“THE A-B-CS OF HANDLING MISTAKES”
A grizzled old sea captain was often spotted by his crew opening a small, locked box on the bridge, peeking inside at its contents, and shutting the lid before anyone might glimpse inside. The crew's curiosity grew and, on the day he retired, they rushed to the bridge, cut the lock and looked inside the box. There they found a sheet of paper that read, "Left -- port. Right -- starboard."
If you’ve ever sailed or been on a boat you’ll understand this even more acutely. Probably no one who has sailed can keep port and starboard right every time. Probably every one who has sailed has yelled out “obstacle to port” when they meant the opposite. I’ve done it several times my self, and even more often in some other life calls I’ve made.
One such mess us up, gives us nightmares about making a mistake. Some people won’t act because they are afraid to err. Others feel as if no one is listening until a mistake has been made!
For we humans, who make mistakes and err – we simply can’t help it, here’s the story of Roy Riegels.
The story is told about Roy and the 1929 Rose Bowl championship football game between Georgia Tech and the University of California. Shortly before half-time, a man named Roy Riegels made a huge mistake. He got the ball for California and somehow became confused and started running in the wrong direction! One of his team mates outdistanced him and tackled him after he had run 65 yards just before he would have scored for the opposing team. Of course, Georgia Tech gained a distinct advantage through the error.
The men filed off the field and went into the dressing room. All but Riegels sat down on the benches and on the floor. He wrapped his blanket around his shoulders, sat in a corner, put his face in his hands and wept.
Coach Nibbs Price struggled with what to do with Roy. He finally looked at the team and said simply, "Men, the same team that played the first half, will start the second." All the players except Roy trotted out to the field. He didn't budge. Though the coach looked back and called to him again, he remained huddled in the corner. Coach Price went to him and said, "Roy, didn't you hear me?"
"Coach," he said, "I can't do it. I've ruined you; I've ruined UCLA; I've ruined myself. I couldn't face that crowd in the stadium to save my life."
But Coach Price put his hand on Riegels' shoulder and said, "Roy, get up and go on back; the game is only half over." Roy Riegels went back and those Tech men will tell you that they have never seen a man play football as Roy Riegels played that second half.
From this story I’ve learned to apply this A – B – C process to the mistakes I make:
A - Acknowledge the error and accept responsibility for it. Don't try to fix the blame on other people or circumstances. Fixing the blame never fixes the problem.
B - Be gentle. The game is only half over. This is not the first ever made, nor will it be the last. I am still a good and caring person. Besides, later I’m likely to tell wonderful stories about this blunder, so I try and lighten up a bit for now.
C - Correct it and move on. "Those who are wise don't consider it a blessing to make no mistakes," says Wang Yang-Ming. "They believe instead that the great virtue is the ability to correct mistakes and to continually reinvent oneself."
So, we make mistakes. Go ahead and make some mistakes – it means one is not sitting still. And though some may be no less than spectacular, if practicing the A – B - C method, we’ll live to tell about all of them and laugh about most of them.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
The Crosses in the Tree
I found myself standing in the chapel of Morning Star looking out at one of the large pine trees. I wasn't looking for or at anything in particular. But suddenly it struck me. The ends of several of the branches had a cross on them. I looked more closely. Many branches had a cross at the end of the branch. The cross. Our salvation. The cross once made of a tree. A tree full of crosses.
I know that upon closer examination I really wouldn't find crosses at the end of the branches. I'd find an arrangement of new growth, probably 5 or 6 new "spears". But from the vantage point I had, the branches were aligned so that I saw crosses.
Now, I don't want to put any particular significance to what I saw. It was just a sense of my salvation and the presence of God in a simple place and in a simple way. For the moment in which I stood there, it was a miracle.
You see, God doesn't always become evident in the dramatic, the over whelming or the newsworthy. God more often becomes evident in the simple things. God often is revealed in the unexpectedly mundane things of life. And that's a miracle too.
