Yearly Archives: 2010

As the day progresses, ideas and situations continue to arise.  Much of life is about limiting stress and finding hope.  The best option in that regard is to pass the burden off.

That’s what I find difficult day by day.  Bringing to God my cares and concerns and then just leaving them there. 

Not picking them up again.  Not arranging for someone to oversee them.  Not doing my best to do my best.

No, just leaving them there.

Each day is an opportunity to put this into practice.  Today was a slow start day.  I trust tomorrow I will have a quicker beginning.

In that is hope and peace and joy and comfort . . . and a few other qualities of life I want to cultivate!

And so, as I end this day, . . . may your day, tomorrow, begin in God, with God and for God.

Just walked in the door at 8:45 this evening.  A good time of rest and refreshment, both for body and soul. 

A great speaker, Skye Jethani, from Leadership Journal.  Spoke on Moses – four talks that were based in the historic context and applicable for today.  I’ll blog a bit on that in the coming days.

Returned to people who are in hospital – that will be part of tomorrow’s activity.  For today – sign off and good night to all!!

The beginning of next week is a retreat time for Jill and I.  We’ll head to another land (province).  There we will meet friends, old and new.  We’ll listen to good speakers and music, sit by a fire (provided our room has a fire place), and rest.

I’ve been hard at work trying to figure out this thing called rest.  To sabbath is tough for me.  The people around me know it.  I know it.  I’m an active person – finding refreshing in doing something and not nothing.  To rest is hard. 

I’ve experienced rest in the past. 

I’ve taken time off. 

I know the benefits. 

So, I’ll work at being sure I rest. 

Such is the paradox of life!

From Rick Warren, we receive a regular newsletter for pastors and leaders of churches.  The following is a quote from Rick’s Ministry Toolbox newsletter #411 – directly from the mouth of Rick Warren.

I’ve told my staff many times we don’t want to hire anyone who hasn’t had problems in life.  They’re usually not very effective in ministry.  I want people who have been broken because their hearts are more likely to be broken with the things that break the heart of God.  God takes us, breaks us, blesses us, and then uses us in ways we never imagined.

I agree!  The older I get, the more I agree!

Here’s another thought from the same newsletter (not often you get blasted twice in one reading!)

Growing churches focus on reaching receptive people.  Nongrowing churches focus on reenlisting inactive people.

OK, still working on that one.  But something resonates with me – if we are not going beyond our current membership or previous members, something is wrong!