Author: Brandon Baumgarten

The Ultimate Christmas Gift.

They say that the greatest leader isn’t the one who has the Most abilities, but the one who has the most Availability to Serve Others. When looking at our world, it’s easy to conclude that we focus on the abilities. We focus on who can break Michael Jordan’s shooting record the fastest? Who will be the next winner of The Voice? Who will win the Inaugural College Football Playoff? Who will win the 2016 Presidential Election?

Case in point, our society is consumed with abilities and although it’s great to possess them, a question we should be asking is what will we do with them? Abilities say, “this is what I can do.” Availability says, “this is what I am Willing to do.” It’s so easy to have the ability to do something, but it’s whole other matter entirely to be available to do it. I can’t think of a better example of this then when the Christmas Story was Born.

Joseph and Mary were entering the city of Bethlehem on a very late night. Mary was expecting a child and they knew the baby would be born that evening. As they entered the city, they looked all over town trying to find a place to stay. The Bible tells us they couldn’t find any room in the inn. They ended up putting the baby in a manger, because there was no room anywhere else. My mind immediately goes to the innkeeper who could’ve been part of the greatest story ever told. While he had the resources, and the ability to help, he did not understand what could have been, otherwise he would’ve made room for the greatest birth in all of history. Instead, he ended up missing an opportunity, an opportunity that was literally knocking on his door. All it took for him to make a difference in this story was for him to be available.

You see, I don’t want to be like the innkeeper. I don’t want to miss an opportunity to change a life. I don’t want to miss a chance to make a difference all because I was so occupied with my own endeavors. I don’t want to miss the drawing of leadership, because too many times we do. I don’t want to be staring at the ceiling, when Hope is knocking at my door. This Christmas, I want to be like the band, Aerosmith, because “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”. There is a Vacancy in all of our Hearts. You and I may not have the greatest abilities in the world, but we can have a heart that’s willing, we can have a mind that’s open, and we can have hands that are available to do the things we are meant to do. This Christmas I challenge you to be open to others, be there for one another, & be a shoulder someone can cry on. Because the question isn’t whether you can do something, but rather, are you willing to do something?

They say that the People who Gain the Most From Black Friday are the people who sit back and watch the other shoppers. If you ever want to see some funny stuff, sit back and watch the customers shopping at Wal-Mart on Black Friday. To say the least, “It’s a Hoot!’ One minute it looks like shoppers are doing their own reenactment of the Running of the Bulls event as they race to get into the store and then the next minute it looks like shoppers are trying to play football through the shopping aisles, where the product item is the football, the other shoppers are the blockers, and the checkout line is the end zone. People both young and old are involved in Black Friday and some shop at much different speeds than others. But the philosophy that many shoppers seem to keep in mind, reminds me of a line from the movie “The Lion King”, where Nala said to Simba “You Gotta Mufasa!” 🙂 To put it simply, Black Friday is a Crazy Day.

Now when I went to shop on Black Friday, it was around 2:30 in the afternoon, at that point I had missed most of the chaos, so I thought. However, Wal-Mart was just as packed and flooded with people as it was at the crack of dawn. I couldn’t help but stand in shock as I saw items fly off the wall left and right. I felt horrible for the boy who was stocking the aisles, because he sure had his work cut out. Needless to say, people were completely caught up in the moment, doing everything they could to get a great deal.

In the midst of the craziness of the crowds, something caught my attention. As everyone was busy getting their items, I noticed that there was an elderly lady walking through the aisles and asking different ones, “How May I Help You?”. She was a Wal-Mart employee, where she served as the part-time Greeter and was a 30 year veteran of the store, but on this day she was taking her job to a whole new level. My heart was touched as I watched this elderly woman reach out to others and show genuine concern for every customer she met. Her passion for her job was evident and she absolutely enjoyed what she did and she did not miss a single beat. She was a True Light in the Midst of Black Friday.

