My motto in life has always been “Ready, fire, aim.” This has caused me a great deal of stress and regret! But it has also been beneficial and an advantage. My pastor (aka boss) is just the opposite. His motto is “Ready, aim, aim again, aim one more time, then fire.” He is very analytical, I tend to be very dynamic. He likes to think about things, I like to decide and decide right now.
This is not a put down on those of you who like to think before you make decisions. We dynamics need someone to think about it!
There is nothing wrong with counting the cost, with praying and seeking God’s will, with waiting. But there is something wrong with putting off one decision after another. Effective leaders learn how to make decisions and make them fast.
The greatest reason that leaders don’t make decisions is because they fear making a mistake. You need to learn to bag that fear. People who don’t make mistakes generally don’t make anything. As long as you make decisions you will make mistakes, but you’ve gotta take that risk.
Legendary advertising expert David Ogilvy, nicknamed “The Father of Advertising”, argued that a good decision today is worth far more than a perfect decision next month. So what are you waiting on? Fire!
I have received probably 20 emails the last three days from people forwarding me warnings about the new movie, The Golden Compass, coming to theaters in December.
My friends, Michael and Heidi Martin, have just written an excellent article on the movie that warrants your reading. I encourage you to take ten minutes and read it. Click here to read the article.
I love to tell people the story about how Children’s Pastors’ Conference saved my ministry. I won’t take the time now, but here’s the story in two sentences. The devil was planting seeds of doubt and discouragement about my call to children’s ministry and God used Children’s Pastors’ Conference 2002 to remove those seeds of doubt. In their place, he gave me a bright hope and promise.
Children’s Pastors’ Conference is the highlight of my year. I’ve explained it to many people as “my Bethel.” It’s the place I can go and feel close to God and be with my best friends.
All of that to say this. The deadline for the early bird registration rate is right around the corner. If you’re going to San Diego, you still have time. If you want to see Mickey while you’re at CPC, you only have until November 15. Click here to learn more and to get signed up!
Last night in church my pastor was preaching from Philippians 3. I have been thinking about verse 17 all day. It says, “My friends, I want you to follow my example and learn from others who closely follow the example we set for you.” (Contemporary English Version).
Who are your examples? If I asked you right now to name for me three people that you follow and pattern your life and ministry after, could you name three? Paul encouraged the Philippians to follow his example and then mark others who are a good example to follow. I have people in my life that I have marked and chosen to follow as an example.
Be careful. There are those out there who are NOT good example. Paul knew that. He said in the next two verses, “I often warned you that many people are living as enemies of the cross of Christ. And now with tears in my eyes, I warn you again that they are headed for hell! They worship their stomachs and brag about the disgusting things they do. All they can think about are the things of this world.”
One last thought. What kind of example are you setting for others to follow? Albert Einstein said, “Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means.”
Luke 10:40 (ESV): “But Martha was distracted with much serving…”
This week in the devotional book that our youth group uses there was a devotional about being too busy. The author (Nathan Barker) said:
“Being [distracted] doesn’t mean you’re doing bad things or doing things for the wrong reason. It just simply means that you are not doing what you should be doing, because you’re distracted with something else…Once you’ve become [distracted], it is only a matter of time before you become burnt out. Burn out doesn’t happen because we’re busy, it happens because we are busy without the power of God on us. We have no power because we have no prayer. We have no boldness because we have no Bible. Remember, no amount of work for the Lord can replace your walk with the Lord.”
Those few statements spoke a world to me. I don’t get exhausted with ministry because I am busy, it is because I am doing the things that are not in God’s will. Wow. To think that if we simply stopped doing things that were not in God’s will, our lives would be so much easier. If only it were easy to do that.
When we become too focused on “doing Christianity” rather than “living Christianity”, that’s when the downfall comes.
Continue reading ‘Are you too busy for Jesus?’
We are looking for great ideas to share with the new K! Magazine readers! I bet you might have just what we’re looking for.
A game that your kids love.
The way you check-in your preschoolers.
A way you show your volunteers you appreciate them.
A recent event for families.
A Sunday School teacher who has been teaching for 50 years.
Your new puppet stage.
Your computer guy who faithfully runs PowerPoint week after week.
You get the idea. If you are doing something that is really working, or know someone that is, let us know about it. Submissions must include at least one good digital photo (although the more the better).
Share your ministry with others around the world. Get your name in print by submitting your idea to us.
Electronic submissions can be sent to beth at thekmagazine dot com (spelled out to avoid spammers).
Today my cell phone rang and my friend on the phone started the conversation with, “So, are you keeping busy?” I said yes, had a nice conversation, and went on with my day. However, a few hours later I started thinking about that question. Am I keeping busy?
Well, first of all, if I wasn’t keeping busy do you think I would admit it? No. Second, if I’m keeping busy does that mean I’m doing something productive? Not necessarily.
I’m convinced that what’s important is not whether you are keeping busy, but whether you are progressing. There is a big difference. One is activity, the other is accomplishment.
It’s been said that if they devil can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy. Sometimes we’re too busy in pointless activity. It’s like we’re running on a treadmill. Running on a treadmill is hard work, but you don’t get anywhere.
So what are you waiting on? Start progressing. Need some help?
1. Evaluate your priorities, then re-evaluate them.
2. Instead of trying to do 50 new projects this year, narrow it down to five and focus on those five.
3. Don’t buy into the lie that busy is best and the busier you are the more successful you are.
3. Stop procrastinating.Procrastination is the greatest tools the devil uses to make you miss God’s best for your life.
