Year End Reflection

Today is the last day of 2012 - it's quite cliche to say how fast a yr goes by. May be even more so with me since my oldest daughter is on the brink of leaving the house and headed off to college and that alone creates great change. Regardless of how fast the years seem to go by we all know they are each alike in their time, nothing is different from this past year as in years past in regards to their timing but what occurs in each year is often very, very different.

And we would be wise - very wise people to take a few moments, maybe hours, maybe days to STOP & reflect on the past year. To take the time to recognize ‘what is different’? from this year vs. years past. And when we do that, when we take the time, I mean really stop & ponder, it benefits us greatly.

This is something I do each and every year (I typically go away by myself for a day or so) and reflect and in that process allow God the Holy Spirit to speak to me. Which helps lead me into the upcoming year.

So this morning I wanted to share some of my questions I ask to help me along in the process and believe it will be helpful to you as well. If you take the time….

"My son, if you accept my words, and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom, and applying your heart to understanding, 3 and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver, and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, 8 for he guards the course of the just, and protects the way of his faithful ones. 9 Then you will understand what is right and just and fair-every good path. 10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. 11 Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you." Proverbs 2: 1-11

All of us need Godly wisdom, and Proverbs chapter two gets you thinking on the right path. Wisdom is like silver and we are instructed to search for it like hidden treasure. With that kind of fervor, that kind of pursuit… And God grants favor for those who walk with Him, and protects the path of those who seek Him. 

We just completed the Christmas holidays. It's a busy time -- I know. So now with at behind us, I urge you to take a couple hours and think through these questions. As you do that, get out your laptop or tablet and jot down a few notes. I promise it will be worth it if you will act on the wisdom you gain. Here's a helpful hint. Don't try to write pages and pages. Write as concisely as you can, even bullet points are great. It’s the KISS technique - Keep it simple stupid. The purpose is to evaluate your life in 2012 so you experience an even greater 2013.

Ten Great Questions: 

1. What are several of your most meaningful achievements and success stories this year? 

This is a great way to start. Make a list of the things God helped you achieve this year that you're most enthusiastic about. Express your gratitude to God and write a few notes of thanks to those who helped you. Reflect on which of your successes were things you planned and which were things God seemed to surprise you with. 

2. What do you need to stop doing? 

This is one of my big questions every year. It's a tough one! And the truth is, if you're growing and taking new territory, you have to let go of some things in order to keep moving forward. It could be things like worry, or time in front of the TV or computer, or your work schedule or it could be your diet and specific food or drinks (I have already begun to drastically cut back on my diet soda intake and replaced that with water and tea)  - which of these would be wise to stop doing? Or at least do much less of?  And if you need some help accomplishing the items you want to stop doing, maybe you could employ this company (vid - http://www.bluefishtv.com/Store/Downloadable_Video_Illustrations/5379/SLAP)

3. What do you need to start doing?

You probably already know exactly what you need to start or restart in 2013. Perhaps you need to be consistent with exercise, or pray with your spouse, or be faithful to your day off, or study and read more scripture. Let me encourage you to list no more than three things. Any more may ensure that none of them happen. Keep your list short! 

4. What are two or three mistakes you made this year? 

If you made a mistake or two of consequence, take heart that means you are actually trying! The important thing is to know what you learned from that mistake. Listen folks, We can make mistakes, make lots of mistakes, even make a big mistake. but never make the same mistake twice! Why? Because if you do you are not learning! 

I can look back at 2012 and see a # of mistakes I’ve made… w/ my wife, my children, in leading this church. The important thing for me is that I learn from those and continue to move forward.

5. Is there any regret you need to tend to?

This usually boils down to people. In what condition are your primary relationships? Are there any misunderstandings that need to be corrected? Is there someone you need to forgive? Do you need to ask forgiveness? Perhaps your relationships are in great shape. Good! Was there a special project that you really need and want to finish but you didn't? The idea behind this question is to identify any regret that you can do something about, and do it soon in 2013. Watch this…. (vid - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIp_8RNNX4k)

Ofcourse Oskar Schindler accomplished a great deal… what I want you to see this morning is the ‘regret’ he felt. He wanted to accomplish more… is that kind of fire w/in you?

