Excellence is the state or quality of excelling. I never have liked definitions of words that include a form of the word itself in the definition. That's just a side thought though. This morning I read another article on excellence, pursuing excellence, seeking excellence, striving for excellence, accepting only excellence, and settling for nothing short of excellence. The author suggest, if we cannot do something with excellence we should not do it, or even attempt to do whatever it is.
I thought about that for a very long time today and have decided that excellence can be very limiting. Most of the things I do are not excellent by my standards and certainly not by my critics standards. Much of what I do though is pretty good, and more often than not, good is excellent. I'm discovering the excellence concept is stifling. When I think about all the wonderful, crazy, insane good ideas that turned out far better than ever imagined, I realize that excellence is over rated.
So I am not a fan of excellence. Excellence becomes an unrealistic standard setting people up to fail. That's why I'm a fan of good.
My son has been has been saying this unknown to me quote lately, "If the sky is the limit, there would never be footsteps on the moon." Those footsteps are a collection of really good ideas, and not one of those ideas alone was excellent. I think excellence is over rated, I think excellence is an illusion that wastes time and energy or worse, stops good from growing.
Do something good today, if it turns out to be excellent well, that's excellent!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Forgiveness
I heard a great definition of forgiveness this week. To forgive means, we will never bring up the topic again with the person we are forgiving and we will never bring it up to anyone else again, ever.
Yes, we'll still remember the transgression and yes at times the pain of the memory will hit us with a force beyond our endurance and at times it will seem like it just happened yesterday. When we forgive though, we let go and the only way to do that is to never mention it again. The pain stays, we no longer name it, we rob it of it's power with our silence, and yet we remember.
God doesn't remember, Is 43:25 "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.
That's the difference between us and perfection, we remember, He blots out. Our sins are as if they have never occurred, never to be brought up again, never to be remembered.
In His perfection we are made perfect.
Yes, we'll still remember the transgression and yes at times the pain of the memory will hit us with a force beyond our endurance and at times it will seem like it just happened yesterday. When we forgive though, we let go and the only way to do that is to never mention it again. The pain stays, we no longer name it, we rob it of it's power with our silence, and yet we remember.
God doesn't remember, Is 43:25 "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.
That's the difference between us and perfection, we remember, He blots out. Our sins are as if they have never occurred, never to be brought up again, never to be remembered.
In His perfection we are made perfect.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Responsibility
I subscribe to one magazine, it comes out eleven times a year, after you read four or five issues they all start sounding the same. I still like it, the back issues pile up and since they all are basically the same, they always seem new. Deep reading it is not, but as I said I like it.
Recently they sent me a postcard to inform me that a. my subscription is do for renewal and b. the last time I subscribed I registered for automatic renewal at a significant savings off the cover price. So far so good right? Knowing things are not always as they appear, I called the company to find out how they defined significant. The cover price is $38.50 per year, my significant savings off cover price renewal offer was $21.95. 43% savings is significant indeed. Funny thing is though, inside of the magazine there is an offer to renew one year for $15.00 which represents a savings of 62%, I'd call that more significant. Funnier yet, they offer a three year renewal for $10.00 per year, or 75% off the cover price, now that's highly significant... The best part of the phone call, when they asked me where I got that savings certificate. Could have heard a pin drop when I told them to open to page 27 and they could read it themselves.
My church is currently doing a series called "text", it's all about getting into the bible and checking it out for yourself, and that's important. As I learned from my magazine ordeal it's important to check things out for yourself, because if you don't you could miss something highly significant. That's called responsibility, check things out for yourself. Read the bible, study God's word, train yourself to hear his voice, learn the significance of Christ firsthand. You see, often times the best offer is found after doing a little reading.
