Independent writing2026
Stephen Braunius
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Ideas for a more thoughtful web

Stephen Braunius

Seek | Do | Share

I have always loved to learn new things and put that knowledge to use. This is where I share what I’m learning.

Edited by Stephen Braunius
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Issue 08 · 2026
Essay

GLS15: Session 3b Dr Brene Brown

Global Leadership Summit 2015 Session 3b Dr. Brené Brown Rising Strong “The story that I’m telling myself now is…” - What is the emotion that comes up when we try to connect with someone and reach out…Shame anger is secondary emotion that always covers up some other emotion Number one shame for women: body image Number one shame for men: appearance of weakness and number one perpetrator is women when someone shares something sacred with you and then you use it back to the person it is incredibly hurtful…an unholy act We need to be able to share: - Here’s what scares me. Here’s what I’m afraid of. We want more love and vulnerability. This can only happen by being more vulnerability. our brain is hardwired the instant something bad happens to make up a story about what is happening. If we can do that, we get a chemical reward. It rewards us whether the story is true or not. - stories with limited data points filled in with values and ideals is a conspiracy the middle space: when you start something and are too far in to turn around and not able to see the end (the point of no return) - what people do in that space is what separates leaders from non-leaders this is where leadership is born and courage is formed this is a lonely and hard space experience gives us a little bit of grace to let us know we have done it before and can get through 3 things to go through - the reckoning: be able to recognize that something is happening in my feelings and identify them – something’s got me hooked and I’m willing to do something about it – Transformational Leaders: - do discomfort, real discomfort emotional awareness about themselves and the people they work with – emotion dictates change (we are emotional people who sometimes think) sit with someone and say “help me understand” the rumble (rumble with emotion) - be willing to walk in and be brave should have a value in truth with what is true and hard choose courage or comfort…can’t have both the revolution - this becomes part of what we do “When we deny the story it defines us. When we own the story we can write the ending.” it takes courage to tell people the story we are telling ourselves about challenging problems or situations and hear from them the bravest among us are those who are the broken hearted the physics of vulnerability are straight-forward–if you are brave enough often enough you will fail. Find a way to lean into each other and find a way back up. The risk is worth it. Originally published on stephen.braunius.org

By Stephen Braunius
Essay

GLS15: Session 1 Bill Hybels

Global Leadership Summit 2015 Session 1 Bill Hybels , The Intangibles of Leadership Welcome and Introduction Leadership is moving people from here to there Leadership is all about movement we, as leaders are at different points in the journey: - can I do it? can I sustain it? can I take it across the finish line? humility is the highest value at the Summit The Intangibles of Leadership Book: The Intangibles of Leadership (Richard Davis) 5 aspects of leadership (1) Grit - “passion and perseverance over the long haul” unrelenting steely determination over decades “gritty people play hurt” gritty people believe they can overcome any obstacle that comes there way Book: The Little Engine that Could “I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.” & “I thought I could. I thought I could. I thought I could.” Abraham Lincoln, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr. Do you have grit? www.willowcreek.com/Survey for grit assessment Can grit be developed? Yes - “The arch enemy of grit is ease” “Grit development demands difficulty.” Grit grows every time you prove to yourself that you can overcome an obstacle. “Will yourself to task achievement.” Elite leaders know that overcoming physical challenges builds grit. Over-deliver when asked to do something by supervisor When senior leaders demonstrate grit teammates and followers notice and develop more grit in themselves. “Gritty organizations are unstoppable.” (2) Self-Awareness - leaders have things that happened in the past that impact what they do in the present (tethered to something in the past) messes in an organization are often connected to low self-awareness blind spots in leaders - “something someone believes they do well but everyone on the team knows it isn’t true.” most leaders have 3–4 blind spots the danger is that you have no idea the blind spot exists once you know a blind spot you can move it into the weakness category for work the people around you can help you identify them…especially direct supervisor or spouse often requires conversations with co-workers, counselor, or coach “Everybody will win when you grow in self-awareness.” (3) Resourcefullness - ability to learn in the face of difficult problems, people with high learning agility roll up their sleeves and figure out to do the Wright Brothers are an example…they figured it out “Resourceful people figure it out.” Resourcefulness can be developed - need to put yourself in confusing and dysfunctional situations to grow it organizations need resourceful people (4) Self-Sacrificing Love - story of David and his troops (I Samuel 22:2) and the water they got for him (2 Samuel 23:17) “Self-sacrificing love is at the very core of leadership.” I Corinthians 13:8 “Love never fails.” “Love changes people.” Love turns a rag-tag group of people into a family we live in a day where many leaders are narcassistic the senior leader must demonstrate self-sacrificing love organizations perform better when supervisors truly love those they supervise don’t hesitate a moment to show love to teammates…get personal (5) Create a Sense of Meaning - almost everyone understands the “What” and “How” of the organization. Many don’t know the “Why” leaders in tomorrows world must share the why of the organization “What is your white hot why?” Your “why” will fuel you or will need to be changed to something that will fuel you Ephesians 2:8–9 the message of what Christ does transformed Bill’s life and became his “white hot why” of “Transformed Lives” find out your “white hot why”…life is too short to live without one Originally published on stephen.braunius.org

