My Blog Is Moving

Hey everyone. I am moving blogging platforms. The new site is up but it still needs some work. From now on, though, I will be blogging on the new site. This new site allows people to comment easier. I would love for you guys to offer comments and engage in the dialogue. It will be fun (to me anyway).

Check it out...
www.jakestum.com

Jake

True Community

I had an overwhelming experience at church this morning. I help lead a class that targets our homeless population. This morning we had almost 30 people in our class. In the last few weeks we have had three people get jobs and they are now looking for housing. This is exhilarating to me, but the really cool part is what else is happening–story time…

First, let me tell you about a friend that I will call Bob (not his real name). We helped him get a job about a month ago. He was able to get a little car and moved out of the warehouse and into his car. With his first pay check he went and bought some whole turkeys and brought them to the church. He said that because the church had done so much to help him, he wanted to give something back.

Second, this morning was amazing. One of the guys in the class, who has recently gotten a job, fixed up some used bicycles and brought them to the other members of our class so that they could have transportation to job interviews. Then a senior adult ladies class heard what was going on and has offered to donate the money for this guy to continue buying bikes and fixing them so that everyone in the class can have some type of transportation.

Third, we have had several who have committed their lives to following the way of Christ who have NEVER been into our sanctuary. They wouldn’t feel comfortable there, but we have made a place for them to connect in community.

Geez! I sat in the class witnessing the church in action. Unbelievable. Don’t know what else to say.

Prepetually Ignorant?

The post below contains a quote by Elbert Hubbard. Here is another one...

"The recipe for perpetual ignorance is: be satisfied with your opinions and content with your knowledge."

Few things in this world bother me more than people who aren't willing to have dialogue. I used to be the person that would either avoid or argue with people who had ANY different opinion. One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is the power of true dialogue. I believe that I can learn from anyone if I will value them and attempt to listen more than I talk.

Glad I am stupid

I came across a great quote today by Elbert Hubbard that really encouraged me...

"Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped."

Most of the time I feel more "stupid" than "genius." According this quote that actually gives me an advantage. Yes!

How to earn respect

I am reading through the Old Testament book of Exodus. I noticed something this morning that is interesting to me. Moses was able to earn respect with people of Israel and the people of Egypt (except Pharaoh). At first he was a stammering outcast, but became one of the greatest leaders in Israel's history. There are several reasons for this, but what struck me this morning is that one of the main reasons is everything Moses said was going to happen really happened. He said plagues were coming and they did. He said the children of Israel would get to leave Egypt and they did.

This is a good leadership lesson about earning respect. I have been guilty of making statements that did not come to pass. When this happens on a regular basis followers begin to lose respect. Here are some reasons why I over-promise and under-deliver:

1. I speak too soon: Many times I will start talking about an idea before I should. I will begin to implement something or cast vision when it is not formulated enough to be public knowledge.

2. I say too much: I have "ideas" all the time. I can start spouting off all of these ideas and eventually they become white noise for those I am leading. They think, "we have heard this stuff before. It isn't going to happen." They mistake my verbal brainstorming for intentional plans.

3. I am lazy: I can tend to plan some big project, promote it, then realize that I don't really have the energy to pull it off. After a few of these failures people will begin to lose enthusiasm for new projects because they aren't convinced they will really happen.

Following through on our promises will help us earn respect.

Blog Recommendation

Just came a across the SAMBA blog... great stuff.

A clear view does not equal a short distance

Today I read a quote by a Grand Canyon hiker...

"Don't mistake a clear view for a short distance."

That statement resonates with me. So many times I feel like I can see clearly where I need to go. I often, however, underestimate how long it will take to get there. This can lead to disappointment. Just because I have a vision/idea/project clearly in my mind doesn't mean it is easy to achieve.