I know that upon closer examination I really wouldn't find crosses at the end of the branches. I'd find an arrangement of new growth, probably 5 or 6 new "spears". But from the vantage point I had, the branches were aligned so that I saw crosses.
Now, I don't want to put any particular significance to what I saw. It was just a sense of my salvation and the presence of God in a simple place and in a simple way. For the moment in which I stood there, it was a miracle.
You see, God doesn't always become evident in the dramatic, the over whelming or the newsworthy. God more often becomes evident in the simple things. God often is revealed in the unexpectedly mundane things of life. And that's a miracle too.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
The Power of a Smile
Teresa and I went to visit our Dads yesterday. During our time with my Dad, he was talking about how few people say good morning at his assisted living residence. Even though he is legally blind, he is aware of some of the "sour" attitude among the 25 or so people that he lives with.
My Dad's attitude is far from sour. Every morning on his walk, he smiles and says "Good Morning" to everyone he meets. Same is true the rest of the day too -- though the greeting changes depending on the time of day.
As I was driving home I got to reflecting on this thing of smiling and saying "Good Morning." Specifically, I got to thinking about my morning bike rides of late when I greet those I meet along the trail/sidewalk. Many are sour and glum and give nary a glance my way. Others are bright and bubbly with with a hearty greeting or perhaps even a wave of the hand. Never-the-less, I greet each one with some sort of a verbal greeting.
My reflection lead me to an interesting insight. That is that my greetings and smile are at least as important for me as for the other. My smiles and my greetings have a tendency to change my perspective and attitude. They release warm feelings. They hook up great chemistry. They plant in me a wonderful outlook for the day. Even when I'm not feeling so positive (remember I'm not really a morning person) in the morning, my smile and greetings perk me up and give me positive feelings. I suspect some good things happen for the other too, I know they do for me when the other gives a hearty good morning greeting.
So, I think, it is no coincidence that my Dad's attitude is what it is. He starts his day with smiles and "Good Mornings" to all around. Maybe it is no coincidence that his home mates are more dour and glum -- they don't seem to warm up to those smiles and "Good Mornings." Maybe it is no coincidence that my feelings and attitudes change when I offer those warm greetings with a smile.
So, I'm thinking, more smiles. More "Good Mornings". Not so much because the other person needs them, but because I need them.
Blessings along your journey.
My Dad's attitude is far from sour. Every morning on his walk, he smiles and says "Good Morning" to everyone he meets. Same is true the rest of the day too -- though the greeting changes depending on the time of day.
As I was driving home I got to reflecting on this thing of smiling and saying "Good Morning." Specifically, I got to thinking about my morning bike rides of late when I greet those I meet along the trail/sidewalk. Many are sour and glum and give nary a glance my way. Others are bright and bubbly with with a hearty greeting or perhaps even a wave of the hand. Never-the-less, I greet each one with some sort of a verbal greeting.
My reflection lead me to an interesting insight. That is that my greetings and smile are at least as important for me as for the other. My smiles and my greetings have a tendency to change my perspective and attitude. They release warm feelings. They hook up great chemistry. They plant in me a wonderful outlook for the day. Even when I'm not feeling so positive (remember I'm not really a morning person) in the morning, my smile and greetings perk me up and give me positive feelings. I suspect some good things happen for the other too, I know they do for me when the other gives a hearty good morning greeting.
So, I think, it is no coincidence that my Dad's attitude is what it is. He starts his day with smiles and "Good Mornings" to all around. Maybe it is no coincidence that his home mates are more dour and glum -- they don't seem to warm up to those smiles and "Good Mornings." Maybe it is no coincidence that my feelings and attitudes change when I offer those warm greetings with a smile.
So, I'm thinking, more smiles. More "Good Mornings". Not so much because the other person needs them, but because I need them.
Blessings along your journey.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
In Memory of Pastor Martin C. Ashley
September 5, 1925 - August 30, 2010
Today would have been Pastor Ashley's 85th Birthday.
