Unveiled

"If I Stand" by Rich Mullins

2009-08-21T23:58:00.000-05:00

There's more that rises in the morning than the sun
More that shines in the night than just the moon;
More than just this fire here that keeps me warm,
In a shelter that is larger than this room.

And there's a loyalty that's deeper than mere sentiment
And a music higher than the songs that I can sing.
The stuff of earth competes for the allegiance
I owe only to the Giver of all good things

So if I stand, let me stand on the promise that you will pull me through
And if I can't, let me fall on the grace that first brought me to you.
And if I sing, let me sing for the joy that has born in me these songs,
And if I weep, let it be as a man who is longing for his home.

There's more that dances on the prairie than the wind
More that pulses in the ocean than the tide.
There's a love that's fiercer than the love between friends
More gentle than a mother's when a baby's at her side

And there's a loyalty that's deeper than mere sentiment
And a music higher than the songs that I can sing.
The stuff of earth competes for the allegiance
I owe only to the Giver of all good things

So if I stand, let me stand on the promise that you will pull me through
And if I can't, let me fall on the grace that first brought me to you.
And if I sing, let me sing for the joy that has born in me these songs,
And if I weep, let it be as a man who is longing for his home.

Leadership Tip: Look before you Lead

2009-07-07T10:04:00.002-05:00

How to See like a Leader

“Vision” goes with leadership like “hot” goes with summer; but how do you develop a vision that is sufficiently inspiring, realistically achievable, and – most importantly – gets people where they need to go? You’ve got to learn to see like a leader.

Effective leaders keep two things in constant focus: What is and What could be. Seeing and managing that gap – in a person, in a project, in a firm - is at the core of what leadership is all about. Leaders must look to the future without losing sight of the present.

Who or what are you struggling with today? Are you too focused on your goals to clearly see what’s happening right now? Or are you so caught up in daily tasks that you’ve lost sight of what you’re really trying to accomplish? If so, sounds like a vision problem.

Try taking a few moments to see like a leader. First, look at What is: be honest, objective, and ruthless about the current situation. Next, look at What could be: be bold, creative, and wild about possible solutions. Finally, invite others into the process: give them freedom to tell you the truth about the present and to dream big about the future.

You need a clear picture of What is and What could be in order to provide practical and inspiring leadership that closes the gap. So when you’re faced with a challenge, take the time to look before you lead.

- Geoff

[ I wrote this tip for this month's Graceworks News. Sign up here for the newsletter. ]

Leadership Tip: Creating Commitment

2009-04-28T19:21:00.001-05:00

Avoid the Consensus Trap!

Some people on your team are lobbying for Option A. Others are dead set on Option B. The rest don't like A or B.

Sound familiar? Ever feel like your hands are tied trying to make everyone happy? I've got good news for you: Your job as a leader is not to get everyone to agree; your job is to help them choose to commit.

Consensus is general agreement among all the members of a group. Commitment is devotion or dedication to a decided course of action. Consensus is an enticing illusion, while commitment is a powerful force.

Too many leaders wear themselves out trying to get everyone to agree. Such "consensus-building" usually ends in watered-down solutions, delayed action, and general frustration. Don't waste your time chasing after consensus; invest your time cultivating commitment.

People don't have to get their way to buy into a decision. Most merely want to know their input was heard, understood, and considered. When people feel like their leader listens to them and respects their contributions they are much more likely to commit to a decision that wasn't their first choice.

To help your people get behind your decisions, work the following into your process:

- Get input from everyone (even the quiet ones)
- Encourage a lively debate (disagreement is not disrespect)
- Carefully consider each idea (don't just go through the motions)
- Make a timely decision (not too early; not too late)
- Commit to your own decision (show 'em how it's done!)

What's your team struggling to agree on right now? Stop running after consensus and start laying the foundation for commitment.

Lead the way!

--Geoff

[ I wrote this tip for this month's Graceworks News. Sign up here for the newsletter. ]

Taunting Death

2009-04-12T12:02:00.002-05:00

We live our entire life - from our first breath to our last - under the shadow of death. Most of us fear death or shrink from it; some of us try and cheat it or even defy it. Yet, despite all our vain scheming, in the end our end catches up to us all. All of us except one.

Through the power of the resurrection, Jesus jukes death. Jesus owns him, Death gives him everything he's got and three days later Jesus is still standing. Death in vain forbids him rise. We fear, shrink, cheat and defy to no avail. Christ alone has the guts to taunt death to his face.

Where, O death, is now your sting?
Where thy victory, O grave?

TGI(G)F

2009-04-10T20:44:00.007-05:00

I'm glad it's Friday.