6. What is the last thing God said to you? 

This is huge folks. It’s of the upmost importance. How does God speak to you? When does He seem to speak to you most often? For me, God consistently speaks to me while I am out walking, I call them, “Walk n Talks”.  Or when I’m alone late at night in my backyard. What is God's fresh Word to you? Are you listening? Are you obeying? Are you enjoying your life with God? If you are more distant from God than you would like, how can you remedy that? Here's a helpful tip, don't make it complicated. Sometimes when I pray, and I don't know what to pray, or I don't feel connected, I just sit with God! I'm in my little prayer room, Bible open, with no pressure to perform. I'm simply in His presence. What is the last thing God said to you?

7. In what ways do you need to better love and care for your family? 

This is very personal and that's probably why it's so important. This is essential, but it never trumps your personal life. The character and quality of your personal life determines the character and quality of your professional & family life. It's never the other way around. I suggest you consider the little things. At work we often talk of the "big priorities" but at home, it's often the little things that make the big difference. How might you be more loving at home? How might you serve your family better? 

*Focus on what you give, not on what you don't get. You will never be unhappy with that choice. 

8. What one or two areas do you want to improve in personally in 2013? 

This is sometimes tough to see and measure. You may need to ask a trusted friend or two who knows you well. Candidly, if you haven't been working on something specific this year, it is unlikely you will notice any specific improvement. Get some wise counsel and focus in on a very short list of areas to improve this coming year.  

Hey if you’re married, ask your spouse, and if you have children, they’ll tell you where you can improve :)

9. What are the top five to seven things you hope to achieve in 2013? 

What would you like to accomplish? What does your boss want you to accomplish? What would your family like to experience from you? Dream big but don't get overwhelmed. It's easy to make a list of 29 things and we both know you won't do all that. Narrow it down, make the list count. Don't make the list in a vacuum, talk with the key people in your life. Be sure to have at least one thing that is personal. Maybe write a book, or knock five strokes off your golf game, or learn to play the piano! 

Make a list of a few items you want to achieve in this upcoming year and then put a plan in place to accomplish those.

10. How can you be a better leader in 2013?

This is a big one for me. I always want to be improving as a leader. So I read books, listen to podcasts, go to seminars. Here’s the deal folks… I believe everybody is a leader, the question is, Are you a good one? A husband to his wife, a parent to their children, an older child to their brother or sisters, to your workmates, classmates, friends, family, in ministry be it a church or another organiztion… are you a good leader in those arenas?

And… let me get spiritual here with you… every Christ follower is called to lead. 

Every believer. Called folks. Not just the clergy, not just the people you see working on stage or behind the scenes of the church. Every Christ follower. Called.

Look at what Peter says in his first letter...

 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Pt. 2:9

Royal priesthood refers to our leadership in this world.

And Paul to the Corinthian believers...

“So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ…”

2 Cor. 5:20

You are an ambassador, you are Christ’s representative to everybody else surrounding you…

So How can you be a better leader in 2013? (vid)

there are many more questions you could ask yourself. But I promise that if you will answer these ten, the likelihood of your 2013 being significantly stronger just went up exponentially! 

Watch/Listen to this at: FocusChurch.com 

Where is God when Tragedy Strikes?

