July 2011 - Margaret Feinberg

Archives For July 2011

A Royal Reminder of Caring for the Environment

Margaret — July 25, 2011 — 6 Comments

I recently had the opportunity to spend several days in London listening to top theologians, business leaders, and scientists gather to discuss creation care–our responsibility to be intentional about caring for our planet. We were even invited to tour Highgrove, one of the homes of Prince Charles where we visited his organic farm before meeting him for tea. Throughout our time together as a group, the presentations and images presented were compelling, but they weren’t new for anyone in there. Or anyone reading this post.

It’s no secret that there’s an increase in climate disruptions taking place around the planet. Whether tornadoes, tsunamis, floods, hurricanes, or extreme lightening storms (like the that hit Denver on July 12, 2011), there’s an unmistakable sense that climate disruptions are on the rise. The question is whether or not you and I can do something about it. That issue is still a hot debate in our nation–though other countries have long since moved from debate to action on the issue.

For me, I had never seen the link between caring the environment and caring for the poor so clearly. I knew of the connection, but something stirred in my heart as I listened and learned. Sure, we recycle. We use energy efficient lightbulbs. We bought energy efficient appliances. We replaced our toilets with the water efficient models. We just had a whole home energy audit performed last month and we’re making decisions on what changes need to be made to our home. We’re making efforts to reduce our carbon footprint, but in my mind, the reason we did these things was because it’s good stewardship, it’s a good thing to do. But at the end of the day, it saves us money. It makes us feel good. It’s even part of our culture.

A better and I believe a more sustainable reason to do these things is founded in love–love of others. When I choose to become more energy efficient and environmentally sound, I’m making a conscious decision to use less so others can have more. And that’s meant to be more than a tagline.

Does my choice to use less energy somehow prevent a Burmese family’s home from being washed away by rising flood waters? Maybe. Maybe not. If it doesn’t, no harm done. We’ll simply have a lower electric bill the month. But if it does, then my energy choices are impacting someone’s life and livelihood. Loving my neighbor means becoming more intentional and thoughtful about the fact we’re sharing space with an increasing number of people on a very small planet.

And suddenly, the smallest decisions–whether turning off a light switch when leaving a room or being more diligent about what goes in the recycling bin–takes on new meaning. It’s not just a click or deposit, but a reflection of loving others. Motivated out of love of others, yes, some of whom are on the other side of the planet and I’ll never meet, my decisions and yours can have an impact….on ourselves and others.

What compels you to become more environmentally sound?

*Photo courtesy of here

In Leadership Margaret's Mond

10 Blogging Dos and Don’ts: Internet Writing Tips

Margaret — July 21, 2011 — 5 Comments

I am always intrigued by the strategies behind blogging and internet writing– surprisingly different when I am writing for one of my books. Brian Orme, from ChurchLeaders.com, just sent me this article he wrote about 10 Web Dos and Don’ts.

10 Dos and Don’ts of Web Writing
by Brian Orme

Dos of Web Writing

Do write simple, smart copy

Most people don’t read on the Web-they scan. Reading on the Web is more difficult than reading a book or magazine (25% slower) so do your best not to be long-winded or overly descriptive. Get to the point, but do it with style. It’s wise to keep you writing at an 8th grade level (or lower) as well. You can check this through the editing tools in Word. When it comes to Web writing, simple is smart.

Do Think Like a User

Try and put yourself in the users place. Don’t focus so much on your company, blog or brand-focus on what you have to offer the reader. It sounds like a small tweak but if you do this right your readers will notice. This also has to do with tone. Make sure and decide what kind of tone you’re aiming for and stick with it throughout your writing.

Do Prioritize Content

Make sure and emphasize the right content and organize your copy in a clear, logical order. Use headings and sub headings for better scanning. Break up long paragraphs, use bullet points for lists and make sure that you chunk your copy from most important to least. In this digital scanning age you don’t get a lot of chances to connect with readers. Make sure your best is at the top.

Do Use Standard Web Practices

Keep your fonts simple and standard. Avoid fancy or cute letters in your copy. First, they’re hard to read; second, most users won’t see them anyway unless they have the specialized font loaded on their system. Also, when using hyperlinks keep to the standard blue and underlined.

Do Proofread Your Copy

This is a simple but critical step. Don’t overlook the importance of reviewing (or having someone else review) your writing before you hit publish.

Don’ts of Web Writing

Don’t Bury Your Lead

Write good headlines/headings to keep your readers interest. Do this by front loading your headlines with a good subject + verb structure. Don’t bury the subject at the end of the headline. Use this principle for the headings on your blog, announcements and email subject lines. Now that I think of it-especially with email subject lines.

Don’t Use Insider Jargon

This is hard to avoid because we love our “insider” words and phrases-they’re like second nature to most of us. However, these words are often distracting and unhelpful to the user. Use simple words and define any difficult terms. Insider language is an easy way to alienate users. This isn’t dumbing down your content-it’s making it clear.

