Dr. Arthur L. Mallory is a hero of mine. I used to have several heroes. Now I have three, Arthur, Stan Musial, and Billy Graham. Graham and Musial are nearing the end of their lives and both have been consistent in the kind of individual each is. I know Arthur knows more about education than anyone I know. Having served as president of Missouri State University and Commissioner of Education for the state of Missouri, Arthur is always willing to share. The idea for Parents As Teacher (PAT) was Arthur's and PAT is now in every state and several foreign nations. Arthur calls PAT Missouri's best export. We continue to work on our kindergarten program and visualize what an impact it can make on our nation. Part of the problem in establishing the kindergarten program is a great problem in education. The average tenure of superintendents of schools is three years. This is one reason schools do not implement visionary programs. All of us know that 13 years is a drop in the bucket in the sequence of time. In those few years, we could change schools dramatically and reinvent our cities. Arthur used that thought saying this program could "Reinvent the City of St. Louis." During my last visit to Springfield, he and I met and continued to brainstorm on how to get this program from a thought to reality. Meeting with Arthur is always a blessing.
I am ready for Sue to come home. She has been incredibly busy with her chosen career. The good thing about her schedule is that she is doing something she loves to do. All too few of us can claim we are doing something we love to do. We might like it, but we do not have the passion about what we are doing compared to Sue's passion for writing Christian songs.
Some of us from my high school graduation class are endeavoring to put together a reunion for at least three classes. This would bring together several folks we have not seen since graduating in a previous century. In all my years at Greenwood (starting in kindergarten through high school graduation), there were only two guys that i did not like. Sadly, I still do not like them because they were bullies. I wonder if I am the only person who had that kind of experience during school years.
I have been so negligent to writing a blog. I am going to do better. Even a few lines is better than what i have been doing.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
SPECIAL TIMES
The last two weeks have been very special. First, Sue and I flew to Dallas to attend the high school graduation of our oldest granddaughter, Lauren Lucas. Lauren is the daughter of our oldest daughter, Jamie and her husband Kendall. We were met at the airport by son Rick, who lives in Dallas. This was on Thursday and after arriving in Dallas, I spent a few hour riding with Rick for some errands he was facing. Friday evening was the big event and Sue, Rick and I ventured to Denton, TX and the home of the Lucas family. There awaiting us were Kendall's mother and step-father. Kendall's father passed away a number of years ago and she married a fine Christian man some time following the death of John Lucas. Later, daughter Holly, son-in-law Guy and their children arrived. It is usually a whirlwind when Holly, Guy, Jacob, Houston, and Violet arrive on the scene. This time was no exception. Always fun to have at least part of the family together. The graduation was held on the campus of North Texas University, where Lauren will attend college next year.
On Saturday, we had a reception for Lauren at the home of Rick and Cindy in Dallas. This time, all of our family was there as Cindy, Rick's wife and their daughter Hudson joined us. This was a great time of fellowship, watching the children play on the trampoline, drive Hudson's little car behind the garage, play ping-pong, play basketball before eating the terrific dinner.
In the evening, we went to the Texas Theater to view Hudson's dance recital. It was terrific. By the way, the Texas Theater was where the authorities found Lee Harvey Oswald following the assassination of President John Kennedy.
Sunday, Sue and I drove back to Denton for the worship services of the Denton Bible Church. Kendall is worship leader there and Tommy Nelson is their great pastor. He is always more than terrific when preaching or leading a Bible Study.
Monday, it was back to St. Louis and facing a busy week. Tuesday evening, my friends Dan Bench, who is the CEO of Windermere Conference Center at the Lake of the Ozarks, and Arthur Mallory, my friend who knows more about education than anyone I know, were to meet at the Stan Musial statue that stands in front of Busch Stadium. We were late because of a truck burning on I-70 and traffic was backed up almost to St. Louis International Airport. We finally arrived and went to the Media entrance where we were to meet up with Lou and Jackie Brock. They were late because of the truck burning. While we waited, we met John Mozailak, the General Mananger of the Cardinals, John Utlett, the PA announcer and finally went into a dining room to eat and wait for Lou and Jackie. Upon their arrival, they suggested that we go into the ballpark and find our seats. WHAT SEATS THEY WERE!!!! Second row next to the Cardinals' dugout. Sue could almost hold hands with Cardinals manager, Tony LaRussa. In the stadium, we met the Cardinals' owners and I met Jack Clark, a former slugger for the Cardinals when Whitey Herzog was the manager. After the game, we met former Cardinals' pitchers Cal Eldred and Alan Benes. Tony LaRussa came through where we were and that was a bit exciting. Sue wanted Lou to sign a ball for a friend of Holly's,but left the ball in our car. Jackie suggested that we come by after the game and have Lou autograph the ball. It was there that the evening concluded with Jackie, who is a great prayer warrior, led us in prayer.
