Put this in that category.

Today marked the passing of the judge, Sylvia Pressler, who forced Little League to allow girls the opportunity to play baseball with boys. Apparently in 1973, little girls were not seen fit to play baseball, with or without little boys.

I’m reminded that this seemingly common sense thing—that we assume has always been—had to be fought hard for…and it (like all changes) was seen as both radical and deeply subversive at the time. I love the quote from the Little League on the court’s ruling (yes…Little league fought this tooth and nail…even appealing the ruling)

The ruling was decried by Little League as “conceived in vindictive and prejudicial fashion of the worst kind”

Amazing.

The story really puts change in perfect perspective. Change is never easy—even for something Read more...

“I don’t want to talk about church.”

Thats what she said. Didn’t blink. Didn’t smile.

She just picked up some food and said “thank you”–and went on her way.

My co-founder had met her at work. They both picked up morning shifts to have health insurance. Kim was a really nice lady. Friendly, chatty, always willing to make pleasant small talk about work or what here kids were up to.

Thats why her statement caught me off guard. It was like a religious preemptive strike. A warning shot across my proverbial bow….the message was simple.

“Your a nice guy, and I appreciate the help— but don’t try to get me to join anything”

I got the message loud and clear. In fact, the more I get involved with my neighborhood’s life, the more I Read more...

1. What is the one thing I need to know about leadership?

Leaders are people who can actually take the words of Jesus and apply it to real life situations. This guides their process of a million different things like conflict resolution, making financial decisions, and how to craft vision. The better a person accomplishes patterning their life after Jesus to guide them in everyday matters…the better leader they will become.

2. What do I need to watch for?

ego. the world will tell you that “your great”…you may be great, but remember who’s playbook your reading out of. Dont buy into your own hype machine—if you do you will diminish as a leader

3. If there is one verse or quote you would tell every leader to hold to their heart what would it be?

The Shema—Duet 6:4 and Mark 12: 29-31

4. What has been the hardest thing in your leadership journey?

Learning to undo most of the “muscle Read more...

some folks mistake grace for
–lax
as if grace is just turning a blind eye
they want others to turn a blind eye
and they turn a blind eye to others

but it is love
to show us that we are hurting, others, ourselves
it is grace
a place where we experience in all of our senses
absorption of the damage done
work in restoring and healing
a gentle stoke upon our head
this responsible intolerance is grace
that leads us from our grave and sets us on the only path to life Read more...

i realized how accustomed we in america have become to exacting and quantifying and timing, in our numbers and language, in what we receive and what we give. we do this without grace, actually.

we have even made it a value:
to be exact is to do a job well.
to be ABOUT is to be sloppy and careless
(this is true for some things, dont miss the point on this) Read more...