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.