ANY 2012 GOALS?

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” - Maria Robinson

I asked around during New Year's Eve and Day about goals. Simple question: what are your goals for 2012?

There was very little response.

I think most people are tired of New Year's Resolutions or maybe it's overwhelming to think about what you'd like to do in 365 days. However, I did hear a few good ones:

- Turn my job into my career.
- Put frames on my walls (this is specific and measurable).
- Increased family time.

I'm not a fan of New Year's Resolutions as much (joining a gym!), but I do believe that any opportunity to reflect on your life and goals is positive and necessary. You can create your own starting points - day, week, month, quarter, birthday, new years, etc.

Dave Ramsey reminded me via Twitter that this is a great week to lay out your goals for 2012. Goals mus be: in writing, specific, time sensitive, measurable, personal to you.

I've written out a few of my goals, although to follow Dave's advice I got to get them a little more specific, time sensitive, and measurable.

- Re-engage my MA studies (can't complete this in 2012, likely a 18-24 month goal; classes start January 9th)
- Redesign my blog and write 2x per week
- Spend more Saturdays with family and friends (which = more disciplined work on my Sunday teaching during the week; minimizing urgent work so any work on Saturday is important work)
- Monthly date night (an ongoing goal we never seem to get perfect at but will keep trying at)
- Read 30-60min. every evening (this is specific and measurable; I hope to get 200 pages a week in of extra reading)
- Redecorate my sons room by end of February (plans are in motion)
- Learn photography more (step 1 - I got a camera; step 2 - taking lots of pics; step 3 - 2 hour course in January I'm looking forward to)

I have a few more personal and church related goals, but I leave them for my journal and planning meetings.

What are some goals you have for 2012?
How do you get specific and measurable?

Top 10 Christmas Gifts (ALTERNATIVE)

Christmas is so frantic. Malls are packed. People drive crazy. No one's happy until they sit down to eat. HOHOHO

Here's an easy way to make a lasting impact and get the PERFECT gift for those you love - or through those you love :)

OK, I tricked you!!

These gifts are for people you don't know, but would need them so much more. In fact, maybe who ever you're exchanging gifts with will agree to do the same - win win. Even shaving off 30% of your total budget and redirecting it would make a huge impact.

AdventConspiracy.org is a great inspiration on this.

Jesus came into the world to bring justice, and perhaps the best way to celebrate him is to do justice along side him.

Here's my Top 10 gift alternatives for Christmas 2011:

Soccer balls for boys and girls overseas.
Not bad for a kid who probably never played X-box
30$

Greenhouse for a farmer in Ukraine.
Lengthens their growing season and produces better crop.
100$

That pig they always wanted
Pigs actually help families fertilize their gardens, yum.
75$

Police Chase.
Sponsor a 1 day investigation with International Justice Mission
45$

Put a School Kit together
Help kids overseas with needed tools for education
Drop Off Locations

My favorite, and something everyone should own - yes that Water Buffalo on the top of your list!!
Water Buffalo's help with transport and more... and they're kind of cute
460$ (less than your average espresso machine)

The rest are some organizations you might not know about, but should...

Big Brothers and Sisters
Matching adult mentors with kids that need it

Welcome Hall Mission
One of Montreal's largest resources for the poor

PAX- Communauté de la Rue
Building relationships with and serving the homeless in Montreal

Bearers of Love
Providing funds and resources for homeless, orphans, and rehabilitating addicts in Ukraine

BONUS GIFT:
Westside is doing a FOOD DRIVE for West Island Mission on Sunday, December 18 and 23. Pop into our gathering and drop off some groceries OR connect with WIM directly!!!

What are your gift options this year?
Are you considering going alternative this year?
How much do you spend on gifts, average?

NEXT POST: my theory on why you should completely reconsider what you give to your toddler (ages 0-5) this Christmas and why?

Amazon.com is HUGE

I think Amazon is a great company. I get more interested in them then Apple (yes I own Apple products and happen to consume Amazon products on them). They don't have that elitist edge like Apple seems to give off (please correct me if I'm wrong on this).

I like them b/c they're also more sustainable. You have to buy Apple stuff with your Apple product. You don't only have to buy amazon stuff with your amazon.ca account. I can by books, cameras, e-books, memory cards, etc.
Check out this great infographic on them.

