by | Life Application
What happened to real communication? Does it still exist?
Face to face or phone communication seems to literally be going down the crapper. Yes, I used the word crappy and crapper in the same post. 🙂
Let me explain why I think this is happening.
Recently I had a meeting with a guy in Branson to discuss doing some writing for his website. He was a very laid back kinda guy, which I like. I felt comfortable in the interview. He showed up in shorts and a t-shirt with his Starbucks coffee in hand. After we talked for a while he let me know I would hear from him one way or another. I went on with my week.
A few days later my phone dinged letting me know I had a text message. I took the hands out of the dish water, dried them, and picked up my phone. The message read, “We chose someone else. Thanks for applying. If we need you in the future we’ll let you know.”
Seriously?
I got turned down in a text message! At first I was aggravated that I didn’t get the gig, but then I sat down and thought about it for a minute. Would I want to work for someone who doesn’t even pick up the phone to let me know I didn’t get the job? No. I realized that I don’t want to be under the leadership of someone who doesn’t communicate well.
There are just some things you do face to face or over the phone. For instance, unless you’re 13 and still learning about boys, you don’t break up with someone via text message. You don’t inform someone of a death in a message. You don’t tell someone they didn’t get the job in a text message. That’s my two cents anyway.
As a leader I want those under me to expect more from me. I want them to expect that I will treat them with the utmost respect. And I would expect the same from them hopefully.
What do you think? Have you received news you wish would have been done in a more personal manner?
by | Life Application
Are you still signing your emails with a smiley face next to your name? Gone are the days of the bright smile. It’s time to upgrade!
That’s where WiseStamp comes in. I have been using it for several years and I love it. You don’t have to be a social media addict to use it. It’s easy to install and easy to use.
Visit wisestamp.com to install.
After installation insert your information in the signature box. (Example: first and last name, address, phone number, website or blog address). Here’s what mine looks like:
In my signature I have my name, job title, phone number, email address, and website.
Another great part about WiseStamp is that you can select a personal signature and a business signature. I use the same signature for both business and personal, but some prefer to separate. Feel free to change the fonts, size and color of your signature information.
Here comes the cool part. You can add links to your social media sites. Want people to find you on Facebook or Twitter? It’s easy.
Select the Social Icons tab. Under the dropbox select the icon you want. If you’re choosing Facebook, select it. In the next column insert the link to your Facebook page. You can simply copy and paste the link into the box or type it, whichever you prefer. Do this for Twitter, YouTube, Digg, etc. There are tons of different applications to use.
The apps I’ve included are Twitter, Facebook, Youtube and Linkedin.
 There is also the Email Apps option as well as the IM Icons option. If you want people to know your Yahoo Messenger ID or Google Talk, you can set that up in the IM Icons section. I use the Twitter Email App, which allows readers to see my latest tweet under my signature.
So, there you have it. Polish up your emails with a new signature from Wisestamp.
Here’s what the finished product looks like:
How has your experience with WiseStamp been, or do you use another signature service?
by | Faith Lived Out, Life Application
From Sundi Jo: This is a guest post by Bianca O’Brien. Bianca is a newly wed Navy wife and a transplant to the Sunshine State of Florida (for now). She enjoys volunteering and serving others, baking and cooking and she has a passion for sharing the gospel with her words and actions.  Bianca writes about memories, experiences, lessons learned, food & cooking, crafting and plenty of other facets of life on her blog. You can also find her on Twitter and Facebook.
Recently I was talking with my best friend about a concept quite foreign to both of us: rest. As avid lovers of the Lord we are continually in the mindset of serving with a “go, go, go!” attitude. That got me wondering, “Is there such thing as being too busy working for God that you actually can miss out on God himself?” I think I might be on to something here.
From the moment a new believer accepts Christ in to their lives the list of to-do’s begin. Read your Bible everyday. Go to church. Get an accountability partner. Join a small group. Lead prayer times. Go on a mission trip. Serve in local outreach. Get discipled. The list goes on and on…
Even if it’s with good intentions that we steer Christians toward this mentality of doing and not being, we are still doing them tragic harm. At that point we are subliminally, if not overtly, teaching them that the Christian life is not about God, but rather it is about us and how are doing with our to-do list.
