You are what you share

Seth Godin makes me feel better about what I am trying to do with this blog. He writes:

I have a friend who can always be counted on to have a great book recommendation handy. Another who can not only tell you the best available movie currently in theatres, but confidently stand behind his recommendations.

And some people are eager to share a link to an article or idea that's worth reading.

Most people, though, hesitate. "What if the other person doesn't like it..."

The fear of being judged is palpable, and the digital trail we leave behind makes it feel more real and more permanent. We live in an ever-changing culture, and that culture is changed precisely by the ideas we engage with and the ones we choose to share.

Sharing an idea you care about is a generous way to change your world for the better.

The culture we will live in next month is a direct result of what people like us share today. The things we share and don't share determine what happens next.

As we move away from the top-down regime of promoted movies, well-shelved books and all sorts of hype, the recommendation from person to person is now the most powerful way we have to change things.

It takes guts to say, "I read this and you should too." The guts to care enough about our culture (and your friends) to move it forward and to stand for something.

We'll judge you most on whether you care enough to change things.

"S" words that lead to a life fully lived

Ann Voskamp has been using some "s" words the last two days in her blog. Today it is the Greek word sozo. Go here to see what it means.

Yesterday she started with the "s" word see. Are we seeing the gifts of God's grace moment to moment in our days?

The next "s" word was savor.

Seeing then slows into the savoring. Only when you slow and savor the moments, do you taste and see that the Lord is good.

If you don’t slow to count the gifts in the moments, God in the moments — when exactly will you taste and see that the Lord is good?

Whatever is going to happen this year — and who knows what is up ahead and how we need to be prepared — it is guaranteed to come down to this:

The enemy of your soul only has two battle plans. 1. Blind you to who God is. 2. And blind you to who you are.

The third "s" word was share.

Real seeing and savoring, it always widens into the sharing. Because ultimately?

Real gratitude cannot be contained — it can only be shared.

Real thanks giving always means giving expression to the thanks – on the lips, on a page, in a community, with your hands, your feet, your life.

There is no thanksgiving without thanksliving – it’s just thanksnothing.

Sharing the thanks — sharing the gifts — this is what divides the sorrow, multiplies the joy.

Let's see, savor, and share God's gifts today!