Pastor Ashley came from Kansas to Omaha in 1955 as a Mission Developer for the Lutheran Congregation that later became Morning Star. Pastor Ashley was Pastor of Morning Star until 1977. Morning Star was a significant part of Pastor Ashley’s 61 years of ordained ministry, a milestone celebrated at Morning star with the planting of a tree in his honor – it is the one near our mail box. And, on the flip side, Pastor Ashley has been a significant part of the 53 years of Morning Star’s life and the lives of a significant number of Morning Star people.
I didn't have the privilege of knowing Pastor Ashley very well. But what I did get to know is that Pastor Ashley was tenacious in his work to build the kingdom of God and to build Morning Star. In those years developing a mission congregation meant “door knocking”. I’ve heard dozens of stories of Pastor Ashley coming to the door, being invited in and “before he left we had become among the members of Morning Star Lutheran.” And there is Pastor Ashley's preaching. He was gifted with a wonderful speaking voice. He used it to present a strong clear message of the gospel of Jesus Christ and was compelling for the faith in believing in that same Gospel. And, Pastor Ashley was always generous, complementary and kind.
Marks of Pastor Ashley's ministry are all over Morning Star. In her people and in the building itself. If my understanding is correct, Pastor Ashley had a hand in the design of our stained glass windows. His passion for Jesus is clear all around us.
Thank you, Pastor Ashley for your witness, your ministry and your life of faith.
And on today's "new birthday" rest in God’s full arms of grace in your heavenly home, in the victory of the Gospel you preached so faithfully.
Today would have been Pastor Ashley's 85th Birthday.
Pastor Ashley came from Kansas to Omaha in 1955 as a Mission Developer for the Lutheran Congregation that later became Morning Star. Pastor Ashley was Pastor of Morning Star until 1977. Morning Star was a significant part of Pastor Ashley’s 61 years of ordained ministry, a milestone celebrated at Morning star with the planting of a tree in his honor – it is the one near our mail box. And, on the flip side, Pastor Ashley has been a significant part of the 53 years of Morning Star’s life and the lives of a significant number of Morning Star people.
I didn't have the privilege of knowing Pastor Ashley very well. But what I did get to know is that Pastor Ashley was tenacious in his work to build the kingdom of God and to build Morning Star. In those years developing a mission congregation meant “door knocking”. I’ve heard dozens of stories of Pastor Ashley coming to the door, being invited in and “before he left we had become among the members of Morning Star Lutheran.” And there is Pastor Ashley's preaching. He was gifted with a wonderful speaking voice. He used it to present a strong clear message of the gospel of Jesus Christ and was compelling for the faith in believing in that same Gospel. And, Pastor Ashley was always generous, complementary and kind.
Marks of Pastor Ashley's ministry are all over Morning Star. In her people and in the building itself. If my understanding is correct, Pastor Ashley had a hand in the design of our stained glass windows. His passion for Jesus is clear all around us.
Thank you, Pastor Ashley for your witness, your ministry and your life of faith.
And on today's "new birthday" rest in God’s full arms of grace in your heavenly home, in the victory of the Gospel you preached so faithfully.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
"Hoarding" and Forgiveness
Perhaps you saw the story in the paper last week. I'm thinking about the one about the 67 year old Las Vegas woman who went missing last April. She was finally found, by her husband inside her own home -- under a pile of debris. After being reported missing by her husband back in April (that's four months ago), an extensive search was conducted including bringing sniffer dogs tinto the home and to the area immediately adjacent to it. The problem was that there was so much odor inside the home (from her obsessive hoarding) that the dogs were unable to pick up her scent. Apparently Billie Jean James had been in the room she called her "rabbit hole" when items squirreled away there collapsed on her.
It is a sad story. It must have been a sad existence. But there are others who have died beneath the weight of their hoarding.
Most of us are not in danger from that kind of hoarding. We are much more in danger of stockpiling resentments, grudges, slights and our own misguided perceptions of others. These kinds of things are everywhere: in traffic, when someone gets the promotion or position that we think we deserved, when someone doesn't do the job our way, which is of course much better. We find them when someone gives us bad news about a budget cut or layoff, ends a relationship, takes advantage of us or uses us for their own ends. You see this list could go on and on.
