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I’ve just finished reading Rod Wilson’s book – Thank you, I’m sorry, Tell me more.

After a few days on contemplation has me thinking. 

These title words can change your world.  At the same time there is a niggling thought in the back of my head. 

My mother taught us to use these words.  Some times it was to deal with my own stupidity – and I needed to back up and revisit the things I had done.  These were instructional moments.  My use of these words were not always motivated by gratitude, remorse or even desire to know the other.

And that’s where I’m struggling.  My mind goes to my mother to instruct me on the use of these words.  But, where does my mind go in terms of the words my father put into my life?  [A thought that is forming in my mind is that mom taught me from a mode of working with others who had various power positions (empathy).  I wonder if my dad taught me how to live with power (humility).]

Not sure I even know what to say on Dad’s phrases at this point, but here are a few phrases (I’ve paraphrased to suit my own approaches). 

1.  Give more than you get

2.  You’re not greater than anyone else

3.  Peace is work

That is a start.  Do you have any phrases your father used that have affected your life?

A fun podcast I did with Marshall and Merrie Eizenga at Kerith Creek retreat centre in Alberta, sponsored by Focus on the Family.  I was particularly struck by Merrie’s statement about taking time for restoration of the soul.  Finding the things that energize us is a pursuit most of us need to adventure into more intentionally.  Her distinction between finding energizers or finding escapes gave me a new perspective (16:40 in the podcast).  “An escape fills time, an energizer fills you.”

Oh, and there is much more in the podcast for those who are seeking refreshing for their souls.  And yes, this is found on the Canadian Small Church Ministry Centre Website.

https://cscmc.ca/podcast/episode-41-marshall-and-merriee-eizenga-you-need-a-break-today-for-your-spiritual-health/

A planting does not mean a final harvest – but seeding always precedes harvest.

I have noted in my own life that “decades” are a regular rhythm.

A rhythm for change, a new harvest.

Every ten years or so I step out into something different.  As a child the first decade saw me grow up in a community we call family.  In the second decade I continued to develop a knowledge of and the use of language.  As I headed into my twenties I got married and entered an initial ministry position.  In my thirties I moved into administration in a seminary following a call to archives and research.  In my forties my music ability took hold and I became a pastor of worship and music.  In my fifties I headed back into a rural church that held much history for me – a solo thing with mentoring taking a strong role.  In my sixties, after my first wife’s death, I remarried, retired and touched base with my multitude of interests and abilities.

Now I’m headed, in a year or so, into my 70’s.   Already seed thoughts are arising.  In some discussions I am exploring the thought of a wider presence than just with my neighbours and friends.  I’m not sure what that means, and it scares me, but God seems to be putting seeds in my garden.

In a little different take on an old adage – you only reap when you sow.  But as my farmer friends will tell me – know what is being sown so that you can rightly prepare for harvest.

Recently an acquaintance of mine, Karl Vaters, did a podcast on the “M” word.  For churches this would be marketing.  We have seen too much misuse of marketing – for the sake of power, wealth and selfishness.  But Marketing, rightly done, is about letting other know what you know that may be of interest to them.

I asked anther friend of mine, Andrew Glass, to drop by and chat about marketing.  He is a bachelor’s student in business management.  He laid out the basics from one of his classes.  He’s a great teacher and very articulate (along with fun stories).

On the other hand, I have become increasingly frustrated with a digital world where sending out marketing data is a mere push of a button – and can be very inexpensive.  Spam is ubiquitous (with various digital platforms trying to distinguish the spam from the important).  And even the data that gets through to us always seems to persuade us that their sense of important is also your sense of what is important.  The delete button is so easily used.

A few things I have taken away lately:

1.  Most of us have something great to share, we just don’t know how to get it out there.  OR more rightly, we don’t know who really needs to hear what we have to say.  That’s perhaps the hardest part, figuring out your audience.

2.  At the same time, people are looking to understand who you are.  This is your personna.  Once they understand your heart and your delivery of that heart, they know when and what to look for from you.

3.  People don’t always want to be looking for you.  That tends to be a frustrating game.  Rather, as much as possible, directly contact people with updates – whether through regular updates or a way to make sure they are sent automatically generated information each time there is something new.

4.  Most information is now subscription based – which then means what you find important can disappear from your view if you do not continue your loyalty.  Less and less can you find something you actually own outright.  At the same time, Open Source information (that which is free for all) rears its head.  This is the next player on the information scene.

5.  People have resources to use for what they find is important to them.  They will pay, volunteer or even become a patron of the important.  The ask for resources should be voluntary and based where there is a win/win in both directions – as much as possible.  Providing “free” and unlimited resources best meets the needs of those who generously give.