Fairly recently I shared some goals that I have set for myself for the next year. Since I am in the process of turning the calendar to a new month, I decided that it would be a good opportunity for me to post an update to those goals - a sort of online accountability check.
FYI - the idea of "Big Rocks" comes from my reading of Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People in high school and being captivated by the idea of setting aside some time each week to tend to personal growth. I've continued this practice throughout my ministry because I have learned the value of caring for self in the midst of a profession that spends a great deal of time caring for others. For me, my "Big Rocks" are Physical, Social/Emotional, Mental, and Spiritual. Here is what I've been doing in each of those areas of my personal life.
PHYSICAL
I have recently decided that the nearly year-long transition to my current place has made a regular exercise very, very difficult. To that end, I have also decided to make this a priority for the month of May. I have registered (the check is literally in the mail!) for my first 5K road race in over 3 years for the end of May. Paying for the race should provide enough extra motivation for me to hit the road. It is actually 16 weeks away from a 1/2 marathon in Rochester...and I have a 15 week plan for novices to train for a 1/2 marathon. I am trying to decide if that would be too much. I'm leaning towards taking on the 1/2 marathon, if only to have a big, crazy goal to work towards.
I am still hopeful that I can hit my goal weight (less than I currently am!) by my brother-in-law's wedding at the end of June.
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL
I haven't done much tangible or measurable on these goals. As the weather turns warmer, I do hope to learn how to fish. And I'm pleased to announce that the Curtiss family has set an exciting family goal. We are going to (attempt!) to visit all 74 (that's right ALL 74) of Minnesota's State Parks before our oldest child graduates from high school (he is 7 and will complete first grade at the end of May). 74 parks over the next 12 summers. Crazy - but I'm a big fan of crazy goals.
I'm also in the process of getting a team of Community Presbyterian folks signed up for this summer's city sponsored Kick Ball League. Should be a good, good time.
MENTAL
My goal here was to read 20 books in 2012. I've read 6 so far, so I need to pick up my pace a bit. I'm reading mostly Young Adult/Fantasy books at this point, but I love them, so I'm not apologizing. The six books that I have read in 2012 are: Birth Order and You by Dr. Ronald Richardson (Family Systems material), Put Your Dream to the Test by John Maxwell (Leadership book), "Throne of Fire" and "The Son of Neptune" both by Rick Riodan. "Physik" by Angie Sage (I think these books are on par with Harry Potter, but I haven't found anyone else who has read them). and "Phantom" by Terry Goodkind. (I have literally checked this book out from the library at various points over the last 3-4 years. It is good to finally read this. It is the 9th book in a fairly lengthy series...and I'm nearly done with book 10.)
SPIRITUAL
I do pray often in the chapel as I begin my days. Sometimes I feel like I am too busy, and I often regret skipping it. The thing is I don't notice getting less done on days when I do take the time to pray. That alone should be a good reminder that time in prayer is one of the most important things I could be doing.
I also set a goal of memorizing 12 Psalms. I have memorized one. I might need to adjust my expectations on this one. I think I'll close with the words of Psalm 121 (and I'm not even looking it up!)
I life my eyes to the hills. From where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. The Lord will not let your foot be moved. The Lord will not slumber. The Lord who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper. The Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, not the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from evil. He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.
Thanks for reading.
Be blessed-
Pastor John
Monday, April 30, 2012
Good Shepherd Sunday
This past Sunday (April 29th, 2012) the liturgical (and lectionary) church celebrated Good Shepherd Sunday. Each year, on the 4th Sunday of Easter, the lectionary texts are the 23rd Psalm and John 10:11-18 (which begins "I am the good shepherd."
I don't know much about sheep (my grandmother's generation are all cattle ranchers in Western Nebraska). But apart from the obvious (that sheep are smelly and not very bright!), I have heard two things that I think are worth knowing.
Sheep really know and trust the one who cares for them. Sheep sleep in a pen - and whenever someone comes into that pen when they are asleep, they awake and panic, with one exception. When the one that cares for them, their good shepherd enters their pen, they will stay asleep. Even sleeping, they know who it is that takes care of them and they sleep peacefully in his presence.