There is a piece of our humanity that leads us to hoard these offenses. We might take our anger out on a family member or other innocent party. We might be cool to someone and keep them at a distance. We might choose not to make the first move to greet that other person, or secretly hope they "get what is coming to them." We might be angry or sad most of the time. Our friends might notice that we are withdrawn, moody or distracted.
You see, these are the signs of human hoarding of emotions, resentments, slights and perceived injustices. These are the signs that we are slowly being smothered under the weight of emotional hoarding.
These things are better let go of than stored away. If you think you've been mistreated, deal with it directly in terms of a conversation (no e-mail or texts of this kind of stuff). Maybe it won't be resolved, but it is healthier than hoarding. For many things, it is better just to let them go. To walk away. To "dump" them in to a journal or letter that is then destroyed. To move on with your life.
In the end refusing to let go and walk away from the resentments and offenses that we want to hoard, will harm our spirit and leave us under the control of another.
Paul gave this advice in Colossians 3: "Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you."
It is a sad story. It must have been a sad existence. But there are others who have died beneath the weight of their hoarding.
Most of us are not in danger from that kind of hoarding. We are much more in danger of stockpiling resentments, grudges, slights and our own misguided perceptions of others. These kinds of things are everywhere: in traffic, when someone gets the promotion or position that we think we deserved, when someone doesn't do the job our way, which is of course much better. We find them when someone gives us bad news about a budget cut or layoff, ends a relationship, takes advantage of us or uses us for their own ends. You see this list could go on and on.
There is a piece of our humanity that leads us to hoard these offenses. We might take our anger out on a family member or other innocent party. We might be cool to someone and keep them at a distance. We might choose not to make the first move to greet that other person, or secretly hope they "get what is coming to them." We might be angry or sad most of the time. Our friends might notice that we are withdrawn, moody or distracted.
You see, these are the signs of human hoarding of emotions, resentments, slights and perceived injustices. These are the signs that we are slowly being smothered under the weight of emotional hoarding.
These things are better let go of than stored away. If you think you've been mistreated, deal with it directly in terms of a conversation (no e-mail or texts of this kind of stuff). Maybe it won't be resolved, but it is healthier than hoarding. For many things, it is better just to let them go. To walk away. To "dump" them in to a journal or letter that is then destroyed. To move on with your life.
In the end refusing to let go and walk away from the resentments and offenses that we want to hoard, will harm our spirit and leave us under the control of another.
Paul gave this advice in Colossians 3: "Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you."
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
September, 2010 Sketchings
“’JOURNEY 2 RENEWAL’: A SUMMARY!!”
I thought it appropriate to provide a summary of my part of our “Journey 2 Renewal.” While you are getting bits and pieces of this wonderful time, it seems helpful to share with the whole of Morning Star some of ways in which I believe this time has made an impact for my life and ministry.
First of all, however, Teresa joins me in saying a great big “Thank You” for this time away, this time to renew, this time to journey to places we really never dreamed of seeing. What began as a “once-in-a-lifetime” trip actually opened up our dreams to a lifetime that will include more travels into this wonderful, engaging and interesting world.
My activities included reading, personal travel and reflection, attention to my spiritual, emotional and physical self, relationships with my God and my family and a three-week tour “In the Footsteps of Paul.” I also was able to worship with area and regional congregations and connect with my mentor and accountability partners.
My major “goal” was to enter into a new season of “being” – “well being”, being present and being claimed by God’s grace. In the reading of Paul, my travels and the slower pace of these weeks, I believe my spirit has been calmed and buoyed at the same time. I find myself able to find the quiet depths of my inner self and to enjoy ministry with a different pace and focus. An active and tangible result of this season of being has been the formation of some new relationships with a “spiritual guide” and a new set of ministry / mentor partners. I believe these new relationships will help me continue to grow the seeds planted during “Journey 2 Renewal.”
