From the Mind of MandoRon

I came across this Zits comic in the paper yesterday. Now I finally understand the tempo problems on Sunday mornings…

Sunday, June 22, from my perspective:

I woke up cranky and was a little late to the middle school to start setting up for church. (Just in case you don’t know, GracePoint is portable.) We were shorthanded for audio/video setup so rather than getting to tune and warm up, I helped to finish setting up the sound system. Sound check started late. We never got the monitor levels set well.

During the first service we had video/audio sync issues for the sermon. The video guys did manage to get it fixed for the second service.

Every now and then we have a very challenging and frustrating morning. This was one of those.

Sunday, June 22, from God’s perspective:

God moved in the church anyway! He doesn’t care about monitor levels or video sync issues. His ways are not our ways.

Andrea was having a bad weekend too. But she had this to say on her blog about Sunday morning.

“Then we got into church and it rocked. The worship music was incredible. They sang a song about breaking free of chains and I just cried. I felt chained that day, so bogged down in busyness and obligations that I forgot to be joyful. I prayed for forgiveness and then thought about my cousin who is bound in the chains of addiction. I can’t imagine being 25 years old and a severe alcoholic. My heart breaks for him and my prayers flow constantly for him and his family.

We heard a great message about division in the Church. The Church being all Christian denominations. We tend to get so wrapped up in being “religious” that we forget to be loving and Christ-centered. That pretty much described me this weekend. All SELF-rightous and little joy. I won’t make that mistake again…or at least I will recognize it and kill it sooner.”

God used what we, the worship team and the production guys, had to offer that week and multiplied as only He can do.

Also interesting is the fact that there wasn’t really an invitation this week. We used a video message for the One Prayer series, and didn’t add our own altar call at the end.

But still God moved! Mike sent out an email yesterday saying that 6 people filled out cards saying they had made a first-time commitment to Christ! WOW!

God moves in mysterious ways…

Did God move you this Sunday? Drop a comment and let me know about it.

A couple of my friends from GracePoint have recently started blogging. You should stop by and see hello to Eron and David.

I want a mancave…

Mine would include:

• A big TV and a sweet surround sound system. No wimpy little Bose speakers either. I’m talking huge audiophile stereo system!
• Leather recliners and a “slouch couch”
• Movie posters
• A music area for all my mandolin and guitar stuff
• A drum kit
• A keyboard
• A workstation for recording and mixing music
• A pool table would be nice, but it’s lowest on the priority list

What would you have in your mancave?

My boss subscribes to a Leadership Lessons email from Walk the Talk, and occasionally he forwards them to us. This one caught my attention.

It’s the Top 10 Excuses for Not Giving Recognition, taken from “180 Ways to Walk the Recognition Talk”.

1. “I don’t know how.”
   No doubt this can be an honest and valid concern. Most folks never receive any type of training on giving recognition. But, it is a skill that can be learned.
2. “I don’t have time.”
   For sure, most of us have more stuff to do than time to do it in. But somehow we all manage to do the things that are really important to us. Maybe, you just haven’t made recognition high enough of a priority. Besides, how much time does it take to say, “Thank you”?
3. “People don’t care about it all that much.”
   Yeah, right! Okay, if you look hard enough, maybe you can find one or two people who couldn’t give a flip about being recognized. But for every person like that, there are hundreds who like being stroked for their efforts and contributions. Play the odds.
4. “It’s not MY job!”
   Think that giving recognition is strictly a top-down thing that only bosses are responsible for? THINK AGAIN! It’s one of the biggest reasons why recognition doesn’t happen as often as it could. Fact is, supporting an environment in which people are acknowledged and truly appreciated is everyone’s job.
5. “I don’t believe in rewarding people for just doing their jobs!”
   Me neither! A “reward” is something special and should be reserved for special achievement. But recognition is an acknowledgement, a favorable notice, and a reinforcement that increases the likelihood that people will keep doing their jobs…and making work that much easier for you!
6. “It becomes meaningless if done too much!”
   Maybe so, but most organizations have a looooooong way to go before the meter reads “Too Much Recognition Happening Here.” Actually, it’s insincerity rather than quantity that tends to devalue recognition.
7. “I’m very limited in what I can do.”
   Chances are that you’re limited mostly by untapped imagination. Okay, so you don’t control or even have access to money and formal award programs. Those only represent the tip of the recognition iceberg, anyway. Get creative!
8. “Sometimes it’s awkward and uncomfortable.”
   So was the first time you drove a stick shift! But the more you did it, the easier it got (hopefully). And the more you liked doing it! If you’re uncomfortable with recognition, there’s a good chance you’re not doing it enough. Go forth and PRACTICE!
9. “People will think they’ve ‘made it’ and stop working hard.”
   NOT! Think about it: Do you slow down when others show appreciation for your contributions? Enough said on this one.
10. “I don’t get it. Why should I give it?”
    Because it’s the right thing to do! You know how it feels to have your efforts and achievements overlooked. You know how it feels to be taken for granted. It stinks! Don’t let one wrong become your rationale for doing another.

Good stuff! You can sign up for several free Walk the Talk newsletters here.

My recognition story… Quite a few years ago, I sat in on an excellent technical presentation at work.  I had recently read that you should praise people in front of their boss, so I emailed Bill complimenting him and cc’d his boss.  Several years later, he did the same to me.  It took me a few minutes to remember that I had done the same to him years earlier.  Kind of cool.

Any great recognition stories out there? Feel free to share.