By the way, we are praying about Lou Brock having a baseball camp with some good Christian stuff at Windermere.
I'm tired after writing all of this.
BLESSINGS on you who read this and those who don't.
On Saturday, we had a reception for Lauren at the home of Rick and Cindy in Dallas. This time, all of our family was there as Cindy, Rick's wife and their daughter Hudson joined us. This was a great time of fellowship, watching the children play on the trampoline, drive Hudson's little car behind the garage, play ping-pong, play basketball before eating the terrific dinner.
In the evening, we went to the Texas Theater to view Hudson's dance recital. It was terrific. By the way, the Texas Theater was where the authorities found Lee Harvey Oswald following the assassination of President John Kennedy.
Sunday, Sue and I drove back to Denton for the worship services of the Denton Bible Church. Kendall is worship leader there and Tommy Nelson is their great pastor. He is always more than terrific when preaching or leading a Bible Study.
Monday, it was back to St. Louis and facing a busy week. Tuesday evening, my friends Dan Bench, who is the CEO of Windermere Conference Center at the Lake of the Ozarks, and Arthur Mallory, my friend who knows more about education than anyone I know, were to meet at the Stan Musial statue that stands in front of Busch Stadium. We were late because of a truck burning on I-70 and traffic was backed up almost to St. Louis International Airport. We finally arrived and went to the Media entrance where we were to meet up with Lou and Jackie Brock. They were late because of the truck burning. While we waited, we met John Mozailak, the General Mananger of the Cardinals, John Utlett, the PA announcer and finally went into a dining room to eat and wait for Lou and Jackie. Upon their arrival, they suggested that we go into the ballpark and find our seats. WHAT SEATS THEY WERE!!!! Second row next to the Cardinals' dugout. Sue could almost hold hands with Cardinals manager, Tony LaRussa. In the stadium, we met the Cardinals' owners and I met Jack Clark, a former slugger for the Cardinals when Whitey Herzog was the manager. After the game, we met former Cardinals' pitchers Cal Eldred and Alan Benes. Tony LaRussa came through where we were and that was a bit exciting. Sue wanted Lou to sign a ball for a friend of Holly's,but left the ball in our car. Jackie suggested that we come by after the game and have Lou autograph the ball. It was there that the evening concluded with Jackie, who is a great prayer warrior, led us in prayer.
By the way, we are praying about Lou Brock having a baseball camp with some good Christian stuff at Windermere.
I'm tired after writing all of this.
BLESSINGS on you who read this and those who don't.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
THE GOLD STANDARD
I have a number of books in my library on the subject of leadership. I have been an avid sports fan since my late days in elementary school. In high school, I played basketball, football, tennis, and track. In those endeavors, we were fairly successful; however, if I had the knowledge contained in Coach Mike Krzyzewsi's new book entitled "The Gold Standard," I would have been a much better player and a much better leader in the days that followed.
"The Gold Standard" is a book about organizing, selecting personnel, building relationships, setting standards rather than rules and building a championship organization. The methods utilized by Coach K, Jerry Colangelo, and the incredible staff brought American basketball back to the status of Olympic Champions in 2008. Reflecting on the past and building on the good things of that reflection also discovering the things that previously led to less than the expected, brought the gold medal back to the United States.
In reading this book, I have found the best writings of leadership on the market today. Developing outstanding relationships, communication from coaches to players and players to coaches, transforming individual egos into a team ego, establishing a plan on the court that includes ideas from players as well as coaches, are strategies every coach of every team and every leader of every corporation should incorporate. "Imagine how much better your team can become if you can engage the mind and spirit of each individual and, even more, imagine the level your team can achieve if you share the same mind and spirit." Coach K uttered that and how true it is.
