Perfection or Excellence?

Life can be maddening.

You spend unreasonable amounts of time and energy practicing, drilling, driving toward that elusive musical bulls-eye, and then something happens.
A baby cries at the worst possible point in your cadenza – and mom doesn’t whisk him into the foyer. What was the kid doing in a grown-up concert anyway?

Everything is set. It’s been ready since mid-afternoon. Months of preparation are poised to deliver a truly memorable event, and the unbelievable occurs.
A maintenance worker in another wing of the building finishes up his regular routine, and forgetting that you’re in the building presses a button labeled “NIGHT” and leaves. Air conditioning stops, lights go out and security sensors activate.

Somebody in the third row sniffs and sniffles through the entire lecture. Everything else is fine, but that soul ruined it. Totally and completely ruined it.

If you’re perfectionistic your blood pressure went up a few points just reading those lines. I apologize, they’re fictitious, though they may have stirred you a bit.

Here are some axioms intended to prompt some thinking about these two:

Both Perfection and Excellence are desirable virtues.

God is both.

The pursuit of perfection will drive you insane while the pursuit of excellence will make you tired – but happy.

Saying you’re aiming for excellence instead of perfection can be a cover for settling for mediocrity.

Perfectionism and Excellence are not synonyms, though we sometimes treat them as though they are.

The quest for perfection in one area of life can potentially result in inferiority in other areas by causing an imbalance.

What does God think about all this “I wanna be perfect” or “it needs to be perfect” thinking?

• I can only speak for myself, naturally, but I have to remind myself that while God invented music and has absolutely perfect pitch (did He cringe when Bach tempered the scale 250 years ago? I don’t know.) I don’t have perfect pitch and too much coffee in the morning can throw my voice off just enough that it tickles when I sing certain notes. Coughing isn’t the least bit musical. But what I’m singing is more important than how I sing it, especially when I’m part of the congregation. What my heart is like concerns Him even more.

• When I begin a project I can picture the picture-perfect end result in my mind. But things interfere. Text-book gives way to reality. Priorities shift a little bit mid-project sometimes. I always endeavor to finish with excellence intact and amply evident, but I can’t remember the last time perfection characterized one of my projects, this post included. The same principle applies to all of life.

• We are mortals. Period. So much for perfection. Salvador Dali is quoted as saying “Fear not perfection – you’ll never reach it.” A few lines away from that quote on the same page (see link) is a good perpsective:

I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence I can reach for; perfection is God’s business.
(Michael J. Fox)

“Perfection is God’s business.”

That I can remember.

 

What have you found helpful with regard to these two?

When I think of excellence, I think of freedom.

• Freedom from predictable or avoidable mistakes.
• Freedom from distracting worshipers.
• Freedom in creativity.
• Freedom as the result of a disciplined lifestyle.

One story to illustrate the last of those four and then I’ll hush and you can comment:

One afternoon in 1975 I and three friends of mine were readying the college’s 15-passenger van for an eight-week summer tour. We wanted to add some creature-comforts and a tape-deck (a cassette, not an 8-track – I’m not THAT old ). The van was parked just outside the auditorium and we heard one of our instructors, David Traeger, begin to practice on the nine-foot Yamaha grand piano in the auditorium. It was late spring and all the windows were open. As one would expect, he began with scales and arpeggios. We needed to run to Radio Shack for supplies so a couple of us hopped in the car and ran that and a couple other errands. When we returned almost an hour later he was still doing scales and arpeggios!

“Has he been playing those the whole time we’ve been gone?” we asked.

“Yes” was the answer.

Instead of us thinking it foolish, we commented on Traeger’s discipline being a probable contributor to his complete freedom at the piano and organ. He could play things that would have been way outside the accepted musical norms on that conservative campus. (We heard him cut-loose a couple of times … Amazing!)

Excellence could have been his middle name. I’d like to think it could be mine.

So those are some thoughts of mine, part of a philosophy Dale Jens helped weave into the fabric of my philosophy when I was his student and protégé.

Excellence? Always.
Perfection will probably have to wait till Heaven.

What do you think?

