Growth has to be Intentional

Gardening is therapeutic and full of lessons. Does that word "gardening" make you think of people kneeling on the earth, doing weeding? Or perhaps holding some electric shears and making shapes out of full bushes. Whatever your take on that word is, the same is true - there are lessons to be learned!

Take this pot of mint for instance. Together with a few other herbs, it was gifted by a friend, and came with instructions on the care needed. Needless to say, I have worked to ensure they are followed! Not being green fingered, I didn't want to report any deaths, so I was diligent. I even enlisted my husband in the care! As he is semi-retired, he ended up doing a much better job of making sure they thrive than I ever could. He is even able to cultivate and grow more shoots with the roots.

I am reminded Colossians 2:6,7 “As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built and built up in Him, established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding with thanksgiving”. 

One has to be intentional in growing. And passing on the information. I think they use the fancy word "mentoring" now. 

Painting Parables

Ponder fodder....

As with any project, good preparation helps with the smoothing out of bumps ahead. Doing painting is no different. Before we embarked on our painting, we first had to get rid of the loose, flaky bits. Otherwise they might break off, fall into good paint, create bumps, get stuck on the paintbrush/roller, and essentially "contaminate" and spoil the final work.

This reminds me of how we can desire to do good things... but if we don't look at the old/past, allow God to deal with whatever there is required to prevent us from finishing well, the very thing we seek to avoid will be what will happen - we will not have a good finish.

Purposefully Being Private

Restricted movement declared for two weeks. 

God speaks to us in all circumstances

Media oh Media

As this article says,  There is NO NEED to panic buy!

Being Diligent

It's been a while.

It's even on the header of this blog.

"BE DILIGENT TO PRESENT YOURSELF APPROVED TO GOD, A WORKER WHO DOES NOT NEED TO BE ASHAMED, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH." 2 TIM 2:15.

But I haven't been doing it so well. Forgive me Lord....

Be diligent. Effort is required. Exertion is implied.

Be diligent. Involves earnest endeavour.

Make effort, exert earnest endeavour to study, and to do so with haste. Don't waste time.

It's not being laid back. It's not being apathetic. It doesn't mean just waiting for something to happen.

Not at all.

It means to be forward, to be pro-active, to be intentional.

It means that words aren't enough. Actions need to back the words.

It means being diligent.

Good Article - 5 Things People Blame the Church For … but Shouldn’t

Good article

5 Things People Blame the Church For … but Shouldn’t

There’s a lot of church bashing that happens these days. I get that. Some of it is deserved.

Like me, maybe you’ve noticed that a lot of people feel justified in dismissing the church as anything between a complete disappointment and otherwise useless.

Doubtless people have been hurt in the church and hurt by the church, and for that I feel terrible.

But it’s one thing to have a bad experience or a series of bad experiences. It’s another to hang on to them for far longer than you should, especially when you have a role in them that you refuse to see.

So in the hopes of clarifying a few things and helping us all move through whatever hang-ups might be lingering, here are five things people blame their church for … but shouldn’t.

1. The church didn’t stop you from growing spiritually.

Most church leaders have heard this before from someone who’s new at your church. I went to X church for two years but I just didn’t grow there. Now I’ve come here. Hopefully I’ll grow!

I’ve heard this so many times, at one point I believed the logic. Until I realized that we were this person’s fifth church in six years, and they didn’t grow at any of them. Which makes you ask the question … is it really the church, or could it be them?

I came to the realization years ago that I’m responsible for my spiritual growth. Nobody can make me grow. And honestly, no one can keep me from growing because no one can actually control my thoughts, my heart and my mind. I can offer them to God in free surrender whenever I want.

Understand, the church can help, but it’s not responsible for your spiritual growth. You are.

2. The church didn’t burn you out.

You meet a lot of people in ministry, both paid and volunteer, who will tell you the church burned them out. As someone who has burned out while leading a church, it would be tempting for me to say, “For sure … my church burned me out. You should see the demands people made on me as a pastor and leader!”

But I would never say that.

You know who burned me out?

I did. 

I am responsible for my burnout. I pushed too hard for too long. I didn’t deal with underlying issues. I burned myself out.

Now, granted, I think ministry can be confusing, and I think it’s easier to burn out in ministry than in other vocations (for the reasons why that is, read this post).

But I’m responsible. And so, honestly, are you. For more on burnout,start with this post.

3. The church didn’t make you cynical.

I’ve heard many Christians say, “I’m so cynical after working at/attending several churches.”

