A Month in the Life

There is a side of each mountain in which we live, move, and breath – it is the side where we live amongst the challenges of life. When we are faced with uncertain situations, without knowing how we might be able to overcome the circumstance. When we are left feeling vulnerable, alone, and sometimes discouraged. It is in the middle of these types of times in my life that I must seek to recall that there is another side of the mountain. A place where life isn’t as difficult as the present situation I am encountering at the moment. A place where God is hearing and visibly manifesting a supernatural wonder on my behalf. A place where He is able to accomplish something with my minuscule gifts and talents, thereby demonstrating His ability and greatness in and through me.

I know that we all have these moments – when we realize there is another side of the difficulty we are encountering, realizing that joy does come in the morning, appreciating that the sun can shine after the rain. This is the land that I wish to live in today, as I journey to continually renew my sense of how great God is in my life, while simultaneously embracing all that He has for me.

The other side of the mountain awaits all who dare to believe that God is with them, in the middle of their most difficult calamity, and this awareness can bring restoration and healing to our weary soul….

Since we have this forum, with countless, likely MILLIONS of readers :O), I’ll selfishly use tonight’s blog for prayer requests. As we mentioned a few blogs ago, we’re in the negotiation process on property for our church. We’ve had a breakthrough of sorts this week, and things are looking much more favorable that we’ll be able to come together on a deal. So, with that good news in mind, tonight we’re working on a “money begging campaign”, as we’ve affectionately deemed it. When we sign the contract, we’ll have 90 days to raise $50,000. Of course, this is nothing for God, but we’re working hard to do everything we can to help make this happen. We really have to trust God since most of our new converts don’t really have a handle on tithing yet. :O) Please keep our negotiations and fundraising in your prayers over the next few weeks.

Another point of prayer....my dad is having surgery tomorrow, so please pray for his surgery and speedy recovery.

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail!

So, the other day, Starbucks announced that they would be closing 600 locations across the nation due to the lack of revenue and forecasted growth for the first time since the inception of the company. As such, it’s interesting to note the article I read shared that they would also introduce loyalty programs for existing customers (I have to assume a “buy 9 lattes and get the 10th free”), as well as are considering adding a “value menu” to the existing product mix sold – kinda like the dollar menu at MickeyDees or something, I suppose. Could this be the end of the over-priced, double shot, venti, white-chocolate mocha that I have grown to love? (It is a purchase that I make on rare occasion anyhow-only when someone has been nice enough to give me a gift card.)

With the high price of gas, the cost to of simple goods like popcorn and pretzels going up, and the lack of an increase in our paychecks – are we living in a post-Starbucks time? Will we see the end of over priced espressos, replaced by driving to our local gas station to buy a “simple” cup of joe? If so, that will be a sad day for the whimsical side of me – an avid connoisseur of the coffee bean. The practical me will be shouting, “Finally, people are getting some common sense! No more $4 coffee!” At any rate, both sides of me are pretty shocked to see that even the mighty Starbucks has chinks in its armor during an economic down-turn.

mr

One of the fancy buzz words surfacing in discussion during our chaplain group over the past few weeks is the term “compassion fatigue”. This term refers to a serious condition experienced by caregivers, resulting from the effects of continually offering care to others. What is interesting to me is that this isn’t just limited to those in the health care field, but spans across disciplines, to every walk of life. It is particularly challenging and difficult if compassion fatigue sets in while one is actively engaged in some form of ministry. If it is left unchecked, it can cause burnout – and possibly lead one to become so frustrated with his or her own personal relationship with God that the individual, in turns, begins to hurt himself or herself spiritually, or even worse, hurt others.

The way in which folks overcome compassion fatigue is by finding ways to recharge themselves in God and in life – discovering peace and joy, a sense of renewal through relaxation or actually taking some form of Sabbath rest. The Lord did say some things about that – early on in the creation story of Genesis, and also incorporated in the Ten Commandments (#4 in case you don’t have it memorized). As such, taking time for yourself, finding alone time with God in personal devotion, and mediation on His Word allow you to combat the effects of compassion fatigue.

So, who can become fatigued in this manner? Anyone who feels that he or she does not need to take care of self as the temple of the Holy Spirit. When we overlook these crucial areas of self-care, we don’t allow Him to be in control of all things. This can occur if anyone feels the need to rely simply on their own talents and abilities and not fully trust or lean on the Lord for renewal of strength. I encourage all of us—and yes, even me (especially me—the hypocrite in this area!), to find times to rest and recharge in His Spirit – take time to go for a walk, or read a book, or even better still, just sit by a lake and thank the Lord for the amazing gift of life we experience. Until we can learn to take care of ourselves, will we be doing what God calls us to do? He has called us to take care of what we have been given—the gift of life.