Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Feb 6, 2012, 2:33 pm
People have different criteria for defining what makes a book good. One of the the things that helps me to identify a good book is when it shakes the foundations on which I stand. Lee Camp does just that in his latest book Who Is My Enemy?: Questions American Christians Must Face about Islam--and T...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Feb 1, 2012, 6:13 pm
A successful mobile application typically has three components that are done well. Successful apps are social, local, mobile. That is not to say without those components the app will fail. Ministry would do well to include the same three components. Read More @ www.FindingForrest....
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Jan 26, 2012, 5:38 pm
Playing for second chair is as good as playing for first chair when you're not interested in playing a solo from time to time.  Playing from third chair is no less important than playing from second chair. When everyone is playing the same notes, it is important for every chair to...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Jan 24, 2012, 10:09 am
Sun Tzu says in The Art of War, "there is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare." Next, Sun Tzu says, "it is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on." If victory is already ...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Oct 31, 2011, 2:14 pm
How does the Google Map car get this close to the Field of Dreams Movie site and not get a street view? Seriously? Click picture to enlarge Read More @ www.FindingForrest.com
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Oct 26, 2011, 9:16 am
I like how the military stops to salute higher ranks.  Whether you like the person or not, the respect does more than just recognize those who walk in the room.  It also reminds you of what you aspire to be. For the same reason we should practice this outside the military. It is an art our g...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Oct 25, 2011, 4:21 pm
This is innovation at it's best. Tony Fadell, one of the designers of the Apple iPod, has created a new design for thermostats. This makes your thermostat look awesome and work awesome. Only the best I can tell it doesn't completely solve the home decor problem that is often unintentionally ...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Oct 13, 2011, 9:25 am
"Almost everything--all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure--these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to los...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Oct 8, 2011, 9:10 pm
After a long few weeks, my family took a long walk through the neighborhood where we talked about "things." The time spent walking was exactly what we needed. We felt refreshed. We got a lot off our chest. We became closer. "Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him." (Genesis 5:24 ES...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Oct 7, 2011, 8:50 am
Bill Hybels asks leaders a challenging question. "When was the last time you had your leadership bell rung?" Perhaps things aren't running as smoothly as you like and maybe you would like to ring someone else's bell.  Before you do, are you doing what it takes to get unstuck yourself?  Are y...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Sep 27, 2011, 9:21 am
Pinned to my wall at work are the following three statements that I picked up from How Lucky You Can Be: The Story of Coach Don Meyerand The Carolina Way: Leadership Lessons from a Life in Coaching. "Be alert. Stay calm. Don't be afraid." "Do the next right thing." "Play hard. Play togeth...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Sep 19, 2011, 11:38 am
"Dress for success." I get the point, but the phrase comes with assumptions. For example, the assumption might be to wear a suit. Yesterday, I heard someone say we choose the roles we play in life and we should dress the part. I like this better. If the role you want to play is a success...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Sep 16, 2011, 5:06 pm
I recently had the pleasure of meeting with David and Nancy French, authors of Home and Away: A Story of Family in a Time of War.  More than the fact that they are both very accomplished people, their story is a remarkable one. As a lawyer, David was inspired to join the Army Reserves a...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Sep 9, 2011, 12:17 pm
There's a new Dave Ramsey book coming out in a few weeks called EntreLeadership: 20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom from the Trenches.  As member of Dave's team, I have had the experience of going through the Entreleadership Series a few times and it's fabulous stuff.  Especially, for som...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Sep 8, 2011, 1:47 pm
... or in the evening when the sun isn't up. Don't they know they're suppose to go against the traffic instead of with the traffic? This leads me to questions. In what areas of my life should I be running against the flow of traffic? After all, it might just save my life. Read More @...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Sep 7, 2011, 4:57 pm
When is the last time you gave a name to each problem you face? Even if you listed out all of the problems do you think you can be honest enough to name the real problem? For example, if I spend to much money and go over my budget you might say I have a money problem because I don't have enou...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Aug 30, 2011, 5:42 pm
What do you have right now that's rotting?  Why are you keeping it?  Why not give it away before it rots?  Are you really going to use it? Oh, you might sell it someday? Be honest, do you really think you'll get what it's worth? What if you found more worth in it by giving it to someo...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Aug 25, 2011, 4:51 pm
