Though I am thoroughly and proudly Canadian, there is a challenging article "The State of the Union and the State of the Pulpit" at the Ordinary Pastor blog.
Read the full text of the January 23, 2012 State of the Union address.
Though I do not consider myself even a novice on American politics, at this point I feel President Barack Obama is a lock to win re-election. Even though I disagree with many of the Democrat perspectives on issues, Obama is doing what he said he would do, and he has the charisma to sell it and the gumption to do it! Meanwhile, the Republicans are trying to decide whether they will select a candidate, Mitt Romney, who is a multi-millionaire and had to be "forced" to make his income public or Newt Gingrich, one who has a 40-year history in the kind of politics Obama keeps pointing out as ineffective for regular Americans (and he's right!). As well, Newt has made a pretty regular habit of mis-speaking in catastrophic, politically incorrect and insensitive ways!
Friday, January 27, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
With great privilege, comes great micro-managing.
As always, a wonderful episode of House, MD titled "Better Half" (season 8, episode 9). The highlight was the great quote early in the show spoken by Dr. House (Hugh Laurie) to Dr. Foreman (Omar Epps): "With great privilege, comes great micro-managing." While it made for a great laugh, it is also an incredibly sad, but perhaps too often true description of some leaders.
I realize I personally am prone to this leadership sin. There are some tasks I don't mind delegating, but key areas I want to have pretty tight control over... and thus I can see myself micro-managing people so that they are annoyed and quickly lose any desire to pour their energy into a project, never mind make it a success. There are times when another person has been delegated the task and it does not go as well as it expected, and I'm the one responsible... further supporting my false thinking that "I need to control every detail." However, when I allow others to accomplish a task in a different way, frequently I find much more buy-in and participation from others than I could have marshalled. I can think of times where I've observed individuals in a position of authority "being attentive to the details" - code words for "micromanaging." In the process, an employee quickly loses enthusiasm, energy, and creativity. Likewise, there are many times an employee has been given a task, a budget and the exhortation "go for it" within these boundaries and it is amazing to see what has been accomplished.
I realize I personally am prone to this leadership sin. There are some tasks I don't mind delegating, but key areas I want to have pretty tight control over... and thus I can see myself micro-managing people so that they are annoyed and quickly lose any desire to pour their energy into a project, never mind make it a success. There are times when another person has been delegated the task and it does not go as well as it expected, and I'm the one responsible... further supporting my false thinking that "I need to control every detail." However, when I allow others to accomplish a task in a different way, frequently I find much more buy-in and participation from others than I could have marshalled. I can think of times where I've observed individuals in a position of authority "being attentive to the details" - code words for "micromanaging." In the process, an employee quickly loses enthusiasm, energy, and creativity. Likewise, there are many times an employee has been given a task, a budget and the exhortation "go for it" within these boundaries and it is amazing to see what has been accomplished.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Book Review: Becoming the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved
Book Review: Becoming the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved (WinePress Publishing, 2011).
I have put off writing this review because it is a difficult review to write (the opposite of a wise leadership principle). It is challenging to write the review because while the book's development is interesting, I never found myself certain which "emphasis" I was supposed to be attending to: the emphasis on how John became the disciple Jesus loved or how "God is writing His story, and you are the main character" (page xi). Clearly, these two emphases were to be woven together to mesh, but as a reader, I did not find them easily connecting together and thus found this constant struggle. Making this review even more challenging is that the author, Michelle Lazurek is a former student from Prairie Bible College who I count as a friend and appreciate. Nonetheless, while Michelle's great heart and passion to serve Christ clearly come through, the book lacks in two significant areas: focus and editing.
Focus. Again, while the emphasis on God is at work writing His story through your life was evident, the parallels to how God worked in John's life were weak and difficult to follow. The three intentions of the book, clearly delineated at the outset (pp. 19-20) are evident, though not consistently developed or accomplished, in my estimation. There are hints of all three at different points, but they are sporadic, and seldom well-connected.
Editing. I was concerned when I learned that Michelle had self-published with WinePress and regretfully, I can see why she chose this option. A good editor would have required a fair bit of work for this to go to press. Along with the focus issue, there are frequent references to "John is rumored to" or "we assume that," that could be stated directly with either an endnote/footnote to support the claim or explain a debated issue of Johannine chronology or theology. While a theological research paper would not be expected when each instance was referred in John's life is referred to, there were too many times the reader felt like s/he was listening in on a sports trade rumor or a juicy piece of gossip being passed around the water cooler (or prayer meeting).