Coach K is a great coach of Duke basketball. He was a great coach of the 2008 USA basketball team. Reading this book will give you insight how to build a great team or a great organization. I greatly value its contents, especially when his players messed up his hair as the gold was secured.
"The Gold Standard" is a book about organizing, selecting personnel, building relationships, setting standards rather than rules and building a championship organization. The methods utilized by Coach K, Jerry Colangelo, and the incredible staff brought American basketball back to the status of Olympic Champions in 2008. Reflecting on the past and building on the good things of that reflection also discovering the things that previously led to less than the expected, brought the gold medal back to the United States.
In reading this book, I have found the best writings of leadership on the market today. Developing outstanding relationships, communication from coaches to players and players to coaches, transforming individual egos into a team ego, establishing a plan on the court that includes ideas from players as well as coaches, are strategies every coach of every team and every leader of every corporation should incorporate. "Imagine how much better your team can become if you can engage the mind and spirit of each individual and, even more, imagine the level your team can achieve if you share the same mind and spirit." Coach K uttered that and how true it is.
Coach K is a great coach of Duke basketball. He was a great coach of the 2008 USA basketball team. Reading this book will give you insight how to build a great team or a great organization. I greatly value its contents, especially when his players messed up his hair as the gold was secured.
Monday, March 16, 2009
NO WONDER THERE ARE SO MANY DIVISIONS
Segregation is a BAD thing. The history of the United States proves that over and over. Sadly, I remember that when I was growing up, the only theater in Springfield, MO that would admit African-Americans was the Landers Theater. There was a catch to that as those American citizens had to sit in the second balcony rather than any place in the theater. Blacks attended high school at Lincoln High instead of Springfield Senior High. It took a lot of black and white people to make things so much better. As a baseball fan, I have learned about the Negro Leagues and there is a museum celebrating the history of those times. Buck O'Neil began this piece of history. It shows how bad segregation was. Even after the color line was broken by Jackie Robinson, for several years the black players had to stay in facilities different from the white players. I had the happy privilege of meeting Buck at Lou Brock's home several years ago.
Do you believe segregation is over? Certainly not. One of the places where it is most evident is the Congress of the United States of America. Is it any wonder that Democrats and Republicans dislike each other and have so much trouble doing good things for our people? Think about it. There is an aisle. On one side of the aisle are Democrats and the other side of the aisle are Republicans. Would it not be a good thing if members of Congress did away with this stupid way of trying to do business? Why not have the Congress set up so that a Republican sits next to a Democrat so that friendships may develop and do away with the idea that only good ideas come from one side. Athletic events are often won because of teamwork. It just might be that teamwork will fix the United States of America.
A sideline for you. In two meetings last week, I asked those in attendance who was Branch Rickey. Can you believe that not one person knew. Of course, he was the man that broke the color line in major league baseball by signing Jackie Robinson.
On a personal note, a very special man who was my pastor at First Baptist in Springifeld recently went on to meet our Lord. Dr. Thomas S. Field was a great preacher, man, husband, father, grandfather and friend. I cherish his memory.
Do you believe segregation is over? Certainly not. One of the places where it is most evident is the Congress of the United States of America. Is it any wonder that Democrats and Republicans dislike each other and have so much trouble doing good things for our people? Think about it. There is an aisle. On one side of the aisle are Democrats and the other side of the aisle are Republicans. Would it not be a good thing if members of Congress did away with this stupid way of trying to do business? Why not have the Congress set up so that a Republican sits next to a Democrat so that friendships may develop and do away with the idea that only good ideas come from one side. Athletic events are often won because of teamwork. It just might be that teamwork will fix the United States of America.
A sideline for you. In two meetings last week, I asked those in attendance who was Branch Rickey. Can you believe that not one person knew. Of course, he was the man that broke the color line in major league baseball by signing Jackie Robinson.
On a personal note, a very special man who was my pastor at First Baptist in Springifeld recently went on to meet our Lord. Dr. Thomas S. Field was a great preacher, man, husband, father, grandfather and friend. I cherish his memory.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
LISTENING TO JIM ROHN
Several years ago, I became acquainted with a man by the name of Jim Rohn. I didn't meet him personally, but I bought a lot of his materials and became very impressed with what he said on DVD and in his writings. Today, I want to share a part of his book entitled "7 Strategies for Wealth & Happiness." I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
"The tide comes in, and then what? That's right. . . it goes out. It's been that way for at least six thousand years of recorded history. It gets light and then what? It turns dark. . . That's the way it's been for at least six thousand years.