Dr. Henry Cloud, a clinical psychologist and best-selling author, described three categories of people.  Each of us have some element of each of these categories within our own personality but one of the categories tend to reveal itself most in each of us as we live and interact with others. Wise -...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Aug 18, 2011, 2:54 pm
Cory Booker, the Mayor of Newark NJ, has influenced a lot of positive change for his city. The city has been notorious for high crime rates and a decrepit inner-city.  As a Rhodes Scholar, Corey moved into the inner-city and lived among those who needed help most. One of his first experiences...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Aug 16, 2011, 11:00 am
Mama Maggie, founder of Steven's Children in Cairo shared the following about spending time in silence and the process by which it becomes beneficial. Silence your body to listen to your words. Silence your tongue to listen to your thoughts. Silence your thoughts to listen to your heart. Silence you...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Aug 15, 2011, 2:15 pm
John Dickson, Director for the Centre for Public Christianity and senior minister for the St. Andrew's Anglican Church in Sydney Australia recently did a study on the topic of humility.  According to his teams research they concluded that the view of humility took a major turn during the first cent...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Aug 12, 2011, 8:54 am
In a world of inconsistencies, rituals are a discipline worth learning. Rituals are not flashy. They are not inspiring. They simply maintain a sense of familiarity that focus the mind on things of value. Rituals bring harmony to mind, heart, soul, and strength. Rituals reset. Rituals prevent the ...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Aug 11, 2011, 8:49 am
Life is not perfect. We live in a broken world that longs for redemption and renewal. We hope for a future that is full of perfection. Still, everyday, in all of the imperfections we struggle against, there are perfect moments. Moments when we say "all is right with the world." These moments happen...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Aug 8, 2011, 3:48 pm
I think I am going to like modern meetings as the new standard. Put this manifesto at the top of your reading list if you hate meetings. Al Pittimpalli is giving me hope for the future of meetings. I like this better than Patrick Lencioni's fable, Death by Meeting. It's much more practical a...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Aug 5, 2011, 8:58 am
There's an article I read last year from the Scientific Mind, that discusses the advantages to dwelling on the past.  Basically, the article says that by looking at things from our past and appreciating the nostalgia we often reconnect to things that triggered positive emotions and confidence.  In...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Jul 20, 2011, 2:11 pm
Last night we turned on the television and The Andy Griffith Show was on. We watched the episode and as it was going off and the whistling theme music was playing, it took my mind back to my childhood home. The Andy Griffith Show was syndicated everyday at 5:30 and my mom had a small black and white...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Jul 11, 2011, 3:38 pm
I am working on a few ideas for iPhone apps.  Although there are some good apps and software out there for initial prototyping I find some key pieces of hardware useful. I use a small pocket spiral notebook by Mead and a box of 8 erasable color pencils from Crayola to do my first wire frames....
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Jun 27, 2011, 11:06 am
ScrThe subject of the inspiration of Scripture is a tricky one when discussing it with others. The conversation can quickly go in a lot of different directions and emotions can quickly get the best of you. The reason may be that scripture is seen as the most significant way that God communicates to...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Jun 21, 2011, 10:21 am
I've been taking my time finishing up Tim Sander's Today We Are Rich: Harnessing the Power of Total Confidence, but finished up this weekend. First, let me say that I have enjoyed everything that Sander's has written. His material is always full of good stories that are applicable to a simple point ...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Jun 14, 2011, 5:21 pm
I have noticed a quality in my son that is also true of me.  I noticed this trait recently at the pool. My son is 5 and has recently learned to swim, but jumping off a high diving board was intimidating at first. He had seen others do it and knew it could be done. But his confidence was chall...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Jun 6, 2011, 11:33 am
This past weekend I was honored by being asked to officiate a wedding for some dear family members. As I have spent the last several months thinking about what I would say during the service, the thought that kept coming to the forefront of my mind was one of theological significance. Marriage is a...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Jun 1, 2011, 12:49 pm
Straight from Tim Sanders book, Today We Are Rich: Harnessing the Power of Total Confidence, I'm taking his suggestion of keeping a journal of all the information I consume during the day as if it were an exercise and nutrition log.  In an effort to be more positive, I'm looking back at some of the...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - May 25, 2011, 5:10 am
I just don't get the fad of men's shoes with the long toes. Why do men want their feet to look bigger? It's only one step away from looking like clown shoes. I realize women have been wearing the same style too, but I don't really like the look on them either. Maybe I'm not stylish, but I'm p...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - May 24, 2011, 5:23 pm
