My will or God's?

I caught myself wasting time today worrying again.  Nothing dramatic, or horrible, just worry.

This says to the Lord LOUD AND CLEAR - that I don't trust Him.  I asked for His forgiveness...again!

Then I believe with all my heart the Lord brought to my attention an article written by John Piper about discerning the Will of God and I was reminded once again, that I don't have to figure everything out.   I just have to be obedient, lead strongly, love thoroughly and His will - WILL be done!

It most likely will look nothing like I wasted my time thinking about.  And could even contain difficult things, but I am praising Him of this reminder to trust!

So I'm following what I know I need to be doing anyway, and that's pouring over His Word, offering prayer continuously and leaning fully into what's before me with the trust of the birds - which worry not what they'll eat tomorrow...

And still they fulfill their Father's purpose!

group first - team second

Brilliant! It only took me 12 years at Crossroads to figure out probably what everyone else already knew. When you want to begin a ministry, or start a new team. Small Group first - team second!

I have started teams through the years that serve a purpose then disintegrate. Reason? I think because they weren't a group first. People with things in common want to be together, they have instant connections. Then you add a purpose beyond the usual benefit of small groups and you have a team!

Now the group not only does life together, they accomplish together. This is the setting for a very, very strong bond to form. A bond that can withstand change and tough times. This, I believe is how God intended for us to do life...group and team all wrapped up in one.

what I learned today

One of my best friends came to me at church this weekend and as we were talking she said, "now don't take this the wrong way but...(always a moment of panic when a conversation begins this way), I can tell without even knowing, that your kids are home from college this weekend. You just seem pulled in two directions." Man, mind reader!

This got me to thinking about focus. How do you totally block out personal things when you are in the midst of your professional responsibilities? Is it possible? Is it something we should even strive for? After all, our personal lives are what make us what we really are, right? In my case my kids being home from college was nothing but positive, well except for a little lost sleep.

In my profession, I am paid to be both creative and administrative. I call it being hired to provide "Artistic Clarity", oxymoron? Not really.

Even in God's most creative moments He is orderly, very purposeful. Nothing random about His work. So why do we have such focus problems? My head is always full of multiple things at once. They other night I was driving home without music or anything on in the car. My head swam with creative ideas for services, articles as well as jobs at home to squeeze in. This is my state of mind most of the day, so to pick and choose which to finish first is no easy task. Not an excuse for lack of accomplishment. Even the most creative among us should live with purpose, thus the success of the "purpose driven" teachings and books by Saddleback's Rick Warren. People need to understand their unique purpose in life. This need is built into each of us, artistic or not.

Even in our most creative endeavors order is required. Required to finish a project, a writing, a poem or conversation. I learned today I must be both focused and creative. God made that possible within me. And He gave me perceptive friends - they know me well and encourage me constantly!