May

30

“I Am Only One” Wallpaper

Post Category: Creativity, Makes You Think, Social Justice, wallpaper 


This is original artwork I created in Photoshop and turned into a desktop wallpaper reminder that even one person can make a difference. // part of Creative Chaos

Download the “I Am Only One” Wallpaper.
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May

30

The Power Of One

Post Category: Makes You Think, Social Justice 

There are so many problems all around us. We’re facing global poverty, hunger and disease on a massive scale and according to the daily news things aren’t getting better anytime soon. With this kind of discouraging news bombarding us every day it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

Then I read this quote this morning.

“I am only one, but still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
but still I can do something.
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the
something that I can do.”
- Hellen Keller

I was reminded that we cannot let the things we can’t do right now stop us from doing the things we can do.

This goes perfect with a guest blog post that Margaret Feinberg emailed me that is going to be posted next week. I can’t wait for you guys to read it.

In the meantime check out the original artwork I created to remind us that even one person doing the one thing they can do can make a difference.

For a practical thing you can do right now check out and donate to Real Hope For Hati. Read more about what you can do to help here, here and here.

May

29

Smoking Hot Music 1

Post Category: Music Reviews, Smoking Hot Music 


Welcome to the first edition of SMOKING Hot Music! These new albums and artists are simmering in my playlist. Let me know what you think.

Is there new music out there you think is good enough for my SMOKING Hot Music list? Leave a comment with your suggestions.

May

28

Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own

Post Category: Authenticity, Blog Posts, Leadership 

Why I Need A Mentor (and you do too)
I’m a pretty smart guy but I’m pretty sure that, if left to my self, I would have screwed up my life a long time ago. Most of the most important decisions I’ve made in life I didn’t made by myself. I have been blessed with many people through the years who have spoken into my life and help shape me into the person I am today.

I can directly link two pivotal life decisions I’ve made to a couple people God strategically placed in my life at the right time.

1996-1999
The first was my high school vocational school teacher, Bill Aumock. He was the one who provided the inspiration and instruction to help launch my graphic design career in my early 20s. I learned Photoshop, taught my first class, learned the ins and outs of the design industry and secured my first design jobs because of him.

2003
Another important individual that helped change the course of my life was a missionary named Bob McCoy that pastored our church for a few months while the pastor was on a sabbatical. It was a conversation my wife and I had with him that launched us into our first full-time ministry in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

I’m not foolish enough to think I have the ability to make it through life alone. I’m constantly seeking out and listening to wise, godly individuals to grow as a leader and a person. I have lived by this principle:

You will only be successful in your life, ministry or occupation to the degree that you invite and listen to the counsel of wise people.

This past weekend we had the chance to hang with John & Leslie Kindler. This couple has mentored us in recent years and have grown to be very dear friends to Lisa and I. John is a former successful executive with Lincoln Life Insurance with a wealth of wisdom and experience drawn from years of leading and learning. Lisa and I have grown so much as a couple and in ministry because of our time with them. They have helped us work through some difficult situations and remain close friends.

The thing I love about having people like John & Leslie in my life is knowing that no matter how difficult or confusing the situation, we’re not going through it alone. I know that I can call them any time and get invaluable counsel and insight. More importantly, it’s not a one-way relationship. They care enough about Lisa and I to pick up the phone to check on us, encourage and pray for us.

People like John & Leslie have become part of our life story. And that’s what a mentor does. They come along side you and help you with those tough chapters in your life. They love you enough to speak the truth to you. And they encourage you no matter how bleak the situation looks.

Do you have someone in your life that you would consider a mentor? How have you benefited from that relationship?

May

27

I Get Knocked Down, But I Get Up Again

Post Category: Authenticity 

I spent the holiday weekend without kids sleeping in something other than a hotel bed and was able to gain a little perspective. It seems that the kind of fresh perspective you need to make it through hard times comes best when you take a few steps back from the situation at hand. That was what I did this weekend with the help of our good friends and spiritual mentors.

One thing I try to do on this blog is be completely honest and transparent about what I’m thinking and feeling. Sometimes that comes in the form of posts like these. But I also try to be equally honest about my “ah ha!” moments. You know what I’m talking about. They’re the times when you’ve read the same verse 500 times but all of a sudden it jumps off the page and slaps you in the face. Like, so hard it leaves a big hand-print on your cheek.

That’s what happened this morning when I read this.

“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don’t give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10,17-18)

I realized that I had a serious case of not being able to see the forest of God’s provision because I was focusing on the trees of my present circumstances. Every so often it helps to get a God’s-eye perspective on what you’re going through.

Do you remember those inflatable clowns we had when we were kids? They were weighted in the bottom so every time you punched that annoying clown face it would fall down to the ground and then in a second bounce right back up again. It’s that kind of persistence that keeps bouncing back up with a big grin on it’s face that those verses are talking about. No matter the circumstances, no matter the obstacles, no matter the frustration, we take hit after hit and keep bouncing back!

Or in the words of that song we all sang from the 90s,

I get knocked down, but I get up again. You’re never going to keep me down!

Yeah, I know. Now that song is going to be stuck in your head all day. You’re welcome.

