GlocalNet

Take a look at this story about an amazing young man.

People don’t change the world, the world changes people. I know that sounds like heresy from an evangelical, but it’s true. There are those few “world changers” that seize moments, but it isn’t because they thought it up, it’s because the environment was created that allowed them to see it first and then do something about it.

Paul didn’t come up with an idea to change the world with the Gospel. It came from Jesus. His first encounter with Christians is to stomp them out. He’s traveling and persecuting the church around the Middle East. These Christians have spread out because of the Roman roads, trade routes, and businesses. They don’t run and hide in the desert or band together as tribes, now, because of the road system the Romans have built they can disperse, all of them like Abraham. In context, what Abraham did when he left Ur and came to Canaan was radical because there were no roads as the Romans would develop. It was a radical for him to take that journey as it was for Columbus to cross the ocean.

The gospel could spread because of the road systems, the Roman army and business people. It was a very organic thing.

I’m optimistic about this emerging generation of 20 Somethings and how they are connected, view the world, and are actually doing stuff, not just talking. Everyone has been seeing the world change before their eyes. It’s changing how they act within their tribe, but not so much outside their tribe and/or country. Why? Because those behaviors are not in their DNA. Why is this younger generation changing? Because their DNA is a global DNA. It’s different from previous generations. They’re not changing as much as they are responding to an open world. This open world has yet to be seized by Americans that see everything everywhere - what I call global - which I got from the Japanese.

Why have they changed? How do we change to see global opportunities and seize them? First, there is a product, process, concept that becomes expressed by an individual. When we encounter a new land, a new era, a new technology, a new opportunity most will not see it, but a few will. The first to truly see it is not the scientist or historian, but the opportunist - who sees something to be …

// Continue Reading //

Andy Wood of newly started South Bay Church in the Silicon Valley shot me an email on a training that he’s doing for church planters and pastors in the U.S.  I’ve known Andy since he planted his first church in Arlington and have kept up with where he is now.  I’ve enjoyed watching him grow and develop and do some really awesome stuff. 

Thursday, Feb. 2 from 10:00-11a PST. He will be sharing my top 10 leadership lessons from the last year. If you know any planters who could benefit could you help me spread the word. Go to http://www.inthetrenches.eventbrite.com.

EXCERPTS FROM THE TRAVELER’S GIFT BY ANDY ANDREWS

The Seven Decisions for Success:

THE BUCK STOPS HERE: President Harry Truman

…outside influences are not responsible for where you are mentally, physically spiritually, emotionally, or financially.  You have chosen the pathway to your present destination.  The responsibility for your situation is yours.

I am where I am today because of decisions I have made.  My decisions have always been governed by my thinking.  Today I will begin the process of changing where I am by changing the way I think.

Until a person takes responsibility for where he is, there is no basis for moving on.  The bad news is that the past was in your hands, but the good new is that the future, my friend, is also in your hands.

Problems are the common thread running through the lives of great men and women. In times of adversity, I will not have a problem to deal with; I will have a choice to make.

From this moment forward I will accept responsibility for my past.  I understand that the beginning of wisdom is to accept the responsibility for my own problems and that by accepting responsibility for my past, I free myself to move into a bigger, brighter future of my own choosing.

I WILL SEEK WISDOM: King Solomon

Only a fool refuses the counsel of wise men. Sensible instruction is a life-giving fountain that will help you escape all manner of deadly traps.

When a king begins to act like a king, it is not long before someone else is king! Serving is a way we can place value on one another.  A wise man is a server.

Do battle with the challenges of your present, and you will unlock the prizes of your future.

If I associate with eagles, I will learn to soar to great heights.  I am an eagle.  It is my destiny to fly.

Anytime you tolerate mediocrity in your choice of companions, you become more comfortable with mediocrity in your own life.

I will be a servant to others.  I will listen to the counsel of wise men.  I will choose my friends with care.

I AM A PERSON OF ACTION:  Joshua Chamberlain

I am a teacher with a cause in my heart and men to lead.  These poor men…their leader has no real knowledge of …

// Continue Reading //

Article from Arab News.

By ALI BLUWI & ABDUL HANNAN TAGO | ARAB NEWS

Published: Jan 17, 2012 01:37 Updated: Jan 18, 2012 14:29

RIYADH: King Abdullah’s interfaith dialogue center is a good example of Saudi Arabia sharing global responsibility and demonstrates the Kingdom is playing a major role in promoting understanding among different faiths, according to noted American interfaith advocate Bob Robert in an exclusive interview with Arab News.

Robert is an international speaker and thinker actively involved in transforming people and communities around the world.

He renders humanitarian services and supports international development projects that include building schools, clinics and hospitals, micro-businesses, water systems and student exchange programs.

