Do you have enemies?

You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life. –Winston Churchill

In an article in The New York Times Magazine from August, 2007 William Safire discusses how title “Strategist” is replacing “Adviser”  in American politics and the nuance behind the shift. What says it reveals a desire to differentiate oneself from the overused “campaign manager” and “political adviser” and while implying high status within the ranks of a staff.

Don’t Bonk.

In 1999, energy bar producer PowerBar ran an advertising campaign with the tagline “DON’T BONK.” To “bonk” is to experience a sudden loss of energy or exhaustion, brought on by failure to eat and drink enough, during a race. The ads featured athletes (runners, bikers, etc.) who would come close to winning a race only to have victory suddenly (and humorously) snatched from them because they lacked the energy to push all the way through. The claim was that a PowerBar would provide the needed substance to help you push through to the end, allowing you to claim victory.

Tony Steward’s Thoughts on Kingdom

Tony Steward posted some of his thoughts on the difference between an empire (large and vertical structure) versus a Kingdom (collaborative and horizontal structure).

Now is a time in the church when we need to ask ourselves if we are willing to sacrifice our empire to help strengthen the kingdom, what we call the global church – the body of Jesus.

It’s important to note that he is not devaluing the process of empire-building. I think Mr. Steward would agree that collaborative effort toward a common vision, group goals, authority structures, rules and procedures are not bad. Instead, he is making a key distinction which is has to do with our orientation. (more…)...

Book Review | The Seven Faith Tribes by George Barna

“We often speak about wanting to be light in the darkness. America… has plenty of darkness, although it masquerades as light. Are we really providing illumination? Could we do a better job of being love in the midst of ambivalence, hostility, and fear, or of delivering wisdom in the middle of a confusing and distracted culture?” –George Barna

The Seven Faith Tribes by George Barna