Saturday, May 29, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Lessons from the Pencil Maker (resending)
...........sharing from a friend with some questions of my own> The Parable of the Pencil, Author Unknown
The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. There are 5 things you need to know, he told the pencil, before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.
#1: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone's hand (your relationships and your relationship with God?)
#2: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil (acceptance of feedback, input & critique?)
#3: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make (Failure is OK as long as we learn?)
#4: The most important part of you will always be what's inside (who you really are down deep?).
...and #5: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark (impact on others?). No matter what the condition, you must continue to write (persistence?). The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.
>>>Now change places with the pencil!!!?... remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be. (are you continually sharpening yourself or have you become a 'dull tip'?...anyone ever accuse you of being a 'dull tip' before!!!! Have a great day.
The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. There are 5 things you need to know, he told the pencil, before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.
#1: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone's hand (your relationships and your relationship with God?)
#2: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil (acceptance of feedback, input & critique?)
#3: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make (Failure is OK as long as we learn?)
#4: The most important part of you will always be what's inside (who you really are down deep?).
...and #5: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark (impact on others?). No matter what the condition, you must continue to write (persistence?). The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.
>>>Now change places with the pencil!!!?... remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be. (are you continually sharpening yourself or have you become a 'dull tip'?...anyone ever accuse you of being a 'dull tip' before!!!! Have a great day.
...........sharing from a friend with some questions of my own> The Parable of the Pencil, Author Unknown
The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box.
There are 5 things you need to know, he told the pencil, before I send you out into the world.
Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.
#1: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone's hand (your relationships and your relationship with God?)
#2: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil (acceptance of feedback, input & critique?)
#3: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make (Failure is OK as long as we learn?)
#4: The most important part of you will always be what's inside (who you really are down deep?).
and #5: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark (impact on others?). No matter what the condition, you must continue to write (persistence?).
The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.
Now change places with the pencil!!!?...Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.
The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box.
There are 5 things you need to know, he told the pencil, before I send you out into the world.
Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.
#1: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone's hand (your relationships and your relationship with God?)
#2: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil (acceptance of feedback, input & critique?)
#3: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make (Failure is OK as long as we learn?)
#4: The most important part of you will always be what's inside (who you really are down deep?).
and #5: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark (impact on others?). No matter what the condition, you must continue to write (persistence?).
The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.
Now change places with the pencil!!!?...Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Book review, relationships, solid ground..!
Dick Hardy's book (27 Tough Qs Pastors Ask) reminds me of the importance of a 'solid foundation'. As he does ever so well in the book, Dick lays out how a church/pastor needs to approach this - well done Dick Hardy! If you are in the 'church business', go get this book...
This all is completely connects to me in my own work with management, leadership, organizational development, teams, cultures, etc.
Just as a pastor and church need to build on solid ground, so does any organization or team! That solid ground may be different dynamics for churches, businesses, corporations, workgroups, etc...but much of it is all the same: PEOPLE, LEADERSHIP, RELATIONSHIPS, TEAMWORK, CONSENSUS, etc.
For your reading pleasure, here is The Parable of the Sower (from Luke 8: 4-15). ...and a question:
8:4 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from one town after another, he spoke to them in a parable: 8:5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled on, and the wild birds devoured it. 8:6 Other seed fell on rock, and when it came up, it withered because it had no moisture. 8:7 Other seed fell among the thorns, and they grew up with it and choked it. 8:8 But other seed fell on good soil and grew, and it produced a hundred times as much grain.” As he said this, he called out, “The one who has ears to hear had better listen!”
8:9 Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. 8:10 He said, “You have been given the opportunity to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that although they see they may not see, and although they hear they may not understand.
8:11 “Now the parable means this: The seed is the word of God. 8:12 Those along the path are the ones who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 8:13 Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in a time of testing fall away. 8:14 As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the worries and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 8:15 But as for the seed that landed on good soil, these are the ones who, after hearing the word, cling to it with an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with steadfast endurance.
Q: Are your relationships in life built on solid foundations? How about your church, your work team?
This all is completely connects to me in my own work with management, leadership, organizational development, teams, cultures, etc.
Just as a pastor and church need to build on solid ground, so does any organization or team! That solid ground may be different dynamics for churches, businesses, corporations, workgroups, etc...but much of it is all the same: PEOPLE, LEADERSHIP, RELATIONSHIPS, TEAMWORK, CONSENSUS, etc.
