Preparation

In this week's Sports Illustrated, there is a brief article about the ageless Morten Andersen. Andersen, 47, was just asked to rejoin the Atlanta Falcons after the Falcon's prior kicker missed two field goals in a game on September 16.

In the interview, Andersen was asked how he prepares for pressure kicks and this is his response:

"I do mental training throughout the week. I take myself through specific game situations so when they come up I've rehearsed them. Before the snap you're in real time. Then right after the snap, that 1.2 or 1.3 seconds that you're actually out there on your work bench, time slows. You see the ball clearly, you see everything in slow motion. Then you complete the kick, and it switches back to real time."

I believe this applies to all of us in all areas of our lives. There is much we need to be prepared for. This is especially true when it comes to temptations.

Each of us are tempted daily with things that are not of God. If we can anticipate these and prepare for them in advance, we can have victory. Read Matthew, chapter 4 sometime soon and see how Jesus fought off temptation. He fought of satan by reciting scripture. He was prepared and you can be too!

Sharing Your Faith at Work

It can be a struggle. The world tells us that we cannot talk about "religious" things, especially at work. However, Jesus tells us differently. He says we are to be a light to the world, wherever we are...including at work.

So how can we do this?

This appeared in an article in the Chanhassen Villager:

However, in a climate where most business owners keep their faith quiet in the marketplace, The Mustard Seed founder Mark Halla wears his Christianity on his sleeve.

“(It’s important) to honor and glorify God. You can’t do that if you don’t talk about him,” Halla said.

I think many Christian business owners and doctors would like to do this but are hesitant for fear of driving away clients and patients. If you are one of these, I have a solution for you. With membership in by Bleedership Gold Group, I can provide you with a means to easily, effectively and consistently impact the spiritual health of your employees, clients and patients in a very non-offensive way. To learn more and to see how you can try it for free, go to http://www.bleedership.com/.

Leave it on the Field

I love what Zig Ziglar says when asked if he is retired:

"I'm not retired, I'm refired. I'm not gonna ease up, let up, shut up or give up until I'm taken up. As a matter of fact, I'm just getting warmed up!"

That is the way I want to live my life. Kind of like the football player who is utterly exhausted after a hard-fought game--he feels like he left it all on the field.

On Friday afternoons I sometimes feel like I am running out of gas. On those occasions, I know I have had a productive week. I feel like I have left it all on the field and given my best effort.

If you didn't have to work for your current boss, would you work harder? If God were your boss, how productive do you think you would be? Guess what? God is your boss even if you report to someone else at work. We are commanded to work with all our heart for Him no matter what we are doing.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23

Growing Spiritually

Kent Humphreys of Christ @ Work had this to say about how leaders grow in their spirituality:

Leaders Grow Spiritually in Four Ways: (1) by spending personal time with Christ in the Word and Prayer; (2) by observing the example of a mentor or role model, which is often done in one on one relationships or with a Counsel of Advisors; (3) by spending time in a Small Accountability Group; (4) by the encouragement of a family member or friend, which can be done one on one or in a large group. Note that this is the way that Leaders grow in their walk with Christ. This is not a mass production process, but is very time consuming and costly. Jesus knew that as He modeled His relationship with the Three and the Twelve.

How are you doing in each of these areas?

To read the rest of Kent's article, go here.

Oxygen Masks

I am involved in a men's group called Men's Fraternity. We meet every Friday morning at 6:00 to watch a 45 minute DVD and then break into groups for 45 minutes of discussion on how we can become the men God made us to be.

One guy this morning said that this sort of thing is very difficult for him - making time to try to be better. He said he feels guilty when it might take away from his family. I think many of us feel this same way - life just gets in the way. Spouses to spend time with and show love to; kids to hug, talk to, discipline; jobs to work; bills to pay; soccer games and practices to drive to...

When do we take time for us? We are so busy doing things for others, we get left behind.

On an airplane, one of the first things we are told is that in case of an emergency, when the oxygen masks come down, we are to put ours on first before assisting anyone else. If we were to pass out because we didn't take care of us first, we would not be able to help others.

Same as in life.

I know this sounds somewhat selfish but what I am talking about is actually very unselfish. We need to do what is necessary to be the best we can be before we can adequately help others. If we can do this, everyone wins.

Heart

I love to watch people who have passion for whatever they are doing. I don't care if it is mopping the floor in an ice cream shop or spreading fertilizer on someone's lawn, if their heart is in it, I love that.

I've even caught myself t times saying, "I don't agree with what they are saying, but at least they are passionate about it."

