Every 5 1/2 months I come to Minneapolis to do on-campus work at Bethel University for the graduate school program in which I'm enrolled. Until October of 2005, I'd never been to Minnesota. I'm now in the middle of my fourth trip here. Every time I come to the Twin Cities, I fall even more in love with the place. This trip has been no exception.
Since there are too many great things about this city to mention here, I'll just give you a brief look at what today has been like for me. It's Sunday, and the weather has been beautiful all weekend. The four of us (the other three guys I room with and myself comprise a group known as "The IR-Reverends." Trust me, it would require far too much explanation and disclosure), got up and walked down the block to get coffee at Dunn Brothers. Since we stay right in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, the walk to Dunn Bros. is always a great experience. Today was no exception. Dunn's is a chain in this area, and the one close by us is one of the more relaxing places you'll find. We had some great conversation about old TV shows we love (Crockett and Tubbs rule) and then the three of them took off for a park. After some errands, I set up shop with a book and the newpaper at the Nicollet Island Pavillion and began to let my heart, mind and soul be fed. I sat right on the bank of the Mississippi River with the skyline of Minneapolis in front of me, and was nearly overcome with how amazingly blessed I am to have been given the gift of this city. It brings something to life in me that just doesn't get tapped into back in Tennessee. I don't know what that is, but I know it's great to experience it.
The truth is, that's not even half of the what has made this day so great. And, the day continues. Our good friend from Chicago, Mike Johnson, just showed up at our hotel with enough food to feed an army, so the good times roll on. I wish you were here. I wish ALL of you were here. Wherever you are, my wish for you is that you have truly experienced and celebrated being alive today. Got to go now. There's life to be lived.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
A good day
Last Friday, March 30, 2007, my grandfather died suddenly of a heart attack. His name was William Sterling Redman, Sr. Bill Redman. Papa. He went by a lot of names, but had pretty much the same identity with everyone. When you knew Bill, you knew a guy who was the same with everyone. A straight shooter, plain talker, always told it like he saw it, and most of the time the way he saw it was pretty much the way it was.
He was a World War II veteran, was married to the same woman for almost 70 years, built at least 3 successful businesses, lived to not only see his great-grand kids, but also his great-great-grandkids, and was still working at the age of 90. In fact, when he died last Friday, he was out working his job in Orlando, making deliveries for the Celebration company. He died like we all expected him to, on the job and immdediately. Most people didn't know that for years his heart had only operated at about 30% capacity, but he still went at it every day, up at 4:30 every morning, and out the door before 6:00. He had more energy and drive than a lot of people I know who are half his age. He had no quit in him, and lived life wide open, with one of the biggest smiles you've ever seen.
He was tough, demanding, honest, tender, funny and generous. He lived his faith in the best way I know how- fully human, without a bunch of useless or ridiculous crap that has nothing to do with being a person of faith. He was the same kind of man as is described in a recent John Mayer quote about Eric Clapton: "The man is absolutely bullshit-free." That was my grandfather.
Yesterday I stood over his casket before the funeral and put my hands on his and said the only words I could say, but they were also the only words I needed to say: "Thanks for everything." Later, at the Floriday National Cemetary where he was laid to rest with thousands of other American heroes, I stood between his casket and the people who had come to tell him goodbye and tried my best to honor my grandmother's request of saying the final words over him. Among a few other things, I said that were all thankful. Thankful for a life well-lived, for the long shadow he cast that we were all covered by, thankful for his humanity, and thankful to the God who gave him to us. We then gave him back to Him, full of thanks. It was a good day.
He was a World War II veteran, was married to the same woman for almost 70 years, built at least 3 successful businesses, lived to not only see his great-grand kids, but also his great-great-grandkids, and was still working at the age of 90. In fact, when he died last Friday, he was out working his job in Orlando, making deliveries for the Celebration company. He died like we all expected him to, on the job and immdediately. Most people didn't know that for years his heart had only operated at about 30% capacity, but he still went at it every day, up at 4:30 every morning, and out the door before 6:00. He had more energy and drive than a lot of people I know who are half his age. He had no quit in him, and lived life wide open, with one of the biggest smiles you've ever seen.