A Cure for Brown and Tan

Another post from my sister, Jonell

At this point in the war, many of us know friends from high school or college or from our own home town who are currently serving in the military in Iraq. My husband and I have a friend named Tim who is serving in Iraq at this present time. While we pray for him often, and know prayer is the greatest gift we can give him, an occasional e-mail will brighten his spirits and help him to smile. I wrote a poem for him this week and sent it to him via e-mail. I wrote it in the style of a Dr. Seuss book. I‘ll admit it’s not quite Green Eggs and Ham. But I share it here with you … maybe you will enjoy it anyway … and maybe it will make you smile too!

- Jonell

A Cure for Brown and Tan

There is a soldier who dislikes the colors brown and tan.
Ever since he was a child, he has not liked the colors brown and tan.
What do we do for a soldier who dislikes the colors brown and tan?
This soldier is stationed in Iraq and has to daily wear brown and tan.

Brown and tan day in. Brown and tan day out.
Brown and tan day in and day out for an entire year?
What do we do for this soldier who dislikes the colors brown and tan?
This soldier in Iraq who dislikes the colors brown and tan.

Here’s an idea to brighten the days of this soldier in Iraq.
A good idea to brighten the days of this soldier in Iraq.
This soldier in Iraq who dislikes the colors brown and tan.

Let’s send this soldier an e-mail.
This soldier loves to get e-mails.
An e-mail for this soldier from Michigan to Iraq.
This soldier in Iraq who dislikes wearing brown and tan.

Michigan has many pretty autumn leaves this time of year.
Autumn leaves that create beautiful pictures.
Beautiful pictures that create lovely scenery photographs.
Scenery photographs so beautiful causing his heart to beat quick.
Scenery photographs causing the soldier to take a quick gasp of air.
Scenery photographs for this soldier in Iraq who dislikes wearing brown and tan.

Pictures that will help the soldier smile and smile and smile.
Smile as the soldier remembers the colors of autumn in Michigan.
Smile as he remembers other colors besides brown and tan.
Smile as the soldier once again remembers the autumn leaves of Michigan.
Smile as he remembers the scenery photographs from his childhood.
Smile through a few tears realizing he might be a bit homesick for Michigan.

permission granted by orangelica.

permission granted by upthedubs1

permission granted by Lars Jensen

permission granted by ♥ღ¸.•* Julia♥ღ¸.•*.

permission granted by redmudball

permission granted by Aunt Owwee

All these pictures were taken from this site: http://michpics.wordpress.com/

Individual permission granted for each picture as indicated by the link below the picture.

Observations on the pruning process

Last week the Lord prompted me to do something I never thought I’d do; I gave up a ministry involvement I enjoyed. The decision came after a lot of prayer, counsel and soul-searching, but it still wasn’t easy; not in the least. It was one of the hardest things I’ve done, to be honest. Were it not for the last half of John 15.2 I don’t think I’d have been able to. It says there that the Lord prunes away even fruit-bearing branches in the interest and pursuit of more fruit. “OK, then. Take it.” I said, and gave up my responsibilities as Tech Director at our home church.

I’ve been noting my observations this week and I want to share them so you can reach back in your memory and re-use a couple of these someday if you need to. I’m a flower-gardener (one of my hobbies) so I’m going to use my roses to help me illustrate some of these. We’ve not had a frost yet this fall, so these pictures are from this morning. I remember how pretty, but how small early roses were this bush’s first year. Now look at them (you can click the pictures to see larger versions). Careful pruning has played a part in today’s beauty.

• Pruning doesn’t touch the roots. Did you ever notice that? I don’t dig down and slice away a root or two mid-summer. Nor does God do that with us. We are to be rooted and grounded in Him. Actually, HE is the vine, according to John 15, we’re the branches.

• Pruning hurts. Don’t kid yourself. Something you’ve been feeding and promoting, nurturing and enjoying is taken away. You don’t keep the activity pruned. The gardener doesn’t mourn its loss; rather, he anticipates a greater, more fruitful harvest ahead.

