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Safe Eyes, Safe Kids, Safe Parents

user@domain.com — 2011-06-18T18:20:13-05:00

An acquaintance of mine was arrested last week for an internet-related incident. When I found out, my first thought was, “What if it had been me?” I have not done the particular things of which my acquaintance is accused, but my internet-related behavior has not always been exemplary and is by no means perfect. The life of my acquaintance may have been permanently changed due to single moment of weakness. That, dear readers, could happen to me and may have happened to you.

Today a friend shared his own practice concerning such things. In his home, every computer is protected by software that keeps it from going to websites known to contain pictures, images, or other content not appropriate for children (or adults). The reason for this is that my friend has decided, “If it’s not appropriate for my young children, or if I can’t or shouldn’t watch or listen to this with my young daughter next to me, it’s not appropriate for me either.” Further, he doesn’t administer this internet safety application; his wife does.

So today, I’ve added Safe Eyes to my MacBook. I’m still the administrator, but it would take more than just a single moment of weakness for me to give in to that temptation. Safe Eyes is not the only option, but it has worked well for my kids, and I’m confident that it, as well as good friends and much prayer, will work well for me too. If you’re interested in Safe Eyes, check them out:

Coffee and Heart

user@domain.com — 2011-04-19T15:52:18-05:00

I’ve been reading about Starbucks® but thinking about Noah’s Ark and Panama City Beach. Howard Schultz is president, chairman, and ceo of Starbucks, but the story he tells in Onward is relevant to the story of Noah’s Ark and of Panama City Beach, both of which have been or currently are in the midst of battles for their life, or at least for their identity and mission. In Onward, Schultz tells the dramatic and continuing story of “How Starbucks Fought for Its Life without Losing Its Soul”. Schultz’s passion for and commitment to “The Starbucks Experience” virtually pours from the book like perfect espresso, “like honey pouring from a spoon (from page 5 of Onward).” Like drinking a double shot of espresso, reading Schultz’s book has caused my mind to engage and my heart to beat faster.

Schultz is a business man with heart and passion and compassion. All of these have fueled his drive to lead the building and re-building, the branding and re-branding of Starbucks®. Perhaps unique among companies, Starbucks is both large and small; global and local; corporate and personal; corporation and community. It grew large by remaining small. It regained its financial strength by refocusing upon its mission, its identity, its core values, and then making the obvious and subtle, comfortable and painful decisions necessary for Starbucks to regain its identity, refine its focus, recover its values, find its voice, and accomplish its mission. This process enabled Starbucks to return to profitability during a very turbulent economic time.

I’ve just completed my first reading of Onward, and can feel something happening in my core. Reading this book has reignited my own passion for doing what I do with excellence and integrity, thereby making a difference in this world and in the families and communities I live in and love. Because of this, I highly recommend that you read Onward. Perhaps some of us can even gather in a physical or virtual place and share our learnings and encourage each other to continue Onward in our lives, missions, and work. I would love that!

Blessings and peace,

Michael

Vision and Timing

user@domain.com — 2011-04-01T23:31:22-05:00

Ever since my college admission interviews in 1977, from time to time people have asked me what my "five year plan" or "ten year plan" was. Sometimes I've come up with an answer, but I've never been much of a long-range planner. In fact, sometimes a five hour plan is more than I can manage. The truth is, most of the time my long-range plans feel more like long-range guesses. However, every now and then I get what feels like an inkling, or a hint, or a dream, or (Dare I say it?) a vision of what could be. Sometimes this vision is so compelling to me that I assume it will be so for whomever I share it with. I write songs, and sometimes I'm tempted to say, "God gave me this vision…" like some song writers introduce songs by saying, "God gave me this song…" Having a rather high view of the Words (and words) of God, I think if I share the vision that I believe God gave me, then everyone will say, "Sign me up! How can I help make this obviously God-given vision into a reality?"

The Hebrew Scriptures (also known as the Old Testament) contain a wonderful story about a remarkable visionary leader named Nehemiah. In his time (the 5th Century B.C.), the grandeur of the kingdom of Israel was gone, and the walls of the Holy City (Jerusalem) had fallen down, along with the morals and faith practice of the Hebrew people. God gave Nehemiah a vision of reformed morality and faith and a rebuilt wall for The Holy City of Jerusalem. He also gave him the passion needed to inspire, instruct, and supervise the many people necessary to do the job. Finally and very importantly, God gave Nehemiah patience. Essentially, God showed Nehemiah a vision of what could and would be and of Nehemiah's part in rebuilding the walls and restoring the morality (and the morale) of the Hebrew people, and then said, "But don't do anything yet. This is not the right time. I'll let you know when the time is right. Until then, be patient, and trust me. I'm in the now and in the not yet, and you're only in the now. Trust me!"

A while back I shared a vision with a group of people. Because I felt (and still feel) that this vision is from God, my mind's eye (or was it my pride's eye?) already saw the awe-inspiring experiences we were about to share, and I began to think of myself as the person through whom God would bring about the realization of this wonderful vision. Well, the group did not adopt or affirm my vision. Maybe one day, but not this day. Maybe somewhere, not here. Maybe someone, not us. Not me. Not now.

So, what about the vision? Did I miss it? Not necessarily. In fact, maybe no one missed anything. If the vision (which I can still see) is truly from God, and if God intends it to come to fruition in the place and with the people in the vision, and if I'm to be a part of that vision, there's one more variable: time.

When I'm passionate about a compelling vision, I want to jump on it now! But it could be dangerous and would definitely be wrong for me to try to force the adoption of "my" vision now, and it could be a serious mistake to give up on the whole thing just because what I thought would happen didn't happen -- yet. To serve people as a leader requires vision, but that's not all. It also helps to be a bit of a comedian. It's all in the……

TIMING!