How can a heart soar and cringe all at the same time? As a mom of a wide range of kids, I should know this sensation all too well by now. For Pete’s sake, my 21 year old recently sent a photograph of his body practically dangling over the far edge of a cliff along the Oregon coast. Rude and…
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There is such intellectual richness in each thought from My Utmost that I usually need to step slowly through the deep water. (That’s probably why I have to work up the nerve to open the book and it only happens in sporadic spurts.) I give you these two excerpted lines from today’s teaching: We…
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Here are a few interesting dots to connect. Yesterday CNN covered loads about their own media industry. Wait, is that a circular reference? No matter. They featured a shouting panel of experts arguing whether or not we should vilify the writers of Glee who predictably leveraged the public debate of guns in schools to desperately elevate their ratings. An equal…
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Wow I have been a really bad blogger lately. Maybe that means I ‘m not really a blogger at all, because one cannot truly be called a blogger if one does not do the blog-things consistent with those bloggers who define good blogging. So now I have also proved that using the word blog in as many forms as possible…
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Yesterday I read an article regarding actual government legislation in Florida regulating the apparently ghastly practice of dying baby chicks in celebration of Easter. Ahh.The controversial baby chick legislation. Avoiding the general debate about how our paid politicians are spending their time, I averted my eyes and moved on, in search of more meaningful news to follow. Behold. President Obama…
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If any of us know anything about Jesus of Nazareth, we probably have heard that his reaction to needy people was immediate and scandalous generosity. Furthermore, Jesus was indisputably clear in how he felt about our modeling this teaching. But in our busy days, we often see strangers with “needy” signs on street corners at the entrance to Target and…
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The newly appointed CEO of Lockheed Martin was able to accept her new position extra-quick because the former CEO apparently couldn’t keep his affairs in order. Literally. (Note: I’m sure that Mrs. Hewson is a better choice for CEO anyway, and Lockheed’s handling seems to be highly professional.) Colonel Petraeus has succeeded in dropping the level of conversation about his…
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Exactly as we need. When we need it. No more, no less. Not always what we want, but just what we need. Not always when we can see or understand it. But the longer we live in this light, the more we can see it more clearly. Or at least know it’s there somewhere! Seeing the miracle in the fleeting…
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Summertime Afternoon. Jack and his pal Eden disappear into the game room downstairs and things get dangerously quiet. But at this moment, I’m so far behind in writing and work that I irresponsibly convince myself that they’re having fun and all is good. Carpe 5 minutes. With no worries about markers on walls or pokey-sharp objects, I keep working. More…
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Today as I read Dr. Jim Samra’s book, God Told Me I see the direct application of living to listen. I hear a voice that sounds like God on my heart – even today. First, here’s the excerpt: Love is a tricky concept, easily perverted, so God anchors the definition of love in the cross of Christ. With the crucifixion…
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C.S. Lewis says: “Pride is spiritual cancer.” Nodding, we all easily grasp the problem of pride (particularly in others). But as a parent, aren’t we justified in aiming our pride at our successful, well-trained children? Even noble? After all, we’ve worked hard to train them in the ways of God and culture. More Lewis: As long as you are proud you…
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As we continue to shepherd our children, I continue to see the connection between my long experience in creative marketing strategy [for clients] and life decisions that are based on a strategic plan. This is our role in helping our kids get to a place in their life that is on purpose. First, what’s driving you? It can’t be money; God…
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We all have ‘em. We have lots of them and they are blocking our view. They block a clear view of our parents, our business situations, our finances, our children, our miraculous spouses and ourselves. We have scales on our eyes. Important aspects of understanding and knowledge; grace and compassion, even intelligence. All distorted because we have scales. Some people have scales…
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Even though I am now on my own as a periodic consultant and should-be-committed-writer, I still very much enjoy my subscriptions to the agency trade and business publications that flicker in my inbox. Today’s gem was from Inc. Magazine. Here’s the original opening set-up. 6 Habits of True Strategic Thinkers by Paul J. H. Schoemaker You’re the boss, but you still…
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What if all my years in advertising agency management don’t belong in a box that I put on a shelf as I embark on this new journey of writing+God+women+growing? All those years of training in how people from myriad starting points can travel toward a beautiful new destination… Shouldn’t I assume that those skills are exactly the tools I need…
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Lots of folks have written smart expository about the greatest change agent in history. Jesus of Nazareth was the original agent of change. God’s in the business of change. Wait. God’s in the BUSINESS of change. Or better still: God’s in the CHANGE business. For commercial and organizational success, we write wonderful books about Switching, Changing, and getting Good to…
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Today I commit to getting it all pulled together. There are thousands of pages written down. Decades of journals, outlines, individual thoughts and attempts to write the book.
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It’s August. It must be spring. And why not! We’re heading into a week of vacation, coming out of a season of redefining “intentional” ( how intentional are we really?). Let’s celebrate renewal … and another opportunity to begin. Today. Tomorrow Eldest Son leaves for his road trip back to the U in Portland, and the excitement for the adventure,…