“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” (Mark 1:35)
If Christ, who is our Example, had moments of solitude and rest as He walked on earth, then how much more should we, flesh-battling sinners do the same? We are always plugged-in, turned on or broadcasting our cause; we are always pouring out. But what about being filled up; what about resting?
One of my struggles is finding approval in others and in what I accomplish. This often manifests itself in my to-do list. For years I’ve struggled with balancing my time in a way that best keeps me filled with the qualities of Christ that I seek to pour out. I was fortunate because recently I got married, moved to a new state where I knew no one and started a new job working from home. Instantly my schedule was wiped clean! Almost overnight I had a chance to start new – without hurting anyone’s feelings. This time I took my schedule more seriously. I guarded my free time and just as feverishly as I used to pencil in activities and coffee dates, I’ve been protective over my valuable alone time. My husband and I are in a small group, we do attend church regularly and we do serve. But we also have days where nothing is planned. And the reason we do that we are free/available for God to do something in our lives. Sometimes it’s a phone call from a desperate friend needing guidance or prayer, sometimes its’ baking sweets to share with the maintenance man of our apartment complex and sometimes it is a night alone, to rest in silence and meditate on God’s truths.
God is sovereign and I believe wholeheartedly that no matter what I might have going on in my schedule – He could interrupt it to achieve His purposes. However, there is something deeply satisfying when I choose to let go of my to-do list, when I choose to make room for Him to move. In being obedient to resting, I make time with God what I treasure above all else. Don’t make God an interruption; make him a your first choice – a prized treasure in your life.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
Check your motives – why do you stay so busy? Do you live for the accolades? The acknowledgement? Turn off the computer one day. Silence your phone. Empty your calendar and retreat to a place of solitude to spend time with your Maker.  Be still and listen – hear a word from the Lord.
Photo Credit: iStockphoto
“Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.” (Psalm 37:7)
A friend of mine recently went to the hospital for stress-related issues. As a full time ministry worker she’s pressed on all sides for her time and it’s taking a toll on her not only spiritually, but physically too. As a result of this wake up call, and fervent prayer, she decided to step back from ministry for a season to rest and refresh. Would it take a hospital visit to make you stop and rest? Is an IV the only thing that could hold you down right now?
Sometimes the Lord intervenes on our behalf to save us from our own stubbornness: our own pride that won’t let us slow down.
Do you recall when Jesus was in the garden the night before his arrest? Was he planning an escape? Was he still actively ministering? Was he conversing with the disciples?
No, He was seeking the Lord in prayer.
Alone.
In the darkest hours, and even in the mundane ones, it’s crucial that we stop and realize our greatest need isn’t time. It isn’t resources. It isn’t pity. It isn’t even friends or family.
It’s God.
“If you love me, obey my commandments.” (John 14:15)
The fourth commandment is “observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy…the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God.” (Exodus 20:8)
Let me encourage you that saying “no” to things that are not the best use of your time is not sinful. Make it a habit to never agree to anything right away – but buy yourself time to pray and consider your time before you commit. Make it a practice to give God your first fruits, not your tired, 5-minutes-to-spare leftovers.
What things can you let go of to give yourself more time alone with God? What things are you holding too tightly that perhaps you now realize you should let go of and entrust to Him? Will you practice obedience and allow Him to quiet your heart and help you focus on His direction for your life?
I can’t promise what He will do for you, or tell you your life will be at its fullest, but I can promise you with complete certainty that He is all you need. Christ is the greatest treasure.
by | Life Application
Facebook is consistently providing new developments to its website. You can check in to locations and tag friends. Creating private groups has gotten easier. Tag friends in your posts by simply typing in their name.
Then… there is the LIKE button.
I personally love it. I use it often as a matter of fact. Whether liking a Bible verse that someone has posted or an adorable picture of their baby. Since the button came out I tend to like a lot of things.
But here’s what I’ve been thinking…. Does the Facebook like button keep us from really communicating with each other?
