Why I Blog

So I've been blogging away for about a year and a half, and I thought it might be a good time to go back and take a look at why I blog.

It is good to go back and reevaluate yourself. That is after all one of the principles I advocate here.

My "tag line" says that this blog is, "A place to share my experiences (be they failures or successes) as I try to be a part of the Kingdom of God in tangible ways, and a place where I can get input from anyone who is interested in giving it!"

So as far as a place to share my experiences, I think Moving and Re-Thinking has been a success.  My blog posts are focused on my experiences.  As far as a place where I can get feedback... Well not so much...

I titled the Blog "Moving and Re-Thinking".  I named it this because want to from where I am toward something better, and I want to share that experience with anyone who cares to read about it.

I am not trying to say, "Your doing it wrong". 
I am trying to say, "I just learned this, it's pretty amazing to me, thought you might be interested".

Moving: - According to Websters 'moving' can mean "of or relating to a change" or "stirring deeply in a way that evokes a strong emotional response".  Everything I post here is posted because it challenges me to think or behave differently.  As someone whose spiritual gift set is leadership, the things that challenge me are often related to the way that the Body of Christ works together.

Re-Thinking: - I picked this word after being challenged at the Orange conference.  Romans 12:2 tells us that we need to be "transformed by the renewing of our minds" to put in simply, our thinking needs to change.  The idea of "renewing" to me, implies a consistent long term process, not a single event.  Not a switch that gets flipped when we 'get saved', but a series of changes, as we become more like Christ.  Just think about how the Disciples thinking must have changed as they moved from the cultural faith and religion of the pharisees, to the teachings of Jesus, to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, to the Missionary work of taking the Gospel to different cultures at the ends of the earth.

So as you read my blog keep these things in mind. 

1. I am sharing the things that influence or challenge me.
2. I want feed back.
3. I intend to post things that will "evoke a strong emotional response" - so my hope is that you will strongly agree or disagree. (and give me your feedback...)
4. My goal is to present not just my own ideas, but the thoughts of Spirit inspired people who are moving and re-thinking, and the scripture that challenges me to move and/or re-think.
5. I hope that sharing the things that have influenced me to change my thinking will inspire you to Re-Think your assumptions. 

As you read this blog, please understand that my intention is not to persuade or to criticize, but to spur you on toward personal re-evaluation, and ultimately love and good deeds.  You may re-evaluate, you may change, or you may come to the same conclusion. My hope is that you will have been inspired reflect on why you think what you think.

One final note.  I am not going to be posting this blog to facebook for a time (though you can still feel free to do so if you are so inclined). If you want to keep reading, you'll have to check it out on purpose, or you'll need to "Follow" the blog.  If you follow you'll get an e-mail when I post something.  So you'll be asked for some basic information by Blogger.

Timing is Everything

God's timing that is...

I have an agenda, a schedule, a calendar.  I used to have a 5 year plan, even a 10 year plan...

God has an agenda too.  I use to think that all I had to do was have Godly priorities and everything would work out fine, but the more I walk through life, and the better I get to know His heart, I am realizing that my desires aren't the problem, my agenda is.

I think I am trying to say that, "God and I have the same end in mind, we just have vastly different ideas about how to get there."

I've often wondered why I didn't get a "calling".  Honestly I grew up expecting that if I just got to know Him well enough, "it" would happen.  I'd mystically understand to the very core of my being what I was created to do.

But calling doesn't always come from a "God called Abram" moment, or from a "And the voice from heaven saying..." experience.  I thought the goal was to quietly go about my business, and wait for someone to say "Follow me and I will make you a fisher of men." 

The more I get to know God the more I understand calling in terms of Romans 12:2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, then you will be able to test and approve what the will of God is, that which is good perfect and pleasing to Him."

The more I get to know God the more I understand calling in terms of Matthew 6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

I will find a job that meets my needs, so that I won't become a burden or a thief, but also one doesn't lead me to such abundance that forget my dependence on God. 

I will learn what I need to know to further God's kingdom, not to fatten my wallet. 

I will pursue work and education with excellence, but never so much so that I don't have time for the work of God's kingdom.

I won't borrow to get where I think God wants me to be now, because God said that the borrower is slave to the lender, and I don't want any master but Him. Instead I will find a way to accomplish God's goals according to God's methods, not according to my own.

That is the Re-Think moment.  Pursue God's goals according to God's methods.  His kingdom according to His righteousness. 

Trust that God doesn't just plan the ends, He also plans the means. 

Listen for the voice behind you that says "this is the way, walk in it".

Let His word be "a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path", even if there is only enough light to see one step at a time...

Because God's timing is perfect.

A checklist for leaders.

Below is part of a recent Blog Post by Carey Nieuwhof.  You can read more from him here:
http://careynieuwhof.com/2012/11/a-critical-question-that-could-transform-your-leadership-style/

Carey Writes: "Here’s the question I’ve begun asking over the last few years. It’s become almost an all consuming question.
 
Are people better as a result of working with me?
 
Here are some ways to gauge whether the people around you are better off as a result of working alongside you or ‘for’ you:

• Have they grown spiritually?
• Has their leadership ability increased?
• Has their character developed and deepened?
• Are they closer to God?
• Are they better people?
• Have they accomplished significant things in the course of serving?
• Do they have a keen sense that God is using them to make a difference?
• Are their families glad they signed up?
• Do they feel more fulfilled?

The question doesn’t drive nearly as much toward whether it’s easy, but it does drive toward whether it’s worth it. Is it worth it to have given as much as I’ve given? Is it worth it to have devoted my best talents, energies and resources toward this cause?
 
If you can create a leadership culture like that, you will have truly led a great organization. Not everyone will stay forever, but they will have been better for having said “yes” when you ask.
 
What are you learning in this area? What might you add to the list of ways to ensure people are better for working with you? Is there a better way to frame the question?"

Again all of the above was written by Carey Nieuwhof - Read the entire post here:
http://careynieuwhof.com/2012/11/a-critical-question-that-could-transform-your-leadership-style/