That Day

  By Jon Stallings | September 11, 2011 - 4:00 am | History, Life
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That Day

10 years ago I woke to another work day. It was to be a warm sunny 86 degrees in Atlanta. I made the 40 mile commute through rush hour traffic to the north side of town to my job at a software company. My coworkers and I laughed and joked around as I waited for my computer to boot.

That day was just another day

We soon made our way to our cubicles and began taking our calls from programmers and network engineers.

That day was just another day

Photo Courtesy Terri Hickox (Creative Commons)

Already 900 miles away the plan of terror was in progress. Ronnie told me that a plane had crashed into one of the World Trade Center towers in NY.  My mind began to race as I pulled up the news feed from the internet.  Was it bad weather? Radar failure? Our phones stopped ringing.

That day was no longer just another day

I watched the live video as the 2nd plane hit the other tower. I sat there quietly as my mind struggled to make sense of what was happening.

That day

Other than being stunned by the events of 9/11 I really cannot comprehend what it was like for those who lived through the events that day in NY, DC and PA. I was safely 900 miles away. That day was not just another day. The images of where I was and what I saw from my computer, along with the emotions I felt will always be with me.

Today

I take a moment to remember the heroes who gave their life so that others might live. My prayers are with those who lost friends and family, and I pray for those who walked through the horror of that day.

 

10 years later what are your thoughts?

  1. Where were you when you learned of the events of 10 years ago on that day?
  2. What are the emotions and thoughts that you still experience?

Easy does it, well not really

  By Jon Stallings | September 6, 2011 - 5:00 am | Life, Quotes, Random Thoughts
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“Easy does not change the world. Easy does not make life better for those who are hurting – or for ourselves for that matter.” – John D. Barry, Bible Study Magazine, July & August 2011 p. 20

Is making a difference really difficult? How often do we try and come up with new an inventive ways to make our life easier? People often work 30+ years with the hope of retiring and taking it easy. At the sunset of our lives do we really want to look back and say, “Well that was easy?”

Probably the main reason this quote caught my attention, is that for years I have worked hard to find the easy way. (Ironic huh?)

Photo Courtesy of Odalaigh (Creative Commons)

It appears that  I have changed over the years. If you are like me, you have a deep desire to accomplish something great, to really make a positive difference in yourself and the lives of those around you. And I am sure you are often bored and quickly lose interest in easy.

In our unstable economy easy will not get you very far. Now is the best time to take on the hard task. Step up to the challenge and take the risk to do something great for yourself and others.

I love this quote from the book Linchpin by Seth Godin. , “If there is not the possibility of failure it is not worth doing.”

Perhaps I may be going through some sort of mid-life crisis, but I have a desire to walk way out on a limb and put in all the extra effort to make something happen.  I am tired of hearing, “well, that is just the way it is.” I may fall flat on my face, but I just might succeed. The rewards or success are more than worth the potential cost of failure.

As I challenge myself, I would like to challenge you. Quit looking for the easy way out. Easy will not change the world. In fact, easy will not even change you.

You are worth so much more than easy.

  1.  What are the big goals you have put off for a long time? (Start your own business, plant a church, write a book, start a charity etc.)
  2. What is the one next step  you can take today to start the hard (but rewarding) journey to make it a reality?

Today is the perfect day to start!!

Bread of Opportunity

  By Jon Stallings | August 22, 2011 - 3:33 am | Faith, Life
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I love it when a plan comes together; especially when I did not know I had one. Perhaps you have encountered a stranger who turned into a great new friend. Maybe during a casual conversation you learned about a new career opportunity. How about those times that fate just seemed to fall in your lap when you were not even looking?

The other Sunday at Redeemer’s Way Foursquare Church, where my wife and I pastor, we experienced a great culmination of such an event.

 

Several weeks ago I got an email via Facebook from a friend of our church. Beth delivers bread for a major bakery. The bakery is coming out with a new bread and they wanted to give out free loaves for a marketing promotion. Beth immediately thought about the past outreaches we have done for the families that live in the apartments behind the church. So she put us down for 50 loaves. Several weeks passed and the bread had not arrived. Beth was persistent though and kept hounding her boss until she got the bread as promised. Two other people that were supposed to get bread from Beth backed out, so we wound up with 150 loaves.