Don’t Overuse Bold Fonts or All Caps

In studies people often pass over bulk sections of bolded words or all caps. Bold works with short headlines but not lengthy sections of copy. Keep it easy on the eyes and avoid chunks of heavy bold or caps in your copy.

Don’t Use Long Blocks of Text

Break up your text into short paragraphs or bullets and lists when possible. Avoid long stretches of copy that slow down the reader. Users need more pauses and breaks when reading Web copy, do your best to make your copy crisp, clean and with quick breaks for the reader to scan quickly.

Don’t Get Crazy with Your Nav

This last point has more to do with usability but it’s important to use standard practices for navigation to help your readers find what they’re looking for on your site. The nav is a tool-don’t break it by making it hard to read or placing it in a weird location.

What would you add to the web dos and don’ts?

In Resources blogging, churchleaders

Your Perspective: Spiritual Lessons From Pets

Margaret — July 12, 2011 — Leave a comment

I revealed in Hungry for God that I learn spiritual lessons from my dog. But you do it too, right? I recently asked my friends on facebook and twitter if they have learned any spiritual lessons from their pets. Luckily, I learned I’m not alone!

Jill Willis said that her pets teach her about “unconditional love and dependence on the master.” @LilyfussMom wishes she could be “as happy and loving as my dog to everyone regardless of who.” What a beautiful picture of unconditional love.

Patricia Small learned one great lesson from her dog: How to relax! “I learned that I need to rest. You know that commandment I break all the time because I go-go all the time.” Colleen Butcher learned the importance of rest from her dog, too. She pays attention to her dog’s schedule, “During the day, I used to prefer to just hole up at my desk, but now I take a break when she does!”

Pam Burchill is reminded of worship by her dog. “A dog truly loves his owner/master and sits at his feet, watches his every move, listens for his voice, anticipates his return.” What a beautiful picture of how we should worship our Master. Laurel Shield’s dog does the same thing-listens for her son’s voice and signals her son’s return.

Wendy Cunningham tells of one particularly hard time in her life when her dog just wouldn’t leave her alone. Her lab continually licked her ears. She says, “When I tried to push him away, he came back to me, still licking, still pursuing, showing me love… their unconditional love does model their Maker and his characteristics to us.”

Mechelle Cascardo says that her dog, Ollie “is always there for me when I want to give him love, but I am not always available to him. Just like we can be to our heavenly Father. He is always waiting for us and receives us with outstretched arms, but then when he needs us we are too busy and too tired.”

@sclairatkinson says, “not sure how spiritual it is, but Bullet taught me that if you stare fixedly at what you want, whimpering, you’ll likely get it.” Hershey has learned that same thing.

@rfbryant and @revjamesrobison have written their spiritual lessons they learned from their dog on their blogs and books, too. Faye’s blog post about her little dog, Casey, discusses the idea of asking and receiving. James recently wrote a blog post about how a blind dog helped him see. Read that post here.

I’m reassured to know that I’m not the only one who learns spiritual lessons from my dog. What about you? What spiritual insights have you gained from your pets?

*Photo courtesy of here

In Dive Deeper Hershey, Hungry for God, pets

Your Perspective: Relax! How Do You Do It?

Margaret — July 5, 2011 — 1 Comment

It’s impossible to keep moving at a high speed for an entire lifetime. The human body simply isn’t simply made for constant work. With the real threat of burnout on most people’s radars, we asked you what you do to relax. The variety of replies is inspiring!

Louie J. Locke will relax by “walking thru the Highlands of Scotland”, strolling among rolling green hills will relax anybody, while Keila Harris will breathe fresh air while out for a good nature run. She also mentions “OR if there’s a willing friend (cuz i’m too broke to pay) a MASSAGE!” I’m sure there are many echoes with that method of relaxation!

Ron Tolson will take his horse out for a ride through the desert, while Barbara Griffin will get on her mountain bike for a different type of ride. Roger Wolsey prefers his ride to be on a motorcycle or will do his relaxing while blues dancing.

Sherrey Meyer and Karen Field Edlund both enjoy quiliting, though Edlund specifically adds it is the “playing with colors, fondling beautiful fabrics” which help her to relax.

Susan Baldi and Ruth J Leamy enjoy watching movies, although Leamy likes “Watching something British”. I think it must be the accent. Mike Goeke relaxes by “Agate hunting. Awesome solitude.”

With a more traditional answer, Larrisa Stevens Poree replies “Doing just about anything with my family …it’s the best ticket in town!” Many of us agree with you there!

So when it comes to relaxing, how do you do it? And what prevents you from relaxing more often?

**The beautiful photo above was found here.

In Resources relaxation, Your Perspective