Constructive Criticism

Perhaps the hardest thing to hear is how to be better at something.  Whether at work or at school or on a team – everyone seems to fight the constructive criticism loop.

Today, I found myself sitting before an unhappy Director as we strive to shift people around & the feelings of disrespect that enter in when someone is cut out of the loop. Tonight, before I jetted off from work, I decided to try something new – I thanked the Director for his feedback.  The easy thing to do would be to carry the hurt feelings around, but all that really does is weigh you down.  By thanking the person for their honest feedback, you are able to grow & become better and honestly, isn’t that what we all want?

Next time you are faced with an opportunity to be given feedback, accept it & grow from that experience – you never know how the simple act of thankfulness may help you in the future.

Whole or Hole?

There is a hole in my tooth is that a problem?

Beach Baptism Stories

Here are the stories of those who were baptized down at Zuma Beach in Malibu, CA from ABF.

Waiting. . .

He is waiting for you to come rest and to lay down your burdens.  He invites us to spend time with Him.  Have you?

His Eyes

Waking on Sunday morning, I found that eyes opened right up which is rather unusual, because during the work week they fight me like its a prize fight.  They scream just a few more seconds.  As I rolled in one sweeping motion towards the open DVD drive on my computer – I grabbed the DVD that had burned all night and slipped it gently into the waiting DVD player hooked to the TV.  It was time.  Dun-Dun-Dun — it works.  Okay, time to burn the remainder of the Baptism DVD’s and then its off to church.

With the coffee securely in my hands, I uploaded the awaiting video to YouTube, dress and jump in the car bound for ABF.  Halfway down the vacant streets of the San Fernando Valley, I realize I need gas or I certainly won’t be able to make it to church, let alone anywhere else.  So I stop for some cash, then drive across the street to the gas station and the awaiting Starbucks. . . and that, that is, where it happened.

I’m sure you’ve felt it at some point in your life.  That tug of the Holy Spirit that says, “Here’s an opportunity to bless someone” – its right in front of your eyes.  As I make a quick turn around the corner, there he is – sitting cross-legged with his head down adjacent to the double doors leading into Starbucks.  With his dark-skin and tattoos clearly visible, a life perhaps of hard times and hard labor and decisions he rather forget, he sat.  His Dodger cap was pulled down over his graying hair, a black bandana swung from his neck to wipe whatever sweat was there.  He looked like a shower was something that he hadn’t experienced in days, maybe even a week.  And there he was sitting outside a Starbucks in a wealthy suburban neighborhood, minding his own business, not asking for anything, yet smiling through pain.  And there I was heading for the door in my green shorts and Agape polo shirt and then. . .our eyes met.

I gave that recognizing look and half-smile as I quickly darted for the door, not wanting to be bothered.  And as I stood in line, the prompting of the Spirit said, “why don’t you ask him he wants a drink“.  The internal debate raged.  God, I don’t have time.  I have to get my Venti Hot Chocolate with whipped cream.  I, then have to get gas in my car.  Then I have to go to church and sit in the nice seats in the air conditioned sanctuary.  Someone else will take care of it.  Again, the prompting came and each time I had an excuse.  I don’t have time.  I don’t want to be bothered.  Someone else will extend help.

Even as I stood at the gas pump and looked at this man. . .I still didn’t follow the prompting.  As I exited the gas station store, a man in his late fifties, well dressed with white pants and a nice suit coat, bent down with an outstretched hand and handed the man a cup of coffee.  And that is how I remember, a blessing missed.  An opportunity for help abandoned.  A realization that I made a mistake.

I should have listened to the Holy Spirit.  I missed out on an opportunity, because I wouldn’t step out of line and ask if that man wanted a cup of coffee or a danish or breakfast sandwich.  You can better believe that when the next prompting comes, I will obey.  May you learn from my mistakes so that you can grown in your faith.

VBS Wonder

Here’s a video I worked on for this year’s VBS at ABF

Book Review: Put Your Dream to the Test – John Maxwell

John Maxwell has hit another home run with his latest book, Put Your Dream to the Test.  In this book, he outlines ten checkpoints that will help guide you to whether your dream will stand the test.

These checkpoints include:

• The Ownership Question – is my dream really my dream – when it all comes down to it, do you truly believe in this dream, if not you need to re-evaluate
• The Passion Question – will I follow my own dream – will I be passionate to see it through so that I can bring others along eventually
• The Cost Question – will I pay the price for my dream – sacrificially giving to the dream, sometimes the cost is manageable and other times, the cost is too high – there needs to be a healthy balance
• The Significance Question – will this dream benefit others – if the dream doesn’t benefit others in the long run, you may want to double-check the dream – help others grow!

This book will challenge you to put action to your dreams.  Many people dream, but putting action to them is a different story.  John challenges you to answer each question fully.  If you can’t answer one question, evaluate your dream and adapt or start over.  By working through each of the steps, you will be able to test and pursue more fully your own dreams.