As a Christian, how do you reconcile the many horrific things done by and in the name of the Church historically with your faith?
I spend some time answering questions on various sites and I thought I'd share a question I recently answered: As a Christian, how do you reconcile the many horrific things done by and in the name of the Church historically with your faith? The Crusades, the Inquisition, patterns of systematic child abuse by various clergy. The Biblical allowance of slavery, oppression of women, intolerance of other faiths and peoples. So much of the history of the Church and what it has (and does) stand for appears so un-Christian. My Answer: I reconcile them the same way that, as a parent, ...
4 Things Volunteers Wish Leaders Knew: Pt. 2
4 Things Volunteers Wish Leaders Knew: Pt. 2 As a leader it's so easy to forget what it's like to be at the bottom. Over the years I've often found myself in place of leadership, but recently I've spent more time serving our local soccer club and am starting from the ground up. This opportunity is giving me a refreshing reminder of what it's like to have no idea what's going on- on a weekly basis. So, I'm sharing 4 things volunteers wish leaders know. Last week I shared the first 2, which are: 1. I don't care as much ...
4 Things Volunteers Wish Leaders Knew: Pt. 1
4 Things Volunteers Wish Leaders Knew A few years ago I read about an army general upset over his troop’s lack of energy and motivation. A quick investigation pinpointed troop exhaustion as the culprit. The general felt troop’s poor time management led to their lack of sleep, so refused to budge the schedule. Then, one brave soldier asked the general when he found time to sleep. The general explained he often caught a quick catnap while being driven around the base. It was explained to him that no other troop shared that privilege and so did not have the same ...
Gap’s Weird Fall Lineup
As my kids and I shopped at the Gap for my wife's birthday, we couldn't help be notice their strangely themed fall clothing lineup. We decided their new clothing line was TV themed. First up, we have the wizard's robe For the female wizard tired of the same-old black or blue robe, consider the Gap's new robe for the fall. It's a full robe, made of sweater material. Why may you ask is the Gap now selling full robes? It's possible they're looking to expand their market to the untapped wizarding community. Next, the Ghostbuster Coat If, in your spare ...
DAD: HUMOR
On vacation this past week we decided to visit the Michigan sand dunes. I should never have suggested my kids and I walk up the dunes. They promptly ran up the dunes, leaving me to crawl my way up, wondering if I would die with every step. My three year old encouraged me with an occasional, "Go horsey," and "Yee-ha!"
3 Ways Volunteers View Your Project
3 Ways Volunteers View Your Project Volunteers make up the life-blood of any non-profit organization. Although volunteers are essential, it’s important to note: not all volunteers are created equal. Some are great and contribute significantly. Others become like mythical creatures we've heard existed but have never actually seen ourselves. But, leaders can better work with volunteers if we determine what level priority your volunteer is giving your project. Because our time is finite, a volunteer can not give equal time and energy to every project or group they’re engaged in. A volunteer will have to decide if soccer practice or PTA ...
360 Degree Parenting Leadership Feedback
Greater personal insight leads to better leaders. The better we understand and develop our strengths, while facing and working on our weaknesses, the stronger leader we’ll become. We understand this at work, so many jobs offer a 360 degree feedback loop where peers and subordinates have a chance to rate a co-worker in certain categories. This type of task gives great feedback and insight to any employee. If it works at work, then why not use a 360 degree feedback loop at home with our family to help us become better leaders as parents to our children? So, I made ...
Who Are Our Closest Friends?
As I held the phone my chest was tight, clenching my teeth waiting for my brother to respond. I tried explaining why I had not adequately planned nor expressed my desire to see him over a week-long beach vacation near his house. Reasons raced through my mind as I felt misunderstood and small. My brother exhaled slowly and deliberately, like he could feel the swell of a wave from deep within, and was determining whether he should let it roll and crash or try to push it back down to the dark. I could tell this was suddenly about more ...
Finally! Grass-Fed Mac-N-Cheese
Thank You Whole Foods! Finally! A Grass-Fed Mac-N-Cheese For years I've been concerned about treatment and harvesting practices of my mac-n-cheese. The very thought that my mac-n-cheese is raised in a small cage- never to see the light of day sometimes keeps me up at night. I have nightmares about the terrible things my mac-n-cheese are being fed- probably even parts of old mac-n-cheese. It's barbaric! It's inhumane! I'm so thankful that one company had the moral fortitude to take a stand against these atrocious practices. Thank you Whole Foods for making a difference! I'll finally sleep well tonight, knowing ...
Why Do People Attend Church for the First Time?
Selling Milkshakes I watched an interesting marketing video from a Harvard professor talking about an essential marketing question, “What is your product selling?” For example, He focused on the milkshake and asked the question, “What is the milkshake selling to the customer?” More than just a frosty dessert, it's "selling" a feeling for the customer. For commuters buying a milkshake on their way to work, they might be buying something to hold and do during their commute. In the afternoon parents might buy a milkshake hoping to pacify their crying child. So, in that case the milkshake is selling peace and ...