These “popcorn” observations also help share a perspective on Journey 2 Renewal:
“GOD” PROMPTING:
My reading of Paul and his ministry, along with the ease with which tour participants “testified” to their faith, challenged me to ponder the whole idea of “testimony”, both my testimony to my faith and my testimony to Jesus as the Christ. (I blogged about this theme earlier.)
LEARNING “NUGGETS:
Most of the Apostle Paul’s work was not in Greece (Philippi, Athens and Corinth). Rather it was in Turkey, mostly in the parts of Turkey that we did not visit.
Turkey and the areas of Biblical History have a long been the center of political conquest with at least 9 different conquering empires over human history.
SURPRISE OPPORTUNITY:
A visit to the Science Museum of MN’s interesting and informative exhibit of the “Dead Sea Scrolls” and the “St. John’s Bible”. I saw the St. John’s Bible exhibit in Omaha, but it was meaningful to see it linked to the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Please know that from time to time I will be sharing more of my learning and observations. I hope you’ll be open to sharing yours as well.
T. O. M.
I thought it appropriate to provide a summary of my part of our “Journey 2 Renewal.” While you are getting bits and pieces of this wonderful time, it seems helpful to share with the whole of Morning Star some of ways in which I believe this time has made an impact for my life and ministry.
First of all, however, Teresa joins me in saying a great big “Thank You” for this time away, this time to renew, this time to journey to places we really never dreamed of seeing. What began as a “once-in-a-lifetime” trip actually opened up our dreams to a lifetime that will include more travels into this wonderful, engaging and interesting world.
My activities included reading, personal travel and reflection, attention to my spiritual, emotional and physical self, relationships with my God and my family and a three-week tour “In the Footsteps of Paul.” I also was able to worship with area and regional congregations and connect with my mentor and accountability partners.
My major “goal” was to enter into a new season of “being” – “well being”, being present and being claimed by God’s grace. In the reading of Paul, my travels and the slower pace of these weeks, I believe my spirit has been calmed and buoyed at the same time. I find myself able to find the quiet depths of my inner self and to enjoy ministry with a different pace and focus. An active and tangible result of this season of being has been the formation of some new relationships with a “spiritual guide” and a new set of ministry / mentor partners. I believe these new relationships will help me continue to grow the seeds planted during “Journey 2 Renewal.”
These “popcorn” observations also help share a perspective on Journey 2 Renewal:
“GOD” PROMPTING:
My reading of Paul and his ministry, along with the ease with which tour participants “testified” to their faith, challenged me to ponder the whole idea of “testimony”, both my testimony to my faith and my testimony to Jesus as the Christ. (I blogged about this theme earlier.)
LEARNING “NUGGETS:
Most of the Apostle Paul’s work was not in Greece (Philippi, Athens and Corinth). Rather it was in Turkey, mostly in the parts of Turkey that we did not visit.
Turkey and the areas of Biblical History have a long been the center of political conquest with at least 9 different conquering empires over human history.
SURPRISE OPPORTUNITY:
A visit to the Science Museum of MN’s interesting and informative exhibit of the “Dead Sea Scrolls” and the “St. John’s Bible”. I saw the St. John’s Bible exhibit in Omaha, but it was meaningful to see it linked to the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Please know that from time to time I will be sharing more of my learning and observations. I hope you’ll be open to sharing yours as well.
T. O. M.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Long Slow Rains and Spiritual Growth
Today, Tuesday 8/17, was one of those days when there were showers and rain all day long. From last evening and through the day and on into this evening there was pretty much a steady light to moderately heavy rain.
Being out and about today took me back in my memories to similar days as a child. This time of the year, a day long rain was somewhat of a luxury. It marked a time to take a break in the routines of farm life. It was a time to catch up on mending broken equipment, fixing fences, running errands, preparing for the fall harvest as well as tending to relationships with neighbors and family and even have the luxury, perhaps, of an afternoon nap. I remember day long rains with a certain amount of fondness, a warm reflective feeling in my being.
