The Landmine of Unforgiveness

Long Time in Posting

This has been a long time in posting a blog. It been a season of trying new tools and trying to see what works best. I'll still be testing and trying things until I lock in a simple, easy, quick way of communication. Thank you for staying posted. Until next time....

What would Jesus do if he were Mayor?

What would Jesus do if he was in Government?

Let’s imagine:

• What would He do about street children and the homeless?
• What would He do about alcoholism, drug abuse, and other addictions?
• How would He strengthen families?
• How would He promote safe drinking water, adequate housing and food, health services, garbage and sewer systems, and decent roads?
• What would He do about fair wages and adequate employment?
• What would He do about unwanted children and care for the sick and elderly?
• What would He do to bring beauty-clean streets, trees, flowers, and public parks?
• What changes would He make in the education of children and adults?
• What new public policy decisions would He institute?
• How would He help people evaluate problems and make just decisions?
• What would He do to change the way local government works?
• Would His teachings be televised? Would He hold “town meetings” where His agenda and Kingdom principles would be set forth?
• What would He do about crime and civil unrest? What guidelines would He use for police and community relations?
• What changes would He make in the courts? In the prison systems?
• What would He do about the gap between the rich and the poor?
• How would the “little people” be treated in the community? How would the powerful people feel about Him?
• What would He do about corruption and bribery?
• What regulations would He establish for business?
• What would He do about depression, loneliness, and mental illness?
• How would He deal with pornography, sexual immorality, and prostitution?
• What would He do about child and spousal abuse?
• How would He improve social relationships among the citizens?
• What would He do about recreation and entertainment?
• What role would the church play in the community?
• How would He encourage unity among the churches?
• What would He do about other religions?
• Would His teachings and actions put His life in jeopardy?
• How would the community be changed to reflect the administration’s priorities?

Time Management Tips

Time Management Tips

by Mark Connor

Do you ever feel like there just isn't enough time in the day? I sure do. In fact, I've come to the conclusion that there are enough things to to do to fill multiple lifetimes! Yet, after only 3 1/2 years of ministry, Jesus said, "It is finished!" How could he say that? Because he knew what he was called to do and he focused solely on that. What a lesson for us today.

Below is a summary of some of the things I've learned about time management over the years. Actually, 'time management' is a misconception because time really cannot be managed, at least not the way other resources can. We cannot manage time. We can only manage ourselves in relation to time. We cannot control how much time we have; we can only control how we use it. We cannot choose whether to spend it, but only how. Once we’ve wasted time, it’s gone - and it cannot be replaced. Better management of ourselves in relation to time has many positive benefits - less stress, greater balance in life, increased productivity and the achievement of our goals.

Here are 6 tips that have helped me, with a few thoughts on each:

Tip #1 - Know Your Priorities

• Know everything you're supposed to do and in order of importance.
• Determine your priorities - what must you do? What is required of you? Priorities tend to slip or drift if we don’t regularly focus on them.
• Prioritise your projects: (a) do it now - move it to the front of the line, (b) do it later - move it to the appropriate place, (c) don’t do it - move it to the waste paper basket, (d) delegate it - move it to the proper person.

Thoughts on Priorities:

• “Doing the right things is just as important as doing things right.”
• “Some tasks are never going to be urgent, even though they may be extremely important. Other tasks may never be important, but they will be urgent. The key is to identify your vital activities and infuse them with a sense of urgency, so that they can compete with the activities that have a natural sense of urgency built into them. Until we apply urgency to important events, nothing happens.”
• “Insignificant events often hinder us from doing really important matters. We don't always do those things that are most important to us. Until you say ‘No’ to the unimportant you will never say ‘Yes’ to the important. Important things are seldom urgent, unless we make them so. Place an urgency factor on them. Why do we eat every day - hunger provides the urgency factor. Put first things first and keep them there.”
• “Deciding what NOT to do is as important as deciding what to do. The question is not, ‘Will my day be full?’ but ‘What will fill my day?’ Fill your calendar with priorities - the things which are important.”
• “The enemy of the ‘best’ is often the ‘good’.”

Tip #2 - Get Organised

• Know where everything is. Have a place for everything (a good filing system) and keep everything in its place. Have everything filed and able to be found when you need it.
• Keep your desk tidy. Take all your papers, sift through them, sort them and put them somewhere.
• Keep clutter (mental and emotional) out of your life.