It's been one of those weeks. The kind where you work hard and get a lot done - but not enough. You have that satisfying fatigue, but you also have that nagging realization that come Monday morning, you're going to be behind before you even begin.

But this isn't just any Friday. It's Good Friday. I always find it a struggle to bring myself back to the reality of what this day truly means. How do I wrap my head around the turning point of human history, an event that occurred almost two thousand years ago? How do I bring that truth into my here and now, this evening, April 10, 2009, after a hard week at work?

It's my struggle today and its my struggle every day. To remember what's really going on in this world. To see the story we're all moving in. To wrestle with the fact that though I can explain away every other blessing of God, all my arguments and protests shatter on the cross. On that Friday, so many years ago, so many miles away, God demonstrated Himself, His nature, His love. To the extent that I can live from that truth, I am truly alive.

And, thankfully, his work was enough. There was nothing left over for Monday morning. It is finished.

Yes, it is a Good Friday.

Leadership Tip: Sow Praise & Reap Results!

2009-02-19T22:05:00.001-06:00

Praise: A High-Yield Investment

If you're looking for a simple action that can have a huge impact on your team's productivity, confidence, and morale, here it is: Go find someone doing something right and tell them so.

I know; it seems way too easy. Turns out it's not. Studies show that people are far more likely to voice criticisms than to openly praise someone for "doing their job well." But the payoff for timely recognition and positive reinforcement is enormous compared to the limited investment required by the leader. You could talk face-to-face, shoot an email, or jot a quick note and leave it on their desk. To get the most bang for your buck, follow these guidelines:

1. Be sincere. Honesty is critical; don't just blow smoke or rub tummies. It will only erode their trust in you, not to mention dilute any authentic praise you may offer in the future.

2. Be quick. We walk by excellence everyday. Open your mouth and let people know that you noticed. It will make their day and motivate them to keep up the standard they have achieved.

3. Be public. Speak to their supervisor or praise them in front of their peers. Not only does this heighten the impact on the individual, but creates a positive environment for everyone involved.

This leadership tip won't cost you much time, energy, or resources, but you will reap the benefits in the responsiveness, loyalty, and support of your people.

So, when you're done with this email, go find some excellence in your organization and make it a point to praise whoever is responsible for it.

[ I wrote this tip for this month's Graceworks News. Sign up here for the newsletter. ]

Finished!!!!

2008-10-13T11:55:00.000-05:00

Well, after 16 weeks, 356 miles, and a lot of sweat and pain, I've finally run a marathon.

Check that one off the ol' life list.

The first half was great--I ran it in about 2 hours. Then, after crossing that 13.1 mile mark, I kind of thought to myself, "I really don't feel like doing that again." But, alas, I had no choice. The same distance took me almost 3 hours on the back end as the sun rose overhead and the temperature climbed to about 85 degrees. I ran across the finish line 4 hours and 54 minutes after crossing the start line--promising myself I would never do that again.

God only knows if that promise-made-under-duress will stand the test of time.

We're leavin' on a jet plane...

2008-10-10T10:19:00.002-05:00

We're off to Chicago for the marathon. I'm feeling good. Luke is stretching as I write. Too cute. I'll write more from the Windy City!

All downhill from here

2008-09-22T22:12:00.004-05:00

I began to run in the quiet calm of an early Sunday morning near Astoria Park. When my feet stopped moving three hours and seventeen minutes later, I was in a playground in Central Park surrounded by the din of frenetic children. Thus ended the last of my long training runs--over twenty miles!

I’ve still got 3 weeks and a lot of running to do, but this was the last “biggie.” From here on out, the runs get shorter and shorter, eventually tapering down to a two-mile walk a few days before the marathon.

I couldn’t have completed this run without Sarah. She was up early with me, getting Luke ready and then stationing herself in the park to provide cold water, electrolytes, and kisses to me every 5 miles or so. Thanks, Babe.

Stuff I've Learned in Marathon Training

2008-09-17T00:05:00.005-05:00

- Protect your nipples on runs over 5 miles

- Use something to guard against chafing on runs over 16 miles

- Music helps you get up steep hills toward the end of a long run

- A good night sleep before and after long runs is essential

- Kurt Robbins is a great running partner (and none of the above rules apply to him)

- The “Wall” occurs when your muscles run out of glycogen. Long training runs build up your muscles’ ability to store glycogen

- If you exercise for over an hour you should drink a sports drink along with water to replenish electrolytes.

- I can burn over 3000 calories in a single workout

- I can easily eat enough to balance out a 3000+ calorie workout.

