|
|
| ||
Friday, November 19, 2010
Count The Cost
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Rewire Your Brain
I am reprinting the following article about change by Dr. Keith E. Webb for this issue of my eNews. I hope you are challenged and blessed.
Your response is welcomed below!
Winston Churchill said, "To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often." I believe this is true.
Coaches help people change. Yet change is difficult. Our brains are wired to do what we've always done. We need to rewire them. That's the subject of this month's article.
Rewire Your Brain for Change
"You can't teach an old dog new tricks." We all know how difficult it is to change. We get set in our ways.
Neuroscientists used to explain our difficulty in learning "new tricks" by saying the brain didn't change during adulthood. Our brains, they thought, are wired to do what we've always done.
New research shows our brains can change. We can rewire them.
Your brain is like a circuit board with impulses shooting from neuron to neuron along pathways called synapses.
Let's try it. If I say "chocolate," what came to mind? "Yumm!" "Let's eat." "Where can I get some?" The thought of chocolate started in one neuron and shot across a synapse to your response neuron. Synapses are like muscles, the more you use them and the bigger they grow.
The trouble is our thinking forms ruts, like deep ruts in a road. When the synaptic pathway is well-formed it's difficult to respond is a different way. Like trying to steer a car out of ruts.
The solution, neuroscientists says, is to form new pathways and strengthen and enlarge those preferred thoughts. In other words, change your mind and literally grow your brain.
The Bible told us as much. The Greek word for repent means "to change one's mind." "Do not conform to any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2a).
"Stop It" Doesn't Work
When you focus on stopping doing something, you are still sending impulses along the old pathway, strengthening it further. The more you focus on that pathway, even negative attention, the stronger it grows. Thus, making change all the more difficult.
From... To...
Again, the Bible helps, look at the pattern of turning from something to something better: "You were taught,... to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds, and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:22
The pattern is significant. Move from what you want to change, to how you want to be. The key is to focus on the new thought or behavior to strengthen that new neural pathway. Or as the Bible says, renew your mind.
3 Steps to Change and Grow Your Brain
Your response is welcomed below!
Winston Churchill said, "To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often." I believe this is true.
Coaches help people change. Yet change is difficult. Our brains are wired to do what we've always done. We need to rewire them. That's the subject of this month's article.
Rewire Your Brain for Change
"You can't teach an old dog new tricks." We all know how difficult it is to change. We get set in our ways.
Neuroscientists used to explain our difficulty in learning "new tricks" by saying the brain didn't change during adulthood. Our brains, they thought, are wired to do what we've always done.
New research shows our brains can change. We can rewire them.
Your brain is like a circuit board with impulses shooting from neuron to neuron along pathways called synapses.
Let's try it. If I say "chocolate," what came to mind? "Yumm!" "Let's eat." "Where can I get some?" The thought of chocolate started in one neuron and shot across a synapse to your response neuron. Synapses are like muscles, the more you use them and the bigger they grow.
The trouble is our thinking forms ruts, like deep ruts in a road. When the synaptic pathway is well-formed it's difficult to respond is a different way. Like trying to steer a car out of ruts.
The solution, neuroscientists says, is to form new pathways and strengthen and enlarge those preferred thoughts. In other words, change your mind and literally grow your brain.
The Bible told us as much. The Greek word for repent means "to change one's mind." "Do not conform to any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2a).
"Stop It" Doesn't Work
When you focus on stopping doing something, you are still sending impulses along the old pathway, strengthening it further. The more you focus on that pathway, even negative attention, the stronger it grows. Thus, making change all the more difficult.
From... To...
Again, the Bible helps, look at the pattern of turning from something to something better: "You were taught,... to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds, and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:22
The pattern is significant. Move from what you want to change, to how you want to be. The key is to focus on the new thought or behavior to strengthen that new neural pathway. Or as the Bible says, renew your mind.
3 Steps to Change and Grow Your Brain
- Recognize: What thought or behavior would you like to change? What do you want to move from? What reasons do you have to change at all? Why change now?
- Refocus: What would you like to change it to? Be specific. What would it look like? How will you know when you have achieved it?
- Revalue: What benefits will you receive from the new? What will change? How will you feel? What will make this change worth it?
