"...government is the problem."

Click the link below for some interesting polling data on whether or not Americans today think that government can solve problems or if government - is the problem.

Click here for the Rasumussen Reports (TM) poll.

Our Flag Was Still There

In the last two weeks I have watched both political conventions. I listened to the pundits, watched the speeches, and quietly wondered at the beauty of our democratic republic. For many years I have collected the speeches and artifacts of many a political campaign. I watched my first presidential campaign at the ripe age - of five. I have been in love with the elective process in my teen youth. And I have been on the other side of the spectrum wondering if it was all "just a game." But recently, I have begun to see the path and understand the words, "you have to be a priest before you're a king." Seeing my path of ministry in a different light. Seeing this path I have understood something deep about myself. That since the age of five I have not had a passion for politics. There could be nothing further from the truth.

I have a passion - for America. I still get chills every time I place my hand over my heart and say, "I pledge allegiance to the flag of The United States of America." Tears fill my eyes when the National Anthem proclaims, "O say does that star spangled banner yet wave - o're the land of the free and the home of the brave."

This is the country of free ... a nation that not only talks about free speech but celebrates her ability to speak freely the convictions of the heart. Whether it be the racist tyrant that angers us, a pastor who loves his faith, or even a heckler that interrupts a national political party - America is the country of the free. We were built on the gridlock of free speech - to express ourselves without fear of persecution. And what of the other freedoms that Jefferson states so eloquently are self evident, "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights." We are, and we must be, the land of the free.

And we are home to the brave ... a nation that sees her darkest moments by raising the lamp of freedom, peering through darkness of evil, all the while proclaiming - "we will never forget." This is the country that grows every day heroes, from the Captain in the Air Force, to the officer patrolling the street, the fire fighter that never thinks twice of running into harms way, to the crossing guard down the street at the local school who waves "hello" as you pass... these and many others fight the brave battles that are only faced by those who serve. And in America the bravest thing one can do - is serve.

I recently heard, via a radio talk show, someone say that they felt "the plug had been pulled on America. That the 'ball game' was over." But just as Francis Scott Key looked out through the night and witnessed by the gleam of cannon fire that our "flag was still there" we too know that America, "the greatest experiment of democracy", is not over. When you drive past the capitol building, the school, the front yard, and the local business and there she is, Old Glory flapping in the wind chanting out, "all is well, freedom is still alive."

May we, may I, be the first to rise with a spirit of humility in a brave determination, lifting the lamp of freedom once again ... lighting the path of humanity...to see our flag... still there.

More to come.

Where is Jer?

We have been a little busy!
In between moving, StoryLine, NPAC, and Monster.com .... I have been a little too busy to write. For my readers - check out the links below... and the pictures posted!

www.NashvillePAC.com (this is our first "expression" as a church - the Nashville Public Arts Crisis)
www.WriteMyStory.info (we are now meeting at a great coffee house in East Nashville)


NPAC is an opportunity for StoryLine to step into a needed gap in the Nashville community. Funding for the arts is sparse. We are doing something about it!

Respect

"This article is used by permission from Dr. John C. Maxwell's free monthly e-newsletter, "Leadership Wired," available at www.injoy.com."

Respect

"I don't get no respect, I tell ya! The other day I told my wife, 'I lost my wallet; I'm very depressed.' She said, 'That makes two of you. You and the guy who found it.'" - Rodney Dangerfield

Comedian Rodney Dangerfield built a career by lamenting the lack of respect he received from everyone around him. His sad sack comedy routines were littered with jokes about the disrespect heaped upon him from all directions. Whether complaining about his wife, his dog, or his parents, Rodney's insistent catchphrase, "I don't get no respect,” struck a chord with audiences around the country.

Rodney Dangerfield may have profited by joking about disrespect, but any leader knows a lack of respect is no laughing matter. In many ways, respect serves as a barometer of a leader's influence. Without it, leaders become weak and ineffectual as their followers withhold trust, support, and effort.

In his article, The CPI Index: How to be a Respected Leader (or President), Dr. Mark Goulston examines the ingredients of respectability. In his opinion, respect is founded upon three pillars of character: clarity, preparation, and integrity. Drawing from his insights, we'll examine each quality in more detail.

Clarity

When taking cab rides in foreign cities, I'm put at ease by taxi drivers that clearly understand my desired destination and have expert knowledge of the quickest and safest route to get there. Good drivers give me peace of mind by informing me of the ride time to my destination, pointing out local landmarks along the way, and familiarizing me with the surroundings. A driver with a very clear sense of direction allows me to relax and enjoy the ride.

Regrettably, I've had the misfortune of riding with cab drivers that don't have a clue where they're going. Few experiences are scarier than riding in a taxi in an unfamiliar city with a disoriented cab driver. Of my bad memories, the following standout: merging haphazardly across multiple lanes of traffic to make a last-minute route adjustment; making dizzying U-turns; placing frantic calls to fellow drivers to ask for directions; and taking unscheduled stops to consult tattered maps. As a passenger, when the driver is unclear of where to go, you feel insecure and uncomfortable.

Respected leaders are like expert cab drivers. They plot a clear route, and they confidently take others to a destination they are assured of reaching. They help people feel safe and secure. Disrespected leaders are like lost cab drivers. Unsure where they're headed, they hesitate, second-guess themselves, send mixed messages, and make jarring course adjustments. They leave people feeling confused and vulnerable.

Preparation

Imagine going on an extended hike with friends. Your preparation before the trip largely determines whether your experience will be enjoyable or disappointing. If you forget insect repellent, bottled water, food, and a poncho to protect you from pouring rain, then you could be in for a miserable experience. However, if you bring plentiful bug spray, canteens of ice-cold water, rainproof outerwear, and coolers stocked with snacks, then you're likely to have fun on the hiking trip.

Respected leaders are pre-planners. They make sure everyone has ample resources at their disposal before the journey begins. While followers may be content to show up, leaders bring the supplies. They consider the path in front of them and take proactive measures to improve their chances of success.

Integrity

To be respected, a leader must have integrity. With integrity, professed values are put into practice; what is promised matches what is delivered; agreements are honored; and contracts are kept. When a leader has integrity, perception matches reality. A respected leader's influence flows from authenticity and transparency. He or she refuses to manipulate or deceive. Shortcuts are bypassed in preference of doing what's right.

How a leader responds to mistakes serves as a litmus test of their integrity. A respected leader takes responsibility for poor decisions, learns from them, and tries to make amends. Disrespectable leaders point fingers, make excuses, and avoid taking ownership of mistakes.

The rest of the article, looking at presidential candidates past and present, can be found at www.MarkGoulston.com

Please remember that the opinions of this blog or any link from this blog do not directly reflect the opinions of StoryLine church.