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I do a computer journal…here’s a page from today…
Reframe Your Life
Thinking through the last couple of days of this month, I have reconsidered the the whole “reinvention” motif once again with this idea of “reframing” life. It really is all about perspective and paradigm shifts. It’s about focus and direction I’m looking. It’s about having vision for the future and being able to see the things that really matter. Even a blind man can have vision.
Summer Survival Kit
For many, once school ends, the discipline and study that goes along with it ends as well. But what about our spiritual lives? Transitioning to a new season, rhythm and flow of life often unsettles spiritual disciplines and routines that we practice. With the summer upon us, may I suggest a few things to help you continue your spiritual growth and be more than a spiritual survivor this season?
Start Now!
Summer brings a sense of fun and freedom that the rest of the year doesn’t afford us. With this we tend to procrastinate and put off things in the name of “needing a break”, “taking a vacation” and or just wanting to do nothing… at least for a couple of days. But with your spiritual life you cannot do this! It has been noted that “Satan doesn’t take a day off!” When it comes to your spiritual life and discipline, you cannot either! Knowing that there is a “roaring lion seeking someone to devour” we must do all we can to keep ourselves spiritually attuned and alert this summer. Here’s where to start.
- Set up your calendar now. Check out the times when you will be traveling, visiting others etc. Build your spiritual tool kit for times of travel and vacationing. Gather materials, electronic bookmarks, papers, books, etc. that you can access while on the road, on vacation, while without internet access. With many of us using online materials to help us grow, sometimes, we forget to bring physical materials etc. with us.
- Don’t change your routine times of sleeping or waking. It’s tempting to want to stay in bed longer or even stay up later during the summer. However, why not leave your circadian rhythm the same as much as possible? Utilize your waking time to get reading done or have more spiritual time with God. Instead of sleeping the day away, why not pray or visit with friends? Host a prayer breakfast? Make the most of the time…don’t sleep it away!
- Determine to be spiritually alert for the summer. Many people plan for vacations more than they plan for life. People want a plan for a break from life rather than planning for life’s breaks! Preparing yourself spiritually all along the way is the best way to be ready when something unexpected hits you dead on. Don’t neglect your spiritual life…ever!
Becoming Spiritually Alert This Summer
Self-discipline is key.
You have to continue your walk and pursuit of God. Sure it may look a little different during the summer months but it must be a priority. If growing spiritually and being close to God is really important to you, you have to carve out time for it. This may mean still getting up early. While others are sleeping in ‘til 10 am, you may have to get up at 7:30-8:00am for reading, praying and studying. No one else can make you grow. If you want to be more than a survivor this summer, you will have to determine when the optimal time for you to meet with God is. For me and many in the ministry, mornings are best. If you have been used to getting up already for school, why not continue the discipline?
Seek out good friends.
You have to surround yourself with people who are going to help you and not hurt you this summer. Choosing your friends is almost choosing your destiny. I say “almost” because I do believe that God spares us of some things out of his grace. However, hanging out with the wrong friends this summer can really devastate your spiritual life and life in general! Get involved in a local youth program, Bible study, or prayer group. If you don’t know of one, then start one! Gather with people who have a similar passion for Christ and seeing God work this summer and you will be much more than a survivor!
Set aside time to journal.
I love journaling and writing on my blog and electronic journal. It’s a great way for me to record my activities, reflect on God’s word and activity in and around me and for me to recite my prayers. Making this a part of your daily habit will not only help you remember some great times this summer but also provide you with great encouragement for the future. Being able to look back and see verses that were meaningful or prayers that were answered gives fuel when the fire is burning low. And for people who want to do more than survive, fire is important!