Copyright © 2010 Keith E. Webb & CRM
Dr. Keith E. Webb is a trainer and cross-cultural leadership coach helping non-profit organizations, teams, and individuals multiply their cross-cultural impact. Find more free articles at http://www.CreativeResultsManagement.com.
Copyright © 2010 Stanley J Troyer & CRM
Monday, May 17, 2010
Leaving The Crowd At The Door
Recall a recent demanding time in your life or ministry.
How did it change your behavior?
Pressure to perform can cause us to rely on our abilities and skills rather than on God.
In verse 33 below note Jesus early success in ministry.
That evening at sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. 33And a huge crowd of people from all over Capernaum gathered outside the door to watch. 34So Jesus healed great numbers of sick people who had many different kinds of diseases, and he ordered many demons to come out of their victims. But because they knew who he was, he refused to allow the demons to speak. Mark 1:32-34 NLT (Emphasis mine)
Now read the rest of the story.
35The next morning Jesus awoke long before daybreak and went out alone into the wilderness to pray. 36Later Simon and the others went out to find him. 37They said, “Everyone is asking for you.” 38But he replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too, because that is why I came.” 39So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and expelling demons from many people. Mark 1:35-39 NLT
Imagine you are Simon and answer the following questions (Please journal your answers):
After Jesus has been very successful in ministry he rises very early the next morning and goes out into the wilderness to be alone with the Father and pray. He wants to hear God’s instructions for this day. After spending time in prayer he knows he must leave the “crowd at the door” and go preach in other towns.
I’m sure Peter thought Jesus should stay and continue the great ministry of last evening. It does not make sense to leave the crowds that had already gathered for another time of healing and deliverance. The crowds were ready for more of last evenings miraculous ministry.
How do you deal with the “crowd at the door”? Do you feel compelled to respond to those seeking your help? Do requests for help give you a sense of importance and significance? Does it gratify your need to be needed? Do you kick into the performance mode and accelerate your “doing” without listening to God for direction?
My true significance is found in the cross of Christ, in receiving the love of God more fully. Performance shifts me from relying on God for my fulfillment to exercising my gifts and abilities to receive the accolades of the “crowd at the door.”
Effective “doing” or ministry flows out of “being” or my relationship with God. My deepest need is for God’s love not the applause of people. I must be clear about my focus otherwise I will “crash and burn” pursuing God’s calling. Is this what Jesus meant when he said, “And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process?” Matthew 16:26 NLT
Read the passage again. Take at least ten minutes and talk to God about your struggle to pray when the crowd is at the door. Reflect and journal your answers to the following questions:
How did it change your behavior?
Pressure to perform can cause us to rely on our abilities and skills rather than on God.
In verse 33 below note Jesus early success in ministry.
That evening at sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. 33And a huge crowd of people from all over Capernaum gathered outside the door to watch. 34So Jesus healed great numbers of sick people who had many different kinds of diseases, and he ordered many demons to come out of their victims. But because they knew who he was, he refused to allow the demons to speak. Mark 1:32-34 NLT (Emphasis mine)
Now read the rest of the story.
35The next morning Jesus awoke long before daybreak and went out alone into the wilderness to pray. 36Later Simon and the others went out to find him. 37They said, “Everyone is asking for you.” 38But he replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too, because that is why I came.” 39So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and expelling demons from many people. Mark 1:35-39 NLT
Imagine you are Simon and answer the following questions (Please journal your answers):
- After the evening of Jesus’ successful ministry what are you expecting from Jesus tomorrow?
- What are some of the reasons you go looking for Jesus?
- After you found Jesus praying alone in the wilderness what would you have said or asked him?
- How did Jesus deal with “the crowd at the door”?
After Jesus has been very successful in ministry he rises very early the next morning and goes out into the wilderness to be alone with the Father and pray. He wants to hear God’s instructions for this day. After spending time in prayer he knows he must leave the “crowd at the door” and go preach in other towns.
I’m sure Peter thought Jesus should stay and continue the great ministry of last evening. It does not make sense to leave the crowds that had already gathered for another time of healing and deliverance. The crowds were ready for more of last evenings miraculous ministry.