• I received this message (question) this morning and wanted to share it:
  

  
  

  Joe, How do YOU handle a situation like this? How do YOU explain it. I am having a very hard time trying to figure out where God was yesterday. You understand these things. I'm afraid that I don't.
• Today
• 

  12:53pm

  Joe Parks

  Hi,
  Well you are not in the minority. Many, many people ask that very question. They asked after yesterday's tragedy... it got asked in Colorado after the movie gunman tragedy.... it got asked after 9/11, it gets asked when a child dies, not necessarily through a traumatic event such as yesterday but just a child getting sick and not recovering then passes away. An infant dying of SIDS, any loved one that is taken away from us unexpectedly for any reason. It's hard for us to grasp, it's hard to get our mind wrapped around it.
  So you are not alone in your thoughts.
  What we have to understand is 1st of all God is not absent. Scripture tells us He is everywhere, all the time - "The eyes of the Lord are in every place..." Proverbs 15:3 - And God said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you" Hebrews 13:5.
  2nd, God does not 'cause' the evil in this world but He has allowed it.
  That actually goes all the way back to the first humans, Adam & Eve.
  You know Adam & Eve did live in a perfect world for a time (The Garden of Eden) While they lived there everything we spectacular, there was no pain, no suffering, not a single bad thing.
  That is until they 'chose' to sin. And that's where it all started.....
  

  God has given us free will to choose. We are not puppets on a string, we have free will. And the truth of the matter is our own flesh and desires are built in with evil, which is why we need God. For Him to help us live life to the fullest.
  Jesus said in John 10:10 "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

  So answering questions about tragedy or trying to wrap our brains around such things is very hard to do. We just don't understand it.
  We just have to accept that evil is in this world and us, our race, humans, opened the door for evil. God didn't, doesn't cause evil. He does however give us the right to choose.

  He has come that we may life. He has comfort for us and His Word tells us that He will turn the bad (harm) into good.
  Genesis 50:20 -
  "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

  Romans 8:28 - "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God"

  On the other side of that question could be this question.... 'Why is God so good to us?'
  But that can be for another day 

  I hope this is helpful

  
  

  And I hope it is helpful to you as well.

Prayer & Hope

Praying for the victims of the senseless school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut. These acts of sinister violence against innocent children and adults point to a giant spiritual vacuum in our world/nation! The Church has the only answer in the world of desperation people find themselves in; and his name is Yeshua! He provides healing, hope and help! - Glenn Burris

If You Look For Me at Christmas - A letter from Jesus

If you look for me at Christmas,

You won’t need a special star.

I’m no longer just in Bethlehem,

I’m right there where you are.

You may not be aware of Me,

Amid the celebrations.

You’ll have to look beyond the stores,

And all the decorations.

But if you take a moment,

From your list of things to do,

And listen to your heart, you’ll find

I’m waiting there for you.

You’re the one I want to be with,

You’re the reason that I came.

And you’ll find Me in the stillness,

As I’m whispering your name.

Love, 

  Jesus

Surviving (Enjoying) The Holiday Season by Cathleen Parks

So.....today I thought I would talk about surviving the holidays. But then it occurred to me it should really be more than that - it should be enjoying the holidays! So  I thought we could process through together how to make the holiday season, which is really from the Thanksgiving week until the 1st week of January, really good. On Friday night I asked Jessica what she thought most people would need to do to most enjoy their holidays and she said AVOID FAMILY! hahaha!!!! 

The 1st thing that comes to MY mind it the issue of crazy holiday schedules. 

There are so many things that we want to do. We want to visit friends and family, we want to go to parties, we want to go shopping but right alongside of those wants are the things we don’t want to do - visit friends and family, go to parties, go shopping! It’s really all about balance. We have to prioritize and figure out what we should and shouldn’t do. Does everyone want you to come to their party? Sure they do - it wouldn’t be the same without YOU! But will they survive if you don’t come? mmmmmm....i say yes! Believe it or not the party really will go on without you and so if attending that particular event, whether it’s a party or luncheon or whatever, if attending is going to be one more thing in your overly crowded schedule or it’s going to take away from something else or it’s going to rob you of good family time then it’s okay to say no! 

You know it’s even okay to say no just because ‘you don’t wanna’. Your allowed to do that! (Unless your spouse overrules you - I can’t help you with that one!)

