The second conversation I seem to have with lots of adults is one that I find particularly hard ... “What do you expect? What goes around comes around.”
Here is the principle: you reap what you sow.
This has implications in all arenas of life: relationally, morally, physically, financially, educationally, etc. And I've been surprised at how few adults ever learned this principle growing up. They don't have specific memories of getting this from their parents, teachers, or even in Sunday school. I hope that can change as we relearn this ancient truth ...
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” 2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV)
Four truths about sowing and reaping …
We reap WHAT we sow. If you plant beans in your garden, you're not going to get corn.
We reap WHERE we sow. If you plant in the northwest corner of your back yard, the crops won't come up in the southeast portion of your yard.
We reap AFTER we sow. Sometimes we have to wait months and even years before we see a harvest come in, but rest assured, there will be a harvest!
We reap MORE than we sow. When you plant seeds, you sow just a few. But the results are considerably more than what you have put into the ground.
I hope you're making the connection here. Another way of saying this is that we reap later and greater.
For some this is discouraging. But for those who allow this principle time to work in your life it’s a tremendous blessing. This principle isn’t fair, just, balanced, even or 1-to-1. It can work for you or against you. I hope you'll leverage it to your benefit. If you sow seeds of righteousness, you'll reap a harvest of righteousness!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Five Conversations I Hope I Never Have With You - Part 1
Last night I spoke at our Sr. High Nexus Student Ministry service. It had been over 13 years since I'd spoken to a group of students in that kind of an environment and I had a blast! It was so cool to see them worship and I was humbled to share with them some of the things I've learned over the past 20 years since I graduated from high school.
Since I normally minister to adults, Donnie (our student ministries pastor) asked me to share about some of the reoccurring conversations I have with adults that I hope I never have to have with the students who were there last night. I found the idea intriguing and thought I'd spend this week blogging about it for the sake of all us "grown-ups" ... I hope these thoughts will inspire some growth in us all.
Here is the first conversation I have with adults on a regular basis when they come in to talk about where they've ended up in life - in their marriage, career, with regard to their physical health or their spiritual condition ...
“You’ve been headed down the wrong path for years.”
The principle we need to understand is this: Your direction, not your intention, will determine your destination.
The scriptures are full of passages that speak to the direction of our lives. I like this one in particular ... “Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.” Proverbs 23:19 (NIV)
You win or lose by the path you choose. It is not where you are that is the issue; it is where you are headed. And there is often a disconnect between where we want to end up and the path we choose. The wisdom literature of Proverbs depicts this clearly ...
“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.” Proverbs 27:12 (NIV)
In other words, wise people are paying attention to where they're headed. When they see trouble coming they take action. Fools see the same thing, but they continue to head into disaster with the mindset that life is disconnected. What a fatal flaw that envelopes us far too often!
I have a favorite prayer I pray on a continual basis these days. It goes like this ... “Lord, help me to see trouble coming long before it gets here, and give me the wisdom to know what to do and the courage to do it.”
Choosing the right path begins with submission, not information. Submission to the One who knows where each path leads, as well as where it doesn’t lead. Submission to the One who knows what’s best for you better than you know what’s best for you.
One other thing that influences the destinations we arrive at is this: What (or WHO) gets our attention determines our direction and, ultimately, our destination. We all give our attention to something or someone or both. This has a direct correlation to where we end up in life.
So, what has your attention these days? Who is getting your attention? The answers to those questions will tell you a lot about where you'll end up in the coming weeks, months and years.
Since I normally minister to adults, Donnie (our student ministries pastor) asked me to share about some of the reoccurring conversations I have with adults that I hope I never have to have with the students who were there last night. I found the idea intriguing and thought I'd spend this week blogging about it for the sake of all us "grown-ups" ... I hope these thoughts will inspire some growth in us all.
Here is the first conversation I have with adults on a regular basis when they come in to talk about where they've ended up in life - in their marriage, career, with regard to their physical health or their spiritual condition ...
“You’ve been headed down the wrong path for years.”
The principle we need to understand is this: Your direction, not your intention, will determine your destination.
The scriptures are full of passages that speak to the direction of our lives. I like this one in particular ... “Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.” Proverbs 23:19 (NIV)
You win or lose by the path you choose. It is not where you are that is the issue; it is where you are headed. And there is often a disconnect between where we want to end up and the path we choose. The wisdom literature of Proverbs depicts this clearly ...
“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.” Proverbs 27:12 (NIV)
In other words, wise people are paying attention to where they're headed. When they see trouble coming they take action. Fools see the same thing, but they continue to head into disaster with the mindset that life is disconnected. What a fatal flaw that envelopes us far too often!
I have a favorite prayer I pray on a continual basis these days. It goes like this ... “Lord, help me to see trouble coming long before it gets here, and give me the wisdom to know what to do and the courage to do it.”
