Links 1.26.17

Overcoming 

Not letting the thought of failure rule you

Start the day winning 

Loving others

Make time to think

Links 1.19.17

Changing role of pastor

11 Bad reason to leave a church 

10 goals for 2017 

10 trends for churches

Church communications 

* These articles are for thought stimulation. Not all things suggested affect all churches or church fields.

Links 1.12.17

Rules and Salvation

Stop complaining 

How the NT was formed 

Common Idols 

Management fallacies 

Moving into the New Year

At the end of every year it is a good time to stop, reflect, evaluate, repent, and prepare. Last year I shared with you my method. I understand that routine can become meaningless if it is done only for the sake of routine. I also understand that in our modern world with our never ceasing desire for something “New” and “Fresh”, we often miss out on what is truly of great value. So I will post again my tool. I have added a few updates to make it more user friendly for you, but I have left it old so as to grab the greater value. Be sure not to embark on this journey unaided by the Holy Spirit. Doing such will only aid in your self assessment and not in the only assessment that really matters- His. So with out further adieu, I bring you the egg.

Symbolically the egg has been used to represent new life, the restarting of the cycle. Each new year for the last five or six, it has been my discipline to stop and examine my past year in relation to God’s entire Word as a unit. I have also used this time to take inventory of the blessings God has allowed into my life and to take time to place them back in the hand of the Almighty. The most difficult part, perhaps, is to prepare for the New Year by faith with all God has put at my disposal. I take my family one by one and ask God to give me grace to praise Him regardless of the year’s upcoming circumstances. I mentally illustrate tragedy and triumph of family and things from earth’s view and rip out any vestiges of idolatry that might have crept in over the past year. I want my life to be bound to Christ alone. The worship is painful at times but refreshment comes with a refocused life to look forward to working out in the upcoming days. As I pondered how to pass down my New Year tradition to my children I thought, “I can use the egg as an acrostic.” It is simplistic enough to be used alone or one could add a depth to each point. I like this practice so much; I thought I would share it with you, my friends, also. 

Rate Each from 1-5. 1 being the lowest, 5 the highest

Evaluate 

• Spiritual health/growth 1 2 3 4 5 


• Relational health/growth 1 2 3 4 5 


• Physical health/growth 1 2 3 4 5 


• Character health/growth 1 2 3 4 5 


• Integrity & honesty health/growth 1 2 3 4 5 


• Priority Alignment health/ growth 1 2 3 4 5

Grieve

Repent of Identified Sin- Allow Holy Spirit to search it out 

Remove any and all stumbling blocks 

• Activities 


• Possessions 


• Habits 


• Relationships 


• Entertainment

Mourn the loss 

Move forward

Goals

What does God want to do in me in the next year?

What does He want to do through me?

What will it take for me to prepare to do this?

What is undone that needs completing?

Go back to the “E” and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, write an action plan to grow in that area.

Then for a quick check up for the year ahead get an index card and write the Word SHAPE. Use the acronym for a quick reference to keep you centered.

Spirit
Health
Attitude
Priority
Entertainment


Chris Gilliam 2008 ©

Links 1.5.17

What it means to know your bible

On media and community

Important read on importance of renewing your mind

On savings a retirement 

Don't be the reason you're in a rut