Pete and Repeat got into a boat, Pete fell out. Who was left?

The key to successful vision casting is repetition.

Repetition is annoying though isn’t it? It gets old being told the same thing over and over again. Many times I take it as an insult to my intelligence.

But it must be done.

Here’s the deal. When people are left to guess what you expect, they can, and often will, guess incorrectly. And can you blame them? No one, no matter how well they know you, can read your mind.

And people forget.

This isn’t a knock on their intelligence; it’s just true that people have more going on in their lives than your organization. So take the time to refine your vision…and repeat it constantly. Then take the time to evaluate how well it’s working and refine your process. And always remember, people won’t remember what you say; they’ll remember what you’re passionate about.

Of course, this all presumes you actually HAVE a vision for your organization…

As Christians, is it more important to be separate and set apart or invested in the culture and engaged with those around you? Should we run from the places unchurched people frequent or visit those places regularly? How do we balance these?

I know what I think. How ’bout you?

It happens every night. Our oldest (2 yrs.) sits down at the dinner table excited to eat.

Then the food comes out.

Suddenly his mouth is locked down tighter than Fort Knox. Doesn’t happen at breakfast. Doesn’t happen at lunch. Just dinner. Cue inevitable bribery and scolding. Cue frustration and irritation. Cue crying and wailing…and that’s just me.

I struggle with this almost every night. I want the kid to eat his food. I want him to listen to my wife and me. I don’t want to have to take away Thomas the Tank Engine for the night. But what I really struggle with is that I’m just not sure what I want him to learn from all of this.

Do I want him to eat his food? Yes.

Do I want him to listen and submit? Yes.

Is there something deeper that I hope he learns? Yes.

I think sometimes, as parents, it becomes really easy to parent based on outcomes. I want my kid to do X. Thus I’ll do Y and Z and X will happen. But I’m not sure X is really what’s important. I’m not as concerned with what he does as who he becomes. I’m less interested in his actions and more interested in his heart. Now don’t get me wrong, actions are important (we often act out of the desires of our heart). But as a toddler, I’m not as concerned with his eating habits as I am about who he is becoming.

Who are you becoming?

P.s. Please never ask my child to read you Fox in Socks. He’s still learning to pronounce ‘Fox’ properly.

Working on a prospectus for the launch of our 3rd site. This is the cover.

We’re all passionate about something. Anyone who knows me knows I’m passionate about technology and media. My wife is passionate about teaching children. I have friends that are passionate about music, organic food, immunizations and sports. These are the things that others know us for.

We should be known for Christ.

We should be known as people who are first and foremost passionate about Jesus and what He’s doing in the world, because (let’s be honest) the rest is just not that important.

People may not remember what you say, but they will remember what you’re passionate about.