My youngest son is what you would call a “baller;” he lives and breathes basketball, is very good at it, and knows more about the sport and players than anyone else I have ever known; not just the marquee stars of the game, but up-and-comers, grizzled veterans, everyday heroes, and players who work hard and … Continue reading The Mary-Martha Effect – Part II
Author: Matthew Volta
The Martha-Mary Effect – Part I
The first and only time I have heard this expression was a few days ago from renowned theologian and storyteller, remarkable mentor to many, and astute spiritual midwife, John Shea. In my work, I am blessed to have the opportunity to learn from Jack about the practice of leadership formation. Upon hearing this little wisdom, … Continue reading The Martha-Mary Effect – Part I
The Plague
From The Plague by Albert Camus: Martine Rambert: “It makes me feel ashamed now.” Dr. Bernard Rieux: “Ashamed of what? Being happy when other people aren’t? You were right, before I met you, I didn’t know that to be happy you had to work at it. Put your heart into, I always thought that one … Continue reading The Plague
Conversation Matters
It is probably the simplest and most significant way that we bridge the distance between different viewpoints in understanding. Conversation offers clarity without demanding compromise; it is an invitation to belonging, to respect our alterity, and to create the space of mutuality. We do this by sharing words and gestures with each other in a … Continue reading Conversation Matters
Giving Leadership Some Thought
Have you every wondered why your Amazon.com search on "leadership" turns back tens of thousands of titles? Or why Google offers up about 340 million results, "more or less?" Books, articles, research studies, biographies and autobiographies, memoirs, lesson learned, parables, quizzes and assessments, cautionary tales--you name it, it's out there waiting. You might ask yourself, … Continue reading Giving Leadership Some Thought
You Come From Light
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” John 1:5 You come from Light, and light never leaves you. One lesson I have learned through life is that we are sometimes at a loss to see this reality for ourselves. Here is how this might unfold: There are times when … Continue reading You Come From Light
Lydia
In the high valley, corn—twice as tall as any I have ever seen in eastern Washington—stalks the steep hillsides in a tightly planted phalanx surrounding the remote village community of Chitepey. The tasseled ears are a month away from harvest. There would be many lessons for me in Guatemala. What corn means to a family … Continue reading Lydia
Heart light
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ejh_hb15Fc There are probably a hundred reasons why I related to this story and shared in the spectrum of emotional responses of individual players living the team story. And, carrying this story and its emotional resonance around with me like a small gift for days, it isn’t surprising that it got me thinking. What was … Continue reading Heart light
Working the Core
Recently, I was asked to reflect on my personal philosophy of ministry...You might be saying, "your what?" just like I said "my what?" But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that the heart of ministry for me, its core, are a few meaningful, relevant, and inspirational realities. Aspirationally, these realities illuminate … Continue reading Working the Core
“Interbeing”
“If you have come here to help me you are wasting your time, but if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” This quote by Lilla Watson speaks to and reveals the profoundly vital—that is, life giving—simultaneity of connectedness and indebtedness—to each other, to the … Continue reading “Interbeing”
