A couple of researchers from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley wrote a research paper a couple of years ago that took on, what they called, the "myth of the garage." This myth goes like this: the garage "evokes the image of the lone individual who relies primarily on his or her extraordinary efforts and talent to triumph." There has been much written about the theory many people have of the deeply gifted person who overcomes great odds to achieve great things. These people just have more talent than the rest of us. As it turns out, these people don't exist. Hard work, it seems, trumps talent. In addition to hard work, it helps to have people who support and encourage you along the way.
The predominant theory of those "outliers," as Malcom Gladwell calls them, who make it big despite it all, are figments of our imagination. As you approach your career, your relationships and your future, it might help to know that if it feels like hard work, you're on the right path!

I'm reading an article about transforming the workplace to bring out the best in people. I think some of the principles are directly related to work in the Church. As I read, I was reminded of the blessings I receive in doing what I do. Perhaps not every pastor would agree with me, but leading in the church is "the best workplace on earth."
The article lists these characteristics gleaned from hundreds of executives from around the world. If a "dream" organization would have these basic elements:
1. You can be yourself
2. You're told what's really going on
3. Your strengths are magnified
4. The company stands for something meaningful
5. Your daily work is rewarding
6. Stupid rules don't exist
These things seem to be common sense but as Voltaire said "Common sense is not so common.” As I look at my work, I find it to be so invigorating that these six elements are self-evident. Yet for some people, I'm sure it isn't the same. Perhaps Henry Ford was right: “Don't find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain." If your in a position of leadership, how can you change your organization to become a "dream" organization? If you are not in a position to make the organization change, how can you start living differently so as to begin to influence the organization? After all, for things to change, somebody has to start living differently.

The story of Jesus driving out the money changers from the temple always seemed a curious story to me. "He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts." Like much of the Bible, we can look at this story as something outside of ourselves. We might say: "the temple no longer exists and this story shows Jesus passion for it." But what if the temple still exists? What if the temple is our hearts? What if Jesus passion is for hearts to be solely His, dedicated to Him? What if we are the ones who clutter the temple with stuff that keep us from loving Him?
As I look at my own heart (and life), I am struck with how easy it is to fill both with tables and doves and all sort of stuff (merchandise). I am also aware that I am incapable of doing anything about it. Then Jesus shows up. No longer is the story curious, it makes me gasp. Jesus won't let me settle. He points out the clutter, the ways I have chosen, sometimes slowly, for the appearance of religiosity, without the power of a living, vibrant relationship with Him. I don't want to spend my time selling doves and being preoccupied with activity that does nothing more than bring clutter into my life. I often find Jesus waiting to be invited to enter into those places in my heart that are filled with so much clutter there is not much room for anything else. Jesus won't just takes His place among all that stuff. He'll clean it out. His passion for me is too great to let me continue to be distracted, to fill more and more of my heart with that which keeps me from seeing and loving God. I pray for the grace to allow Jesus to do whatever needs to be cleansed in the temple that is my heart.

This is the name of a sub-section of a chapter in a book I'm reading.  The point is that the media manipulates those who watch, seeking ways to "cash-in" on our anxiety.  Ever wonder why companies advertise during such depressing programming like the nightly news?  Who would want their product associated with so many tragic and frightening stories?  According to a theory called "terror-management" anxiety and fear producing stories triggers something in our brains.  We are faced with out own mortality which leads to a desire to counter those feelings with something that might create a sense of comfort that we seek in order to counter our feelings of powerlessness.  Maybe buying that item being advertised will give us hope and security?
Of course as disciples, we know where our hope and security are to be found, in Jesus and Jesus alone.  But be careful.  These suggestions from the media/advertisers are pretty powerful.  I have a recommendation,  how about taking a break from TV news, talk radio, magazines and websites that profit from our anxiety and fear.  I don't think the world will end if you are not watching every story of a crisis unfold.  You'll hear about them anyway.... which is a good thing so that you can pray for the victims (Boston and West, Texas come to mind).  But you don't have to become a victim yourself by monitoring every second of the news as it unfolds.

In the message yesterday, I said that  Jesus meddles with our stuff.  Why?  Because He wants us to thrive more than we ourselves do. Left to our own, we lose our way.  If we don't stop, pause, think, reflect, and pray we will find ourselves miles down a road we don't want to be on.   So I am sitting here on a Monday morning, before the sun is even up, stopped, on pause, thinking, reflecting and praying  about how true it is that we are bombarded with what the world wants us to believe.  There is a force outside of ourselves that seeks to limit us.  I am aware of it and then I forget.  My prayer this morning is for a heightened awareness and the Grace to choose the path God has set before me.  That is my prayer for you as well.
Have a blessed Monday.

​As you can tell from my last post, planning is a good thing! I've just returned from a two day retreat with the leadership team doing just that! We've put together, prayerfully, a plan for the next year or so of topics matching the five pillars of ministry at COTHA. These topics will be taught throughout the congregation. I'm buzzing with excitement about what this will mean for all of us. We know the context of ministry and mission God has given us. We are now seeing some of the benefits that this clarity is bringing us. This is going to be good!

​I can't remember where I got this but this is a prayer that inspires me:
Dear God,
You keep creating and creating:
New stars, new plants, new animals, new thoughts, new lives.
When You said: Let there be Light
You did not worry about the electricity bill.
When You thought of creating man and woman as companions,
You did not stop and say: Wait—maybe they won’t love me.
You do not spend time thinking up criticisms about Your creations
Nor do You hold back in any way in Your endeavors.
O Glorious God, I am free and I now create like You!
I create fearlessly, with great love, purpose and passion.
From the smallest detail
To the largest project
I am inspired to work with Your ardor.
My creative fire is awakened within me
For You are creative, Lord,
And I am made in Your image and likeness.
I have a right to create,
I am in the Flow Of Your Ideas,
And I flourish through my creativity.
Thank You, God, that I am creative.
And so it is.
Amen.