Success

I've heard from business people, and I've seen proof in many areas, including sports, business, pastoring, and politics, that it isn't talent that brings success. It isn't know how, abilities, or even common sense. There are two ingredients: discipline and drive.

By discipline I mean the ability to force yourself to do what needs to be done rather than what you'd like to do. By drive I mean a never ending stamina and determination to just keep pounding away at what you want. This combination necessitates a certain humility.

I am taken to the story of the Akron Zips' head coach, J.D. Brookhart. I watched Akron play Memphis in the Motor City Bowl, and the announcers told the story. He was a successful software salesman making a very comfortable living, but he felt that he wanted to coach football. Finally, he quit and became an unpaid intern for Mike Shanahan simply to learn the game. He washed cars, ran errands, and did functions that a high school kid might do. But, soon he had an assistant's job. Brookhart became an assistant coach at Pitt for seven years. Now, he's the second year head coach of Akron, and he's turned the program around...making a name for himself.

My question is: "How badly do I want to write?" Am I spending my spare time watching TV or just chillin' out when I should be relentless in my disciplined writing? I should be writing more every day.

It's easy to be an arrogant, prideful nothing. We can easily see how poorly others succeed, but what do we do?

There are many times more mutual funds than there are stocks. There are many more analysts than mutual funds. There are more critics than movie producers. There are more sports writers and commentators than football players.

The point is that it's far easier to live comfortably without real discipline and criticize those who are humbling themselves to discipline themselves and plod endlessly toward their goal.
To whom much is given much is required

The Godfather

I was watching the Godfather the other day, and I was struck by something Marlon Brando, as Don Corelleoni, said. "Men cannot live carelessly. Women and children can live carelessly, but men cannot live carelessly" (paraphrased).

We men should live careful lives of circumspection and planning. We should take the cares of the women and the children and deal with them. We should be providing carefree and tranquil environments for our loved ones. Our spouses and children shouldn't have to worry about food, clothing, housing, violence, or unattainable expectations.

Another aspect of this careful living is our attention to what our spouses and children are taught. It is the father's and husband's responsibility to oversee the catechising of the children and the wife. If he, through poor choices or through laziness, allows for a poorly educated and poorly groomed family it is a shame to him.

His example in godliness in personal matters, faithfulness in financial and contractual matters, and honesty in matters of integrity are the building blocks of the future.

The Urban Redneck Christian


Sometimes I wonder what I'm doing. I am taken back to Al Wolever's comment that perhaps the weakest of Christians are the ones chosen as clergy. Perhaps if they were not clergy they would not be living Christ like. When I was pastoring, I was astonished more than once at the piety and devotion of laymen. It is humbling to supposedly lead others who are more devout that yourself. It is even more humbling to be called on the carpet by laymen for legitimate mistakes or poor judgements that result from a lack of piety.

Here's my bottom line though. My Christianity isn't a neat, well dressed, pants pressed, hair nicely groomed, soft spoken and tender touching Christianity. My Christianity has always been big boned and mis-shapen. It has wrinkled clothing, flaws and poor workmanship. My Christianity has always been hard,messy and even a bit neanderthal. I practice a knuckle dragging Christianity. My Christianity is one of sin and forgiveness. It is one of mistakes andrepentence, and it is based solely on mercy. I hate the sin in my life, but I still sin. I especially hate the fact that sometimes I love the sin that I'm supposed to hate...I feel trapped. I can only plead as Paul for Christ to deliver me from this body of death.

I despise the cookie cutter, pressed pants, limp wristed, soft spokenChristianity. When I meet one of these androgenous Christian men, I leavefeeling like I picked up a leaky syrup bottle and I've got the soft, gooey half dry syrup all over my hands. The sappy, soft, sweet Christianity is vile and destestable to me. I may dry heave.

My questions are thus: Is it wrong for me to feel this way about an emasculated Christianity? Why do I feel like taking the average, modern, let's just sithere and love the whole friggin' world, and giving them the finger while I tell them to take a long walk off a short pier.