Thursday, June 27, 2013
Change is Good
I have moved my blog site to http://bobdweber.wordpress.com. Hope you will "Follow me there."
Monday, July 2, 2012
Influence
I asked myself a question today. How do you measure the power of influence? What moves people toward willing redirection of personal values? Who has most influenced me?What was done or said that convinced me to step over the line of decision? I want to live a compelling life...and I'm sure you do to. Just a couple of thoughts for hopeful influencers...
1. Have Convictions Know where you are going and know WHY. Directionless people are like vanishing footprints in the sand. Base your convictions on truths, not just facts. Factual folk want to win arguments, even at he expense of relationships. Keep proving your point and you become irritating. Live your point and you become influential.
2. Stay Fresh. Pay attention to your spirit. Separate yourself out from distractions and duties at the top of your day and invite your Creator to speak to you. Life is much too complex and challenging to outsmart it. You can certainly problem solve with accurate data and good decision making, but you will hit a wall before long. If you want to experience breakthrough, you have to admit your limitations and welcome wisdom, (James 1:5). Wisdom is rare. Influencers know it, and the influenced realize it.
3. Audit Your Attitude. Influencers are cheerful, engaging, and just plain nice. Influencers listen BEFORE advising. Influencers are motivated and calming at the same time! They make you want to jump out the gate rather than feeling pushed off a cliff. Influencers live out what they expect of. Influencers don't back away from truth, but they deliver it with an other-centered attitude that fosters buy in that inspires what I call "Gain Change". It's not putting the schmooze on. That's shallow and selfish. If you want to influence those you love, and those you know, remember...meanness, ego and throwing your weight around have to go!
"Let kindness and truth never leave you. Bind them on your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart." Proverbs 3:3 I read these words many years ago. They weighed on me big time. I was great at truth, but I stunk at kindness. The Heavenly Father spoke His truth kindly to me. I was changed for the better. If you yearn to be a game changer, I encourage you to take this one Bible verse to heart as well.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
A Birthday Blog
When you hit the "Double Nickel" you have lots of rear view mirror reflections.
As a member of the Boomer Nation, spanning ten Presidents, and actually remembering the first ever Super Bowl, I have loads of 20/20 hindsight. Vietnam, Watergate, the OPEC oil embargo, civil rights marches and the assassinations of three prolific national icons (John, Bobby & Martin) are embedded in high school history textbooks...and in my memory. Since the 70's and shoulder length hair, global and personal history has multiplied like a YouTube video gone viral.
34 years married to the love of my life and five grown 'children' later, a few "Double Nickel" lessons learned:
- Don't take yourself so seriously. Lighten up! Wouldn't you rather people look forward to your walking into the room rather than dreading it? Quit crunching your eyebrows and make smiling more intentional. Scowling is harder on your face muscles and on others than you think! Choose to be joyful (a huge upgrade from happiness) and you will keep you and this life in proper perspective.
- Don't stop learning. Age does not necessarily equate to personal growth. If it takes 10,000 hours to become expert at your craft, be invested in yourself. Do whatever it takes to keep growing. Read! Study! Get coached up! I have learned the art of "reverse mentoring" through my young adult kids. Soak up all that you can for as long as you can from as many as you can.
- Live with a sense of your "timeline". The Bible says it like this; "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be" (Psalm 139:16). Stay aware of your human-ness. The most precious currency that you have is time. There will be a conclusion to your life one day. Either forewarned or unexpected, your days on earth are numbered. We have been made to live forever by our Creator, and one day we will report to Him. That can and should be a great day, so live with a sense of accountability throughout your one and only life.
- Give suffering a chance. For most, life is the pursuit of increasing pleasure and reducing pain. Life is just not that neat. Stop complaining about injustice, unfairness and reversals. Suffering is a divine instrument used by God (not always induced by Him) to shape us into compassionate, unselfish and faith-based people. Even when you feel abandoned, the Heavenly Father is at work getting you ready for your big assignment. Apart from suffering, I would still be a card carrying Meist at 55!