It all has to do with heart. Zig Ziglar has this to say on this subject in his book Something to Smile About:

Some things cannot be measured, and the heart is one of them. I think of three former NFL football stars. Mike Singletary, according to the experts, was too short and his 40-yard speed was not that great. However, they could not measure his heart and they did not measure his speed for the first five to fifteen yards, and at that distance he was exceptionally fast. As a result, when a running back broke through the line of scrimmage . . . Singletary was able to stop him in the first couple of yards. That made quite a difference.

Emmitt Smith's 40-yard speed was not earth shattering. . .but again, the experts could not measure his heart nor the burst of speed he was able to generate the instant he touched the ball. As a result, he was able to break through the hole at the line and pick up five to eight yards on a consistent basis and frequently break for much longer runs.

Jerry Rice is the other classic example. His 40-yard speed also was not record-breaking, but his commitment to excellence was not measurable. Videotape of Jerry Rice shows him running stride for stride downfield with a defensive back until the pass is thrown to him. At that point, Jerry turns on the afterburners and frequently leaves the defensive back well behind.

There's something here for all of us to learn. We can measure I.Q., speed, strength and a host of other things, but the will to win and the commitment to excellence will enable a person of average ability to excel. So, use what you've got, including your heart.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23

Miscommunication

I just switched health insurance carriers for my family. Two days ago I logged onto their site to assign primary care physicians for each member of my family which went according to plan...or so I thought.

Last night I received an email which said the following:

Dear Mr. Lange,

We received your request to change primary care physicians for you and your wife. Unfortunately, our records indicate that the doctor you selected is contracted to only to see patients between the ages of 10 and 150 years of age.

You need to select a new primary care physician.

I have to admit, I was a little ticked when I first received this because it just means that I need to place a phone call sometime today and probably be placed on hold for what will seem like an eternity. But in a few minutes, I had to laugh. You have to admit, this is a little comical.

When I tried to figure out why I was ticked, it probably had more to do with the fact that I felt like I wasn't listened to--they did not get what I was telling them. Granted, it is a computer program I am talking about and not a real person, but it still upset me.

The same applies with us every day. We are commanded to listen, so let's do that, especially if we are leaders.

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19b

Be Careful What You Wish For

I remember watching TV late in 2002 when the winner of the Powerball lottery was announced. Jack Whittaker and his wife were on TV and he was talking about how this was not going to change them. He said he had already cut a check for $17 million to his church and other Christian charities.

I thought to myself, Good for them. They see like great people. What a great Christian example.

This past weekend, I read in my local paper about how his life has fallen apart since then. His wife has left him, his drug-addicted granddaughter has died, his daughter has cancer and he has had numerous run-ins with the law.

Probably the saddest thing I read was when he said, "I don't have any friends. Every friend that I've had, practically, has wanted to borrow money or something and of course, once they borrow money from you, you can't be friends anymore." Very sad.

To read a related article, go here.

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:20

Football Player Released Because of His Christian Values

This appeared on Christian Business Daily's site today:

Christian wide receiver Troy Vermillion has been released from the roster of the Colorado Ice, an indoor football team based in the Greeley, Colorado area. The release came following a disagreement between Vermillion and the coaching staff over pornographic films shown on the team bus. Vermillion, wishing not to be exposed to the material, asked to be allowed to travel in other team vehicles, but was denied. Instead, he was released. Hilda Vermillion, Troy’s wife, shares his story; the story of a Christian husband and father paying a high price for his efforts to honor Christ. Matt Barber, CWA’s Policy Director for Cultural Issues spoke with Hilda, who shares Troy’s testimony and how you can support the family in prayer. Listen Download

Way to go Troy!

Humility

I recently signed up for a free 6 month trial of Sports Illustrated magazine. I really don't have the time to be reading that but I figured, it's free, I'll take it. I typically take two minutes and go through the magazine and if I see anything I think might be worth reading I'll read it, but this is pretty rare.

This week had an article about Roger Federer and the sub-headline said "In winning his fourth straight U.S. Open crown and 12th Grand Slam title, Roger Federer left little doubt that no one in the world does anything as he plays tennis." This headline caught my attention and I decided to read the article, not because I am a huge tennis fan but rather because I am a fan of excellence and those who achieve it. I always enjoy learning about what makes people excel.

In reading the article, I was immediately disappointed in Roger Federer. Yes, I respect what he has done on the tennis court, but what disappointed me was his lack of humility in the article.

