It was a great experience to partner as Producer for the Teach Us To Pray series that we’re starting. I’m very proud of this Journal that we created instead of our regular programs. I’m hopeful for the fruit from these next seven weeks
Showing all posts tagged #journal:
Remember the I Am
Posted on November 4th, 2014
Pray about it.
Write about it.
Share about it.
I like the idea in these thoughts that my friend shared from a book he has been reading. It talks about how we can find success in breaking through the old patterns that we want freedom from...
I die to self by the act of belonging to Christ.
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
-Galatians 5:24 (ESV)
What is my identity?
...all will sing out hallelujah, all will cry out hallelujah
Remember the I Am:
By resisting the beginner’s mind, you make yourself more prone to repeat yourself than to create something new. The attempt to avoid failure, in other words, makes failure more likely. Paying attention to the present moment without letting your thoughts and ideas about the past and the future get in the way is essential.
-Ed Catmull
While we strive for a sinless life, we know we will never be those who need no repentance. We stumble, we fall, but your love and grace helps us to know that our sins may be forgiven. May we know your warm forgiveness and heaven’s joy. Amen.
-Unknown
Light reveals/creates something beautiful; while darkness breeds destruction. May we confess to one another so we might magnify God's beauty. I will lift high Jesus' name by my surrender to Him.
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.
-Jesus of Nazareth (John 12:32 ESV)
If a person attracts through his personality, that becomes his appeal. If, however, he is identified with the Lord Himself, then the appeal becomes what Jesus Christ can do. The danger is to glory in men, yet Jesus says we are to lift up only Him.
-Oswald Chambers
I commit to carrying this thought with me today.
Hands Head and Heart
Posted on October 27th, 2014
He who works with his hands is a laborer.
He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.
He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.
-St. Francis of Assisi
Travel Light
Posted on October 6th, 2014
Last week I took a three day trip to Chicago for the Story Conference. As per normal, I choose to travel light. A few people commented on my setup so I figured I’d take a photo and share about the contents I carried on my back.
- Arc'teryx Axios 25 Daypack - I love this backpack. I have had it for 4 years and could not be more happy with my choice to purchase it. Ask me more about this and perhaps I can dedicate a post to it…
- One pair of pants is all you need, otherwise a complete change of clothes for each day. Additionally a pullover for chilly mornings.
- Toiletry bag is a nice little bag from REI. Tootbrush, toothpaste, deoderant, aftershave lotion, hair wax, q-tips, bandaids, etc. My lip balm I always keep in the pen pocket for easy access.
- I carry my Moleskine journal with me.To write in this, I use my Uni-ball 207 black .38 tip pen. I rarely ever use paper; but for the discipline of journaling I enjoy my good pen on Moleskine. I also write longhand notes to people from time to time. My wife got one from this trip.
- I have my iPad Air. I take all my conference notes in GoodNotes with my Adonit Jot Pro.
- My Moo business cards were in the easy access hip belt pocket.
- Attached to the inside clip, I had my card case (swag from Story2010) for collecting business cards and receipts.
- Attached there as well is my key fob for returning to my car on the way home.
- In that same outside pocket, I keep my headphones and sunglasses.
- Buried deep in the bag were my charging plugs/cables. I also have the Jackery portable charger. I was on Twitter all through the sessions and was tethering often; therefore this was a great safety net to make sure my phone stayed alive.
- My Fugi XE-2 is a fun addition. I love using this mirrorless camera! Not able to be seen is its case which I used to prop up the backpack. I have a great portable tripod, but choose not to take it on this trip. I knew I’d be struggling for time to use it and therefore made the choice for a slightly lighter pack.
- Finally, my Contigo Thermos. I have owned this for 7or8 some years. It’s so durable. It doesn’t spill. It keeps coffee hot through to the afternoon. When I’m done with coffee, I use it as my water bottle.
Everything I need; nothing I don’t. Travel light; enjoy the journey.
A Challenge to Myself
Posted on July 23rd, 2014
We artists are responsible for being the spark of hope that will change futures.
Eliminate everything that makes you less than the best reflection of your humanity. It is your responsibility is to be a good steward of every opportunity.
Eliminate everything that makes you less than the best reflection of your humanity. It is your responsibility is to be a good steward of every opportunity.
Own your contribution. Do not allow cynicism to "protect" you from having to try. Cynicism and hope cannot coexist. Embrace the new present and pursue the future without fear.
If you complain about something (especially more than once) you’re allowing it to continue. Instead, look for how you can solve the "problem" and lead into a new future… Future based language changes present results.
Do not be lulled into accepting the good. Instead, search out the hidden potential for greatness. Greatness is revealed by the discipline of whittling away at the idea and not settling for the first draft.
Tell a story. Be an artisan. Craft the magical.
Give good notes; be a good coach. Do not "play small." Give the gift of honest and constructive criticism - it is a real gift if your team trusts that you are for them.
Being full of hope, bring your full self to any and every situation. Know your unique talents and steward them well.
Use your creative mind as a gift to the team. When at your best, you'll ask helpful, focusing questions that will guide us toward a better future.
Always take a chance on better, even if it seems threatening. Break paradigms - dare to bend the implications of what people think they know.
Ideate where we might go as we consider "hopeful, unknown, future possibilities."
Tomorrow is not rooted in the past unless you are lazy in your vision. May we call each other to the higher standard. Let us reach for the stars.
