Obstruction

(the call was correct…but unusual) 

Obstruction

The 2013 World Series isn’t yet over but it’s already been one that people will talk about for a long time.  The third game, for example, ended in a way unlike any previous post-season game. The winning run scored in the bottom of the ninth inning when the Boston third baseman obstructed the path of a St. Louis runner.  The interference was likely unintentional, but according to the rules it doesn’t matter.  Create an obstruction and the runner gets the next base; in this case home plate…and your team loses.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

One of the important facts about the passage above is the fruit of the Spirit is what grammarians know as a “collective singular”… one fruit as opposed to nine fruits. Each part is a characteristic of the Holy Spirit’s active presence in our daily lives and should be equally evident in the way we interact with the world around us.  In my case, at least, there is clearly an imbalance in how the fruit manifests itself and I am forced to conclude that I am somehow creating an obstruction. The interference is unintentional, but it doesn’t matter. My own pride, personality, ignorance, or something is preventing me from being all that I ought to be. 

How about we all take a closer look? And get out of the way before we cost our team the game!

Thanks for all you do.

Brian

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Volume 7, Number 25

What's the real problem?

(It's not you it's me.... really)

What’s the real problem?

When our company relocated to new offices last year we included an area known as “The Big Café”.  This circular area, right inside the front door, is equipped with large wooden tables seating ten each and a broad array of audio-visual equipment. It’s an important place to eat, hold small group meetings, or even give an all-employee talk.  For some time we suffered with an annoying delay when using the wireless microphone.  Group after group who came to evaluate the situation said the cause was the circular shape of the room coupled with the concrete floor. But we remained convinced that the environment was merely a convenient and obvious target for blame and not truly the root cause.  In the end we were right…adjustments were made to the input signal processing and everything is working great now.

“For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. 
They are more than the hairs of my head, 
and my heart fails within me.” Psalm 40:12-13

Our daily lives are filled with the same conundrum.  We don’t get ahead at work because that other guy sucks up to the boss.  Our relationships are poor because the other people have issues.  The kids are arguing because they watch too much TV.  Or so we say….  Perhaps these are just convenient and obvious targets for blame. Perhaps we are the real culprits by virtue of how we process our input into the situations.   Perhaps, like the psalmist, we have been overtaken by our sin and need to get right with God.

Take a moment and reflect on what’s the real problem…

Thanks for all you do.

Brian

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Volume 7, Number 24

Withholding Good

"the breakfast is free... and that makes it taste pretty good)

Withholding Good

Like a lot of families, we try to save money where we can while traveling.  Dollar menu food to go, free reward nights in hotels, coupons, you name it.  Stretching the dollars makes the trip more affordable and frankly more fun at times.  Finding a hotel with a breakfast included in the price of the stay is probably top of the list.  And because the folks who actually prepare and serve the breakfast get up very early and work very hard to serve all those hungry families, I always make a point to say “thank you” to the breakfast staff before we leave.  The smiles and surprised looks I get are evidence that “thank you” is not something they hear very often from the folks they serve.  What a shame….

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.“ Proverbs 3:27

I usually think of this verse as a admonition to be charitable…to meet the material needs of people either directly or by supporting an organization that’s on the ground serving a hurting population.  But I believe it also goes deeper into our day-to-day interactions with people. Positive feedback, a kind word, or public recognition of a job well done are important ways of taking this proverb to heart.

If your child offers to serve the corn to the rest of the family, tell them how proud you are.  If you get great service in a retail setting say so.  And by all means, tell your friends and family how much you love them… every chance you get.

Thanks for all you do.

Brian

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Volume 7, Number 23