Rule Number 8

Photo by Stephen Orr

Rule Number 8
(a brief-ish Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

I don't know how much attention you pay to the internal workings of today's companies.  It is one of the things that seems to have been a significant part of my life for several decades.  I am fascinated by how they work, how they function and dysfunction, how they succeed, and how they fail.  I am particularly drawn to the company philosophies, both formal and informal; as well as those that live out an unacknowledged philosophy.  All companies have them, it's just that some companies don't know they have them.  This fascination is one of the reasons I loved reading "Good To Great" by Jim Collins and crew.

Lately, I've been looking at companies referenced in a book entitled "The Definitive Drucker" (about Peter Drucker, "the father of modern management"); an absolute goldmine of information put together by Elizabeth Haas Edersheim (who was granted unprecedented access to Mr. Drucker the last 16 months of his life, and then produced this book from their discussions).  Throughout the book, examples are presented from real companies.

And that's how I got to Google.

Google's philosophy has been encapsulated into 10 golden rules for operating their business.  You would not be surprised, I think, to learn Google encourages creativity or that they operate with considerable consensus-building, or even that almost every decision is driven by quantitative analysis.  These are but three of the key operating philosophies that guide the internet behemoth.  And when you think about it, they sound like what you would expect from Google.  However, you might be surprised to learn Rule Number 8.

Don't be evil.

The concept was first suggested at Google by employees Amit Patel and Paul Buchheit (the creator of Gmail).  Buchheit said he "wanted something that, once you put it in there, would be hard to take out."  It went on to appear in Google's 2004 IPO prospectus in a letter from Google's founders (it became known as the "Don't Be Evil" manifesto).  The letter stated: "Don't be evil.  We believe strongly that in the long term, we will be better served --- as shareholders and in all other ways --- by a company that does good things for the world even if we forgo some short term gains."

It should be no surprise to find that Google CEO Eric Schmidt (now Executive Chairman) included it in his "10 Golden Rules for Knowledge Workers" as Rule Number 8.  Schmidt said, "Much has been written about Google's slogan, but we really try to live by it, particularly in the ranks of management."

I've been told that Kurt Kaiser once said, "You can live your entire life by a wonderful lyric" (Kurt, did you say that?).  I really LIKE that, and I can see how it can be true.  For me, that lyric might be "I will stand by you" from the song by The Pretenders.  But I can see how a motto could work the same way.  Frankly, I think "Don't Be Evil" is hard to beat as a motto.  For me, it ranks right up there with the Hippocratic Oath and Sun Tzu's "The best battle is the battle won without being fought."

For all of that, it is not a new idea.  Yes, it is surprising (and quite nice) to see a corporation put it out there for everyone to see (and to judge them by).  But the concept has been around a very long time.  For example, I am pretty sure David was aware of it.

You know, we're all weak in one way or another; many ways, really.  The Bible clearly states that we all fall short (<-- "sin" means "to miss the target").  King David apparently had some weakness when it came to beautiful women; thus, his seduction of Bathsheba and his accumulation of wives.

But there's weakness and then there's evil.  David crossed over when he sent Bathsheba's husband back to the front lines carrying his own death sentence.

Don't be evil.

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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt

Proper 12 (17) (July 29, 2012)
2 Samuel 11:1-15
Psalm 14
2 Kings 4:42-44
Psalm 145:10-18
Ephesians 3:14-21
John 6:1-21

Join us if you can on Friday morning.  As is our practice, we will be at Cafe Cappuccino (downtown Waco, on 6th near the Courthouse) at 8:00 to discuss this week's scripture passages and to scarf down some great food.

The pancakes are not evil; however, they are really, really big!  ;-)

Enjoy the week!
Steve

New Every Morning

New Every Morning
(a brief Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

This week's selections are so full of interesting, thought-provoking scriptures. And there seems to be a theme of hopefulness running through them. If not for a stroke of luck, I would be hard pressed to focus on just one of them. As it turns out, though, one of my favorite passages is included.

One day while in college I overheard some of my friends singing a song (as a round) all about the dependability of God's love for us.  The song was really easy to learn, and I found myself singing it often. So upbeat and affirming were its lyrics, it quickly became a favorite of mine.