While today didn't actually provide a farm type break, it did provide a mental/spiritual/emotional break from a long string of hot days, some of them unbearably so. It did provide a respite for lawns and soil cracked with thirst. It did offer an opportunity for a slower pace going from here to there -- the streets were extra slick for some reason and the resulting accidents slowed the pace of traffic -- sometimes. It did provide an opportunity for this reflective moment of fond memories of my feelings on days gone by.
My reflective moments took me, actually, to some thoughts about how this kind of rain is so good for the thirsty earth. Unlike most of the rains this summer that came in such downpours that much of the water ran off. The earth was no more able to drink in all that moisture than you or I are to grab a thirst quenching drink from the proverbial fire hydrant. But this rain is different. The earth can drink up most of this nectar from the sky. The lake has hardly risen, the creek remains within its banks. My back yard is not a lake. The earth is swallowing the gift of the rain at about the same pace as it is falling.
Somehow, my spiritual growth follows this same pattern. When I find myself "dry" (so to speak) sometimes the mountaintop experiences aren't satisfying long term. When I find myself dry I don't find a downpour to be particularly refreshing. What refreshes is the long, slow, steady work of the Spirit, the never failing but enduring love of God and sipping from the Word of God. What brings growth and fruit is the consistent day by day attention I have to the presence of God in the everyday, routine surprises in life.
I was blessed by the rain today. I was blessed by the showers of God's love and grace. I was blessed by fellowship with other Christians. I was blessed to be able to drink up God's presence at a pace that didn't overwhelm me. As a result, I've take another step in the gradual process of being a little less of me and a little more of Him.
The rain showered on you today. God's love and grace showered on you to. And you took another step in the process of this adventure we call life and faith. I hope your step was as wonderful as was mine.
Being out and about today took me back in my memories to similar days as a child. This time of the year, a day long rain was somewhat of a luxury. It marked a time to take a break in the routines of farm life. It was a time to catch up on mending broken equipment, fixing fences, running errands, preparing for the fall harvest as well as tending to relationships with neighbors and family and even have the luxury, perhaps, of an afternoon nap. I remember day long rains with a certain amount of fondness, a warm reflective feeling in my being.
While today didn't actually provide a farm type break, it did provide a mental/spiritual/emotional break from a long string of hot days, some of them unbearably so. It did provide a respite for lawns and soil cracked with thirst. It did offer an opportunity for a slower pace going from here to there -- the streets were extra slick for some reason and the resulting accidents slowed the pace of traffic -- sometimes. It did provide an opportunity for this reflective moment of fond memories of my feelings on days gone by.
My reflective moments took me, actually, to some thoughts about how this kind of rain is so good for the thirsty earth. Unlike most of the rains this summer that came in such downpours that much of the water ran off. The earth was no more able to drink in all that moisture than you or I are to grab a thirst quenching drink from the proverbial fire hydrant. But this rain is different. The earth can drink up most of this nectar from the sky. The lake has hardly risen, the creek remains within its banks. My back yard is not a lake. The earth is swallowing the gift of the rain at about the same pace as it is falling.
Somehow, my spiritual growth follows this same pattern. When I find myself "dry" (so to speak) sometimes the mountaintop experiences aren't satisfying long term. When I find myself dry I don't find a downpour to be particularly refreshing. What refreshes is the long, slow, steady work of the Spirit, the never failing but enduring love of God and sipping from the Word of God. What brings growth and fruit is the consistent day by day attention I have to the presence of God in the everyday, routine surprises in life.
I was blessed by the rain today. I was blessed by the showers of God's love and grace. I was blessed by fellowship with other Christians. I was blessed to be able to drink up God's presence at a pace that didn't overwhelm me. As a result, I've take another step in the gradual process of being a little less of me and a little more of Him.
The rain showered on you today. God's love and grace showered on you to. And you took another step in the process of this adventure we call life and faith. I hope your step was as wonderful as was mine.
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