For those who do not have or would like Quiet Time helps for the summer here are some readings for June and July. You can also check out the other blog pages on how and why to have a Quiet Time here: Quiet Time Help
Quiet Time for June:
- Isaiah 55:6‐11
- Psalm 63:1‐8
- Matthew 7:21‐27
- Isaiah 40:28‐31
- Psalm 1:1‐6
- Joshua 1:6‐9
- Mark 2:1‐12
- Luke 7:36‐50
- John 15:1‐8
- II Corinthians 5:14‐17
- Philippians 3:7‐14
- Psalm 34:1‐10
- James 1:2‐8
- II Corinthians 5:14‐17
- Romans 8:31‐39
- II Peter 1:4‐8
- Colossians 1:9‐14
- Philippians 2:1‐11
- Romans 12:1‐5
- Ephesians 4:11‐16
- I John 4:7‐13
- I Thessalonians 4:1‐8
- Psalm 119:1‐11
- Ephesians 6:13‐20
- Luke 11:5‐10
- Philippians 4:6‐9
- Matthew 13:53‐58
- Luke 7:2‐10
- II Timothy 2:1‐7
- John 15:13‐21
Quiet Time for July
- Psalms 22:3; 93:5; 30:4;99:5
- Isaiah 6:3; 57:15
- Hebrews 12:10
- Revelation 4:8; 15:4
- Malachi 3:6
- Hebrews 1:10‐12
- James 1:17
- Psalms 89:5‐8; 103:19; 135:6
- Isaiah 40:15,17,22,23; 46:9,10
- Daniel 2:21; 4:35
- Psalms 7:11; 34:15‐16; 90:8
- Romans 11:33‐36
- Hebrews 4:13
- Psalms 23:6; 33:5; 36:5‐9
- Lamentations 3:32,33
- Exodus 15:11
- I Chronicles 20:6; 29:11‐13
- Psalms 33:6; 50:1; 62:11
- I Timothy 6:15,16
- Job 36:3
- Psalms 7:17; 11:7; 23:3; 35:28;
- Isaiah 5:16; 45:24; 51:5,6; 61:10
- Jeremiah 23:6
- Deuteronomy 7:9
- II Chronicles 16:9
- II Timothy 2:13
- Hebrews 10:23
- I Peter 4:19
- Romans 8:26
- Ephesians 3:20,21
- Hebrews 11:6
One Final Thing
Don’t forget to spend time in prayer for your friends and family during the summer. Take regular time to pray for the teachers, students and classes you will take next school year. As you pray, ask God to send you to the people who need Him most. Ask God to prepare your heart and mind to engage them in spiritual conversations next year. Remember that it may be summer vacation but it’s also your time to prepare for what’s coming next!
Have a great summer!
George Lockhart is a missionary with Vision 2 Hear and serves as student pastor at New Vision Church in Fayetteville, GA
Driving Life’s Highway: Principles To Being Driven Well
As I entertain the idea that we are vehicles through which God travels, speaks, etc. there are a few things I need to address and deal with driving along life’s highway.
Life’s Highway Is Still Straight And Narrow
Just because I’m riding down the highway with the Lord doesn’t mean I can drive however I want. There are rules, regulations, guide rails, lines that can’t crossed etc. What things has the Lord said in His word that you need to take heed, learn, discipline yourself with and to? What boundaries, lines, and warnings do you need to heed? What “signs” has God put up to prepare you for the future road? As a driver of a vehicle, it is my responsibility to drive well and not endanger others with our handling of the wheel. Stay in your lane and arrive home safe!
Gas Is Too Expensive To Drive Aimlessly
Where are you going? This is an all important life question. So much time is wasted driving from here to there never accomplishing anything except “joy riding”. There’s nothing wrong with driving along but always make sure there’s intention and reason for going wherever it is you go. Don’t waste your time with needless wanderings; make every outing purposeful…even if the purpose is recreational it is not aimless. A vehicle is built to get us from one place to another faster. As God’s vehicle, we are one of His ways in connecting, transporting the good news of the gospel to others. Be discipline in the use of yourself and your things in bringing people to Christ. Aim your ways higher on the highway! What goals, aims, plans does God have for me to accomplish as a vehicle of His? Where is this life headed? How much time do I waste wandering? Am I out of gas? How can I get a refill? Where is my nearest “filling station?”
Drive Wreckless
In driving accidents can and will happen. Avoiding such incidents is always our intention on the road…and it should be in life as well. You need to take every precaution and advantage to being wreck free. You need to understand that just because you are behind the wheel doesn’t’ give you a license to sin. Accidents happen when you are not paying attention, driving too fast too closely, or unsafe in certain conditions. Accidents happen when others are doing any of the things previously listed as well. So the moral is drive carefully. Pay attention to those around you and you will help prevent accidents. Don’t be careless in how you live. Be driven with purpose and intention. God has a destination for your life. Drive well to accomplish it! Have I caused any accidents lately? How is my life out-of-control? Am I reckless in my activities, way of living? Do I need to slow down?
Speed And Curves Can Kill
God intentionally slows you down sometimes. This is to prevent you from going off the deep end. Life has a way of installing curves and you have slow down on them. God has set up Sabbath as a way of slowing you down. It’s a curve in a highway. It’s a way of deceleration. Taking time to slow down, finding rest spots and even braking are important driving practices. They are certainly crucial to a life well-lived. or driven!
