Category Archives: Spiritual growth

Finishing well (the last 10%)

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Starting is easy. Finishing? Not so much. Think about it…

  • How many books have you started… but not finished?
  • How many projects remain unfinished around your house?
  • How many e-mails are still in “draft” form in your e-mail?
  • How many difficult conversations have you started but the problem still remains because you didn’t finish the conversation?
You get the point.
But here’s something else to consider. It’s not sufficient to finish if it’s not done well! The last 10% of any project always seems to be the hardest, but it may be the most important! It is the finished product that sells!
A few days ago I read a post from a prolific blogger who wears weird glasses and shows only the top of his head on his blog… Seth Godin! He wrote:

It’s not enough to finish the checklist, to hurrily do the last three steps and declare victory.

In fact, the last coat of polish and the unhurried delivery of worthwhile work is valued all out of proportion to the total amount of effort you put into the project.

It doesn’t matter how many designers, supply chains, workers, materials and factories were involved– if the box is improperly sealed, that’s how you will be judged. 

He’s right!

Solomon, purportedly the wisest man to ever live, wrote “Finishing is better than starting” (Ecclesiastes 7:8 NIV). And if I can take such liberty I’d say, “Finishing well is better than starting well!”

Think about this, why spend the time, money, and energy to start well if you’re not committed to finishing well?

Jesus was all about this. Look at how He said it:

Luke 14:28-32  don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then checking to see if there is enough money to pay the bills?  29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of funds. And then how everyone would laugh at you!  30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and ran out of money before it was finished!’  31 “Or what king would ever dream of going to war without first sitting down with his counselors and discussing whether his army of ten thousand is strong enough to defeat the twenty thousand soldiers who are marching against him?  32 If he is not able, then while the enemy is still far away, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace.

Listen, I am pretty good at starting things, but here’s what I’m finding… finishing feels even better, makes people even happier, and gives me greater credibility as a man and a leader. And finishing well? Well that increases these three exponentially!

I want to challenge myself and encourage you to go finish something today… and finish it well! Make the last 10% as good as the first 10%!

 

How to be happy

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Right now I am reading Aristotle’s book on ethics (download it for free on Kindle).

He said something last night that I jotted down in my journal to reflect further upon. Discussing happiness he writes, “…as it is not one swallow or one fine day that makes a spring, so it is not one day or a short time that makes a man blessed and happy.”

You might have made this mistake, I have, thinking that one day or one event would make you “really happy.” Not so… at least for long.

Since last April I have been overcoming what sure looked and felt like depression. In my journey towards health and happiness I have discovered that what Aristotle wrote is true… happiness doesn’t come from one thing or one day. Believe me, I tried and consistently found myself disappointed.

And then I made a handful of important decisions. (I wrote about them in a blog post over at pastormojo.com. There is a link to that article at the end of this blog post)

Over time, as I began to live out those decisions I began the journey from funk to fun. Just the other day I told Sherri, “I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time!” I am happy, grateful, dreaming again, and discovering fresh new pockets of life that I’d forgotten about!

The lesson I learned is that happiness is the result of right actions over a long time. 

It’s like most other things:

  • Want to be healthy? Eat, rest, and exercise regularly and do it for a long time.
  • Want to have a great marriage? Date your spouse regularly, apologize often, work as a team, etc. and do it for a long time.

You get the point… the best things in life don’t happen overnight. They require the right actions over an extended period of time.

Question… are you trying to find happiness with one action? Are you hoping that it will show up tomorrow? If so you’re chasing fairies. However, if you are looking for happiness and are willing to do the right things over an extended period of time you will find happiness.
What do you think? Let’s talk!
If you’re interested in the five decisions I made that helped pull me out of the funk I was in you can read about them right here.

Some thoughts on preaching

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I am a pastor.

The favorite part of my job is preaching. This year I have enjoyed preaching more than ever and I believe my preaching is more effective than ever. Here are some reflections on what I’ve been doing…

I’ve been teaching verse by verse through books of the Bible. Since January of 2011 we (at Church180) have gone through:

  • Song of Solomon (4 weeks)
  • Romans (8 weeks)
  • James (13 weeks)
  • And are now working our way through 1 Peter in what will be a 16 week journey.

