Divine Nature?

I'm re-reading II Peter 1:1-11 for the fifthly time! A couple of us guys in the church are creating a whole series based on this small passage. It's set to launch in January of 2017. It's going to be so cool. 11 weeks that the entire church zooms in on how we get to be 'partakers of His divine nature'. (vs. 4) When I first read this little phrase a couple of months ago as we were meeting for the 1st time together, I thought I know what that means...  Now as I read it again, the phrase haunts me. Lord give me deeper insight about YOU! How you love us so deeply that you would be willing to share yourself with us even as we are so dirty and dark inside.

Unexpected blessings!

Pattie and Lee Mobray just helped me move some stage furniture into the church worship center. I was getting frantic 'cause I couldn't get the stuff into my car and I didn't know what to do... So on a whim I called Lee and asked him what he was doing. He didn't even hesitate. He and Pattie were at my house to rescue me in only a few minutes! If there was ever a good reason to become connected with a loving church family, knowing folks like Pattie and Lee Mobray is a good one!

By the way, tomorrow morning, we are beginning a new series called, CHANGED! For three weeks we're going to explore what a CHANGED life in Jesus might look like. Using the stories of many of the families in our very own church, all of us will be see firsthand the benefits of walking with Jesus. It's sure to be very encouraging and uplifting. Looking forward to Sunday morning!!!

Time Management...Ugh!

I struggle with time management! So a pastor friend of mine recommended a great book called, WHAT'S BEST NEXT by Matt Perman. So far I've made it through about a 100 pages. Yet I wanted to share a very practical plan of action that is so cool. It's called the DARE Model.

First is Defining your values...what is truly important in life to you. This includes the realm of your mission, vision, roles and goals. I know it sounds like a lot -- but believe me...doing some work here will save you a ton of time later!

Second is to Architect! You then weave these values, mission, and vision into the structure of your life -- meaning your daily schedule, your reading time, your journaling, your prayer life...stuff like that.

Then comes step three. You Reduce. So after creating the structure based on the defining values and mission you set for yourself, you will probably hit a major crossroad. You are going to have too much to get done. So take a pen and slash and burn. Jim Collins says that the enemy of your best is trying to do too much good! So reduce your schedule to a few things you can do VERY WELL! I say NO all of the time to good things -- like serving on boards, road trips, playing video games that have no end, helping people move, coaching soccer or football -- so that I can do my very best as a pastor, father, husband, and friend! Create margins of down time for better sanity!

Finally Step four is to EXECUTE! When you have done the three previous steps (Define, Architect, and Reduce), the path is ready for execution. So I DARE you to try this out! Blessings!!!

http://www.whatsbestnext.com/

Just finished 2nd session of Multiply with seven of the best people I know in December! All of them are hungering for more of Jesus at different points of the journey. I want to be a part of God's perfect plan of helping people grow in Jesus for the rest of my life! Francis Chan wrote, "We never “finish” the discipleship process. It’s much like raising a child: though there comes a day when she is ready to be on her own, the relationship doesn’t end. The friendship continues, and there will always be times when guidance and encouragement are still needed. In addition to that, God continually brings new people into our path, giving us fresh opportunities to start the discipleship process all over again." 

Storms For

A few Sundays ago I was teaching through Mark 4 -- Jesus was taking a snooze on a cushion as the disciples were battling a raging storm on the Sea of Galilee. When he woke up he spoke and the raging storm calmed down to a whisper.  I asked our folks to jot down a storm in their live that was challenging their faith. I couldn't believe how many of our people filled out that card!  Issues ranging from marriages breaking up, lots of serious health concerns, and addictions. It struck me that morning to share openly with everyone that they are not alone in their storm. Later on Sunday a mother texted me this note. "Pastor Jim your message really spoke to me...I now know that there are others in the church who are dealing with [Storms]." Then she went on to say that she would be willing listen to others who just need someone to talk. Isn't that what the Body of Christ does? I love the church!  Thanks Jesus for the gift of giving us each other so that we don't have to face the storms of life alone.

A great moment...

I just have to share this..During counseling with couple Monday both decided to make Jesus their
Lord and Savior. Cool part is volunteers of church cleaning team gathered around them in a circle as they prayed. Go Jesus go!

Working Smarter Not Harder???

When I first heard the phrase, "Let's work smarter and not harder!" I really liked it.  It concisely expressed the real need for a team to think through it's actions from beginning to end before just blindly pressing forward. Recently I have altered my thinking...  I like this phrase even better... "Work smarter so that you can work harder on the things that matter!"  I get caught up in meaningless tasks that take me away from putting my time into worthy projects.  So when I get into the worthy project I am too worn out to give it the time and attention it deserves.  Nowadays I am training myself to be more attune to managing the insignificant details thus freeing up my time and energy for the more pressing and important assignments of life!  So now the big question is...How does one know the difference?  Alas...that will have to be answered in a different blog...