On the positive side, the book does highlight the truth that God is writing His story, and each person can have a significant part to play. As Michelle unpacks the metaphor into three sections "an invitation to the story," "writing your manuscript" and "publishing your manuscript," there are great personal stories as well as thoughtful and meaningful life challenges for any reader.
Finally, this book may connect more with female readers than with the men (of which I am one!).
I have put off writing this review because it is a difficult review to write (the opposite of a wise leadership principle). It is challenging to write the review because while the book's development is interesting, I never found myself certain which "emphasis" I was supposed to be attending to: the emphasis on how John became the disciple Jesus loved or how "God is writing His story, and you are the main character" (page xi). Clearly, these two emphases were to be woven together to mesh, but as a reader, I did not find them easily connecting together and thus found this constant struggle. Making this review even more challenging is that the author, Michelle Lazurek is a former student from Prairie Bible College who I count as a friend and appreciate. Nonetheless, while Michelle's great heart and passion to serve Christ clearly come through, the book lacks in two significant areas: focus and editing.
Focus. Again, while the emphasis on God is at work writing His story through your life was evident, the parallels to how God worked in John's life were weak and difficult to follow. The three intentions of the book, clearly delineated at the outset (pp. 19-20) are evident, though not consistently developed or accomplished, in my estimation. There are hints of all three at different points, but they are sporadic, and seldom well-connected.
Editing. I was concerned when I learned that Michelle had self-published with WinePress and regretfully, I can see why she chose this option. A good editor would have required a fair bit of work for this to go to press. Along with the focus issue, there are frequent references to "John is rumored to" or "we assume that," that could be stated directly with either an endnote/footnote to support the claim or explain a debated issue of Johannine chronology or theology. While a theological research paper would not be expected when each instance was referred in John's life is referred to, there were too many times the reader felt like s/he was listening in on a sports trade rumor or a juicy piece of gossip being passed around the water cooler (or prayer meeting).
On the positive side, the book does highlight the truth that God is writing His story, and each person can have a significant part to play. As Michelle unpacks the metaphor into three sections "an invitation to the story," "writing your manuscript" and "publishing your manuscript," there are great personal stories as well as thoughtful and meaningful life challenges for any reader.
Finally, this book may connect more with female readers than with the men (of which I am one!).
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Les Canadiens n'est pas honorable (The Montreal Canadiens are not honorable)
Though I have not followed them closely, arguably the greatest franchise in hockey, Les Canadiens de Montreal, are having a horrible season. Yet even worse, the once proud and distinguished franchise has now completed the trifecta of chintzy, petty, dishonorable, bordering on unprofessional off-ice tactics.
First, assistant coach Perry Pearn was relieved of his duties hours before a game. Not on an off day, when there were a couple in between games, but on the day of a game. Then, head coach Jacques Martin was fired just before a game-day skate. Again, not after a game so the team had a couple days to get used to their new coach and adjust to the news. Not in between games. Just before the morning skate on a game-day. Ouch!
Now, they have traded Mike Cammalleri in the middle of a game, pulling him off the ice after the second period to inform him he had been traded to Calgary (who had just started their game two time zones away. Admittedly, Calgary is not totally innocent in this deal either, though generally they have been a pretty classy organization recently. See Proud of the Calgary Flames team and Ken King's Leadership Example). What makes the off-ice details surrounding the Cammalleri trade seem even more petty is the fact it happened 24 hours after the player spouted off about Les Canadiens. GM Pierre Gauther says the deal has been in the works since early December, which may be true but Cammalleri's outburst clearly triggered the deal being done, and completing the deal in the middle of a game just makes it look like "you embarass us, we'll embarass you worse!" Except of course, that it just makes Montreal look more foolish. Cammalleri is laughing all the way to Calgary!
Even if you are having a hockey season from H-E-double hockey sticks, you can still do things in a professional, classy way.
