SCOTT hamilton

Cowboy Up . . . What's That?

Remember back in ’04 when that ‘documentary’ came out called Super Size Me?   It was about Morgan Spurlock’s exposé on the dangers of a McDonald’s-only diet. It sparked outcry against corporate fast food bullies who force this toxic waste down our throats (yes I’m being facetious – but only slightly). Through the melodramatic ‘reporting’ I kept asking myself why is everyone missing the fact that he chose to eat at Mickey D’s every day?

But alas it boiled down to sensationalized blame game – as usual. Interestingly a guy made the news today who also chose a McDonald’s-only diet. He ended up losing 80+ pounds. This illustrates the fact that it all really boils down to personal responsibility – a fading concept today. Accepting the consequences for our actions is rare.

Little Jimmy isn’t doing so well in school because he doesn’t do his homework

I’m going to go have a talk with that teacher!

I’m dying of lung cancer because I’ve been smoking the past 25 years

It’s the tobacco industry’s fault

We’re putting out a known toxic product that kills people and we’re making a huge profit

It’s the end user’s fault if they die

I can’t get a job because of my felony record

Those idiot cops and that stupid judge! I’m struggling now because of them.

And of course the classic . . .

I got burned from coffee that I was precariously squeezing between my legs while trying to drive at the same time

It must be McDonald’s fault for serving coffee the way I demand it – HOT!

 

Sadly the list is seemingly endless. Cowboying-up and taking personal responsibility – WOW, what a concept.

"Ah... Yea... I'm Having a Pedicure That Weekend... I Don't think I can Help"

I had the opportunity to help a family move-in yesterday. It was an easy move. Most of the stuff was unloaded and stacked in a storage facility. It got me to thinking though, about all my previous experiences helping others move – the good and the bad.

If you’re asking people to help you move here are some helpful tips that will increase your chances of remaining friends and maybe get them back for a second move.

1. Have everything packed. Don’t start throwing things in a box when people show up at your door. It communicates to them that their time is not worth you being prepared.

2. If you are moving locally have most of the small stuff relocated already. There is no reason you can’t make some car loads of small boxes before people show up at your door.

3. PROVIDE LEADERSHIP! This is absolutely the most important but hardest for people to do. People show up because they are willing and expecting to do some grunt work. They are there to help but want it to get over as soon as possible –nobody likes moving – especially stuff that’s not theirs. I know you want to help do the grunt work to show that you are taking responsibility for your stuff, but it does no good for 8 people stand around waiting for instructions while you wrestle with the box springs. This just prolongs the agony for everybody. You are the only one who knows where things go. You can honor people’s time by not lifting a hand but coordinating to make the work go efficiently and quickly. It might not feel good to stand around giving instructions, but believe me, it’s the best way to appreciate the people who showed up expecting to do manual labor.

4. Don’t inappropriately take advantage of having people willing to help. Make decisions quickly. You can tweak things later. It’s not the time to move the 600lb dresser 4 inches to the right (while 6 other people are standing around waiting for instructions and thinking that they are wasting their day).

There’s my tips on moving. They come from being on the receiving end of people doing it correctly but, unfortunately, more so from people doing it wrongly.

Pointing the Whiny Finger

I saw a recent poll asking “Who is most responsible for high oil prices?”

o The US government

o OPEC

o The US oil companies

o The American people

I was blown away when the running results revealed that the people polled thought the fault rightfully lay with the US Government and the least responsible were the American people.

I don’t understand that line of reasoning apart from a spoiled, entitlement mindset.  I’ve heard so many people gripe and complain about gas prices all the while driving these big gas guzzling behemoths (including myself).

There is a simple solution. It’s called the law of supply and demand. If we don’t use as much the lack of demand will drag the price down. But instead of owning up and taking responsibility for our actions we simply scream and stomp our feet all that much more as one hand grips the gas pump feeding our 10 mpg Suburban.

Lay the blame where you want (there’s plenty to go around), but the power lies squarely with us, the consumer. We can chose where, when, and how much of our green backs to hand over.

Consider this proverb as we turn down the volume on our whining.

"What you do speaks so loud I cannot hear what you say."  -Ralph Waldo Emerson-

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Church Shopping

I cringe every time I hear that phrase. How consumerist can we get? I know some people use the term to describe the activity of finding a church in the area in which they have just moved that follows Scripture. I get that and encourage that.

But other people use it to describe their consumerist, buying-power, almighty-dollar-flexing attitude towards finding a church with all the bells and whistles they want. What stuns me is that they aren’t ashamed of it but just the opposite; they embrace it and wear it like a badge of honor. You know kind of like those choice-a-holics that will drive the extra 15 minutes to go to the movieplex that has 6 more screens and then brag about their experience around the water cooler.

“I’m shopping for a new church because the one I’m going to now doesn’t have a good children’s program anymore.”

“We feel called to this church because it has such great music.”

“We are switching to that other church. Their service times are more convenient.”

This attitude is a me-centered, shallow, consumerist approach to faith that is diametrically opposed to the faith we are called to have. God first. Others second. Me a distant last.

If you happen to attend the getting-to-know class called navigating Northern Hills that I facilitate sometimes you won’t find a sales pitch about all the stuff NHCC can offer you. Nope. I will lovingly challenge you to seek God’s guidance as to which body of believers he wants to place you . . . for his service. I will dare you to pray about it instead of looking at upgrade options. I will offer to help find that church if it isn’t NHCC. If it is NHCC I will expect  you to cowboy up and serve your socks off. I will encourage you to pursue God like crazy. I will call it like it is and tell you that there will be people at NHCC that will get on your nerves, that sometimes you won’t like the music, and you’re guaranteed to be inconvenienced at times. Guess what – going to church ain’t about you. It’s about God and others. I will caution you against getting too attached to a particular tradition/annual event/program/ministry because we do things to be affective in introducing people to and growing them in Jesus, not to be people pleasers. I will invite you to embrace your part of God’s story and hang on for the ride. I will call you to live a life that counts and is significant – a life that makes a difference. That’s what you’ll find if you attend the getting-to-know class called navigating Northern Hills that I facilitate sometimes.

. . . maybe that’s why some people haven’t come back . . .

. . . I’m OK with that . . .

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So Much Fun I Felt Guilty . . . NOT!

Have you ever had one of those days that’s packed full of your favorite things to do. The ones where your cheeks hurt from smiling all day.  This past Sunday was one of them for me. I got the privilege of sharing the message at Northern Hills (I’m still in awe that God lets me do that) and I went wheeling with some friends.

“Wheeling” is short for 4-wheeling. All the old timers use the term so I’m trying to hide my amateur status by throwing it around a lot.  This was only the second time I've been wheeling.

We went up Left Hand Canyon north of Boulder, CO. Here are some pictures:

The Crew

Left Hand Canyon Trail is beautiful

Why go around the rock?

Flinging mud

You go girl!

Diane took over the drivers spot

I think he's talking trash to that rock...

Bent rod?  Hand me the hammer honey!

Because of these guys blocking the trail . . .

Frank 'had' to go this way.

"If he can I can!"

You gave it a college try Larry.

Bring out the toy . . . er, winch.

What a great time!

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