11-29-07
I would recommend any book by Dallas Willard. He is a great thinker and writer. He does a good job of re-defining some common used words in Christianity.
Disciple
Popular definition: One who is serious about church involvement
Willard's definition: One learning to live their life as Jesus would if he were they. An apprentice of Jesus.
Salvation
Popular definition: Going to heaven, not hell, after death.
Willard's definition: Being caught up into the life that Jesus is living right now on earth.
Love
Popular definition: A feeling or desire for, or to act nicely towards another
Willard's definition: To will the good of another
Kingdom of God
Popular definition: Heaven, or the perfect realm that will exist at the end of history
Willard's definition: The present range of God's effective will, where what He wants done is done.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
The Who and The How
I have tried to bring the future into today and figure it out. I think it has paralyzed me in an emotional and spiritual way. However, the truth that will set me is free is this: God has not given me the grace for next year, or tomorrow, he has promised to give me grace for today...
I feel like there is so much to do. Where do I start? Where do I begin? Here is the truth: I don't know. I don't know how to lead a church this size. I don't know how to meet everyone's needs. I don't know how to deal with the space issues. But as I look back there is a lot I didn't know how to do. I didn't know how to start a church. I didn't know how to lead a building campaign. I didn't know how, but I did know WHO. I don't need to have the future figured out. I must stay close to God today. He will show me how.
I wrote the above words in my journal on 11-16-07. What a blessed day that was. God came down and touched me, reminding me that I must, "Trust in the lord with all my heart and lean not on my own udnerstanding" (Prov 3:6).
May God help us all not focus so much on "how". "How" is God's department. "Who" is our department. I don't know what tomorrow holds; I do know WHO holds tomorrow.
Have a happy thanksgiving!
I feel like there is so much to do. Where do I start? Where do I begin? Here is the truth: I don't know. I don't know how to lead a church this size. I don't know how to meet everyone's needs. I don't know how to deal with the space issues. But as I look back there is a lot I didn't know how to do. I didn't know how to start a church. I didn't know how to lead a building campaign. I didn't know how, but I did know WHO. I don't need to have the future figured out. I must stay close to God today. He will show me how.
I wrote the above words in my journal on 11-16-07. What a blessed day that was. God came down and touched me, reminding me that I must, "Trust in the lord with all my heart and lean not on my own udnerstanding" (Prov 3:6).
May God help us all not focus so much on "how". "How" is God's department. "Who" is our department. I don't know what tomorrow holds; I do know WHO holds tomorrow.
Have a happy thanksgiving!
Friday, November 16, 2007
My Heart is Smiling
As I sit in my office today me heart is smiling. About 100 kids from Byron High school are involved in something called the RESPECT retreat in our church building. The purpose of the retreat is to help kids respect themselves and each other.
The reason I am glad to host this event is because it is a way for us as a church to serve the community. I deeply believe that the community isn't here for us. We are here for them. We are here to serve them and be a blessing to them.
May God help us to think of other creative ways to be a blessing to our community. And may God touch all those kids who are in our building right now. May they see the cross and the other banners, and may God use our building to make them think of Him.
The reason I am glad to host this event is because it is a way for us as a church to serve the community. I deeply believe that the community isn't here for us. We are here for them. We are here to serve them and be a blessing to them.
May God help us to think of other creative ways to be a blessing to our community. And may God touch all those kids who are in our building right now. May they see the cross and the other banners, and may God use our building to make them think of Him.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Communicate With Confidence
Someone has said that we spend 70% of our time in verbal communication. WOW. Are you a good communicator?
Recently I read a book on communication called: Communicate with Confidence: How to say it right the first time and every time By Dianna Booher. Here are someof the practical tips that book taught me.
Find common ground. People like people who are like them.
If someone expresses a contradictory opinion, ask them for their reasons. Listen to them. Then share your opinion and reasons why.
Bring up touchy subjects with warnings, “I know this isn’t a popular topic to talk about…”
Use the word AND instead of BUT. “I see what you are saying and I think we could also…”
Put positive statements before neutral statements: “Did you put milk in this soup? VS I like this soup. Did you put milk in it?”