How do you deal with the “crowd at the door”? Do you feel compelled to respond to those seeking your help? Do requests for help give you a sense of importance and significance? Does it gratify your need to be needed? Do you kick into the performance mode and accelerate your “doing” without listening to God for direction?
My true significance is found in the cross of Christ, in receiving the love of God more fully. Performance shifts me from relying on God for my fulfillment to exercising my gifts and abilities to receive the accolades of the “crowd at the door.”
Effective “doing” or ministry flows out of “being” or my relationship with God. My deepest need is for God’s love not the applause of people. I must be clear about my focus otherwise I will “crash and burn” pursuing God’s calling. Is this what Jesus meant when he said, “And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process?” Matthew 16:26 NLT
Read the passage again. Take at least ten minutes and talk to God about your struggle to pray when the crowd is at the door. Reflect and journal your answers to the following questions:
- How does “the crowd at the door” affect your time with God?
- How do you make time for prayer when the demands of ministry press in?
- What is God saying to you about how you should respond “to the crowd at the door?”
- What is your main focus?
- What is the deepest longing of your heart?
- What changes is Jesus asking you to make?
- What do you need to eliminate?
- What do you need to do more of?
- What do you need to do differently?
Friday, March 12, 2010
Living With Limits
Living With Limits Subscribe to Troyer Coaching eNews Articles
by Stanley J. Troyer
All Night-er
I attempted to pull off an all night-er to study for an exam as a freshman in college. I had heard how other students had used this method of preparation and achieved good results.
I began the evening studying with the help of coffee. I increased the coffee intact as the night progressed but my ability to concentrate and learn seemed to be minimal. In any case I managed to stay awake most of the night, sleeping only a few hours before the exam.
I began the day with a strange feeling in my body. Increasingly my brain was in a fog and by the time I began to write the exam I was a mess. The lack of sleep was doing strange things to me. Needless to say I did not do well on the exam and decided to never try it again.
The experience taught me to be sure to give my body adequate sleep in order for me to be at my best even though I may not be as prepared as I would like. I discovered that when I exceed my limits I pay a price.
I am not Superman. I don’t have a cape with the big S on the front. In fact we all have limits as human beings and when we cross those limits we pay a price and those around us also pay a price.
As human beings we are limited by time and space. Though I would like to be a Superman and rise above my limits I cannot. I can push myself to the edge of my limits and live without margin for short periods of time.
Jethro’s advice to Moses
“This is not good!” his father-in-law exclaimed. “You’re going to wear yourself out-and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself." Exodus 18:17-18 NLT
We are not told why Jethro decided to check in on his son-in-law. Perhaps he noticed that Moses was neglecting his family in favor of ministry. Or perhaps his daughter had shared that Moses was working long days and was not home much. In any case Jethro was God’s spokesperson, rescuing Moses from almost certain ministry burnout.
Living With Limits
There are at least two ways we are inclined to exceed our limits. The first is the limits that come with our bodies. For example trying to live with too little sleep or putting to much time into being productive and getting things done.
The other is the limits of our calling from God. This includes the gifts and abilities God gave us when God created us.
I may choose to live and minister inside my calling-doing the ministry that grows out of who I am. This results is fruitful living with the Fruit of Spirit in evidence in my life. Ministering out of the overflow of who I am.
At times I am tempted to give to others what I do not have. Usually this is led by ego and is my attempt to find significance and self worth in what I do rather than in who I am. My ego pushes me I to copy the ministry and success of others.
Jethro Visits You
Suppose your mother or father-in-law comes to visit and spends some time observing your life and ministry. The visit is prompted because of concern for you and your child(ren).
Jethro continues with advice concerning what you should do.
Where does he put the focus?
Summary
Exceeding my God given limits will lead to restlessness, drivenness and panic. These are the opposite of the Fruit of the Spirit and lead to weariness and burnout. When we give to others what we do not have we harm ourselves and those around us.
However when we give out of who God has created us to be we are blessed and those receiving are also blessed. I believe we are most powerful in ministry when we live out of our calling and gifts.
by Stanley J. Troyer
All Night-er
I attempted to pull off an all night-er to study for an exam as a freshman in college. I had heard how other students had used this method of preparation and achieved good results.