We took a moment to pray over the bread and ended our service early so we could hand out the bread to the families. Yes it would temporarily fill the stomachs of someone in need, but I knew this was an opportunity for something greater. The bread would give us an excuse to knock on their door. We would then followup by asking how we could pray for them. Our hope was that the bread would be an opportunity to start the conversation to introduce someone to Jesus. I wanted to make sure everyone passing out the bread was expecting the Holy Spirit to accomplish much more than we could on our own.

It would prove to be something greater than just handing out loaves of bread.

 We quickly spread out in the complex handing out the bread and taking prayer requests. Of course some were receptive to us praying for them and others were not. Sue, Julie and Kristen knocked on the next door. The lady who lived there quickly invited them inside. Sue inquired how they could pray for, then plainly asked if she knew Jesus. In just a few moments the three ladies were praying for this stranger and she asked Jesus into her life. What started as a loaf of bread turned into a life changing event. 

Jesus still uses bread to change lives!

 This is a wonderful event, and it is great to see how the circumstances fell into place for this lady to experience salvation. Beth was the one who opened the door and started the events that would fall into place to transform someone’s life. Had Beth not been persistent we would have not had a reason to visit that neighborhood on that Sunday. What seemed like a small request for free bread turned into something wonderful. Beth played as much a part for that lady’s salvation as the three that prayed with her. And of course it was really Jesus who made it all happen. We just showed up and gave him yet another bread opportunity. 

I know I should not be, but I am always amazed at how God puts circumstances and people together for His purposes. 

1. What would have happened had Beth not pursued getting Redeemer’s Way the bread?

2. What events has God put together to do something great in your life?

3. How do you try to see beyond the ordinary for something grand?

All In

  By Jon Stallings | August 8, 2011 - 3:05 am | Faith
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Luke 9:23,24 = Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. (NIV)

Several months ago I watched a show on the Discovery Channel about the Army Special Forces selection process. Oddly enough the show was titled, “Two Weeks in Hell.” Here were men who had already made it through basic training and most had endured Ranger school. But they wanted more. They wanted it so bad they were willing to endure two weeks with little food, days without sleep and excruciating pain with the possibility of severe physical injury just for the chance to enter the training to become a member of the elite Green Berets.  Noticed I said a “chance.” There were no guarantees. Only a small number would complete the two weeks and only a small number of those who completed the two weeks would be selected to begin training. On one of the days they were told to march. They had to get to a specific location within a certain time. Sounds easy enough; however, they were not told how far away was the destination nor how much time they had to get there. They just had to march along with their 50 + pound packs not knowing when the end would come.

It made me wonder. What would happen if I conducted my life as a follower of Jesus with that much passion, abandonment and discipline?

Photo courtesy of USAJFKSWCS

No this blog article is not how Christians should go through military training. But when I compared their dedication and discipline to achieve their goal to my walk with Jesus, I found myself lacking.

Here is a group of men who are truly dedicated and passionate about being part of an elite group. They are willing to lay it all on the line up to and including death to achieve their goal. Yet I often struggle to just get up an hour earlier each day to spend some time in prayer.

Am I really sold out to being a follower of Jesus, or will I follow just as long as it is convenient and not too much trouble?

What would happen if I sought after Jesus with the same amount of passion and discipline? Would I have a more effective ministry? Would I be a better husband and father?

 The 12 disciples left their way of life behind to follow Jesus without knowing where they would be from one day to the next. They left behind their families, friends, and the security of earning a living. The early Christians sold all (not some, not part, not 10% but ALL) of their possessions and provided for one another. Many of them willingly gave their life.

Our society has made us soft. Many people believe and some even teach all you need to say is that you believe in Jesus and you can keep on living your life with your own agenda. Others will tell you that God just wants you to be happy and have an easy life. Is that really the example that Jesus and the early followers set? Yes we are saved by grace. There is nothing we can do to earn salvation or the love of God. He gives it willingly. Salvation is a starting point.

God calls us to a life where we sell all. A life where we abandon our own agendas and desires and go ALL IN for Jesus (not some, not part, but ALL). When we do, we will soon discover the joy and peace that we are created to experience. This is how God created us to live. As we give all of ourselves we find all of Him.

