Watching the walls of Texas

Working at the Texas Capitol has really been an interesting learning experience. I live in an apartment with five other guys, we try to cook (more on that detail later), and we work to make sure Home School and Parental Rights are protected.

Now we are one of the lead stories on World Magazine’s Website.

God is good.

WORLD | Watching the walls of Texas | Alyssa Foster | Feb. 15, 2013.

Here is my thought and I want to know what you think.

We are a pilot program. To our knowledge, no one has ever entrusted their entire legislative agenda to six home school graduates, like THSC has done, before.

Can, and will, this idea be effectively used nationally? Do you think it should be tried in other states? What about the National Government?

As to how effective our program will be, we will find out as Texas’ 83rd Legislative Session progresses.

Can it be used effectively by other states and even nationally? I wholeheartedly think so. This is the next step in putting the care, control, and upbringing of children back in the hands of parents.

Will this project be replicated? Depends on if the word gets out.

If you think this program is needed in your state, share this article with your friends. Like the article on Facebook and tweet about it.

I will keep you updated as to how things go here at the Capitol.

God Bless!

Crisis of the Boy Scouts

If you would like to see my tame analysis of BSA’s recent leadership considerations and how it would effect home schoolers (as it would effect all fathers and sons) follow this link because THSC put it on their website! Read it, Like it, Share it… or comment about why you didn’t.

The BSA leadership is voting on this amendment February 5-6. Call in before then and tell them not to compromise!

Tweetables

“Don’t let BSA compromise its principles.” Tweet it!

“Scouting sets a clear standard for manhood. Encourage them to continue doing so.” Tweet it!

“Oppose allowing homosexual men leading our young men.” Tweet it!

“Liberal left is seeking to take possession of our young men by applying financial pressure to BSA.” Tweet it!

Note to Self

O dreaming man,
You waste your strength with planning,
You exhaust your mind with intensive training,
How little you truly know,
How little you can do.

Have you forgotten?

Are not your thoughts meant for the One who gave you the ability to contemplate?
Is not your strength meant for the One who filled your chest with iron and your hands with skill?
How is your mind a tool only for you?
Did you endow it with it’s efficiency and miraculous purpose?

O Lord,
How little I truly know,
My being is worn out from striving,
You know the heart and plans of a man,
You guide his steps and make his purpose sure,
You fill his life with good things.
I shall not want.

But…
One thing I do ask of the Lord,
This is what I seek…
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
That I may gaze upon the beauty of the Lord,
And seek Him in His holy temple.

Selah

How to catch Pearls

Catching pearls is the art of being a life long learner.

I like useful, practical, and tactical ideas. It turns out that other people do too. These “pearls” are in high demand and if you aspire to do great things you will need cornerstones, words of wisdom, and advice other than your own. There is a saying that goes something like, “getting a really great idea normally comes after you have gone through a lot of not so great ideas.” On a similar note, not every clam has a pearl. When you mine for gold, what do you find? Rocks, dirt, and mud.

This is common sense. We tend to forget, however, to be ready when, after sifting through the sand and dirt or cracking open that 150th clam, we do find that priceless nugget.

We are continually encountering new ideas weather we like it or not. We already know that a few of them hold some priceless treasure (like the honest critique of a friend or a suggestion from some one smarter than you). The question is: How are you going to catch that falling star?

Define your pearl…

What is it that you are aiming to catch? What are you looking for?

“Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.” C. S. Lewis

Psa 111:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.”

Only God has what you want. Make Him your chief end and the real rest, best, and the most come with Him… but not in a way you would expect.

Always carry a net

If you are going to catch pearls, you have to carry a net. I didn’t realize how much I was missing until I began carrying a 4″ x 6″ black notebook to record ideas, phrases, and advice as I heard them or they came to mind. It soon filled up and I am actually writing this post from it.

This “net” can fit in your back pocket and is the pen and paper you need when those lyrics for the song you’ve been writing finally pop into your head. It can also hold prompts for profound thoughts that come out of the mists of contemplation.

This is a tried and true method of catching and making the most of the treasures you may come across. Here are a few great minds who used pearl catching nets: (Compliments of The Art of Manliness Crew.)

Mark Twain
Alexis de Tocqueville
George S. Patton
Thomas Jefferson
George Lucas (still a great mind… even if he did sell Star Wars.)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ernest Hemingway
Benjamin Franklin
and the list goes on…

Hang around places where pearls tend to roll

You are very much made by the company you keep. Surround yourself with a group of Godly friends: people who are smarter than you; people who are honest. Try creating a Mastermind Group to facilitate this kind of community.

Once you find those people, listen to them.

The company you keep is not only with people, but also with books.

Read… Don’t just read books that entertain. Read books which inspire you to act, which give you the tools for success, which not only open doors to new worlds but also uncap the fountainheads of revelation.

Then make note of what you find.

Pay attention

To catch pearls you have to pay attention. To retain them, you have to note them. To solidify them, you have to write about them in the context of your own ideas.

That is why I blog.

Share Your Pearls With Care

I love the book of Proverbs. After reading it over a few times and thinking it through, I realized that Proverbs (and any proverbs in general) are not words to quote at other people. They are words to live by.