I also like the fact that they provide Apple with competition. Since I also use Apple products, competition should keep the price a little lower :)

Source: Frugaldad.com

Create vs. Consume

I've been feeling the SLUG of consumerism lately.

NOT WHAT YOU THINK.

Ok, I've probably eaten a little too much and maybe purchased something I really don't need (that 1/8 inch wire to attach a DVD player to my car speakers - not important when some live on 2$/day)

The consumerism I'm talking about is INFORMATION.

I can't get enough of it. Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, Articles. It seems like they come in like fire hoses.

To be honest, I hold the valve. I can intake,... or not.

What does this have to do with creating?

Consuming DOES NOT EQUAL creating!!

Consuming can be good, but it can also hurt you.

It makes you procrastinate (one more article on _____ before I start writing)
It gets you tired (one more video on the next iPhone #)
It distracts you from people and priorities (wait honey, I'll be there in 2 min.)

Can you relate?

Tonight I determined to CREATE instead of CONSUME.

I got better at iMovie, making a short video for a community outreach
I wrote the a book review

I'm going to bed fulfilled. Infact, even writing this post makes me feel creative instead of consumeristic.

How are you at with balancing your creativity and consumption?
What products (web, tv, magazines, etc.) do you find yourself consuming?
Is there a good consumption and a bad one?

write

Just listening to a podcast with Seth Godin (on copyblogger) and they've just talked about writing, and how to write, and that the most important thing you can do to become a better writer is to actually write.

I'm a words person.

I write my messages - so that means after I've prepared, prayed, noted thoughts and direction, I actually sit down and write my message; I write like I'm speaking, but I need to write to get my thoughts on paper.

I write weekly emails to my church - I love doing this, even if it's 200-500 words. It helps me communicate and process my thoughts. It allows me to follow up on thoughts from a Sunday and communicate vision. But it also gives me a chance to write.

I write letters - and I'll edit them ALOT. That might sound weird, but I just do. Sentences have to sound and feel good, and mean something.

I wish I could discipline myself to write blogs daily or a few times a week. But I don't take the time, and I should, b/c I think blogging good words will make me a better writer.

I'd like to write more articles. The discipline to get your thoughts into an article is very hard, and therefore important.

Books? I've heard that one should not focus on writing a book (non-fiction anyway), that one should write articles, and one day compile the linked ones into a book.

So... WRITE ALOT
WRITE PARAGRAPHS
WRITE ARTICLES
WRITE ESSAYS
MAYBE EVEN WRITE A BOOK

but starts with writing, period.

Wall Street (the movie)

I recently watched Wall Street on a plane ride. It stars Michael Douglas, Shia LaBeouf, and Carrey Mulligan.

To be honest, I can't verify how much fact went into this story depicting the stock market crash of a couple of years ago. One thing is for certain, the amount of greed that resonated from so many involved is hard to swallow.

I say this like I have no greed in me. Who lives with 0% greed. Unfortunately it vies for our attention from too many sources, not to mention within us.

Most of only see it in petty things - $100's, $1000's - maybe in objects or possessions or experiences.

Wall Street opens your eyes to the reality of how the world of money, banks, and stock markets work, who runs it, and in the end with a few decisions who can ruin it.

The bottom line was the best quote of the movie.

"You'll never be rich"

Yup. Richness isn't found in money or the stuff money gets you. Sure it can make you happy, for a while. But richness is found in life, purpose, giving, compassion, relationship.

As a Christ follower I can say I believe God is the source of those things… even more so, the sustaining source and enabler to their best reflection.

And of course, beyond those rich experiences, life beyond this life is richness beyond richness we can't even explain.

Canmore and Banff

I spent a few days last week north of Calgary for some leadership meetings, first in Banff and then in Canmore.

Beautiful, joyous, spectacular, terrifyingly huge mountains. WOW.

To see the Mountains spread out, feeling like you can touch them, yet know their tips are so high and far away.

I figured if I woke up every morning to that view I'd love life more… and people more… and God more.

I mean how can you not look at the enormous beauty and not be drawn to it's Creator and then to live out the life he's given us.

There's beauty to be seen all around us. I hope to look for more of it this week in Montreal. The 50 year old trees on my street. The grass that is bright green right now. The perennial plants that are sprouting up with so much life. Hosta's look amazing 2-3 weeks into their growth!!