• There’s a difference between harvesting and pruning. As I write this, there’s a bouquet of deep red roses on the coffee table in front of me. My wife brought it home after a bridal shower this week; a gift to her because she’s the mother of the bride-to-be. Those roses, had they feelings, would feel honored to be taken from the rose bush to be placed on display for a special occasion. I wonder what the ones felt like that were pruned and tossed so these could thrive?

• There’s a definite sense of un-fulfillment after it’s gone – a feeling of incompleteness. I didn’t get to finish what I started. When we give up things that are displeasing to God, or flat-out wrong, there’s often a sense of relief after it’s gone. Not so with the fruitful.

• Not everyone is going to understand. There’s always that fear of what the other branches will say. Some will understand and affirm your decision, even though they’ll miss you. Others will wonder if the reasons you gave are the real ones or if there was something more you didn’t say. Some will think you a quitter and their respect for you will take a hit in the process. Some won’t get it, and will probably say so. Expect a variety of responses to your decision and remind yourself Who you’re ultimately answering to.

• The wound where the pruned branch was needs to heal up. The loss you sense is real, and every loss requires a grieving process to some extent. I disagree with Elizabeth Kubler Ross’s assessment that her five steps of grieving are steps. She has them rightly identified, in my estimation, but I’ve not found that they are necessarily sequential. The more quickly you can move toward “acceptance” following the pruning process, the healthier you’ll be. Long for it. Ask God to move you in that direction quickly so you can see things from His perspective.

• Remember, you won’t see the desired results the next morning. It takes a while. The gardener knows that and is patient. It’s OK.

• The rose bush doesn’t talk much about what used to be. Neither should you. It focuses on today and the future. So should you. Live faithfully, give the Master Gardener the best you have, and trust Him. Trust Him completely. Read through John 15 again, this time with an eye for the gardener’s role. How reassuring, what confidence comes from knowing He —not I— takes responsibility for my fruitfulness. If you belong to Him the same is true for you.

So Blessed

I know some families, maybe you do too, for whom it’s impossible to get along as a wedding approaches. It takes everything they have to remain civil. Even with good chemistry there’s always the potential for high drama, especially just before the wedding itself. Last night I realized again just how blessed I am –how blessed we are— as Karl & Bethany’s day approaches. With the wedding but 30-some days away, the two leading characters and four in supporting roles met at a Chinese restaurant. Their goals for the evening: Review over dinner the bride and groom’s draft of the ceremony order of service, finalize who’s doing what in which order, and confirm the details so the program can go to press.

The Cast:

Bride: Has been dealing with the pre-wedding pressure and overwhelming details, plus managerial pressures and responsibilities. She just wants to get married (would have been tempted to elope on the spot had either dad offered). Had a great sales day at work, but is more-than-a-little-ready for the ceremony to be her favorite memory while she enjoys warm beaches and beautiful sunsets the week after.

Groom: Anticipating beginning a completely new job/promotion at work in a few days. Making arrangements to move into the apartment that will be theirs. Furniture and belongings are in three locations. The apartment becomes available Sunday – but friends and family are committed to church activity/ministry so it will be 1 PM or later before anything can really get moving. Nothing like a little transitional tension in the wings just waiting for its cue, is there?

Mothers of the Bride and Groom: Both in education, both organized, both leaders in their own right. Both in love with their kids and their husbands. Both with really good ideas. Both reminding themselves (more often than they’d ever admit to out-loud) “this is their day – this is their day”. Either could turn things with a genius stroke of first-class selfishness if they wanted to – which they don’t.

Fathers of the Bride and Groom: Both dads who want the best for their kids. Both used to being in charge (or pretending they are). Both ministers pleased to have been asked to officiate. One the senior pastor of the church where the wedding is being held, the other the father of the bride. Both innovative and creative, both accustomed to leading the way. Both aware that this is the the first and only wedding they’ll be asked to share together in.

I won’t reprint the script here (I forgot to get signed releases from members of the cast.) but you can take my word for it; the evening was amazing.

