Imago Andei

Malcolm Gladwell-Outliers: The Story of Success

Gladwell sees the world differently.  He has the ability to find unique connections between many varying stories and see the importance in them.  In his latest book, Outliers, Malcolm dives into what makes successful people successful.  We often think of their rare talents and innate giftedness as what leads to their success but Malcolm says, "Hold on a minute" and dives into their stories, their environment, and their history to find some other factors in their success.

In short Gladwell shows that environment has as much to do with success as hard work and skill.  He talks about how you're more likely to play professional hockey if you're born in January and how if you want to be one of the worlds wealthiest people you should have been born in 1835.

As a gifted storyteller Gladwell makes Outliers very engaging, I actually read the whole book in one sitting.  It's a fun book that is definitely worth checking out.

To see some vintage Malcolm Gladwell check out the below video of a talk he gave at TED.

E. Benjamin Skinner-A Crime So Monstrous

I flew through Skinner's A Crime So Monstrous over the last couple days.  This book does the best job of any I've ever read of telling the story of human slavery.  Skinner traveled all over the globe meeting with traffickers, victims, survivors, and advocates and has pulled together their stories to tell the grand story of modern day slavery.

I was immediately pulled in when the first chapter described, in detail, how a slave could be purchased a mere 5 hours from the time your flight left JFK.  Skinner was able to do this because he left JFK hopped on a plane for Haiti and proceeded to pose as someone interested in buying a human being to bring back to the states.

He tells the stories of sex slaves and child soldiers and points a much needed spotlight on forced labor which accounts for the vast majority of slaves today.  You will not remain unmoved as you read this book.  You will feel the uphill battle the US ambassador for human trafficking faced and the pain of the 13 year old Haitian girl smuggled into the US right past an unsuspecting border agent for rape and servitude.

This is a must read.  Take the time.  Pick it up at your library or buy a copy on Amazon.  You need to read A Crime So Monstrous.

WW II Anti-Tweeting Propaganda

My Smart Wife

This weekend Tovah graduated from Northwestern's Family Institute with her Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy.  I'm so proud of her.  She makes such a great therapist.  Well I guess I'm assuming that because I never actually see her do any therapy and wouldn't even know what to look for.  But, the people that have seen her do therapy and do know what they're talking about say she's a great therapist.

Both her parents and her sister flew into town as well as my mom.  It was great to have everyone here and we ate at some amazing restaurants, visited the Modern Wing at the Art Institute, and hung out at our new apartment.  It's also really nice that our families get along so well.

The above picture is me, my mom, and Tovah at her graduation ceremony.

Just Dance

So I came across that video this morning and it really impressed me. This one guy influenced everyone around him. I can't believe that in just 3 minutes he went from dancing by himself to literally drawing a crowd of hundreds!

It made me think, are we dancing a contagious dance? Are we inspiring and inviting others around us to join in and dance? Are we even dancing ourselves?

I think so often we dance timidly and in hiding because we don't want anyone to see. Dancing can be a vulnerable thing but we need to dance boldly. By dancing boldly this guy was able to change his environment.

Throughout Scripture faith is referred to as a dance and I think this is exactly the kind of dance it is talking about; bold, inviting, sometimes silly, and one that changes the environment around us. Just as this lone dancer soon drew others into the dance our faith should be lived out in such a way that others are drawn to it.

So why do we so rarely see this happen? Why do we so rarely see the environment around us changed and beautifully transformed into a joyous dance?

So today on your commute home, while your eating your lunch in the breakroom, or going out to dinner this evening just try dancing and see what happens.

Jim Collins-How The Mighty Fall

A couple days ago I laid in bed for a couple hours and plowed through Jim Collins' latest book, How The Mighty Fall:and Why Some Companies Never Give In.  First off I need to say I love Jim Collins' work.  If you haven't read Built to Last or Good to Great you need to right now.  He does an amazing job of performing great research to find out why organizations succeed and in his latest book, why they fail.

The book originally began as an article and after diving into it he found that the topic needed to be addressed more fully.  It really is an important thing to look at and the timing of the books release is quite interesting with the collapse of some of America's great institutions.