He was tough, demanding, honest, tender, funny and generous. He lived his faith in the best way I know how- fully human, without a bunch of useless or ridiculous crap that has nothing to do with being a person of faith. He was the same kind of man as is described in a recent John Mayer quote about Eric Clapton: "The man is absolutely bullshit-free." That was my grandfather.
Yesterday I stood over his casket before the funeral and put my hands on his and said the only words I could say, but they were also the only words I needed to say: "Thanks for everything." Later, at the Floriday National Cemetary where he was laid to rest with thousands of other American heroes, I stood between his casket and the people who had come to tell him goodbye and tried my best to honor my grandmother's request of saying the final words over him. Among a few other things, I said that were all thankful. Thankful for a life well-lived, for the long shadow he cast that we were all covered by, thankful for his humanity, and thankful to the God who gave him to us. We then gave him back to Him, full of thanks. It was a good day.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
My week
Most of us, including myself, are quick to tell others how lousy our day or our week has been. Not nearly often enough do we seek out people to tell them how well things have gone for us, how un-expectedly great our week has been, etc. I'm guilty of this. So, in the interest of full disclocure, let me tell you about how GREAT this past week was.
Since I started this new venture, no week has been as important than the week we just finished. I knew going into the week that it had the potential to be very strategic for me. I just had no idea it would turn out to be even more than I had hoped it would be. It was a week full of important meetings with people who have a good deal of influence and connections, and I must admit I was nervous over how the meetings would go. They were all positive, productive and even more than that. By the time I wrapped up my final meetings on Friday, my head was almost spinning from the un-expected things that had come my way, as well as the new possibilities that had presented themselves, none of which I had anticipated.
Everything I'm referring to is still in the very earliest of stages, so I can't lay out the specifics of things, but it is safe to say that if even a little bit of what came my way last week happens, things for The Leadership Group & FutureLife are going to be very good. After my last post, where I wrote about having experienced a week of some real challenge and pain, I thought it was only right to tell you about a week of encouragement, hope and promise. God knows we could all use more of that. Don't be afraid to tell your good stories as well. There aren't nearly enough of them being told.
Since I started this new venture, no week has been as important than the week we just finished. I knew going into the week that it had the potential to be very strategic for me. I just had no idea it would turn out to be even more than I had hoped it would be. It was a week full of important meetings with people who have a good deal of influence and connections, and I must admit I was nervous over how the meetings would go. They were all positive, productive and even more than that. By the time I wrapped up my final meetings on Friday, my head was almost spinning from the un-expected things that had come my way, as well as the new possibilities that had presented themselves, none of which I had anticipated.
Everything I'm referring to is still in the very earliest of stages, so I can't lay out the specifics of things, but it is safe to say that if even a little bit of what came my way last week happens, things for The Leadership Group & FutureLife are going to be very good. After my last post, where I wrote about having experienced a week of some real challenge and pain, I thought it was only right to tell you about a week of encouragement, hope and promise. God knows we could all use more of that. Don't be afraid to tell your good stories as well. There aren't nearly enough of them being told.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
A walk in the dark
I watched Scorsese's The Departed with my wife the other night. I didn't get the chance to see it in the theater, so we got the fireplace roaring and settled into our den and watched the dvd. With a line-up like the one for this movie (Nicholson, DeCaprio, Sheen, Walhberg, Damon, Baldwin), your biggest fear is that even with all that firepower it's not going to be all you hoped it would be. Nothing could be further from the truth about this movie. It delivers, and in a big way. I have no idea if Scorsese will finally win his first directorial Oscar, but I'd vote for him after seeing this film. The movie does a wonderful job of portraying how closely to the edge of right and wrong all of us can walk, and how sometimes there's no line at all, we instead just have to trust our steps.
Based on the way my week has gone, the movie also caused me to think about how easy it is to be hurt or angered by those whom we just knew we could trust, but then found out we should have never done so in the first place. At this point in my life, I would much rather endure the injury done by the person who made it clear from the beginning they intended to harm me, than to have to deal with the knife in my back from someone I was sure could and should be trusted. In the movie, Nicholson's character says that when it appeared someone had betryaed him, but he couldn't figure out who it was, he just killed everybody in his crew. A bit severe for sure, but obviously at the end of all that he at least knew he'd gotten the rat.