There were no tug-of-wars. None.
The moms asked questions instead of giving directives.
The dads offered insight, help and ideas instead of staking out their territories. The groom’s dad helped with logistic decisions that needed to be made about facility use and timing.
The bride-to-be asked for opinions and input from both sets of ‘rents sitting around the table. (Bold, isn’t she?!)
The groom helped her pick when two options seemed equally appealing and reminded her of things they’d already discussed.
Details slipped into place efficiently and made sense where they landed.
The cast laughed easily; wandered down rabbit-trails of discussion and then hustled back whenever anyone said “OK – back to the wedding.”
When the cast imagined touching moments of the ceremony, quiet tears appeared but no one was embarrassed. This will BE a touching ceremony, the bride and groom both want it to be so and their parents have the wherewithal to help make that happen.

As the curtain began to fall at the end of what seemed a bit like Act I the six cast-members made their gracious exits; two that way, two that way, and two that way in separate cars —for now— in just a little over a month that won’t be necessary anymore.

We’re blessed. Truly, wonderfully blessed. I’ve told the Lord so many times, but thought I’d share a glimpse of it — in case you’re interested.

Living Joyfully,

The Secret Weapon of Ministry Success

While this isn’t mine, I certainly wish I’d penned these thoughts. I concur – completely! For several years I’ve held strong opinions on prayer and its value in ministry, so when I read Rebekah Montgomery’s words in a weekly E-mail I subscribe to, part of me said “Say that again!!”  By copying and pasting her article here, she can. Read. Think. Pray. Do. These are excellent thoughts for real and lasting ministry success. Thank you Rebekah Montgomery! _______________________________________________________________

The Secret Weapon of Ministry Success Rebekah Montgomery Jesus formed a prayer team. Unfortunately, when He needed them, His prayer team slept on the job. They paid a personal heavy price (Matthew 26). Hopefully, yours won’t. Plan and prepare all you want, but a wide-awake prayer team is vital the success of any ministry or program. But then, it depends upon how you define “success.” If you want a slick, entertaining public persona, hire talented professionals If you want your staff protected and blest, strongholds demolished, captives delivered–and most of all–Jesus glorified by your service, form a prayer team. Here’s what your prayer team will do: 1. Prayer teams influence leadership choices. A person may be a dynamic speaker. His/her resume may be impressive. While we look on the outward appearances, only God knows the heart’s secrets. Only He knows whom He has anointed and appointed for positions of leadership. For example: Judas Iscariot was dead, leaving a gaping hole in the early church’s board of directors. Who could be trusted to fill the important position of treasurer? After criteria was determined and qualifications were presented, only two made the cut: Matthias and Joseph “Barsabas” Justus. Before voting on the two, the prayer team went into action: “Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show us which of these two Thou hast chosen, that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell…” (Acts 1:24, 25 KJV) Matthias was chosen. 2. Prayer teams cover leaders with prayer. Everyone faces loneliness, temptation, discouragement, and attacks but leaders often take the brunt. What happens to leaders, spiritual, secular, cultural, and political, impacts everyone. Esther mustered her prayer team when Haman plotted the destruction of her people (Esther 4:16). Although she was queen, she would not be exempt from Haman’s evil plans. Neither would any Jew around her. Because of her prayer team’s fervent efforts, lives were saved. When you pray for your leaders, remember this: If the enemy takes out your leadership, you’re next. 3. Prayer team members pray for one another and others. One of the greatest blessings we can is to pray for each other. Bearing one another’s burdens is a way to fulfill the law of Christ, which is that we love one another (Galatians 6:2a). Building a Prayer Team Unless disaster looms, it is easy for prayer to get pushed aside, so seek people who already make prayer a priority. Ephesians 6 reminds us how important prayer is to God’s program: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against… powers… of wickedness in the heavenly places… With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and (pray) on my behalf… If prayer is a priority, your team members will be faithful in their prayer commitments. They won’t just say, “I’ll pray for you,” but will do it. Find people who love others. Choose those who have a positive interest in the ministry. Choose people who keep confidences. Prayer Team Ground Rules Start small. Ask God to lead you to the right person(s). If you are planning to pray privately as well as in concert, use your head: men should pray with men, women with women. You will want a prayer team that communicates quickly and easily. Therefore, find an efficient way to communicate. I am part of a prayer team whose members are scattered all over the country. Once a year, we get together in person. Otherwise, we communicate via email. It works for us, but it is better if everyone can physically meet. Keep track of your requests and answers. It builds faith and teaches persistence and praise. When you meet, take time for members to confess their sins and be prayed for healing before lifting burdens. Practice listening in prayer as much as talking to God. He still speaks. © Rebekah Montgomery 2007 Rebekah Montgomery, author/speaker/teacher, is a gifted, dynamic communicator. She is the author of more than five books and has penned 1,100 articles. She shares tough real-life topics and biblical application in a simple easy to grasp manner. For reprint permissions, or to book Rebekah for your next event visit www.rebekahmontgomery.com. Rebekah is also the editor of Right to the Heart of Women and a publisher at Jubilant Press.