And sheep learn the voice of the one they follow. When sheep were taken to the watering spot, often other flocks of sheep were present. But the shepherds were never worried about their sheep getting mixed up with all the others. The sheep would mix and mingle and drink their fill at the watering hole...and when the shepherd determined that they had their fill, he would give his special whistle. Because the sheep knew that voice, they would follow.
These are wonderful images for us as we consider what it means to be sheep in Jesus' flock. But it also begs the question, what kind of sheep do you wish to be? What kind of flock do you seek to be with?
I don't know about you, but I wish to be the kind of sheep, that knows the voice of my shepherd, and is willing enough to trust in that voice when it calls me and invites me to follow.
In fact, I want to be part of a flock of sheep who are faithful, who listen, and who follow in faith.
And one other thing, I don't think that being comfortable with your shepherd means that you can sleep during my sermon. Because, the thing is, is that I consider myself much more of a sheep that I do a shepherd. It is true that as pastor of Community Presbyterian Church I have a special role and responsibility in the life of the church. But that role flows from my understanding of following the shepherd who leads me and calls me into service.
Amen.
I don't know much about sheep (my grandmother's generation are all cattle ranchers in Western Nebraska). But apart from the obvious (that sheep are smelly and not very bright!), I have heard two things that I think are worth knowing.
Sheep really know and trust the one who cares for them. Sheep sleep in a pen - and whenever someone comes into that pen when they are asleep, they awake and panic, with one exception. When the one that cares for them, their good shepherd enters their pen, they will stay asleep. Even sleeping, they know who it is that takes care of them and they sleep peacefully in his presence.
And sheep learn the voice of the one they follow. When sheep were taken to the watering spot, often other flocks of sheep were present. But the shepherds were never worried about their sheep getting mixed up with all the others. The sheep would mix and mingle and drink their fill at the watering hole...and when the shepherd determined that they had their fill, he would give his special whistle. Because the sheep knew that voice, they would follow.
These are wonderful images for us as we consider what it means to be sheep in Jesus' flock. But it also begs the question, what kind of sheep do you wish to be? What kind of flock do you seek to be with?
I don't know about you, but I wish to be the kind of sheep, that knows the voice of my shepherd, and is willing enough to trust in that voice when it calls me and invites me to follow.
In fact, I want to be part of a flock of sheep who are faithful, who listen, and who follow in faith.
And one other thing, I don't think that being comfortable with your shepherd means that you can sleep during my sermon. Because, the thing is, is that I consider myself much more of a sheep that I do a shepherd. It is true that as pastor of Community Presbyterian Church I have a special role and responsibility in the life of the church. But that role flows from my understanding of following the shepherd who leads me and calls me into service.
Amen.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Housekeeping
Dear Friends-
I unintentionally gave up blogging for Lent. I didn't really mean to, but as you can see, my last two blog posts are Ash Wednesday...and the Tuesday after Easter.
I'd like to say that it was because I added such a rigorous spiritual discipline and that I was so faithful in my commitment that I didn't have time to blog. But the truth is, I just didn't blog.
Lent was for me a time of spiritual renewal and a time of reflection. I am nearing the end of my ninth month as pastor of Community Presbyterian Church and I continue to be affirmed in my new call. This is a wonderful place to be and I am truly delighted to be serving here. Plainview continues to be a good place for my family and Community Presbyterian Church is a good place for me to continue to grow in God's grace.
Having just lived through my first Lent and Holy Week as a solo pastor (this is my eleventh year in ordained ministry - but my first 10 Easters I was an Associate Pastor -- in Athens, Alabama and in Hastings, Nebraska), I am realizing that I was pretty focused on the events of holy week and making sure that I was prepared for worship on Easter Sunday. Returning to my office this week, I have begun to clear off some piles and re-engage in some things that got pushed aside (like some long-range thinking!), and I feel this wonderful expansion of my spirit and my heart. Easter was wonderful here...but there is much more to come. It's only Tuesday (and I am taking some time off in the next 10 days), but I feel greatly relieved and much renewed for the work to come in the future. For me, all this is constant affirmation and for that I am grateful.
Be blessed-
Pastor John
I unintentionally gave up blogging for Lent. I didn't really mean to, but as you can see, my last two blog posts are Ash Wednesday...and the Tuesday after Easter.
I'd like to say that it was because I added such a rigorous spiritual discipline and that I was so faithful in my commitment that I didn't have time to blog. But the truth is, I just didn't blog.