If, when the sun goes down, a man says, 'What happened, what happened?' We would surely know that he just got here, right?
The next season after fall is . . . right again. And pray tell, how often does winter follow fall? Every time without fail for at least six thousand years. True, some winters are long and some are short; some are difficult and some are easy. But no matter what, they always come after fall. It isn't going to change.
Sometimes you can figure it out, sometimes it's a puzzle. Sometimes it goes well, sometimes it is a disaster. Sometimes it sails along, sometimes it gets all tied up in knots. You see, it's not going to change. After six thousand years of recorded history, life is a mixture of opportunity and difficulty. That's the way it is.
Whenever I speak, whether I address business executives or high school kids, my message is always the same: " The only way it gets better for you is when you get better. BETTER IS NOT SOMETHING YOU WISH; IT'S SOMETHING YOU BECOME."
What a message for all of us today.
"The tide comes in, and then what? That's right. . . it goes out. It's been that way for at least six thousand years of recorded history. It gets light and then what? It turns dark. . . That's the way it's been for at least six thousand years.
If, when the sun goes down, a man says, 'What happened, what happened?' We would surely know that he just got here, right?
The next season after fall is . . . right again. And pray tell, how often does winter follow fall? Every time without fail for at least six thousand years. True, some winters are long and some are short; some are difficult and some are easy. But no matter what, they always come after fall. It isn't going to change.
Sometimes you can figure it out, sometimes it's a puzzle. Sometimes it goes well, sometimes it is a disaster. Sometimes it sails along, sometimes it gets all tied up in knots. You see, it's not going to change. After six thousand years of recorded history, life is a mixture of opportunity and difficulty. That's the way it is.
Whenever I speak, whether I address business executives or high school kids, my message is always the same: " The only way it gets better for you is when you get better. BETTER IS NOT SOMETHING YOU WISH; IT'S SOMETHING YOU BECOME."
What a message for all of us today.
Monday, February 23, 2009
INTERESTING SALARIES AND SO-CALLED LEADERSHIP
The current economic difficulties going on in America are very interesting not only because of poor policies by banks and other financial institutions, but because of poor leadership and high salaries. In the St. Louis area, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, nonbank lenders - investment firms, insurance companies and the like have sharply slowed their lending in St. Louis, bankers say, so borrowers are returning to banks. Nationwide banks restrict lending as their capital levels shrink. Bankers are seeing an influx of deposits as investors pull money out of the sickly stock and bond markets.
In the old days in major league baseball, if players had a good season, they usually received a pay raise. If they had a bad year, they would have to take a pay cut, often a large one. The Bank of America is about to go under. Interesting that their president was paid more than $20 million in 2007. Paid $20 million in one year and has led his bank to the steps of having to be purchased by someone because of poor management. The is unbelievable! But if that is happening at Bank of America, you know it is happening in financial institution all across our country.
Like everyone else in the United States, I don't know if our new president's bailout will work. I pray for him everyday as I do other leaders. Hopefully it will. But it will not work with the amount of greed that surrounds the financial world in America.
Education is another area where the salaries for administrators is out of proportion to what is paid to professors in college and teachers in elementary and secondary education. Ohio State University is being lead by E. Gordon Gee. Because he runs the largest campus in the US with more that 50,000 students and a budget of $4 billion, he thinks colleges should get more funding. Funding for what? To raise his salary? Ohio State wrote checks in the amount of $1.3 last year to Dr. Gee. What do college presidents do? The salaries for coaches in colleges is out-of-sight. Greed and more greed.
A friend of mine who used to be a college president and is a great educator when asked what a college president does by a prospective president said this: "Get out on the campus. Meet students and faculty and pick up the trash." That would be a good idea for Dr. Gee.
No matter how you slice this, the financial problems come from greed. The folks who work in financial institutions had to learn this somewhere. Was it in the universities where Dr. Gee wants more money?
In the old days in major league baseball, if players had a good season, they usually received a pay raise. If they had a bad year, they would have to take a pay cut, often a large one. The Bank of America is about to go under. Interesting that their president was paid more than $20 million in 2007. Paid $20 million in one year and has led his bank to the steps of having to be purchased by someone because of poor management. The is unbelievable! But if that is happening at Bank of America, you know it is happening in financial institution all across our country.