Choosing the right path begins with submission, not information. Submission to the One who knows where each path leads, as well as where it doesn’t lead. Submission to the One who knows what’s best for you better than you know what’s best for you.
One other thing that influences the destinations we arrive at is this: What (or WHO) gets our attention determines our direction and, ultimately, our destination. We all give our attention to something or someone or both. This has a direct correlation to where we end up in life.
So, what has your attention these days? Who is getting your attention? The answers to those questions will tell you a lot about where you'll end up in the coming weeks, months and years.
Friday, August 6, 2010
5 R's For Resisting Temptation
At the Willow Creek Association Global Leadership Summit this week I heard Pastor Adam Hamilton do a talk on "When Leaders Fall." In it he shared the following principles that focus on how to resist temptation. I pray they're a blessing ...
Remember who you are. You are a child of Jesus Christ. Is the sin you're considering consistent with who you are?
Realize the consequences of your action. Pause long enough to think. How will I feel afterwards, ashamed or proud? Will I feel more human or less human? Closer to God or farther away?
Remove yourself from the situation. Avoid situations that are going to cause you to be tempted.
Rededicate yourself to God in prayer - whisper a prayer to God for strength. Don’t do it in your own strength. Stop and pray. This is one of the most basic things and yet we often neglect this.
Reveal your struggle to a trusted friend. Some of sin’s power is the secrecy. That's why the Bible says we are to confess our sins to one another that we might be healed.
Remember who you are. You are a child of Jesus Christ. Is the sin you're considering consistent with who you are?
Realize the consequences of your action. Pause long enough to think. How will I feel afterwards, ashamed or proud? Will I feel more human or less human? Closer to God or farther away?
Remove yourself from the situation. Avoid situations that are going to cause you to be tempted.
Rededicate yourself to God in prayer - whisper a prayer to God for strength. Don’t do it in your own strength. Stop and pray. This is one of the most basic things and yet we often neglect this.
Reveal your struggle to a trusted friend. Some of sin’s power is the secrecy. That's why the Bible says we are to confess our sins to one another that we might be healed.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Make A Decision!
I have to share an email I received this week. Has God ever emailed you? I got an email from God this week. Well, to be precise, it was from Monday Morning Insight blogger Todd Rhoades but it seemed more like the Lord was writing to me than him. Anyway, it was a bit strange for me. It’s interesting that since I'm going to be talking about the work of the Holy Spirit in this Sunday's message I have had a greater awareness of His presence as I've been preparing.
For the past few weeks I’ve been wrestling with some ministry decisions at RCC. I desperately want the Lord’s will but it’s been somewhat of a struggle to discern the wise choice. On Sunday afternoon as we were driving home I shared with Amie how frustrated I am that it’s taking so long to make the decisions. If you know me very well at all, you know I’m a pretty decisive guy. So Monday morning I come into the office and this email is in my inbox …
Subject Line: Would You Just Make a Stinkin' Decision Already?
[Seth Godin writes] … It doesn't have to be a wise decision or a perfect one. Just make one.
In fact, make several. Make more decisions could be your three word mantra.
No decision is a decision as well, the decision not to decide. Not deciding is usually the wrong decision. If you are the go-to person, the one who can decide, you'll make more of a difference. It doesn't matter so much that you're right, it matters that you decided.
Of course it's risky and painful. That's why it's a rare and valuable skill.
Seriously, Pastor. Make a decision. Don't be stupid, but do make a decision. Stop your teetering. Pick a side. Be decisive.
Seriously, Church Leader. Make a call. The facts will never ALL be in. The situation will never be perfect to make the perfect decision.
And most decisions have some inherent risk involved. That's ok. Risk is a good thing.
So... you've got five minutes. Just make the decision.
And you know exactly which decision I'm talking about. The one that's been dogging you for days, even weeks or months. Should I do this, or should I do that?
Most decisions do not take weeks or months.
If you need to … start out slow. Small decision. Any decision. Just make one.
Well, I'm happy to say my decision has been made and I'm at peace with it! Hope you'll have courage to make a decision in your life too.
For the past few weeks I’ve been wrestling with some ministry decisions at RCC. I desperately want the Lord’s will but it’s been somewhat of a struggle to discern the wise choice. On Sunday afternoon as we were driving home I shared with Amie how frustrated I am that it’s taking so long to make the decisions. If you know me very well at all, you know I’m a pretty decisive guy. So Monday morning I come into the office and this email is in my inbox …
Subject Line: Would You Just Make a Stinkin' Decision Already?
[Seth Godin writes] … It doesn't have to be a wise decision or a perfect one. Just make one.
In fact, make several. Make more decisions could be your three word mantra.
No decision is a decision as well, the decision not to decide. Not deciding is usually the wrong decision. If you are the go-to person, the one who can decide, you'll make more of a difference. It doesn't matter so much that you're right, it matters that you decided.
Of course it's risky and painful. That's why it's a rare and valuable skill.