And for sure, any student of human nature can become cynical.

But the church didn’t make you cynical. You let your heart grow hard. You chose to believe certain things about people, about God, about life, and it built a crust around something that used to be alive and vibrant.

The biggest challenge in life is to see life for what it really is but keep your heart fully engaged. God loves to help people do that.

I fight cynicism daily. And if anyone makes me cynical, it’s me … not you, not God, not culture, not the church. I want my heart to be alive and celebrating each day. That’s a choice I make with God’s help.

4. The church didn’t cause your unforgiveness.

It’s easy to hold a grudge. Get hurt (and yes, I’ve been hurt by people in the church too) and hang onto it long enough, and grudges will form.

Soon you’ll not want to hear someone’s name, let alone run into them in the supermarket.

Too many people in the church or who walked away from the church carry unforgiveness and blame the church for it.

What are you hanging onto from a bad church experience that you need to let go of?

Forgiveness is the one of most Christian things people can do. Yet it’s what far too many Christians withhold from one another.

I love how Mark Twain phrased it: “Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.”

5. The church didn’t make you lose your faith.

I hesitate to write this one. I’m a church leader. I do everything I can to help people find faith in Jesus Christ.

I also realize I’m far from perfect, that our church is not perfect, and that there never will be perfection on this side of heaven.

It breaks my heart when I hear people say, “I went to church but it was so bad/so hypocritical/so shallow I lost my faith.” I realize we don’t always do a good job. In fact, sometimes churches do a terrible job. Sometimes I do a terrible job.

But as you’ve seen throughout this piece, nobody else makes you lose your faith. That was or is a choice you made. It is.

And it’s a choice I make every day. To believe when there are more than a few reasons not to. To love when people don’t love me back. To forgive when it’s easier to hang on to the hurt. To trust when there’s probably a few reasons to stop trusting.

So if you want to believe again … believe again.

A Challenge

Now let me give you a challenge. I realize many of you have been hurt by the church. I realize many of you have grown cynical. And that’s true of people who have left the church and who are in the church.

Here’s the challenge: Be part of the solution. And the solution is not to walk away or be endlessly critical.

The reason I lead a church is because I believe Jesus designed the church to be the hope of the world. Churches are imperfect organizations, but they’re also chosen organizations. We’re on a mission given by Christ. We’re his chosen instrument.

I just want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. The world has enough cynics and critics.

We need people and we need leaders who deal hope.

Would you be one of them? Maybe get involved again? Or join a church and decide to work toward a better future? Or start a church of your own? That would be incredible. Really … it would! We need more optimists and more people ready to make the world a better place.

I’d love to hear what you’re taking responsibility for in your life and how you’ve decided to make a difference. 

By  Carey Nieuwhof

Confluence

This is what the dictionary tells me

confluence

ˈkɒnflʊəns/

noun

1. 
   
2. the junction of two rivers, especially rivers of approximately equal width.

   "the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss"

   synonyms:

   convergence, meeting, junction, joining, conflux, watersmeet; sangam "the confluence of the Rhine and the Mosel"

   • an act or process of merging.

     "a major confluence of the world's financial markets"
   • 
     
   • But to me, it describes how I feel - approximately equally but opposite sentiments on some matters, leading me to be unable to sometimes digest properly and work out which should be the one I lean to more....

   Actually, I don't know if there's any possibility of the two emotions merging. They are, in fact, diametrically opposed inclinations. We shall see how things turn out. It is reasonable to assume that God will handle the matter.... 
3. Thankful! 

Ponder Fodder

Some days it can be a bit like this. Feeling kind of alone, out in a high dry chilly place. 

Thankful for the reminder that God knows about each and every sparrow. In fact, His Word says "....The very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows" Matthew 10:30,31. Thankful indeed  

Being Quiet

It is good to be quiet once in a while. Away from all the work, the rushing about, the fast pace.

Sometimes I wonder whether the invention of gadgets is a good thing. I think we were more organized when we didn't have smartphones and tablets with which we could access, amend, act, edit, instruct, etc so easily!

Anyway, so I decide to be quiet. And it is good. Whilst everyone is out galavanting, I am sitting in a room quietly musing (ie now!)

Moth Musing Moments

There I was, feeling a bit off. Emotions a bit topsy turvy, thoughts going a little awry, and under pressure from many quarters. Dropping the ball here and there, apologising profusely as I go scrambling to pick them back up.

Then as I locked up one day, I saw this. On the glass door. I was arrested in my routine of closing up the place.

