Faith Venture

Wisdom Needed

July 13, 2023

The publicist sent an early copy of a book for me to review. Wisdom Factory by Tim Dasey, Ph.D. He is an MIT professor (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) thinking about the future of work.

I’ve not finished it, yet, but I just waded through a chapter on left brain/right brain physiology. You may have heard about left brain detail-oriented analytical thinking and right brain generalist whole scene thinking. Of course, it’s more complicated than that, but we needn’t delve further.

Dasey’s argument is that we need less detail-oriented analytical thinking (not none, just less) like your typical engineer, I guess and more what he calls wisdom or thinking more generally about why rather than what. Future workers—and not only managers—will need to incorporate more wisdom into their work.

Have you observed the phenomenon of detail-oriented versus big picture amongst people in the religious or spiritual life?

Some people have memorized huge chunks of the Bible, yet seem to have missed the theme. They know lots of “what” and little “why.”

Even worse than missing the “why” is failing to infuse the why into everyday life.

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One Little Comment Makes A Difference

July 12, 2023

It was my first week at elementary school. An older kid made a comment. It was probably one of those weak joke comments kids (and adults) sometimes make. That comment influenced a behavior during my next 10 years at school. And decades later I still recall the scene.

Take care with what you say. A word of encouragement can change a life. One derogatory comment can also change a life.

Which would you rather receive, even today?

Which would you like to say?

Be one who encourages at all times. Don’t be the person who destroys dreams.

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Following the Flock

July 11, 2023

A flock of red-winged blackbirds with a few Brewer’s blackbirds covered the lawns outside my office window this morning.

As if on a hidden signal, they all took off in flight.

Except for one. I saw a black head pop up above the grass. It looked around for a few seconds. The bird then took off in the same direction as its flock even though the flock was out of sight by that time.

How often we humans are like that. The flock takes off—say they all join an online social network. Those of us not in the main flock look up, wonder where they all went, then take off to join them.

I turned. On the bookcase opposite is a collection of books called the Great Books of the Western World. They are organized along a timeline from the ancient Greeks to William James and Freud. I noticed how some are grouped. There were Platonists/neo-Platonists and Aristotelians. Then the ones who shattered the idea of mind/body divorcing mind from spirit from body to those trying to reconnect. Sort of like following a new flock.

We think we have the final ideas, the final answers, the complete truth. Following a flock. Then the next generation comes along. A new flock that everyone will follow for a while.

Then there are those of us who just don’t feel like part of the flock pursuing new ideas.

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Direction Not Destination

July 10, 2023

Kevin Kelly, author and writer, observed, “Looking ahead, focus on direction rather than destinations. Maintain the right direction, and you’ll arrive at where you want to go.”

I used to run, or jog, or whatever you call it. This was not so that I could run 5Ks or 10Ks or marathons. It was so I could keep up with play while refereeing soccer. Soccer is mostly sprints and jogs and walks. Going to the park and just going for 3-4 miles was not really enjoyable.

I noticed that it was a better day when I just focused on the next step plus my breathing. Focusing on the end point bred frustration.

There are people searching for some sort of instantaneous jump from ordinary to heaven.

But life is one step at a time. Daily disciplines of study, prayer, meditation, service, reflection.

Focus on going the right direction. The destination will suddenly appear on the way.

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Grace Turned Outward

July 7, 2023

John Fischer was a pioneer of the Jesus Movement music scene of the early 70s. He now leads a ministry called The Catch with the subhead Grace Turned Outward. A mutual friend introduced us (virtually). I send some financial support his way.

It’s because I really like that Grace Turned Outward mission.

I’ve experienced many evangelicals who seem suspicious of grace. They think it’s all about the head—saying you believe certain dogma. Some may look at grace turned inward. That strange warming in my heart.

I was given the gift of reading and thinking for understanding—feeble though it may be. I read the Gospels. Look at the actions of Jesus. Mostly he introduced other people to grace. He encouraged his followers to likewise share grace with others.

Jesus embodied Grace Turned Outward.

His brother James wrote about how worthless it is if you do not go out and help other people.

If you can feel the grace God has provided to you, it cannot be bottled. Jesus said not to hide your light under a basket but to let it shine as light for others.

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Calm and Courageous

July 6, 2023

I love reading about the early Jesus-followers in the New Testament and from the first three centuries of the Jesus movement. They didn’t know everything. They were trying to figure out the way. They experimented with ideas. Tried things.

When things went badly, watching their responses is instructive even for us today. They faced events calmly, with courage, and with an eye toward the common good.

Sometimes today I see self-proclaimed Christians whining at every small slight.

What if today we began trying more to emulate the early followers of Christ? What if we were open to discussion? What if we sought the truth without believing that we are the sole holders of it? What if we were infused with the fruit of the spirit exhibiting calmness, courage, trying to achieve the common good, with joy, peace, yes, and love?

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Do You Have A Growth or A Fixed Mindset?

July 5, 2023

“How did I get into this situation?”