By Stephen Braunius
Essay

Living in Change

This is a post I wrote recently for the eNews called “Sundays’ Comin' from Fellowship Reformed Church . As I am in my office writing, I can feel the building shake and hear the rumble of bulldozers and backhoes. This is the sound of change and signifies a new chapter for Fellowship Church as we look ahead to the construction of a sanctuary, repurposing of the existing sanctuary, and expansion of the offices. As this work begins, I continue to be thankful and excited that we get to be a part of this work. I also recognize that this change, for some, can also be disruptive, offensive, or annoying. I have been thinking about change and how it impacts us. This was especially true when I attended a class last week taught by a futurist named Lloyd Walker. During this one day class I was exposed to how people think about the future and assist their organizations in preparing for it. One phrase stuck out to me during the day, “Time doesn’t create change; change creates time.” A friend explained to me that time only exists when there is movement. Maybe this explains why we feel like we have so little time when our lives are filled with rapid change. On Sunday, Pastor Brian shared how neighbors and leaders felt about the change they were seeing as the wall was being rebuilt around Jerusalem. They opposed this change because they felt it was a threat to them. We learned how Nehemiah faced this opposition by praying in an authentic way, persisting in the work by remembering the vision, and finding strength in the promises of God. I was stirred up by the idea of finding strength in the promises of God. Our unchanging God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). This means that he is outside of time. How cool is that? While everything around us is moving so quickly, we have a God who is steadfast and has already won the fight. He did this by sending Christ, His son, into time and winning the fight for all time. Let’s remember who God is and what he has done for us and, as we read in Ephesians 6:10-11, “…be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Categories: Learning · Originally published on stephen.braunius.org

By Stephen Braunius
Essay

The Fruit of Patience

This is an article that I wrote for the April 15 Sunday’s Comin’ eNews for Fellowship Reformed Church This past Sunday Pastor Brian preached about patience. After hearing the sermon , I started thinking of all of the times where I have had to be patient: waiting for healing from sickness, waiting for results from a test, looking for a new job, waiting for a special day to arrive, standing in line, sitting in a car in stopped traffic on the highway, repeating instructions to one of my children, and trying to learn a difficult passage of music. Now, as I write these down, they seem so trivial. Maybe this is part of the gift of the sermon on Sunday. We are able to see that times requiring patience can also be times for us to learn, grow, and be in a posture of submission to the will of God. I am currently learning patience as I train to run two Tulip Time races on May 2. The first race is 5K and the second is 10K. I have never run 15K in a single day in my entire life. In order to run that distance, I knew that I would have to find some way to train over a long period of time so my body would have the strength to get through. So, I found a training plan online and mapped out what would need to happen each week in order for me to attain the goal. This is so challenging for me because I want to be able to “Just do it” without putting in all this time and effort. Each training run requires me to push aside comfort in order to push my body a little further. What is so intriguing to me is to recognize that my ability to be patient is increased when I am able to look back and see where I have been as well as look forward to see where I will be. The combination of the two give me hope in the moment. My patience is decreased when I choose, instead, to become frustrated or upset. As I continue in my training, I am learning to see each run as a gift rather than a difficulty. These gifts include celebrating increasing strength in my body, experiencing the warmth of the sun, seeing signs of spring, covering distances that used to seem insurmountable, and receiving encouragement from others. Might there be ways for you to look for the gifts in those times requiring patience? This week we are challenged to practice patience by doing one of the following: Patience with God: begin each day with a time of prayerful reflection, asking God, “What is Your will for me today?” Throughout the day, pray Jesus’ prayer of surrender: “Not my will but Your will be done.” Patience with others: choose the longer line at the grocery store. Drive in the slow lane. Welcome an interruption. Be slow to speak and quick to listen in a conversation. Give somebody a second chance. Identify a relationship that is training ground for learning patience. Patience with yourself: Recognize the “shame voices” and remind yourself of God’s grace and love. Remember that transformation is not instant; it is a process, a journey. Embrace failure as an opportunity to learn and grow. Give one of them a try and remember: “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. Bear with on another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other…” (Col 3:12-13) Categories: Learning · Originally published on stephen.braunius.org

