Revitalize Your Church

I have a need of such clearance as the Savior effected in the temple of Jerusalem a riddance of clutter of what is secondary that blocks the way to the all important central emptiness which is filled with the presence of God alone -- Jean Danielou

Occasionally, all of us find ourselves overloaded. Sometimes, it’s the result of circumstances beyond our control. Often, however, it’s because of poor energy/time management on our part. As Momma said, “You’ve bitten off more than you can chew!” This is particularly true for “can do” people with a bias for “yes.” They get a lot accomplished, and occasionally find themselves swamped in the process.   As one of those “can do – bias for yes” people, I’ve found myself in that condition numerous times along the way. I’ve gleaned a few insights from those experiences, and offer a few suggestions to consider when you’ve bitten off more than you can chew. 1)   Ask yourself – “Why am I doing this?” We assume unnecessary responsibilities because we don’t want to disappoint someone, or because we haven’t mastered the art of gracious refusal. If you don’t have a good reason why you’re carrying the load, that’s a good clue that you shouldn’t have picked it up in th...

Everybody has a "pay day" and a "play day". If you pay now, you can play later -- but if you play now, you will have to pay later - and the price might be higher than you expected. There's no such thing as a free ride. You reap what you sow. If you do not humble yourself now, you will be humbled later. If you do not discipline yourself now, you will be disciplined by life later. If you live on credit now, you'll have to pay compound interest later. If you are selfish now, you will be isolated and lonely later. If you are negative now, life will get worse later. If you are angry now, you will be bitter and ugly later. If you fail to be kind now, you won't have friends later. If you are a "people pleaser" now, you will sacrifice your integrity later. If you don't cherish your family now, you won't have a family later. If you don't work hard now, you will not succeed later. If you fail to make healthy choices now, you will feeble and f...

Everybody has a "pay day" and a "play day". If you pay now, you can play later -- but if you play now, you will have to pay later - and the price might be higher than you expected. There's no such thing as a free ride. You reap what you sow. If you do not humble yourself now, you will be humbled later. If you do not discipline yourself now, you will be disciplined by life later. If you live on credit now, you'll have to pay compound interest later. If you are selfish now, you will be isolated and lonely later. If you are negative now, life will get worse later. If you are angry now, you will be bitter and ugly later. If you fail to be kind now, you won't have friends later. If you are a "people pleaser" now, you will sacrifice your integrity later. If you don't cherish your family now, you won't have a family later. If you don't work hard now, you will not succeed later. If you fail to make healthy choices now, you will feeble a...

John Frederic Oberlin is widely considered to be one of the most successful small town pastors in history. Ministering at the turn of the 17th Century in the Ban de la Roche, France, he devoted his life to the people in this remote region. He never wrote a book, nor did he travel and speak outside his parish -- yet, over 100 books have been written about him. An Ohio college (and town) was named after him. While reading John W. Kurtz's biography, John Frederic Oberlin , I was impressed by Oberlin's predecessor, Pastor Stuber. Rev. Stuber tilled the garden Oberlin planted. He recruited the young pastor, and served as his mentor. During Oberlin's first year of ministry, the wise Stuber wrote: You have an engaging quality that makes you really more capable than I have been, provided that you remain fearless of all except God and that you not allow yourself to be stifled or overwhelmed by a multiplicity of projects. I do want to remind you that one can be turned away from Chr...

Ideas are a dime a dozen. Millions of people have good ideas, but never get around to doing anything with them. What a tragedy to see so many unrealized hopes and dreams. Why do we put off the important tasks of life? Why do we allow ourselves to settle into the plateau of mediocrity? Here are a few possible explanations for this phenomenon: 1) We tend to value comfort more than accomplishment. When forced to make a choice between the two, most people follow the path of least resistance. 2) Fear of failure can keep us from starting. Of course, the greatest failure is not trying. I'd rather attempt something great, and fail -- than to attempt nothing and succeed. 3) Poor time management keeps us from fulfilling our dreams. If we don't schedule the important things into our lives, they won't get done. Poor planning leads to hectic living - with little to show for it. 4) Our actions reveal our true priorities. We live what we really believe - regardless of what we say. Rethink...

The past is a nice place to visit from time to time -- but it's a terrible place to live. Sometimes, we see a television show or visit a museum exhibit showing life a couple hundred years ago. Perhaps, you've thought, "Those were the good old days! I wish we could go back and live like that." Are you sure about that? A couple hundred years ago the life expectancy was 38 years, the average work week was 72 hours, and the median annual income was $300. Cholera, typhoid and yellow fever were common. For instance, one out of five people in Philadelphia in 1793 died from these diseases. Many women died in childbirth, and the flu also claimed the lives of many. Almost every home experienced the sorrow of losing a child. No indoor plumbing, no refrigerators, no microwaves, no soft mattresses, no internet, no electric heat, no lights, no cars, no tv, no computers, no recorded music, no tupperware, no soft drinks, no cheeseburgers. Everybody milked their own cows! Nah -- you r...