Her question of “How May I Help You?” is what stuck with me the most. Back in the day, before Wal-Mart transitioned to the Super-Center style it is today, the employees use to wear blue vests that would say on the back in bright bold lettering: “How May I Help You?” This vest signified that they were there to help you find what you needed.

You see, this is 1 of 3 questions that everyone needs to be asking others, “How May I Help You? “How May I Serve You?” , and “How May I Get Involved?” It’s the Secret Question to being a Servant Leader. We were Created to be Helpful in a Helpless World. We were Made to Make a Difference. The scary thing is, you and I have the chance to help others in ways we may not even realize. By Healthy Decision-Making and Keeping Our Priorities in check, we can Help a World that Greatly Stands in Need of Help. Helping Our World Starts by Getting Involved and One main reason we have a lack of help is because we have a lack of involvement in our world. Here are some Lack of involvement statistics.

In 2014, Less Than 50% of Parents Participated in Parent-Teacher Conferences. These are great opportunities for Parents to Communicate with their child’s teacher and Help Advocate for their child’s future. We Can HELP our World Through Education. 🙂

According to the United States Election Projection Council, 36.4% of Eligible American Voters actually Voted in the 2014 Midterm Election. This was the lowest voter turnout since WWII. We live in the greatest nation in the world, because of the Freedoms We Have. Every Person has a Voice and a Right to Help Choose What Path Our Country Will Take. We Can HELP Our World Through Civics. 🙂

According to the Hartford Institute of Religion Research, 40% of Americans claim they attend Church Weekly, however, church numbers show that less than 20% of Americans actually attend services. As a preacher’s kid, I’ve pretty much grown up in the church, through that, I’ve learned that the church isn’t limited to a building, Church is Community. As Leaders we Have a Moral Responsibility to Reach Out to Others in Our Community and Help Better Others. We were not Meant to Hide Our Hope, We were Meant to Share it. We can HELP our World Through the Sharing of Our Hope. 🙂

And finally, here is a statistic on Involvement. According to the Syracuse Review, over 140.1 million people participated in Black Friday and Thanksgiving weekend sales in 2014.
This shows that It’s evident that we have the People to Get Involved and Help Our World, but it all boils down to a Matter of Choice. What is most important to us? Material things pass away, but Impact will forever remain. We can buy all the items in Wal-Mart, we can have all the latest apps on our iPhones, but at the end of the day, it still won’t make us happy.

The Need for Leaders to Rise Up has Never been More Prevalent than Today. Our World needs people who are willing to Stand Out from the Crowd and Stand Up to HELP the Future. In the midst of the crowd, this Wal-Mart Greeter Stood Out, because she Dared to do the Uncommon thing. Ask yourself, “What will Make Me Stand Out From the Crowd?” Our World is Craving for a Change that can only be Born from the Boldness of Servant Leaders. Its time to ask a Helpless World, “How May I Help You?” We must be People who will seek to take a stand in pursuit of the greater good. No matter how dark our world may get, we each can Shine Our Light on this Globe just like the Greeter at Wal-Mart. Are You Ready to HELP our World? Its starts by asking 3 simple questions, “How May I HELP You?” “How May I Serve You?” and “How May I Get Involved?” 🙂

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DEAR ISIS,

Growing Up I was taught that Faith is always Stronger than Fear. The Evil You are doing isn’t inspiring Faith, its inflicting Fear. But be aware, that You are messing with a Nation that was Founded not on Fear, but on Faith. This Faith: is A Uniquely Uncommon Faith that was held in the Heart of Pilgrims who journeyed to this land against all odds in pursuit of Religious Freedom. Freedom: An Indivisible Freedom to Worship a God who is still Alive, Vibrant, and Working in our all over our world today. There is a reason we have the Fundamental Motto on our National Currency to say, “In God We Trust.”

