31. October 2011 by BruceSmith.

The books are back from the printer and ready to head out the doors!  Please, visit www.bruceleesmith.co and order yours today.  The first 100 books ordered will be shipped with a FREE copy of Soul Storm: finding God amidst disaster (my first book).

Just go to www.bruceleesmith.co, click on the “buy” button, and BAM!, your roadmap to a bigger life is on the way.  Stock up for Christmas gifts too!  Where else can you find a gift that offers your loved ones a Superheroic life vision plan for under $20?!

Geaux there now! PLEASE!!

www.bruceleesmith.co

Thanks,

Bruce

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17. October 2011 by BruceSmith.

The Race

Dan Wheldon, racer, driver, beloved friend, died yesterday in a horrific crash on the race track.  

When we read headlines like that, death, becomes real.  Death, race car drivers say, is always there, always lurking, always real.  Drivers also suggest they do what they do by blocking this foe out of their minds in the heat of competition and practice.  I wonder if this is true of us.

I am not a racing fan, never have been, and doubt I ever will be.  Yet, seeing the clips, hearing more about Dan Wheldon the man, and hearing his friends talk about him, I could not help but be engaged by this story, and touched.  He was good at what he did, a champion in fact, and he was well loved by those on the circuit.  People known for their “drive” and fierce competitiveness chose to end competition yesterday and pay tribute to driver whose life was snatched away amidst flames and wreckage.  The checkered flag took a back seat to a slower and more thoughtful pace.

Life is so much like this for all of us, is it not?  We are driven to live a life of adventure and speed.  We risk so much for the thrill of living.  We hunger to win.  We race, race, race, in order to stay ahead of the field and to convince ourselves that we matter.  And then, seemingly from under the fog of true reality, death sneaks up on us, we are reminded of our mortality, and the brevity of life wakes us up.  In light of death, life gains perspective.  As one driver put it yesterday, “This is what drives us, its what we live for…and then something like this happens, and you realize it just doesn’t matter”.

What matters?  What is ultimately real for you?  Are you racing around the track of life today, risking too much, living only for the next thrill or adventure?  Is your life marked by an unhealthy thirst to make a name for yourself?  To experience another high, do you lock yourself in, hit the pedal hard, and forget about the brakes?  Does your lust to conquer others keep you at the redline?

When was the last time you took a moment to contemplate what really matters?  Is your family getting the time you ought to devote to them?  Are your co-workers aware of more than your 9-5 performance?  Do they know of anything more significant about you?  Are you investing in your inner life or is your grip on the wheel of fortune too strong for you to give yourself to God?  Are you willing to risk not only your life, but that of others, in order to make sure you cross the finish line first?

Death.  Its personal.  It comes to each of us.  It shows up unexpectedly, forcefully, tragically, and unavoidably.  Slow down long enough today to pay tribute to the reality of true living.  Jesus said, “I have come that they might have life, and that to the full.” Jn 10:10  Try as you might, fullness of life will not be captured by a high speed chase of false adventure.  Fullness of life is not something taken by force or by ramming your way into the “competitors” around you.  Life, by God’s definition, is secured by relationship with the One who made the track, governs the cars, directs the traffic, and raises the checkered flag when He is ready.  

Appreciate the gift of life today, in light of a sober view of death.  Love on those around you.  Offer grace to those on the track with you.  Offer space in your lane for those in need of a change of course.  Find God’s roadmap for your journey.  If need be, shed a tear for the false pursuit you have embraced in the past, move over to the passenger seat, and give God the wheel of your life.  I assure you, His command of the road is far superior to yours.  He will take you places you never dreamed of.  It will be the ride of your life.

Grace and Peace, 

Bruce

www.bruceleesmith.co

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16. October 2011 by BruceSmith.

WordSmithin:  What’s the word…in the New Century?

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

Want to grow in your depth and understanding of God? The will, the effort, and the mind, must come into play, regularly, intentionally, and specifically in line with God’s teaching. Be lead by the Word, rightly divide it (understand and present it), and see others impacted as well.

Not long ago, again, I viewed a major news interview with a current “Bible teacher” and speaker/pastor, en vogue, selling many books, and otherwise “liked”.  The difficulty with the interview was the clear lack of biblical knowledge and depth demonstrated by this figure head (and the less than bashful admission of no biblical education).  Asked to give his view on many critical issues of our time, asked to give a response to major events taking place around the world and in our own culture, the continual refrain of this “leader” was “That’s above my head and beyond my expertise”.  Most difficult, was the apparent lack of desire to even have a view or have a desire to make an effort to understand such important matters.  If major Christian leaders and figures will not have a view on matters of our time, what’s the point of their words?  

