So, I went to Lowes, the local hardware store, this week in search of some items for the new education room that we are putting together for our children.  Now usually, these larger hardware stores are given a hard time for being “big box stores,” devoid of decent customer service.  Unfortunately, this designation is often correct.  However, my experience this week was pretty surprising.  You see, there’s a new leader (store manager) in town, and his presence is making a huge difference (I know a guy who works there, and he tells me that this new leader is really raising the standard).

So, I’m at the store, and the new leader comes up to me as I push my two kids around the store, with merchandise hanging out all over the place, and asks if I need help with anything.  Apparently, he could see the look of confusion on my face as I looked for magnets.  Immediately, he told me exactly where the magnets are kept.  I appreciated that.  Many times people have no clue where items are in their own store where they spend hours and hours a day.  Then, he quickly had a nearby employee escort me to the magnets.  What?! An escort?  That never happens.  Usually, I just get a point of the finger and a “Magnets are over there” comment.  This was a much better experience.

So, the lessons learned from this trip to the hardware store:  1) The leader makes a huge impact on the morale and the standard of excellence.  2) Guiding someone somewhere is better than pointing someone somewhere.  Pointing is good.  Guiding is better.

Have you had a similar experience?  What are your thoughts?

Each Friday you’ll find here a listing of some of my favorite things.  Sometimes it’ll be tweets, sometimes tweeps, sometimes blogs, sometimes restaurants… you get the idea.  It’ll be whatever I decide to make the Friday Favorite.

Here’s a list of ten of my favorite tweets from the past few months.  Enjoy!

1. YouQuotedQuotes
   If your desk isn’t cluttered, you probably aren’t doing your job.” – Harold Geneen
2. YouQuotedQuotes
   Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent. – Marilyn Vos Savant
3. erguncaner
   “The only exercise some Christians get is jumping to conclusions and running down others!” – J.Vernon McGee via Greg Laurie
4. AndyStanley
   RT @CandiPShelton: We need friends who will always have our back but won’t always take our side.
5. erguncaner
   Beware of the man who has nothing good to say about anyone except himself!
6. AndyStanley
   Masking irresponsibility with prayer makes one an irresponsible person who prays.
7. tinybuddha
   “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” – Charles Swindoll
8. tinybuddha
   “Commitment in the face of conflict produces character.” – Unknown
9. johncmaxwell
   Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others. – Cicero
10. johncmaxwell
    Ninety-nine percent of failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses. – George Washington Carver

Which of my favorites is your favorite?  And, do you have any favorite tweets/quotes you’d like to share this week?

So, here we are. This is my first post.  Now, let me tell you why I’m going to start blogging.

1. Blogging is an extension of my life MISSION STATEMENT.
Everyone should have a mission statement for their lives.  It answers the question, “Why are you here?”  My mission statement in life is an expression of 2 Timothy 2:1-2.  I am here to pass along to others the truth of God that has been entrusted to me with the goal of pointing them toward Christ.  So then, blogging is really just an opportunity to carry out my mission in life.  This is my greatest reason for blogging.  As you read this blog, expect to be entrusted with God’s truth, and be ready to pass it along to others.

2. Blogging is an opportunity to ENGAGE with others.
When we engage with others, we can be prompted toward growth.  That is the hope here.  I want to connect with people through this blog and experience the sharpening effect of Proverbs 27:17.  Let’s do it!  As you read this blog, expect to be engaged and prompted to think.

3. Blogging is an opportunity to ENCOURAGE others.
There are plenty of negative blogs out there. Hopefully, this blog with have a different slant, an encouraging one.  Hebrews 10:24-25 speaks of how the community of faith should be an encouraging place where we can “spur one another on to love and good deeds.”  We need to make this happen.  As you read this blog, expect to be encouraged to the point of action.

4. Blogging is an opportunity to EMPOWER others.
The old saying goes, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day.  Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”  I want to empower you to fish for yourself.  I intend to share through this blog any insights, tips, advise, information, etc. that I receive with the intent that it empowers you to do your work better.  So then, in theory, this blog is less about me and more about you.  So as you read this blog, expect to be empowered with the tools and resources necessary to do great work!

So how about you?  Why do you blog?  Or, why haven’t you started yet?

Thanks for visiting. Enjoy your time here, & please point others in this direction!