Another excellent reflection

Sharing another article from Scott.  This is an excellent resource for leaders in the church and other pastors.

I recently wrote a short blog post about white space. Read the post here.

We each have a mission. It's what God wants to do through us. But we are insanely distracted at every turn. It's the enemy's way of keeping us off target just enough that we are left unfulfilled, discouraged, and burned out.

I believe you can use this distraction as an opportunity. And here's where this week's challenge comes in:

1) First, get used to the inevitable. Distractions come in many forms. They are email messages, phone calls, visits to your office and the list goes on and on. Don't fight them. They are a part of life. It's part of our "Epic Battle".

2) Second, plan for the inevitable. This week, allow for 2 hours of distraction each day. This means, if you work 8 hours each day, only put 6 hours worth of work into it. This will position you nicely. For example, if you only have 1 hour of distraction, you have time to "borrow" from tomorrow's to do list and you are even more productive.

"I press on toward the goal..."

3) Third, process the inevitable. Giving 2 hours each day for the distractions gives you the capacity to take a look at the distractions themselves. Are they really divine appointments? Are they an indication you need to make a systemic change? Are they telling you something about a personal growth edge?

Sharing

This is a weekly email that I get which often contains information that I have found to be inspiring.  Thought I would share this with you.

 

 

Stop Look Listen

Featured Resource

Your Life In Rhythm

by Bruce B. Miller

This is the 249th issue sent

since February 22, 2007

"...fulfillment is the carrying out of your life's mission. It is being a responsible steward in each stage of your life. Burnout comes from trying to seize opportunities that do not fit the current season of your life."
Miller, Bruce B. Your Life in Rhythm (pp. 83-84)

To make the most of the quote above by Bruce Miller, we must stop the flow of life and assess where we are right now. So,

This Week's Challenge is to: 

STOP what you're doing. Put down the book you're reading. Stop responding you your email messages. Stop studying for your next sermon. Whatever you're doing, stop.

LOOK around you. What do you see? Are you convinced your life is in good rhythm? Would Jesus Christ be pleased with your use of time?

LISTEN to the still small voice down deep inside you. Hear what God is telling you through your emotional reactions of late. What is He saying to you through your scripture reading? What is he telling you through interactions with others?

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4.10

We will be talking about this week's challenge on the Community Call.

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Call 218.862.1300

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Stay.Strong.

Last Week's Blog Posts

How To Harness Your Anger

08-19-2011 08:03:20 AM

Set your hand on a hot stove and it won't be too long before you get the message and pull it off. Anger can work the same way. It's like pain. It sends a signal to our minds that something needs attention. When we get angry at a situation, a person, an injustice...whatever, the anger is [...]...»

4 Important Books

08-18-2011 08:15:50 AM

The following is a guest post by a very good friend and mentor of mine, Len Boesger. Len has been speaking into my life not only on a professional level, but more importantly on a spiritual and personal level as well. I asked him to expound on a phrase he shared with me recently on [...]...»

Wednesday With Seth Caddell

08-17-2011 08:15:00 AM

It's time for another edition of the Serving Strong "Wednesday's With" blog series. This is the place to come on Wednesdays and hear how real life ministry leaders are staying strong in their calling. The main reason for this series is to counter all the negative news of ministry failure and burnout statistics we are [...]...»

The Only Thing I Need

08-16-2011 08:15:34 AM

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You're Not All That

08-15-2011 08:02:56 AM

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YEAH MINISTRY!!   booo burnout

Riches or the Cross

This week I will be preaching on Matthew 16:21-28.  Last Sunday I discussed the two questions Jesus asked the disciples.  The first was "What do others think about who I am?"  The second question was then more pointed asked to the disciples was "Who do you think I am?"  Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God."

This week I will continue to look at what that means when we claim that Jesus is our Lord and Messiah.  What do you think it means in your life?  Does it change the way you look at life?  Does it effect the choices you make?  And even with all of this should it make a difference?

What would you say about yourself and also how would you share with someone else?  Feel free to comment.  Come next week and let us reflect on this taking up one's cross.

Reflections on Matthew 16:13-23

I had proposed the question as to Peter’s response to Jesus’ question as to who Jesus is.  I want to add something to the first question that Jesus asked.  He said who do others think I am?  That is a legitimate question.  I remember as I was growing up, my parents telling me not to do things “because what would the neighbors think.”  How one measured up to others opinions was important to them and also to me.  Not that I would always be concerned about others opinions but I do believe that as John Wesley would say, “Do no harm and do all the good you can.” 

As a therapist, I know what can happened when someone is labeled either a trouble-maker, difficult to get along with, slow, stupid, an idiot.  One can be labeled enough that soon one begins to believe what others say.  At the same time if one does things in such a way as to create other’s opinions, that too can influence what one can do or not do.

Today we are encouraged to only think of ourselves and not to worry about what other people may think about us.  So the reputation that one has often catches people be surprise.  It is as if a person has blinders on that prevent them from truly seeing themselves as others see them.  This applies to individuals and families but it also applies to churches and other organizations.

We have been doing a survey among ourselves as to what we think we are known for.  I have not seen the results of those surveys and I am looking forward to seeing them.  Maybe if we really wanted to find out what we are known for we should ask non-members of our church to get a better view.  I would pray that there would be enough similarities between our internal and external survey.  But it may get more of an answer as to how do others see us.

Who do you say I am

I was attending a church in Nashville yesterday and was reminded how important it is to use technology to reach and to receive feedback from people.  The church I attended is a church in transition.  At one time a very vibrant ministry that today is dying.  They are looking at the changes that have occurred in their neighborhood and have decided to do something about it.  Their mission statement is to make disciples of Jesus Christ by modeling Jesus.  Their vision statement is to do this by loving our neighbors.  It reminded me as I entered the building of my home church.  I could not go 5 feet without someone coming up and introducing themselves and taking me to introduce me to others.  They certainly were a welcoming community.

Part of their struggle is that they are an elderly congregation.  Yet, they have not given up.  They have a new young pastor who has been there 7 weeks.  He has  brought the idea of web sites, pod casts, and developing an alternative service.  The congregation has been supporting this wholeheartedly.  They know that even though the foundation of Jesus Christ as savior has not changed, the way we can speak the message can change.

This leads me to remember that Jesus often used what appeared to be radical ideas to convey the Kingdom.  Today Jesus might employ our technology to reach those who are in need of hearing God’s mercy, love, and grace.

When I return from vacation, I will be using the scripture from Matthew 16:13-20.   Jesus asks two important questions.  The first is “Who do others say I am?”  The second question is “Who do you say I am?”  So readers I would ask you today, who do you say Jesus is?

Let me know what you are thinking.

Blessings