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Random Thoughts

You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?

Most of us have heard, “They can talk the talk, but can they walk the walk?” In other words, talk is cheap and results are the real way to judge. Those who merely talk are hypocrites.

The phrase implies it’s easier and more common to talk the talk than walk the walk. Flash is easier to achieve than substance.

But I’m not so sure that is true. At least not in the non-profit world. It seems to me there are far more people walking the walk than talking the talk.

I know a lot of people who are doing great …

Random Thoughts,

The New Cultural Arrogance

Some of my recent reading has been by authors in the New Atheists camp. You know, all those bestselling authors who love trying to dismantle Christianity and other faiths. They’ve grown highly recognized in the last decade or so.

Reading the arguments put forth by the critics of my faith sharpens my own thinking. There are several authors who make strong arguments. I don’t agree with the arguments, but they are well thought out and presented without a lot of emotional angst or condescending insults. They are well worth reading.

Sadly, there are some who are total nut cases. They …

Book Reviews, Random Thoughts,

The Man in the White Suit

Okay, I admit it, I’m a huge fan of the BBC show Top Gear. Maybe it’s for middle aged guys who fantasize about driving like Mario Andretti, but it is one of the few shows that makes me laugh out loud. As you can see in the photo on the right, I even have a Stig t-shirt (thank you, D’Aun, for the awesome Father’s Day gift).

You might be asking, “Who or what is the Stig?” Glad you asked. Top Gear is a show about cars, so they take cars onto their test track for timed laps. They want …

Random Thoughts,

Best Way To Die

Came across this and just had to share it. Not sure who made it, so I can’t give credit. But whoever did was onto something!

…

Junkyard Management, Random Thoughts,

Intention Allows for the Organic

A recent workshop had me thinking about the importance of being intentional.

The things we call “organic” in an organization, movement, or other endeavor are actually changes, connections, serendipitous moments, and unexpected consequences of something that was originally intentional. The intention creates the environment for the organic to happen.

Now this might seem obvious to you. I suppose it is obvious. But I’ve never heard anybody express it before. Maybe I haven’t been listening? Whatever, it’s an interesting insight that I want to ponder a bit.

You see, things can happen intentional or organically. Said another way, you can plan …

Random Thoughts,

Laggards and Competitors

A little something to start off the weekend …

The culture around me is competitive. Whether for-profit or non-profit, workouts or cookouts, country club or foreign country, I am often surrounded by highly competitive people. They don’t want to fall behind; many live in fear of being the laggard.

There is a different way. Columbanus wrote, “Obey your seniors, keep up with your juniors, equal your equals, emulate the perfect … Do not envy your betters, or grieve at those who surpass you, or censure those who fall behind …”

A devotional that I read added this insight:

“In other …

Random Thoughts,

Pastoring the Old Fashioned Way

My daily reading came across this short piece by St. Bede in which he describes such legendary Celtic church leaders as Aidan and Finan. It made me think, “That’s the kind of religious leader I’d like to see in every organization.” Here’s what he wrote:

“The sole concern of the teachers of those days was to serve God, not the world, and to feed the soul, not the belly. The religious habit, therefore, was held in great respect at the time, so that whenever a cleric or monk appeared he was welcomed gladly by everyone as a servant of …

Random Thoughts,

Interruptions

I was drafting a blog post that began with a personal observation about interruptions. As the draft evolved the insight didn’t fit the overall message. I almost cut it completely but then decided it deserved it’s own space. So here it is. Let me know what you think.

One of the great challenges of our age is taking the time to reflect. This is all the more true in our walk of faith. We are surrounded by distractions and it is difficult to keep God in the forefront of our thoughts.

Years ago I read a classic devotional book that …