MY PERSONAL GPS

A great post by Dave Craft

One of the traits that I admire in others and, with His help, practice in my life, is being a life-long learner.  This is especially true as it relates to my character.  In I Timothy 3 and Titus 1, two key chapters in the New Testament on leadership, most of the listed qualities have more to do with character and relationships than with skills.

I camped on Joshua 13:1 a while back “Now Joshua was old and advanced in years, and the Lord said to him, ‘You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to possess.’ ”  As I memorized, and have been meditating on that verse, I understood that, application-wise, it impacts both my work for the Lord, and my walk with the Lord. At first I was thinking of remaining land to possess mostly being my work…dreams to dream…goals to reach…people to influence.  Then I was led to consider that “land to possess” could apply to my character and my relationships.

In some extended time with Jesus, which I try to have once a month, I was led to develop my personal GPS (Global Positioning Satellite).  I wrote three thoughts in my prayer book that I have been praying about daily.

Gracious words –

 It is so easy to be everything but gracious with the words that flow out of my mouth. I can be judgmental, cutting, unkind, not compassionate and critical.  I am asking Jesus to help me be gracious in my speech.

Patient spirit –

If there is one sin that has caused more trouble in my life than any other it is being impatient…being in too much of a hurry and not waiting for God’s timing. I tend to rush ahead and take things into my own hands, not trusting the Lord.  Luke 8: 15 mentions “bearing fruit with patience.” That is the first time I connected the dots between being fruitful and being patient. I confess that I hate to wait. I am grateful for His patience in dealing with my impatience. Even at my old age of 80 (that is why I can identify with Joshua…old and advanced in years), I am trusting the Lord for personal transformation in this area of my life

Servant’s heart – 

I read Luke 22 and focused on verses 25-28, “The kings of the gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.” I’m asking Jesus to show me what true servant leadership looks like.  How can I humbly serve others in ways that don’t draw attention and praise to myself?

As a life-long learner and leader, what has He been showing you?  Can you identify some remaining land He wants you to possess?

WHEN PASTORS AND OTHER LEADERS DON’T GET ENOUGH REST

Thanks Dave Kraft

As leaders, I’m  confident we’ve all read that the average adult should get between 7-9 hours of sleep each night. I’ve also read that many, maybe most, don’t get enough and are to a large extent sleep-deprived a lot of the time; which can lead to other unfortunate situations that are harmful and unhealthy. Why would pastors and other leaders intentionally choose to sleep less?  Chuck Lawless (pastor and seminary professor) shares eight reasons why we make this unfortunate choice.

Why we shortchange ourselves on sleep

Originally posted by Chuck Lawless

WHEN PASTORS DON’T GET ENOUGH REST

Many of us in ministry get too little rest (and I’m one of the guilty ones), and we need to think about making changes. Here are some of the possible results of our not getting enough rest:

1. We run the risk of inadvertently illustrating a gospel that ignores the body. As Russell Moore has written, “Because we believe in the resurrection of the body, we know our bodies are not expendable vehicles for our souls.”[1] We must not prioritize and idolize our bodies, but we cannot neglect them, either.
2. We have little energy to do all that the pastorate demands. Pastoral ministry is not easy. It’s emotionally and physically draining. Rest helps us to have the energy we need for this work.
3. We often neglect our spiritual disciplines. We’re just too tired to read the Word. Like the disciples, we sleep when we should be praying. And, we don’t steward our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16) to get the rest that God demands.
4. We’re more susceptible to temptation. In general, we’re less aware and less alert when we don’t get sufficient rest. It’s hard to put on the full armor of God when you’re worn out.
5. We’re often more short-tempered with others. Our family bears the brunt of our weariness, and our church members might, too. In fact, we might show who we really are when fatigue sets in.
6. We lower our leadership capacity. I’ve been there, and you probably have, too – you’re so tired you can’t pay attention, and you can’t even remember the details of the meeting you led. Weariness almost always equals less attentiveness.
7. We make ourselves more susceptible to other illnesses. A fatigued body is less prepared to respond to the germs and illnesses readily passed through church families that spend a lot of time together.
8. We’re likely undisciplined in other areas of our life as well. Seldom have I met a person who is undisciplined in only one area. Those of us who choose not to get enough rest usually make unhealthy choices in other areas, too. For example, I usually don’t eat well, either, when I’m not getting the rest I need.