The Good and Beautiful God: Chapter 1 Quotes & Notes
I learned that transformation happens through training my soul.
The problem is that we are not training. We have never been taught a reliable pattern of transformation.
I am a person in whom Christ dwells, and I live in the kingdom of a God who loves me and is caring for me.
We change not by mustering up willpower but by changing the way we think. We change indirectly.
To know the God of Jesus is to know the truth about who God really is.
Metanoia refers to the changing of one's mind. Jesus understood that transformation begins in the mind.
Our bodies and souls are unified. If our bodies suffer, so do our souls.
1. Were you able to practice the discipline of sleep this week? If so, describe what you did and how you felt about it.
I was able to practice this discipline. I have never really had much trouble going to sleep or staying asleep. The problem lately I guess has been feeling like I have to much to try and get done to go to sleep so I do get 7-8 hours a night. But this week I made a conscious effort to go to bed at a certain time so that I would get at least 7 hours. The past few nights I've gotten 7 hours and my days have felt better and more productive.
2. What, if anything, did you learn about God or yourself through the exercise?
I've known for a while that when I get extremely tired I don't do anything well. I don't relate well, I tend to shut myself off and kind of go on autopilot. This isn't a good scenario for any aspect of my life when this happens. Consistent good sleep definitely helps this to not happen.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
August 29, 2011
I am extremely encouraged this morning by the transforming power of Jesus Christ. I love the fact that the whole Masters program is centered around Spiritual Transformation, how Christ redeems us from the inside out, changing so many things about us. I got an update from my sister on my newest niece and nephew yesterday. They are miracle babies who are now almost 6 months old. Twins born almost 2 months early, it is amazing to see the pictures of them and see how they have transformed physically. How God is helping them grow into healthy little babies. My brother-in-law in the update said, "God is redeeming our story." I love this line!
This morning I stumbled across this video trailer for an upcoming movie called Machine Gun Preacher. It is based on the true story of Sam Childers, a former drug-dealing criminal who undergoes an astonishing transformation and finds an unexpected calling as the savior of hundreds of kidnapped and orphaned children in Sudan. Just watching the trailer made me excited to see this movie. And it goes right back to being transformed by Christ. Here is a quote that I found along with the video.
“Sam Childers is one of those rare men [who is] willing to do literally whatever it takes to promote the message of Jesus Christ and save children from the tyranny of evil men.” -- John Rich, lead singer and songwriter, Big & Rich
Here's the video - I hope that it stirs Christ's transforming power in you as it did in me.
This morning I stumbled across this video trailer for an upcoming movie called Machine Gun Preacher. It is based on the true story of Sam Childers, a former drug-dealing criminal who undergoes an astonishing transformation and finds an unexpected calling as the savior of hundreds of kidnapped and orphaned children in Sudan. Just watching the trailer made me excited to see this movie. And it goes right back to being transformed by Christ. Here is a quote that I found along with the video.
“Sam Childers is one of those rare men [who is] willing to do literally whatever it takes to promote the message of Jesus Christ and save children from the tyranny of evil men.” -- John Rich, lead singer and songwriter, Big & Rich
Here's the video - I hope that it stirs Christ's transforming power in you as it did in me.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
August 28, 2011
I finished reading the first chapter of, The Good and Beautiful God. I have enjoyed reading it again. The first "Soul Training" exercise is sleep. Doesn't sound too hard, but putting this into practice is harder than reading about it. Especially this weekend, where I did a wedding on Saturday night and then had a sick wife to take care of on Sunday. Needless to say my first day of "training" didn't go as well as I would have liked!
When you are married your sleeping patterns aren't just dependent upon you. They also involve your mate. So I will be including Audrey into this first training exercise. Hopefully she is okay with sleeping at least 7 hours a night!
Resting in God...
When you are married your sleeping patterns aren't just dependent upon you. They also involve your mate. So I will be including Audrey into this first training exercise. Hopefully she is okay with sleeping at least 7 hours a night!
Resting in God...
Friday, August 26, 2011
August 26, 2011
Reposted Blog From Pete Wilson
Deciding Not To Decide
I’ve been in one of those seasons where I feel God is teaching me so many things about church leadership, and leadership in general for that matter.
My most recent lesson has to do with decisions.