Savour it, nurture it, breathe it in. Look to God and thank him.

future is glass

This is a pretty cool look into the future.

In a way it's almost here.

This Monday Morning... Your Work Matters

When you sit at your desk

Turn the fork lift on

Write that email

Call in your employees

Wash your dishes

Dress your baby

Call your client

Unpack your tool box

Study for the exam

Welcome your students to class

Sit in the meeting

Mix the cement

Finalize the order

Pack the kids lunch

Fix the network problems



Remember that God put you in that garden to work it and take care of it (Gen 2:15)


How will you work today knowing you will reflect his image through your work?

a good day

Today I turned 37 years old... here were some highlights

a happy birthday greeting from my wife, son, and daughter first thing this morning

walking to church with my daughter (my wife and son stayed home sick)
racing home with her after church

going to church with an unshaven face (10 days old)
- the fun jokes and comments that went along with my scruff

getting serenaded happy b-day from my church before I started speaking

Rosie's 2011 goal: qualifying for the Olympics (seriously, who else can say that)
Rob's response: you stole my answer

the joy of feeling so at home with my church this morning

watching my son show up to church late even though he was going to stay home sick

new year's "left overs" lunch with family and some friends in my dinning room followed by a good espresso and conversation

family board game, my wife won, my kids whined

that's it: I'm happy to be alive, enjoying a growing relationship with God and the people in my life, looking forward to another year, praying for courage to face whatever challenges and opportunities God brings before me

2010 taught me...

This last year was one of growth and challenge for me. This was good, b/c 2009 was a real tough year for me - more challenges, hard learning, less growth (at least on the outside)

Looking back here are some highlights from 2010.

FAMILY TRIP UP THE WEST COAST
What a beautiful drive we had up the coast - seeing Newport, LA, Santa Monica, San Francisco, The Redwoods, Coos Bay, Seattle, and finally landing in beautiful Vancouver, BC - all by car.
I am extremely grateful for this trip b/c I got to see the beauty of the coast, the uniqueness of each city, and the joy of doing it all with my amazing family.
Lesson: there's beauty all over the world

WHISTLER CHURCH PLANTING RETREAT
This was another highlight b/c it was a very encouraging time for both my wife and I - it inspired to move forward in our vision of reaching Montreal with the gospel, and imagine that it was our first trip without our kids in 9 years. This was a blessing provided by a wonderful group of churches we get to partner with in Canada (CCMBC)
Lesson: take time to get refueled with your wife

A VERY GENEROUS YEAR WITH THE WESTSIDE GATHERING
Our church stretched financially in many ways this year. We gave away 20% of our June offerings split b/w a local church plant and aid to the Ukraine; we added funds to our Ukraine portion to reach 5000$ for a rehab project for men coming out of drug addiction. We held a special anniversary offering towards a future growth fund - and 35,000$ was pledged and donated. With all that going on we continued to move forward with our own local ministry and mission budget as well other local compassion efforts. God has been very faithful and shown us we can't out give him.
Lesson: you can't out give God

MY KIDS HAVE ESTABLISHED THEMSELVES IN A FRENCH SCHOOL
In their 2nd year in the french system my kids are really absorbing the french language and moving forward within that context. I'm soooo proud of them.
Lesson: we are able to adapt with some help and encouragement

WE WERE FORCED TO MAKE BUDGET CHANGES
With the growing needs of our family Franca and I hit a hurdle with our financial commitments. The needs went up. This really forced us to some make decisions so we could stick with our priorities: give, save, spend. In the past it seemed seemed like we were hitting those priorities with less effort. But life demanded more = more spending = serious choices. Proved that you must review your budget every 6-12 months, especially with a growing family that needs to eat and grow!! We also had to review our heart so we could stay committed to our financial priorities. Of course this taught us how faithful God is when you keep him first.
Lesson: can't out give God & let your priorities rule your decisions

LEADERSHIP AS A TEAM IS BETTER
For the first time in 7 years I felt Westside has been able to make more decisions as a team. This year we've seen more involvement and team effort. I've seen in it many of our teams, but I've experienced it personally in our leadership team. This fall we made some important steps forward - bringing our core into the process as well - and I felt the decisions rested on broader shoulders than just mine. Very Thankful.
Lesson: Church is a team sport... so is life, it's more fun with others.