It was pitch black from where I was so the moth didn't notice me going up close with my camera. 

As I snapped the photo, it occurred to me that the moth was there for all to see, almost nakedly so. It stayed there, still and alone. But it was not out of place, nor did it seem afraid. It was quite settled there.

In the same way, sometimes what I do, and where I am positioned now, is quite public. And quite alone. Or seems that way. I can't expect anyone else to understand. No one else except God. 

And that should be enough. 

So I am comforted as I muse about this moth. I take a few more moments, thank the Lord, and then continue my way. 

Speaks Volumes

It was just sitting there, waiting to catch my eye. This little gift from a friend to Arrow #1. He couldn't take it with him even though it was so nice. So we left it in his room, on the table, for guests to enjoy whenever any came by.

That day, as I sat in the room to do some reading, I put the case of my Bible alongside the pewter eagle and didn't think anything of it. 

Until it was time to pack up my Bible and go. Then I saw it.

Somehow it makes an apt picture. Don't you agree?

Appreciation

It's always nice when people say thanks. Not that we do things because we want to be thanked. It's just nice to be thanked and appreciated for the effort. When someone takes the time to drop a line of thanks and not merely express it, well, it's even nicer. Like this note.

 The writer didn't stop there. Talk about high-touch people. This is one. She and her husband went one step further and gave a gift. Chocolates.

Duly shared with some of those concerned. Nice! It's good to go the extra mile to say thanks. The recipients feel the thanks more.

Special Oil

Four in a row. I was given two. Then another one. And yet another one.
Is there a message in all this?

Breaking my Heart

A song has been reverberating in me.

Or rather, a phrase "Break my heart for what breaks Yours...."

Then I was given a list. It was entitled "Am I a Proud or Broken Person?"

There were checklists about attitudes. Attitudes to self, others, etc.

I found myself checking myself on the list.

And left wanting.

Take for instance

ATTITUDE about THEMSELVES

PROUD PEOPLE feel confident in how much they know
BROKEN PEOPLE are humbled by how very much they have to learn

PROUD PEOPLE are self-conscious; they worry about what others think of them
BROKEN PEOPLE are not preoccupied with what others think of them.

PROUD PEOPLE are concerned about appearing respectable; they are driven to protect their image and reputation.
BROKEN PEOPLE are concerned with being real; they care less about what others think than about what God knows – they are willing to die to their own reputation

PROUD PEOPLE can’t bear to fail or for anyone to think they are less than perfect. This can drive them to extremes – workaholic tendencies, perfectionism, and the tendency to drive to drive others or to place unrealistic expectations on themselves or others.
BROKEN PEOPLE can recognize and live within God-given limitations

So yes, I try to sing the next line, "Everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause"

Out of Sorts

Feeling out of sorts.
Not had time to have extended nights of prayer as I used to.
Not enough digging into the Word.
Not much free time.
Not even sleep.

In danger of running on empty.
In danger of depending on self.

Need to watch out. Lord, thank You for times of refreshing, revisiting, reviving, rejuvenating....

Chest Pain

It's a good way to get a reality check.

How you are doing relationally.

How you fare about heaven and hell.

How you stand about judgment day.

How you think about being mentally alert but physically inert.

How you would cope with a fast going or a slow one.

How you view spiritual and/or physical healing.

Yes, chest pains can be good.

Vision

If you aim at nothing, you will hit it.

Today that phrase came to mind again. It came when I was asked to do something. Something which I didn't think I ought to be doing. Something that smacked of going backwards rather than forwards.

I was reminded of a verse from Philippians 3:14 which says "¹⁴I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." No, I did not want to move backwards.

Then I remembered my vision statement.

It might not be much of a statement to some of you, but it means a lot to me.

So I made a decision not to go backwards but forwards so that I would be fulfilling my vision statement.

I said "NO"

Putting on the Mind of Christ #2

In my books,

#2 It is a choice I make to think good of GOD.

Just as GOD thinks good of me.

Putting on the Mind of Christ

In my books,

#1 It is a choice I make to think good of you.
Just as HE thinks good of me.

Letting Go

I found myself saying it twice. As if to convince myself? Or was it to affirm?

Whatever it was, I said it twice.

Many years ago, I had aspired for it. Mainly because I felt I was suited for it, was doing it, and it would have helped to have it, especially for some of the ministry I was doing.

But now. Well, perhaps I am also wary.

Yes, perhaps I am also scared.

Or perhaps I have moved on.

Whatever the reason, (which I will not explore here) I no longer aspire to be that. I have let it go....