Since that's not the way any of us are going to handle the betrayals done to us, what will we do? I guess this takes us back to what I said earlier about having to trust your steps when the line has disappeared. And believe me, most of us are there right now, or we will be soon. My advice is to step firmly, stay out of the shadows, and make sure everybody knows where you stand. If you do that, the rats will have tendency to show themselves for who they are. Oh, and one more thing: watch your back.
Based on the way my week has gone, the movie also caused me to think about how easy it is to be hurt or angered by those whom we just knew we could trust, but then found out we should have never done so in the first place. At this point in my life, I would much rather endure the injury done by the person who made it clear from the beginning they intended to harm me, than to have to deal with the knife in my back from someone I was sure could and should be trusted. In the movie, Nicholson's character says that when it appeared someone had betryaed him, but he couldn't figure out who it was, he just killed everybody in his crew. A bit severe for sure, but obviously at the end of all that he at least knew he'd gotten the rat.
Since that's not the way any of us are going to handle the betrayals done to us, what will we do? I guess this takes us back to what I said earlier about having to trust your steps when the line has disappeared. And believe me, most of us are there right now, or we will be soon. My advice is to step firmly, stay out of the shadows, and make sure everybody knows where you stand. If you do that, the rats will have tendency to show themselves for who they are. Oh, and one more thing: watch your back.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
What I'm reading or recommend reading
Over the last few weeks, several people have asked me what books I would recommend. So, here is a list of what I'm either reading or have read in the last couple of years that I find to be important:
The World is Flat/ 2.0 Version, by Thomas Friedman
The Barbarian Way, by Erwin McManus
A Generous Orthodoxy, by Brian McLaren
Listening to Your Life, by Frederick Buechner
The Critical Journey, by Janet Hagberg
Bono in Conversation with Michka Assayas, by Bono & Michka Assayas
The Gift of Being Yourself, by David Benner
Blue Like Jazz, by Donald Miller
In addition to these, I have just been given Barak Obama's The Audacity of Hope,
as well as The Gospel According to the Beatles (don't have the author's name in front of me), and I will begin reading these two books next month.
So, there you have it, what I've been reading that has helped to mess me up over the last couple of years. Since I'm in grad school right now, I don't get to read enough of my own choices, but I do fit in what I can when I can. Whenever I run across something else to recommend, you'll hear from me.
Later,
Jerry
The World is Flat/ 2.0 Version, by Thomas Friedman
The Barbarian Way, by Erwin McManus
A Generous Orthodoxy, by Brian McLaren
Listening to Your Life, by Frederick Buechner
The Critical Journey, by Janet Hagberg
Bono in Conversation with Michka Assayas, by Bono & Michka Assayas
The Gift of Being Yourself, by David Benner
Blue Like Jazz, by Donald Miller
In addition to these, I have just been given Barak Obama's The Audacity of Hope,
as well as The Gospel According to the Beatles (don't have the author's name in front of me), and I will begin reading these two books next month.
So, there you have it, what I've been reading that has helped to mess me up over the last couple of years. Since I'm in grad school right now, I don't get to read enough of my own choices, but I do fit in what I can when I can. Whenever I run across something else to recommend, you'll hear from me.
Later,
Jerry
Monday, February 12, 2007
Welcome to the future
After a bit of a wait, we're finally getting operational on this thing called FutureLife. Even though there are still some things that need to be added, we're finally at a place where we can at least start some conversation, as well as promoting events that we hope you will find interesting, challenging, enlightening, thought-provoking, or just plain cool.
I've been asked by several people over the last 2 months just what FutureLife is, and I'll have to admit that the answer is still a work in progress. But, let me at least attempt a working definition. Our simple vision statement goes like this; "FutureLife is a collection of thinkers, artists and leaders who are serious about change and creating the future...now." We're serious when we say this. Change can happen and change MUST happen at all levels of society, and it's up to us to make it happen. Plus, we do in fact believe that we can create the future, the kind of future that is dreamed of and longed for by people all over the planet. If you think this is ridiculously simplistic or just some kind of whacked out, mystical rambling, you couldn't be more wrong. Simply put, I'm talking about humans re-discovering what it really means to be human and living in such a way that transforms the world. If you're not sure this is possible, stick around and let's see what happens as we begin this journey together. And if you completely disagree with everything we're saying and trying to do here, we still want to hear from you. This site is for learning and growing, and even in our disagreement, we can accomplish both those things.
