It seems to be all the buzz in the online community to post a blog every day, update your status at least 5 times a day, and have your phone next to you constantly just in case you get a text. I think these are great goals especially for those that are in the people business. Church, business, civic, and government leaders would be remiss to not use this technology to get their vision, thoughts and ideas across to those that are listening. Consistency in communication is a key, people like it when you are dependable.

The problem I have personally is when I am on all the time (as in online and in front of people) I never get time to be off. We all have a rechargeable battery that needs to be set back on the base and sit there. If I don’t turn off I just become a dim light. I got sucked into the notion that a dim light is still better than no light. I am beginning to believe this is a fallacy. Jesus would constantly get away (turn off) from the crowds to recharge and refresh. He would take time with the father to get a clear vision of what He was to do when he got back to the group. When he got back…wow was He bright. He turned off to be on.

I like to read others blogs and follow several people’s status. I am learning a lot and enjoying the interaction I am having with those that I would otherwise never have. But at some point in the midst of all the noise you hear nothing, because you have been on so long. Especially for those that are in constant interaction with people you “feel” you have to be on all the time.

My suggestion to you (and really just to me) is to turn off to be on. It is an oxymoron, it doesn’t make sense. But what people need most when they interact with you…is a bright you. Not dim and burning out. They need you to turn off so when you are on, you are bright and alive.

Start slow. I have for several months began to take a day where all technology (texting, twittering, facebook, emails, tvs, etc) gets turned off. Don’t just put them away…you will still hear the beep and the fan running. My goal is to bring that up to several days a week. It is an act of fasting from something that has become more important than food. My goal will be to fast a whole month from technology… thinking about June.

What can you do? Spend time with a book (remember what those are), your family (they would love to not talk to you via instant messenger) and your God (He longs to have a walk with you)

Go ahead try it… turn off. Because we all need to turn off to be on. I think I am going to do it right now.

Ps. I did really well. I only checked my Facebook, email, Twitter, texts, and phone seven times while I wrote this blog. Small steps forward.

I just got word that Heather, my manager at Starbucks, will be moving to another store that has a higher volume of sales than our current one. There is one constant with Heather, where ever she goes the place and the people she interacts with make a turn for the better.

Starbucks calls those that oversee each individual store, managers. A manager by definition is one that maintains the procedures, policies and baseline status of a given entity. They oversee or administrate what is given them and don’t always look outside of the box they live in.

But what most coffee shops and for that matter most organizations lacks is leadership. A person that guides, directs, and influences people. It is easy to move objects (coffee, spreadsheets, products, etc) around, but it is another to move people (with all of our issues) to a greater level. That is leadership.

She does both…manage and lead.

When Heather turns around there are people behind her. When she sits down there are people around her. When she speaks people actually want to listen, because she is leading not just managing. She is a leader that flexes to each individual, motivates them to their personal best as well as having clear expectations with everyone (never show up late).
People matter to her and that shows by the many that are sad that she is leaving but at the same time happy. Why would we want to hoard a great leader when she can show others what management is suppose to be like?

I pray that Heather has rubbed off on me and the others she as impacted during her time in South Everett.

I think if the Bible was written today Jesus would have said these words, “if you desire to grow in your patience sit in the DMV for a bit”. What seemed like a simple in and out procedure becomes an act of endurance. I needed to schedule my motorcycle driving exam test so that I can be a legit driver. I stopped in on a Monday afternoon and there were chairs available to sit on, which are a good sign. I got my number, 671, and thought this is going to be great because they were currently serving 664. In and Out, no problem.

I was so confident that it would be quick that I didn’t even open my riding pants and kept my coat on. A half hour later (deep breath) they called 670 and that person wasn’t there, so I got up to get ready. Oh no if anyone desires to grow in their patience…. For the next 25 minutes they meandered around in the 100′s and 300′s. I stood for awhile thinking I am next, but my overheating body couldn’t handle it anymore. I sat back down and prayed for patience and for my heart rate to return to normal.

55 minutes of waiting and they called my number. Five minutes later I was leaving the DMV sweating, five dollars poorer, and having a test scheduled. Just when I think I have this act of patience down I seem to get another opportunity to practice the virtue again. Now I just need to wait two more weeks to actually take the test.

God’s truth is black and white and even though there is no gray area, that’s where so many of us live today. We prefer to live by the concepts or facts we wish to be true, rather than those known to be true. That is the gray area we will try to get out of. You don’t want to miss this series as we come together and study God’s word and do life together.

Wednesday nights at 6:30 pm in March we will be going through this series. You won’t want to miss it.

Click on picture to check out video trailer.

Joseph Fehlen – The Passover Lamb

From the series “Exodus: Movement of the People”