Just Shake It Off!

Have you ever heard the phrase , "You're all wet?"

In case you haven't… Figuratively here is what it means:

all wet 

1. Fig. mistaken; wrongheaded; on the wrong track. That's not the correct answer, John. You're all wet. If you think that prices will come down, you're all wet.

Sometimes our emotions about things, can get us "all wet!"   Many times, I have an idea of the way, I think things should go…at times…I can get on the wrong track.  I forget to consult God or take the direction He wants me to take.  I get hung up in my own personal preferences.  I get caught up in my own wants and desires.  Sometimes, when I get on the wrong track, I can simply derail the plan that God has before me.  It is easy to act in my emotions, become frustrated, stand on my principles or even cut off my nose to spite my face.  I have to take a step back.  

Have you ever found your self "all wet?" You just have to shake it off.  Sometimes, we get all wet, over something that really isn't that important in the grand scheme of God's plan.   I have to ask myself…how am I going to lead?   Is this worth dying on a mountain for?  In a hundred years…will this even matter?  For that matter, in one year will it even matter?  Most of the time, the things I frustrate over, really don't even matter now.   Stay focused on what's important.  What is God calling you to do?  What is God asking you to give up?  Abandon your heart's desires for His heart's desires.   Stand with your soul surrendered.  Give God every part of your life.  Trust Him in it.   

30He must become greater; I must become less.”

John 3:30 NIV

Have You Ever Felt Like You Were Drowning?

In the summer of 1979, I almost drowned.    I remember looking up at the trees as I was underneath the water,  I was caught in an under current.  I thought how weird, I can clearly see where I want to go, but I just can't get there by my own strength.  I am stuck.  I need help!  I need someone to reach down, grab me and pull me to safety.  Thank Goodness, my closest friend's brother was just about to dive off the falls. He saw me caught in the under current, he dove in and pulled me to safety.

Do you feel stuck in the under current of ministry?  Can you clearly see where you want to go, but can't get there on your own?  Do you need someone to reach down and pull you up?  There are many people in ministry who are passionate about reach you and pulling you up.  There are systems you can put in place to help you stay afloat.  There is provision in having a mentor. Find a mentor.  If you don't know of anyone who could mentor you, ask God to provide you with a mentor.  He will be faithful to provide a Paul in you life, just as He did for Timothy.


Hold firmly to the true words that I taught you, as the example for you to follow, and remain in the faith and love that are ours in union with Christ Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, who lives in us, keep the good things that have been entrusted to you. (2 Timothy 1:13, 14 GNT)

Perspective is Reality....Where Are You Getting Your Perspective From Today?

per·spec·tive (pr-spktv) n.1. a. A view or vista. b. A mental view or outlook: "It is useful occasionally to look at the past to gain a perspective on the present" (Fabian Linden). 2. The appearance of objects in depth as perceived by normal binocular vision. 3.a. The relationship of aspects of a subject to each other and to a whole: a perspective of history; a need to view the problem in the proper perspective.



When just the top of this image was the only part available for you to see, your view was very different from the perspective you have with the ability to see the entire image. The perspective that you have, from what you believed to be true, becomes your reality. These are the questions I ask myself:
a. Where am I getting my perspective from today?
b. What part of the picture of my life isn't visible yet?
c. What hasn't God revealed to me yet?
d. What do I perceive as my reality?
e. How can I gain proper perspective?
f. What does my past history look like?


Sometimes, I have a distorted view of my current reality. I forget whom God created me to be and what my God given purpose is. I become what I perceive my reality to be. I don't see the whole picture of what God is doing in my life, I forget that I am only seeing part of the image He has for my life. I struggle...I shut down inside...I become paralyzed and ineffective. I should trust God hasn't given me all the details yet. As I look back to my past history, usually that is the case. I am not always ready for the whole picture. God knows me better than I know myself. I should fix my eyes on what is unseen and eternal to gain perspective.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV)

INFLUENCE

As a Children's Ministry Leader, I lead adults, youth and children. I have the power to produce effects on the people I lead. I can be a compelling force on the actions, behaviors and opinions of others. With this in mind, I am aware of how to invest my life in others by being relational, transparent and a diligent encourager.

We have the ability to influence our world one leader at a time. Teach your leaders to invest in others by reproducing themselves in the next generation. Leave a legacy.

Holding On For Dear Life...

Some folks really hate change...and will hold on for dear life to something that is literally eroding underneath them. That foundation you once placed all your trust in is no longer supporting your weight! Change gives you permission to explore areas you may not have ever explored before. You cannot stay paralyzed in fear by change. Eventually, you will be forced to transition.

However, as a leader, I have to know that not everyone is going to come with me on the journey. As I make changes in my ministry, not every leader is going to transition. Some will transition into other ministry positions within my ministry; some will transition into a completely different ministry altogether. Let me just say this, "That is not a bad thing."

This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. (habakkuk 2:3)

Change Can Be Exciting!

I love change, especially when it is initiated by me. Coming from someone else, I have to understand the reason behind the change in order to get excited about it. With that knowledge, I try to use Simon Sinek's philosophy of "Start With The Why." Why do we exist? Why are we willing to go to great lengths to impact our community for Christ? "The Why?" comes first in ministry. "The How?" and "The What?" come after you have communicated "The why."

We are about to make some great changes in Children's Ministry; I have to be sure to communicate and inspire "The why" as we make these changes. My goal is to keep the people who serve in our ministry excited about where we are going. I want them all to come with us, as we are stepping it up!

Unexpected Energy

Did you know that an orange could generate electricity? Well it can, with the proper metals and wires attach, you can generate and extract electricity from an orange. I wouldn't try to charge my iPhone with it necessarily. Nonetheless, it is an unexpected source of energy.

I have been asked on several occasions, how do I invite people to serve in our ministry? My answer is always the same; it boils down to building relationships and simply inviting people to serve. I do not say "no" for people. I give them the opportunity to decide for themselves. I have found such unexpected energy from people I have invited to serve in children's ministry, when the circumstances are right. Just like our orange, when you have the right people serving in the right environments, it can be electric!

Build change into the DNA of your ministry. Encourage your volunteers to try out different areas of ministry. Watch for the sparks! I believe in placing people where they are passionate, because that is where the greatest energy is produced. I like to put it like this, you must fit, function and flourish. The ministry position must be a good fit. If it is a good fit, they begin to function, when they are functioning well, this is when you see them flourish!