MY WIFE AND FAMILY NEED ME
This is not a prideful statement. I realized more this year that if I'm going to live and lead well for the long haul, and if I'm going to keep my family first than I had to prioritize them with more intentionality. This Fall I've attempted to curb my nights out on average to 2 (unless we choose otherwise as a family). I pray I'll be growing more into this in 2011. I'm not there yet, but am making progress!
Lesson: let your priorities guide your calendar & you minister to the people in your home 1st

SOME BOOKS THAT I ENJOYED, BUT ALSO IMPACTED ME
Untamed by Alan & Deborah Hirsh was a great reminder of serious discipleship
When Helping Hurts gave me a better perspective on how to act when trying to alleviate poverty
Fields of Gold by Andy Stanley was a quick and inspiring reminder of how wonderful generosity is, yet how intentional it needs to be.
And by Hugh Halter and Matt Smay was such a refreshing book that gave me better words and meaning for why the church both gathers and scatters - most importantly numbers (large or small) are not the best measurement of success.
Exponential by Dave and Jon Ferguson was a fun read, while giving me new inspiration to see myself and our church multiply into the future.
Finally, JONAH, yes the Bible book, took me by surprise and drew me into it's story and message. I taught it over 4 weeks at Westside in November, but it challenged me regarding God's grace as much or more than anyone who was listening.
Lesson: I am a recipient of grace, God has called me to be a dispenser of it too.

Stuff on my Radar

- good news and bad news when it comes to financial health in our country
- I remember reading Soul Tsunami in 1999, Len Sweet predicting the gap b/w rich and poor - seems like this is becoming a stark reality in Toronto sooner than later
- participated in some honest conversation and prayer with a few guys last night, needed that, thanks guys
- excited about our Christmas Celebration this week, trying to creatively communicate how EVERYTHING CHANGED that 1st Christmas
- do you post quotes, they make so much sense to you, but your readers see it differently b/c it's not in context... ya, sucks, learning how to either contextualize or keep quiet
- signed a lease yesterday for a new Community Space for our church - dreaming and believing it will be a significant step forward in 2011-12... but only time will tell - I don't think we can completely predict anything, but we must try and move forward in mission and trust God

View Larger Map
- there's a foundation of a snow fort in my front lawn, I think i owe my kids a 2nd level tonight after school

Christmas Jealousy?!?

I'm noticing ADS a little more these days (see my last post)

Today's Montreal Gazette (page A10) has a Videotron.com ad with the new Nexus One HTC phone with this line attached:

"The Power to make everyone Jealous"

There's motive for you. A really great reason to buy something - not b/c it's good or useful or even nice. Instead, let's buy it so my friends will pay more attention to me, even worse, so I can make them JEALOUS.

TUTU with Miles Davis

Brought me back to my love for music and jazz, wish I was playing more.

Here's a classic: TUTU by Miles Davis, notice Marcus Miller on bass and David Sanborn on Sax



Here's a newer version by Marcus Miller:

phrases

Do you use phrases that are unique or that you uniquely pack with meaning?

I like to. Some people often make fun of mine, sometimes they like them, but I really don't care, because they are meaningful to me. I do hope that they influence people in some way.

Here's a one I've used lately:

JOYFUL INTENTIONALITY
I used this recently to describe how I hoped people would give to a new initiative our church is heading into.
Think about it.
Intentional means to do something on purpose. To decide to make something happen. To follow through on a conviction or decision or value.
Joyful means to celebrate what you're doing because it brings you... joy.
To do something with JOYFUL INTENTIONALITY would mean to make a decision and follow through on it with joy. That you're thrilled to be doing "this" or be apart of "that"

Consider doing something with Joyful Intentionality; and if you can't do it in that way either your attitude stinks OR you need to do something else.

What phrases have you used or put together lately? Are there ones you use often?