- Luke doesn’t care how far I’ve run or how sweaty I am, he’s always excited to hug me

- Sarah truly is my biggest fan. She’s sacrificed so much to support me, and she always does it with a sweet, proud smile on her face

Successful Failures

2008-09-15T07:59:00.005-05:00

Three times during my training I have failed to run the full distance I had planned to run. I learned an important lesson from each of these “failures” and each has made me a better, more confident runner.

19 July 08. Goal: 8 miles. Actual: 5.5 miles. This run taught me a few things, not the least of which is that Google maps needs to update it’s satellite photo of Randall’s Island! After getting a late start, I ran over the bridge, and quickly discovered that the landscape was very different than I expected. A lot of construction on the island had changed a lot. I ran around as much as I could and on the way back up the steep ramp I died. My mouth was dry and I just couldn’t keep it up. So I learned:

- Having a plan and knowing where I am going is critical if my mind is going to win the war with my body. When I begin a run my body has agreed to the planned run and route. If for any reason the original terms of the contract are altered during the run (late start, route change, etc.), my body immediately considers that a breach of contract, and begins negotiating.

- Drink water—start drinking way before the morning of your run. Start hydrating the whole day prior. The water needs to be in your muscles during the run, not somewhere en route.

17 August 08: Goal: 14 miles. Actual: 11.5 miles. I had been on vacation in Colorado, so it had been a week since my last run. However, that last run had been my longest ever (12 miles) and was in Boulder, CO (over a mile above sea level). I planned to run two 2-mile loops then two 5-mile loops. I had to stop half-way through the last 5-mile loop. I was exhausted and parched. So I learned:

- Stay confident, but don’t get cocky. Despite the great high-altitude run the prior week, the fact was I hadn’t run in a week!

- Loops = bad. Psychologically bad for three reasons. 1) I was too close to home too many times, too tempting. 2) No sense of getting anywhere, just running to run as opposed to getting somewhere. 3) It just gets boring.

- For runs over 10 miles, I need to be able to hydrate during the run.

6 September 08: Goal: 20 miles. Actual: 19.5 miles. Because of constraints on my planning time I had to end my long run not at my house but with a final 1/2 mile loop in the park. In addition to the psychological no-go, I was also parched when I got there. So I learned.

- Finish long runs at a finish line, not a loop right next to your house, dummy!

- Though I had hydrated well before and during the run, I didn’t have access to a sports drink to replenish lost electrolytes. For runs over 17 miles I must be hydrating with water and sports drinks during the run.

Just Do It

2008-09-13T12:46:00.003-05:00

I love detail-oriented people…I’m just not one of them. I’ve been reminded of this recently in my training for the Chicago Marathon.

I really dove in to the preparation with both feet. I got a hold of a few training plans online and fashioned a plan that would go well with my busy schedule. I found a website where I could plan my routes on a google map and I planned 1, 2, 3, and 5 mile routes nearby that I could combine as necessary for different mileage. I bought an armband holder for my iPod shuffle so I could listen to tunes as I ran. I talked to the runners I know about what to expect; I asked for their advice. And despite all this work, I discovered that there is one thing I couldn’t get around; one thing that I absolutely had to do.

Run.

It was during one of my early runs that it hit me. “This sucks,” my body told me as I trudged out the last few miles home. “I don’t like it.” Though I still have my hard miles and even hard runs, I have learned to enjoy the training quite a bit. The visceral sense of accomplishment when I finish a 2-3 hour run is amazingly real. But its the tough miles that make the satisfaction so sweet.

And in those moments when my body is pleading with me to stop, my big-picture brain doesn’t help. Telling my aching body that I only have eight or nine miles to go just doesn’t cut it. In those moments all I can do is find that part of my brain that likes the details and lives in the present. In other words, I have to concentrate on running. Left. Right Left. Right. Keep moving forward. It will get better, not by stopping, but by running through it.

Life is like that sometimes. Sure, sometimes you’ve got to call it, and it’s the wise thing to quit. But most of the time, the way out of pain is through it, to keep moving forward. Pain isn’t a bad thing, it’s just a thing, part of life, a blessing of being alive.

Losing my Mind

2007-03-28T23:17:00.000-05:00

Nothing drains my mind dry like the question, “What should I write about today?” Apparently that phrase sends all my brilliant ideas scrambling for the nearest hiding place. I jump in, but the quicker I run the faster they disappear, the tighter I hold them the faster they slip from my grasp. They're all gone in a flash--except for the occasional stray thought that was too old or slow to keep up with the rest of the herd. If I am ever to bring down the big game, the deep thoughts, the real “zingers,” I’ve got to learn to stalk them.

In order to hunt and bring down these big ideas, I’ve got to pull one over on my mind. This isn’t exactly easy. I try to pretend I’m not thinking about what I want to write, but he gets me every time. “Dude, you’re pretending; you can’t fool me. I’m the thing you use to think and pretend. Knock it off, you’re making me look bad.”