Robert described King Abdullah’s initiative as a wise move, since the Kingdom is home to Makkah and Madinah, the spiritual centers of the Islamic world.

Robert and his family have arrived here as guests of Prince Turki Al-Faisal to gain an insight into Islam and its role in influencing cultural values. His exposure to Islamic thought and culture would be a valuable experience.

“The whole world is connected. Everything we do is global. We live at a time when people of faith should be the pillars of the world holding it together and not allow themselves to push apart,” he said.

Robert and his family were amazed to see Saudis’ spirit of tolerance, hospitality, openness and a sense of pride in their history. He said Saudis are passionate about what they believe in.

“I have been with imams and with other religious people. No one had shown me disrespect for being a Christian. Nor were they rude to me or told me to stay away when they talked to me. On the contrary, they were highly respectful and understanding. I believe that the best solution to the elimination of Islamophobia lies in building a close relationship with Muslims.”

Following is the full text of the interview:

Tell us about your program and the people you met during this visit here.

We have been to Riyadh. We visited Saudi Aramco, but we have not been to places outside Riyadh, as we have a very busy schedule here. But this visit has provided us with really a great experience.

We met imams, government leaders and members of think tanks for useful interaction. Prince Turki Al-Faisal and …

// Continue Reading //

I’ve been around a lot of leaders in a lot of different fields like business, government, and religion.  I’ve been around very, very few leaders like Prince Turki-Al-Faisal.  He is an unusually rare man.  If we had 1,000 leaders like him globally our world would be a safer, healthier, and more humane place.  Don’t hear me saying he’s Jesus – like anyone else he has his faults.  Don’t hear me saying I agree with him on everything.  Hear me saying he is a man of deep character mixed with courageous action, but there are certain things about him that set him apart from the rest.  He should be a case study in global leadership.  Let me give you some lessons on leadership I’ve learned from him.

Leadership is tied more to the person than to the position.  Prince Turki is not the king – yet he leads.  He has been the Ambassador to the U.S.  He has been a leader in various positions throughout the Saudi government.  He has been in many leadership positions.  What follow him are his character and integrity and exceptionally clear thinking.  He has some core values that, whatever position he is in, guide him.  I may not have them right, but the values I’ve observed in him and in this order are faith, truth, holistic view, and a respect for people.  Those values will serve you as a writer, a scholar, an ambassador, or head of security.  The most immature leaders are those that demand position and title.  Unless your character is the base of your leadership, you may hold a position, but you’re not a leader. 

Leadership is about life long learning.  That’s what Peter Drucker said, and it’s true of Prince Turki.  He told me I have been the only evangelical pastor he has ever known.  He had a lot of “views” on who we were and what we believed.  Some were right and some weren’t.  But he was always open.  He is well versed from foreign affairs (his best field) to economics, to faith – he reads a lot and he studies.  If you’re going to be a world leader, you have to constantly read, travel, engage the world, and be open to different solutions, methods, and ideas to bring people together.  Saudi Arabia and Iran aren’t necessarily best friends.  We were talking …

// Continue Reading //

I don’t know when I’ve been around someone who has been more impressive and impactful than Christina Jill Roberts.  She is the local pastor in the global impact area of Northwood Church that Pastor Matt Robertson heads up.  She is in charge of everything locally from inner-city to refugees to volunteer engagement.  I’ve known of her and followed her ministry the past few years, but she wound up being a part of a delegation to Saudi Arabia with me.  She’s 23 and when I listened to her, watched her, observed her interacting with world leaders, the media, and people at large she gave me great hope for her generation and the future of our world and relations between nations. What stood out?

First, she listened a lot.  She recognized that she was in a different culture where women weren’t the first to speak loudly out in public (which I hear she is), or supposed to give their opinions unsolicited.  One of the keys for leadership in the future isn’t for people to spout who they are, what they think, and what they do - but to first listen.  In this global culture where everyone is present at once, listening is not a nice thing to do - but a critical thing to do if you are going to communicate and build relationships. 

Second, she rolled with the culture.  Whether it was going through a special entrance for women at the airport (which she got lost a time or two) or not shaking hands, but then shaking hands when a man extended his hand - she stayed calm and read the moment.  That is a skill that can’t be taught easily.  She was incredibly diplomatic and gracious.  She also asked questions about the culture and was very affirming of the Saudi people.  Towards the end of the week, several people had found out about a young 23 year old woman in Saudi Arabia from the U.S. and they were asking her to come and visit.  She opened herself up to many different relationships with ladies and young women.

