trait that we need to be careful with as leaders. Why? Because most people see through it, and they are getting sick of the spin (...well almost...but more and more are). They are hungry for honesty and the ability to make their own conclusions.

Our words matter as leaders, and how we tell a story with those words matters even more. What we say, how we say it, the emotions we evoke with those words, it all matters.

Leaders: What narrative will you tell about events in the areas where you lead? Your followers are watching, and it bears repeating. They are hungry for honesty, and are intelligent enough to make their own decisions.

Followers: Decode the narrative of your leaders and press for the brutal facts. Don't let leaders spin their way to a narrative of their choosing. Be hungry for honesty and use your intelligence and make your own decisions. Hold leaders accountable and they won't be, change them. You actually have the power!

The Flag: An Invitation to Dream

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I am an immigrant.
Born in South Africa.
Living in American.
An American Citizen.

And I believe in the value at the core that is America - freedom.

Each time I hear the national anthem being played, I am struck by the origin of the words, and the rising tempo of the music. It strikes within my heart and reverberates through my soul.

I believe in freedom. 
I believe in each person's right to freedom.
I believe in the duty to fight for freedom.
I believe in the privilege to die for freedom.
And I believe even more passionately that we are called to live for freedom.

These words, penned by Francis Scott Key as he watched the bombing of Fort McHenry in the war of 1812, a war fought over, in part, the restriction of trade and impressment of American sailors; these words capture the essence of our call to freedom:

"Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave,

For the land of the free, and the home of the brave"

That same value is expressed by my country of birth, South Africa, in their national anthem. A national anthem proudly sung this past weekend as South Africa won the Rugby World Cup, with words ringing as clear in my soul:

"Let us live and strive for freedom,

In South Africa our land"

Yes, 

I am an immigrant.

Born in South Africa.
Living in American.

An American Citizen.

But

I am a person of freedom who wants everyone to be free.

I just wish our political leaders would live for it as highly as they say they value it.

We have a history, in both countries, and around the world, of people who have lived and died for freedom. 

So let's be a land of the free, 

filled with free people 

who live and strive for freedom, 

as we create a world 

where one day, 

every person, 

regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, orientation, age, ability, class, income or status 

will be free.

The Flag and our anthems invite us to dream, and then to work.

Let's get to it.

A Wave of Joy

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How do you sense the Holy Spirit in a worship service?

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity according to most Christian traditions - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When Christians gather to worship, we do so believing that we will encounter God in the service, during our worship, speaking to us, encouraging us, becoming real to us in some way. The Holy Spirit is central to this work. Paul describes how the Spirit works:

"Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, ^c Father.” Galatians 4:6 (NIV)

But how do you sense the Holy Spirit in a worship service?

This past weekend, we experienced the Spirit profoundly in our service. Our service was about encouragement and we had just had a moment of silent reflection focusing on encouraging verses from the Bible. The band began to play a song and invited everyone to sing. A young woman (underclassman in High School) led the singing. Her singing was beautiful. I said as much to our sound guy, and then it happened.

It was like a wave of joy. Like when something amazing happens, but it takes time to ripple through the crowd at a game. Think of the large crowd waves done at sports events. As they flow around the stadium, people wait for it to arrive and then join in on the action. This wave began like that, a ripple from the front row to the back, sending goosebumps along my skin and the hair on the back of my neck stood up. A few people started cheering in the middle, voices got louder as we sang that "we are who God says we are". The joy was infectious and people sang together louder and stronger through the rest of the song. As the song ended, people spontaneously applauded - not to the woman singing, or the band, but to God.

This is how we sensed the Holy Spirit on Sunday at worship. It has stayed with me throughout the day. It was a holy moment and I share it to say, thank you God for meeting us and answering my prayers for an experience with you on Sunday.

So, how do you sense the Holy Spirit in a worship service?

Tom Selleck and Japanese Culture

Door's Howl Review: Mr Baseball

Synopsis

It's an old movie (1992) intended to be a comedy that plays off cultural and racial stereotypes of both Japanese and Americans. It probably would be viewed as offensive today. But it has something to offer. It certainly helped me.

Jack Elliot (Tom Selleck) is an aging baseball player in a slump. He is traded from the Yankees to the Dragons (a Japanese baseball team). What follows is a period of expected humorous interactions related to cultural arrogance, misunderstanding and conflict. It is a comedy, romantic at times and sporty at times.

But for me personally, when I first watched it, and then rewatched again and again, it taught me about the complexity, sophistication, and stunning beauty of Japanese culture. It taught me about learning my own cultural blindspots and how to learn from another culture. It showed me what could be possible when we attempt to get along. Perhaps this 1992 movie has some 2020 relevance.

As the movie progresses Jack Elliot learns about his own deficiencies, incorporates his learning of Japanese culture into his worldview while at the same time his coach learns to adopt some American culture. It's a synthesis of cultural learning and worth watching.

As a side note, there is a lot of push back today about cultural appropriation (or misappropriation). I don't believe Mr Baseball does that. Instead, what I see is cultural assimilation where both sides learn from each other and emerge stronger and better because of it. Today it would be filmed and edited differently of course, but it was a great help to me learning how to approach other cultures.

Score

Mr Baseball scores a Crescent Moon.

Scoring System

Wolves are thought to commonly howl at the moon. So, the better the moon, the greater the howl. Description of scoring system below.

Full Moon - best you can get, must watch and must own
New Moon - great movie, worth seeing and buying
Crescent Moon - average to above average, good to watch, but may want to wait for DVD
Sliver Moon - below average, not worth seeing and only get it on DVD when you have nothing better to do, like having a root canal
Moonless Night -not even worth mentioning - avoid at all costs!