- Trust God and leave a legacy. Life is bigger than you. If your "world" is you, your family, your interests, your accomplishments, and your net worth, you are missing out on the bigger picture. "For By His pleasure we are and were created" (Revelation 4:11). The Lord enjoyed making you and delights to lavish you with His kindnesses. "The Lord gives us everything to enjoy" says the Bible. Along your life journey people will at one time or another fail you, as you will them. You may not understand God's ways but you can trust His heart for you. I have learned, seen and can testify that He is absolutely faithful. I will leave my children all that I have materially, but that is not enough. Rather than leaving my mark on this world, I now care much more that my life points others to Him while I am enjoying Him face to face.
I like growing up! It has taken many years for God to be patient with me through my immaturity (and that is being nice about it). A great man once said, "I am what I am by the grace of God". While I am stil here, I am determined to become more than I am by that same grace.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Losing It?
"Slacker Andy" was the real hit of Sunday night's Super Bowl Halftime.
In just 30 seconds, Andy Lewis jumped and flipped around on a tightrope without ANY safeguards while Madonna and Company became HIS backup stage performers. 111.3 million viewers watched in amazement as Slacker Andy did his toga bouncing with fearless precision. Andy became an overnight sensation. His YouTube video view count went viral and offers from huckamucks poured in like Niagara Falls on steroids.
"I started slacklining in 2004, it was my favorite hobby in 2005, my lifestyle in 2006, and since then has pretty much absorbed me entirely."
Talk about a laser type focus! Andy is way committed and fully invested in his slacklining. It's no wonder that the man is beyond astonishing.
Whenever you say "Yes" to your focus, you are also saying "No" to competing distractions. When it comes to making money, courtship, parenting or gator catching, intentional personal discipline to stay the course corrals effort and energy alike for a single life pursuit. We applaud those whose 30 seconds (or 8 seconds if you ride bulls), elevates the once obscured to the globally acclaimed. We award and gawk over those who have lived out our secret dreams.
In the Bible, "self-control" is a character quality of those who have a "soul" desire. So many things are important. Many others are just plain fun. To the spiritually self-controlled, the laser focus of life is to cultivate and know more deeply the heart of God, and then to get in on His agenda. To be distracted or to go off road is simply not an option. That makes what you do the servant of Whose you are. I have gone spiritually off road more than a few times, permitting my faith and loyalty in Christ to be compromised by discouragement, offence, or even just plain laziness.
"The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray." (1Peter 4:7). "Make every effort to add...self-control...possessing this quality in increasing measure." (2 Peter 1:6-8). We can be assured that we are making sustained, viable spiritual progress we prioritize our relationship with the Father and trust Him for every concern and need as a result. As I read the Bible, I am even more amazed with those whose lives are marked by an uncompromising loyalty to Jesus.
I admire folk whose commitment to a single focus point makes them both excellent and expert in their passion. I admire and respect those whose single-minded pursuit of cultivating a life pleasing to God is primary and without question. I desire to emulate the ladder while congratulating the former. Be determined to make your spiritual life your primary life focus. Use the 40 Day Personal Growth Plan located at www.camdenbc.com as a guide for your developing spiritual passion.
Andy is my kind of guy. Love his slacklining passion and excellence! That Brit Chick, M.I.A. with her obscene gesture during that very same Halftime performance...well, she lost all control. Years from now, Andy will still be celebrated, while M.I.A. will be, well...M.I.A.
"I started slacklining in 2004, it was my favorite hobby in 2005, my lifestyle in 2006, and since then has pretty much absorbed me entirely."
Talk about a laser type focus! Andy is way committed and fully invested in his slacklining. It's no wonder that the man is beyond astonishing.