Imagine my shock when someone told me it was based on a passage from the book of Lamentations!  At that point I had never read Lamentations, having already judged that book by its title. I could only imagine the kind of gyrations the songwriters must have gone through to turn some lamenting into such a great song.

Then I read the passage. Shocked again! The song was verbatim from Lamentations 3:22 through 24. I can still sing that song, and do, because the message is so stunning: God's love is steadfast (i.e. constant, un-moveable) and every single day---rain or shine, good mood or bad, win or lose---God has a full supply of mercy for me. And it never stops; not for anything or anyone, including (or maybe even especially because of) my own stiff-necked, obstinate, willful rebellion. 

Stunning.

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Lamentations 3:22-33
3:22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; 
3:23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
3:24 "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."
3:25 The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him.
3:26 It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
3:27 It is good for one to bear the yoke in youth,
3:28 to sit alone in silence when the Lord has imposed it,
3:29 to put one's mouth to the dust (there may yet be hope),
3:30 to give one's cheek to the smiter, and be filled with insults.
3:31 For the Lord will not reject forever.
3:32 Although he causes grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love;
3:33 for he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone.

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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt

Proper 8 (13) (July 1, 2012)
2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27
Psalm 130
Lamentations 3:22-33
Psalm 30
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Mark 5:21-43

Mad Men

Mad Men
(a brief Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

Even if you haven't seen it, you have probably heard about the television show called, "Mad Men." This dark drama focuses on a fictional advertising firm in the 1960s; has won numerous awards; is chock full of unethical, morally bankrupt characters; and has a protagonist so complex and tragic, Shakespeare would fight to get his name on the credits.

[On the off chance you are interested in my opinion, here is my take on the show. First, it isn't uplifting; so keep that in mind when deciding whether to watch it. Unless you can remember the '60s (or at least lived THROUGH the '60s, even if you can't remember it all), you probably won't have the historical anchoring to put it in perspective. Without it, your viewing experience may be more like what Roger Ebert said about "The Wild Bunch": bad people we know doing bad things to bad people we don't know. Yes, it is trainwreck-fascinating, well written, and extremely well acted; but don't go there if you are looking for something uplifting. It's more "MacBeth" or "Hamlet" than "Much Ado About Nothing." On the other hand, it IS morally instructive ;-) ]

But, I digress.

With the success of Mad Men has come a renewed attention to the advertising business. People are once again thinking about the whys and wherefores of how some people get other people to think a certain way about a specific thing. And "branding" is key to that understanding.

In the 1960s (see the connection?), the top two soft drinks sold in the world were Coca Cola and Pepsi Cola, in that order. And, despite many attempts by many advertising firms, no one could crack that block. In fact, no one could even come close . . . until 1967.

In that year, 7Up launched an advertising campaign that is still talked about among advertising practitioners and is still taught in many schools for its unique approach to solving a serious branding concern called, "top of mind awareness" (TOMA); i.e. how to position a product so high up in the mind of a consumer that they just naturally think of the product with little or no prompting. Using ideas pioneered by Jack Trout and Al Reis (see "Positioning:The Battle for Your Mind"), 7Up launched its new advertising campaign. Instead of trying to break into the top tier of the "cola" position, 7Up did something brilliant: created a NEW position, the UNcola position. And promptly claimed the top spot by declaring their product THE uncola.

7Up gained its TOMA because it refused to play the game on the same playing field as colas. Instead of being stuck several rungs down on the cola "ladder" in the minds of consumers, 7Up made its own ladder and immediately occupied the top rung. They sold a lot of 7Up.

Which brings us to David.

As we saw in last week's reading, after God rejected Saul as King of Israel, God chose the LAST person any contemporary would have picked for King, if they had thought of David at all, something which his own father failed to do when the Prophet Samuel told him to gather his sons for God's anointing. Until prompted by Samuel, Jesse apparently forget he even HAD another son. Or maybe Jesse had ruled out David as a likely candidate. David was the runt, the youngest, the smallest. The UNking.

And this continues when it comes to fighting Israel's enemies in this week's reading. No one thinks of David when Goliath taunts the armies of Israel. David isn't a warrior. He's the shepherd boy. But God had a different idea. Isn't that just like God? No one was thinking about David as a solution to their giant problem. He just wasn't top-of-mind when it came to that brand. And there was already a King, who, as far as the people knew, was God's anointed.

