We all have blind spots in our life; misguided thinking, bad decisions and the like. Often times other people can see our blind spots but we either ignore, deny, or dismiss them.

Last week in Rules Are FOR People I explained that we live in a reckless, rule-ignoring, freedom-focused society. Far too often in our quest for freedom we create a new blind spot.

When I was just beginning to move from loner to leader I read these words:

“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” 1

They have helped me to remember not to choose as selfishly as I am inclined to be.

I attached the picture on purpose. Bad pictures remind us to laugh at ourselves and not take ourselves too seriously.

I’m thinking a lot about my role as a leader.

“The advice of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it avoid the snares of death.” 1

1 – Proverbs 13:14, NLT

Several years ago I was cleaning out a closet. There in a battered and bend cardboard box I found my remaining comic books from my childhood.

There were between forty and fifty books, all in well-read condition. Some had covers, others did not. As I sat on the hardwood floor in our study I read and read reliving an important part of my childhood.

While many people loved Superman, Batman, Spiderman or Captain America, my favorites were Nighthawk and the purple-clad archer pinned to the ground, Hawkeye.

My wife and millions of other people read Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling or Jesus Calling Devotional Bible every day. While doing so their faiths have been strengthened and their lives transformed.

Jesus Calling was written as if Jesus Christ was calling you for a chat. Today’s essay contains wise and thoughtful advice for each of us to consider this Father’s Day.

STAY ON THE HIGH ROAD WITH ME. 1

“Many voices clamor for your attention, trying to divert you to another path. But I have called you to walk ever so closely with Me, soaking in My Presence, living in My Peace. This is My unique design for you, planned before the world began.

More Unintended Consequences

Clearly the consequences of our actions is not always foreseeable:
– Sometimes harmless pranks go horribly wrong
– Oversights have lead to industrial accidents
– Forgotten oil plugs destroy car engines

On a more personal level, sometimes…
– Friendly banter is misunderstood as flirting
– Couples breakup when they want nothing but
– Partyers having fun get alcohol poisoning
– People try meth and become addicts
– Teens have sex and become unintended parents
– Parents try to build a relationship with their kids and it seems to backfire

Even More Unintended Consequences

Unintended Consequences

The German weekly Der Spiegel has a report about the unintended consequences of child labor laws in one Pakistani city known for producing soccer balls.

Apparently children were frequently employed in the factories, until child labor “advocates” in the West forced companies like Nike and Adidas to ensure that their suppliers weren’t employing children. But what happened to the kids? Surely after they were freed from their toiling in the factories they went to school and now have well-paying office jobs, right?

“More Than a Bucket List will challenge you to go for that hole-in-one at Pebble Beach, to become an amateur chef, to scale K2. But it will also encourage you to view these accomplishments from God’s point of view and to make your bucket list matter eternally along the way. With each page, the dream inside you will be drawn out—the higher dream of what God has purposed for you.”

The author challenges her readers to choose positive values:
Pursue laughter.
Live your dreams.
Honor the strength of others.
Fight for love.
Be a Good Samaritan.
Become a more positive person.

As I was approaching fifty years old I sought the wisdom of my elders. I sought out men and women older than I was to learn lessons on life that they had been learning.

Last Monday I began a series entitled A Treasure Chest Of Wisdom, including:

1. Don’t Hold Grudges
2. Take Care Of Your Health.
3. Compassion Makes Sense and Giving Is Better Than Taking
4. Greed Gains Momentum
5. Gratitude Leads To Contentment
6. Contentment Leads To Generosity
7. Everyone Splashes. Splash Blessings.
8. Find A Mentor
9. Why Become A Mentor?

As I was approaching fifty years old I sought the wisdom of my elders. I sought out men and women older than I was to learn lessons on life that they had been learning.

Last Monday I began a series entitled A Treasure Chest Of Wisdom, including:

1. Don’t Hold Grudges
2. Take Care Of Your Health.
3. Compassion Makes Sense and Giving Is Better Than Taking
4. Greed Gains Momentum
5. Gratitude Leads To Contentment
6. Contentment Leads To Generosity
7. Everyone Splashes. Splash Blessings.
8. Find A Mentor

“Why did you decide to become a mentor?”