For your reading pleasure, here is The Parable of the Sower (from Luke 8: 4-15). ...and a question:
8:4 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from one town after another, he spoke to them in a parable: 8:5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled on, and the wild birds devoured it. 8:6 Other seed fell on rock, and when it came up, it withered because it had no moisture. 8:7 Other seed fell among the thorns, and they grew up with it and choked it. 8:8 But other seed fell on good soil and grew, and it produced a hundred times as much grain.” As he said this, he called out, “The one who has ears to hear had better listen!”
8:9 Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. 8:10 He said, “You have been given the opportunity to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that although they see they may not see, and although they hear they may not understand.
8:11 “Now the parable means this: The seed is the word of God. 8:12 Those along the path are the ones who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 8:13 Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in a time of testing fall away. 8:14 As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the worries and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 8:15 But as for the seed that landed on good soil, these are the ones who, after hearing the word, cling to it with an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with steadfast endurance.
Q: Are your relationships in life built on solid foundations? How about your church, your work team?
Monday, May 17, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Excerpt from my second book:
The CLO, a guy named Booker :) speaking to the whole chain of command (all 70 management folks of Tool Box Inc (TBI):
Slide #3
‘REBUILDING on ROCK’
RELATIONSHIP
+ LEADERSHIP
+ TEAMERSHIP = CULTURE
“Gang, this is the beginning of a new way of existing here at TBI. This existence and new way will begin with you and I; all 70 of us right here right now. Today and our future is about the changed leaders here at TBI! Let me assure you that this is about YOU and me and all those sitting around you, and not someone else. It is about behavioral change; learning new ways to effectively take care of people and each other. It is about creating a new organization rebuilt on rock! The rock I am speaking of here is about strong relationships, real leadership and ultimately a caring team-culture. In case this concept isn’t clear to you, this rock deal originates from the bible, Matthew 7:25”, as he looked to the screen…
Slide #4
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house;
yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation
on the rock.
“If we have strong leadership, committed bonds and strong relationships among us, then we are solid and can withstand challenges and problems that arise. Conversely, when we are built on sand, when we don’t have effective leadership; baggage, poor relations, conflicts, agendas and territories exist. When relationships are not solid, then we erode and don’t function well - to say the least.
And yes gang, this is us right now...it is what holds us back from being AWESOME! You are getting my point here?” Booker began slowly strolling across the stage deliberately giving people time to think. He then pointed at the screen clicking the remote to bring up:
Slide #6
“But everyone who hears these words of mine
and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.”
As the murmuring settled, he turned back toward the audience and continued, “Let me share a story with you, my story...my leadership and faith story..."
IS YOUR ORGANIZATION OR TEAM 'BUILT ON ROCK'????!
Slide #3
‘REBUILDING on ROCK’
RELATIONSHIP
+ LEADERSHIP
+ TEAMERSHIP = CULTURE
“Gang, this is the beginning of a new way of existing here at TBI. This existence and new way will begin with you and I; all 70 of us right here right now. Today and our future is about the changed leaders here at TBI! Let me assure you that this is about YOU and me and all those sitting around you, and not someone else. It is about behavioral change; learning new ways to effectively take care of people and each other. It is about creating a new organization rebuilt on rock! The rock I am speaking of here is about strong relationships, real leadership and ultimately a caring team-culture. In case this concept isn’t clear to you, this rock deal originates from the bible, Matthew 7:25”, as he looked to the screen…
Slide #4
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house;
yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation
on the rock.
“If we have strong leadership, committed bonds and strong relationships among us, then we are solid and can withstand challenges and problems that arise. Conversely, when we are built on sand, when we don’t have effective leadership; baggage, poor relations, conflicts, agendas and territories exist. When relationships are not solid, then we erode and don’t function well - to say the least.
And yes gang, this is us right now...it is what holds us back from being AWESOME! You are getting my point here?” Booker began slowly strolling across the stage deliberately giving people time to think. He then pointed at the screen clicking the remote to bring up:
Slide #6
“But everyone who hears these words of mine
and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.”
As the murmuring settled, he turned back toward the audience and continued, “Let me share a story with you, my story...my leadership and faith story..."
