I have this great quote on the wall of my cubicle:

"Even if the voices aren't real they have some good ideas."

We all have voices playing in our heads. Some are encouraging words offered by friends or are simply good advice offered by teachers, mentors, or parents.

Mom: "Don't stick your tongue on the flagpole."

(You often confirm the goodness of advice by ignoring it.)

My favorite voices are the ones that speak to me from books and blogs. As I read, I imagine the person's voice speaking the words, and if they say something particularly interesting or challenging it's their voice that I hear repeating the words in my head.

If you don't know what an author actually sounds like you can simply make up a voice you think suits them. Sometimes this works... but later when you attend their workshop and hear them speak for the first time you wonder if you're in the right room.

Most confusing are books and blogs written by multiple authors. You don't know who you're listening to unless they print subtle warnings in the margins or insert bylines at the beginning of the post. This blog has three authors: Bill Donahue, Greg Bowman, and Dave Treat. Here's how to tell us apart: if a post is particularly brilliant and intellectually stimulating, the voice you should associate with the words would be Dr. Donahue. If you find it insightful, practical, and immediately applicable to your ministry... that would be Greg. The rest of the time, it's Dave.

If you want to hear what we sound like, subscribe to the Group Life podcast starting later this week. Then when you read the blog you can associate the right voice with the words.

Best of all, when you attend the Ancient-Future Conference in September, you'll know if you're in the right room.