With that out of the way, let the journey begin. The future is waiting. The future is now.
Peace,
Jerry
I've been asked by several people over the last 2 months just what FutureLife is, and I'll have to admit that the answer is still a work in progress. But, let me at least attempt a working definition. Our simple vision statement goes like this; "FutureLife is a collection of thinkers, artists and leaders who are serious about change and creating the future...now." We're serious when we say this. Change can happen and change MUST happen at all levels of society, and it's up to us to make it happen. Plus, we do in fact believe that we can create the future, the kind of future that is dreamed of and longed for by people all over the planet. If you think this is ridiculously simplistic or just some kind of whacked out, mystical rambling, you couldn't be more wrong. Simply put, I'm talking about humans re-discovering what it really means to be human and living in such a way that transforms the world. If you're not sure this is possible, stick around and let's see what happens as we begin this journey together. And if you completely disagree with everything we're saying and trying to do here, we still want to hear from you. This site is for learning and growing, and even in our disagreement, we can accomplish both those things.
With that out of the way, let the journey begin. The future is waiting. The future is now.
Peace,
Jerry
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Welcome to the Future...
Dear Time Travellers,
I'm sitting here getting the new Futurelife Blog set up, and thought I'd take a moment to write a few things.
First of all, let me be the first one to wish you a very merry 2007. Things have been a whirlwind of activity around here. It's funny how so much can change in such a short time, but let's be honest here. I'm not really positive that it's been a short time. having known Jerry for a while now, I can say that my first impression is that much of what's happening now, has always been there...inside, waiting to get out, if you know what I mean.
When Jerry and I first began talking about this (one of our infamous ride home trips from Bethel in St. Paul) I immediately felt like there was some sort of substance there...some sort of destiny that was working itself out. Jerry is one of those guys that you just can't help but be creative around. The more we talked, the more I knew it was going to happen. Now it's almost here.
So here's a quick update of where things are:
Here at Futurelife, the big focus is on getting the website done. Our good friend Frank at http://www.normandymedia.com has been working on the new site, and I have to tell you that so far, it is amazing. Once the website is up, we can get our focus back on preparing for the first year of Futurelife! I've already started calling them the "Class of 08" but in reality, I have no idea what Jerry intends to call them yet.
Once the website is finished, we can turn our attention to the first group of guys and then to things like media content and such....brochures, business cards, etc...
Jerry will blogging here from now on, so you may hear from me again on here sometime or you may not. Good luck, and I hope you enjoy the Future. I gotta tell you...from here, it looks pretty bright.
Peace and Grace,
Rob Alderman...Futurelife Media Director and fellow time traveller.
I'm sitting here getting the new Futurelife Blog set up, and thought I'd take a moment to write a few things.
First of all, let me be the first one to wish you a very merry 2007. Things have been a whirlwind of activity around here. It's funny how so much can change in such a short time, but let's be honest here. I'm not really positive that it's been a short time. having known Jerry for a while now, I can say that my first impression is that much of what's happening now, has always been there...inside, waiting to get out, if you know what I mean.
When Jerry and I first began talking about this (one of our infamous ride home trips from Bethel in St. Paul) I immediately felt like there was some sort of substance there...some sort of destiny that was working itself out. Jerry is one of those guys that you just can't help but be creative around. The more we talked, the more I knew it was going to happen. Now it's almost here.
So here's a quick update of where things are:
Here at Futurelife, the big focus is on getting the website done. Our good friend Frank at http://www.normandymedia.com has been working on the new site, and I have to tell you that so far, it is amazing. Once the website is up, we can get our focus back on preparing for the first year of Futurelife! I've already started calling them the "Class of 08" but in reality, I have no idea what Jerry intends to call them yet.
Once the website is finished, we can turn our attention to the first group of guys and then to things like media content and such....brochures, business cards, etc...
Jerry will blogging here from now on, so you may hear from me again on here sometime or you may not. Good luck, and I hope you enjoy the Future. I gotta tell you...from here, it looks pretty bright.
Peace and Grace,
Rob Alderman...Futurelife Media Director and fellow time traveller.
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