Teaching verse by verse does a few things for me as a pastor:

  • I don’t spend much time thinking “What am I going to preach next?” I just go to the next “chunk” of Scripture and teach what it says!
  • Because I’m following the lead of the Scripture we are talking about things we might never talk about otherwise. For instance, the last two weeks in Peter have been: 1) how to live as a Christian under the authority of government and 2) how to function as a Christian under the authority of a superior you might not like.
  • Teaching verse by verse allows me to speak with new, bold authority. It is clear that what I am saying is not my idea. I’m just saying out loud what God spoken to us through the authors of Scripture.
  • Teaching verse by verse through a book allows me time to read the through the book multiple times in addition to reading through at least three commentaries on the book. The bottom line is that after I have taught through a book I have a solid understanding of that book and what it teaches.
  • Teaching verse by verse through a book of the Bible forces me to hear from God on matters that I might otherwise avoid… because I don’t know what to say about it, because it’s too uncomfortable for me to talk about, or because it hits to close to home!

Here’s the process I follow as I teach through a book of the Bible:

  • I determine which book we are going to teach through. Right now we are working book by book through the “General Epistles.”
  • I read through the particular book multiple times until an outline becomes clear. After I have written down what appears to be the outline of the book I will check with 5-7 experts to see how they have outlined the book. After making any necessary adjustments I have my teaching outline for the series (for instance, 1 Peter has 16 “chunks” (technically called a “pericope“) which equals 16 weeks worth of teaching).
  • Every week I print out the “chunk” I am going to be teaching that weekend. I print it out in five different Bible versions (New American Standard, New International Version, New Living Translation, The Message, and The Amplified Version). I read over and over and over the verses in the different versions. While I am reading I take notes, write questions, and collect stories to be used that weekend.
  • Also during the week I read three different commentaries on the “chunk” of Scripture I will be teaching that weekend.
  • Now I have read five different translations, worked with my own thoughts/ideas and study, and have also gained insight from the scholars who have written the commentaries.
  • Then I write and teach the sermon.

I am enjoying teaching verse by verse through the Bible! It is growing me personally and our church is growing too, both spiritually and numerically. God was right when He said about His Word, “I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it” (Isaiah 55:11 NLT)

How to change

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There are two ways to change:

        • Evolution.
            • Explosion.

Evolution is a slow and methodic approach to change. Little by little… step by step… day by day.

Explosion is a dramatic, fast, and immediate approach to change. 

I notice that often the good in our life is the result of evolutionary change and the bad things are often ended by explosion change.

Evolution:

  • Start going to the gym… over time your body changes.
  • Start reading your Bible… over time your attitude and knowledge quotient changes
  • Start dating your spouse… over time your relationship improves

Explosion:

  • Quit smoking… cold turkey.
  • Leave old, dangerous friends.
  • Quit the job you hate to pursue a career/calling you love.

So here’s the question…

What changes do you need to make in your life?

Do they require the evolution or explosion method of change?

I don’t know what I want to do. Do you?

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I am thirty-six years old. Strong. Intelligent. Blessed. And pretty darn humble too.

OK seriously… I am thirty six years old.

When I was twenty-five I knew what I wanted to do “for the rest of my life.” I’m not so sure about that anymore.

I don’t know how or where, but somewhere along the way things have gotten blurry. For the last couple of years I have wrestled with this thought:

Most young people are idealists. They come charging into life with intentions and plans to change the world, but somewhere along the journey “reality” sets in. They have a setback or two and before you know it the dreamers wake up, and “settle” for simply showing up and staying out of trouble.

When Idealism meets reality it seems like reality wins more often than not. Dreams get shelved… or worse, forgotten.

“Mature” men snicker and “poo poo” the enthusiasm of youth. They have forgotten what it felt like to dream. They have accepted “reality.”

And yet there is something beautiful about a man (or woman) who has taken a strong dose of “reality” and still continues to press forward with the dream… a person in whom idealism continues to breath!

I have met “reality” and tasted the bitter taste of disappointment and failure. I have felt the tug towards complacency and even been encouraged by some to “slow down.” And yet I live with the sense that these are the danger days… the days in which choices are made that separate dreamers from settlers… risk takers from security seekers. These are the days when I will choose to shelve my passion and hunker down or I will choose to light it up and move forward. I have seen enough middle aged and older people living with regret that I am determined not to be one of their number.

But I am troubled. What used to be so clear is not so clear any longer.

Somewhere along the way I have lost my clarity… my driving purpose… my “hill to die on”… the crusade for which I will give my life.

Now, I know that to write this is risky. It means that the people I pastor may wonder about me. It means that those who look up to me (everyone shorter than 6’1) may not look at me the same any longer. Some may not understand. This note is not for them.

