What are you doing with what you have. We worry so much about what we do not have. What if you focused on what you have?
Mindset and money
Our mindset is important to gaining financial success.
Six ways I listen and follow Jesus’ teaching
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.” Matthew 7:24 (NLT)
Just how do we listen to Jesus’ teachings and embrace them in our life?
It was a Saturday night and I was sitting on our back steps and reflecting on life. I started to think about the sermon I would preach the next day. I was talking about the need to learn the ways of Jesus and embrace him in the everyday moments. I wondered to myself, just how do I learn the ways of Jesus.
Here are six things I wrote down in my journal of ways I go about learning the ways of Jesus and embracing in him my life.
These are in no order.
Six ways to listen and follow Jesus’ teaching
a. Time for self reflection
Life goes so fast we fail to slow down long enough to actually reflect upon our experiences and their impact in our life. It is during these moments that I am looking at my life in light of who Jesus is. I am not sure if I do this well yet, but am learning as I walk this journey.
b. Regular reading of and meditating on God’s word
It is no secret that one of the biggest catalysts we can have in growing our faith is a regular reading and meditating on God’s word. I have learned to not get so hung up on completing a certain amount of text, but picking up where I left off. For example I do use some version of a bible reading plan. However, if I miss a time, I just pick up either where I should be in the plan or where I left off. I am not concerned about completing it, as I am about spending time in God’s word.
c. Investing in others (serving)
There is no better way to learn the ways of Jesus than to help others learn the ways of Jesus.
d. Regular gathering with God’s people for teaching, worship, prayer and fun.
Community is a big part of our faith journey. Many struggle with it for many different reasons. However if I am honest, it is part of how I listen to Jesus and follow him.
e. Learning from Saints now and before.
This one is connected to the community one above. The example as well comes out of Hebrews 11 and I have found it useful. You can do this through reading the stories of those who have gone before and those who are now. You can do this meeting with other followers of Jesus and being intentional with your questions and learn from them.
f. Walk the path
This is literally about putting his words into practice. It is that easy and that hard. It is about how I use my time, what I read, how I react and in what I trust. It is not easy.
What about you? How do you go about learning the ways of Jesus and putting them into practice?
As I enter a New Season – One Tip for starting a new season
In the summer of 2016, I find myself starting a new season in life. This new season results in a new town, a new church, and a new job. This new season comes with the normal emotions of fears and anticipation of what is ahead. As I begin this season I am reminded of a question asked to Jesus. In a way, his answer is some great advice to remember when starting a new chapter of your life.
In Mark 12: 28-34 Jesus reminds us of the two greatest commands–that if we embrace them, no matter the season, they will help us enter, engage and experience the life we were created for.
For many followers of Jesus we know this teaching, most likely we have heard it many times. Sometimes we know what we should do but fail to take the steps in that direction. In any season, but especial as one begins a new season, getting back to core basics is needed. Sometimes in our life journey, we need to hit the pause button and remember the basics and then take steps to realign life where it has gotten off. For myself, as I start a new season, this is something I am keeping in front of me.
Jesus deeply values relationships. He values our relationship with him and he values our relationships with others. This is the simple truth of how nothing is more important than relationships.
A driving force for God’s people is placing value on relationships.
Recently I was talking with a young person in university and we were talking about the need to volunteer in order to help them gain work and life experience. I reminded her that the volunteer work will help her build relationship skills for any direction she finds herself in down the road.
We were made for relationships. A life without relationship is empty. Throughout the gospels, we see Jesus speak about his dream for our life. That dream leads to us living a flourishing life, at its core, has us placing a high value on relationships.
As I enter a new season, or perhaps you find yourself entering a new season, remember that placing a high value on relationship will help you embrace, enter and experience the life you were created for.
As I begin this new season this is one value I am continuing to keep in front of me. It does not always mean life is easy, but the relationships we nurture bring great benefits to our life.
Two ideas for receiving Mentoring without ever meeting a mentor
Mentoring is a powerful tool in our life and it can help us grow in a number of areas. For some finding a mentor is a challenge. A few years ago I realized that there is a different type of mentoring available. I realized I could pull wisdom from people I have never met.
There are two tools I use to be mentored by people I have never met.
1) Books
We live in an incredible time where information is readily available. In my journey, I read books that are not just in my field of work but many outside of it. For example, reading a book from someone who is in a field that has crossover elements can be very helpful in your life.
Since 2010, I have increased my reading to about a book a month. I tend to read a lot on my kindle app now. I do this because I have no room on my physical book shelf anymore and I like the highlighting elements. I often take those and put them into my Evernote and it becomes searchable.
Check out books I have read this year here
I would also recommend your local library if you have one. These are hidden gems in our towns and cities that many do not take advantage of. My family started using the local library more to save money on buying books and space problems.
Books can be a great way to have a mentor without ever meeting with a mentor.
2) Podcast
When I started work in Ottawa I started listening more and more to a range of podcasts. As I would walk from here to there I would listen. At first, it was people from my field of work. Now I have increased the range of listening. I tend to favor leadership, business, and church related podcasts.
Podcasts and books need to serve as jumping off points. As you reflect upon what the authors are saying, allow that to stir thoughts about current situations and what you can and should apply.
On a side note, I started using the stitcher app which lets me listen to a range of podcasts all in one place.
Podcasts can be a great way to have a mentor without ever meeting with a mentor.
Mentoring is a powerful tool to help you grow and reach your goals. A physical person may not always be an option. Books and podcasts can be a good alternative as mentors instead of a physical mentor.
What great books have you read recently or podcast series do you follow?
In the last 5 years what books have been most influential to you?