Yeah life may be hard and even painful at times. But I want to be so close to a God who is madly passionately in love with me that I am completely transformed. I can then live the life that just might change the world. I am in the process of going ALL IN, how about you?

I know that this journey will not be easy, but the peace of God will see me through any circumstances.

A Green Beret is willing to endure physical pain and torment to be a part of that elite group. They willingly lay their lives on the line so I can live in freedom. Am I willing to pay the same price for Jesus?

I pray that I will continue this journey to sell all of who I am and go ALL IN.

1. How do you believe God is calling you to go all in for Him?

2. What changes do you need to make your life to continue on this journey?

Team of Rivals a Book Review

  By Jon Stallings | July 12, 2011 - 3:54 am | Abraham Lincoln, Book Review, History, Leadership
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For many years I have enjoyed history, politics and studying leadership. “Team of Rivals The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln,” by Doris Kearns Goodwin allowed me to enjoy all of these in one book.

Team of Rivals goes far beyond just a biography of events, but delves deep into the character of Lincoln. When Lincoln began to form his Cabinet team he did not take the normal route of patronage. He had two political goals in mind. First to unite the moderate and radical factions of the Republican Party and second to select the person who had the best skills to fulfill the specific Cabinet role. With the ability to meet these two goals he was able to accomplish his two Presidential goals, reunite the nation and end slavery. The people he found were his rivals for the Republican nomination. He built a team who often disliked each other, and still had their own agendas. But Lincoln found away to bring them together as a team and successfully accomplish all four goals.

Lincoln was a very skillful and shrewd politician, but he stayed true to his beliefs and passion for our great country.

Here are a few of the leadership principals that were evident in the life of Abraham Lincoln:

  1. Willingness to take responsibility. Even when one of his Cabinet members made an error, or even went against Lincoln’s wishes, he would step up and take full responsibility without calling out the person in error.
  2. He was not concerned with who received credit.
  3. Lincoln could see beyond the current actions of his Cabinet members and his Union Generals and see their potential.
  4. Lincoln was long suffering. Because he could see the true potential of others, he gave them multiple chances to rise to the occasion. Only after many failed attempts would he remove someone who was not performing well.
  5. Lincoln stayed true to his values and principles to reunite the country and slavery. When the bloody war was finally over he worked to welcome the South back into the Union without holding a grudge, or seeking revenge or punishment.

Goodwin also includes a lot of personal information that shows Lincoln as a master story teller, devoted husband and father. He would often use his stories to diffuse deep political tension, and drive home his point.

To me the book was a bit long (over 700 pages). Almost the 1st half of the book is a mini-biography of Lincoln and each of his primary Cabinet members. It is not until page 329 that you get to Lincoln’s inauguration.

I feel that Goodwin sums up the book when she states,

“By calling these men to his side, Lincoln had afforded an opportunity to exercise their talents to the fullest and to share in the labor and glory of the struggle that would reunite and transform their country and secure their own places in prosperity.” p. 747

This a great book for any fan of Lincoln, history or politics. It is also a great guide on leadership based on values and principles held by Abraham Lincoln who lived it out during the greatest crisis of our nation.

I would love to hear your thoughts.

  1. What other leadership qualities to do you believe Lincoln demonstrated?
  2. What other historical leaders do you believe are great examples of leadership?
  3. If you have read Team of Rivals what are your thoughts on the book?

Close the ‘Maybe’ Door

  By Jon Stallings | June 28, 2011 - 5:26 am | Leadership
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Several weeks ago, at my church we were trying to plan a summer outreach at a local festival. But before we invested the money I needed to know who would be available on the specific date. I told everyone that responded with ‘maybe’ would be counted as a no. I got several maybes, so we wisely decided to pass on that specific event.

I guess we have all been there. Someone gives you a call asking you to lend them a hand. Perhaps you already have something else planed, or you really do not want to help out this time. Even though your reason for saying no is valid, you fear that you might hurt the other person’s feelings. Or perhaps you are just avoiding feeling uncomfortable by saying no. So to avoid what is really your pain at the moment you respond with ‘maybe.’ You leave the door open that you might help out, but often times you are just delaying telling your friend no. It really is more about your feelings than that of your friend.