Tip #3 - Plan Ahead

• Set aside regular time to think and plan.
• Keep a “Master List” of tasks to be done (organised by date and priority).
• Put your priorities on your calendar. Determine the time you have available to do your important tasks. What are the top projects you are doing this month and how long will they take? Identify, organise and schedule your work.
• Plan tomorrow’s work today. Organise the next day at the end of the current day. When you arrive, you will already know what to do. Have a plan for each day and write it down.
• Use the last day of each month to plan and lay out the priorities for the next month.
• Keep a yearly calendar with important events, appointments and deadlines. Have a weekly schedule and a daily agenda (task list).

Thoughts on Planning:

• “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
• “Planning is not only a type of work, it is the most efficient type of work. Better planning means better execution of the work.”
• “Today’s actions determine tomorrow’s achievements.”
• “Plan on the front end - it’ll pay on the back end.”
• “Planning your day, rather than allowing it to unfold at the whim of others, is the single most important piece of the time management puzzle.”
• “A daily plan, in writing, is the single most effective time management strategy, yet not one person in ten does it.”

Tip #4 - Work Smart!

• Work on your important tasks first.
• Schedule important work in your most productive hours. Maximise the first 2 hours of the day.
• Follow your plan for the day.
• Learn to combine similar activities.
• Always allow extra time. Things take longer than you think - add at least 50%.
• Expect problems - motion causes friction.
• Expect interruptions. Be flexible.
• Get ahead when the pressure is off.
• Avoid time wasters. Personal time wasters (caused by me) include: lack of self-discipline, procrastination or indecisiveness, disorganisation (looking for lost things), daydreaming, inability to say “No”, failure to delegate, inadequate planning, attempting too much and distractions (unimportant things). Professional time wasters (caused by others at the workplace) include: telephone interruptions, drop in visitors, some meetings, poor communication, crises, poor planning, and too much socialising.

Thoughts on Working Smart:

• “Busyness isn’t necessarily effectiveness. Work smart, not just hard.”
• “Intersperse pleasant tasks with hard ones. Some tasks are boring, others are exciting. Some tasks are demanding, others are easy. Some tasks are draining, others are replenishing. Some tasks are old, others are new.”
• “On average, people can save up to two hours a day through better time habits.”

Tip #5 - Be Disciplined

• Do it now! Focus on your important work and just do it.
• Start that project now. Many people never start a project because they don’t have time to finish it. Don’t worry about finishing. Just get started. Work on projects ahead of time.
• Break large tasks into small ones. We cannot do everything at once but we can do something at once. “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”
• Stop stewing and start doing. Defeat procrastination.
• Get unpleasant duties out of the way as soon as possible.
• Value progress more than perfection - very little will be accomplished unless you go ahead and do it before you’re ready. There are two kinds of people - “I won’t do it until it’s right” and “I’ll do it until it’s right”.

Thoughts on Discipline:

• “The day before a long holiday, everyone gets twice as much done. We stop stewing and start doing.”
• “If it were not for the last minute, a lot of things would never get done. Deadlines make us work harder!”
• “God put me on earth to accomplish a certain number of things ... Right now I’m so behind that I will never die!”
• “We tend to evaluate all decisions based on whether we believe they will bring us pain or pleasure. Procrastination is caused by our perception that doing a certain tasks will cause us pain. We tend to avoid events which are unpleasant, complex, lengthy, or uninteresting, regardless of their priority.”

Tip #6 - Evaluate Yourself Regularly

• Have a weekly time of evaluation. Look back over the last week and assess your productivity. Did you get your priorities done? Where did you waste time?
• Be aware of what you’re doing with your time - what are you doing and how long does it take? Do a periodic personal time analysis.

Thoughts on Evaluation:

• “Keeping score is the only way to know if you’re winning or losing.”
• “Most people are busy looking for the next quick fix idea without taking the time to follow up on the things they already know.”
• “Spend ten times as much time following up what you just learned as you did on the initial training. Otherwise you will revert to your initial behaviour within a short period.”

Conclusion

Here is an important principle from the apostle Paul's regarding life management: “Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise, but as wise, sensible and intelligent people. Making the very most of the time - buying up each opportunity - because the days are evil. Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish but understand and firmly grasp what the will of the Lord is (Eph.5:15-17. Amp NT).”

From today until the end of your life, you’ll spend your time doing something. Invest it in things that matter for eternity.

Source: These ideas, concepts and quotes have been collected and gleaned from a variety of sources over the years including these recommended books:

• Developing the Leader Within You by John Maxwell
• The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People by Stephen R. Covey
• First Things First by Stephen R. Covey
• The Time Trap by Alec MacKenzie

How’s Your Love Life?

