The Editorial Page

The Letters to the Editor section of the newspaper was longer today than usual.  Counting the editorial cartoon the letters occupied a full half of the “Perspective” page.  Eight letters comprise what I like to think of as the therapy section of the paper.
One screams out, “You really don’t get it do you?” as if [...]

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Fake Friendship

We became friends because we were colleagues in the same group.  It was a bunch of pastors from the same area of the state.  We got together once a month for food and conversation and enjoyed the professional and collegial stimulation.
He was pastor for a church that eventually had some internal problems, and the church [...]

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Karaoke as Democracy

We went to a New Year’s Eve party at Playhouse Merced. The event started at 8:00 on Wednesday evening, and it was in full swing by the time we arrived. 
The Playhouse was well decorated for the event.  The main stage area had a fresh coat of paint.  A small, raised platform supported the three-person band.  A few people [...]

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A Six-Word Life

When I joined a business networking group, we were taught to be able to give a summary of our business or product in the amount of time needed for an elevator ride—about 60 seconds.  It was tough learning to be that succinct, and even now I want to use a few more words.
But what if [...]

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Interviews

Recently I got to participate in a two-day set of interviews for openings at a local agency.  The candidates were each given a one hour appointment during which they would make their presentation and receive questions from our group.
This was the first time I had ever participated in a process like this one, and I [...]

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The Negative Power of Rumor

My secretary ushered in a person I had never met before who had a folder in her hand. “Pastor,” she said. “I want to talk to you about a threat to our religious freedom.”

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Don’t go in the doghouse!

Christmas is just around the corner. Time for getting the right gift for your honey is running short. I just found this helpful video that I recommend all men watch before going to the mall. It could save you from going into the doghouse.

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“It’s the economy, stupid!”

During Bill Clinton’s campaign, his campaign strategist, James Carville, coined the phrase, “the economy, stupid,” as a way to refocus voters’ attention and to say that George H.W. Bush had not adequately addressed the economy.  The phrase was meant for an internal audience of campaign workers, but it became widely used.
All you have to do [...]

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Giving People a Chance

I’ve been reading a very intriguing book called Wikinomics.  The premise of the book is that the way business and creativity is practiced on the Internet is transforming brick and mortar business as well.

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Part of the Problem

Brian McLaren included a link to a Bread for the World video that is poignant and convicting.  I’ve attached it below because I think it identifies a too common belief that organizations, not individuals, are responsible for bringing change to the world.  The same abdication of responsibility can be seen at election time when a [...]

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