Whenever you say "Yes" to your focus, you are also saying "No" to competing distractions. When it comes to making money, courtship, parenting or gator catching, intentional personal discipline to stay the course corrals effort and energy alike for a single life pursuit. We applaud those whose 30 seconds (or 8 seconds if you ride bulls), elevates the once obscured to the globally acclaimed. We award and gawk over those who have lived out our secret dreams.
In the Bible, "self-control" is a character quality of those who have a "soul" desire. So many things are important. Many others are just plain fun. To the spiritually self-controlled, the laser focus of life is to cultivate and know more deeply the heart of God, and then to get in on His agenda. To be distracted or to go off road is simply not an option. That makes what you do the servant of Whose you are. I have gone spiritually off road more than a few times, permitting my faith and loyalty in Christ to be compromised by discouragement, offence, or even just plain laziness.
"The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray." (1Peter 4:7). "Make every effort to add...self-control...possessing this quality in increasing measure." (2 Peter 1:6-8). We can be assured that we are making sustained, viable spiritual progress we prioritize our relationship with the Father and trust Him for every concern and need as a result. As I read the Bible, I am even more amazed with those whose lives are marked by an uncompromising loyalty to Jesus.
I admire folk whose commitment to a single focus point makes them both excellent and expert in their passion. I admire and respect those whose single-minded pursuit of cultivating a life pleasing to God is primary and without question. I desire to emulate the ladder while congratulating the former. Be determined to make your spiritual life your primary life focus. Use the 40 Day Personal Growth Plan located at www.camdenbc.com as a guide for your developing spiritual passion.
Andy is my kind of guy. Love his slacklining passion and excellence! That Brit Chick, M.I.A. with her obscene gesture during that very same Halftime performance...well, she lost all control. Years from now, Andy will still be celebrated, while M.I.A. will be, well...M.I.A.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Reverse Intimidation
Andre' Rene' Roussemoff weighed in at 240 pounds on his 12th birthday.
He suffered from what has been scientifically labeled as "acromegaly", a genetic disorder that hyper graduates growth. Andre'grew into his adult seven foot four inch frame, his weight fluctuating between 475 to 540 pounds upon arrival into his full manhood. He became the global wrestling icon, "Andre' the Giant" and was hyped as the "Babyfaced Monster".
Andre', simply put, was a massive human being. His opponents were dwarfed in comparison to his physical huge-ness. Once the bell rung, the beat down was on as the Giant took over!
Intimidation can be packaged in all kinds of ways. Imposing oneself upon the weakness, inadequacy or easily over-matched is happening right now in a marriage somewhere. A brow beating husband bullies his wife. An over the top Mom is forcing her will and interests upon a seemingly unmotivated young child. In the workplace today, a manager strong arms a subordinate team member with body language sending the message; "Remember who is in charge here...". A Shift Supervisor will curse in disgust, shaming the laborer whose mistake has just been magnified 100 times beyond necessary. If you have ever raised your voice, you know the intent of your volume adjustment. Get your point across forcefully and with prowess. Put the intimidation factor in play and you are in control.
It feels pretty good unless you are the one being intimidated and controlled!
The God of the Bible does not use intimidation as an attention grabber. He has a greater, more convincing approach; gentleness. Jesus said of Himself that He was 'gentle', which made Him approachable, (Matthew 11:28-29). God is NOT bombastic. He is majestic, mighty, awesome and holy, yet He appeals to you and I by entreating us with His gentleness. The term itself does not emasculate the God of the Bible into some sort of weak-willed Deity. In exercising His gentleness, we realize that He willingly constrains His justice to extend His mercy. In spite of knowing our inadequacies, shortcomings and full scale nastiness, the Heavenly Father chooses not to treat us as our sins deserve.
He has the power and the reasons to do so, but instead chooses to multiply His kindnesses to us.
"Gentleness" is one of the evidences of the Father's operation in your life, developing your character to align with His. Galatians 5:22-23 provides us with His list of spiritually induced character qualities and essentials that define those who bear His name; "Christian". When you are growing in gentleness;
You willingly wait rather than force your will on others,
You withhold judgment and prefer to extend mercy,
You voluntarily restrain yourself from playing the "Authority Card",
You consider God's gentleness with you before you say a word.