How’s Your Love Life?

A Spiritual Inventory Based on 1 Corinthians 13

The world is desperate for love, but sadly mis-understands the meaning of the word. To find the true meaning of love, we must go to the Word of God—for God is love.

The Scripture tells us that God loves us. Even when we were His enemies, He continued to love us (Romans 5:8), demonstrating His love for us through the supreme sacrifice of His only Son.

Jesus came to help us “see” the love of God. One definition of love is “totally giving of yourself to meet the needs of others without expecting anything in return.” An illustration from the life of Jesus can be found in John 13—the story of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples—a beautiful picture of his selfless, humble service to meet another’s need.

We are instructed from the Word of God to pursue love (1 Cor. 14:1), put on love (Col. 3:14), increase and abound in love (1 Thess. 3:12; Phil.1:9), and be fervent in love (1 Peter 4:8), but how can we demonstrate God’s love in practical ways to our needy world?

The following is a list of fifteen characteristics from 1 Corinthians 13. Look closely at each characteristic and you may discover specific areas of need in your life. As you read, study, and meditate on this beloved chapter of God’s Word, take some time to reflect on each property of love and answer the questions that follow.

Love suffers long. (v.4)

• Do you respond as Christ would when people mistreat you?

• Are you patient when people inconvenience you or bother you?

• Are you long-suffering when others take advantage of you? Or quick to express irritation or anger.

• Is there anyone that you are trying to pay back for what they have done to you?

• Are you genuinely concerned for the welfare of those who have wronged you?

Do you wait patiently to see the effects of your love in their lives?

Love is kind. (v.4)

• Are you a kind, considerate, and respectful person?

• Are you quick to render yourself useful to others? Do you search for opportunities to be helpful?

• Are you especially eager to share in practical ways with the less fortunate?

• Are you kind in your home? With your closest associates at work?

• Are you kind with your tongue, using well-chosen words to encourage others?

Love does not envy. (v.4)

• Do you rejoice with those who rejoice?

• Are you genuinely glad when someone else is promoted, gets a raise, or is recognized—and you are overlooked? Do you view others as rivals?

• Do you respond with love:

- When your mate gets attention, praise or honor that you know is not deserved?

- When your friend’s child excels at sports, music or academics—and your friend loves to tell you about it?

- When a brother’s or sister’s family is financially prosperous while your family is struggling to make ends meet?

• Are you content with the basic necessities of life and a right relationship with God? Or, do you have an unhealthy possessiveness of things?

Love does not parade itself. (v.4)

• Do you boast about your abilities, gifts, accomplishments, or possessions?

• Are you self-promoting, trying to draw attention to yourself with your words?

• Do you flatter others with a secret hope of advancement?

• Do you enjoy telling about your achievements more than listening to the accomplishments of others?

• Are you content to do good works without recognition or praise?

• Do you accept credit for things God has done?

Love is not puffed up. (v.4)

• Do you have an accurate assessment of your strengths and weaknesses?

• Do you harbor a spirit of pride—an inflated view of yourself?

• Do you feel your spiritual gift is superior to other’s gifts?

• Do you communicate an attitude of spiritual superiority toward your husband? Your family? Your work associates?

Love does not behave rudely. (v.5)

• Do you have good manners?

• Are you courteous to others, especially in your home?

• Are you tactful—sensitive to the feelings of others and choosing words carefully—do you don’t needlessly offend?

• Are you agreeable when you must disagree with someone?

• Do you use sarcasm or put-downs that show disrespect?

Love does not seek its own. (v.5)

• Do you love your neighbor as yourself?

• Do you consciously look out for the welfare of others above your own?

• Are you self-protective of your time? Assertive of your rights?

• Is your reputation a prime concern?

• Do you search your heart’s motives before acting?

• Do you pray for other’s needs more than your own?

Love is not provoked. (v.5)

• Do you have the kind of love that overlooks offenses? Or, do you get exasperated and irritated when you don’t get your way?

• Do you fly off the handle or blow up when “crossed”?

• Are you easily upset by unpleasant circumstances that are beyond your ability to control or change?

• Do you cast blame, when in reality you are simply being touchy or thin-skinned?

Love thinks no evil. (v.5)

• Do you remember others’ wrongs or failures with pleasure? Do you keep track of their offenses or hold a grudge?

• Are you quick to forgive those who wrong you, clearing the record of their offense?

• Do you focus on people’s quirks and foibles instead of their strengths?