By Stephen Braunius
Essay

TEDx Macatawa 2015 Session 2b: Kevin Budelmann & Yang Kim, Business is Personal

Kevin Budelmann Yang Kim- co-owners of People Design http://www.peopledesign.com/ - work together as a married couple - “industrialization has led to compartmentalization” - people aren’t cars, we aren’t machines, people are people - making connections and seeing patterns is the hallmark of this emergent era - People Design is a business is based on user-centeredness and collaboration - Collaboration, like a marriage, is more than cooperation…it requires: - thinking alike - thinking different - taking turns (it is really hard to create and edit your own work) - You have to have your own voice and get out of your own way - Being vulnerable gets you and your team to “11” - “Our business is our pleasure” have fun at work - the coming era will require new skills and deeper collaboration - we will have to be vulnerable enough to have relationships - there is no such thing as good work for a bad client - business is personal Categories: Learning · Tags: tedxmac2015 · Originally published on stephen.braunius.org

By Stephen Braunius
Essay

TEDx Macatawa 2015 Session 1a: Jason Pasatta

Imagine…early elementary teacher, friends, food of favorite lunch, glue smells, many have fond memories Passion for school usually goes down for kids in middle school Many kids are bored, uninspired, and unmotivated to work hard because there is no connection to life How do you raise engagement? OAISD has been asking graduates this question for many years many express need to connect school to future work and life Pace of change and innovation make it hard for us to connect education with the future careers that don’t exist yet Focus on soft skills (critical thinking, communicate, problem solve) - these are important to all jobs key indicators for success in work Our schoolsystemis designed for another time - We have schools succeeding in what they were built to do…no longer relevant to this day and age built on the factory model assessments are increasing which makes more content have to be forced into less time We are built to consider ideas and thoughts (20% of brain) and develops between 8-16 years of age Middle Schools need to be focusing on creative thinking, communication, and problem solving Intense and intentional collaboration must occur across all areas of our community future prep’d connects educators and students to local business and industry - explore develop present “Children are the R&D department of the human race” – Alison Gopink “You learn the work by doing the work “- Harvard Graduate School of Education Let’s help kids imagine, engage in, and change the world Categories: Learning · Tags: tedxmac2015 · Originally published on stephen.braunius.org

By Stephen Braunius
Essay

TEDx Macatawa 2015 Session 1b: Helen Zeerip, Grant me Hope

https://www.facebook.com/grantmehope 300,000 kids need homes 25% of the kids end up homeless “ Pathways MI ” does foster care and adoption Misconceptions for adoption - Expensive: no, children are basically free for adoption Bad: foster children are not bad kids Less than 2% will continue further education without being adopted they need someone to care, make a difference, be an influence, be their parent Categories: Learning · Tags: tedxmac2015 · Originally published on stephen.braunius.org

By Stephen Braunius
Essay

TEDx Macatawa 2015 Session 2c: Dr. Tracy Brower, Bring Work to Life: The Power of And

Karoshi : Japanese word meaning death from overwork many people have negative spillover between work and life people are stressed at work across all generations what is your definition of work? (hard? difficult? politics?) what is your definition of life? family? fulfillment? disruption + time poverty - not “work-life balance” rather work-life integration can equal abundance & fulfillment “don’t take, bring” - bring is about the starting point take is about the destination Perspectives matter it is about relationships and connection: YOU AND ME - pain experienced in the brain when social hurt is experienced (same as physical pain) pleasure experienced in the brain when social joy is experienced (sam as physical pleasure) we seek what makes us feel good binding force - proton and neutron held together in center of atom with immense power connections are at the core of our being it’s about building relationships and supporting others not a strategy but a perspective purpose (we want to build cathedrals and not just laying bricks) - sense of something bigger than self we matter to the bigger thing about people (people will trade salary for purpose) “Find what you are good at and do that” People AND Organizations - Chinese character : to listen with a virtuous heart pay close attention to one another children spell love as T.I.M.E. to go fast, go alone. to go far, go together people who are most engaged are recognized by leader and encouraged by leader people who are most disengaged are ignored by their leader listen deeply, share openly, respect unfailingly Know AND Do - action is the key yada : hebrew for to know and do The best time to plant a tree 20 years ago, the 2nd best time to plant a tree is today Categories: Learning · Tags: tedxmac2015 · Originally published on stephen.braunius.org