First, assistant coach Perry Pearn was relieved of his duties hours before a game. Not on an off day, when there were a couple in between games, but on the day of a game. Then, head coach Jacques Martin was fired just before a game-day skate. Again, not after a game so the team had a couple days to get used to their new coach and adjust to the news. Not in between games. Just before the morning skate on a game-day. Ouch!
Now, they have traded Mike Cammalleri in the middle of a game, pulling him off the ice after the second period to inform him he had been traded to Calgary (who had just started their game two time zones away. Admittedly, Calgary is not totally innocent in this deal either, though generally they have been a pretty classy organization recently. See Proud of the Calgary Flames team and Ken King's Leadership Example). What makes the off-ice details surrounding the Cammalleri trade seem even more petty is the fact it happened 24 hours after the player spouted off about Les Canadiens. GM Pierre Gauther says the deal has been in the works since early December, which may be true but Cammalleri's outburst clearly triggered the deal being done, and completing the deal in the middle of a game just makes it look like "you embarass us, we'll embarass you worse!" Except of course, that it just makes Montreal look more foolish. Cammalleri is laughing all the way to Calgary!
Even if you are having a hockey season from H-E-double hockey sticks, you can still do things in a professional, classy way.
Thursday, January 05, 2012
Anna Joy Ibbotson has arrived
This morning, January 5, 2012 at 7:12 am Anna Joy arrived at the Ibbotson home, weighing 7 lbs 13 oz. She is a birthday gift for Grandma Wendy who turns 65 today!
Anna, the prophetess, recognized the baby Jesus as the Messiah and Savior for all people (Luke 2:38) and we pray that Anna will also realize that Jesus came to be her Savior early in her life and many other people will come to trust in Christ because of her witness. We pray that her life will be full of joy because she follows Jesus, but even moreso that whatever circumstances God allows her to face, she will find the joy of Christ to be her strength.
Monday, January 02, 2012
Book Review: The Resolution for Men
Apart from Pastor Robert Lewis' Authentic Manhood DVD series & books, I have heard about few resources for men that really present biblical truth in a thorough, comprehensive (not just selected topics) and practical manner. The newly release The Resolution for Men by Stephen & Alex Kendrick (brothers) along with Randy Alcorn, may become the new standard for aligning men with the biblical teaching on the roles and responsibilities of men as husbands, fathers, etc. Apparently the book is also aligned with the movie "Courageous" (Sherwood Pictures Ministry).
Even before the introduction, a page clearly begins stating "Weak men will not be able to handle the contents of this book..." (Admittedly, a bit of reverse psychology because what man is going to say "Oh, I better stop. I probably can't handle this.") As the Kendricks say in the introduction, this book is an unapologetic challenge to men to make the resolution (on page 5) and actively stand for righteousness in all area of life. The remaining chapters then explain each portion of the resolution as it relates to a man's personal relationship with God, with his wife, children, community, work and society.
While not ungracious or tactless, the Kendricks are very direct and give clear Biblical explanation of key principles and concepts, along with appropriate Scriptures. They deal head on with cultural "rules" that are contrary to the biblical teaching (eg. spanking children), yet clearly delineate all aspects of correct Christian application (eg. discipline vs abuse; not spanking when a parent is angry).
I cannot highly recommend this book enough and look forward to seeing men in our community challenged by this teaching.
Book has been provided courtesy of David C Cook and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from B&H Publishing Group".
Even before the introduction, a page clearly begins stating "Weak men will not be able to handle the contents of this book..." (Admittedly, a bit of reverse psychology because what man is going to say "Oh, I better stop. I probably can't handle this.") As the Kendricks say in the introduction, this book is an unapologetic challenge to men to make the resolution (on page 5) and actively stand for righteousness in all area of life. The remaining chapters then explain each portion of the resolution as it relates to a man's personal relationship with God, with his wife, children, community, work and society.
While not ungracious or tactless, the Kendricks are very direct and give clear Biblical explanation of key principles and concepts, along with appropriate Scriptures. They deal head on with cultural "rules" that are contrary to the biblical teaching (eg. spanking children), yet clearly delineate all aspects of correct Christian application (eg. discipline vs abuse; not spanking when a parent is angry).
I cannot highly recommend this book enough and look forward to seeing men in our community challenged by this teaching.
Book has been provided courtesy of David C Cook and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from B&H Publishing Group".
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