Seriously, Pastor. Make a decision. Don't be stupid, but do make a decision. Stop your teetering. Pick a side. Be decisive.
Seriously, Church Leader. Make a call. The facts will never ALL be in. The situation will never be perfect to make the perfect decision.
And most decisions have some inherent risk involved. That's ok. Risk is a good thing.
So... you've got five minutes. Just make the decision.
And you know exactly which decision I'm talking about. The one that's been dogging you for days, even weeks or months. Should I do this, or should I do that?
Most decisions do not take weeks or months.
If you need to … start out slow. Small decision. Any decision. Just make one.
Well, I'm happy to say my decision has been made and I'm at peace with it! Hope you'll have courage to make a decision in your life too.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
The Principle Of The Path - Part 2
It's time again for some further reflection on Andy's book. The central passage for the entire book is found in Proverbs ...
"The prudent (wise) see danger and take refuge, but the simple (naive) keep going and suffer for it." Proverbs 27:12 (NIV)
The wise person understands that all of life is connected (there is a cause-and-effect relationship between what we choose today and what we experience tomorrow).
The wise person asks, "In light of my past experience, and my future hopes and dreams, what's the wise thing to do?" The naive live as if life is disconnected. They don't necessarily believe that to be the case but they live as if it's true.
The primary difference between the two is not what they see but how they respond to what they see. The prudent act as if then is now; as if the future is the present. The simple respond as though tomorrow will always be tomorrow. The simple suffer for refusing to act on what they see. They overlook the fact that every path has a destination.
So with that in mind, what do you do and what should you expect? Andy gives us two clear thoughts ...
What To Do: Do Something - Act on what you see!
What To Expect: Embarrassment (you may look silly or fearful) & Relief
He closes with this powerful prayer ... "Lord, help us to see trouble coming long before it gets here. And give us the wisdom to know what to do and the courage to do it."
"The prudent (wise) see danger and take refuge, but the simple (naive) keep going and suffer for it." Proverbs 27:12 (NIV)
The wise person understands that all of life is connected (there is a cause-and-effect relationship between what we choose today and what we experience tomorrow).
The wise person asks, "In light of my past experience, and my future hopes and dreams, what's the wise thing to do?" The naive live as if life is disconnected. They don't necessarily believe that to be the case but they live as if it's true.
The primary difference between the two is not what they see but how they respond to what they see. The prudent act as if then is now; as if the future is the present. The simple respond as though tomorrow will always be tomorrow. The simple suffer for refusing to act on what they see. They overlook the fact that every path has a destination.
So with that in mind, what do you do and what should you expect? Andy gives us two clear thoughts ...
What To Do: Do Something - Act on what you see!
What To Expect: Embarrassment (you may look silly or fearful) & Relief
He closes with this powerful prayer ... "Lord, help us to see trouble coming long before it gets here. And give us the wisdom to know what to do and the courage to do it."
Friday, July 24, 2009
The Principle Of The Path - Part 1
Here are the big thoughts from recent reading ...
Recognizing the distinction between a solution and a path is the first step in understanding the Principle of the Path.
Direction - not intention - determines our destination.
The Great Disconnect - people don't connect the dots between the choices they make and the outcomes they experience. They've come to believe the popular notion that as long as thier intentions are good, as long as their hearts are in the right place, as long as they do their best and try their hardest, it doesn't really matter which path they take. They believe somehow they will end up in a good place.
This passage provides insight into our tendency to disconnect direction from destination ...
Proverbs 7:6-27 - Solomon described an encounter he witnessed from the vantage point of his upstairs window. Note the number of times the word "path" appears.
Self-examination ...
1. Are there disconnects in my life?
2. Are there discrepancies between what I desire in my heart and what I am doing with my life?
3. Is there alignment between my intentions and my direction?
Recognizing the distinction between a solution and a path is the first step in understanding the Principle of the Path.
Direction - not intention - determines our destination.
The Great Disconnect - people don't connect the dots between the choices they make and the outcomes they experience. They've come to believe the popular notion that as long as thier intentions are good, as long as their hearts are in the right place, as long as they do their best and try their hardest, it doesn't really matter which path they take. They believe somehow they will end up in a good place.
This passage provides insight into our tendency to disconnect direction from destination ...
Proverbs 7:6-27 - Solomon described an encounter he witnessed from the vantage point of his upstairs window. Note the number of times the word "path" appears.
Self-examination ...
1. Are there disconnects in my life?
2. Are there discrepancies between what I desire in my heart and what I am doing with my life?
3. Is there alignment between my intentions and my direction?
iMarriage Seminar
I'm excited to announce our next Married Life Seminar - "iMarriage" is coming up September 25-26, 2009 at the Mills site. This one deals with desires and expectations in marriage and it's for married couples as well as dating and engaged couples. This seminar contains content from Andy Stanley and I'm looking forward to seeing how God strengthens relationships as a result of our time together!
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