jarrodmartin.net

I thought I’d try to simplify my life a bit by using Tarpipe to update my statuses on different social media, all at one time. Instead, it wouldn’t let me sign up using my WordPress OpenID, so I had to waste my time to set up an OpenID separately.

Then, when I get in there, I can’t get Tarpipe to connect to my Twitter account.

Tarpipe. You suck.

(I was recently interviewed by my blog, and the following is that conversation…uncut)

Jarrod’s Blog (JB): So how do you keep up with all the stuff you’re into — teaching, service programming, family, blogging?

ME: To be honest, I haven’t done a very good job lately. I spend a lot more time in the evenings working on the ol’ laptop than I should. School bleeds into family time; service programming bleeds into school. My mental energy is split.

JB: You recently took a week off from service programming — your good friend and boss gave you an unexpected break. How did that go?

ME: Let me clarify: my part-time job as Director of Service Programming isn’t the primary source of stress. My teaching job right now is really tough, but Matt (Lead Pastor at The Journey) was kind enough to give me some breathing room.

This week off taught me a lot. Here’s the deal. I’m a competitive guy. I like having things stacked against me and facing those challenges. But I realized that I’m doing too much. My self leadership sucks.

JB: Self leadership? Explain that.

ME: Yeah. As a leader, I tell my students that they have to prioritize their schedule. I tell my volunteers at church they need to make sure they don’t neglect their families or their prayer time. I am constantly trying to help others focus on what is most important. But, I found that I ignore a lot of my own advice.

JB: Give us an example of how this might play out during your week.

ME: I don’t give my self a chance to power down. I’m always on task. I like being productive, and as a leader I often give myself the excuse that I need to do this activity or that I can do this activity because it’s my “hobby.” Like with website design: I love that so I could spend hours on that rather than going to bed. Or, I love helping other people make their jobs easier and more productive, so I might spend hours working and thinking about how to make things better.

But here’s the problem. I can’t lead others effectively until I learn to lead myself.

JB: So what steps are you taking to fix this?

ME: Matt said something in a meeting this week that got me thinking. He said that he sets a “finish line.” He’s done working when he reaches that time on the clock, regardless of what’s done. That’s something I need to do. Another thing is to stay close to God. I really believe the more I pay attention to Him, the better I will be at setting those work boundaries.

JB: But your responsibilities don’t change. How will you keep up if you work less?

ME: It’s not about how much I work. Life is all about values because we can’t save time. We either spend our time on what matters or we waste it. So the thing I have to do is figure out what tasks require my attention and which ones can be left for another day. Or, if I’m a good leader, how can I find people who are better equipped in time and talent to take over some of the tasks I’m currently doing.

Finding new leaders is paramount. That’s what Jesus did with the disciples. He passed on His authority to the 12. That’s what good CEO’s do. They find managers and leaders who can do some tasks better than the CEO can, and the whole company benefits.

JB: That sounds like a lot of work in itself!

ME: Yeah, I guess. But the payoff is a healthier organization, a more trusting community, and more productive individuals. The other way is a lot of work too, but doesn’t bring those benefits.

JB: Thanks for your time. Sounds like it’s pretty valuable.

ME: You’re welcome. And, yes. My time is valuable. I hope I spend it well.

Okay, I’ve got just a few more days to work up some romance magic for Valentine’s Day.  The thing is, I’ve been thinking about it for the past month, and nothing seems to be working for me.  Every idea I have is either waaaaaay out of budget, or just won’t say what I want to say.  

So, what is a tech-saavy husband to do?  Google it.  I just search “low budget Valentine’s Day” and you wouldn’t believe the pile of pathetic crap I got.  This article — I could have written it myself.  Scavenger Hunt anyone?  This one isn’t too bad, but it seems a little “chintzy” to me.  

Really, I just don’t see how you can say “I Love You” effectively without spending lots of cash…and attention.  I think it takes both.  Money is one of those things that really is a clue to what you deeply care about.  Look at your bank statement, and you’ll see what you prioritize and think is most important.  So, why do we think that at a holiday of love that you can express love effectively without spending much money?  

I’m not planning on spending outside my budget, but I’m definitely going to be dropping some “Hamiltons.”

Anybody got any good ideas for Valentine’s Day?

This Comfortable series is perhaps the most important of the year in terms of out church staying on mission. And today, Matt talked about how Jesus attracted people who were far from God. So many times the church isn’t at all attractive to people who aren’t believers.

This is the challenge we face every week. It is what drives us. It’s why we work so hard to make sure things go well on Sunday. Believers who come don’t care much whether the music is top-notch or the video is excellent or the chairs are spaced well. But a visitor, someone who has no interest in the “spiritual” stuff (although that is arguable), pays attention to the details.