Shortly before his untimely death, pitchman, Billy Mays was interviewed in American Way Magazine. He remarked, "I'm not going to let other people who may have a problem with me-the way I pitch--deter me because I have a lot to give and a lot to do yet in my life. I think there's a bigger platform out there for me now." Dr. Jeff Myers , professor at Bryan College, happened upon this article and made the following observation: "I think there's a bigger platform out there for me now." Those words haunted me. How often have I pinned my hopes on the platform I could stand on in the future, or the greater good I could do tomorrow, or the ideas I have for someday. This simple interview with Billy Mays reminds me that there are no guarantees. My careful planning for tomorrow must not trump the influence I must seek to have today. When it comes to mentoring, coaching and discipling the next generation, this moment, now, is the most important platform there is. T...

Seth Godin: There's Always Room for Jello

"I leave it to your good sense to decide which is better: To say now to all that is earthly, 'What does it profit a person?' Or to cry in vain later on,' What did it profit?' " -- St. Ignatius Loyola

Sometimes life seems like an exercise bicycle – we spin our wheels furiously and never seem to get anywhere. Often, we are caught up in a rat race of hectic schedules and deadlines. We become some busy with the urgent that we forget the more important things of life. Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone, including you, would stop right now and appreciate the small, but precious gifts each moment brings? Take time for them and they will deliver much joy. Take Time To Listen: Most of us are self-centered. We need to step back from ourselves and lend a listening ear to others. God has given you two ears and one mouth. They should be used in that proportion. Take Time to Learn: Life is a classroom always in session. Never stop learning about your world, your God, your friends and yourself. A living brain is a learning brain. Keep the “learning switch” on all day long and you will make many exciting discoveries! Take Time To Laugh: Laughter is medicine for the soul. Show me a per...

Great post by Tony Morgan on Church and Chicken Livers!

Today is a brand new day – a delightful opportunity to begin again. I must not be held hostage by yesterday’s pain. If my heart remains open, and my spirit is right, yesterday’s pain becomes today’s gain. I will grow into a better person through the sufferings. Today is a brand new day – and it needs to stand on it’s own. I will not allow myself to be seduced by yesterday’s success, nor frustrated by yesterday’s failures. I shall fulfill my duty this day, and never look backwards for an excuse. Today is a brand new day – and it’s the only one I have. I refuse to let tomorrow’s concerns steal today’s joy. If tomorrow is going to be bad – why should it destroy the day I have? That would mean two bad days instead of just one. I want to make the best of what has been given to me. Today is a brand new day – a gift from God for the investment of life. It is not to be squandered by worry or regret. Consider the moments. Moments are the stuff life is made of. They march by us briskly in an unc...

We had the experience, but missed the meaning. -- T. S. Elliot

I found this great poem at Lisa Johnson's blog, Surviving Motherhood: We shall do much in the years to come, But what have we done today? We shall give our gold in a princely sum, But what did we give today? We shall lift the heart and dry the tear, We shall plant a hope in the place of fear, We shall speak the words of love and cheer, But what did we speak today? We shall be so kind in the after while, But have we been today? We shall bring to each lonely life a smile, But what have we brought today? We shall give to truth a grander birth, And to steadfast faith a deeper worth, We shall feed the hungering souls of earth, But whom have we fed today? We shall reap such joys in the by and by, But what have we sown today? We shall build us mansions in the sky, But what have we built today? 'Tis sweet in the idle dreams to bask; But here and now, do we our task? Yet, this is the thing our souls must ask, What have we done today? -- Nixon Waterman

If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. Life comes with a price tag. The choice of WHEN to pay the price is entirely up to you. You can pay the bill up front and invest your effort and energy into planning, intentional decision making and thinking ahead. Or, you can wait and pay the piper at the end. Yes, you have to pay for it, on one side or the other -- and you get to make the choice. But here's the difference: If you pay up front, you will receive a great return in life with compound interest! If you pay at the end, you will have to pay much, much more -- with compound interest! There's a reward for "up front payments" and there is a penalty for "paying later." This is true for all the areas of life. When you buy something, you can pay now, or buy it on credit and pay double. In your marriage, you can pay emotionally up front, and do the hard work of listening, understanding, dating and keeping romance alive. Or -- you can delay this payment for s...