Most of us know about David and his five smooth stones (though I bet you don't recall that David RAN TOWARD Goliath while winding up for the pitch . . . Awesome). So we know God uses David to defeat Israel's most dangerous enemy, making David the hero of the battle. And shortly thereafter, God makes him the hero of EVERY battle.

The UNking becomes top of mind. And that's how God does it.

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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
Proper 7 (12) (June 24, 2012)
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/

1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49
Psalm 9:9-20
Or
1 Samuel 17:57-18:5, 18:10-16
Psalm 133

Job 38:1-11
Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Mark 4:35-41

For more reading on 7Up's brilliant campaign, see "the UN COLA advertisement campaign by 7up: a master stroke to change the competitive space itself" by Paritosh Kashyap on his MANAGEMENT GURU blog at http://themanagmentguru.blogspot.com/2009/11/un-cola-advertisement-campaign-by-7up.html

Thanksgiving Square

Thanksgiving Square

(a brief Lectionary Reflection by Steve Orr)

Dallas has a wonderful little park right in the heart of Downtown, a place with a name that says it all: Thanksgiving Square. I think this is what many would call a "pocket park" or "mini-greenspace." Actual square yardage is minimal, but the space is so well designed that it has a much bigger feel. There are multiple levels, green spaces, triple belfry, gathering places, several water features, a tower and bridges, and lots of little alcoves and hideaways where one might go to contemplate one's thankfulness . . . or maybe just eat a bag lunch.

Now, I know we can be thankful anywhere. But I really appreciate this space being just outside my office door. Each day as I walk in to work or out for coffee, pass in front of it on my way to a lunch, or leave to catch my train
. . . I am reminded:

"It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy." Psalm 92:1-4

And . . . I am reminded:

"The LORD does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." 1st Samuel 16:7

There is much to be thankful for in this life. These are but a few.

Five days a week, Thanksgiving Square reminds me:

Be thankful.


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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu

Proper 6 (11) (June 17, 2012)
1 Samuel 15:34 - 16:13
Psalm 20
Ezekiel 17:22-24
Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15
2 Corinthians 5:6-10, (11-13), 14-17
Mark 4:26-34

If you're in Waco, Friday, join us for breakfast and discussions of the coming week's Lectionary passages. We're getting together at 8:00 a.m. at Cafe Cappuccino (downtown on 6th, near the Courthouse).

Eat. Think. Discuss. :-)

Enjoy the week!
Steve

See That Island Out There?

See That Island Out There?
(a brief Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

Courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/circulating/2701670382/

One of the interesting things I recall from my childhood is a period when my Dad worked on a riverboat. Now, this may seem remarkable to you, and it is, but not so much as you might think. When you grow up on a river, it is not so uncommon to find work on it. 

The port of Paducah, Kentucky is a busy one.  Sitting at the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers, the town, like so many river towns, owes it's very existence to these rivers.  Everything orients on the rivers.  People give directions saying things like, "Start at the foot of Broadway . . ." and "Drive to the flood wall and make a left onto First Street."   How many streets do you know that have a foot?  How many towns have a flood wall?  

I have a lot of fond memories centered on those rivers.  And one that still rankles a bit.

During the period Dad worked on the river, I have several memories of dropping him off at the spot on the river where the Hougland Barge Lines personnel came to begin their tour.  Dad worked "30 on, 30 off"; which meant, since we were little kids and Mom couldn't leave us at home, we were there once each month to either put Dad ON the boat or pick him up FROM the boat.

It was on one of these occasions that Dad pointed out across the river to what I later came to know was Owens Island, and said, "You see that Island out there?  That's the island Mark Twain had Huck and Jim hide out on."  From that moment on, it was an article of faith that Owens Island was the physical reality put to good use by Mr. Clemens in his classic novel.

I told people (many, many people) that tidbit for . . . oh, about a decade; told them so with confidence.  I did so regularly ... until that day my Senior Year, in the Paducah Tilghman High School Library, when my friend Bruce brought it all crashing down.

Bruce, upon hearing me state this juicy fact, took issue with me, insisting that not only was it NOT the island from Huckleberry Finn, but that it COULD NOT be that island.  Bruce was smart; and he was a Boy Scout, something for which I had great personal reverence since I flunked Cub Scouts.  So why I debated this with him for so long I can only ascribe to my faith in the words of my father.  I stubbornly clung to my belief?