Granted there are times when we do need to take time to think about our decisions, but as leaders we must learn to be up front and honest with our friends, family and colleagues. We have to be able to communicate the right choices even if they make us uncomfortable.

Over the years I have been a great opener of the ‘maybe’ door. But as I have grown older (and I hope wiser) I have learned the power of no.  I only have a limited amount of time and ability. I have learned to focus on the things that I really value and to put the majority of my resources to work where they will make the most significance. In order to focus on the important stuff, I have to say ‘no’ to the less important.

Michael Hyatt, Chairman of the Board for Thomas Nelson Publishers, puts it well, “If you do not make room for the important stuff, it will be overwhelmed by the less important stuff.”

I have also found out that when I am upfront and say ‘no’ the other person appreciates my honesty, and they have more time to make other arrangements.

For some reason it is easy to feel uncomfortable to tell someone ‘no.’ And it can also be easy to cop-out and respond with ‘maybe.’  We need to close the ‘maybe’ door and be willing to say ‘no’ when it makes the most sense.

Stick with yes and no, and you will find that it works better for all involved.

So close the ‘Maybe’ Door, and lock it up tight.

*Photo Attributes*

A book reivew “Lincoln” by David Herbert Donald

  By Jon Stallings | October 21, 2010 - 5:47 am | Abraham Lincoln, Book Review
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Over the past several years I have found myself growing more and more into a history buff. I have always been drawn to Abraham Lincoln, but I found that I really did not know much about his life. For anyone wishing to gain a great knowledge of Abraham Lincoln, “Lincoln” by David Herbert Donald is the resource.

It covers the spectrum of his whole life. Donald creates a wonderful portrait of how Lincoln’s early life, life as a circuit lawyer, life as a politician, live as a husband and father, and the tragedies he experienced all prepared him to be our 16th President.  The author did a great job of showing his humanness and imperfections.

Early on as President, Lincoln struggled to be decisive and sadly it was only after his re-election that he really grasped the role. But in the end he struck to the values and principles of life he learned early on. I was surprised at how emotional I felt during the vivid detail of the assassination and death.

Part of the text was a bit repetitive especially the few final chapters, but it was well worth the read.

The Gettysburg Address: The Inspiration for Inspiration

  By Jon Stallings | October 13, 2010 - 1:48 am | Abraham Lincoln, Communications, History, Public Speaking
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There are few things that are as moving as a great speech. However, creating a great inspirational speech can at times be an impossible task. To improve my public speaking skills, not only do I participate in Toastmasters, I also enjoy studying other speeches.  One of the great inspirational speeches of all time is the Gettysburg Address given by Abraham Lincoln on November, 19, 1843. President Lincoln made a grate use of what I call “movement.” He brings the listener on a journey and walks them through to inspiration. Come along with me as we take that same journey.

President Lincoln starts off by finding a common element from the past that will unite the listeners and create a since of ownership.

“Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation: conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”

Next he brings the audience to the present and reminds them of the reality of the day.

“Now we are engaged in a great civil war… testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure.”

Lincoln then introduces what first appears to be his point. Why is he speaking? What are the listeners looking for? But in actuality he is setting the assembled crowd up for something more.

“We have come to dedicate a portion of that filed as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.”

Now he begins to transition to giving inspiration for a greater purpose and takes the listeners into the future. President Lincoln let them know that there was still much more left to do to restore the nation. It was up to them to  make it happen. He cast a vision that was bigger than themselves. Unity and restoration would only happen if they took up the task to make it happen.

“But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate… we cannot consecrate… we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men men, living and dead, who struggled here have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor l0ng remember, what we say here. but it can never forget what they did here.

It is for us the living, rather, to dedicate here to the unfinished work which they fought  here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us… that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion… that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain… that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom… and that government of the people… by the people… for the people… shall not perish from the earth.”

Abraham Lincoln was a master of creating a speech that seemed to flow as easy as moving water while always staying on his point.   He was simple and humble in his ways and many described him as homely looking.  However, it was that simplicity that made him excel as a communicator. And on this day he did it using only ten sentences.

From what I understand, the person before President Lincoln spoke for over two hours. Do you know who he is? have you ever listened to his speech? In ten sentences President Lincoln gave what some believe to be on of the best speeches of all time.