I’ve pushed myself into many situations over my lifetime where I would ask myself that question. There I was, the guy with the whistle, about to signal for the kickoff of the boys big school state championship soccer contest. “What am I doing here?”

Many times I’ve pushed myself only to subsequently wonder what I’d done to myself.

I thought of that last week with my grandkids.

My grandson is just back from a tour of five European countries with 600 of his closest friends—well 600 other high school student musicians from Illinois. They toured and performed in England, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. He’s already an experienced international traveler, but he put himself into an entirely new experience at age 15.

Meanwhile his 13-year-old sister went off for a week at a swim camp (she’s a competitive swimmer) in another state. She put herself out for a new experience.

Psychology research suggests two primary types of mindset: growth and fixed. A fixed mindset happens when you believe there are restrictions on what you can accomplish. A growth mindset looks at possibilities. We all experience both types of thinking, but spending more time in the growth mode creates changes in your brain that can increase your likelihood of success.

Studies suggest that those with more time in a growth mindset are better at goal-setting and decision-making. Additional research also appears to show that a growth mindset can build resilience that turns potentially frustrating moments into learning experiences.

It is often said that you are the sum of your six closest friends. You need to be around people who are more positive, encourage you to grow beyond what you think is possible, and provide specific positive feedback. So if you’re around too much negativity, it’s time to cut that loose.

Those with a growth mindset tend to be inspired by the success of others (rather than intimidated or defeated), and they focus on expanding their comfort zone.

Stepping outside the comfort zone to learn, teach (best way to learn!), serve boosts your confidence and your physical, mental, and emotional growth.

What’s holding you back?

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Attention and Distraction

July 4, 2023

I once began reading a book called Distraction. I couldn’t focus due to distractions. Don’t think I finished it.

We live in an attention economy. Companies, politicians, and organizations depend upon capturing our attention for their financial livelihood.

I opened Facebook this morning to check on who among my friends was having a birthday. I wished some old friends a happy anniversary. When I went to the page to log out (never, ever leave Facebook logged in, as it will track everything you do) and realized maybe for the first time how many things they have to try to capture additional attention.

I logged out.

Yesterday I wished to compile my notes from a conference now two weeks past. The notebook open (I take notes with pen in a special notebook), I breathed deeply, sipped my coffee at the coffee house, and focused with intention on my work. It was a marvelous bringing to mind the many good things I learned that week.

The pastor of my church reminds people each week of the space in the bulletin to take notes. He researches to prepare his message. The least we could do is use pen and paper to make notes in order to remember his points. It’s a good strategy. We focus better with fewer distractions while taking notes. We remember more while writing than by typing.

And this morning, I was able to focus for a half-hour on this brief essay. It’s a good thing.

People from all over the world read this blog. Today is called Independence Day in America because it commemorates the day the delegates to the Continental Congress approved a document we call The Declaration of Independence. It would do us well to read it. I just saw where the President of the Ukraine just quoted it. I long for the day when the ideals expressed in that document come to fruition here in the US—and everywhere. All people are treated as equals, we have not only liberty (some people stop there) but also justice for all.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Yesterday I wrote the 3,000th post to this blog. It doesn’t seem like that many over the time.

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More Thoughts on The Little Things

July 3, 2023

I wrote about how little things matter Friday. Then I received my weekly newsletter from Vitaliy Katsenelson, CEO of an investment firm who also calls himself “student of life.” He wrote this:

Just remember, little things matter; on their own, you may not notice them, but they all add up. Walt Disney once said, “You can feel quality.” Quality is the result of doing all the little things well, and with heart and soul.

I also receive a fitness newsletter five days a week. This morning they told of many responses they’ve seen over the several months since this newsletter began of people applying the 1% better approach. Just try for 1% better at something every day. Some people began the training with 15-lb. dumbells and are not at 30-lb. A little at a time. I encourage my granddaughter every time she posts just a little better time in her swim meets. At the end of this season, her times are remarkably better than at the beginning.

You think you cannot read something spiritual and meditate/pray every day for 30 minutes. But you start with five minutes you grab with early morning coffee. Soon, 30 minutes is nothing.

This reminds me of the folk song, The Garden Song.

Inch by inch, row by row

Gonna make this garden grow

Gonna mulch it deep and low

Gonna make it fertile ground

The Garden Song

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It’s The Little Things

June 30, 2023

Little things matter.

The small, almost incidental, decisions accumulate and lead to habits.

Teach yourself to be aware of little things you do, usually without thinking. Have you done them three days consecutively? Is it now a habit that will degrade your health–physical or spiritual?

Think of the little things.

Making your bed when you get up. That begins the day with discipline and you are rewarded with a freshly made bed at night.

Flossing after brushing your teeth.

Not absent-mindedly scrolling through social media.

Having a good book laid out ready to read when the moment happens.

A smile and greeting to everyone you meet.

The little things accumulate. When you reflect at the end of the day, you’ll be amazed at the good.

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