So I really have to let my mind go, let it do it’s own thing, let it stir the stew of the subconscious, lose itself if you will, while I do something else. What do I do? Instead of hunting down some great idea, I hunt down and kill my desire to write something great. Whenever my life becomes a search for what to write about, the world grows stale and ordinary and gray.

Life doesn’t like to be used; it likes to be lived.

It is only when I die as a writer that the world comes to life for me and generates great writing. The chipped brick in the subway becomes a work of art. The sunlight glinting off an old telephone booth starts to sing. The first buds of spring become a new adventure. Their worth—in and of themselves—is ignited before my eyes.

That’s when the deep truths settle down beside me like old friends. For that is what they are, friends to be enjoyed and learned from, not prey to be hunted and used. So I guess I have to lose my mind every once in a while to find it—just like my writing.

Holy Water

2007-03-25T09:25:00.000-05:00

The water in our apartment has two settings: scalding and icy. There's a tiny range between these extremes (we're talking about five to six nanometers here) where you can get a temperature considered safe for the human dermis. Less than a nudge to the left and we're searing skin; a breath to the right and you can't feel your flesh for days. Oh, and did you catch that? Yes, the knobs are backwards (and conveniently unmarked). Nice. This can all be really annoying when you're trying to get that perfect temperature for shaving or showering.

On the other hand, God would love to live in my apartment.

You see, God's a hot or cold, black or white, yes or no kind of person. There's no lukewarm, gray, or maybe with Him. And that can be annoying too. I mean come on; there are situations that call for a measured response, a little tolerance, a slight "bending" of the rules. Not with God. According to Him, fibbing, speeding, shoplifting, raping, murdering--they all have the same penalty: death. With Him it is all or nothing, perfect or imperfect, holy or unholy; there is no middle ground with God. We may try and avoid it with happy songs about His holiness, but God's holiness produces a wrath that is fierce and unyielding.

As annoying (and frightening) as his wrath is, when we dilute it--to make Him more palatable--we actually siphon the severity and ferocity out of his love. Because God is supremely consistent, his love is just as hot, perfect and holy as his wrath. The Good News is that the raging fury of God's love for us is so scalding that he leapt into the path of his own fiery wrath and soaked up every terrible blow to spare us our doom. Water down His wrath and you water down His love. If I want that kind of love in my life, then I’m going to have to get used to that kind of wrath.

Yes, God can be annoying, but that’s only from my point of view; actually I’m glad He Is Who He Is--that he doesn't flinch, waver, or wince. That’s a God I can believe in, a God I can follow. I may like my showers warm and cozy, but I want my God--and his love--just the way he is: fierce and unrelenting.

Words that date other words

2007-03-24T01:55:00.000-05:00

Ever notice there are some words in the English language that only seem to go with certain other words? exempli gratia:

- Copious
- Torrential
- Excruciating
- Figment
- Macadamia

Okay, the last one might be stretching it (c’mon, it’s almost 2am). But seriously, can there be a figment of anything else?

Free & Wild

2007-03-22T22:20:00.000-05:00

I want to write free and wild.

I put masks on in my writing; masks to protect me, masks to conceal me, masks to convince the world I am what they are missing, what they want, what they are looking for. Problem is that none of them fit. The world doesn't need another Hemingway or Lewis or Tolkien or Lucas. The truth is that the world already has these people. Who they don’t have is Webb...and it falls to me to give him to them—no one else on the planet can give the world Webb, I have a corner on the market when it comes to him.

So how do I rip off these masks and pour the rawness of who I am out into the jaws of the world? Where do I find that elusive voice to get out that which He has crammed inside me?

I want to write free and wild.

Deep within me I want transparency. I want no pretense, no self-justification, no image, no perception, no reputation. I just want who I am - the full weight of it - to fly free. I want the random souls to know that they are not alone, that there is hope, that there is strength coming—a redemption and a reckoning.

I have it in me. Not that it is mine or by my own doing - I of all people know the difference between what I am responsible for and what is gift and grace in me. But I have seen what is in me, or rather Who is in me. He effects my deepest humility and my grandest confidence - both at the same time. That relationship in me, if let out, could shatter worlds. It could double you over in laughter or tears; it could lift your viscera in glory or in agony.

When I put pen to paper I want that to flow unhindered out of me. I don’t want to simply open the gates. I want to tear down the very walls and fences that corral my thoughts and stories and beliefs and passions. All the edits and fears can go to hell. I want this gentle ferocity to live free and run wild; to wash and douse and quench and refresh and redeem and wake and stir and roil.

I want to write free and wild.