I’ve always thought a strong leader was a leader who could make a fast and informed decision about anything at anytime. I thought this kind of decision making would help you achieve a irreplaceable position in the organization.
And it might.
But it’s horrible for the developmental culture of your organization.
Making all of the decisions does nothing to help develop other leaders or make them feel like they’re an important part of the process and furthermore it continues to feed your self deception that you’re actually the smartest person in the room.
So these days when faced with a really important decision that needs to be made I’m learning to respond with a simple question.
What do you think?
Amazing how that one question…
-develops ownership
-generates better ideas
-creates extra time for you to focus on what only you can focus on
Don’t be afraid to let go of your need to control your own life. Decide not to decide.
I’m finding all kinds of uses for this principle at work, in my marriage and with my kids.
So let’s all say it out loud together….What do you think?
My most recent lesson has to do with decisions.
I’ve always thought a strong leader was a leader who could make a fast and informed decision about anything at anytime. I thought this kind of decision making would help you achieve a irreplaceable position in the organization.
And it might.
But it’s horrible for the developmental culture of your organization.
Making all of the decisions does nothing to help develop other leaders or make them feel like they’re an important part of the process and furthermore it continues to feed your self deception that you’re actually the smartest person in the room.
So these days when faced with a really important decision that needs to be made I’m learning to respond with a simple question.
What do you think?
Amazing how that one question…
-develops ownership
-generates better ideas
-creates extra time for you to focus on what only you can focus on
Don’t be afraid to let go of your need to control your own life. Decide not to decide.
I’m finding all kinds of uses for this principle at work, in my marriage and with my kids.
So let’s all say it out loud together….What do you think?
Thursday, August 25, 2011
August 25, 2011
We had our first "official" class on Skype today with Dave Kingrey. Despite losing video with the rest of the class it was really good to hear everyone's thoughts on the different readings and videos that we were supposed to do throughout the week.
I appreciated what everyone had to share, and I resonated with the thought about, "Not taking people where we haven't gone."
Looking forward to next week's session!
I appreciated what everyone had to share, and I resonated with the thought about, "Not taking people where we haven't gone."
Looking forward to next week's session!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
August 24, 2011
Today I read the introduction to "The Good and Beautiful God" by Jim Smith. I have read this book once before, but I am excited to read it again to see what God brings out to me this time around. A couple of things that stood out to me today were:
1. "The one primary mission for a pastor should be to make disciples, but there are a thousand other pressing needs, problems, and agendas that easily throw us off track." - I guess I resonate with this statement because it has happened to me. Being a solo pastor requires that I do quite a bit of everything at the Church.
2. "Genuine transformation into the character of Christ really is possible." - A very hopeful statement.
1. "The one primary mission for a pastor should be to make disciples, but there are a thousand other pressing needs, problems, and agendas that easily throw us off track." - I guess I resonate with this statement because it has happened to me. Being a solo pastor requires that I do quite a bit of everything at the Church.
2. "Genuine transformation into the character of Christ really is possible." - A very hopeful statement.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
August 23, 2011
I've officially started my Masters. I created this blog to fulfill one of the requirements for a class that is part of the Masters Of Transformational Leadership offered by Barclay College. The requirement is to keep a journal of thoughts, prayers, insights, changes, etc... that I experience through the 2 years that I will be pursuing this degree. And at least one entry per week.
So, for today my insight is this: I have been feeling like I have needed something to push me in my spiritual life. I had hit a point where I felt like I wasn't really growing very much. Like I had hit the plateau, things were starting to look very familiar - all even and flat - like my home state of Kansas. This week I have assignments that I have to finish. I am being pushed to do things that I would not have done without being told to do so. I also feel like God is moving through these. My prayer is that this keeps continuing and that I don't get burdened down with all that I am required to do.
So, for today my insight is this: I have been feeling like I have needed something to push me in my spiritual life. I had hit a point where I felt like I wasn't really growing very much. Like I had hit the plateau, things were starting to look very familiar - all even and flat - like my home state of Kansas. This week I have assignments that I have to finish. I am being pushed to do things that I would not have done without being told to do so. I also feel like God is moving through these. My prayer is that this keeps continuing and that I don't get burdened down with all that I am required to do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)