I began the evening studying with the help of coffee. I increased the coffee intact as the night progressed but my ability to concentrate and learn seemed to be minimal. In any case I managed to stay awake most of the night, sleeping only a few hours before the exam.
I began the day with a strange feeling in my body. Increasingly my brain was in a fog and by the time I began to write the exam I was a mess. The lack of sleep was doing strange things to me. Needless to say I did not do well on the exam and decided to never try it again.
The experience taught me to be sure to give my body adequate sleep in order for me to be at my best even though I may not be as prepared as I would like. I discovered that when I exceed my limits I pay a price.
I am not Superman. I don’t have a cape with the big S on the front. In fact we all have limits as human beings and when we cross those limits we pay a price and those around us also pay a price.
As human beings we are limited by time and space. Though I would like to be a Superman and rise above my limits I cannot. I can push myself to the edge of my limits and live without margin for short periods of time.
Jethro’s advice to Moses
“This is not good!” his father-in-law exclaimed. “You’re going to wear yourself out-and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself." Exodus 18:17-18 NLT
We are not told why Jethro decided to check in on his son-in-law. Perhaps he noticed that Moses was neglecting his family in favor of ministry. Or perhaps his daughter had shared that Moses was working long days and was not home much. In any case Jethro was God’s spokesperson, rescuing Moses from almost certain ministry burnout.
Living With Limits
There are at least two ways we are inclined to exceed our limits. The first is the limits that come with our bodies. For example trying to live with too little sleep or putting to much time into being productive and getting things done.
The other is the limits of our calling from God. This includes the gifts and abilities God gave us when God created us.
I may choose to live and minister inside my calling-doing the ministry that grows out of who I am. This results is fruitful living with the Fruit of Spirit in evidence in my life. Ministering out of the overflow of who I am.
At times I am tempted to give to others what I do not have. Usually this is led by ego and is my attempt to find significance and self worth in what I do rather than in who I am. My ego pushes me I to copy the ministry and success of others.
Jethro Visits You
Suppose your mother or father-in-law comes to visit and spends some time observing your life and ministry. The visit is prompted because of concern for you and your child(ren).
- You are presented with a list of your roles (make a list). Which are outside your God given calling and gifting
- Which are pushing you to live beyond the limits of being human (causing lack of sleep, recreation, time with family, God etc.)
- Is there anything else causing you to risk burnout?
Jethro continues with advice concerning what you should do.
Where does he put the focus?
- For which of the roles listed above should implement a Jethro plan?
- What will you do to ensure that you do not risk burnout?
Summary
Exceeding my God given limits will lead to restlessness, drivenness and panic. These are the opposite of the Fruit of the Spirit and lead to weariness and burnout. When we give to others what we do not have we harm ourselves and those around us.
However when we give out of who God has created us to be we are blessed and those receiving are also blessed. I believe we are most powerful in ministry when we live out of our calling and gifts.
Copyright © 2010 Stanley J Troyer & CRM
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Listening to Your Soul
| Listening to Your Soul by Stanley J. Troyer The soul is like a wild animal--tough, resilient, resourceful, savvy, self-sufficient. It knows how to survive in hard places. But it is also shy. Just like a wild animal, it seeks safety in the dense underbrush. If we want to see a wild animal, we know that the last thing we should do is go crashing through the woods yelling for it to come out. But if we will walk quietly into the woods, sit patiently by the base of the tree, and fade into our surroundings, the wild animal we seek might put in an appearance. Parker Palmer, A HIDDEN WHOLENESS. Deer HuntingI have enjoyed deer hunting since I began at age fourteen in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I learned to hunt by being still and waiting for the deer to pass my way. The idea is to make your presence difficult to detect so the deer feels safe and will move about normally, as though you are not present. Listening I have found it is important to quiet the noise of "doing" to be in touch with my soul. Our soul is often 'run over' and ignored in our attempt to be more productive. Being productive gives me a sense of significance. It's based on the assumption that my self-worth equals my performance plus others opinions of me. The Psalmist was in touch with his soul. He said in Psalm 42:1-2a As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. How aware are you of the longings of your soul? Sometimes in my focus on doing I lose touch with my soul. I am so focused on ministry and the needs of my false self that I neglect my soul. Be Still It is so hard to be quiet enough for our soul to be heard especially when the storm clouds are gathering. We face the age old test that the Children of Israel faced at the shores of the Red Sea with the armies of Pharaoh in hot pursuit. There was nowhere to go and they were afraid. But Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the LORD will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. 