Lent was for me a time of spiritual renewal and a time of reflection. I am nearing the end of my ninth month as pastor of Community Presbyterian Church and I continue to be affirmed in my new call. This is a wonderful place to be and I am truly delighted to be serving here. Plainview continues to be a good place for my family and Community Presbyterian Church is a good place for me to continue to grow in God's grace.
Having just lived through my first Lent and Holy Week as a solo pastor (this is my eleventh year in ordained ministry - but my first 10 Easters I was an Associate Pastor -- in Athens, Alabama and in Hastings, Nebraska), I am realizing that I was pretty focused on the events of holy week and making sure that I was prepared for worship on Easter Sunday. Returning to my office this week, I have begun to clear off some piles and re-engage in some things that got pushed aside (like some long-range thinking!), and I feel this wonderful expansion of my spirit and my heart. Easter was wonderful here...but there is much more to come. It's only Tuesday (and I am taking some time off in the next 10 days), but I feel greatly relieved and much renewed for the work to come in the future. For me, all this is constant affirmation and for that I am grateful.
Be blessed-
Pastor John
Continuing the Story After Easter
Read Mark 16:1-8
The Gospel of Mark's ends with no Jesus. How can you write a resurrection account--the central story of the Christian faith--and not have an appearance of Jesus. There is no mention of Jesus, just an empty tomb, two frightened women disciples, and an angelic figure dressed in white, proclaiming "Do not be afraid. Jesus is not here." What gives?
It can't just be a bad ending, can it? What are we to do with this seemingly incomplete story? This story is one that we tell, by faith. There is no proof for us; we simply believe. We can examine the empty tomb by listening to the gospel stories and make the choice to believe or not.
The disciples who were there, ran aware in fear and amazement. Who will tell the story?
I think the key is in remembering how the Gospel of Mark begins. Mark begins, not with a geneology (that's Matthew), not with angels and shepherds and the star (that's Luke), not with poetic theological discourse (that would be John)--Mark simply begins with "The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ." I think this beginning is describing more than the words and chapters that follow. Rather, I think that the beginning Mark is describing is the good news of Jesus Christ that goes beyond the stories told in scripture. It is a story that is continued and carried on, even in the present day. It is a story that is told by our lives; the lives of those who chose to believe, by faith.
The ending of Mark's gospel is an invitation; an invitation to continue to tell the story that the life and death of Jesus began.
Who will tell the story? We will. You and me.
My friends, Easter has come and gone. The tomb stands empty and, I believe the message we still hear echoing out is this - Jesus is not here. I believe it is up to us to tell the world our stories; the stories about where we have found Jesus at work in the world and through our lives of faith.
Amen and amen!
The Gospel of Mark's ends with no Jesus. How can you write a resurrection account--the central story of the Christian faith--and not have an appearance of Jesus. There is no mention of Jesus, just an empty tomb, two frightened women disciples, and an angelic figure dressed in white, proclaiming "Do not be afraid. Jesus is not here." What gives?
It can't just be a bad ending, can it? What are we to do with this seemingly incomplete story? This story is one that we tell, by faith. There is no proof for us; we simply believe. We can examine the empty tomb by listening to the gospel stories and make the choice to believe or not.
The disciples who were there, ran aware in fear and amazement. Who will tell the story?
I think the key is in remembering how the Gospel of Mark begins. Mark begins, not with a geneology (that's Matthew), not with angels and shepherds and the star (that's Luke), not with poetic theological discourse (that would be John)--Mark simply begins with "The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ." I think this beginning is describing more than the words and chapters that follow. Rather, I think that the beginning Mark is describing is the good news of Jesus Christ that goes beyond the stories told in scripture. It is a story that is continued and carried on, even in the present day. It is a story that is told by our lives; the lives of those who chose to believe, by faith.
The ending of Mark's gospel is an invitation; an invitation to continue to tell the story that the life and death of Jesus began.
Who will tell the story? We will. You and me.
My friends, Easter has come and gone. The tomb stands empty and, I believe the message we still hear echoing out is this - Jesus is not here. I believe it is up to us to tell the world our stories; the stories about where we have found Jesus at work in the world and through our lives of faith.
Amen and amen!
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