Recently they sent me a postcard to inform me that a. my subscription is do for renewal and b. the last time I subscribed I registered for automatic renewal at a significant savings off the cover price. So far so good right? Knowing things are not always as they appear, I called the company to find out how they defined significant. The cover price is $38.50 per year, my significant savings off cover price renewal offer was $21.95. 43% savings is significant indeed. Funny thing is though, inside of the magazine there is an offer to renew one year for $15.00 which represents a savings of 62%, I'd call that more significant. Funnier yet, they offer a three year renewal for $10.00 per year, or 75% off the cover price, now that's highly significant... The best part of the phone call, when they asked me where I got that savings certificate. Could have heard a pin drop when I told them to open to page 27 and they could read it themselves.
My church is currently doing a series called "text", it's all about getting into the bible and checking it out for yourself, and that's important. As I learned from my magazine ordeal it's important to check things out for yourself, because if you don't you could miss something highly significant. That's called responsibility, check things out for yourself. Read the bible, study God's word, train yourself to hear his voice, learn the significance of Christ firsthand. You see, often times the best offer is found after doing a little reading.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Auditing or Applying
So... ever have one of those moments with a friend when you innocently ask something and they proceed to tee off on you? You're completely caught off guard, you're biting down hard on that tongue of yours and trying not to say anything that will add fuel to the fire, and you're hurt. It's kind of a drag, I was recently in that spot.
Let me paraphrase the wise sage Dr. Seuss, "Oh the thoughts you'll think", in my shock, I also discovered most of those thoughts should never be uttered, nope not even once. Some people have good days and bad days, others have good days and better days. I lean towards good days and better days myself. What happens when someone decides to make their bad day yours also? You have to respond, you really only have two choices.
Choice number one, you choose to audit the bible. You know what the bible says, you know what you should do, and your gonna do just that, next time. Cuz this time someone needs to be put in their place and your just the person to do it.
Choice number two is application. Nehemiah 5:15... "But out of reverence for God I did not act like that." Out of reverence we hold our tongues, out of reverence we honor God, out of reverence we live our faith. This time I applied the bible, I hope I do next time also.
Let me paraphrase the wise sage Dr. Seuss, "Oh the thoughts you'll think", in my shock, I also discovered most of those thoughts should never be uttered, nope not even once. Some people have good days and bad days, others have good days and better days. I lean towards good days and better days myself. What happens when someone decides to make their bad day yours also? You have to respond, you really only have two choices.
Choice number one, you choose to audit the bible. You know what the bible says, you know what you should do, and your gonna do just that, next time. Cuz this time someone needs to be put in their place and your just the person to do it.
Choice number two is application. Nehemiah 5:15... "But out of reverence for God I did not act like that." Out of reverence we hold our tongues, out of reverence we honor God, out of reverence we live our faith. This time I applied the bible, I hope I do next time also.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Simple Prayer
Still my heart and mind Lord that I may hear the things you hear. Guide my thoughts Lord that your thoughts are my thoughts. Quiet my words so that your words will be heard. Make me aware of you in my life.
Awareness brings knowledge. Jesus died, was buried, and he rose again. Three facts that lead to action. Stand firm, let nothing move you, always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord.(1 Cor 15:58)
Awareness, knowledge, and action three small steps in pursuit of him.
Awareness brings knowledge. Jesus died, was buried, and he rose again. Three facts that lead to action. Stand firm, let nothing move you, always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord.(1 Cor 15:58)
Awareness, knowledge, and action three small steps in pursuit of him.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Unlikely Hero
I have found a new hero in a place I never would have suspected, my latest hero is a beauty pageant contestant. No, she's not my hero for her outer beauty, she's my hero for the inner beauty she allowed the nation to see when she was placed in one of those rare moments in time when the next 60 seconds will define her next 60 years.
Carrie Prejean, Miss California was seemingly moments away from achieving a lifetime goal of winning the Miss America Contest, the tiara was within her grasp, and with the answer to one question the dreams of a young girl becoming Miss America ended. Carrie was simply asked what her thoughts were on gay marriage, I am certain she knew
that her answer would determine whether or not she would win the crown. Carrie spoke from her heart and declared marriage "should be between a man and a woman." Instantly he response became the "answer heard round the world."
