A church planting blog for the urban context of Portland OR. We plant disciples with the gospel in a community/neighborhood and pray to the Lord of the Harvest to establish, grow and multiply His church. Click on a tab below to learn more and subscribe to our feed.
By becoming aware of a few of the more common reasons why Church Planters and Pastors are unhealthy, you can take control of your life and avoid some unhealthy lifestyle habits:
1. Sitting long hours.
2. Bad posture from sitting down all day.
3. Working long hours.
4. No “me time.”
5. Don’t take breaks.
6. Unsociable / lack of community.
7. Eating food on the go.
8. They eat sugar, dairy, gluten, yeast, processed food or soya.
9. Bad sleep patterns.
10. Often burn candle at both ends of the stick (overextended).
11. Little exercise.
12. Mental exhaustion.
Identify one or two unhealthy lifestyle patterns from above, and recommit to discovering balance and health in those areas. Ask the Lord and your spouse to help you identify the areas causing the most stress in your day. Then, make one small goal in this area to re-establish a more healthy lifestyle.
"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full —John 15:11
In Jesus, I have inward peace and contentment = JOY. I have to fight for happiness everyday as the cares of this world try to impede my journey in joy (At this point click the play button in the video below as you read the rest of this post).
What is the trick to getting happy. There is no trick. Happiness is often connected to daily experiences. Specifically, these daily acts or experiences:
1. Make good friends (chord of three is not quickly broken).
2. Actively express thankfulness (thank the Lord and thank others).
3. Actively pursue your goals (take one small step everyday toward that goal).
4. Do what you excel at as often as you can (play toward your strengths and delegate so others can play toward their strengths).
5. Give (be a cheerful giver).
6. Don't single-mindedly chase "stuff" (stuff = cares of this world which is < than HAPPINESS. Chase experiences).
7. Live the life you want to live (be true to you).
As we seek to make disciples and lead them to JOY, I would encourage you to actively pursue some of the actions above to make you and your neighbors HAPPY! Fight for it day-by-day. Our world is looking for inner peace, rest, wholeness and a little happiness.
The gospel has always been a relational transaction. The relational dynamics of the gospel can not be overlooked. Occasionally, you may have your airplane conversion story, but these are the rarity not the norm. Most people want to get close to you in order to discover how close they want to get to your Savior. So, how many people do you know who are far removed from God? One is a good start! Now, today, how will you be proactive to move this person from becoming a follower of Jesus? » Acquaintances need to become Friends as you follow them into their context, praying as you go .
» Friends need to become followers of you through invitation and food.
» Followers of you need to become Followers of Jesus through relational investment with you and other followers of Jesus.
» Followers of Jesus need to become Family through living in community.
» Family needs to become Disciplemakers through life on mission.
If we are going to make disciples of Jesus Christ, we have to have a message, but we also need acquaintances - those far from God. We must go to them. It requires ordinary living outside the walls of the building in close proximity with those who are missing. If you surround yourself with just insiders, you will
As you follow Jesus today make a choice to pray for a person of peace who will become a friend of you in order to become a friend of Jesus.
Everyone of us would love to have the perfect block/neighborhood - whatever it is you imagine a perfect block/neighborhood to be. Jason Roberts, featured in the video below, decided to do something about creating the perfect block where he lived in Dallas, TX. He didn't wait for someone else to jump to action. He did something- actually, him and a few of his friends.
Watch the video and ask yourself: What did Jason do I could do to make my block better? Here are my thoughts. Below the video you will see Jason's KEY steps to changing everything to make a better block!
Here is what I saw in the video:
1. He had a vision of his DREAM neighborhood (took a trip). And, personally took responsibility to make a better neighborhood.
2. He joined others, GOT INVOLVED and found opportunities to INFLUENCE from a big picture perspective (joined the chamber of commerce).
3. Don't walk away from those who are different than you. Those in the room probably want change as well (joining the chamber of commerce).
4. He first helped someone else pursue their dream of a better neighborhood (the old theatre), then; he began to do something on his "better block" list.
5. Investment follows enthusiasm. Being "drunk" on enthusiasm compels you to other dreams. (theatre and art show).
6. He listened to the community by asking, "What other problems are there?" (library, study).
7. He asked others to join him in the adventure to build a better block (friends/neighbors).
8. He created the appearance something was happening - and people thought in fact something was happening- and then made something happen (street car).
9. He created culture in order to change culture (bike community)
10. You don't have to own a "bike" to create a "bike" culture.
11. Sometimes you have to break every rule/law in order to create the perfect block (city block ordinances)-challenging old assumptions/structures, in order to create new paths.
12. If you start something, there is a good chances people will come along and help you, making it last. (children art studio).
13. In as little time as one weekend, you can create a better block and a dog park. Just do something.
14. He kept it close and personal, before he went broader and bigger (local to city hall plaza; neighborhood to nation).
15. Took a plan (you don't have to be the originator of every good idea) and built it, making the dream a reality (city plaza).
16. Led from passion not from expertise (bike ride).
17. He was inspired (Portland) to leave something better for others (kids).
Jason's HOW's:
Show Up:: be present - keep going. If you don't "someone" will and they hate everything.
Give It a Name - give it an identity. This creates attachment and ownership (Portland neighborhoods ;)
KEY STEP:: Set a Date and Publish it (Blackmail yourself). If you don't you will talk yourself out of it.
"DO THESE LITTLE THINGS YOU REALLY CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING" - J. ROBERTS.
Posted with Blogsy