This note is for you… those of you who, like me, still have a passion to change the world, to make an impact… you’re just not sure exactly how YOU are going to do it. This note is for you… for us.

I don’t have an answer… yet. But I know that there is a clear and specific purpose for each person. I have a general sense of purpose… to study, write, teach, and call people to God… but I lack specifics beyond that. I wish I knew what they were.

So, I’ve been reading a book called, Leaders Who Last, by Dave Kraft. In this book he discusses the importance of knowing your purpose… it’s critical for lasting in the leadership arena.

He gives eleven pointers that are well worth my time to follow up on so I thought I’d share them with you too. From Dave Kraft, “here are a few steps that will help you on the road to identifying your purpose”:

1. Record Bible passages God has applied to your life.

2. Reflect on how God has used you in the past.

3. Determine what you are passionate about.

4. List your known gifts and strengths.

5. Delineate what you have excelled at in your work experi­ence.

6. Define what action words best describe what you like to do.

7. Write down what you enjoy doing in your free time.

8. Reread all your answers.

9. Take note of common themes.

10. Write down key words or ideas that repeat.

11. Summarize those key words in a short, energizing state­ment about yourself.

Now I share this, my story and Dave’s tips, for two reasons:

  • I want to encourage you! Dave Kraft was thirty-eight when he really began to wrestle this matter to the ground. He went on to figure it out… and write a book about it! If Dave did it we can too!
  • I want to give you a process and a forum to begin discovering clarity! I’ve talked with enough of my colleagues and friends to know I’m not the only one wrestling with this need for clarification so I decided to throw the door open on this one and begin a conversation… one that begins with honest confession, assumes the confident belief that there is a purpose for everyone, and assertively moves forward and works through Dave’s eleven ideas!

Want to join me on this quest?

6 Things I’ve learned at the gym (Part 2)

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Exercising your body is one of the most important and immediate actions you can take to improve your life. When I am in shape physically I feel it spiritually, emotionally, financially and relationally. I think better, sleep better, work better and enjoy a surge of self-confidence.

Earlier this week I had a few thoughts occur to me regarding life lessons I’ve learned at the gym. Yesterday we hit the first three: (Read the entire article here)

  • You have to hurt before you can grow.
  • Showing up is half the battle.
  • I get stronger when I go with someone.

Let’s talk about the other three lessons…

Know the difference between good pain and bad pain… and stop when it’s bad.

Yesterday I said that pain always precedes growth. That’s true, but intelligent workout artists know the difference between good and bad pain! Good pain is something you press through. Bad pain is something you stop for.

Lots of people quit because it hurts… even if it’s good pain. They will never enjoy the other side of pain.

On the other hand, there are some people who don’t know when to quit, and they injure themselves as a result.

Just a couple of weeks ago I walked away from an exercise because I felt a bad pain. I knew that pressing through it would do significant harm.

It’s hard for me to tell you the difference, but my guess is that you have a pretty good sense.

Bill Hybels (a pastor and exercise buff) wrote an article a few years ago called “Reading Your Gauges” that is a most helpful article on this subject! He tells his story of pressing through the bad pain and hurting himself and shares the secret (learned through pain) of how to identify and avoid bad pain! You can read it here.

Stay close to people who are stronger than you are.

I love going to Brutal Iron Gym for a lot of reasons, one of which is the number of really strong guys training really hard. When I see them pushing and hear them grunting it inspires me to push and grunt too! I know it will lead to greater strength!

Intentionally being around stronger people helps me to visualize what it takes and what it will look like to be stronger!

Listen, if the people around you are weaker than you who is going to inspire and challenge you? There all going to be looking up to you… and in time you’ll notice that you’ve stopped growing!

In life, like the gym, I find that when I intentionally get around people who are smarter, richer, wiser, and have stronger faith than I do I leave inspired, challenged and often equipped to take the next step!

Ask lots of questions.

This is important! I learn a lot by observing and asking questions about new exercises, proper form, etc. Most of the time the people I ask aren’t offended and will even take time to explain (i.e. teach) me the secret of the exercise!

Asking questions requires humility. In essence you are saying, “I don’t know what you know. Will you teach me?” But humility leads to strength and favor.