Third, she was very articulate and thoughtful in her answers with the media.  Instead of critiquing the Saudis on this or that, she focused on what they were doing that was exceptional and used the media to build bridges.  She represented Americans and …

// Continue Reading //

Having just returned from Saudi Arabia I’ve reflected a lot on my time there.  There is no greater host than HRH Prince Turki-Al-Faisal.  I’m going to write about him later in the week.  He’s truly an exceptional man and a world leader par excellent!  I wish we had 1,000 men like him spread out across the world - this world would be a much better place. 

There has been tension between the U.S. & Saudi Arabia the past ten years because of 9-11.  Though the Saudi government and people in the majority have condemned the attacks, not all have - this creates questions on the part of Americans.  I also believe that there are similarities but differences in our world views.  As a result, we don’t always understand or communicate effectively with each other.  Communication is far more than linguistics – it’s culture, nuance, and lots of other stuff. 

Saudi Arabia has had this open/close relationship with the world.  Make no mistake about it; her leaders are very open and global in their views.  The people in mass - some are and some are not.  But the country is opening at a level like never before in history and that will continue - there will be no going back, no closing of Saudi Arabia only a continual opening.  As a result, there are some, what I would call, inner conflicts the Saudis are struggling with as they open even more to the world.  Just like we have these inner conflicts in the U.S. - so they are having theirs and I believe it’s quite healthy. 

First, they are conflicted between a religion that they view themselves as the guardians of and at the same time portraying a global and open face to the world religiously.  King Abdullah has taken steps to put Saudi Arabia at the forefront of interfaith dialogue.  They are passionate Muslims.  I was asked by someone, “what is the one thing you see missing here?”  I think they expected me to say “night clubs and bars and alcohol.  “I said churches!”  The man laughed and said, yes that’s true.”  Can a country be open and hold all other global views of God at bay, and not all discussion of those?  I don’t think so.  Whether Saudi Arabia ever allows other religions in their country or not, they will not have the luxury of being …

// Continue Reading //

The past week I’ve been in Saudi Arabia and I don’t generally write about places until I’m home - but . . . . I’m breaking that rule.  There are so many things I’ve learned about the Saudi people and so much I’ve taken in.  Nikki, Jill, and I have been busy with meetings and a lot of different things going on that have included meeting with people, visiting sites, doing media interviews, being a part of conferences, meeting with various delegations.  Right now there is a Congressional delegation from the U.S. that has come to visit.  Some of them were at the Carnegie Institute meeting last night at the King Faisel Center - it was awesome.  I met with Ambassador James Smith, the US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia - a very impressive man - we can be so proud to be represented by him.  He genuinely cares about the Saudi people and is working hard to build bridges.  Here is what I want people to know about Saudis - some traits that they possess in abundance.  There are many more I could write about - but these few are exceptional.

First, Saudis are hospitable.  I don’t think we’ve ever been treated better anywhere in the world.  They go out of their way to entertain and make you feel at home.  This isn’t just me. Everyone I’ve met who has come here for various reasons all have the same experience.  They are extremely warm people.  You almost feel guilty the way they lavish warmth and generosity on you. 

Second, Saudis are traditional.  They are proud of their culture, their history, their faith, and everything Saudi.  Honestly, they may very well be the “Texans” of the Arabs!  We Texans have a saying, “Don’t mess with Texas!”  We are proud - well, really not, - we’re excited to be who we are - so are they.  I think Texans are more open than they are given credit for, but traditional people are generally passionate people - we speak with gusto.  The same is true of the Saudis. 

Third, Saudis are adaptable.  If you understood their history, how it was a tribal area and over a 300 year period in 3 different phases the Kingdom was united - and ultimately completed around 1902 or so under King Abdull Aziz you would see how they have to work together just to get …

// Continue Reading //

For the past few years HRH Prince Turki-Al-Faisal has been a friend of mine.  Prince Turki’s Father was the King from about ‘63 to ‘64 and his Grandfather the Founding King of the current Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 1902 to 1953.  We served on a think tank together.  He’s been to our church and spoke and my wife, daughter and I came as his guests and at his invitation to visit Saudi Arabia. 

It’s been an incredible learning experience.  We’ve never been treated with more hospitality in our lives anywhere in the world.  We were taken to the stables of Arabian horses and given our own personal horse show from the war horses that descended from the first King Abdul Aziz.  We visited the Eastern Province and saw the operations of Aramco which were incredible.  We have been hosted and taken out with Prince Turki’s family.  We have traveled and seen many things with many of the Princes and Princesses and it has been incredible.  I’m going to write more next week when I’m home.  But suffice it to say it has been an awesome trip.  I have met with influential leaders and dignitaries throughout the country and traveled a good bit.

Page 1 of 97 pages  1 2 3 >  Last »