IS YOUR ORGANIZATION OR TEAM 'BUILT ON ROCK'????!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Info/thoughts to share with YOU
Ain't life grand!!! . Heard speaker Mary Lucas . Looking for board member, Not for Profit? Reviews for first two books?...read on!?! Life right now is sooooo about relationships and helping folks and learning in so many ways!...keep up with relationships (to include yours with me, will you? :) If I have told/asked you in the past to holler if you ever need anything and maybe you do now, well then holler! I told you to pester me huh? My Not for Profit organization is lining up to potentially be able to put some people to work, so if you are looking - again, holler at me.
I heard Mary Bichelmeyer Lucas speak for a second time at a graduation this past weekend (author of "Lunchmeat & Life Lessons: Sharing a Butcher's Wisdom.") Very good and interesting wisdom...don't pass up if you get a chance to hear her.
I am Exec Director of a Not for Profit org called National HOPE Association. Already have a strong team and some amazing things happening (which I would love to share if you would like to contact me). I am still seeking a couple of friends of mine from whatever walk of life we met who could sit on a board and help. This is not time-consuming and not a paying gig at the moment; potential to be that! If you have the time and interest or maybe you just want it on your resume, being a board member, please contact me.
Lastly, if you read either of my first two books and you have anything positive to say about it...plz contact me to get some words from you.
Now go make sure all of your relationships are in order, build those bridges in all directions!!!
God's best my friend, DOUG
9132320244 www.bookertraining.com
I heard Mary Bichelmeyer Lucas speak for a second time at a graduation this past weekend (author of "Lunchmeat & Life Lessons: Sharing a Butcher's Wisdom.") Very good and interesting wisdom...don't pass up if you get a chance to hear her.
I am Exec Director of a Not for Profit org called National HOPE Association. Already have a strong team and some amazing things happening (which I would love to share if you would like to contact me). I am still seeking a couple of friends of mine from whatever walk of life we met who could sit on a board and help. This is not time-consuming and not a paying gig at the moment; potential to be that! If you have the time and interest or maybe you just want it on your resume, being a board member, please contact me.
Lastly, if you read either of my first two books and you have anything positive to say about it...plz contact me to get some words from you.
Now go make sure all of your relationships are in order, build those bridges in all directions!!!
God's best my friend, DOUG
9132320244 www.bookertraining.com
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
The Pastor leadership dilemma
As I have spoken, consulted and talked about for years, leaders in all parts of our society are challenged with 'other than what got them there'!
A good friend of mine, Dick Hardy has just come out with a book (27 Tough Qs Pastors Ask) that hits on this dynamic right up front; validating my thinking for sure. Quoting from his Introduction, "...Preaching is almost never a problem. Growing in the art of preaching is normally an energizing exercise for pastors. It's all the other stuff of ministry that does them in. In fact in most cases it is 'everything but preaching' that trips pastors up the most...."
Yep, there it is again. A leader from any part of our society gets THERE by his/her passion, skill, niche or expertise in something, and then struggles mightily with the rest of the stuff...leadership and/or management skills, traits and needs.
Great book, by the way, for any pastor (or anyone with an interest in leadership as well). For sure why I want to get more and more involved in working with churches!!!! Info on Dick's book, www.thehardygroup.org
What part of your life do you see this LEADERSHIP DILEMMA playing out...?...your boss, your pastor, YOU??????! Have a great day. BOOKER
A good friend of mine, Dick Hardy has just come out with a book (27 Tough Qs Pastors Ask) that hits on this dynamic right up front; validating my thinking for sure. Quoting from his Introduction, "...Preaching is almost never a problem. Growing in the art of preaching is normally an energizing exercise for pastors. It's all the other stuff of ministry that does them in. In fact in most cases it is 'everything but preaching' that trips pastors up the most...."
Yep, there it is again. A leader from any part of our society gets THERE by his/her passion, skill, niche or expertise in something, and then struggles mightily with the rest of the stuff...leadership and/or management skills, traits and needs.
Great book, by the way, for any pastor (or anyone with an interest in leadership as well). For sure why I want to get more and more involved in working with churches!!!! Info on Dick's book, www.thehardygroup.org
What part of your life do you see this LEADERSHIP DILEMMA playing out...?...your boss, your pastor, YOU??????! Have a great day. BOOKER
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