Character Moment #7 – October 24, 2007

It has been said that the only things you can control are “attitude” and “effort.” The volleyball coach from Oregon State[1] said it this way, “You control both of these. No matter where you are in your skill development, physical conditioning and/or mental state your attitude and effort are factors that you alone can control.” Our third President, Thomas Jefferson, said “"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude." [2]

We all know people that have had a “hard” life. If something bad is going to happen, it seems like it is going to happen to them. I have known people like that, and if they dwell on what they don’t have it is really a downer, for them and for you.

A friend told me a long time ago that life is like a card game. The deck of cards is all the possibilities that can happen in life and we are all dealt a hand to play. Some of our cards are great and easy to play, but others are more difficult. The only rule to the game is we need to play our own hands.

The thing I have learned over the years is that everyone has some poor cards in their hands. For some people though, you would never know it because of their attitude. They choose to bring a positive attitude to everything they do. These are the people you want to be around. These are the people that make others around them better. These are the people that praise God for every moment.

Zig Ziglar, a famous motivational speaker warned against hanging around people with bad attitudes when he said, “"Life is too short to spend your precious time trying to convince a person who wants to live in gloom and doom otherwise. Give lifting that person your best shot, but don't hang around long enough for his or her bad attitude to pull you down. Instead, surround yourself with optimistic people." [3]

A person’s attitude reveals their character. We can be people who are positive and enthusiastic because we have a God who is bigger than any situation we face. Mark 10:27 states, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."[4] Believing this wholeheartedly will give us a positive attitude that is infectious to those around us.

---

[1] http://www.osubeavers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4700&ATCLID=153375

[2] http://www.goal4success.com/attitude-quotes/index.html

[3] http://www.goal4success.com/attitude-quotes/index.html

[4] New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

Character Moment #6 – October 10, 2007

This week we begin play in the Trinity League. As a member school of this outstanding league we want to uphold some very high standards as we attend and host games throughout the year. We join each school of the league, J Serra, Mater Dei, Rosary, Santa Margarita, Servite, and St. John’s Bosco as schools that have high standards and strive for excellence in all that we do. Each game we play will test our athletes and coaches to perform and compete at the highest level.

As exciting as each game will be, we want to be sure that our enthusiasm does not compromise who we are as representatives of Christ love for His people. I know our athletes will play hard and that our coaches will help their teams grow in character on and off the field. That same drive needs to be evident by all that attend the games and cheer on their friends and fellow Lancers.

Our state athletic association, CIF, has issued some rules for good behavior that can serve as our guide. These guidelines should set the minimum standard for our behavior at games. The full list will be posted in your classrooms and the gym. Some of the encouragements that are listed include:

• Show Class — Live and cheer with class. Be a good sport. Be gracious in victory and accept defeat with dignity, compliment extraordinary performance, and show sincere respect for all competitors.
• Don’t show Disrespectful Conduct — Don’t engage in disrespectful conduct of any sort including profanity, obscene gestures, offensive remarks of a sexual nature, trash-talking, taunting, boastful celebrations, or other actions that demean individuals or the sport. Do not participate in any negative or demeaning cheers.
• Show Respect for Officials — Treat game officials with respect. Don’t complain or argue about calls or decisions during or after an athletic event.
• Show Respect for Coaches — Treat coaches with respect at all times. Recognize that they have team goals beyond those of one athlete. Do not shout instructions to players from the stands. Let the coaches coach.
• Show Respect for Fellow Spectators — Display respect for all other spectators. Do not insult or fight with other fans. Wait for breaks in the action before leaving or returning to your seat.

I know some of these games can generate adrenaline and strong emotion, but we need to remember that we are representing Jesus Christ through our actions, and we are also representing Orange Lutheran High School. Last night in the girls volleyball match against Mater Dei, we had great crowd support, and except for an isolated incident of poor sportsmanship, our fans added much to the environment. However, two weeks ago several in our student section chose to “boo” the Los Alamitos cheer leaders when they came over at halftime. That is unacceptable. That message that is sent in that situation is always negative.

I want you to be proud to be Lancers. Let’s do that with loud positive support that adds to an event, not take away from it.

We have a great opportunity given to us at every game to show the visiting schools and their fans that we are different for Him. That witness may help others get to know that you can follow Christ and still compete at a high level.

Great Gala

The 5th annual gala held Saturday night, October 6, was truly a night to remember. I was so proud to be a part of our school community. The fellowship, the auction, the entertainment, and the food all made for an outstanding evening.

The talent of our students here at Orange Lutheran never ceases to amaze me. From our singers to instrumentalists, our musicians are exceptional. We will be enjoying several repeat performances in chapel on Thursday, October 11.

A special thanks to all who gave of their time, talents, and treasure to make for a wonderful evening. To God be the glory!

Character Moment #5 – October 3, 2007

Last week I spoke about the importance of a leader being a good communicator. I want to share one more quick thought on this. Communication, as I stated, is speaking, writing and listening. I had shared that listening was sometimes the toughest. A new friend of mine shared with me the following thoughts about listening.

He writes, “The word LISTEN is an Anagram to the word SILENT. During my presentations I talk about the value of being SILENT as you LISTEN. Keeping your mind, body and soul SILENT as you LISTEN during life improves your ability to communicate on many levels.

Some of the most influential leaders in my life have demonstrated this well. They are silent as they take in and comprehend what is being told to them. Once a leader has all the information available and understands the situation fully, then they can begin to successfully work through any given situation.”[1]

These were great words to dwell on. Being a good listener is about being silent and letting the other party speak. In our faith walk, there are times it is critical for us to “be still” as the Bible says, “and know that He is God.”[2]

There is a great story from 1 Kings 19 about the prophet Elijah. Elijah had just killed the prophets of Baal and then he fled to get away from the evil King Ahaz and his wife Jezebel. He came to a cave after travelling for a long time and God met him there.

“Then the word of God came to him: "So Elijah, what are you doing here?" "I've been working my heart out for the God-of-the-Angel-Armies," said Elijah. "The people of Israel have abandoned your covenant, destroyed the places of worship, and murdered your prophets. I'm the only one left, and now they're trying to kill me.” “Then he was told, "Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by." A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn't to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn't in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn't in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper. When Elijah heard the quiet voice, he muffled his face with his great cloak, went to the mouth of the cave, and stood there. A quiet voice asked, "So Elijah, now tell me, what are you doing here?"[3] Elijah again explained, and God revealed to him that he wasn’t alone, but He had preserved 7000 others who hadn’t bowed down to Baal.

Being still for God and listening for His voice is a key character trait for any Christian leader.

---

[1] Lieutenant Patrick Thayer from the Orange Police Department

[2] Psalm 46:10 NIV

[3] 1 Kings 19:10-14 (The Message)