Like everyone else in the United States, I don't know if our new president's bailout will work. I pray for him everyday as I do other leaders. Hopefully it will. But it will not work with the amount of greed that surrounds the financial world in America.
Education is another area where the salaries for administrators is out of proportion to what is paid to professors in college and teachers in elementary and secondary education. Ohio State University is being lead by E. Gordon Gee. Because he runs the largest campus in the US with more that 50,000 students and a budget of $4 billion, he thinks colleges should get more funding. Funding for what? To raise his salary? Ohio State wrote checks in the amount of $1.3 last year to Dr. Gee. What do college presidents do? The salaries for coaches in colleges is out-of-sight. Greed and more greed.
A friend of mine who used to be a college president and is a great educator when asked what a college president does by a prospective president said this: "Get out on the campus. Meet students and faculty and pick up the trash." That would be a good idea for Dr. Gee.
No matter how you slice this, the financial problems come from greed. The folks who work in financial institutions had to learn this somewhere. Was it in the universities where Dr. Gee wants more money?
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
JESUS, A REAL LEADER, MADE IT SIMPLE
Yesterday, I was watching James and Betty Robison on their program "Life Today." James used to be an evangelist who traveled the United States and foreign countries preaching the Gospel of Jesus. It appears that he was pretty successful in those endeavors; however, today he is taking a far different approach of sharing that message. The Robisons work together on their program endeavoring to help the poor in foreign countries by drilling for water. They even have Beth Moore teaching each Wednesday. Sue and I are big fans of Beth, who is a very special teacher.
The Robisons had Governor Mike Huckabee as their guest yesterday. He is such a breath of fresh air in today's economic and political environment. Sue and I had the privilege of meeting the governor at a Vitae program last January. We felt he was the real deal then and he just underscored those feelings yesterday. He reiterated some thoughts from his book entitled "Do the Right Thing." What a novel idea that is for an American politician. What a novel idea for presidents and officers of banks in America. What a novel idea for journalists in America. What a novel idea for administrators and professors in the universities of America. What a novel idea for teachers in elementary and secondary schools in America.
The governor went on to discuss something that most religions make as an integral part of their teachings: "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." Jesus, of course, taught that. Gov. Huckabee suggested that if all of us would do that simple thing, there would be no need for all the laws on the book of the United States and other countries. Think about it! If we did that simple thing, I would not have to lock the doors to our house, carry the keys to my car in my pocket, lock the bank vaults at night, have no military or police. What a difference that would make for the world.
Harrison Ford appeared in movie entitled "Clear and Present Danger." In this movie, Ford was endeavoring to do the right thing and one of the men in the movie who was corrupt said to Ford: "Gray, Jack. The world is gray." There in is our problem. No right or wrong in America, just gray.
Jesus, the Robisons, Beth Moore, and Mike Huckabee understand how to solve our problems. It would be a novel idea for our politicians to learn a few simple truths.
The Robisons had Governor Mike Huckabee as their guest yesterday. He is such a breath of fresh air in today's economic and political environment. Sue and I had the privilege of meeting the governor at a Vitae program last January. We felt he was the real deal then and he just underscored those feelings yesterday. He reiterated some thoughts from his book entitled "Do the Right Thing." What a novel idea that is for an American politician. What a novel idea for presidents and officers of banks in America. What a novel idea for journalists in America. What a novel idea for administrators and professors in the universities of America. What a novel idea for teachers in elementary and secondary schools in America.
The governor went on to discuss something that most religions make as an integral part of their teachings: "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." Jesus, of course, taught that. Gov. Huckabee suggested that if all of us would do that simple thing, there would be no need for all the laws on the book of the United States and other countries. Think about it! If we did that simple thing, I would not have to lock the doors to our house, carry the keys to my car in my pocket, lock the bank vaults at night, have no military or police. What a difference that would make for the world.
Harrison Ford appeared in movie entitled "Clear and Present Danger." In this movie, Ford was endeavoring to do the right thing and one of the men in the movie who was corrupt said to Ford: "Gray, Jack. The world is gray." There in is our problem. No right or wrong in America, just gray.
Jesus, the Robisons, Beth Moore, and Mike Huckabee understand how to solve our problems. It would be a novel idea for our politicians to learn a few simple truths.
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