When your donkeys go missing, you should go look for them, right?  That's what Saul was instructed to do in 1 Samuel 9:1-3 by his father.  As it turns out, Saul found more than a few lost donkeys on his trip. In fact, he surprisingly found himself anointed as the King of Israel. We all lose ...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - May 20, 2011, 3:21 pm
According to a guy named Harold Camping the world is going to end tomorrow.  I suppose it could happen, but right now I am scoffing just like those who stood outside of Noah's Ark.  Last night I was mowing the grass and wondered if I should have just waited until Sunday, just in case. Noneth...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - May 4, 2011, 12:56 pm
My wife and I took a short "Mother's Day" trip to Chicago over a long weekend.  It was our first trip there.  Some of what we did... Navy Pier River Boat Architecture Tour Shopping on the "Magnificent Mile" Grant Park Some of where we ate... Rock Bottom Brewery Pizzeria U...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Apr 30, 2011, 8:04 pm
I finished the half Marathon for the third time. This year my time was 02:39:08. My training consisted of basketball two days a week and a stationary bike 2 days a week for 20 minutes. I had planned to walk with fellow team members from work in 03:30:00 but that fell through. So, I picked up the p...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Apr 21, 2011, 9:28 am
I came across the following video ad yesterday. Simple words can change lives. Read More @ www.FindingForrest.com
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Apr 20, 2011, 9:27 am
The pursuit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil is one that keeps haunting me. My desire to distinguish between what is good and what is evil consumes my life. The point of life then becomes to find perfection in being good. If "God alone is good," then my purpose is futile and I understand mo...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Apr 13, 2011, 8:49 am
I love this segment on Albert Pujoles. What a player and person... Read More @ www.FindingForrest.com
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Apr 12, 2011, 7:03 am
While reading books on the Kindle or iPad, I didn't realize how much the cover of a book mattered to me. A good cover to a good book serves a unique purpose. A cover keeps drawing me back in the next time I walk by where I laid the book down last. It entices me to step back into the pages inst...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Apr 11, 2011, 3:56 pm
I finally got around to reading Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make Competition Irrelevant by Kim & Mauborgne. Although you can easily pick up on the premise of the book, it was full of valuable information in helping you develop and fine tune a strategy for distingu...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Apr 7, 2011, 9:49 am
Team member and neighbor Jon Acuff, is putting out a new book to help you chase your dream job...responsibly. It's called Quitter. I'll let him tell you about it. Jon is also the author of Stuff Christians Like. Read More @ www.FindingForrest.com
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Mar 30, 2011, 9:07 am
A good friend of mine is with the rest of his family right now at his grandfather's funeral, and even though it's a sad occasion, I can tell it's a good thing for the family to be together by some of his comments. I remember the times when the grandparents of our family passed away and how eac...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Mar 28, 2011, 5:17 pm
Whenever someone says "real quick" it's usually a lie. You know, "real quick, I want to tell you something," or "real quick, it will only take a second...blah, blah, blah." If some one says "quick" it's usually true and is an alert. "Quick[ly], it's raining," or "Quick[ly], don't let the kids ...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Mar 22, 2011, 5:19 pm
I wonder if we make it harder than it really is to discover what our purpose is as humans. Ask anyone and you'll get a different answer. Why might we make it harder than it really is? Look at nature. What aspects of nature do you think wonders about its purpose? Doesn't it all understand what ...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Mar 11, 2011, 8:26 am
My wife and I had a kid-free night earlier this week, so we stopped by the library and enjoyed the time to browse books outside of the children's selections.  I stumbled across The Carolina Way: Leadership Lessons from a Life in Coaching, by Dean Smith, Gerald D. Bell, and John Kilgo. Even th...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Mar 10, 2011, 9:12 am
Frederick Bales, a Harvard psychologist, suggests that there are four phases that teams go through emotionally on a given project. Gerald D. Bell, along with John Kilgo, refers to them as "the four natural phase movements of the life of a group.*" As a leader, identifying and recognizing these...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Mar 8, 2011, 7:59 am
Basketball coaches teach players to develop a ritual at the free throw line. Whether it is three bounces and a shot, or take a deep breath spin the ball and take a shot, players learn to focus on the ritual of taking the shot. This keeps players from allowing the pressure of the game to get them dis...
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Ben F. posted an article on Finding Forrest - Mar 7, 2011, 9:11 pm
As Dean Smith, College Basketball Hall-of-Fame coach from the Univeristy of North Carolina, was working with Gerald D. Bell and John Kilgo on the book The Carolina Way: Leadership Lessons from a Life in Coaching, he was asked to interview some of his former players in regards to his leadership. Beca...
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