Gently, I now realize, Bruce led me to the Library where he spun the globe so we could look at the United States.  He pointed to a spot on that map and asked me what it was.  It was obviously the Mississippi River and I so stipulated.  Then he asked me what river did Mark Twain grow up on and eventually work on.  I readily admitted it was the very same river.  And then he asked me on which river Huck and Jim had all their adventures.  I was a little slower to answer that one, possibly, at least subconsciously, realizing where this was going.  But, eventually, I agreed that, too, was the Mississippi River.

Moving his finger slightly to the right, he located Paducah and asked the names of those two rivers.  Of course I knew their names as the Tennessee and the Ohio.  I then saw where this was going and I quickly pointed out that Owens Island could STILL be the island in the book because Huck and Jim traveled DOWN river as they fled.

That was when he administered the coup de grâce.  

Spinning the globe up so that we were looking directly down on the area including all three rivers, he pointed to where the two rivers which fronted our hometown ran a mile further SOUTH to join up with the Mississippi.  Suddenly I saw it.  There was never anything clearer.  Owens Island could not be the island from the book.  Huck and Jim floated DOWN the Mississippi, and could NEVER have come past Paducah.  I realized that Dad had not told me the truth.  

And that is the story of how I learned my father liked to tell tales.  He didn't mean anything bad by doing so.  It was all just a bit of fun to him, a way to exercise his imagination.  The problem, of course, is that until confronted he never let on.  A person could . . . *ahem* . . . remain ignorant of the truth for years . . . and years.

After that, I was no longer quite so naive about the things Dad told me.  I usually sought verification from other, more dependable, sources; Mama or Granny (who had seen right through Dad from the moment he first showed up to date Mama).  And, to be fair to Dad, I also learned to be a little skeptical about things in general; no longer just accepting EVERYTHING on face value, but applying a little scrutiny when anything seemed not quite right.  So, in the long run (the very long run), I concede the experience had a positive result.

It also explains why I completely understand the skepticism expressed by the sneering doubters (in the Acts 2 passage from this week's Lectionary readings) upon encountering the polyglottal cacophony at Pentecost.  They came to see what the fuss was all about and found a dozen men speaking what seemed, for the most part, to be gibberish.  It's no surprise to me they thought the speakers were drunk.  

Picture it: twelve people are speaking at the same time, each in a different language.  To the average hearer, only one of the men would be making sense, the one speaking THEIR language; the rest would be an oral jumble of non-intelligible sounds all piled on top of one another.

And here is the point: it's OK to be a bit skeptical in unusual situations.  If it is a REAL miracle, God will make it plain, just as He did in the Acts passage.  

Trust me.

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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/

Day of Pentecost (May 27, 2012)
Acts 2:1-21 or Ezekiel 37:1-14
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
Romans 8:22-27 or Acts 2:1-21
John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

We're getting together Friday morning at 8:00 at Cafe Cappuccino (downtown on 6th, near the Courthouse).  If you're in Waco, join us for breakfast and discussions of the coming week's passages.   

We're not EXPECTING any flaming tongues, but Cholula Hot Sauce is available on request ;-)

Enjoy the week!
Steve

What You Wrote in My Yearbook

What You Wrote in My Yearbook
(Edited and transcribed by Steve Orr)

To those who shared time in "good ole' PTHS" with me, do you recognize yourself? Could you have really written that? Oh, yes, my friends. Here are your own words just as the appear in that beloved book that still sits on my shelf. Hard to believe that, after all these decades, I still enjoy taking it down and thumbing through the pages, seeing the way we were ... way back then.

Granted, not all of you, dear readers, wrote in MY yearbook. But you wrote in SOMEONE's yearbook, didn't you? There is something universal about the things we write in yearbooks. And even though these were written by the hands of those I called friend, those I idolized, those who taught me, and those with whom, sadly, I've lost contact, I bet some of YOUR words are here, too.