If you're the leader of an organization that has experienced some success this book will help you identify the beginning stages of descent and will help you counteract.  How The Mighty Fall is a fairly easy read and definitely worth your time.

Burt Rutan on the Future of Space Travel

I love the TED Talks.  I'm often informed and inspired and I'd love to join them at one of their conferences.  I thought I'd pass this gem onto you.  It's truly fascinating.

It's Called The Internet

I Kissed Dating Goodbye, But Where Did It Go???

I just read an article by Tim Holland entitled I Kissed Dating Goodbye, But Where Did It Go?  It talks about the I Kissed Dating Goodbye frenzy in the 90's that many of us good (read insecure) Christian kids were suckered into.  Holland talks about how he could have used a little push to kick into gear with the opposite sex and how by abstaining for so long and not going through all the awkwardness in the years he was supposed to, he has turned into an insecure 20 something.

I think a lot of us can relate.

I guess you could say I kissed dating goodbye.  I was too self righteous to engage in something so unspiritual as acknowledging my hormones and attraction to the opposite sex.  So I chose to pour myself into youth group and found myself eternally stuck in friend mode when it came to girls.

I was lucky enough to meet a woman who bluntly called out my feelings and we've made it work but I can definitely see the ramifications of I kissed dating goodbye in a lot of people's lives.

What about you?  What are your thoughts on the whole I kissed dating goodbye frenzy?  Did you kiss dating goodbye or did you dive right in?  What have the consequences been?

Influencer

Several weeks ago my boss handed us all copies of the book Influencer.  It seemed to be one of those self-help we'll make your life better and you'll be unstoppable kind of books so I didn't really pick it up until a few weeks later.  While some parts were a little self-helpish for my literary tastes the book does contain some really good information.

Influencer unpacks some of the socio and psycho-logical traits and behaviors of influence.  We all exert influence in the world and so how can we learn to do that better.  How can we get our leaders to become more missional?  How can I enjoy training for the marathon?  All of these are things I want to do but am not always sure how but I actually found some useful ideas in the book.

It's not one of those read every word page turners but it is definitely worth picking up if you've hit a wall with your influence.  You can find a copy on Amazon here.  And don't watch the Amazon trailer, that's a big part of the reason I didn't want to read the book haha.

Oh The Places You'll Go

Today begins the Arts Conference, Wonder, at Willow Creek Church.  This has been one of my favorite conferences over the years and I'm looking forward to sneaking into a session or two today.  What is most odd though is how un-excited I am.  I remember coming out to the conference a few years ago with the worship team from my old church and being so excited and longing to be on staff here.  And now I am.  I even remember thinking then how I wanted to have some big computer and do work in the hallway outside of the sessions.  And guess what, that's exactly what happened this morning.

It's always interesting when you realize you've arrived at one of your dreams.  I never thought I'd end up on staff at Willow, especially in the kind of position I have.  This is quite truly a dream come true.  So today I'm going to try and rest in that.  Rest in the fact that God has blessed me so much and I have accomplished some great things.

Weekend in Review

The lack of postings has been largely due to the fact that Tovah and I moved and don't have internet at the new place yet.  So I grab it here and there, at work, the library, and our new cool independent coffee shop down the street.  It's also been one of those crazy busy weeks where it's over and you feel like you've just run a marathon.  Which it looks like I'll be doing in October.

One of the highlights of the week though was the Axis Experience on Friday night.  It's the time where all the different communities we have at Axis, Willow Creek's 20th something and college ministry, gather for worship and teaching.  My friend and old intern buddy Devon did an amazing job teaching, Brandon led worship, and Amy put together a beautiful mosaic.

I took a bunch of pictures some of which are posted below and the rest I'll work on getting on my flickr account before too long.

Moving Beyond Religion-My First Podcast!!!

I taught last month at Axis' worship experience on Jesus' invitation to move beyond religion.  I think it's one of the best talks I've given.  I really like how everything tied together and I'd love for you all to listen to it.  You can check it out here. 

 Before I got up the video below played so that might help provide some context.

 

Chris Siebold from Axis on Vimeo.