By Stephen Braunius
Essay

TEDx Macatawa 2015 Session 1d: Willie J. Watt Jr., Deliberate Collaboration

lived in a violent time in Chicago in a gang at 11 years old wanted to be a lawyer but told he would be dead at age 16 enjoyed riding ‘L’ watched best friend get murdered shot 3 times by age 13 kicked out of house by age 17 moved to Holland gangs started showing up in Holland in 1980s 1998 – African American families had been firebombed in Holland 2007 lost wife, kids, home, homeless in parking lot of church gave life to Christ and learned of a Father that loves him no matter what found purpose: to be a servant and give back we all come up with wonderful ideas that might change lives and we file them away rather than having the courage to try them out and collaborate with others in confusion ideas are grown and people can make good changes when presented with a choice Holland Youth Connection – Summer job connection where work would happen for 10 weeks and have kids from rival gangs work together http://www.escape-out.org/ - the youth take ownership of the community 76% drop in crime rate with implementation of the work program 2nd year had 7 different gangs, ethnicities, and schools came together “When we give kids an opportunity they can change the community” Take the time to get in their lives to help them become who the want to be and who they can be “Are you going to go out there and do something and take a step forward and make a difference?” “We have to start taking chances on other people” “We can change the world” Categories: Learning · Tags: tedxmac2015 · Originally published on stephen.braunius.org

By Stephen Braunius
Essay

TEDx Macatawa 2015 Session 3b: Chris DeVos & Jonathon Brown, Reconciliation

Chris DeVos Jonathon Brown- Pillar Church (Christian Reformed Church & Reformed Church) - look for stories of reconciliation right on our front doorsteps - 1847: church was connected to the community and community to the church “log church” - 1850: log church joined the Reformed Church in America - 1857: Christian Reformed Church founded out of this church out of division with the Reformed Church - More division: language, schools (christian or public), songs (scripture or hymns), closed or open sacraments, masonic lodge controversy - 1882: Riotous disturbance in the church, majority voted to leave Reformed Church - small group that left sued the church - Reconciliation happened where the church re-joined the Reformed Church - things don’t have to stay separated, things don’t have to be broken - we see that things are not right in this world - what would happen if people took seriously reconciliation when it is up close and personal? - Book: “ Reconciling All Things “ - Look at the wounds that are personal and bringing reconciliation to those as a step toward global reconciliation - begin to partner with those who were seen as enemies - 2012: Pillar became a “dual-affiliation” church - “your axe handles will become baptismal fonts” - what symbolizes separation that can now symbolize something that gives life? Categories: Learning · Tags: tedxmac2015 · Originally published on stephen.braunius.org

By Stephen Braunius
Essay

TEDx Macatawa 2015 Session 2a: Davin Huston, Emergent Collaboration

clinical assistant professor at Purdue enjoys putting students into collaborative situations where they are unaware of what it is performance art can be a collaboration between the artist and the audience software in this presentation can be found at https://github.com/dhhuston/emergentcollaboration most software he uses is free which is a bit clunky which makes it fun “The joy of life is imperfection” collaborative music keys to collaboration - you all must be able to accept risk in creating goals with another person friendship — some level of friendship is needed in order to have disagreements and stay friends Categories: Learning · Tags: tedxmac2015 · Originally published on stephen.braunius.org