This week millions of people across the globe are calling upon you to stop your violence, however, you choose otherwise. Although, many have told me to not post this, I can’t help but boldly share the burden of heart to you. I know you have access to social media, and will more than likely see this post. Today, I’m calling you out not in the name of hate, not in the name of Islam, Allah, or any religion, no, today, I call you out in the name of Love. Not just any love, but the Love of God. Its an extraordinary Love. It’s a Love that you, I, and everyone else in the world needs more of. Its a love that knows no bounds and washes away our hate and fears. Its a Love that looks beyond all of our sins, mistakes, and sees us for what God has called us to be. You see ISIS, you and I have something in common, we both need Jesus in Our Hearts. I’ll never forget when He came into my life and gave me true purpose. My life was changed forever. And if He can change my Heart, He can change anybody.

Despite your horrendous actions, the truth is God didn’t call us to Behead people, but instead He calls us to be His BeLoved People. You may think that your tactics of fear may weaken our armies, starve our hearts, and quench our Faith, however, nothing could be farther from the truth, because we believe in the redemptive Hope of Jesus Christ, and that nothing, no ideology, no videos, no rants, no threats, nothing in this entire World can ever separate us from the Love that We have Through Christ Jesus, not even you. So when you think you have conquered us, be it known, that Fear doesn’t rule us, because Fear was Conquered On the Cross and With that, we know whose on our side, we know who goes before us, and we know that Faith is Greater than Fear. Over 2,000 years ago, The Greatest Love came down to Earth to Free Us from the Fear of Sin and Death, the question for you ISIS and all of us on planet Earth, is will you Accept this Great Love?

Sincerely,

A Heart Burdened American
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”-2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)

It was a Hot and Dusty afternoon in Summer of 2003 when my Step-Grandfather, a Veteran of the WWII, Korean, and Vietnam Wars was laid to rest in Oilton, OK. I can remember the scene of the funeral being a very unique and special ceremony. He had served as a Lt. Colonel in all 3 wars, and even witnessed Pearl Harbor happen right in front of his own eyes. At this funeral he was to be celebrated with many military honors. Honors that could never repay the debt of gratitude that we as country owe him and so many others around the world. I’ll never forget the silence that fell on the congregation during the 21 Gun Salute. I’ll never forget the tears that came from his wife’s eyes as the group of military men folded the American Flag that laid on his casket and presented it to her. I’ll never forget the bugler that came and played the traditional Taps as we said our final goodbyes. But one of things that stood out to me the most is when one of the relatives during the eulogy said that, “Our Beloved Oscar Hazlip, through everything, He Never Quit, Never Gave Up, Never Backed Down, and Never Surrendered.” It was those prolific words that caught my attention, because that basically summed up his life. He along with countless others chose to serve time and time again, Never Surrendering the Call to Serve, but Rising to the Occasion in order for us to Continue to be Free. They Fought for the Future of Freedom and that directly Impacts You and me. But what are we as a nation fighting for today?

This memory resurfaced to my mind today as I heard the the news that the 9th Circuit Court chose not to hear the case involving a school issue where students were told to turn their shirts inside out if they had an American Flag on them. The reasoning behind the school’s decision was that they thought the American Flag would be offensive to students, particularly since that day was Cinco De Mayo. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great thing to celebrate the different cultural histories that Americans have and it is a special attribute of our national identity. And although, the school claims to have a justifiable cause, that does not give us an excuse to hide our Grand Ole Flag. We can’t afford to Surrender our Flag, because it may deem to be offensive to some. The reason people begin to become more offended to our values, principles, heritage, and fundamentals, is because too many we times we Surrender our Standards to satisfy a few. What are We Fighting for? What do We Stand For?