He drew the people in by uniting them with a common element, and created a sense of ownership. He then brought them to the present and gave them a purpose for that moment in time. Lincoln then inspired them with a purpose that would take them into the future. It was short, simple, and too the point. However, it was very effective in its message to inspire people and to act on a noble cause.

As a side note: The speaker that spoke for two hours before President Lincoln was Edward Everett

Ironic

  By Jon Stallings | August 4, 2010 - 4:15 am | History, Leadership, Life, Random Thoughts
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“A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right. A man dies when he refuses to take a stand for that which is true.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

I frequently post quotes on twitter and Facebook, and the quote above from Dr. King was a recent post. Other than the  fact that I really liked he quote, and the fact that a lot of today’s leaders fail to take a stand, I did not give it much thought. One of my friends on Facebook posted a comment that simply read, “Ironic.”

The irony, a quote from Dr. King about men dying when they failed to rise up and take a stand, and he in turn would die because he took a stand.

A man that stand’s idly by as injustices are lived out before his very eyes, dies a spiritual or moral death. As others join him, the death spread, and could ultimately lead to the death of a business, a culture, and even an entire society.

During this political year it is easy to see when leaders make choices based on political expediency. Major issues are allowed to grow unchecked so they can be manipulated from some political gain. But when politicians take a strong stand on what the truly believe to be right, the often come under attack and risk the end of their careers.

But our companies, churches, and our nation desperately needs leaders that are willing to stand strong for that which is right, and for that which is true, leaders that are willing to risk it all to make a stand.

Great Conversation is Not so Hard to Find

  By Jon Stallings | April 27, 2010 - 10:44 pm | Communications
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This is a speech outline I recently presented on Conversing with Ease. The Outline is adapted from the Toastmasters Interpersonal Communication Advanced Speech Manual Project # 1. www.toastmsters.org

Basic conversation plays an important role in our everyday lives. We converse with family, friends, co-workers, the clerk at the store etc. It is via conversation that we interact with the world around us. It can be for simple pleasure, or to achieve a specific goal. Conversation done well can enrich our lives, but done poorly, can cause missed opportunities, hurt feelings and conflict. As speakers we often focus on the skills needed to stand and present before a large group, but for most us, we most often find ourselves speaking one on one, or in small groups.

I know for me, some of the most difficult conversations are those with someone I just met.  Let’s take a moment and look at some of the principals that can help us in those situations.

I. Your Attitude                                                                                                                                                                                           

     A. Keep it positive

     B. Hold the conviction that everyone is interesting, and that you can learn something from them.

     C. Hold the conviction that you are interesting and others can learn from you.

II. Be well read

     A. Keep yourself exposed to a broad range of topics and current events.

         1. Blogs

        2. Newspapers/Magazine

         3. Arts

        4. Science

     B. Expose yourself to areas of interests outside your own. You do not need to be an expert in all areas, but a broad general knowledge will take take you a long way.

III. The three subjects of the initial conversation.

     A. Yourself

     B. The other person(s)

     C. Your current mutual situation (where are you having the conversation ie. party, bus stop, networking event)

     D. Primary focus should be on the other person, and current mutual situation

IV. Start the small talk. Be brave and initiate the conversation

     A. Introduce yourself

     B. Ask name, residence, or other info based on situation

     C. Listen carefully – Be on the lookout for areas of common interest.

     D. Does the person seem interested in talking?

     E. Compliments can be a great starter, but use wisely. You do not want it to sound like you are giving a pick up line.

V. Use open ended questions.

     A. You can start with a few closed questions (yes, no or simple answers) ie. “Do you live close to work?”

     B. Move to open ended questions as soon as possible. ie “Tell me why you like working at xyz company?”

    C. Once again, be sure and listen for areas of common interest or experience.

    D. Be sure and share some things about you.

     E. Avoid the 20 questions grilling. As the conversation goes along it should flow to a natural back and forth without having to ask questions.

VI. Stay engaged

     A. Look and act interested. (not just going through the motions) Make eye contact

I realize the outline may make personal conversation somewhat oversimplified, but it should be enough to get you started without boring you with a bunch of fluff. If you would like some additional information, just add a comment.