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Showing posts with the label burnout

Joy is Serious Business

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Joy is serious business! It is the natural state of the soul. Joylessness is like a toothache, which indicates an internal cavity -- or worse. When we realize the joy has evaporated -- it's time to do some inner heart examination. Where did it go? What toxins have entered my soul, resulting this negativism? What must I do to recapture the joy? Leaking seems to be a part of the human condition. We're all a bunch of "joy leakers!" One lady tearfully prayed, “Please fill me with joy again!" Her husband, overhearing her request, prayed, "Don't do it Lord! She leaks!" It might be a good idea to patch up the holes.  Perhaps we need a spiritual root canal. Holding a small perspective towards life will drain the joy right out of your heart. As the hero in Red Badge of Courage stated, "elfin thoughts made cowards of us all." Ancient desert fathers spoke of "logismoi", the dark thoughts -- the false thoughts and desires that lead us t...

Clouds Without Water

Yesterday, I worked on a book chapter entitled, Empty Pastors: Clouds Without Water. In it, I explore the reasons why ministers end up running on empty, when the Gospel they carry is so rich and FULL of life, joy and peace. Pastors Run Empty. . . 1. When Responsibilities Exceed Energy. 2. When Pretentions Exceed Reality. 3. When Pleasing Exceeds Shepherding. 4. When Outflow Exceeds Inflow. 4. When Serving Exceeds Loving. 5. When Duty Exceeds Delight.