6 bad udpates on the new iPhone OS

I have an iPhone 3GS, which Apple automatically installs their new 4.01 OS on when you do a regular upgrade. I wish there was a way to keep the old one (like keeping XP on your PC), here's why:

1. things run slower
- I find every app or software on my phone runs slower, except the camera (but see point #2)
- email, Safari, etc. - they all run a little slower with some added glitches

2. it takes 3-5x longer to load an APP, especially the camera
- for some reason, the camera shoots a fast pic once it's on

3. email software is too complex
- I now have 2 sets of folders
- I actually like seeing all my mail from 3 accounts in one
- but the I need to go back to make sure I know where it's from
- they've added a following system - so they keep email conversations together
- this can be nice, but then gets too complex

4. as soon as you move an icon over it creates a folder
- this stinks, I've had to undo that so many times
- they should have had a screen pop: are you sure you want to create this folder

5. multi-tasking is not that efficient
- but how long does an app stay open
- when do you really close it

6. there's no more double click to your favorite phone numbers
- as a former BB user, I though iPhone had way to many steps to actually make a call
- plus you need to touch too many buttons to get the speaker or dial pad on
- at least they had the double button touch to get favorites
- guess what, the new OS removed that b/c now double touch turns on multi-tasking

Although this could be a better 'phone', I do love my iphone for some app features, internet, and great screen. But this new OS didn't make it better. They should at least let you stick with the old system if you wanted to.

What do you think?

thinking about water?

Via: Term Life Insurance

revised blog links

It's been a while since I updated my blog links.

some I haven't read some in a while
some have closed down (aka joe manafo)
some rarely or never post (aka dom ruso & christina parrillo - but are still my close friends and will surprise once and a while)
some are boring (aka, I won't mention them)

so check out the revised side panel

you'll notice some newbies I tend to read alot these days: don miller, michael hyatt, and I still follow jesus creed quite a bit, and a few more

hope you enjoy them - and of course filter - none of them are jesus, or pretend to be - but some are very honest and thought provoking.

what are some blogs you follow that I should take a look at?

just writing...

I’ve had this yearning feeling in me to write more. Not sure if it’s some dream welling up in me, or just the need to unleash in a more concrete and creative way. Writing helps me express. I write my sermons out and then edit. I take tons of notes before I start to write, but then hash it out while I write. I journal from time to time – not consistently. I enjoy writing and editing letters. I really enjoy the short note I add to a weekly news email to my church.

On a practical note, my most creative writing is on the computer where my hands don’t get so tired.

I wish I could get my self to blog daily. I love my blog, but I guess not enough to get content on their quick enough. I’ve been thinking about a new website/blog and then just read Michael Hyatt (supreme blogger) express that you should have content before you have presence. Hmmm?

This entry is turning into a journal. It sounds like it.

My blog is not meant to get so much info out there and promote myself. It’s probably more about expressing myself and working through ideas and convictions… and yes, maybe a little awareness (events, books, stuff in the city)

I agree with Ben Arment (another great blogger) that blogs are a dying breed – at least 95%. Most people are reading 140 characters on twitter, viewing videos on YouTube, following friends on Facebook, or scanning pics on Flickr. So a successful blog will likely be tied into those things. But success is not really the issue, I'm just rambling right now.

(insert side thought: when does Facebook and Twitter cross the line into self absorption to merely gaining friends to promote yourself)

(another side note: I fight to not promote things I’m apart of on Facebook. I have a strange feeling like I’m being arrogant when I do... still processing that. Maybe it's not the act but the motive. Verdict isn't out yet)

At the heart of this is my desire to be more creative. I feel dry. Ideas are thinning. I’m producing less impacting phrases and messages. So I want more.
(side note: part of this is spiritual, needing the time away to pray, reflect, think, create rhythm)

I’ve actually had offers to submit articles and haven’t yet. It’s almost been a year. I think it’s the fear of not writing well enough.

I'm not calling this post the famous “I’m gonna start blogging again, sorry it’s been so long.” (don't you love those, the next post happens 3 months later) I’ll just call it “thinking about stuff.” This removes the expectations that tomorrow I’ll share something profound. Let’s see what tomorrow brings.

Wow, you don’t know how incredibly good it felt to write that on paper… maybe this is a self-serving act after all. Please don't judge me.

productive procrastination

For all the procrastinators out there - who are reading this instead of getting their work done. Just like I posted this instead of getting my work done. Now we can all learn something from OUR procrastination.



From Fast Company Mag.
BTW, I've read more than one article that had 2 forms: written and video - pretty good communication.