DeanStelowOnline.com - Life Faith and Leadership

You have Permission. By Tim Schrader

2011-09-13T10:12:00.000-07:00

You have permission.

You have permission to try new things.

You have permission to explore new ideas.

You have permission to stretch your thinking.

You have permission to make mistakes.

You have permission to fail.

You have permission to do what others said wasn’t possible, or to at least to try and prove them wrong.

You have permission to push the boundaries.

You have permission to think outside of the box. Heck, blow up the box.

You have permission to color outside of the lines.

You have permission to not settle for second best.

Why?

Because God has gifted you.

Because God has qualified you.

Because God has already given you everything you already need.

Because God has called you.

Because God has chosen you.

Because if you don’t no one else will.

Because the world desperately needs what God has put inside of you.

Because the world won’t be the same without the unique contributions you have to offer.

Because if you don’t try and fail you’ll never learn.

Because if you don’t learn you won’t grow.

Because you don’t need to wait for permission to live out what God has called you to do.

You have permission to start that project.

You have permission to write that blog post.

You have permission to create that video.

You have permission to paint on that canvas.

You have permission to create something awe-inspiring.

You have permission to be honest and let people see your scars because they will point to your Healer.

You have permission to help the world catch a glimpse of God’s wonder.

You have permission to take your brokenness and let God make something beautiful from it.

You have permission to do the impossible because with God all things are possible.

If it’s something worth doing why haven’t you started yet?

You have permission.

http://www.timschraeder.com/2011/08/30/you-have-permission/

TIM SCHRAEDER

Tim Schraeder - who has written 515 posts on TimSchraeder.com.

Tim Schraeder is passionately committed to helping churches effectively communicate the message of the Gospel in a way that’s relevant to our ever-changing culture. He’s served churches as a communications director for over a decade, most recently serving on staff at Park Community Church. Today, he serves the Church as a part of the team at Church Solutions Group and as the co-director of the Center for Church Communication. He’s the creator and general editor of Outspoken: Conversations on Church Communication, a field guide for church communication leaders. Tim lives in downtown Chicago where he can be found in any neighborhood coffeeshop that has a good wifi signal.

The Presence of God @ the Grill

2011-08-22T16:01:00.000-07:00

I have been a Worship Leader for the past 13 years. I love my calling! In that time, I rarely have had multiple weekends where I have been off the stage or not working on the weekend. I figured out there was a 4 year period where I was on the stage 202 weekends. Can you say "Burnout"? At the beginning of this year I decided (after a 12 month period of establishing and building teams at my new church) I would be off the stage one week a month. Knowing this would put pressure on our teams we prepared for the move for several months prior. This was a practice made possible and encouraged by the Elders and Senior Pastor of the Church. It has been a gift to my soul. My capacity as a leader has increased. Sensitivity to God's voice has increased. My team is growing under the healthy added pressure and opportunities.

This summer from the beginning of July through the end of August, I was off four times for vacation and a mission trip. The first three weeks I took in a row. I loved the time off, but to be transparent, the old "baptist duty guilt" I grew up with kicked in at times trying to rob me of my needed rest. I know, I know...I need counseling. The real tough one was this past week. I had only been back two weeks and my monthly week off rolled around. My temptation was to give in and do it anyway. But I didn't. So yesterday I spent the day with family and friends in and around the pool. We cooked burgers and listened to country music. About half way through the day as I was watching the ground chuck sizzling on the grill, God showed up in a special way in my soul. I could hear Him speaking louder than I have in a long time. It was all I could do to hold back the tears. Today has been a normal day in the office; Budgets, two 2 hour creative meetings, task lists, emails, and phone calls, 3 adhoc hallway meetings. But I was more present and more importantly I sensed more of God's Presence.

Does God have a Big Ego?

2011-04-17T23:00:00.000-07:00

I have heard it said that worship is all about God.
But why does God want us to worship Him?
One answer might be...
"Because He tells us to"
   Which leads to another question?
   "So why would God want us to worship Him?"
"Does he have a big ego?"
   "Does he need it?"
"Is He insecure?"
"If God is Omnipotent, full of glory, completely and utterly sustained by his own being and essence, certainly worthy, why does he need or want more glory from us?
I believe the answer to that question is rooted deeply in the question,
"Who are we and what is our purpose for being here?" While God is clearly to be the focus of our adoration, there is clearly a plan behind placing that purpose within the heart of humanity. The Bible tells us that in the beginning human existence itself was all about God. God's glory, to some degree, was expressed and even shared by God with his image bearing creation.
Is there anything that brings the Creator more glory than seeing His most prized creation reflecting his glory, his essence, his character, his nature. When I see my children living out the values and character that I instilled in them, it is nothing less than glorious.
The Bible paints a clear picture that restoring God's image within humanity is central to the movement of the restoration of all things made possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus even says that he has shared his glory with his followers that they might experience the same union that he and his Father share.
That they may reflect his image and likeness once again.
Can you hear the Word, that was in the beginning?
The Word that SPOKE us into existence to live and love and carry the image and essence of the Triune God.
He wants us to rediscover our purpose.
He has not given up on us.
God so loves the world....he longs for his glory to be restored within us.
Listen to Paul in 2 Cor 3:16-18