A Living What?

Another post from my sister, Jonell

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Working in a doctor’s office is never boring … patients always coming and going and the phone always ringing (or so it seems). However, sometimes life hands me a precious moment, causing me to smile. Let me share one such moment with you..

Every so often a Mom comes in with her two little foster children who are brother and sister by birth. The Foster Mom has been teaching them Bible verses as well as reviewing the verses they learn in their Sunday School class. These kids know that our office staff likes to hear their Bible verses so always try to have one ready to say for us. .

Recently they came into our office and said Romans 12:1 & 2 in a translation I had not heard before. I asked the Mom what translation it was . . . and I asked for my own benefit. I found out that it was memorized in the New Living Translation. .

So, read this slowly, with a few pauses as if a child is trying to remember the big words, and maybe a word said now and then with the lisp of a 4 year old. Try it and see if it doesn’t touch your heart like it did mine.

verse 1) And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind He will accept. When you think of what He has done for you, is this too much to ask?

verse 2) Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is. .

Romans 12:1 & 2 . . . New Living Translation

Eight Tips for Building Volunteer Morale

Volunteers are great people. They give to your church, ministry or organization for one reason: they want to.

“It’s worthwhile. I think it’s important. I can, I should, so I do.” the reasons are as many as the volunteers themselves. Here are eight tips to help you foster and maintain a great volunteer morale where you serve. I’m coming at this from a ministry standpoint but these transfer easily. Some of these I’ve learned the hard way (save yourself some heartache), some I’ve picked up from others along the way. I hope these help make yours an awesome place to volunteer, with little or no attrition from one year to the next.

1. Once a month or so, imagine what church would be like if your volunteers declared a volunteer skip-day (like you did when you were a high-school senior). Don’t dwell on it too long, you’ll plunge into depression! Instead, thank the Lord for those who serve so faithfully, so willingly alongside you. You’ll never take your people for granted with that jarring no-volunteers image in your recent memory.

2. Say “thanks”. You don’t have to gush or anything, just say “we couldn’t do this without you”. Because you couldn’t. Really. They may politely disagree with you, “Oh, yes you could.” but that’s OK, they don’t see the volunteer-less horror story in the back of your mind.

3. Provide the best resources you can afford for them. Volunteers can’t do anything about what the organization provides, really, but their loyalty sky-rockets when an organization provides good tools to work with. Do your best by them and enjoy the benefits.

4. When you’re working on a problem, and you will eventually if you’re not already, remind yourself “If it’s not positive it’s not E-mail.” You have no control over the day your volunteer had before they check their Email when they get home. You don’t get to choose the tone of voice with which they read your message. You have no way of saying “slow down, you’re reading it too fast and too harsh.” No, If it’s not positive it’s not E-mail. Pick up the phone. Even in the middle of the day when they’re at work and leave a message. “I’m thinking about you this afternoon, I’ll call you when you’re home. Have a great day; talk to you soon.”

5. Volunteers appreciate when you respect their time, so it’s always good to ask, or say, “If you don’t have time to discuss this right this instant, that’s OK, I can sure call back.” Don’t apologize for taking a moment of their time, but do thank them for it at the end of the conversation.