Often the Church and its people are scorned by popular and academic culture, not as a result of wanton bias against us (though this clearly exists), but due to our own lack of spiritual understanding, intellect, or ability to demonstrate how the bible is relevant today.  In pulpits around the country, too often, those who claim to speak for God, merely speak.  They may say “encouraging” or “happy” things, but they offer little that will impact others in ways God wants them to be reached.  Moreover, our lack of biblical understanding and laziness in regard to applying our mind to big issues, reflects poorly on the nature, mission, and purpose of the Church.  Church is not just an hour of wordsmithin on Sunday morning (or it, atleast, should not be)…that hour should be a moment of enormous weight, learning, direction, …worship (which includes teaching).  

As was written to Timothy, applies to us today, and as supported by the THE critical message of Jesus, we are to “love the Lord our God with all our hearts, MIND, and strength”.  If we are to wake up the Church, wake up our families and wake up our world to the spectacular and supreme life of God offered to us, we will need to turn off the TV (and perhaps the TV preacher), get off the sofa, and get our minds in the game with more intention and focus.  

It has been said that everyone is entitled to an opinion, and that is true.  However, opinion is not what the Word and work of God is about.  Truth is truth.  God’s teaching is not open to opinion.  It is not to be reduced to smiley nicities and syrupy sweet encouragement.  It is deeper, purer, more profound, and far more significant than this.  The message of His word is not up for grabs.  The text has meaning.  We must bring the text to bear upon our situation, not impose our situation and opinion upon the text.  This is basic biblical scholarship, and christian living.

The Church does not bring about individual, familial, social, or moral transformation because it fails to bring the message of real hope, imaginative and biblical hope, to the current setting.  In a world filled with many false stories, it is only the biblical story of hopeful transformation which opens life to those living a false existence.  It is biblical truth which transforms, not nice opinion or a general nod to some fuzzy view of “love”, and its certainly not a call to “christian success” or “blessing” which transforms people or cultures.

Study.  Show yourself “approved” by the Word of God, and be ready to speak that which God has already revealed, relevant for all of time, and applicable to every life.  It is this truth to which the scriptures refer, and it is this quality of life God points us to in the Word which reads, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind conceived, …what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

Test what you hear.  Subject your thoughts, opinions, and understanding, and that of others, to the standard of truth–God’s word.  As is written, it is sharper than any two edged sword ( it is accurate and hits its mark with precision), and divides deeper than anything we hear, see, feel or think.   The Word of God is our encourager, our foundation, our bulwark amidst the voices which bombard us.  It is at once God’s love story and our training manual.  It is our cleft in the rock and our compass.

The Word for our day does not change.  His Word for life, is secure.  Place yourself in front of it often.  Learn to “rightly divide” it.  As the scripture tells us, “Be ready in season and out of season (all the time) to give a defense (reasoned and accurate answer) for the hope within you.”  Know what you believe, and why, and work to see that this belief lines up with biblical teaching.  

Sometimes people need to know the Word of God smiles upon them.  At other times they may need to know the Word calls them to repentance and tears.  Still, at other times, the call of the Word may be leading to massive change and focus.  God is for us, make no mistake.  Like any good parent, this means He will, at times, have varied messages for us.  He loves us, and therefore, He will not allow us to smile ourselves into a false sense of reality.  Real life is not all smiles, success, chatter, and unthoughful meandering.  Love, real love, includes direction.  

Today, and in the days ahead, may we allow God to envelope us in His Word for us.  May we hear His words of grace, truth, love, warning, change, repentance, transformation, hope, endurance, patient suffering, devotion, holiness, compassion, justice, and all that is there.  May we be aware of our times, thoughtful and engaged, and passionately pursuing Him with all that is within us, heart, soul, mind and strength.  May we be able to interact with others about important matters because our minds and hearts are prepared.  May our world and those in it matter enough that we study to show ourselves approved.  May our opinions rest upon a foundation of substance and effort.  May we speak because we have something to say.  May what we speak matter because God has something to say about it.  Its all relevant because God is relevant.  May our tone, pulse, passion, purpose, and voice reflect the measured, compelling, and ready heart of God alive within us.  And may we not shy away from being and speaking all God has called us to.  

www.bruceleesmith.co

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13. October 2011 by BruceSmith.