I have noticed lately that a lot less conversation takes place between my peeps and me. Recently someone wrote an encouraging statement on my wall. I read it, smiled and immediately clicked the like button. Then it was over. But it didn’t sit well with my heart. They had taken the time out of their day to encourage me and I didn’t even give them a thank you. I went back later and thanked them for their kind words.
Has the Facebook like button given us one more reason not to communicate? Â In a world with tweets, text messaging, writing on someone’s wall and email, good ole’ fashioned face-to-face communication or phone conversations seem to be something of the past. I personally admit that talking on the phone isn’t my favorite thing to do. Silence on the other end gives me anxiety. (Yes, I have issues). I actually talk to people much more through the above mentioned forms of communication.
I sometimes wonder if I have given myself one more reason to shorten communication so I can continue on in a world of never-ending busyness.
What are your thoughts?
[bha size=’468×60′ variation=’02’ align=’aligncenter’]
by | Faith Lived Out, Life Application
So, you’re a new Christian. Perhaps you’ve been a believer for 5, 10, 15 years. You love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. You know without a doubt that God has changed you and you’re a completely different person than you used to be. Over the course of your life you have developed many bad habits. How do you get rid of them now?
By Developing New Ones
Here are four key steps to developing new habits and getting rid of old ones, inspired by Max Lucado.
- Prayer – When trials come endure them. Maintain a habit of prayer (See Romans 12:12). This doesn’t mean you have to close your eyes, bow your head, fold your hands and include “thous” and “thees” in your prayers. Simply talk to God. Tell him what’s on your heart. Talk to him about the habits. He knows about them already.
- Study – Get into God’s Word. Look up key words for the habit your trying to break. Read Scripture that speaks clearly to you. Find different translations. Write verses on note cards and carry them with you. Keep God’s Word close (See Jams 1:25).
- Giving – Lucado says, “You don’t give for God’s sake. You give for your sake.” Setting aside your tithe and putting into the offering every Sunday should become a habit engrained in your heart. Giving should bring a smile to your face. It brings a smile to God’s. He doesn’t need the money. He needs your heart and your habit (See Deut. 14:23).
- Fellowship – Support is important. Some are fine with weekly support. I prefer daily support, even if it’s through an email, as I am able to be encouraged, to encourage others, stay accountable, and surround myself with others who are Jesus with skin on to me. Fellowship is a need (See Heb. 10:25).
What new habits are you incorporating to break the old ones?
by | Faith Lived Out, Life Application
I live in the Bible Belt – Branson, Missouri. Every show you attend has a tribute to the veterans and sings at least one gospel song. That’s great! There’s a church on every corner, and the majority of them have been voted “Number One Show On The Strip.” You can pretty much find any kind of food you are looking for, whether it’s fried chicken or sushi.
On Sundays, when the services get out and the “church folks” show up for lunch, the servers at those restaurants cringe. Why? “It’s those Christians again!” The ones who snap at the waitress because their steak was overcooked. The ones who hold hands and pray before the meal, moan when their water glass gets half empty, then walk out the door without leaving a tip.
I have seen it first hand and as a Christian, honestly, it ticks me off. We are to be Jesus with skin on to those around us, but instead we walk into a restaurant feeling entitled to the waitress’ services. They may be there to serve us, but may I remind you that we are there to serve them as well? Are you doing your part?
Jesus dined out at the feeding of the five thousand. He was the chef (Matthew 15:29-38; 14:13-21).
During Passover he washed the feet of the disciples. He became the servant (John 13:1-17).
During his meal with the Pharisees, a woman with a dark past anointed him with expensive perfume. He didn’t complain when she interrupted his meal (Luke 7:36-38).
The only time Jesus got rude during a meal was when the Pharisees showed their horrible treatment of others (Luke 7:39-50).
When was the last time you asked your servers name? When was the last time you asked how their day was going? When was the last time you asked how you could pray for them? Give it a shot. I can almost guarantee you they will walk around the rest of the day smiling because someone served them.
What would Jesus leave a waiter?
These are the words of Max Lucado:
Encouragement to help him endure the struggles of his job.
Forgiveness despite the mismatched orders and dirty spoon.
Eternity with a spoken word or an invitation to hear more.
Thanks communicated clearly through a satisfactory gratuity of 15 to 20 percent.
