how to find real rest..

This is an old, updated post from a couple of months ago: Jesus is the shepherd of our souls. He gives us rest. In our need for rest we take multiple vacations, mental health days, sabbaticals, go to conferences, and try to escape the business and craziness of life.

This is not a bad thing but sometimes these attempts to find rest leave us more tired an weary than before and we end up needing a vacation from our vacation.

But Jesus advice to those needing rest those feeling weary was, and still is, "come to ME all you who are weary and heavily burdened and I will give you REST." Matthew 11:28

I am on vacation this week but not vacation from the presence of Jesus. On vacation fully engaged in seeking the heart, presence and purpose of God.

And having a lot of fun, not thinking about work and focussing on my family and personal connection to Jesus! That's rest for me...

Courageous Experimentation & Avoiding Regret

Regret is something to avoid at all cost. There is nothing that can distract us from enjoying the present like considering the "what if's" of the past. Maybe there is something that is in your heart to do, or pursue or become. Maybe you have a dream that you have always been to afraid to pursue. Maybe you don't want to fail, but the only true failure is never trying.

Those that are the most successful are those that have learned what not to do & what to do through courageous experimentation. I know I usually drop a Bible verse here, but this time I will not. Not because there isn't one to reference in regards to this but because I think this is a topic that we all know in our hearts to be true.

Here are 3 tips on how to avoid regret:
1. Pursue your dreams, but use wisdom. You may be on to something, but you may not. So don't put all your eggs in one basket. Take one small step at a time in your pursuit.

2. Ask those around you if you should pursue what you are considering. Ask someone who will be honest with you. Not a "yes" man or woman but someone who will give it to you straight, even if it hurts.

3. If it doesn't work out don't stop pursuing your dreams. Fall forward, failure is one step closer to success. Failure is the currency of success, there is a cost.

What will you pursue with courageous experimentation? What regret will you avoid?

HOW TO GAIN A BETTER PERSPECTIVE

Colossians 3:1-2 "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."


Perspective: its something thats hard to maintain especially if your a details person. I know I can get so caught up in the details of life, relationships, family, projects, work, and everything in between that I forget what this life is supposed to be about.

I know Jesus, Moses, Elijah and many others have retreated to the "mountain" to connect with God. Many times people talk about pursuing the presence of Jesus on the "mountain". For me I go to the "mountain" not only to retreat from the details of the world, but to get perspective on those details. To seek a clearer glimpse of where God is, where his kingdom is and how to get to where I need to be, which ultimately is with Him.

In Exodus 25-31 Moses retreats to the "mountain". Moses then records 6 long chapters of detailed instructions of how he was to lead the people of God. These six chapters start with, "The Lord spoke to Moses". Moses received God's vision, (the presence of God), the core values (ten commandments), and the details (6 chapters of them) all on the "mountain" with God. As leaders we must go to the "mountain" not just to escape but to encounter. We must go expectantly, trusting that God will grant us perspective to see Him and to see how to fulfill the purposes that He has for us and His people.

Take some time today and go to God, go to Him expectantly, pursuing Him, and pursuing a vision of His kingdom and how to get to where He wants you to be.

What to do in a "Back up against the wall" situation

"Answer me,Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again." 1 Kings 18:37


I have been calling on the character of God lately. I have been asking him to defend his name. To show up and confirm through signs and wonders his presence and favor.

God wants to make himself known. Stepping into and walking through situations that look impossible seems to be what God typically requires of those that claim to follow Him.

The reason I believe He leads us to those "back up against the wall" type of places is so that He can show up and show off and prove to those watching that He is more than able to save and rescue.

Are you in a "back up against the wall" situation? Well call out to the one that can turn the impossible to the possible. Allow Him to show up and show off to those around you.

That is why He has led you to this place, it's for His glory. To do what only He can do to save the day and prove that He truly is our only true Savior.