What inspires you?

Those who color outside the lines and see borders as something to cross not something to confine inspire me.

Those who break rules rather than use them to control situations or people around them inspire me.

I’m inspired by the thought of God closing doors and sometimes asking us to break them down or walk away but never giving up.

People who see love as an action word not four letters you put on a Hallmark card inspire me.

When someone tells you, you can’t and you do, I’m inspired.

When I awaken in the morning to the whisper from a God of adventure who tells me to move on and move with purpose I’m inspired.

So, what inspires you?

A Story of Bravery

Would you like to see true bravery? Do you need to see for yourself how people can change and with the proper love and support can move mountains? Take seven little minutes out of your Sunday Morning and watch this video. You will not forget this story as you keep hearing it throughout your day. The voice of the woman in the story is the real survivor. The others are hired actors.

Love is an action not a feeling.

I have no idea what I’m supposed to say. The principal asked me to come talk with the eighth graders and yet what do I say to a bunch of kids dealing with disappointment, fear and hopelessness?

One of their friends committed suicide. One of their teachers is under arrest. Four weeks left of school and life is unraveling and students are just trying to make sense of it all.

As I look out on the audience distress and pain is written on nearly every face. I’m not being paid to be here a friend called and I’m just there doing what I can.

As I walk out on the gym floor I have not a clue as to what I am supposed to say but at this point I don’t think it’s what we say that matters it’s that we show up and care.

When the unexplainable happens what are the words we want to hear, what are the words we need to hear?

When cancer became part of my history I didn’t need advice or a better diet plan or someone without cancer telling me how lucky I was or that I’d be fine. I just needed to hear two words. So, there in the gym I uttered the two most powerful words to hundreds of students, “I’m Sorry.”

What broke the ice was asking students what they would say to their friend if they could talk with him today. A few kids would ask why but there was no judgment in their tone. The moment that told me they would be fine was when two young men blurted out, in front of all those 8^th graders, that they loved and missed him.

Yep, the thing they would say to their friend was simply we miss and love you.

Love requires effort, action and sometimes moving when you want to just stand.

Love requires bravery and the ability not to care what the crowd thinks.

Sometimes when we are stuck all we need is someone to give us permission to take a step.

Life and Death is in the Power of the Tongue.

What we say and how we say it matters. This is not just a reminder to you it is a reminder to me.

I read comments on Face Book sometimes and wonder to myself if those writing the comments (including my own) know how that sounds on this side of the screen.

It is one thing to speak your mind but quite another to stand on your high horse and speak as though someone just attacked you.

Sometimes we write is if the whole world is against us and even if true how is spewing going to change that?

Our biases erupt from our words and comments leaving those with other opinions dangling or worse sealing their own biases by what we’ve said.

We say we are trying to educate people yet our techniques would never work on us so why do we think they will work for others? Are we trying to help or push?

I learn from those who offer ideas and let me decide. When someone tries to shove something down my throat my natural instinct is to gag.

We listen to Jesus when He says the things we agree with but forget that “Without love there is nothing.”

Our tone is one of irritation and self-righteousness not of truly wanting to hear someone else’s point of view.

If we go back and read the red letters, the things Jesus actually said, we find a model for behavior. It’s not our job to save anyone it is our job to love. Oh, I know some of you are self-proclaimed judges and can shove scripture at me to prove your point.

Jesus judged but notice most of that was reserved for the religious people of the day who were adding to the law not loving people to death. When with others He was kind, careful and considerate (unless you were one of the religious leaders trying to trip Him up).

Some will feel they still have a right to slam their opinions over others because they are on “His” side.

But remember, He loves the guy/gal you are choking to death as much as He loves you.

Perhaps being right isn’t always a good thing. Love trumps all.

Reaction is not measuring stick

A few weeks back I spoke at a couple of school assemblies on Racism. I know, some wonder what a white guy like me knows about Racism.

I was asked to speak on the broader issue of “how we treat each other” because one should only speak on things one knows about and on that topic I have plenty of experience.

So at North Eugene the crowd erupted, clapped and some screamed as I told them how sick I am of being labeled, judged and stuff like that.

At Sheldon the audience was listening but quieter. I walked away wondering if anyone got it. I remember sitting in the car saying to God (I talked to God a lot in the car)” I don’t know if that worked but I did it anyway.”

Yesterday I’m sitting at Café Yumm with a friend and a teacher from Sheldon walks up to me and tells me how much the kids loved the talk. She said they discussed things I had said the next day in class. Then, a young man from Sheldon walked up to me and said, “that assembly was awesome, thank you, the kids really heard you.”

The moral of the story for me is never judge success on instant reaction. Do what you are asked to do and then let the chips fall where they may. And never take credit for the things you are given from above. Oh, and always speak from the heart.

Would Jesus Be a Hippy?

I wonder if Jesus would be considered a hippy?

We know from history that His diet was more on the hippy end than it is like ours. (Kosher)

He considered relationship more important than religion and He wasn’t much into clubs.

He did acknowledge God as His source but He was also into selflessness and taking care of people (something real hippies understand).

Lately I’ve been running into a lot of hippies who feel the same way  I do about food, community, party politics and taking care of people. We (these particular hippies)differ on God but I differ in my idea’s about God with a lot of Christians too.

In Eugene there is a “Hippy attitude” that I can’t stand. They aren’t real “hippies” they are hippy-wanna-be’s. These hippies are often times more snobby than the snobs. They used to tell me they didn’t watch or even own a TV and yet they knew my name and what I did for a living. These are the folks who used to talk under their breath about me being a Republican as they drove away with their bumper sticker that bragged of their open mind.

I’m talking about the hippy that can admit they’ve got a lot to learn, just like I do. I’m talking about the kind of hippy who see’s life as more than what you make, how much your 401k is worth and would just as soon turn down an unwanted client as take their money to make a living. I’m talking about the real hippy who cares more about relationship and doing business for the right reasons than anything else.

Yep, I wonder that God doesn’t put out a message and wait to see who will respond. He says: “Don’t eat that crap (yes God can say crap if He wants to because HE’S GOD) instead eat this.

He reminds us relationships are everything and how we do business is more important than what we do for business.

So the Hippies listen and the rest of us say: “Oh, it doesn’t matter” when it really does.

Next time you think you’ve got all the answers ask yourself: “would Jesus be a hippy?”

I need to go I’m craving granola.