Andre' the Giant was known for being a gentle soul. He used his brut force peddling the drama of professional wrestling, but beyond that, was not known as an intimidator. Real giants could use an Andre' sized dose of gentleness as described in Galatians 5:22-23.
If this is an area of you life that needs some adjustments, visit www.camdenbc.com and get in on our 40 Day Personal Growth Plan. When you plan to grow...you will!
He suffered from what has been scientifically labeled as "acromegaly", a genetic disorder that hyper graduates growth. Andre'grew into his adult seven foot four inch frame, his weight fluctuating between 475 to 540 pounds upon arrival into his full manhood. He became the global wrestling icon, "Andre' the Giant" and was hyped as the "Babyfaced Monster".
Andre', simply put, was a massive human being. His opponents were dwarfed in comparison to his physical huge-ness. Once the bell rung, the beat down was on as the Giant took over!
Intimidation can be packaged in all kinds of ways. Imposing oneself upon the weakness, inadequacy or easily over-matched is happening right now in a marriage somewhere. A brow beating husband bullies his wife. An over the top Mom is forcing her will and interests upon a seemingly unmotivated young child. In the workplace today, a manager strong arms a subordinate team member with body language sending the message; "Remember who is in charge here...". A Shift Supervisor will curse in disgust, shaming the laborer whose mistake has just been magnified 100 times beyond necessary. If you have ever raised your voice, you know the intent of your volume adjustment. Get your point across forcefully and with prowess. Put the intimidation factor in play and you are in control.
It feels pretty good unless you are the one being intimidated and controlled!
The God of the Bible does not use intimidation as an attention grabber. He has a greater, more convincing approach; gentleness. Jesus said of Himself that He was 'gentle', which made Him approachable, (Matthew 11:28-29). God is NOT bombastic. He is majestic, mighty, awesome and holy, yet He appeals to you and I by entreating us with His gentleness. The term itself does not emasculate the God of the Bible into some sort of weak-willed Deity. In exercising His gentleness, we realize that He willingly constrains His justice to extend His mercy. In spite of knowing our inadequacies, shortcomings and full scale nastiness, the Heavenly Father chooses not to treat us as our sins deserve.
He has the power and the reasons to do so, but instead chooses to multiply His kindnesses to us.
"Gentleness" is one of the evidences of the Father's operation in your life, developing your character to align with His. Galatians 5:22-23 provides us with His list of spiritually induced character qualities and essentials that define those who bear His name; "Christian". When you are growing in gentleness;
You willingly wait rather than force your will on others,
You withhold judgment and prefer to extend mercy,
You voluntarily restrain yourself from playing the "Authority Card",
You consider God's gentleness with you before you say a word.
Andre' the Giant was known for being a gentle soul. He used his brut force peddling the drama of professional wrestling, but beyond that, was not known as an intimidator. Real giants could use an Andre' sized dose of gentleness as described in Galatians 5:22-23.
If this is an area of you life that needs some adjustments, visit www.camdenbc.com and get in on our 40 Day Personal Growth Plan. When you plan to grow...you will!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
It's All Good
"Am I a good man?"
The scene is Normandy Beach in France. The now aged Private James Francis Ryan kneels at the gravesite of Captain John Miller pondering the worth of his life. It was Captain Miller who found the lone surviving Ryan son/brother in Spielberg's epic, "Saving Private Ryan". Through the sacrifice of his life and others, Captain Miller secured for James a future that he and his comrades would never personally realize.
Contemplating his life now mostly lived the former Private recalls the heroism that insured his life and the Ryan surname. "Am I a good man?"
Great question. I have asked myself that very question. You probably have as well. What ultimately makes a person "good"? Who decides what "good" is? Others? Your Mama? Friends, your boss, the Sheriff or maybe the IRS, right?