   But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where
   the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the
   glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory
   to another.
THIS IS THE REASON FOR WORSHIP!
As we gaze upon and admire God's Glory, His Character, His Nature, His Attributes,
God restores his image in us.
So worship IS all about God that He might in turn share his glory with us. Wow Humbling!

Northbrook Christmas Stage 2010

2010-12-30T14:34:00.000-08:00

A Cartoon By My Son Reese!

2010-10-29T19:11:00.000-07:00

There has to be a metaphor in here!

The NorthPoint Story - Amazing!

2010-10-28T15:56:00.000-07:00

Sparrows, Leaves and Kicking a Ball

2010-10-20T10:15:00.000-07:00

So things have been a little crazy around the Stelow house. School is in full swing and we have our own little version of chaotic project management. Then there is all these projects at work. Then there are the bills and the expectations people have for me, dwarfed only by the ones I have for myself… I really could continue for another paragraph or two, but you get the picture. Life gets filled with so many things to do that I can forget to stop and enjoy those things that make life worth living. Yesterday I made myself stop. I took a half an hour and just sat in an old rickety swing we have in our yard. I tried not to think about stuff and just enjoy the beauty of the day. It was tough at first but soon the sparrows and rustling fall leaves had my attention and began to share their counsel. Then I grabbed an old flat volleyball, that had seen its better days, and yelled over to my two youngest boys, “hey I bet you can’t steal this ball away from me”. Like a couple of Labrador Retrievers chasing a stick, those boys sprung into action and for the next 45 minutes I went to “kicking a ball” therapy. I think God smiles when we kick the ball and swing on old rickety swings. Because it brings depth to our heart of thankfulness and reminds us that life is suppose to be about life. My heart to worship God is released when my spirit is in alignment with His. For me, sometimes that alignment comes from hearing a sermon or worship song and other times it comes from sparrows, leaves and kicking a ball.

Great Stuff by Francis Chan

2010-10-20T10:04:00.001-07:00

On the Shelf

2010-10-11T13:54:00.001-07:00

Growing up we had a closet in our garage filled with things like old paint cans and tools and pretty much anything my mom and dad would use to fix and beautify our home. I loved getting into that closet when I was a kid. I remember one day on one of my explorations, I found an old package of flowers seeds that were tucked away inside some antique flower pots. I ran in and showed them to my mom begging her to let me plant them. When she saw the package of seeds she said. “Wow, I bought these seeds a long time ago. I guess we can still plant them. and see what happens” So we cleared out a little place in our front yard flower bed and within a few weeks we had about 30 new beautiful flowers gracing our front walk way.

Sometimes my life is like that old closet. I have life giving seeds with the potential for beautiful things sitting on the shelves of my life, yet I am often satisfied with simple feelings of empathy (intellectual identification with). I hear about injustice, tears fill my eyes and I say “That’s not right, something should be done,” and more often than not, those thoughts sit on the shelf of my heart like unused seeds. I want my life to be about the beauty and restorative flow of God’s goodness. Lately, I am asking God to help me reorient my life for goodness. I am asking how much TV service do I really need? How many cups of ice tea do I buy at Panera? How cool or warm do I really need it to be in our house? Could I take that money and sponsor a child or help build a home or a well or help rescue someone in slavery? How many evenings a month could I lead my family into a life of purpose and compassion, helping others? God is in the business of making beautiful things out of the dust and we get to join him in these selfless acts of love.

Isaiah 58:6-10 NLT

“…this is the kind of fasting I want:

Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;

lighten the burden of those who work for you.

Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people.

Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless.

Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

“Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal.

Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.

Then when you call, the Lord will answer.

‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.

“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.

Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!

Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble.

Then your light will shine out from the darkness,

and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.”

BY ADMIN |LEAVE A COMMENT |

Little Act of Love

2010-10-05T21:42:00.001-07:00

If you have ever been in my office you will notice some special little gifts my children leave for me. Among the empty candy wrappers, random drawings and other signs of munchkin life. They often write me little notes. They write them on the dry erase board. They leave post-it notes every where. Sometimes they find a way to leave them on my computer screen. Sometimes they say " I love you Daddy" Sometimes they say "Good Morning Daddy". Sometime they remind me to bring them home a treat.