14The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to keep still." Ex 14:13-14 NRSV (Emphasis mine) "Keeping still" goes against my desire to take action and be in control. It requires absolute surrender of my plans and my ability to plan. I must trust God totally. Keeping quiet and waiting while hunting allows the deer to feel safe enough to go about their normal activities. In the same way stillness creates a safe place for my soul to come out where I am able to be in touch with my deepest desires and longings. Deep within us all there is an amazing inner sanctuary of the soul, a holy place, a Divine Center, a speaking Voice, to which we may continuously return. Thomas Kelly My Story While traveling by air to Florida last December I gave myself time and space to "be still" and listen to my soul. I was surprised when I heard my soul say that it would like me to listen more instead of relying so much on my ability to think things through--to make good plans for the future. You Practice
Keep Listening Practice this way of entering into solitude until it becomes routine for you. You will be surprised at what your soul wants to say. Remember practice the skills of a good hunter in the woods. Your soul needs a safe place where you can enjoy the sweet presence of the Lord. Pay attention to your soul. Copyright © 2010 Stanley J Troyer & CRM |
Thursday, January 28, 2010
The Answer is the Question
The Answer is the Question
by Dr. Keith E. Webb
by Dr. Keith E. Webb
Are you looking for answers?
We often look for answers in the form of information - books, advice, teaching, etc. However, we make a mistake if we confuse information gathering with learning.
The University of California, San Diego did a study of how much information the average American takes in a day. It's 100,500 words or 34 gigabytes of data - a day! That's like filling your computer's hard drive every two days.
But information does not wisdom make. Just look at the December 2009 attempted airline bombing. The United States' intelligent services had plenty of information on the risk of the bomber, but the information wasn't processed and applied. That's the difference between information and learning.
Learning is not knowledge or information transfer, but about creative adaptation and application. Insightful learning is based on asking questions, rather than offering more information. Questions inherently have potential to produce something new - insights, ideas, strategies, and solutions.
And something practical often results. But don't hold too firm to that bit of learning, satisfied that you've found the answer, everything changes in a blink of an eye.
Like breathing, if you stop learning you die.
In learning, we inhale through questions, and exhale insights, ideas, and new information, which turn toxic if we hang onto them too long.
We breath in oxygen (among other gases) which provides energy to our bodies. We breath out toxic carbon dioxide to cleanse our bodies. If you fail to inhale again carbon dioxide builds up, poisoning your body.
Questions are to learning what oxygen is to our blood. Questions enrich us, stimulate our learning, and dislodge potentially "toxic" ideas and strategies that we've hung onto too long.
In fact, just as soon as we communicate our "bits of brilliance," it's time to inhale with a few more questions if we want to go on living. Like breathing, questions are necessary to continue to learn, adapt, and grow.
The answer, you see, is questions.
Questions
- What's the last "brilliant" question you heard?
- How could you improve your questions when looking for answers?
- When looking at information, ask yourself, What meaning does this have for me?
-------Join the dialogue and leave your comments here-------
Copyright © 2010 Keith E. Webb & CRM
Find more coaching articles here.
Editors, publishers & webmasters: You may reprint these articles free of charge if you follow our reprint guidelines.
Dr. Keith E. Webb is a trainer and experienced cross-cultural leadership coach helping organizations, teams, and individuals multiply their cross-cultural impact. Find free articles at http://www.CreativeResultsManagement.com.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Soul Care
by Stanley Troyer
"Please put on your own mask before assisting others." These are the instructions given by the flight attendant before "take off" when traveling by air. They are given in case there should be a loss of cabin pressure while in flight.
Why the instruction to put your own mask on first? Wouldn't it be better to help others first?
Once I have a good supply of oxygen I will be free to help others without risk to myself or others. However if I try to help others first I may help a few people but soon I will need help.
Do we face similar challenges as pastors and church leaders? How important is for us to take care of our souls before offering spiritual leadership to others? What happens when we neglect our own soul to care of others?
