This is my final post on this blog. My summer renewal leave (sabbatical) is over and I'm fully engaged into the 2nd half of ministry. I'll continue blogging at www.jaraker.blogspot.com under the title "Guard Your Heart."
I hope you'll continue to follow me as I seek to honor the name of Jesus with a heart fulled devoted to Him.
Be blessed - Be a blessing
Friday, September 7, 2012
Into the 2nd Half
The locker room at halftime is a time to assess, encourage, challenge, refine the orginial plans and figure out how to make the second half better than the first. The opponent brought some new plays, tried some different things than were seen on the game film. Halftime is a time for shifting.
I feel like I've come out of the locker room and begun my second half. This past week back has been filled with re-connecting, sharing stories, listening to plans that have been made and some difficulties that have been encountered.
My personal focus has been on resisting old routines. In this unique, once in a lifetime opportunity, I don't want to simply go back to the first half when not everything in the first half worked.
Now is the time to apply some lessons from the summer. So I made a choice to concentrate on my calendar, applying three lessons I learned this summer as I create something new.
I have a quote on my desk, sitting next to a compass:
I have found that if I push off my study and writing time to the afternoon, it becomes sporadic and frankly just not that good.
Lesson 2 - I need to read. I've known it and I've read about it but over the last few years reading got lost in my calendar. Leaders are learners and one of the best ways to learn is to read. I've established a goal of reading books to grow my mind, my heart and my health. Theology, spiritual life, physical health and the Colonial era are the kinds of books I either enjoy or I need. But there is another piece - reading out of my discipline. Innovative leaders want to know how others think and operate in other fields.
Lesson 3 - White space is important.
In his book, The Next Level, Scott Eblin writes about white space on your calendar. Eblin says that research shows those who have white space have a greater ability to think creatively and strategically. Prior to reaching the executive level your calendar might have been filled with meetings, lots of meetings. But if meetings fill the executives life there will be no room for first thinking, second creating and third making those decisions that come to you.
As I create this 2nd half calendar, I'm leaving white space.
Where are you going? What is filling your calendar? Is yoru calendar taking you where you want to go?
I love being back at Cornerstone. I said it in May and I still believe it - Cornerstone is the best church I know. We're not perfect. We've got our issues. But God's Spirit is at work in and through us. I'm excited about what is next.
I feel like I've come out of the locker room and begun my second half. This past week back has been filled with re-connecting, sharing stories, listening to plans that have been made and some difficulties that have been encountered.My personal focus has been on resisting old routines. In this unique, once in a lifetime opportunity, I don't want to simply go back to the first half when not everything in the first half worked.
Now is the time to apply some lessons from the summer. So I made a choice to concentrate on my calendar, applying three lessons I learned this summer as I create something new.
I have a quote on my desk, sitting next to a compass:
Lesson 1 - mornings are my best time for study and writing. Over the next few weeks I'm going to discuss with staff some changes to what has been our "normal" schedule.It's the compass that matters more than the calendar. It's the direction you're going that matters more than the speed with which you are getting there.
I have found that if I push off my study and writing time to the afternoon, it becomes sporadic and frankly just not that good.
Lesson 2 - I need to read. I've known it and I've read about it but over the last few years reading got lost in my calendar. Leaders are learners and one of the best ways to learn is to read. I've established a goal of reading books to grow my mind, my heart and my health. Theology, spiritual life, physical health and the Colonial era are the kinds of books I either enjoy or I need. But there is another piece - reading out of my discipline. Innovative leaders want to know how others think and operate in other fields.
Lesson 3 - White space is important.
In his book, The Next Level, Scott Eblin writes about white space on your calendar. Eblin says that research shows those who have white space have a greater ability to think creatively and strategically. Prior to reaching the executive level your calendar might have been filled with meetings, lots of meetings. But if meetings fill the executives life there will be no room for first thinking, second creating and third making those decisions that come to you.
As I create this 2nd half calendar, I'm leaving white space.
Where are you going? What is filling your calendar? Is yoru calendar taking you where you want to go?
I love being back at Cornerstone. I said it in May and I still believe it - Cornerstone is the best church I know. We're not perfect. We've got our issues. But God's Spirit is at work in and through us. I'm excited about what is next.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Guarding My Heart
How great is Cornerstone Church? I don't know how many Pastors receive a standing ovation from their congregation but I was blessed and honored today with one. I know it wasn't deserved but that's the kind of people who make up Cornerstone. One couple delayed a trip for a daughter's birthday, just to be in worship on this day. It was a humbling morning.
Are we perfect? By no means. Some people find Cornerstone unfriendly. Some consider us unBiblical or at least unfocused or misdirected. Proof that we're not for everyone and we need every congregation in the community to reach the community.
I'll be re-directing this Blog in a few days, perhaps as long as a week, to something for the long haul. I'm considering the title: "Guard your heart." This is a message that has been hammered home loud and clear.
Are we perfect? By no means. Some people find Cornerstone unfriendly. Some consider us unBiblical or at least unfocused or misdirected. Proof that we're not for everyone and we need every congregation in the community to reach the community.
I'll be re-directing this Blog in a few days, perhaps as long as a week, to something for the long haul. I'm considering the title: "Guard your heart." This is a message that has been hammered home loud and clear.
Above all else, guard your heart, for
it is the wellspring of life.
Proverbs 4:23
Our hearts are the core of our lives. Nurture and grow the heart and life grows. Allow infection, i.e. sin, to reside in the heart and it blows holes that will destroy.
My heart is guarded when....
- I'm at rest in my salvation
- I'm surrendered to God's will
- I'm aware of my weaknesses
- I'm accountable to others for my spiritual growth
- I'm regularly filling my life with God's Word
- I confess my sins
- I'm in relationship with a local church for worship, study and community
- I pray with a thankful heart
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
That's not an exhaustive list but how will you guard your heart today? This summer has been key to helping me guard my heart. I also know that I must change some of my routine in order to guard it into the future. What do you need to do differently to guard your heart?
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