6. There’s no way to tell when you call what’s happening on the other end of the line. Everything could be fine, or they could be dealing with the flu at their house. Your volunteer may be elbow-deep in a budget spreadsheet. Half-way through devotions. Watching a movie. Whatever it is, you need to set the scene for your conversation quickly and positively, even if (especially if) you’re problem-solving. The same is true when they’re in the building. So set the stage quickly and positively. For example: “Hey there… I’m working on something here and I’d like your perspective on things. I’m trying to find a way to make sure the tension on our team right now* doesn’t intensify and ruin a really good thing. You got a second? [*right now is a key phrase. It implies temporariness and expresses hope, both at once.] Beginning this way you’ve expressed a long-range win/win at the very beginning. The person across the table or on the other end of the line can relax. They’re not thrown on the defensive right away. Granted, you may have to “get to the bottom of things” on your way to tension’s end, but you’ll get more help from your volunteers if you include them in the sorting process (especially if they’re contributing to the problem you’re trying to solve ).

7. Don’t promise things until you’re sure you can make good on your promise. If something goes wrong, like the money being needed elsewhere, which happens a lot in churches and ministry organizations, you’ve in-effect gone back on your word. That’s huge with volunteers. To say “We’re thinking about a), b), c)” in broad-brush terms lets your volunteers know you’re working on something good for up ahead.

8. Affirm your volunteers value with that first-smile warmth when you see them. Every time. Go back to #1 and imagine your ministry without any volunteers if that’ll help. None. See? You really ARE glad to see this one, even if he’s a bit grumpy for your taste. Smile when he walks in and say “hello”. Who knows? Maybe yours is the first smile he’ll see today. Maybe life is grim at work or at home. Start off on the right foot every chance you get.

For years I’ve said managers of volunteers need to be above-average managers, maybe even top-level. There’s no pay check, no pending promotion to keep a volunteer volunteering. They can say “I believe I’ll do something else.” at any point, and simply stop attending, working, contributing. Great morale in your volunteer community, on the other hand, can keep that from happening, because yours is a great place to belong to, a great place to serve, a volunteer community that rocks!

Try these, and see what you think. Do you have a hint or two to add? A lesson learned somewhere along the way? I’d love for you to share it; there’s plenty of room in the comments!

Does My Car Run on Steam, Maybe?

I was on my way to work today when I noticed a gage trying to get my attention.
“Oh, not you. Come away from that H“
It was still dark and the pre-dawn fog was intense this morning. I didn’t want anyone to think I was someone to follow and slam into me while I was parked alongside the highway looking into things, so I found the first street in town and pulled off to the side. Steam was escaping from part of my engine. I added more coolant, all I had in the trunk, and made it six more blocks to a gas station. More steam. More coolant. A call to work. Let it cool down. Limp home and to the garage a mile away. More steam.

They’re looking at it now and I should hear later this morning if my car runs on steam and I’ll need to start buying coolant (at $8 /gallon), or if it really runs on gasoline and this morning’s fill-up at $2.79 will do me a while. $2.79 seems cheap compared to $8.00, you know? I bet it costs me quite a bit to find out, though. In the meantime I’m thankful for an allotment of sick-days to use when things like this go wrong, and for the quiet of home while I wait for that dreaded phone call.

Ahh-yes. My mother-in-law’s little cross-stitched plaque was right: “It’s ALL on the way to the dump.”

My dad used to tell the joke about some country chaps comparing what they considered to be the worst sound in all the world.

One said it’s that sound you hear when you fall off your horse and know you just broke a bone or something. Another said it’s jumping across a ditch or stepping through a barbed wire fence and hearing a rattle-snake tell you to get off his property. The third said, “No, fellas, the worst sound in the world is when your mechanic stares at your engine, takes off his cap, runs his fingers through his hair and whistles. Just whistles. Long and slow.”

Today I’m inclined to agree with him.

It could have been worse, though; much worse. This could have happened half-way between home and somewhere. I could have been in three or four-lanes of stop-and-go traffic in Chicago or something. Nope, even though it’s probably going to be expensive, it could have been worse.