The Safety of Anonymity

My wife and I just moved into a wonderful two bedroom apartment in Bucktown, a neighborhood on the north west side of Chicago.  Most of the places we’ve lived have been apartment buildings where no one really cares about or takes care of you.  While this anonymity can sometimes be frustrating, like when you’re afraid you’re ceiling is going to cave in because of all the water stains that are rapidly appearing, it is comfortable.

 

Our new apartment, however, is a single family home with the owner living right upstairs.  He has been so nice, fixing things right away, and has been very excited for us to move in.  While this seems great, it makes me really uncomfortable.  You would think I would be ecstatic to have a landlord who fixes broken dishwashers and helps to hang shelves but you would be wrong.  I prefer the distant landlord whom I can remain anonymous too.

 

I know.  I’m messed up.

 

I’m comfortable with anonymity.  I like boundaries and professionalism, basically nice words for people leaving me alone.  I, and I think a lot of us, our so afraid of what people will think if they “really” knew us that we create these barriers and walls to protect ourselves and remain anonymous to people and never experience true intimacy, that deep feeling of being known.

 

What’s interesting is that this is the gift that God offers.  What is more intimate than interacting with a being who created you, knows everything about you, and sees everything you do?

 

While that relationship can be intensely scary I’ve never felt as much freedom as in the moments when I’ve grasped the level of intimacy I have with God and how much He still loves me.  There is nothing more beautiful than when someone penetrates our walls and our junk is laid bare and they still choose to love us.

 

I experienced that when I first met my wife Tovah.  She was unlike anyone I had ever met before and she had this way of seeing right through my walls penetrating my heart.  She has seen the worst in me and still chooses to love me.

 

I still throw up walls and am more comfortable remaining “professional” with people but God is working on me.  He has given me friends, community, and a wife that help me choose intimacy and He keeps penetrating my heart with his loving acceptance of who I truly am.

 

So join me in leaving the comfort of anonymity for the freedom of intimacy.  

The Food We Eat

I'm a sucker for a good documentary.  Below are some trailers of films coming out in the next few weeks around the issue of food, an issue I'm caring increasingly more about.  Now I don't think it will come as a surprise to anyone who follows me on Twitter that I love Whole Foods.  Shopping there is actually one of the highlights of my week and I went so far a few days ago as to call their newest store heaven on earth.  (See picture right of the glorious North Avenue location with wine bar, self serve trail mix creator, mega sea food section, and more)

I think the way food is created and consumed in this country is bad for the environment and our bodies.  We need a new diet that consumes less meat and is more locally produced and dependent upon seasons.  The food we eat is making us sick and we need it to change.  So check out the trailers below and go see one of the movies.  Even if you don't agree with me it's always good to see things from various perspectives.

Visit Food Inc.

Visit End of the Line.

Big Day in Law World

Big day in the legal world today.  If you live under a rock you should know that Obama nominated Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court Justice which would make her the first hispanic justice and only the 3rd woman.  The announcement once again proved Obama's prowess of narrative.  He focused much of the attention on her personal story, growing up in New York City fighting against all odds into the Ivy League, etc.  He understands that narrative is a very important part of the political process and has always used it better than his opponents.

In other law news, the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8 banning same sex marriage.  On our way to dinner Tovah and I saw a reactionary protest in Boystown.  There were several hundred if not 2,000 people marching down Halsted in Chicago.  It was actually very moving to see people gathering to make their voice heard.

Does Anybody Know Anything About the Kindle 2???

So I was looking at the Kindle 2 online today.  I do a fair amount of reading and would love something that would be easy to take on the bus, train, etc.  Does anyone own one already?  Do you know anything about it?  What are your thoughts and opinions?

Hilarious

My Favorite Food Blog

I try and cook.  I'm don't always accomplish grandiose meals but when I can take the time to cook a nice meal I do enjoy it.  So occasionally I'll check out various food blogs.  My favorite by far though is Tastespotting.  Calling itself a Community Driven Visual Potluck, Tastespotting is just picture after picture of gorgeous food with links to their recipes.  I spend a lot of time dreaming about food that I never actually end up making, but it's fun.  You should definitely check it out.

The New Look

Hope you all like the new look.  I thought it was about time to give my blog a little facelift.  Besides the banner and color changes I added a couple portfolios to the left of some of my work.  Check them out, let me know what you think.