May we be known by love. May ours be a collective voice of hope. May we realize our potential to create a beautiful future.
Do not hesitate to step up where others shrink in fear. Charge as a warrior in the service of joy. Never cease speaking up and offering your very best work. Be relentless in generously sharing the gift you uniquely can be - to your ecclesial community and the world beyond.
Give good notes; be a good coach. Do not "play small." Give the gift of honest and constructive criticism - it is a real gift if your team trusts that you are for them.
Strive to do what only you can do. Gather and invest in great teammates. They too are creative and uniquely gifted. Be intentional and mine it out of them.
Being full of hope, bring your full self to any and every situation. Know your unique talents and steward them well.
Use your creative mind as a gift to the team. When at your best, you'll ask helpful, focusing questions that will guide us toward a better future.
Always take a chance on better, even if it seems threatening. Break paradigms - dare to bend the implications of what people think they know.
Ideate where we might go as we consider "hopeful, unknown, future possibilities."
Tomorrow is not rooted in the past unless you are lazy in your vision. May we call each other to the higher standard. Let us reach for the stars.
May we be known by love. May ours be a collective voice of hope. May we realize our potential to create a beautiful future.
Do not hesitate to step up where others shrink in fear. Charge as a warrior in the service of joy. Never cease speaking up and offering your very best work. Be relentless in generously sharing the gift you uniquely can be - to your ecclesial community and the world beyond.
You are designed to imagine and create the future.
You are not your idea. Be openhanded with everything. You are not what you do. Do not forget that the Work of God is to believe in the one who was sent.
As a creative who seeks to live life to the fullest, you must always pay attention to the world. See the big picture. Never cease to to be awestruck at the beauty of nature. Practice gratefulness; recognize gifts even and especially in the midst of chaos. Share in the celtic tradition as you journey.
Be not prideful; be courageous. Live unhindered. Your life is art.
Continue dying to yourself and live every new day in a posture of surrender.
Keep your integrity bounded and your imagination boundless. May your dreams be big - rooted in not in your past but in the One who was and is and most importantly who is to come.
Love with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.
*The above is curated from my various journal entries, notebooks, and underlined passages from books I've been reading. Along with a few "original" thoughts of my own, much of the above is derived with paraphrasing (and a few direct quotes) from some people who have been inspiring me over the past few months. Thanks in particular to Oswald Chambers, Seth Godin, Erwin McManus, Ann Voscamp, Ed Catmull, Aaron Sorkin, Marcus Buckingham, Michael Dauphinee, Jason Jaggard, Jessica Wolfe, and Jesus of Nazareth.
Keep your integrity bounded and your imagination boundless. May your dreams be big - rooted in not in your past but in the One who was and is and most importantly who is to come.
Love with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.
*The above is curated from my various journal entries, notebooks, and underlined passages from books I've been reading. Along with a few "original" thoughts of my own, much of the above is derived with paraphrasing (and a few direct quotes) from some people who have been inspiring me over the past few months. Thanks in particular to Oswald Chambers, Seth Godin, Erwin McManus, Ann Voscamp, Ed Catmull, Aaron Sorkin, Marcus Buckingham, Michael Dauphinee, Jason Jaggard, Jessica Wolfe, and Jesus of Nazareth.
Perspective of life is revealed in beauty of nature and people
Posted on July 11th, 2014
I read this prayer this morning and have found encouragement in it. I've been contemplating it as my morning moves along.
"Heavenly Father, our lives are full of distractions and our focus on you is sometimes lost. Today, let us stop to behold your majesty, revealed in the beauty of nature an in your children. Amen."
Here are a few photos (that help me consider those thoughts and remember perspective) from last week's camping trip with some dear friends of ours.
Vision
Posted on June 11th, 2014
If we don't constantly call our teams to the higher vision, we will slowly deteriorate into mediocrity.
Be the magician. Your team needs you. Don't settle.
Posted on September 19th, 2013
I took these notes this morning at #storychicago:
The designer is the only magician on the team. Other people will build, market, etc.
I need to do what only I can do.
AND: I must push for what I intuitively know will work. Regardless of the opposition to my idea - from bosses, producers, etc. - if I know it will make the difference in communicating better, I need to keep pushing until my concept is tried.
Don't settle. No one ever got in trouble for over delivering.
Value Add
Posted on August 2nd, 2013
Scanning an old journal, I came across this bit of encouragement to be who I’m uniquely created to be. My value-add is that, "I bring an unseen potential of ideation to the creative process and I have a unique ability to maximize the product by manipulating resources in a strategic manner."
My encouragement to you who might be reading this: Sped time reflecting on what you enjoy doing. Consider what things you do well either naturally and/or because you have such practice that it has become second nature; and ideally both. I also suggest taking the StrengthsFinder2.0 indicator. I originally penned this journal entry shortly after learning my strength themes - Ideation, Maximizer, Strategic are my top 3. If you can apply your potential in situations where it can be a gift to others, you will be value-add.
Here's to continued growth as a steward of my strengths and opportunities.
A quote I like about “the best people“ & “their encouraging high standards”...
Posted on January 5th, 2013
A quote I like about "the best people" & "their encouraging high standards" #reviewinganoldjournal
Creative Director | Process Architect. Design Strategist. Leadership Coach.