In the same way, pearls are not for throwing at other people. They are for you to live by. They are meant to crown your head, adorn your neck, and shine from your fingers.

However, wise counsel is made from the delicate sharing of pearls. That said, here is my conclusion:

Pro 25:11 “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”

Tweetables

If you enjoyed the post, share it!

“Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.” C. S. Lewis (click to tweet)

Psa 111:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.” (click to tweet)

“Only God has what you want. Make Him your chief end. The real rest, best, and the most come with Him, but not in a way you would expect.” (click to tweet)

“Read books which inspire you to act, give you the tools to succeed, and uncap the fountainheads of revelation.” (click to tweet)

Interviewing Skills with F. Lawrence Coleman

Why is a manhole round?

How would you answer that question if you were interviewing for Apple or some other company in the future?

When most people answer this question in an interview, they do a stellar job of being exceedingly…

Boring.

When you are in an interview for that job, what will be your “wow” moment?

How will you be remembered? What do you want to be your lasting impression? What will be your overall theme about who you are and what you are?

What can I do in this moment that will be uniquely different than anyone else?

The following questions from F. Lawrence Colman are a great resource for your interview preparation.

Before you go, this is the to-do list you should go through:

• Verify the particulars.
• Where is the interview?
• Google whoever is interviewing you.
• With whom will you be interviewing?
• What time is the interview?
• Know the company.
• Name of the company.
• Age of the company.
• Products or services of company.
• Where do they rank in the industry in size and sales.
• Current problems of company Chief Competitors.
• Geographical location of position.
• Be prepared to tell them something they don’t know about their company.

Interview killers

• Showing up late.
• Poor grooming.
• In appropriate dress.
• Smoking is no longer acceptable behavior.
• Bizarre behavior.
• Lying about anything.
• Not necessary to share any and everything.
• Watch your body language.
• Failure to look them in the eye.

What employers seek in a candidate:

(Can you do the job? Will you love the job? Will you actually take the job if I offer it to you? Will you fit in with the rest of the group? Will you make me look good?)

• Knowledge of the company and industry.
• Relevant education and work experience.
• Focus (One team, one fight).
• Communication skills.
• Personal characteristics.
• Initiative.
• Motivation.
• Flexibility/adaptability.
• Teamwork skills.

Effective networking (especially at career fairs)

• Don’t show up and throw up.
• Write a script ahead of time of what you are going to say.
• Be succinct, pleasant and confident when contacting a resource.
• Do not “drop in” on individuals without their permission.
• If you are calling based on referral of someone else, provide that person’s name at the beginning of the conversation.
• Keep email messages succinct and to the point.

STAR Interview type, (typically only used for interviewees with experience.)

• BE HONEST, don’t try to be clever.
• Situation, what occurred?
• Task, what needed to be done?
• Action, what did you do?
• Results, what was the outcome?

5 Key principles for Wow moments

• Appearance.
• Know the companies culture.
• Introduction. They ask, “how are you?” don’t answer, “fine.” FINE = feelings I’m not expressing. Answer, “I’m perfect.” Latin root for perfect is perfectus and it means “complete.”

Potential Questions you will encounter and warnings for your responses.

• Tell me about yourself. (Its an ice breaker, they really don’t care about you. Give them something they will remember.)
• Tell me two things that you think you could improve upon. Or what is your greatest weakness? What can you tell me about my company? (Answer this honestly)

Potential questions that would be in your best interests to ask:

• What do you feel are the key skills to be successful in this position?
• What strengths do you feel I bring to this position?
• What concerns do you have about my background?
• Ask for the job.

Think Tank session with the enVision Conference

Going Big with Dude Perfect

So Dude Perfect started as a bunch of college guys who went out to shoot some hoops as a break from studying for finals. Next thing you know, they are a Youtube sensation from Texas A&M University and are on TV and walking the red carpet with some of the most well known celebrities.

Dude? How did they do that?

Well, they made some insane basketball shots from a plane, the third level of Kyle Feild, and the Cowboy Stadium… not to mention that shot while water boarding.

They Went Big.

Cory told us about one time when he met LeBron James. This was a connection he didn’t want to miss, so he decided to show LeBron some of Dude Perfect’s videos… but he had to get past LeBron’s body gaurd first. He made it, (it was a close call though) and now LeBron knows Cory Cotton a first name basis.

Score.

Dude Perfect became so popular that they were even contracted to do an advertisement. That was when they made their basketball shot from a plane. Because of that shot, they found themselves on the red carpet, strategizing on how to get pics with as many celebrities as possible.

Of course, the celeb’s didn’t know what was going on, so Dude Perfect got pictures with Tim Tebow and other sports giants.

Score.

It all started with a few hoops on a finals study high.

If you want to find out more, you really ought to read Cory’s book “Going Big” and check out Dude Perfects newest Youtube series called “Bromo” (guy things in slowmo).

Here are some of the latest pic’s, courtesy Christina’s epic photo studio.

Having a blast here at the enVision Conference!

enVision Conference Pictures

Some photo’s from last night. You should really check out Mr. Macias’ keynote speech on Godly Character, Endurance, and Courage.

And then, your favorite bloggers for the enVision Conference.

And then our favorite emcee, Cody Cotton.