By Stephen Braunius
Essay

TEDx Macatawa 2015 Session 3e:  Jeremy Blaney, Cross-Cultural Collaboration

“New World” moment of navigating other cultures the world has shrunk cross-cultural encounters are happening every second of every day 74 million people come to the United States with International Tourism we encounter people from other places frequently Pure Michigan has attracted millions of people economic and organizational gains come from cross-cultural encounters many misunderstandings happen in cross-cultural encounters ways to bridge cultures - Monologue (hear it, see it): tell the other who we are, all the power is with the recipient Dialogue: 2 people sitting down and talking about differences Collaboration: people working together on a project, “there is no substitute for meaningful collaboration” (shared experience) “You, too, have a critical role to play in bridging the gap between ‘us’ and ‘them'” Emma for peace : music brings people together PeacePlayers international : bring people together in love of sport Youth-to-Youth Summit : meet together to address a need “There is much to be gained by sailing into the winds of cross-cultural encounters” “Discover a world that is different from your own and design collaborations to help others do the same” Categories: Learning · Tags: tedxmac2015 · Originally published on stephen.braunius.org

By Stephen Braunius
Essay

TEDx Macatawa 2015 Session 2d: Fred Bueltmann, Community of Collaboration

heard music in a different way when listening to Ahmad Jamal , Live at the Montreal Jazz Festival, 1985 barriers to collaboration - all talk & no listen accomplishment over experience little boxes death grip for control — worry about the unknown recipe first, ingredients second pace – get it done yesterday http://www.michiganbrewersguild.com - collaboration started by talking about what various brewers had in common 1st Michigan Beer Festival was a common project to work on together familiarity helped people work together and not demonize the others by working together they could welcome talent look for atypical collaborators in the world Carhart Woodsman Collaboration - shared stories about each organization conversations bring things we have in common by looking less literally they saw they had community horses - getting spooked blocks communication loosen grip and let things look different and have a 2-way dialog “from conversation comes leadership, from leadership comes trust” beginning cook - take a look at what is around us first and be a curator for those things and make things from them art is about celebrating beauty around you focus on “what is” and going from there collaboration takes time and conversation - be patient and allow time, growth, conversation nurtures growth and root stock the collaboration posture - learn to listen contribute to the greater good welcome talent besides our own embrace sibling rivalry community made from shared ideals, ….and more….. “passions transcend our jobs” - our passions will follow us everywhere be inspired by the passions of others a return to a connected lifestyle is happening all around us “I don’t compete against my collaborators. I compete against apathy.” “think about how we can work together, with what is, and change the world today” Categories: Learning · Tags: tedxmac2015 · Originally published on stephen.braunius.org

By Stephen Braunius
Essay

TEDx Macatawa 2015 Session 3c: Bill Holsinger-Robinson & Dan Klyn, Deciding Together

Bill Holsinger-Robinson Dan Klyn- The Understanding Group - Holland is the the epicenter of progressive culture :^) - “Information Architects” (Riechard Saul Wurman) - websites, digital information systems, have been bad because they haven’t been architected - places represent architecture’s share in truth - “The classic pervasive seduction to designers is to find a solution instead of the truth” (Ruchard Saul Wurman) - deciding together is the framework for collaboration - deciding together is about truth-seeking which happens before collaboration - don’t jump into problem solving right away! - “Never delegate understanding” — Charles Eames - Google Ngram shows that the word “problem” has become more important than “truth” - “Sometimes it’s necessary to go a long distance out of the way in order to come back a short distance correctly” – Edward Albee - “A map is not the territory it represents, but, if correct, it has a similar structure to the territory, which accounts for its usefulness” - make a line with “service” at one end and “acquire” on the other end with 5 on each end and 0 in the middle — take a look at where people land and then recognize that the average is not true. Bring in more deciders and celebrate diversity. The act of bringing in more people brings innovation - 40 hrs/mo 150x/day — the amount of time we look at our digital devices, architect these “places” well - think about the sustainability of digital places - going beyond function - durable truth is hard - averages aren’t durable - consensus is often a con - heterogeneity helps Categories: Learning · Tags: tedxmac2015 · Originally published on stephen.braunius.org

By Stephen Braunius
Essay

TEDx Macatawa 2015 Session 3a:  Seth Starner, Why Collaborate? Why Now?