Here is one quote:

"It's important that people respect what I do, and I think over the past couple of years that has happened. There were times i felt people were like..." He shrugged. "It was a bit strange. But now I almost have the feeling [they know] they're watching greatness."

I don't know about you, but I am drawn to the famous athlete who has humility. I know others feel that way about you and me also, so let's be humble.

One Costly Mistake

Isn't it sad that Bill Belicheck felt he needed to cheat against the New York Jets (read story here)? The fact that he was having the Jets' signals videotaped is puzzling, especially since Belicheck's Patriots were clearly the superior team.

Here is a guy with an amazing track record in the playoffs and with many Super Bowl wins whose reputation is now tainted, probably for as long as he coaches. Many may be asking if his Super Bowl wins were achieved honestly.

I don't know about you, but this is kind of scary to me. No matter how spotless our resumes, it only takes one slip up to throw our reputations away!

Right Priorities

I just read this article in Christianity Today and it speaks to many subjects: integrity, leading by example and making the right choice or having your priorities in the right place:

July was, without question, the worst month in recent memory for professional sports. Each one of America's big three got its own black eye.

Barry Bonds pursued baseball's most hallowed record, the career home run mark, amid suspicions of steroid abuse—and a pesky perjury investigation.

Michael Vick, the NFL's second-highest-paid player, was arraigned in federal court on charges of illegal dog fighting.

And, most damaging, Tim Donaghy, an NBA referee, was accused by the FBI of betting on games in which he'd participated—the cardinal sin in all sports.

Overshadowed by these negative headlines was a noble decision made by Utah Jazz guard Derek Fisher: He asked to leave his team.

Fisher wasn't seeking to damage the Jazz, which had advanced to the Western Conference finals a month before. Indeed, his decision had nothing to do with basketball. It had to do with priorities.

Fisher, a quiet, steady Christian witness in a league of bling and groupies, left Salt Lake City in order to focus on his daughter's health. Only 11 months old, Tatum was diagnosed in May with retinoblastoma. The rare cancer threatens not just her left eye, but her life. Fisher gave up millions of dollars, and possibly his career, in order to move to a city with the right combination of medical specialists.

Such an admirable, selfless move is rare in the world of pro sports. Athletes are ridiculously overpaid—Boston Celtics star Kevin Garnett will make nearly three times as much as the entire U.S. Senate next year—and lauded with a kind of hero worship no person can live up to. Some don't even try. As hall of fame forward Charles Barkley reportedly said, "I am not a role model. I am paid to wreak havoc on the basketball court. … Just because I dunk a basketball doesn't mean I should raise your kids."

Furthermore, when athletes do try to live righteously, their public piety often falls short. Atlanta Falcons safety Eugene Robinson, an outspoken Christian, was arrested on the eve of Super Bowl XXXIII for soliciting a prostitute who turned out to be an undercover police officer.

Fisher, in keeping with Jesus' warning in the Sermon on the Mount, has never been one to "pray standing … on the street corners." He plays basketball the same way he testifies to his relationship with Christ: by his actions more than his words.

Every line of work has its challenges. Pro sports may have more than most. Yet Fisher has consistently modeled keeping first things first—or what the apostle Paul might have called "press[ing] on toward the goal to win the prize." We can learn from athletes like him.

"Life for me is about more than the game of basketball," Fisher told reporters after his announcement. Wiping away tears, Utah Jazz owner Larry H. Miller admitted, "He's focused on the most important thing."

As it turned out, Fisher was rewarded for his sacrifice. A couple of weeks later, the Los Angeles Lakers offered him a new contract. At a loss of $7 million, he will continue his career in a city where Tatum can get the care she needs.

In sports, as in life, doing the right thing doesn't always lead to such win-win situations. But it remains a victory in God's court. Here's to those whom God celebrates, "those who [have] been victorious," whether they be athletes, accountants, or, dare we say, evangelical thought leaders.

Finding Others Stronger Than You

In a Forbes article, Peter Drucker had this insight regarding how effective leaders play to their strengths and the strengths of others:

Successful leaders don't start out asking, "What do I want to do?" They ask, "What needs to be done?" Then they ask, "Of those things that would make a difference, which are right for me?" They don't tackle things they aren't good at. They make sure other necessities get done, but not by them. Successful leaders make sure that they succeed! They are not afraid of strength in others. Andrew Carnegie wanted to put on his gravestone, "Here lies a man who knew how to put into his service more able men than he was himself."