The Model And Make Don’t Matter
It’s not about how good you look, how different you are, or how big your engine is that counts. What matters is that you can be used. A broken down Lamborghini is of no use if it can’t be started, driven or continuously breaks down! What matter is that you allow God to use you regardless of the modal and make you are and let Him drive you on life’s highway. God knows how to handle each one of us so let Him do it. Don’t compare yourself to others, worrying about whose going where and whatnot. Simply let God drive you with all of your own bells and whistles. In what ways do you compare yourself to others? How is God trying to use you as a vehicle to display His glory? How are you trying to become something you are not? What is it that sets you apart and makes you your own make and model for the Master?
Be Driven Well!
George Lockhart is a missionary with Vision 2 Hear and serves as student pastor at New Vision Church in Fayetteville, GA
Decorating The Dash
There was a time when we used to put stickers all over my dash. Just remembering that now. Also making me think about decorating my dash…the dash of life…the things that happen in the middle of the day I was born and the day I die…that dash:
June 14, 1969 — ????
How Now Wow!
Wanna WOW Moment?
Is is possible to have “wow” moments all the time? I’m not sure that Jesus’ disciples, the Apostle Paul nor any of our biblical forefathers lived in “wow” moments 24-7 but I do believe that we can miss some “wow” moments if we are not careful. Even though I do not believe spirituality is something to be “orchestrated” or manipulated, we are certainly gifted with “wow” moments in our daily routines that often go unnoticed. May I offer a few thoughtful “how now’s” to catching some “wow” moments in your life?
1) Take a knee before you stand.
It’s easy for any of us to get caught in the rush of daily living. The alarm can sound as a buzzer for horses at the Kentucky Derby…and we’re off! Kneeling for a few moments of thoughtful prayer and spending some time focusing on God, His power, glory and majesty can most certainly be a “wow” moment!
2) Open your eyes to the realities around you.
Often we can drive a certain path everyday to work or shopping or school and not pay attention to the beauties around us. From blooming flowers to even grazing animals, “wow” moments are naturally all around but we can become too focused on our destination. Build in some time to take your time. I know this can be a very difficult practice but scheduling yourself to not be rushed can pave the way for some great “wow” moments. Don’t neglect the super in the natural!
3) Listen to your heart and move with your soul.
“Wow” moments are often encased in ugly realities as well. Seeing homeless people, poverty-stricken areas, or even listening or watching the news can be the catalyst to a life changing “wow” moment. God can use and work through these kind of heart-touching, soul-rending realities to change us to bring about change. A wow moment is as close as your heart if you will listen, as close as your soul if you will dare to make a move!
4) Walking and talking with God, your fellow man and co-workers.
Interaction between God and man in postmodern terms has often been likened unto simple “conversation”. Who knows? A “wow” could be a simple breath or prayer away. Offer up some words for your friends, families and fellow workers. Start a conversation about something meaningful to you and see how your passion ignites a “wow” moment for another!
George Lockhart is a missionary with Vision 2 Hear and serves as student pastor at New Vision Church in Fayetteville, GA
Gather Ye Rosebuds While You May...
Gather ye rosebuds…uh, how bout daylilies?
That's A Wrap!
That’s A Wrap!
My final day of living in TN starts with me staring at this computer screen, wondering how to document the next phase of life. This is how it starts…with a wrap!
As I prepare to leave living in TN and ready myself to live “nowhere”, I am reminded of Brennan Manning who said “nowhere is really now here”.
3 Insights To Making History
If you wanna make history the future must be important to you.
Hindsight is 20/20 of course but Futuresight requires insight. Use the past to plan, prepare and supersede expectations in the future. Don’t limit yourself to knowledge (as knowledge grows) rather dare to dream about possibilities and prospects because of what you have seen in the past and know of the present. Remember God and the things He has done! He’s not finished yet and even greater things await those who are willing to embrace a future unknown rather than attempt to hold a past that is fading. God is a creating God and He is waiting to create the future with you and through you. Allowing the future to become more important creates a greater probability that you will make history and not just read about it.
If you wanna make history you have to care about the significant.
History makers are people who often sacrifice for the greater good and for the causes that inspire them. Caring about colors of paint to how a certain team in the NBA is doing is not wrong it’s just significantly less significant. Sadly we are people who tend to care more about things that never personally affect us than the things that really do! Remember that there are certain people and certain tasks that if you ignore, if you neglect, if you set aside, that will never be taken care of and therefore never changed. Evaluate what is really significant to you and to God. See if they match.
If you wanna make history, don’t lose the plot.
We must remember that history is His Story. Don’t become so wrapped up in your own drama that you fail to see God’s overarching story of love, grace, peace, hope etc. that He wants to display through your own story. The story is not about you! It’s about how God moves and works His good will and pleasure through you. Don’t clot the plot by stopping up God’s voice with your own. Make history by making His Story known.
George Lockhart is a missionary with Vision 2 Hear and serves as student pastor at New Vision Church in Fayetteville, GA