And if some of it reads a little strange, well . . . it WAS the '60s ;-)

INSIDE THE FRONT
"Well, I'm finally getting out, but I know our friendship will not end here. I'll always remember you and Algebra. Good luck as an upper class-man next year. Love and Lollipops, Lois T"

"I may not know my algebra, but you don't know your sports. So we can both learn from our friendship. Don H"

"Although I have only known you for a short time, we have become great friends; our friendship will last through many of our activities. Carl C"

"To a real great kind. Good luck always. Love Ya, Linda R"

"Good luck always. Remember me. Love, Martha"

"My love. My dearest darling. I will miss you so next year. My life will be so dull and miserable without you. Remember always as your One and Only. Gloria XXX"

"You're a great guy. Stay cool & uptight. Good luck & God bless. Danny"

"Now you can say a G.I. signed your annual. Good luck, Randy B"

"Bleache! Mike R"

"You're a great person -- someday I know I'll be able to say 'I knew [you]' -- Good luck in life and of course -- your writing! Luv Ya! Bettina"

"It's been a fun two years at PTHS -- only one more to go -- You're a real Doll & I hope I have a class with you again next year. Luck to you in the future & always! Love Ya, Sara"

"Sorry about that office! Good luck in all you do. See ya next year. Barbara H"

"It has been great. Take it easy and stay out of trouble! Be good! Be careful, then have fun! RJ"

"You are a great person! Best of luck always! Love Ya, Kay Loves Mike"

Tappercoom, Man has it been fun! Let's do it again! Skipps"

"My greatest critic! Remember, someday when I'm 'published' you can be my agent. Or really, you don't need to work -- you can sell the 'original copies' and live off the income! Won't that be great? I've enjoyed you so much and I'm glad you're my friend. You're quite a poet yourself -- stay that way! Always, Susan M"

PAGE ONE AND OPPOSING PAGE
"It's been a lot of fun working together in Thespians and I hope that next year we can make our plays the best ones yet. Good luck in everything. Love, Liz"

"Remember all the Chemistry antics. The crowded water fountain (Sink! ha!), your nerves, broken test tubes, etc. Good luck next year at good ole' PTHS. Love Ya, Donna C"

"Here's the 'snob' signing your annual! Actually, I'm not one at all. It's been a blast in Speech this year, but we're sure gonna miss all those 7-10 minute speeches! PTHS is gonna miss Mr. Miller, too. Good luck in all you do. Love Ya, June C"

"It's been a great year for 'playing' around. Hope you do a lot of that next year. Good luck. Debbie K"

PAGE 76
"It's been nice having you in class. See you around next year. That's nice, too! V.S."

PAGE 78
"To my former neighbor and former student. Keep in touch. Mrs. Rudolph"

PAGE 82
"Hello and how are you? Have YOU planted a tree, a shrub, or a bush? Once upon a blush -- We are at Frisch's. Remember? Barbara F"

"You've been a brick and I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. Best luck, J. C. Miller"

PAGE 94
"Best wishes to you. Sincerely yours, L. J. Bryant"

PAGE 100
"I certainly have loved knowing you this year -- you sure brightened up many dull Chemistry lab days. You're such a nice boy & I hope can stay that way always. Best of luck and I could never forget you! Love, Mollie"

PAGE 103
"What am I gonna say if you don't be QUIET! Now have a blast next Fall and don't work too hard. Congratulations on being a Rep. at Large -- Great!!! Love, Ann"

PAGE 104
"It has been a real pleasure knowing you and working with you, esp. in Thespians. Keep up the good work. Best wishes -- Juliette"

PAGE 107
"I'll always value our friendship as one of the finest, sincerest, and Bestist (ha ha) that ever was! Good luck always -- Keep the Thespians going. Love Ya, Leah Bear"

PAGE 122
"This year at PTHS has in many ways been great. English class for instance -- what about Algebra. Mrs. Smedley is one character we shall never forget in our lives. Good luck next year and have fun in all you do. ----- Susan S"

PAGE 137
"Good luck next year. God bless you in everything you attempt to do. Just promise to make next year your best and your last. Willa W"

PAGE 150
"Don H"

INSIDE THE BACK
"Let's face it. A Poet you ain't! No really, you're a great buddy & you will be a writer, maybe! Have fun next year. We'll both be the GRADUATE next year 'bout this time. Have fun in Stand! Mike R"

"To a very special friend who I'll never understand. Don't ask me why coz I don't know. Anyway, I never know what to say in these things so I'll just say Green lights, Blue skies and so long for now! Donna P. (P.S. Mike R don't know nuthin anyway!)