wicked problems in society now 20th century = good at solving complicated problems - take puzzle pieces and put them together can be solved 21st century = solving complex problems (wicked problems) - global poverty race connected to poverty connected to education 20th century = competition - driven to find the right solutions 21st century = co-opetition - John Nash came up with this idea times to collaborate and time to compete need to be able to toggle between being collaborative and being competitive example is getting educators and businesses collaborating on changing education together establish trust see shared perspective example: collaboration by default: building 20 - many physicist gathered together being within 10 meters of each other brings about frequent collaboration types of collaboration: - black hole collaboration: agree on problem but can’t work together for solution civil war collaboration: can’t agree on a problem productive collaboration: bring together a tribe/community by design - shared experience common understanding building to build actively building a small community around a problem allow for divergence AND convergence deconstruct assumptions and eliminate bad ideas language trajectory of collaboration - we can do better yes, and what if… how might we… what are we learning? (other people ) how can we scale? language trajectory ofstatus quo - yes, but we’re good we’ve tried that that won’t work because we know it wouldn’t work this will cannibalize our business Tribing = creating wicked solutions - system based cross-sector/cross silo engage & design for behavior change aim for simplexity (simpler not simple) iterative dynamic & agile approach “Let’s collaborate!” Categories: Learning · Tags: tedxmac2015 · Originally published on stephen.braunius.org

By Stephen Braunius
Essay

TEDx Macatawa 2015 Session 3f: Rev. Denise Kingdom Grier

the songs we teach our children are about falling and breaking “We need more bridges” made with stately towers and can stand strong like Verrazano bridge and Lake Pontchatrain Causeway “many struggles come into our lives but this causeway reminds us that [even in the storms] this bridge stood still and long without any damage” “ Mackinaw Bridge ” – longest suspension bridge in Western hemisphere, cover the chasm of uppers and lowers we, our children in particular, need more bridges “I can become slippery when wet. When the tears fall on my chest I can find it hard to forgive” “I am a flawed bridge, but a bridge non-the-less” “I stand strong, unmovable, I am a bridge” “I am a bridge between the upper and the lower.” “I invite you to consider with your lives how we might build a bridge…build it up with what you have” “be a bridge with me” Categories: Learning · Tags: tedxmac2015 · Originally published on stephen.braunius.org

By Stephen Braunius
Essay

TEDx Macatawa 2015 Session 3d:  Patrick Cisler & Patrick Moran, Collaboration Starts with U

Patrick Cisler Patrick Moran- collaboration if done correctly is the key to overcoming life’s greatest challenges - collaboration starts with U - “We’re better together” Jack Johnson - collaborations at: home, work, community - the commonality is U - collaboration takes careful planning and design - collaboration starts with U - 3 UPAD Conditions — yo U - P erspective: change your perspective, what are the perspectives needed and make sure they are represented at the table - A ssumptions: challenge your assumptions - D ecision-Making: fear based to opportunity based decision-making “I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.” – Stephen Covey - Collaboration starts with U - theUPAD with health - perspective - #1 in spending but #12 of 13 in outcomes - perspective is based on spending money (consumerism perspective) for sickness rather than wellness - assumption - frequent fliers in the emergency room — spend 4 times more time with them rather than get them in and out as fast as possible - decision-making - community health needs assessment - 3 non-profit hospitals in the area all needed to do a needs assessment and started with a fear perspective - put fear aside and look at the opportunity - theUPAD with poverty - perspective: see that the slightest increase in wages could mean much lost in benefits (Cliff Effect) - employer/employee perspectives need to both be at the table - assumption: government subsidy is something we often think about as a bad thing and don’t think about tax deductions as government subsidies, think about subsidy as financial support to promote economic/social policy - decision-making: 1,600 registered non-profits (400 are churches), 2nd most philanthropic region in entire country, trend lines around poverty are going in the wrong direction, act in an opportunity mindset where we think about stopping some things and not just starting something new Categories: Learning · Tags: tedxmac2015 · Originally published on stephen.braunius.org

By Stephen Braunius
Essay

TEDx Macatawa 2015 Session 1c: Karyl Morin, Move Others Forward

“our value is measured in how much we move others forward” practice collaborative design Grand Rapids Public Museum School opening in September (grades 6-12) - about school feeling like a privilege rather than an obligation become a design thinker in pursuing answers to big questions use of the community as the classroom “it’s about getting out” of: - the 2 covers of the textbook the 4 walls of the classroom the 6 periods of the day working with many partners in education and business changed conversation about school reform by inviting many diverse voices it’s not about finding the cookie cutter. synthesizing research, needs of the learner, and what is happening in society did not use just verbal in planning (sketching, writing, physical movement, walk in the woods, improvisation) many barriers to accomplishing collaboration - complacency: value of known over new, value predictability and comfort over change near-sightedness: lose bigger vision when stuck on obstacle in the foreground new mode of operation: “What can I/we do to progress the project?” blander: meetings, structures, procedures that makes the change more safe How might you move the next generation forward? - start a conversation reach out look around “Be valuable and move someone forward today” Categories: Learning · Tags: tedxmac2015 · Originally published on stephen.braunius.org

