Recently, I read an article on the value of rest that really put into perspective the way we are as Americans.  We think the harder we work the better we are.  Our society glorifies busyness and overloaded workloads.  We have been conditioned to think that rest is lazy.  I have always felt guilty sitting around or even taking a day off when there is so much to be done for the KINGDOM.

Then I realized that even God took a break.  He created a Sabbath for the purpose of resting.  Six days we shall work and one day we should rest.  Could it be that we are so stressed out as Americans and even pastors, because we do not take the necessary time to refresh ourselves?  It is interesting to me that we feel like the world will stop if we stop. The truth is, however, God can keep things under control if we decide to take a break.

This is the subject of our message tomorrow morning.  By the way, it is a set up for my two vacation that starts next week:)

I had always wondered how early in life, people learned about money and what money was about.  Last night, I found out.  I was sitting in the recliner and pulled out a dollar bill from my pocket and began to put in my wallet, when Hannah noticed.  She began to reach for it and said, “money, money.  I want!”

This is not a good sign.  18 months old, already wanting my money.  They learn young these days.  This means trouble I am sure.

Just read a couple of thought provoking quotes:

“Without meaningful work, life stinks.” -Al Kaltman-

“Some people will never learn anything because they understand everything too soon.” -Alexander Pope-

For many years, in my times of frustration I have asked God the loaded question: Why?  Why must I go through this?  Why must I do that?  Why? Why? Why?

As believers we ask God the why question many times, but as David Ring says, “Asking why, questions God’s authority.”  He goes on to say that we should ask what not why.  What do you want me to learn from this?  What is it you are trying to teach me?  What is it you want to accomplish through me?

I was reminded of this message by David Ring last night as I was reading Ravenhill’s Tried and Transfigured.  These quotes pierced my heart because I am a slow learner.  I still have a struggle asking Why?

Ravenhill writes, “If I could write another beatitude it would be this, ‘Blessed is the man who does not argue with the Spirit.’ In dealing with God we ought not to have a ‘Why?’  Make no mistake about it – some people do just this: argue with God.  For if God says, ‘Do this,’ their first question is ‘Why?’ 

Let us not argue with the Spirit!  Let’s ask God what, not why!

I have been reading the book Launching a Leadership Revolution by Chris Brady and Orrin Woodward and it has been a good read.  They write about starting a leadership revolution in our country, by multiplying godly leaders.  They have some great insight into the subject of leadership and I believe that we need a renewal of leadership from the pulpit to the pew.

I think the problem in the world today is two-fold: 1. Apathy (people are complacent and not willing to commit) 2. Misconcevied ideas of leadership (people have the wrong view of being a leader).  I think the misconceived idea is the greatest of the problems.  People honestly think that to be a leader, you have to be born a leader.  A leader is not born but made.  Woodward and Brady write, “Leadership ability can be acquired.  Some say leaders are born, that they come into the world with natural abilities.  This is certainly true to some degree.  Others say leadership can be learned…While people may exhibit differing levels of leadership, everybody can cultivate and grow his or her leadership ability.  Everybody can be a leader at something, and usually people’s strengths lie in areas that interest them greatly.”

I am challenged to work on my own leadership ability.  I can testify that some things must be developed.  God has been dealing with me about changing my greatest weakness.  Discipline.  My personality type does not complement discipline.  So that is the area I am working on.  To be more disciplined in everything I do.  My work ethic, spiritual disciplines, family and even in exercise.  Discipline is hard but necessary.

What area of leadership do you need to work on?

We had a great weekend here at the church.  Saturday we had a workday so we could get the place tidied up a bit.  We had 16 men come out to help work on the church.  I must say that it was the best turn out we have ever had and we were able to get a lot done.  It is amazing what you can do when you work together.

Sunday, we had another great day.  We talked about living faith.  That faith believes and responds to God promises.  Faith believes in God’s power and faith overcomes obstacles.  The most important element of our faith is that we keep Christ at the center of our lives.  Without Him we are nothing.  Life is not worth living if Jesus is not a priority in our life.

Last night, we had a singing service with a variety of people doing special music.  It was great to see the talent that God has blessed us with in our church.  God is truly good!

Every week moving into the weekend, it is a busy time for pastors.  It is the process of meeting yet another weekly deadline.  Getting ready for the weekend service or services.  Sometimes it seems like a never-ending grind.  Every week we go through the same motions, preparing for Sunday.  It is our calling to prepare our messages, prepare the facilities, prepare the services and prepare anything else that comes up.  In all of our preparation, though, do we prepare our hearts?

It is easy to get caught up in the grind and forget to spend time with the Master.  It is time spent with Him that keeps us from burning out or getting frustrated with the mundane task of weekly preparation.  In fact, it is our time with Him that helps us keep the perspective that it is all for Him and for His glory.  Every ounce of preparation is for the work of His Kingdom and the pursuit of the souls of men.

I challenge every pastor or minister to be diligent, to guard their time with the Lord,  without Him it is only a weekly ritual.

I have been wondering lately where a little child learns not to share.  It seems as if it is second nature for kids to want everything for themselves.

Last night, Hannah had a little friend over to the house.  They were playing happily until they both wanted the same toy.  Then I heard the phrase of all phrases from my 18 month old, “MINE!”.  When the other little girl started playing with Hannah’s duck, Hannah wanted the duck for herself.  There is an unwritten rule with little children, “It is MINE whether I am playing with it or not! So deal with it!”  Hannah could care less about the duck until her friend wanted to play with the duck.  Kids?

Then the tables turned, when Hannah found her friend’s toy and started to play with it, the little girl exclaimed, “MINE!”  She has her unwritten rule too, “It’s OK to play with your toys, but don’t play with mine.”  I learned last night that within every child is an issue of not wanting to share.

Then I realized that often we never get over that issue.  As adults, we do not  like to share either.  We find it hard sometimes to give from our excess to help someone who has little.  Or we do not like to share our time, because our time is too precious.  We often do not like to share our money with the less fortunate or the ministry of the church.  As adults we have this same attitude sometimes, “MINE!”

The writer of Hebrews declares, “Do not forget to do good and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”  We all need to learn to share, even us adults!