• When wrong thoughts about people come to mind, do you silently pray for them? Or, do you criticize them to others?

Love does not rejoice in iniquity. (v.6)

• Do you love righteousness? Do you hate evil?

• Do you laugh when sin—wrong words, attitudes, or behavior are presented in a humorous light?

• Are you grieved when you or another believer sins?

• Do you sympathize with others in their wrong doing or wrong thinking about God and His ways—making excuses for their sin?

• Do you thrive on gossip?

• Are you secretly happy when another person falls into sin?

Love rejoices in the truth. (v.6)

• Do you welcome others sharing truth with you about your life and needs?

• Are you discerning about doctrinal truth and error? Do you compromise the truth?

• Are you willing to lovingly speak the truth in private to those who have wandered far from it, even if that means risking rejection?

• Do you rejoice when truth triumphs? When people turn to God and change?

• Do you encourage others when they choose to do right?

Love bears all things. (v.7)

• Do you have the kind of love that covers a multitude of offenses?

• Do you seek to cover and protect others from attacks or harm?

• Are you willing to endure hardships for others’ sake without complaining?

• Are you willing to waive your personal rights—even legitimate ones—in order to advance the cause of Christ or guard His reputation?

• Have you learned to patiently trust God through the darkest circumstances of life?

Love believes all things. (v.7)

• Do you assume positively of people, giving them the benefit of the doubt?

• Are you quick to jump to conclusions? Do you assume people’s motives or actions are wrong before getting all the facts?

• Do you generally regard people with suspicion?

• Have you learned to examine situations carefully from a biblical perspective?

Love hopes all things. (v.7)

• Have you given up on God’s ability to change certain people?

• Do you simply expect negative behavior from certain people?

• Do you try to see people through God’s eyes so that you can reach out to meet their needs?

Do you have a vision of what a person can be when walking with the Lord?

• Do you seek the big picture (God’s perspective)? Or, are you frustrated when events do not work out as you had planned?

Love endures all things. (v.7)

• Does your love remain strong through testing, even when faced with humanly insurmountable obstacles?

• Is your love dependent on others’ responses?

• Do you keep loving, even when your efforts are rejected or seem unsuccessful?

• When you feel you cannot love, do you choose to act in loving ways—asking God to express His love through you—until your feelings catch up?

“Pursue love.” (1 Corinthians 14:1a)

1. Agree with God about your inability or unwillingness to express His love.

2. Ask God to fill you with His love and His Spirit.

3. Make a conscious choice to love every person, in every situation.

4. Let the love of Christ be the measure of your love.

Read 1 John 4:7-11

Just Thinking

Why do we have to be so busy with our schedules?

Why can't we slow do a bit and just enjoy life?

Why can't we just learn to say "No" to temptations, and things that appeal to the flesh?

Why can't we just be bold enough to tell people the Gospel?

Why can't we be open and honest with each other?

Why can't just be still and learn to wait on God?

Just thinking.....

Why Go To Church?

If you're spiritually alive, you're going to love this! If you're spiritually dead, you won't want to read it. If you're spiritually curious, there is still hope!

Why Go To Church?

A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."

This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:

"I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me,
I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this.. They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!" When you are DOWN to nothing.... God is UP to something! FAITH sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible! Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!

All right, now that you're done reading, pass on the message! I think everyone should read this! "When Satan is knocking at your door, simply say, "Jesus, could you get that for me?"

My Connection Time

There are many ways to have a Devotion (Quiet) Time and do a journal. You need to find what works for you. To get you started, here is one way:

S- for Scripture

Read the daily bible reading, allowing God to speak to you. Highlight, underline or mark the verses that stand out. Then reread the verses you marked, looking for one that particularly speaks to you today. Write it in your journal.

0 - for Observation
What is this verse trying to say? What happened? Why? What did it mean to the people it was first written to? What do you see and observe in this verse? Paraphrase and write this scripture down in your own words.

A- for Application

What is God saying to you through this? Personalize what you have read. Ask yourself how it applies to your life right now. Is there a… COMMAND to obey? EXAMPLE to follow? ERROR to avoid? SIN to confess? ISSUE to investigate? PROMISE to claim? TRUTH to tell?

P- for Prayer

This can be as simple as asking God to help you use this scripture, or it may be a greater insight on what He may be revealing to you. Write out a prayer response. Remember, prayer is a two way conversation. Listen to what God has to say!

S- for Share

Share with someone else – and your Connect Group – what God is saying. This encourages others, gets feedback, and leads to more insight yourself!