It Seems Selfish
You ask, isn't it selfish to care for myself as a first priority? It doesn't seem right to set limits on being available to help others in order to take care of myself. In addition I may fail to meet the expectations of the people I am leading.
Didn't Jesus say we should deny ourselves? Actually what Jesus says is "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition. . ." Matt 16:24 NLT emphasis added.
I believe Jesus is calling us to deny our inclination to pursue our selfish ambition or the desires of my sin damaged self. Jesus says I need to deny my selfish ambition not the nurturing of my soul.
Jesus Also Says
"And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? Is anything worth more than your soul?" Matt 16:26 NLT. Here Jesus is admonishing us to take care of our souls.
I see instructions in this passage to not neglect caring for our souls in order be successful in ministry. "Selfish ambition" grows out of my need for significance and fulfillment. I am tempted to find this in my ministry accomplishments. This leads me to neglect my own well being - the well being of my body, mind and soul.
Knowing this Jesus says, "Come to me . . . and I will give you rest." Matt 11:28
Jesus called his disciples to be with him before he sent them out to minister. After a very successful ministry he invited them to "get away and rest" (Mark 6:31). Jesus practiced a rhythm of work and rest. He often escaped the demands of ministry and retreated to lonely places to nurture his own soul. He taught his disciples to do the same.
Jesus Speaks to Me
"Please put on your own mask before assisting others." These are the instructions given by the flight attendant before "take off" when traveling by air. They are given in case there should be a loss of cabin pressure while in flight.
Why the instruction to put your own mask on first? Wouldn't it be better to help others first?
Once I have a good supply of oxygen I will be free to help others without risk to myself or others. However if I try to help others first I may help a few people but soon I will need help.
Do we face similar challenges as pastors and church leaders? How important is for us to take care of our souls before offering spiritual leadership to others? What happens when we neglect our own soul to care of others?
It Seems Selfish
You ask, isn't it selfish to care for myself as a first priority? It doesn't seem right to set limits on being available to help others in order to take care of myself. In addition I may fail to meet the expectations of the people I am leading.
Didn't Jesus say we should deny ourselves? Actually what Jesus says is "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition. . ." Matt 16:24 NLT emphasis added.
I believe Jesus is calling us to deny our inclination to pursue our selfish ambition or the desires of my sin damaged self. Jesus says I need to deny my selfish ambition not the nurturing of my soul.
Jesus Also Says
"And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? Is anything worth more than your soul?" Matt 16:26 NLT. Here Jesus is admonishing us to take care of our souls.
I see instructions in this passage to not neglect caring for our souls in order be successful in ministry. "Selfish ambition" grows out of my need for significance and fulfillment. I am tempted to find this in my ministry accomplishments. This leads me to neglect my own well being - the well being of my body, mind and soul.
Knowing this Jesus says, "Come to me . . . and I will give you rest." Matt 11:28
Jesus called his disciples to be with him before he sent them out to minister. After a very successful ministry he invited them to "get away and rest" (Mark 6:31). Jesus practiced a rhythm of work and rest. He often escaped the demands of ministry and retreated to lonely places to nurture his own soul. He taught his disciples to do the same.
Jesus Speaks to Me
Jesus seems to be saying, "What do you gain Stan, if you care well for many others, nurturing their souls and seeing them grow but you fail to take care of your own. Your soul needs time to be alone with Me in a posture of listening. It needs a balance so that 'doing' flows out of 'being'.
You must put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others. You need to live for the audience of 'One' rather than to please the many".
Commitment
"Please put on your own mask before assisting others." Let's make it a priority to experience frequent times of renewal for our whole being. This means making time to nurture my soul so that my doing flows out of my being. Let's keep our souls refreshed in the Lord. Why not begin observing a Sabbath rest every seven days?
(Please note: This article was inspired by the book, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership - Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry by Ruth Haley Barton)
You must put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others. You need to live for the audience of 'One' rather than to please the many".
Commitment
"Please put on your own mask before assisting others." Let's make it a priority to experience frequent times of renewal for our whole being. This means making time to nurture my soul so that my doing flows out of my being. Let's keep our souls refreshed in the Lord. Why not begin observing a Sabbath rest every seven days?
(Please note: This article was inspired by the book, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership - Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry by Ruth Haley Barton)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