Learn from Lloyd

Many of you know that I am a huge Ohio State Buckeye fan, which by definition makes me not like the Michigan Wolverines. For the record, I am also not a fan of their coach, Lloyd Carr. However, I was impressed with something he said after their humiliating loss to the Oregon Ducks this past weekend.

"There isn't anything that comes my way that I can't handle professionally. And, there is nothing that can keep me down. Not a loss to Appalachian State, not a loss to Oregon, not a hundred losses, and not the loss of my job."

It sounds like he doesn't care what everyone thinks - he just has a job to do and he is going to do it. I hope he means all of this because the pressure on him will now be intense.

Can I be honest with you? I have a tendency to want to please others. I think a lot of people are this way. But, we are to play to an audience of One. That means there will be times when others are not happy with us - but we are commanded to do this. So let's learn from Lloyd

A Little Extra Effort

The workers who painted the line above obviously did not go the extra mile. Zig Ziglar had this to say about this in his book Life Lifters:

I wonder about the many things we could do if we didn’t know that we couldn’t do them. Many people never make a serious effort to achieve worthwhile objectives because they assume they can’t reach them.

Here’s a story that demonstrates what even a little extra effort can produce. Sir Walter Raleigh attended a prestigious boarding school when he was a youngster. He was an excellent student and wanted to be number one in his class. However, one lad always finished ahead of him, so he determined to discover the secret. Each night when he prepared for bed, he looked across the grounds that separated his room from that of his competitor and noticed that his candle was still burning. One night he noticed that the other boy studied only about fifteen minutes longer than he did. After that, Sir Walter Raleigh studied an extra twenty minutes every night. At the end of the year he was the number one student.

I’ve often wondered how many students miss out on a college scholarship because they did not study an additional twenty minutes each day. Research shows that over 98 percent of all scholarships are either academic or hardship, so some deserving students miss out not because of lack of ability, but because of lack of effort. Many times people grow frustrated because promotions or raises don’t come as fast as they think they should, so they jump ship when just around the corner the promotion awaits.

I have often used the phrase “and then some,” pointing out to my audiences that you should keep every promise, and then some; give your clients or customers everything they expect, and then some; give whatever you do an honest effort, and then some. I first learned those words from former secretary of state James Byrnes, who used that phrase when someone asked him to explain his success in life and in the political arena. I believe that little extra effort – that going ahead from where they are to do the best they can with what they have, and then some – is what separates the successful from the would-be successful.

Message: When you go the extra mile, you are seldom delayed by a traffic jam.

Boss Horror Stories

In an LA Times story, the following bad boss stores were recounted from the My Bad Boss contest sponsored by the AFL-CIO:

Last year's winning entry was "Dr. X," a dentist who took $100 out of each employee's paycheck for every canceled appointment.

The contestants, all anonymous, tell many horror stories.

One of the hundreds posted is about a lawyer who called the office every morning to give instructions as he brushed his teeth and conducted other business in his bathroom; another is about a manager who refused to let an employee whose husband had a brain tumor take a day off unless she provided a note from a doctor.

The contestant "Momtimesfour" recounts the day her boss offered to buy everyone in the office lunch and took them to a discount warehouse, where he instructed them to dine on free samples in the grocery section.

"Melanie" from Alabama, a cancer patient who lost her hair as a result of chemotherapy, says she overheard her boss making fun of how she looked with a bald pate. And a pregnant pizzeria worker says her manager ordered her to complete her shift after she had gone into labor. "I stayed and waited on customers," she says, "and made pizzas between contractions."

The story goes on to say that several states have proposed legislation to protect workers against tough bosses. I think this legislation is silly. We, as leaders, don't need the government telling us how to lead, we simply need to look in the Bible. For more information about this and to learn from a real tyrant, please check out Bleedership, Biblical First Aid for Leaders.

Optimism

I just read something interesting.

Martin Seligman in his book Learned Optimism reports on the level of optimism shown by USA presidential candidates between the years 1900 - 1984. American voters chose the more optimistic-sounding candidate in eighteen out of twenty-two elections. People seem to want a vision of hope and opportunity, and respond well to those messages.

How optimistic are you?

What You Think, You Are

It is the first day of school today for my two youngest kids. My daughter, was up this morning getting ready and all she was doing was complaining about how her day was going to be horrible. Her jeans were making her hot, school was going to be so boring...

I don't think she is going to have a very good day.

It reminded me that we all have a choice each day about how the day will turn out for us. We can look at each of our circumstances with a positive attitude or a negative attitude - a glass is half-full or half-empty attitude.

What are you going to choose?

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4