By Stephen Braunius
Essay

Joy in Fasting

I wrote this for an eNews publication called “Sunday’s Comin'” for Fellowship Reformed Church. Some of this was based on a card that was handed out on the Sunday this sermon was preached by Pastor Marijke Strong (2015-03-01). Over the past month I have been unable to shake the words from Nehemiah 10(b), “Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” What a wonderful promise where we receive strength in His joy! This has caused me to start the day by asking, “Jesus, what will bring you joy today?” During the day I wonder, “Jesus, am I bringing you joy?” At the end of the day I ask, “Jesus, did I bring you joy?” All of these questions move the focus away from me and put the focus on Christ. This past Sunday Pastor Marijke spoke about self-control and shared how the original Greek might be better translated as living in, by, and with power. So, self-control is the responsible use of the the power that we have through the Holy Spirit. Directing this power toward the joy of the Lord allows us to stay focused and on the path that God has for us. This week we are challenged to try fasting in order to take ourselves “off the throne” and yield to God alone. Think about: Where is an area in your life that you might not be letting God be at the center? How are you using or directing your energies unwisely? Consider giving something up for a day or a week to symbolize your submission to God’s desire in this area. For example: Food/Drink (in moderation), Internet/Facebook, Shopping/Clothing, Work (practice Sabbath). Fill the space that you would have normally devoted to this thing with scripture and prayer. You might pray for persecuted Christians and that the powers of darkness in our world would be redeemed by the light of Christ. Also, you could try meditating on Galatians 2:19b,20. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave himself for me. This week, I pray that in your fasting you might find that the joy of the Lord is your strength! Categories: Learning · Originally published on stephen.braunius.org

By Stephen Braunius
Essay

Preach It!

This is an article I wrote for the Fellowship Reformed Church eNewsletter. You can subscribe by going here: Sunday’s Comin’ This past summer, our family had the opportunity to go to Israel with Light for the World ( http://lftw.rcachurches.org ). Light for the World is run by Marlin and Sally Vis. I have thousands of pictures and stories I could share with you. In fact, you can see many of them here . The last half of our trip was centered out of Jerusalem, where we discovered that the Jewish people know how to celebrate. We first encountered celebration at the Western Wall (the Wailing Wall) on Friday night as they celebrated the start of Shabbat, which is their day of rest. We saw young and old gathering together in circles dancing, singing, and clapping. The air was filled with joy and expectation. Over the following days we continued to witness another form of celebration: Bar Mitzvah processions. These are for boys who have reached the age of 13. Typically we would hear a Bar Mitzvah procession before we would see it, as the sound of musicians playing drums, clarinets, shofars (a ram’s horn), and other instruments would echo through the streets. Close behind the musicians were people holding the poles of a tent as a focal point over the boy. Behind him were the rest of the family and friends holding balloons and dressed in their finest clothing. You could’t help but be caught up in the joy! These memories of joy filled my heart on Sunday as we witnessed the Profession of Faith/Confirmation of so many of our young people. As a dad of one of the girls who made Profession of Faith, I felt a particular sense of joy in seeing how God has worked in her life and been faithful across many generations. After the service, we celebrated with friends and family. If only we could share that joy with the world by walking down the street banging drums and making loud music! My sense is our daughter would have been a bit embarrassed. This time of Profession of Faith tied well with the words that Pastor Brian shared this Sunday about preaching . Particularly, at the end of the sermon, when he challenged us with the words, “You are called to preach.” The act of seeing these Professions of Faith reminds us of our own decision to follow Christ, and can move us into action to share with others. This is the way we can live out the call to preach! One quick reminder, we are not responsible for how people respond to the words we share. That is God’s work. He simply calls us to share out of what he has done for us. By the way, if you don’t feel equipped to share the story, you might find the following free video series to be great foundation to rediscover (or discover) the good news: http://www.startingpointseries.com . You might even find yourself in the same place as the Israelites in Nehemiah 8:12: And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing because they had understood the words that were declared to them.” I can’t help it, hear this one final word of joy from Nehemiah 8:10b: “And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Let’s preach it! Categories: Family, Learning · Tags: Family · Originally published on stephen.braunius.org

By Stephen Braunius