Dying--The Art of Reading
|
|
Thursday, June 25, 2015 | |
People who read are a dying breed. Fact is, if you read much of anything, you are in a distinct minority in America....just because you read. |
|
Praying to the Real God
|
|
Thursday, June 18, 2015 | |
Have you met my crazy friend, Jack? Rides in lots of taxis. Has a passion for witnessing to Muslims. He told me about his latest encounter.
|
|
Taking Down Towers
|
|
Thursday, June 11, 2015 | |
For the past week, I've held the equivalent of skybox tickets for a demolition project one block away. Better than a Nik Wallenda tightrope walk, these high-act daredevils are disassembling a water tower said to be a century old. |
|
Critiquing the Powerful
|
|
Thursday, June 04, 2015 | |
It made the front page of every newspaper in America: Former Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert—Indicted. The allegation: hush money—and lots of it—paid to keep a misconduct quiet. Hastert’s guilt or innocence is up for others to decide. But may I share my own encounter with Denny Hastert? Several years ago, I was tasked with writing and producing a series of anti-marijuana public service announcements for a radio campaign. As a freelancer, I was asked to fly to Washington and record endorsements for this campaign from a high profile congressional Democrat and Republican. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House, was the chosen Republican. In the surprisingly dark hallways of the United States Capitol building I breathed in power’s musky fragrance, ultimately setting up shop in Dennis Hastert’s (impressively sized) office. I handed him the script, powered up my recorder and we went to work. The problem was this. Mr. Hastert might well have been an effective legislator. But a narrator he was not (few politicians are). Frankly, his reading sounded unnatural, flat. But what was I supposed to do? He was, after all, the man second in line to succeed the President of the United States. In that perplexing moment (and it was a bit awkward) I chose to do what I always do when coaching “voice talent.” I politely observed “that was a good first read. But I wonder if we could try it slightly differently—like this.” He did. It was slightly better. So we recorded again—and again, eventually getting an acceptable take. It could be that the allegations against Mr. Hastert are ultimately found groundless. But if found guilty, I will always wonder how differently his life would have been if someone else had been there coaching him, critiquing him when he started making wrong decisions. Proverbs 10:17, “He is on the path of life who heeds instruction. But he who ignores reproof goes astray.” It may well be awkward giving—or receiving—reproof. But it’s the only path that leads to life. |
|
Hers a Biter
|
|
Thursday, May 28, 2015 | |
Being an older sibling has its advantages. Disadvantages, too. Take Caleb and Lucy. He’s two-and-a-half. She’s one-and-a-half. In an early march toward the “terrible twos” Lucy has chosen to resolve sibling conflict utilizing her teeth. Her well exercised jaws (Lucy is an eager eater) and full set of teeth are formidable weapons. As Caleb is her most frequent playmate, he is also the most frequent recipient of her biting. Lucy’s parents are doing a terrific job of discipline. Yet Lucy is of the strong-willed stripe. If she feels a bite comin’ on…woe be to you if your finger should get near her mouth. But if Lucy’s mouth leaves a red mark, Caleb’s mouth is leaving an impression all his own. His weapons are words. To any guest—friend or stranger—who enters their home, Caleb will gladly march up, point to his little sister Lucy and proclaim with gravitas: “Hers a biter.” Like you, I laughed when I first heard about Caleb’s preemptive strike. In three unflattering words, he defines the universe of all you need to know about his little sister: “Hers a biter.” Missing from his three word assessment is that Lucy also has a love of books, a tender heart, and a way of putting her head on your shoulder that makes you melt. We laugh at Lucy and Caleb (hey, they’re our grandkids!)…but you and I do the same thing: paint a person, or entire culture, with one broad brush—and two or three unflattering words:
In so doing, we shut down dialogue, tear down bridges, and violate Scripture. Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Let’s stop with the two-year-old behavior. After all, grown-ups should know better. |
|
Records per page First Prev 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 of 126 Next Last |
Jon Gauger | |||||||||||||||
Thursday Thought | |||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
Recent Posts
|