"This year has been fun. Fun? Well, anyway I'll never forget our swinging Chemistry class and 6th period Algebra. Good luck in the future. Love, Judy"

"One thing I can say about you is you are very unusual. Like playing drums on the biology cabinets and other associated things. But I guess you're still a good friend. Good luck next year. Holly"

"It's been great knowing you this year! You're a great guy! Never change! Good luck thru the future in everything you attempt! Love ya! Pam"

"From an old friend who adores your poetry. Keep it up. It's been great knowing you. Good luck. May you always be happy. Love ya, Judy J (P.S. Remember Thespians and remember me.)"

"A very nice guy. Good luck in all you do. Jerri M. (P.S. Be a good Thespian)"

"You are one of the best friends I have and I hope it's always that way. Remember all the great times we've had since 9th grade. Good luck in the future. Paula M"

"What could I have done without you this year? You've helped me a lot, spiritually and emotionally. Thanks for being my friend. Good luck always and may God be with you. Love, Judy"

Conditioning

Conditioning
(a brief Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

I was never an athlete.

For many of you, this comes as no surprise. For the rest of you, believe me, it's the truth. And should someone try to tell you different, just tell them I said it was that OTHER guy with this last name; not me. In fact, it's not so much that I wasn't an athlete as that I was horrible at anything athletic.

The closest I came to team sports was one brief summer in Little League. That was a disaster; couldn't hit, couldn't run, couldn't pay attention . . . Best to draw the curtain on that right now. And my situation wasn't for lack of others trying. I had older cousins who, seemingly, could do just about anything. They tried to teach me how to hold the bat without choking up, how to run from base to base ("No! Not THAT way!"), how to catch, and how to slide. I actually got pretty good at sliding. But the rest of it just didn't take.

That left PE class . . . the dreaded Phys-Ed.

Starting with the 7th Grade, my fellow students and I spent a portion of every other school day participating in a 40 minute version of whatever sport was in season. In the fall, we played football in PE (never understood the rules, so I was always a Lineman). In the winter, we played basketball (couldn't move AND dribble, terrible shooter). On rainy days (for some reason), we played dodgeball (big and slow, easy target). And in the spring, we played baseball (see above) and/or track & field (still hate this).

All through this, we were subjected to a form of torture called "conditioning." And that is the part I hated the most: sit-ups, chin-ups, rope climbs, push-ups, and running the bleachers. Imitating sports wasn't so bad: you got knocked down, you got up, you got knocked down again; simple. Exercising just to exercise?! Madness.

Many of my friends from those years (all of us "back of the pack-ers"), would be shocked to see me now. As I write this, I am recovering from my second night this week at the gym ... with a trainer ... doing *gasp* conditioning! Odd as it seems, I now pay someone to lead me through many of the very activities I hated when I was in PE class all those years ago. Things DO change :-)

Why, you may ask, do I do this? Spend two, three nights per week at a gym? The short answer is this: there are things I want to do---improve my health, lose weight, shape up---and I need a trainer to ensure I reach my goals. When I read this week's Lectionary passages, I immediately saw a parallel between the the Luke and Acts passages and my times at the gym.

When I am working out, I am focused on the moment; but my trainer is thinking about all of it: where I've been; what I'm doing right then; how that activity, in concert with others the trainer has planned, moves me toward the objectives; and what's next. It's kind of like that for the Apostles in those passages. They are told to expect someone who will serve as teacher and guide, someone who will help them achieve the goals set before them. They didn't know what was coming. But they believed the one who told them a helper would come. And they acted from within that belief.

When I'm in the throws of the third set of repetitions, and flagging, it is the calm voice of my trainer that keeps me going: "You can do this. Just a bit more. Almost there." My trainer knows what I'm capable of; knows how much more I can bring to the task; knows how much more will be required of me before I can rest.

The Spirit is like that with us. When the going gets hard, we need to listen for that voice deep inside: "You can do this. Just a bit more. Almost there."

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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/

Ascension of the Lord (May 17, 2012)
Acts 1:1-11
Psalm 47 or Psalm 93
Ephesians 1:15-23
Luke 24:44-53

We're getting together Friday morning at 8:00 at Cafe Cappuccino (downtown on 6th, near the Courthouse). If you're in Waco, join us for breakfast and discussions of the coming week's passages.

No sit-ups required :-)

Enjoy the week!
Steve