In Reply to a Response

On Friday, February 20, I put up a post about a letter I wrote to the editors of the News-Gazette in Champaign, IL. Scroll down a bit to find that letter. On March 2, the paper printed a response to that letter, in which the author, a Christian minister, accused me of twisting my interpretation to match my own misguided views. Basically, he said I didn't know my head from the hat I wear.

Of course I had to reply. My original reply as sent to the paper was far too long to fit within their guidelines, so working with the editors, I trimmed it down to this:

One law protects many religious views

Rev 's reply to my Feb. 20 letter demonstrates the truth of my statement: there are disagreements among Christian denominations concerning biblical interpretations. Sometimes they are small, sometimes quite large. In fact, many churches welcome homosexuals into their congregations, even into their clergy. I think it's wonderful we live in a country that makes room for us all.

Please forgive me if my earlier letter made it appear as if I wished to change the personal beliefs of others; that is not the case. Certainly if a denomination chooses to not bless homosexual union within its own organization, that is their right, and I support it even though I disagree.

But to deny homosexuals the right to union based on religious beliefs is contrary to our constitution.

Our country was founded in part on the concept of freedom to choose one's religion without coercion or force. To force upon our society a single mindset based on religion is to create a theocracy. One need only look at today's world to see how dangerous a theocracy can be.

There are indeed many different views on the Bible, and varying translations. Who would deny that King James cause the Bible to be edited?

Or that there are dozens of Protestant versions of the Bible? That the Catholic Bible is different from the King James and subsequent versions?

Personally, I am thankful our country allows us all to choose for ourselves. I believe that all should be treated equally under the law, including homosexuals. I also believe Jesus would approve.

In peace,

Lane

Yesterday's Service

Yesterday I gave the service at the Circle of Gratitude and Love Learning Center. (I offer the service there once each month.) Yesterday's presentation was titled Do the Work. I'm not going to repeat it all, but I did want to offer the main point:

We know that, in our daily lives, we have to put in the work if we want to receive the reward. However, we often forget that there's work to do in our spiritual lives, as well.

Spirituality is not just about reading, meditating, spiritual retreats, etc. It's about taking what we've learned and putting it into practice in our daily lives. It's about applying the knowledge we've received. And that, in a nutshell is the difference between knowledge and wisdom.

In Way of the Peaceful Warrior, Dan Millman explains it in a very practical way. Dan is visiting his mentor Socrates, at the gas station where Socrates runs the midnight shift. They're servicing a customer (back in the day when full service meant something). Socrates is cleaning his side of the windshield while Dan fiddles with his squeegee. Dan asks about the difference between knowledge and wisdom. Socrates answers, "you know how to clean a windshield. Wisdom is doing it."

It's just that simple. Wisdom is the application of knowledge. So the question we must each ask ourselves is this: Am I applying the teachings I've learned? Am I doing the spiritual work necessary to advance along the path before me?

I think that most of us - if we are honest - know that there is still more work to be done. I know I've got more to do, and every day I strive to be a better version of myself. Every morning I remind myself of this. Every evening, too. I've found that it helps me to stay focused on what really matters. It reminds me that I have to work hard every day to remain true to my spiritual beliefs.

Yes, knowledge is important. But translating that knowledge into wisdom -- doing the work -- is what it takes to truly live a life with Spirit. So... off to work I go!

In peace,

Lane

Interesting Meeting Last Night

Last night, I presented to the local Board of Education an overview of four projects we hope to mount with their assistance. Here's a quick run-down of what I proposed:

1. A Foodstock food drive for the local high school. We envision a contest in which the winning class (Freshmen, Sophomores, etc.) will receive a free party.

2. An arts and poetry competition for all school ages, grade school through high school. The contest will be judged on the day of this year's Foodstock concert.

3. A series of music appreciation and music education seminars for all levels.

4. A benefit concert in support of local music education.

This time around, I presented during the public comments portion of the meeting. This time around was really just a "warning shot", if you will. Next month, I'll be on the agenda and will offer more detail.

We're all very excited about the projects. We believe that by engaging our youth early, we have the best chance of helping them understand the need for volunteerism and the positive impact it will have on both the community and themselves. These projects will help us spread a message of community involvement and servant-leadership.

As things progress, I'll offer more info here. Until then, remember, serving one's community is a core principal of living a life with Spirit.

In peace,

Lane

Spears Center Feature

I'm very pleased and honored to report that I've been featured in the Spears Center for Servant-Leadership newsletter for March, 2009. Larry Spears and I have been long-distance friends, ever since we met in 2001, during my tenure with Men's Wearhouse.

Larry is the authority on humanistic management principles in the world. No other person does as much to promote the ideals by which businesses should guide themselves. I am proud to support the Spears Center for Servant-Leadership, and will support Larry for as long as I am in business. I highly recommend the Spears Center to anyone wishing to learn more.

When I began to refocus my energy on my consulting career, I naturally called Larry to discuss the opportunity, and to hear any advice he might offer. We have continued these discussions off and on over the past few months, and I recently sent him a copy of the Deeper Blues CD, Dig the Hole.

What caught Larry's interest most was the way I am using servant-leadership in my music career and with my charity endeavors (with the Life with Spirit Foundation), bringing the servant-leader message to new audiences. The time was right, Larry decided, to feature me in his newsletter. And, to be honest, I'm speechless... and very grateful.

The first half of the feature is an overview of my work; the second half is the opening to my essay Learning Servant-Leadership from Native America - Again. This is the essay that will be included in Larry's upcoming book The Spirit of Servant Leadership, due this year. Also included is a link to the entire essay.

The guidance and encouragement Larry has offered over the years has, and continues to be, deeply appreciated. While he may not know it, his advice has been crucial to my growth, not only as a servant-ldear, but also as a person. I highly recommend Larry and the Spears Center to anyone wishing to learn more about the servant-leadership community. And, again, I'm honored to be featured in his newsletter.

For those interested, here are links to the feature, and to the essay.

Read the newsletter here.

Read the full essay here.

Read more about my relationship with Larry Spears here.

Visit the Spears Center by clicking here.

To me, servant-leadership is all about bringing your spirituality to your working life. And I think that's an excellent way to live a life with spirit!

In peace,

Lane