So here are some highlights from the sermon. Listen online.

“God’s focus is always on those who are lost, not on those who are secure.”

“Your job as a follower of God is to put your focus on those who are far from God.”

“When’s the last time you invited a friend to faith?”

“Church moochers — you don’t give your time, your money, or your energy to help us accomplish God’s mission to reach the lost.”

“If you’re here as a believer just sitting back being comfortable, then we’re going to keep making you uncomfortable.”

“If you’re here and you don’t believe in this whole God-thing, then we don’t want anything from you but we want something for you.”

Sundays usually start this early, but I’m not normally at home. We canceled services today because Murray State closed campus until Monday because of the storm.

From Ice Storm 2009

Jereme, Kevin, Nathan, and I decided to go out and help some of Kevin’s neighbors clean up their yards.

From Ice Storm 2009

This is Nathan using a chainsaw for the first time.

We had a blast working together, and Nathan misunderstood my instructions and got Jereme’s truck stuck in the yard. He backed right into some of the softest mud I’ve ever seen.

From Ice Storm 2009

From Ice Storm 2009

I also got to work a little in the yard. We realized that we could cook down at Locust Grove Church. And, we could get water there. So that helps some. We grilled chicken and roasted potatoes. We also took showers at Gary M’s place.

It has been a memorable week.

I’m now completely frustrated. Ours is the only house without power on this road. I’m sure we will be one of the last houses to have power restored. Maybe God really is trying to tell me something…

I always work on something when I get home. I never just shut things down for an evening to relax or play, unless there is nothing to work on. Work always seems to rank. Now, I have to shut down. The problem is that while I can’t really work, I still feel the pressure to do some work, but I can’t. So I feel unproductive and frustrated. And then I snap at Sarah over silly stuff.  And I’m really short with the kids.  That’s no way to live.

Basic events of the day:

• went to Mary and Kevin’s to bathe the kids.
• Kevin and I went shopping at Wal-Mart — spent too much money but we needed a cooler and a DC to AC converter to charge the cell.
• filled water jugs to take back to the house.
• Tried to get the kids to nap, and Isaac did not; I fell asleep from exhaustion on the couch for about ten minutes.
• Mom and Dad came by to drop a load of wood and take us out to eat at Nick’s.
• listened to the radio until eyes wouldn’t stay open.

Fine. We’re surviving. But for some reason I’m just really in a foul mood. We have food, shelter, heat, and gas — even good friends to share it all with. But I can’t get out of this funk.

We’ve heard reports that Murray may not have power back on for two or more weeks. What?! All of Murray? That’s not a temporary problem. That’s a change in lifestyle and culture.

I’ll have to get all my news from the radio and newspaper, which I NEVER do. All my news is from online sources or the TV. I’ll have to use my phone, if it works, as my primary mode of contact, which I RARELY do. I use email as the primary communication.

But that’s not really what I’m upset about. What really gets me sizzlin’ is that the rest of the world will keep moving on without me — and expect me to keep up. Not 15 miles from my home, there are people who never lost power, never lost cell phone coverage or landline functionality. They will go on calling, emailing, facebooking, twittering, and texting.

I don’t like that. Fine. If we all don’t have power, then we live life and move on. But if it’s just me, then it’s just plain annoying.

(Jan 30, 2009, 1:00 PM)

I’m waiting in line at the only gas station within 30 miles that is functional. Looks like an hour wait at least. People are being friendly though. Just wondering how long until gas runs out. Is there a limit on how much I can buy?

What would it be like to live like this everyday?  To not have plenty?

We’re grilling ham and cheese sandwiches on top of my wood stove with a griddle. They look really good. The key is to keep flipping them and have patience. Nothing happens fast on a wood burning stove, except the actual burning of the wood.

Also made some pretty good coffee using a camping coffee percolator.

We also made garlic toast and warmed up our green beans. I wonder if we could fry bacon?

So last night we had 12 people sleeping in our house to stay warm. Six kids under the age of six; six adults. It has been pretty interesting. We thought Murray was going to get power back today, but it only came on for a short while.

So, we’re all in for another night. Maybe three or four. We’ll see.

I’m not to worried about staying warm through the weekend, but after that I’ve got to get some wood for the stove. And we’re not really sure what to do about food. If it warms up, how do we keep milk from spoiling?

This whole ordeal has me wanting to make several “modifications” to the house plans we’ve been looking at: a wood stove, solar panels, geothermal system, a cellar, and city water (which I don’t think is possible on the land I’ve bought, but I’ve gotten past how much I hate the taste compared to well water).

I wonder if I can really afford to get solar panels? I wonder if I can go the next month without using electricity, except for our water, water heater, refridgerator, and stove? Can I do without the Internet? Lights?

You’re right.  I was kidding about living without the internet.