Just this week while I was doing an exercise, I had a guy come up to me and offer me a tip. I implemented his idea and got seven extra repetitions. In other words, I worked my muscles harder so they will grow bigger because of his tip! Now here’s the thing… do you know why he came up to me and gave me that tip? Because I am always asking him questions! He understands that I want to know and learn and will not take offense at his offering me a suggestion (sometimes people in the gym, like in life, are not open to suggestions on form, etc.).

Whether you are in the gym, the classroom, the garage, or the grocery store… ask questions! You’ll be surprised what people will share with you and how much more you will grow as you listen and implement your new found knowledge!

Well there they are… the six lessons I’ve learned from the gym.

So, how about you? Do you exercise? What life lessons have you picked up from your exercise regimen?

6 things I’ve learned at the gym (Part 1)

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One of my favorite meetings is the one that happens at Brutal Iron Gym.

Since last June I have been working out harder than I ever have. I have some great partners and the team at BIG is amazing! From giving pointers on diet to helping put together gut-wrenching workouts these guys are the best!

Yesterday while decimating my back I had a few thoughts that apply not only to the gym but to life in general. I’ll share three today and the rest tomorrow.

You have to hurt before you can grow.

In the gym it’s true. If you’re not hurting you’re not growing. When you work out hard you tear your muscles then you eat and rest while they recover, and as they recover they grow!

I’ve seen this in my own life. When there’s no pain, no stress, it is almost certain that I am getting pudgy. BUT when the pain comes… when the hard times come and I persevere there is always growth and maturity on the other side.

Just today as I was leaving the gym I was talking with one of the patrons there and we both agreed that we love the pain that comes after the workout… because we know it means something good is going to happen!

Don’t be afraid of pain in your life! Remember, pain always precedes growth.

Showing up is half the battle.

Oh this is big! Every once in a while I’ll have a day when I just don’t feel like going to the gym. I’m tired or busy and I just don’t feel like going. I usually go anyhow, and guess what happens on those days! More often than not I leave the gym tired and sweaty but deeply grateful that I went!

Look, there are going to be days and seasons in your life when you are just going to feel like staying home. Don’t. Even if you don’t have the best workout ever you still exercise your body and that’s worth something! You will become mentally and physically stronger just because you showed up!

What is it in your life that you need to show up to/for? Get up and get going! Just showing up is half the battle!

Want to know one of the best ways to assure you’ll show up even when you don’t feel like it? Have a partner!

I get stronger when I go with someone

When I work out with Pete or Dave, or when Rob gives me a spot I always move more weight than I could by myself! When my arms get tired they give me a little help and I can move that dumbbell one more time! And you know what that means? It means I’m going to get stronger!

Additionally, when Dave or Pete moves the weight six times I want to move it seven! Good healthy competition takes place when we’re all together!

One more thing! When I’m grunting and straining to complete my last rep and I hear my partner screaming and cheering for me it gives me that last little bit of “oomph” needed to complete the rep!

Accountability, assistance, competition, and encouragement! All four of these are gifts given to me by my workout partners and because of them I am getting stronger!

Gosh! I hope you go to the gym and take it seriously! I’ll talk about the other three lessons tomorrow!

Do different things…

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I’ve been reading “Thou Shall Prosper: Ten Commandments for Making Money“. Dave Ramsey recommends this book all the time.

Written by Rabbi Daniel Lapin, this is a  great book on business, and is also packed with wisdom on personal development, living life with joy, and leadership insights too! It is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time!

Reading a couple of days ago I came across this quote and I have to share it…

“…if who you are and what you do fail to bring the success you desire, it is not sufficient to merely do different things; you also need to become a different person. The best way (and perhaps the only way) to become a different person is by forcing yourself to do different things until they become second nature.”

Of course I believe that there is also and perhaps more fundamentally a divine power available to all who will ask that not only points us in the right direction but also gives us the power to move towards that which is good and right.

Having said that though, the decision to embrace new habits and make bold new decisions is a critical one in the process of evolution!

SO… what new action(s) are you going to take up this year as you become the 2o12 version of you?

Take the money!

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If you had a donut in one hand and a coffee in the other and someone offered you a $20 bill what would you do?

You would have to make a decision:

Do I want the $20 bill more than coffee and donut? If so say “Thanks but no thanks” and move on.

But if you want the money then you have to decide, “What will I set down to take the $20 bill?”

As you head into 2012 you are going to have to make this decision many times and on a bigger scale than donuts and small bills. You get to decide what you will set aside and what you will take this year!

I pray that you will set down the small things to reach for and take the big things! Set the donuts and coffee down and take the money… go for the big things… the better things… the best things!