What’s Inside

The end of the year really causes me to reflect on the failures and successes of the past year.  I don’t believe you can be effective if you don’t examine both.  However, it is important not to camp out there, but to use it as an impetus to make the future better.  I have seen some evolution in my leadership – knowing some things that are totally working for me, and other areas where I have to admit, I really have learned a lesson the hard way.

I don’t know if Bible college could really ever fully prepare one for ministry, but if someone is willing to learn, to humble themselves and learn from the successes and failures of others, if they will read themselves full so they never preach themselves empty – they’ll be OK.  I have surrounded myself with people who have been there, done that, and been through a few of the t-shirts – so that I can grow quickly.  I think one of the biggest mistakes of ministry, of pastoring, is to be a loner – to be afraid of learning from others, to sequester oneself and hope for the best.  I have found great strength in meeting with others and growing together as a result.  

What say you?

Christmas – What it is supposed to be

Love this video – giving not getting.

This Little Light of Mine

I’m excited about the second message in the Christmas Conspiracy series – When Light Invades the Darkness. It is my prayer that tomorrow will be the changing point in someone’s life – and the light will break the hold of the darkness for good! Can you say, AAAAmen!

Reasons for Failure

Tony Morgan had some great insight on failure on his blog, tonymorganlive.com.  Here are a few of those:

1. It’s not your passion. If it doesn’t make your heart beat fast or cause your mind to race when you’re trying to sleep, you’re probably doing the wrong thing.
2. You don’t have a plan. You need a vision, and you need to identify specific steps to make that vision become reality. That includes a financial plan. (I happen to believe you need direction from God on this.)
3. You’re waiting for it to be perfect. Test-drive it. Beta-test that new idea. You’ll fall into the trap of inaction if you think it has to be absolutely right from day one.
4. You’re not willing to work hard. Everything worth pursuing in my life has involved discipline and perseverance.
5. It’ll outgrow you. Keep learning. Keep growing. But more importantly, build a team of people including leaders that can be who you’re not.

You can read the rest here.

A Little ADD

Although never diagnosed, I wonder at times if I’m a little ADD.  As a kid I was easily distracted, even in the middle of a conversation.  As long as I have only a few things to focus on, I do very well.  It is in the plethora of activity that I can get lost.  Realizing this about myself is helping me to pare away the stuff that clutters my mind and life, and simplify. 

Pastoring is a career path that always presents itself with multitasking venues, and continually throws out more and more challenges.  It is easy to get lost in the multiplicity of tasks, and is imperative to remove the distractions in otder to gain focus.

Any ADD or OCD friends out there?