The ME Monster
Challenged yesterday by Gus our Executive Pastor in our staff meeting about having a genuine concern for others. To show them enough courtesy to actually look them in the eye and listen to what they have to say and be able to respond with questions. So many times we get caught up in the busyness of the church and we get running and have a list of people that we are trying to connect with that we don’t stop and listen to the stories of the people who matter…you.
On the other side is listening with only the intention of answering. Not really listening. Listening so we can have an answer and sound smart. We covered this in our life group last week. Sometimes listening does not require an answer. Sometimes listening is giving the other person a chance to talk through their thoughts. Sometimes our only intent is to answer to sound smart. To one up them. To turn the answer around so that it becomes about us. I have found myself several times doing this. Answering to sound smart, to hear myself, to impress others. It really is pathetic if you think about it. I have been working on the spiritual discipline of silence. I am currently trying to learn from everybody and anybody no matter who they are or what their age.
For me if I ever get to the point that I convey I know more or even feel like I can’t learn from somebody else then I have a pride issue and I have lost my right to lead. If I ever get to the point where it is all about me and hearing myself answer to sound smart, or to impress or to appear to have it all together, I have lost my right to lead. If I ever get to the point that your story does not matter to me, I have lost my right to lead.
Be careful with trying to sound or appear wise because in the end you will sound and look like a fool. Make sure that people matter to you and make sure that what they say matters to you because I guarantee what they have to say matters to God. Who they are matters to God.
Do you ever find yourself doing any of this? I would love for you to share.
Below is a Brian Regan clip and a SNL clip about the ME Monster. What does it sound or look like when it’s all about you?
Justin Timberlake -SNL
His Friends Call Him J.T.
Got this over on Jon Acuff’s blog called Stuff Christians Like.
Here is what he says: “This has very little to do with anything else except that it’s funny and this site is about funny things. Justin Timberlake had to cancel a hosting of Saturday Night Live. So, to make up for it, he showed up and did the entire show in 2 minutes. Brilliant stuff. There’s a quick NBC commercial at the beginning but what follows is one of the most creative things I’ve seen in a long time. Check out the video after the jump.”
25 Days Of Christmas_Day 24
One of the all time great sketches from Saturday Night Live. John Malkovich does the reading of The Night Before Christmas.
The Poem in its entirety:
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds, When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow With a little old driver, so lively and quick, “Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”
You can find the history of the poem HERE.