In the Bible, "good" is external expression of an internal kindness. It is more than feeling pity, or being emotionally charged with compassion or well meaning intent. The reason that the young, wealthy decision maker rushed to Jesus for answers was because he was convinced of His true identity by what He did; "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"(Read Mark 9:17-22 for the details.). Goodness is spiritual virtue applied. It is the character of Christ-likeness that oozes out of a believers lifestyle by tangible acts prompted by godly desire. "Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all." (Galatians 6:10). The goodness of the Heavenly Father emanates from the life of the serious minded Christ follower to as those whose life he/she intersects with or is attached to. You know you are a "Do Good-er" when:
Plan to grow in the spiritual inventory that describes an obvious progress maker in matters spiritual according to Galatians 5:22-23). Go to www.camdenbc.com and take the 40 Day Personal Growth Challenge that is designed to bring even more of God's goodness into your life. When the time comes for you to look backwards and self-evaluate, you could be able to honestly celebrate God's goodness toward you and having operated through you in blessing others.
Your life story could be just as epic! Make sure it is.
The scene is Normandy Beach in France. The now aged Private James Francis Ryan kneels at the gravesite of Captain John Miller pondering the worth of his life. It was Captain Miller who found the lone surviving Ryan son/brother in Spielberg's epic, "Saving Private Ryan". Through the sacrifice of his life and others, Captain Miller secured for James a future that he and his comrades would never personally realize.
Contemplating his life now mostly lived the former Private recalls the heroism that insured his life and the Ryan surname. "Am I a good man?"
Great question. I have asked myself that very question. You probably have as well. What ultimately makes a person "good"? Who decides what "good" is? Others? Your Mama? Friends, your boss, the Sheriff or maybe the IRS, right?
In the Bible, "good" is external expression of an internal kindness. It is more than feeling pity, or being emotionally charged with compassion or well meaning intent. The reason that the young, wealthy decision maker rushed to Jesus for answers was because he was convinced of His true identity by what He did; "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"(Read Mark 9:17-22 for the details.). Goodness is spiritual virtue applied. It is the character of Christ-likeness that oozes out of a believers lifestyle by tangible acts prompted by godly desire. "Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all." (Galatians 6:10). The goodness of the Heavenly Father emanates from the life of the serious minded Christ follower to as those whose life he/she intersects with or is attached to. You know you are a "Do Good-er" when:
- When you want to bless more than be blessed.
- When your internal desire to make a difference really makes a difference.
- When His Spirit affirms your motives and your actions toward others.
- When your goodness extends the Father's reputation as the Ultimate Good God.
Plan to grow in the spiritual inventory that describes an obvious progress maker in matters spiritual according to Galatians 5:22-23). Go to www.camdenbc.com and take the 40 Day Personal Growth Challenge that is designed to bring even more of God's goodness into your life. When the time comes for you to look backwards and self-evaluate, you could be able to honestly celebrate God's goodness toward you and having operated through you in blessing others.
Your life story could be just as epic! Make sure it is.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Bad to the Bone
Read this bumper sticker many years ago; "Mean People &$@/#%^*". I bet you read it too.
I have to admit, I agree with this bumper sticker theology. Mean people repel me about as much as the sight and stench of Catfish Charlie, (only scum sucking bottom feeders could be baited by that stuff). Truthfully, I bet I have been like Catfish Charlie to many, many folk through the years. There is no upside to meanness. None.
"Bad" used to mean just that...BAD. I wonder if Michael Jackson can be credited with making bad, good. Folk want to be "bad" now. Bad is the new "good" and has been for some time. Kinda like your 40th Birthday is the the new 39. Rolling Stone Magazine said that Bad Company made great music back in the 70's. Muhammad Ali touted that he was a "Bad Man" after he put a beat down on then Heaveyweight Champion, Sonny Liston. The Marines say that they are looking for a few good men. We "send in the Marines" because they are the "baddest of the bad". If the Marines cross the border...not a good thing for the folk they engage...at all.