I'm not familiar with how one becomes a contestant in the Miss USA contest, I'm sure it takes years of practice, dozens, countless prior pageants and thousands of hours of preparation. I think winning Miss USA would be the ultimate goal for pageant contestants. When Carrie Prejean answered it was the equivalent of Tiger Woods needing a two foot putt to win the Masters, and picking it up. Brett Farve needing to make a key first down in the Superbowl instead takes a knee. Michael Jordan with the clock running down, holds on to the ball rather than taking the winning shot. It was in her power to reach the pinnacle, but not if it meant selling out her beliefs. That's why a pageant contestant is my new hero.
She did the right thing. Today she is being both vilified and commended for her response. Had she answered the way the eventual winner did "I'm not going to say whether or not I think it should be defined as marriage because that's up to our politicans and our elected officials.", she would have sold out.
The bible tells us not to store up treasures on earth, rather we should store up treasures in heaven. The bible says let your yes be yes, with her answer Carrie Prejean choose the ways of God, not man. Today Miss Prejean you are my hero.
Carrie Prejean, Miss California was seemingly moments away from achieving a lifetime goal of winning the Miss America Contest, the tiara was within her grasp, and with the answer to one question the dreams of a young girl becoming Miss America ended. Carrie was simply asked what her thoughts were on gay marriage, I am certain she knew
that her answer would determine whether or not she would win the crown. Carrie spoke from her heart and declared marriage "should be between a man and a woman." Instantly he response became the "answer heard round the world."
I'm not familiar with how one becomes a contestant in the Miss USA contest, I'm sure it takes years of practice, dozens, countless prior pageants and thousands of hours of preparation. I think winning Miss USA would be the ultimate goal for pageant contestants. When Carrie Prejean answered it was the equivalent of Tiger Woods needing a two foot putt to win the Masters, and picking it up. Brett Farve needing to make a key first down in the Superbowl instead takes a knee. Michael Jordan with the clock running down, holds on to the ball rather than taking the winning shot. It was in her power to reach the pinnacle, but not if it meant selling out her beliefs. That's why a pageant contestant is my new hero.
She did the right thing. Today she is being both vilified and commended for her response. Had she answered the way the eventual winner did "I'm not going to say whether or not I think it should be defined as marriage because that's up to our politicans and our elected officials.", she would have sold out.
The bible tells us not to store up treasures on earth, rather we should store up treasures in heaven. The bible says let your yes be yes, with her answer Carrie Prejean choose the ways of God, not man. Today Miss Prejean you are my hero.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Inertia Part II
My last post was intended to convey a simple message, two of my esteemed colleagues have pointed out the simple message was not necessarily clear. It is to them I dedicate this summary.
We are all creatures of habit, if we are in the habit of reaching out and helping others we will continue to do so. Our efforts will connect us with like minded individuals who are also excited to reach out, this connection to others will create a synergy, momentum, or inertia. Our energies will feed off each other, and we will become further charged to continue and increase the work we do. As Newton states: "A body in motion tends to stay in motion."
The converse is true, we know what we should do, but we don't do it. The longer we remain at rest, the more familiar that habit becomes, we end up doing nothing. The more nothing we do, makes doing something all the harder, and that is a bad thing. As Newton stated, "A body at rest tends to stay at rest." Today is too important to let it pass without making a positive contribution.
So, get your cold weather gear on, start doing something, and get in the game. We are created in the image of God, and he came to us a servant, so lets serve.
We are all creatures of habit, if we are in the habit of reaching out and helping others we will continue to do so. Our efforts will connect us with like minded individuals who are also excited to reach out, this connection to others will create a synergy, momentum, or inertia. Our energies will feed off each other, and we will become further charged to continue and increase the work we do. As Newton states: "A body in motion tends to stay in motion."
The converse is true, we know what we should do, but we don't do it. The longer we remain at rest, the more familiar that habit becomes, we end up doing nothing. The more nothing we do, makes doing something all the harder, and that is a bad thing. As Newton stated, "A body at rest tends to stay at rest." Today is too important to let it pass without making a positive contribution.
So, get your cold weather gear on, start doing something, and get in the game. We are created in the image of God, and he came to us a servant, so lets serve.
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