Final revisions on hard proof of new book, Life in 3D!, done, book group study guide added, ready for the printer!! Here we go!! Stay tuned…books for sale very soon…going to run a special promotion for the first 100 books bought which will include a special package including the first book, Soul Storm…
www.bruceleesmith.co

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5. October 2011 by BruceSmith.

Steve Jobs

Has there ever been a more noticeable leader?  The news is out.  Steve Jobs has died.  1955-2011.  He invented the personal computer.  He gave us the genius of the Ipod.  He gave us the Iphone and the Ipad.  He was behind the genius of Pixar Studios.  A child born out of wedlock, given up for adoption, a college drop out… and the leader of the most enticing company in our country at the time of his death.  Unlike any other leader, Steve Jobs was so tied to the image, success, and building of his company that to say one was to imply the other.  Apple = Steve Jobs.  Steve Jobs = Apple.

Lest we forget, he did not always get it right.  There were failures along the way, and he was, in fact, pushed out of the company he founded in the 80s.  More than 230 patents to his credit, billions in his bank accounts, and the most valuable company imaginable, Jobs was a leader, an artist, a visionary, and a world-wide business icon.  In Asia his products are so popular they are identified with what is best about America.  Never, perhaps, has there been a bigger story in the history of business.  Through vision, passion, unceasing desire, and artistry, Jobs made us all crave the Apple line-up of magical products.  

As a student of leadership, a student of corporate culture, and a fan of artistic excellence, I was drawn to Apple and to Jobs long ago.  My book, Soul Storm: finding God amidst disaster, featured a passage on Jobs and Apple with regard to the inspiring reality of comebacks, turnarounds.  Jobs, a man in love with the process of creating, and a man in love with the company he founded, mastered the comeback like no other leader we have seen.  

Today, on the heels of his passing, I offer that passage from Soul Storm (www.bruceleesmith.co  and www.soulstormsite.com) again.  Enjoy the read.

The Apple of His Eye

 Steve Jobs, the legendary CEO of Apple Computers, and college dropout, is a case study in the value of never quitting, never giving in when all appears lost.  The story of Apple is one that demonstrates the value of viewing the original goal, passion, and mission as something to cling to until the very end.  Steve Jobs is a huge figure in the world of computers and wealth building.  He co-founded Apple computer, gave the world its first PC-like machine in 1976, was a multi-millionaire before the age of thirty, and was the prime mover for Apple’s early and rapid success.  Bored, burned out, or just looking for something else to do, Jobs walked away from his company.  Upon Job’s departure from the company in the mid-eighties, Apple began to flounder in the absence of its leader.  For many years the health of this great company was deteriorating.  With market share deteriorating, profits falling, on the verge of terminal illness, and with all the experts pronouncing impending doom, Steve Jobs came back to Apple in 1997 as the “interim CEO”.  In 2000 he officially took the helm as the point man and CEO of this dying company.  When nearly everyone else had given up hope, Steve Jobs found inspiration in the initial passion and mission that birthed this once great company and he committed himself to a major rebuilding effort. 

 His first step toward recovering what had been lost, and in moving forward better than ever, was to give the company a makeover.  Apple, by design, Jobs was convinced, had to be a company of fresh vision and forward thinking.  Jobs was determined to demonstrate that this dying behemoth could and would lead the industry once again.  He started the makeover by totally redesigning the company and its products from the ground up.  The image, marketing, and design would have to be new, fresh, out of the box, and beyond anything the industry had ever seen.  The “Think Differently” marketing campaign set the tone for Apple’s new future.  In the days following his return, and still today, the compelling artistry, design, and user-friendliness have seemingly everyone craving Apple products once again.  The new highly stylized computers, the iPOD, the new Nano, iTunes, and the software have developed a cult like following.  Though I am cranking this book out on a windows based laptop, in my home office you will find one fantastic kick butt Apple desktop with a ridiculously large Apple cinema screen!  Somewhere in the house are more than a couple Apple iPods.  This company’s products are way cool, way fresh, and very alluring.  The attraction is back at Apple, market share in increasing, profits are climbing, and our culture is eating up its products like candy.  The turnaround is happening.  The company is better than ever.  The future looks bright.