I love those notes! They make my day! They make me smile. Those little, sweet, yummy acts of love make me want to get home as fast as I can to be with my little rugrats!

Why they do they mean so much?

Is it the words they use?

Is it the proper spelling or how neatly or eloquently they wrote the note?

No. It's Because they didn't have to, but they did!

The fact that they made the effort, that they were thinking about me at all makes my heart warm.

I wonder if God likes getting those little acts of love from his kids just like I enjoy getting them from mine.

Sometimes I think I make prayer and worship so "religious sounding" and so serious that I forget how much he just loves hearing from me.

It's so easy to miss the simplicity of prayer and love and worship.

As I write these words I sense him reminding me that he is my Papa and that He just likes hearing from me.

He doesn't have to be that way, He just is!

"...you have received the spirit of God’s adopted children by which we call out, “Abba! Father!”" Romans 8:15

Innocent Prayers from Northbrook Church on Vimeo.

Great thoughts from Tony Morgan

2010-10-05T00:34:00.001-07:00

Willow Creek Leadership Summit Day 2

2010-08-06T06:00:00.001-07:00

Willow Creek Leadership Summit Session 1

2010-08-05T05:41:00.000-07:00

Whispers from the Rabbi

2010-07-23T23:32:00.000-07:00

This evening I spent some time with some long time friends that I get to see once a year if I am lucky. We spent some time talking about how life is good and also reflecting on some heartbreaking events that have happen in our sphere of friendships in the past year. I am reminded this evening of the fragility of life and relationships. I am reminded that just being alive is precious. Humanity itself is such a gift. I am only beginning to understand how to live fully human reflecting God's image but here is what I hear my rabbi from Galilee whispering to my soul.

Take care of the souls of those you love.
Turn the TV off and play a game.
Get more involved!
Go for a walk and rediscover God's good and beautiful world.
Pray for that person that God loves and made but you are struggling to forgive.
Write a blog and share life with someone.
Call that friend you haven't called in a while.
Laugh till it hurts.
Be quiet and listen.

Awakening
By Chris Tomlin and Ruben Morgan
For You and You alone awake my soul
Awake my soul and sing
For the world You love Your will be done
Let Your will be done in me

In our hearts Lord in this nation awakening
Holy Spirit we desire awakening

In Your presence in Your power awakening
For this moment in this hour awakening

Like the rising sun that shines
From the darkness comes a light
I hear Your voice and this is my awakening

Like the rising sun that shines
Awake my soul awake my soul and sing
From the darkness comes a light
Awake my soul awake my soul and sing
Like the rising sun that shines
Awake my soul awake my soul and sing
Only You can raise a life
Awake my soul awake my soul and sing

In our hearts Lord
In the nations awakening

OK, Who brought the Dynamite?

2010-07-16T23:27:00.000-07:00

I love to fish! And I have some great stories to tell you if you're interested. I love it when someone gives me "insider info" about a great location, or a certain kind of bait or technique that results in catching fish.

Twice in the Gospels, Jesus finds some guys fishing but not catching. He gives them some good advice on how to change their approach. Both times the results were lots of fish being caught. Jesus then shifts their focus from fish to people.

Fishing for people was the first purpose given to his fisherman followers.
If our churches were boats,
Our communities were lakes
and Jesus came walking along the shore what advice would he yell out.

"Hey that's a fishing boat not a yacht club"

"Hey guys, I know it's fun, but stop throwing old smelly fish back and forth into each others boats. That doesn't count as fishing."

"Hey putting the nets IN the water is much better than waiting for them to jump in the boat. I know it sounds a little crazy but your just gonna have to trust me on this one!"

"Uhhh! I know it's messy. It's fishing?"

"Ok, who brought the dynamite?"

"Hey, screaming at the fish scare them away. I'm just sayin!"

"The fish aren't impressed with your knowledge of Bass Pro Magazine or your new fishing vest. Their Hungry! Try some bait on a hook! Just an idea."

Not sure if thats exactly how he would say it but I for one would not mind hearing him say
"Why are you guys in the water pulling the boat? Oh sorry I didn't see all the fish. Good Work!"

What do you think?

2010-07-16T09:38:00.000-07:00

Following Jesus from The Global Conversation on Vimeo.

There Is No Because!

2010-07-03T01:17:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about how easy it is to allow another persons behavior to become the focus of how I do or do not value them. The truth is that every person is created marvelously and wonderfully by God. They are beautiful and valuable to Him not because they earned His love, not because they never offend Him, nor is it because they value Him. GOD JUST LOVES!