Don’t be afraid to get some rest during the holidays. Don’t we feel guilty if we take the day off when we feel like there is something still to do? Look, I know this, I know that the Bible tells me to take a sabbath. 

Exodus 20:8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy."

It’s important to take time to rest and refocus. 

Keeping your Sabbath holy - simply put that means that which is holy belongs to God. 

Why don’t we take some time and give it to God during the holidays. Not to our boss, our neighbors, the mall, whatever. But truly take some time that is ours and dedicate it to God - therefore making it his. Not sure what to do?  Open the Bible and read through the story of Jesus’s birth. Put on some worship or Christmas music and sit in front of a cozy fire with some hot chocolate and enjoy the peacefulness while the words wash over you. Not much can alter your mood and perspective faster than music. Music just connects to our hearts in a unique way.

Ok so just say no!

Next is know when to say yes! 

You gotta make memories - enjoy life’s simple pleasures. Go Christmas light looking and make it special. Put some hot chocolate in the car and take lots of blankets - then roll your windows down and snuggle in while you drive through a really festive neighborhood. One time when it wasn’t very cold Joe and I rode our bikes through the neighborhood with Jess strapped in the kid carrier and that was so fun! We really got to take our time looking at the decorations. Or you can go down to see the display at Moody gardens. 

Every year I like to grab a pillow and put it under the tree and just lay under it and watch the lights cycle. Alli does it with me now too! See.....memories. 

Roast marshmallows at your firepit or chiminea. 

Pull out some cards or a board game. Some of you just need to play......some of you don’t remember what it’s like to loose yourself in play then watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0_Sa-cw_Aw 

The final aspect to enjoying your holidays is the most important one, it’s Hebrews 12:2

"We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. He saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him." (GWV)

You know coming off Thanksgiving week and then into the Christmas month, we just have to realize we have so much to be thankful for and we can express our thanks for our families and our homes and the food on our tables and the pillows we get to rest our heads on each night but we can’t loose sight of the source of all of these blessings.  If there was EVER anything to be thankful for it’s Jesus. If fact, everything we can possibly be thankful for is a gift. We can’t take credit for our families, our jobs, our homes. We wouldn’t have our families if God hadn’t allowed us to be born into them or for us to cross paths with our spouses. We wouldn’t have our jobs or homes had God not given us the skills and abilities to work and earn them.....

James 1:16-17  "Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

No matter what you do this season don’t lose sight of what we are ultimately celebrating and that is that we have a great God who’s blessed us amazingly -  who just over 2 thousand years ago gave up His position in heaven to be born in a barn so that He could restore us back into relationship with him. Don’t you dare get so pre-occupied in your turkey, your decorations, your shopping that you forget what this season is really all about. And don’t you dare miss the opportunity to impact your life and your children’s lives with these truths.   

Deuteronomy 11:18-20 (New International Version)

"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates"

You know this really ties into the making memories and the holiness issue we talked about earlier......I love how this scripture puts such an emphasis on the importance of teaching our children. What better time is there to teach our kids about God than this season where they are saturated in Christmas music - which a lot if it is just worship music and nativities and crosses and everywhere they turn their attention is repeatedly drawn to something that reminds them of the birth of our savior, our messiah. When the girls were younger we use to some really cool activities out of a book called Family Tool-chest. Anyway, it was a rainy day and we wanted to have a little fun along with kind of a family devotion 

In that moment we did several things we’ve talked about today, we made memories, we taught our kids a fundamental Biblical lesson and we created a holy experience. Remember holy simply means being that which belongs to God. That afternoon in our garage belonged to God. You know this Deuteronomy scripture also says to fix God’s words on our hearts and minds. You know what that is ultimately? That’s giving your heart and mind to God. It’s the ultimate decision to live a holy life because it’s saying ‘I belong to God’. Ultimately, the best gift you can give this season is yourself to God. Make this year uniquely different that any other year by being purposeful about setting aside yourself and your moments to be holy - to belong to God.