 How does this kind of thing take place?  What is it that enables a once faltering and sputtering entity to come back to life in such a manner?  We have heard it quoted many times, “Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up.“  These often quoted words of Winston Churchill are use by speakers, writers, and self-help gurus around the world regularly.  What many of us are unaware of, however, is the occasion, context and body of the entire speech.  Context means everything if the true import of a given quote is to really speak its truth.  The rousing speech, given by Churchill amidst the battles raging in World War II, is a testament to our call to persevere and press through the darkest of days.  The speech, given to students at the Harrow School conveys strength, character, poise, and resolve to fight for that which one considers to be of ultimate value.  Those words, in there entirety, are here for our consideration and have many parallels to the issues addressed in this book.  Britain, the apple of Winston Churchill’s eye was worth fighting for even amidst his country’s darkest days.  His words follow,

 Almost a year has passed since I came down here at your Head Master’s kind invitation in order to cheer myself and cheer the hearts of a few of my friends by singing some of our own songs.

The ten months that have passed have seen very terrible catastrophic events in the world–ups and downs, misfortunes– but can anyone sitting here this afternoon, this October afternoon, not feel deeply thankful for what has happened in the time that has passed and for the very great improvement in the position of our country and of our home?

Why, when I was here last time we were quite alone, desperately alone, and we had been so for five or six months. We were poorly armed. We are not so poorly armed today; but then we were very poorly armed. We had the unmeasured menace of the enemy and their air attack still beating upon us, and you yourselves had had experience of this attack; and I expect you are beginning to feel impatient that there has been this long lull with nothing particular turning up!

But we must learn to be equally good at what is short and sharp and what is long and tough. It is generally said that the British are often better at the last. They do not expect to move from crisis to crisis; they do not always expect that each day will bring up some noble chance of war; but when they very slowly make up their minds that the thing has to be done and the job put through and finished, then, even if it takes months - if it takes years - they do it.

Another lesson I think we may take, just throwing our minds back to our meeting here ten months ago and now, is that appearances are often very deceptive, and as Kipling well says, we must “…meet with Triumph and Disaster. And treat those two impostors just the same.”  You cannot tell from appearances how things will go. Sometimes imagination makes things out far worse than they are; yet without imagination not much can be done. Those people who are imaginative see many more dangers than perhaps exist; certainly many more than will happen; but then they must also pray to be given that extra courage to carry this far-reaching imagination.  But for everyone, surely, what we have gone through in this period–I am addressing myself to the School–surely from this period of ten months, this is the lesson: Never give in. Never give in.

Never, never, never, never–in nothing, great or small, large or petty–never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.

We stood all alone a year ago, and to many countries it seemed that our account was closed, we were finished. All this tradition of ours, our songs, our School history, this part of the history of this country, were gone and finished and liquidated.  Very different is the mood today. Britain, other nations thought, had drawn a sponge across her slate. But instead our country stood in the gap. There was no flinching and no thought of giving in; and by what seemed almost a miracle to those outside these Islands, though we ourselves never doubted it, we now find ourselves in a position where I say that we can be sure that we have only to persevere to conquer.

You sang here a verse of a School Song: you sang that extra verse written in my honor, which I was very greatly complimented by and which you have repeated today. But there is one word in it I want to alter - I wanted to do so last year, but I did not venture to. It is the line: “Not less we praise in darker days.” I have obtained the Head Master’s permission to alter darker to sterner. “Not less we praise in sterner days.” Do not let us speak of darker days: let us speak rather of sterner days. These are not dark days; these are great days–the greatest days our country has ever lived; and we must all thank God that we have been allowed, each of us according to our stations, to play a part in making these days memorable in the history of our race. 

 And so, the call to fight for that which is important to us must be heard loud and clear.  Rather than giving in amidst life’s most desperate moments and pronouncing a death sentence upon all of our dreams, we must passionately pursue that which is so precious to us.  Never give up, never give in, never quite pursuing your God given passion.  No matter where you are in the journey, at the top or beneath the rubble, turn you gaze upwardly, think differently, think with the mind of Christ, and go for it.  Attempt the ridiculous for good of others as God inspires you.  Pour the rubber into the waffle iron, cut the mold, build the shoe, lace it up, and go for it.  Just do it.  If you think your idea, your dream, your passion to rebuild your life is just too hard or too unthinkable, read the story of Bill Bowerman and the creation of the first Nike tennis shoe. 

 God tells us we are the apple of his eye.  He assures us of His love for us, and He has told us over and over again that He is about the business of rebuilding.  His ways are not our ways, His thinking is outside the box, and life looks much different from His perspective.  When all around may appear to be death and destruction, through God’s eyes the view is much better.  From the grave He brings new life, fresh dreams, and bright futures.  In His hands, devastation and hopelessness are transformed into life and that abundantly.  Pick up a hammer, its time to start rebuilding!

 Bruce

www.bruceleesmith.co

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