Every decision we make has a direct impact on the generation ahead of us. If we don’t Stand for Anything, we’ll Fall to Everything. If there’s No Standard, then Be the Standard. We are Americans and the Spirit of this great country can never be tamed. Freedom has come at too high a price and deserves to be preserved and honored rather than suppressed by hiding it. We must never be ashamed of our American Flag, too many lives have died for the cause and so that you and I can Wave that Flag of Freedom proudly! I’m Proud to be an American because we have the Freedom to hold our Flag Up High and honor those who have made our rights possible. A nation that forgets what it stands for can become too easily persuaded to do wrong. We must choose what is right for the sake of our future. I believe just like my Step-Grandpa Hazlip and so many other Veterans across the globe, we should Never Quit, Never Give Up, Never Back Down and most importantly, Never Surrender. Why? Because we are Americans and I am so thankful that we still have things worth fighting for. God Bless You and God Bless America! 🙂

“The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose is the path of Surrender, or Submission.”-President John F. Kennedy

Abraham Lincoln, C.S. Lewis, Billy Graham, George Washington Carver, Henry Ford, Clara Barton, Michael Jordan, Eleanor Roosevelt, William Wilberforce, Zig Ziglar, Winston Churchill.

Notice these names. What do they have in common? Yes, they are all famous. Yes, they all have a special place in history. And yes, they are all Proper Nouns. 😉 But again, what do they have in common? Better yet, what makes them Uncommon?

When thinking about Notable Leaders in the past 2-300 years, many Americans conclude that these names are some that stand out from the herd. Their reputations and legacies have forever left a mark on our world leaving a significant impact in their own unique way. They couldn’t be labeled, contained, nor would they allow the world to Limit their Dreams and Talents. What all these names have in common is the choice they made to Live Uncommon. With this choice, they became a Step Above the Rest, they Broke the Ranks, never settling for less than being a Difference Maker. Some would even argue, that these people are so profoundly Uncommon that they deserve to be in a Class of their Own. But my question to you is, “What Class are you in?”

Now, some of you are probably yelling at your computer saying, “I’m in the 8th grade, 9th grade, 10th grade, 13th year of college, etc.” 😉 When we think of the word “class,” we immediately think about what level of education we’re at. Whenever I speak at Graduations or Baccalaureates, it’s always an honor to hear the words, “And now I present to you the Graduating Class of 2013, 2014, 2015, so on and so forth.” But just because we’re sitting in a Class, doesn’t mean we’ve left our mark. The question, “What Class Are You In?” isn’t a question regarding your grade, but a question that demands us to think about our Impact. If you were to examine your life right now, what do you think your Impact would be? Our mark is what we make it, and now more than ever, this world craves for a Positive Impact to be made. Class of What? What will you be known for when the day comes to exit the hallways of your school and university for the final time? What will you be known for when you come back to your Alma Mater years down the road? Our Class is more than just the number of a year, hidden within it is the legacy that could change your school, community, and others lives for the better. Leadership isn’t about how Quick you Rise, but how Long you Last. Don’t just occupy a seat in your class, get involved, let others know you Dream to Go Above the Norm. Class of What?

For many of us School is just starting, let this be the checkpoint to begin Living Life Uncommonly. Remember those names of notable leaders that I mentioned at the top? I believe that one day you too can be in a Class of your Own just as they are. If you want to be known as a Class of Character, than show Character. If you want to be Class that Starts Tradition, then Start the Tradition. If you want to be the Class that stops bullying, then be the Difference Maker and Reach Out to Others. Folks, it’s time to Break the Ranks, because a Desk doesn’t make a Difference, the people who sit in them do. Class of What? Our reputation is everything and is one of the most important things we carry as leaders. We can’t afford to let the world limit, contain, or reprimand our Impact just because its uncommon and out of the norm. Because if we don’t take time for Impact, then Impact will never have Time to Exist. We must choose without reservation what Legacy we hope to leave. People are always watching and you never know whose heart you might be touching. Today I challenge you and me, as we walk across our campuses and sit in our classrooms to Dare to be Different and to Choose our Class. Its time to Live Uncommon in a Common World. Because the world may forget the words that comes out of our mouths, but it will never forget the Footprints of our Heart. Class of What? 🙂

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