Follower or rejector - He Just Loves!
Conservative Republican or Liberal Democrat. He Just Loves!
Betrayer or Faithful  - He Just Loves!
Moral or Immoral - He Just Loves!
Rich or Poor - He Just Loves!
Guilty or Innocent  - He Just Loves!
Christian or ??????  - He Just Loves!
Religious or Atheist - He Just Loves!
Prisoner or Humanitarian - He Just Loves!
________ or _________ - He Just Loves!

God does not objectify us by our behavior thereby devaluing our humanity in His eyes. He Just Loves!

When the prodigal son returned his father did not objectify his son by his behavior thus labeling him:

Betrayer
Sin Lover
Money Waster
Family Name Soiler
Foolish Wisdom rejector

HE JUST LOVED HIM!

The older son in the story sees only his brothers actions not his value.
He then exposes his own naivety of his fathers love by comparing his behavior with his brothers.
In this moment, the older brother objectifies and defines himself by his good behavior, believing he is a better human being, more deserving of his fathers love. He is unaware of his own value.

Comparing ourselves with others as well as seeing others and ourselves as objects defined by performance robs our souls of the life giving value that God places on humanity.

When God sent Jesus to this earth to rescue us, when he offers His love everyday it wasn't and isn't earned by our performance. Because when it comes to God's love, there is no because, He Just Loves!

Catalyst!!!

2010-06-24T10:28:00.000-07:00

Catalyst 2010 | The Tension is Good from Catalyst on Vimeo.

"The Green Sport Coat" of Leadership.

2010-05-18T22:52:00.000-07:00

So God has been doing cool things in my life recently. He is stretching me into some new areas requiring me to lead in a different way. Expanding my effectiveness and influence as a God called leader is both exhilarating and sobering. For years I have heard this referred to and referred to it myself as "leading at a different level". Indicating that somehow we move up the ladder, ascending to the next level. STOP! Let me be clear! This is not a smug attempt to be pious. I am not attempting to demonize or criticize anyone that uses the phrase "next level". God knows we have enough criticizing and camp building. It's just a phrase, and godly kingdom ambition is greatly needed in our day. I am so thankful to God for the leaders that challenge us to aspire to be great leaders. That said, as I reflect on the expansion of my calling and the greater level of commitment that is required, I since my Rabbi calling me to a greater sense of servanthood in my posture. I know we are all a mixed bag of motives at times, but I choose in my soul to resist "The Green Sport Coat" of leadership. I love leading people and want to do it as long as I live but I want to do it in the Jesus style. Paul said of Jesus "...he took the humble position of a slave". Can I just say, that doesn't always flow naturally in my leadership. So for me these days, as I am seeking to be God's best version of me, I am asking God to teach me to lead in a different and more effective way and am resisting the "next level" metaphor. Unless of course it's a lower level. Please pray for me and the other members of our team as we daily wrestle with the awesome privilege and stewardship that comes with leading God's people.

Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.

Philippians 2:5-8 (The Message)

Lead Like a Child

2010-05-09T12:11:00.000-07:00

I read a great blog today entitled "Leading Like a Child". In the blog, Simon Sinek offered 5 ways for us recapture the Wonder of Childhood.

1. When we’re kids, we read all kinds of different stories, but as adults we focus on our industries. Take time to read more books and magazines that have nothing to do with your industry. Learn about how others are doing and how they solve problems (maybe even read fewer from your own).

2. When we’re kids, our parents and our teachers drag us to museums and performances of all kinds. Go wonder around the natural history museum or an art gallery. Go see a ballet performance. And don’t just complain the whole time that you want to go home. Try to find something you like about any of those things.

3. When we’re kids, we go on class trips, but as adults we don’t. Take class trips. Take a day or an afternoon off and take your team somewhere that has nothing to do with work for no other reason than to do or see something new or different.

4. Ask why. We so often ask questions to prove people wrong as opposed to understand what they mean. Really listen to the ideas of others. If someone approaches you with good intentions, ask lots of questions and try to really understand the meaning and value of the idea they are offering. Show genuine interest.

5. Encourage all the people who report to you to do all the above. Even encourage them to take an afternoon off simply to explore or subsidize a personal enrichment class they want to take outside of work.

Read the entire blog

Tips On Getting Things Done

2010-05-08T11:24:00.000-07:00

I came across this article on another blog thought it was good. Check out these helpful tips from Gretchen Rubin and the Happiness Project:

“It’s a Secret of Adulthood: Happiness doesn’t always make me feel happy. Often, I know I’d be happier if I do something I really don’t feel like doing. Making that phone call. Dealing with tech support. Writing that email. Going to the gym.