I realized the other day that God's kindness drove me to Him and still does. "Do you not know that the kindness of God is meant to lead you to repentance?" (Romans 2:4). When Peter (one tough Catfish Charlie type) realized Who Jesus really was, he fell to his face and worshiped Him. That happened after Jesus filled Pete's boat with more fish than the guys on Big Shrimpin. When Peter realized that was the recipient of God's unmeasured kindness, he dropped to his knees on the spot. Read Luke 5:1-8 and you will see what I mean.
"Let kindness and truth never leave you,(Proverbs 3:3). Some folk love to hit you with the Bible like a Sledgehammer. I guess they have this notion that the God of the Bible is one Bad Man. No wonder so many steer clear of Him and "His people" as much as possible. When His Spirit and truth are alive in you, you can see these evidences;
You will be kind instead of combative,
The inflection of your voice will be inviting,
Your disagreements won't become shouting matches,
You will trump injustice with grace,
Your acts of kindness will lead folk toward the Gospel, not from it.
It's really about spiritual character. Are you growing in God's kindness quotient? In the long run, your spouse, your kids, your work associates, classmates and fellow believers will respond more to you and to Jesus through kindness, not badness. Think about it the next time you feel compelled to put someone in their place. If the Heavenly Father treated you with anything less than His kindness...would you really want that?
Adopt a Personal Growth Plan and start today. Go to www.camdenbc.com and jump into a 40 Day strategy that is being offered so that you can make marked spiritual and character gains in 2012.
And keep away from Catfish Charlie too!
I have to admit, I agree with this bumper sticker theology. Mean people repel me about as much as the sight and stench of Catfish Charlie, (only scum sucking bottom feeders could be baited by that stuff). Truthfully, I bet I have been like Catfish Charlie to many, many folk through the years. There is no upside to meanness. None.
"Bad" used to mean just that...BAD. I wonder if Michael Jackson can be credited with making bad, good. Folk want to be "bad" now. Bad is the new "good" and has been for some time. Kinda like your 40th Birthday is the the new 39. Rolling Stone Magazine said that Bad Company made great music back in the 70's. Muhammad Ali touted that he was a "Bad Man" after he put a beat down on then Heaveyweight Champion, Sonny Liston. The Marines say that they are looking for a few good men. We "send in the Marines" because they are the "baddest of the bad". If the Marines cross the border...not a good thing for the folk they engage...at all.
I realized the other day that God's kindness drove me to Him and still does. "Do you not know that the kindness of God is meant to lead you to repentance?" (Romans 2:4). When Peter (one tough Catfish Charlie type) realized Who Jesus really was, he fell to his face and worshiped Him. That happened after Jesus filled Pete's boat with more fish than the guys on Big Shrimpin. When Peter realized that was the recipient of God's unmeasured kindness, he dropped to his knees on the spot. Read Luke 5:1-8 and you will see what I mean.
"Let kindness and truth never leave you,(Proverbs 3:3). Some folk love to hit you with the Bible like a Sledgehammer. I guess they have this notion that the God of the Bible is one Bad Man. No wonder so many steer clear of Him and "His people" as much as possible. When His Spirit and truth are alive in you, you can see these evidences;
You will be kind instead of combative,
The inflection of your voice will be inviting,
Your disagreements won't become shouting matches,
You will trump injustice with grace,
Your acts of kindness will lead folk toward the Gospel, not from it.
It's really about spiritual character. Are you growing in God's kindness quotient? In the long run, your spouse, your kids, your work associates, classmates and fellow believers will respond more to you and to Jesus through kindness, not badness. Think about it the next time you feel compelled to put someone in their place. If the Heavenly Father treated you with anything less than His kindness...would you really want that?
Adopt a Personal Growth Plan and start today. Go to www.camdenbc.com and jump into a 40 Day strategy that is being offered so that you can make marked spiritual and character gains in 2012.
And keep away from Catfish Charlie too!
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