May

24

My View Today

Post Category: Creativity 

My view today as sketched in my Moleskine. // Creative Chaos

May

23

“Be The Change” Wallpaper

Post Category: Blog Posts, Creativity, wallpaper 

Here’s a original desktop wallpaper I created to remind us that the change we want to see in the world starts with us. Choose your resolution below.

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May

23

Be The Change You Wish To See

Post Category: Blog Posts, Makes You Think 

I Want To Change The WorldBefore we looked at more houses last night we stopped for dinner. We were still dealing with all of the frustrations of yesterday’s news and just wanted an hour to enjoy dinner, live music and forget that we still didn’t have a home.

We chose a little Irish Pub in downtown Carmel and sat outside listening to the 2-man band expecting good food and fun music. The two guys singing covers of Bob Marley and John Lennon were definitely the highlight of our dinner, and that’s not saying much.

The food was terrible and the service was even worse. Our server took forever to take our order and bring us our food and then still got it wrong. I spoke to the manager about the terrible food and service but didn’t get a dime taken off our bill.

In the van after we left I told Lisa how amazed I was at the ineptitude of people today. It seems that people just don’t care about things like quality, service and customer satisfaction.

But then I was reminded of this quote by Ghandi,

Be the change you wish to see in the world.

There’s plenty of people doing a half-a** job these days. You don’t need me to tell you that. But what are you doing to change that? Are you living out the change you wish to see in the world?

  • Don’t you love when a company goes the extra mile to ensure your satisfaction? When was the last time you went above and beyond and did more than was required of you?
  • I’ve gotten free drinks at Starbucks before just because and it makes my day. Have you ever paid for a stranger’s meal or paid down someone’s gas you didn’t know?
  • I love it when someone takes the time to tell me I’m doing a good job. It reminds me how much we all need affirmation. Have you ever jotted a little thank you note for the hotel staff that cleans your room or left a “way to go!” and a extra tip for great service?
  • Pleasant people at the drive-through window are so rare but they always brighten my day. When did you walk into the gas station to pay for your gas with a smile on your face and small talk with the person behind the register? Trust me they see enough grumpy people with the gas prices these days!

You get the idea. We can either complain about the way things are or we can be a part of the change we want to see. In the words of the guy Ghandi stole his idea from, Do unto others as you would have them do to you - Jesus.

What really bugs you? What can you do to live out the change you want to see?

BONUS: Download the “Be The Change” desktop

May

22

Pardon Me While I Vent

Post Category: Blog Posts, venting 

I am trying to keep a good attitude but I’m not doing so good. I’m so pissed off right now!

Remember that condo we’ve been trying to close on? Back in the beginning of April we had an approved offer for $125k which was a really good deal. Then we’re heading back from Florida for the closing when jerk-face mortgage guy (that’s what I’ve been calling him lately) called us up to tell us that we weren’t going to be able to close because he couldn’t get us approved. He tells us this the day before we were supposed to close! Which leaves us scrambling to find a place to live in the meantime while we explore other mortgage options. We’re going on our third week of living in a hotel which gets pretty old!

Lisa has been doing an amazing job of checking out other banks that will work with us. Our challenge has been because I’m self-employed and don’t have two years of tax returns as a self-employed contractor. That combined with the current mortgage issues that the market is facing makes getting a loan quite fun!

So Lisa finally found a local bank that would work with us and we get our pre-approval letter together and call back on the condo. They sold it on Tuesday for $145k! Not only did we lose the condo but we lost a chance to get a great deal and have instant equity! Do you see why I need to vent?

I know that God must have something better (you do God, right?) but that doesn’t make this any easier! I’m just so ready to be over this mountain and get settled in a house.

Keep praying - for Lisa, the kids, our house (and my attitude). And thanks for listening to me vent.

May

22

No More Flat Tires

Post Category: Blog Posts, Church Leadership, Leadership, Makes You Think 

Photos of a radical new tire design have been floating around the net recently. These innovation could redefine transportation by changing how “the rubber meets the road.”

This integrated tire/wheel combination was designed by Michelin and is called a TWEEL (tire/wheel). It represents signifcant changes in the future of mobility.

Imagine what this could mean:

  • Not having to fill up your tires at the gas station
  • No more flat tires on the side of the road
  • No more dangerous blow-outs while you’re driving down the expressway.

This technology is still being developed and could be years away (assuming it’s even viable at all). But it represents an important reminder for all of us.

NEVER STOP QUESTIONING THE PROCESS!

The way it’s “always been done” isn’t necessarily the best way. It may just be the only way we know right now. It’s simple innovations like an airless tire that can redefine an entire industry and change our day to day lives.

I don’t care what you do or where you work I GUARANTEE that there are things you or your organization do that can be improved upon. There are probably processes that can be replaced or even eliminated that no one has thought to change.

Ask yourself these questions of yourself or your organization on a daily basis:

  • What things do I do that can be improved?
  • How can I simplify complex tasks?
  • What processes can be eliminated entirely?
  • What am I doing right now that is no longer relevant my clients or industry?
  • Am I doing things the way that I am because it’s the best way to do it or because it’s the way I’ve always done it?

Never underestimate the power of paradigm shifts and NEVER stop looking for them.

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