N is for News
Did you hear? Tropical storm GABRIELLE is expected to become a hurricane. While I was excited to see my name in the news, it poses an odd question: what do I hope for in this scenario? On one hand, I certainly don’t want my name to be associated with destruction and displacement. The Katrinas of the world probably have something to comment here. On the other, do I want her to fizzle out and not reach her potential?
What I can confirm after hearing the news, the phrase “potential category five” means much less to me than it did my first year in Virginia. Perhaps a sign I’m truly settled here on the East Coast. Either way, I should probably visit the grocery store soon.
O is for Observation
Been thinking lately about incongruence in evaluating success. We can’t confirm success of a project if we don’t consider what we’re trying to accomplish. Take this example: sharing the Gospel message.
Maybe you’ve heard that big pitch at a religious ceremony or after a sermon.
Jesus came for the prodigal, yoked by bondage and entangled in strongholds. He died as the propitiation for your sins! He wants to cover you with His blood, you just have to receive it. It’s time to be sanctified, fire-baptized, and Holy Ghost-filled! There’s a hedge of protection waiting for you, you’ve got to die to your flesh and pick up your cross. This moment is anointed: Be born again. Today is the day of salvation!
What is the purpose here?
I think we assume it’s to “evangelize the lost” (hello, another Christianese phrase), but then saturate the five minute pitch with theological jargon: propitiation, the blood, anointed.
If it’s for declaring the glory of God in a way seasoned Christians understand — success! But to anyone else? Not just weird, weird can still be intriguing, but utterly confusing and alienating.
If flowery speeches are our best efforts in sharing God’s message, our methods are not aligned with mission, and it’s time to touch the proverbial grass.
T is for Tips & Tricks
In thinking about courage (per my last post), I was reminded of the TED Talk, How to Make Stress Your Friend. Speaker, psychologist Kelly McGonigal, uses the phrase “biology of courage,” in which our mindset determines if the body’s stress response becomes harmful or helpful. If you’re interested in the scientific explanation of this, ask McGonigal.
For me, it framed the amazing nature of God’s creation — He has given us much of what we need to accomplish hard things, not just a body that fights us along the way. This has long become part of my pre-show routine: instead of hoping I stop feeling nervous, thanking God for a “biology of courage” and accepting natural jitters as fuel for performance.
Skeptical? Taking time to center thankfulness has never made life worse. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
E is for Entertainment
Picture this: Wordle is solved, Connections is not connecting, The Mini Crossword is now behind a paywall. Introducing Pips, the grown up version of fitting the right shapes in the right holes. A phenomenon, no. A pass time for the moment? Sure.
S is for Snapshots
Had the pleasure of visiting California’s capital in August! We stopped for ice cream here in “Old Sac” — a marketing choice I question, but an area I thoroughly enjoyed exploring.
Not picture: soft serve with colorful flavour-swirls; I got orange and it tasted like a creamsicle.