Here are some strategies I use:

1. Do it first thing in the morning. If you’re dreading doing something, you’re going to be able to think of more creative excuses as the day goes along.

2. If you find yourself putting off a task that you try to do several times a week, do it EVERY day. When I was planning my blog, I envisioned posting two or three times a week. Then a blogging friend convinced me that no, I should post every day. As counter-intuitive as it sounds, I’ve found that it’s easier to do it every day (well, except Sundays) than fewer times each week.

3. Have someone keep you company. Studies show that we enjoy practically every activity more when we’re with other people. Having a friend along can be a distraction, a source of reassurance, or just moral support.

4. Make preparations, assemble the proper tools. Clean off your desk, get the phone number, find the file. I often find that when I’m dreading a task, it helps me to feel prepared. There’s a wonderful term that chefs use: mis-en-place, French for “everything in its place.” It describes the preparation done before starting to cook: gathering ingredients and implements, chopping, measuring, etc. Mis-en-place is preparation, but it’s also a state of mind; mis-en-place means you have everything at the ready, with no need to run out to the store or begin a frantic search for a sifter. You’re truly ready to begin to work.

5. Commit. We’ve all heard the advice to write down your goals. This really works, so force yourself to do it. Usually this advice relates to long-term goals, but it works with short-term goals, too. On the top of a piece of paper, write, “By the end of today, April 7, I will have _____.” This also gives you the thrill of crossing a task off your list. (See below.)

6. Remind yourself that finishing a dreaded task is tremendously energizing. Studies show that hitting a goal releases chemicals in the brain that give you pleasure. If you’re feeling blue, although the last thing you feel like doing is something you don’t feel like doing, push yourself. You’ll get a big lift from it.”

For the rest of the article , go here

How Great Leaders Inspire Action

2010-05-07T21:28:00.000-07:00

Cool Idea presenting the ancient church

2010-05-04T09:14:00.000-07:00

Granger Community did a great job with this!

Two Histories of the Church from Granger Community on Vimeo.

GREAT VIDEO!

2010-05-02T23:40:00.001-07:00

iHeart Teaser from Blake Allen on Vimeo.

Ideas on Collaboration

2010-05-02T22:39:00.000-07:00

Thoughts On Collaboration by Charles Lee

Ideas are a dime a dozen in our day and age
Some are even on sale
The ability of an organization or individual to implement an idea is vital
What does it take to co/labor together?
Collaboration isn’t mutual agreement, but work.

Why don’t people collaborate well?

Many of us don’t have time.
It could be a lack of resources.
It could be fear that collaboration will lead to elements that are in the unknown.
The more you share your idea there’s a greater risk that implementation will take place.
It could be our insecurity.
Idea lovers aren’t the best implementers
As much as you love ideas you must love implementation
There’s a need to focus on the 99% of perspiration.
Some of it is our own sense of pride and self-indulgence.

We NEED to Collaborate

For many collaboration is a nice option.
For others, there’s a deep need to collaborate.
Until you get to a point of need, collaboration won’t take place
We are all part of a body, each part needs each other.
Most people don’t feel the NEED to collaborate
To make it a central need in the life of your organization will change everything.
Collaboration is missional.
The call and desire of God are so much bigger than anything we could do alone.
We are Smarter then Me
The crowd is always smarter than one single person
Social media isn’t a platform to communicate more messages or to market it’s powerful when it is social to create collaboration.
The internet flattened the world.
If you openly share, the speed in which innovation takes place is exponential
Collaboration leads to creativity
You may be working on one idea but you can be inspired by a different concept.
As we continue to nurture unrelated ideas/concepts, connections start to take place unexpectedly and would have never happened and one day, something amazing can happen.
The beauty of human interaction is a wonderful thing to embrace.
We need intentionally spontaneous moments of creativity and relationship
Intentionally posture your life to connect with people
Architect environments where collaboration can take place
You don’t have to organize the interaction, let people connect
You have to work on it in your life and organization to make it happen

elements for co/laboration

transparency > >trust

Trust is built through transparency.

clarity >> direction

Be clear up front.
Wisdom comes in motion

community >>accountability

Community allows for accountability for your concepts.

openness >> formation

You have to be willing to open to what God may form in the future

listening >> strategy

Allow the listening of another soul in their context.
Let your concepts form within the voices and contexts of people on the streets, not in board rooms

intentionality >> ethos
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” – Henry Ford

This Blog is a repost from http://www.timschraeder.com/2010/04/30/collaborating-in-community-charles-lee/

Thanks Tim for sharing your great note taking