"The Drift"

What is it that happens to an organization (or an individual for that matter) that causes them to begin to navigate off-course from their mission? Does one decision have the power to derail an organization from its purpose? Is this how it really happens, or is it more like a ship at sea which gets pulled off course by external forces when its engines for some reason all start pulling in different directions?

I'm going to begin a series of posts that consider this phenomenon that I now refer to as "The Drift." What kind of environments does the Drift begin in? What internal factors contribute to the Drift? How does the Drift get its start? What external forces add momentum to the Drift? With respect to organizations (and individuals) that have significant influence on culture, what happens to the culture surrounding an organization (or individual) that is in the Drift? These are some of the questions stirring in my mind right now when I look at the people, organizations and institutions in the world around me.

Stay tuned...

Bold, gutsy leadership--it's the kind of leadership exhibited by those seemingly rare individuals who believe so strongly in something that they pursue it at costs that the rest of us couldn't imagine ourselves paying. I'm realizing just how truly inspired I am by these people. I'm also realizing how rare they are, and that sometimes the people you believe have great potential to lead this way reach a point where it's just not in them. As someone who is inspired by bold leadership, that's hard to digest.

Nonetheless, the thing that I'm probably learning most right now is what it means to be challenged myself to pursue a vision that has some potentially hefty costs associated with it, and to pursue it in a manner that exhibits the kind of character that in turn inspires others.

What is the "right" analysis to apply in making our decisions about these costs?

It's official..."A Guide to Christian Ambition" by Hugh Hewitt is one of the best books I've ever read. I recommend it to anyone who desires to have an influence on the world we live in. It has challenged me to look at myself in new ways, and has also affirmed and given me new confidence in the way God has made me and wired me. To me, though, the main strength of the book is that it presents relevant, dead-on-its-target practical advice for young people who desire to influence culture in a meaningful way. The writer's approach is clear and balanced, and it is obvious that the writer is not driven by a particular agenda, other than to inspire young people.

Here are a few excerpts:

"For the church is in retreat. And there are some Christians (and many non-Christians) who think that is a good thing. The record of the last one thousand years proves them wrong, but the past is no guarantee of the future. Unless individuals resolve to engage the world and lead it, the record hinted at by these examples will quickly become eclipsed by the reality of the post-Christian world."

"It is easier to stay quietly within the confines of the church and busy only with the particulars of church work. It is easier to have limited objectives; easier to wash your hands of the world. But it is not necessarily better, and the choice of a retiring life may simply be cowardice dressed up as prudence."

"Every ability you have--and the sum of those abilities--gives you opportunities to influence the world. And this is a crucial point: Christ does not consider these opportunities to be optional. He has clearly said that they are obligations. Treat them as such."

Wow.

Influence....

For anyone who knows me very well, you know that two of the most influential books I've read have been "Roaring Lambs" and "Final Roar" by Bob Briner. I now think I'm in the process of adding a third book to that list. I've just started a book by journalist and law professor Hugh Hewitt, entitled, "A Guide to Christian Ambition."

Here's a quick excerpt that I read this morning:
"Though obvious, the means of acquiring influence are infrequently discussed among Christians. Thus what follows is a very "worldly" discussion, and not for the fainthearted who think worldly ambition is itself evil or who are repulsed by Alexander Hamilton's blunt conclusion that "fame is the highest calling of the noblest minds."

I'm only on page 26, but I can tell that this book is going to talk about the life I believe God made me for: a life of influence. Already, some have questioned my motives for the decisions that I (and Beck) have made in the last 7 years. To those people I say: Make your decision about me based on the next 30 years of my life. I have not been nor will I be perfect, but I know my final destinations both in this world and beyond.

May God be the judge of whether my motives are for fame, money or power, or to have influence on culture around the world for His glory.

Fox Filmed Entertainment has started producing feature films aimed at Christians.

Click here to read the article.

I've met Simon Swart. He's a good guy with a good heart. I admire him for the work he does.

My question is: are you interested in seeing movies based on Christian fiction books? If not, do you know people you think will be interested in these movies?

Are we doing ourselves a dis-service by accepting lower budget and perhaps not as well made films just because they are "Christian"?

"The better question then is: are we taking the time to notice if there are hurting people around us who need someone to truly care about them?"

This news article brought my closing question from Thursday to another level of meaning:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,214004,00.html

Again...

See the article below about the gunman in the Montreal college shooting.
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/09/14/D8K4L2CO0.html

At first, my heart's response to this was to question how many more times something like this has to happen. Then, I realized, it will probably happen many more times during our lives.

The better question then is: are we taking the time to notice if there are hurting people around us who need someone to truly care about them?

To all of those single working moms out there: I have a huge amount of respect for you. I know that my life right now is only a partial reflection of what you deal with every day, but my pace of life right now has brought me to a place of empathy for all of you.

Right now, I'm juggling:
-Raising a 2 year old
-Taking care of my amazing pregnant wife who's on bed rest
-A full-time job (and then some)
-Preparing to apply for law school

Man am I worn out! So to all of you single working moms, know that you deserve the utmost respect from the rest of us, and don't be afraid to ask us for help. (I've learned this the hard way, as my stupid male ego has often prevented me from doing that very thing.)

Married to a blogger

Well, it's official. I am married to a blogger. (I really want to get a bumper sticker made that says that!) My wife, who is carrying our 2nd child is on bed rest for several weeks, and she has become a blogger. So here I am, blogging about being married to a blogger and about getting ready to be a father of 2 (more on that to come).

One other topic that I'll likely blog about is the process that I'll be walking through over the next several months in applying to law school.