Verify assumptions. “I am assuming that you….”
When someone makes a broad generalization, ask for specific evidence before you accept it.
When someone buts in say, “Pardon me I am not finished yet.”
Those who tell the truth don’t have to continually say, “To be honest with you.”
Asking for an opinion is a compliment. “Can I get your opinion…”
If can’t remember someone’s name, add something you do remember. “Hi, I am Steve, I saw you at jury duty.”
When someone blows it say, “Did I tell you about the time I blew it…”
People own what they help create. “I am thinking about….what do you think?”
When you do X, I feel Y because of Z.
Don’t just listen to facts, but feelings. “How did it seem to them?”
Uncork the emotions then deal with the facts.
State the point of your question. “I am asking this because…”
Restate common goals again and again.
When someone makes a threat, don’t respond at all
Express your opinions as opinions not irrefutable facts
Here are some tips for talking with someone of the opposite sex.
Tips for men:
Pay attention to details to show concern.
Expand your repertoire of conversational topics to include “the routine”
Talk more about people with women
When a women mentions a problem offer empathy not just solutions
Understand that when a woman states a problem involving you, she is not necessarily blaming you.
Appreciate the reason behind affectionate nagging.
Apologize more and apologize more directly.
Respect the fact that a woman is not necessarily talking to make a point, but rather to explore feelings or relieve stress.
Welcome discussions to improve relationships.
Tips for women
Get to the point faster.
Don’t jump to the conclusion that men don’t care because they didn’t ask or give details.
State outright that you are interested in conversation just for the sake of conversation and connection.
Talk more about things with men.
When mentioning a problem, be specific about whether you are soliciting support or need a solution.
Respect men’s needs to solve their problems independently of others.
Nag less: show caring in other ways.
Express appreciation more frequently to men for their work and results.
Recently I read a book on communication called: Communicate with Confidence: How to say it right the first time and every time By Dianna Booher. Here are someof the practical tips that book taught me.
Find common ground. People like people who are like them.
If someone expresses a contradictory opinion, ask them for their reasons. Listen to them. Then share your opinion and reasons why.
Bring up touchy subjects with warnings, “I know this isn’t a popular topic to talk about…”
Use the word AND instead of BUT. “I see what you are saying and I think we could also…”
Put positive statements before neutral statements: “Did you put milk in this soup? VS I like this soup. Did you put milk in it?”
Verify assumptions. “I am assuming that you….”
When someone makes a broad generalization, ask for specific evidence before you accept it.
When someone buts in say, “Pardon me I am not finished yet.”
Those who tell the truth don’t have to continually say, “To be honest with you.”
Asking for an opinion is a compliment. “Can I get your opinion…”
If can’t remember someone’s name, add something you do remember. “Hi, I am Steve, I saw you at jury duty.”
When someone blows it say, “Did I tell you about the time I blew it…”
People own what they help create. “I am thinking about….what do you think?”
When you do X, I feel Y because of Z.
Don’t just listen to facts, but feelings. “How did it seem to them?”
Uncork the emotions then deal with the facts.
State the point of your question. “I am asking this because…”
Restate common goals again and again.
When someone makes a threat, don’t respond at all
Express your opinions as opinions not irrefutable facts
Here are some tips for talking with someone of the opposite sex.
Tips for men:
Pay attention to details to show concern.
Expand your repertoire of conversational topics to include “the routine”
Talk more about people with women
When a women mentions a problem offer empathy not just solutions
Understand that when a woman states a problem involving you, she is not necessarily blaming you.
Appreciate the reason behind affectionate nagging.
Apologize more and apologize more directly.
Respect the fact that a woman is not necessarily talking to make a point, but rather to explore feelings or relieve stress.
Welcome discussions to improve relationships.
Tips for women
Get to the point faster.
Don’t jump to the conclusion that men don’t care because they didn’t ask or give details.
State outright that you are interested in conversation just for the sake of conversation and connection.
Talk more about things with men.
When mentioning a problem, be specific about whether you are soliciting support or need a solution.
Respect men’s needs to solve their problems independently of others.
Nag less: show caring in other ways.
Express appreciation more frequently to men for their work and results.
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