Rest

Investing in the Investor

by Andy Wood on September 21, 2009

in Five LV Laws, Gamblers, LV Alter-egos, LV Cycle, Pleasers, Principle of Increase, Protecting Your Investment, Tense Truths

Burnout“I will recognize that this day is a gift to me.  Today and every day I will take the time to encourage the encourager.  I will recognize that my greatest gifts become available to others only when I offer them first to myself and to my God.”  -from “The Encourager’s Creed“

“Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.”  -Psalm 46:10, The Message

+++++++++++++++++++

His innovative, radical ministry shook and shaped the town where he lived.  He started a church from scratch and tossed tradition on its ear.  He insisted that worship services be seeker sensitive – events that people would actually enjoy attending.  His preaching was simple and plain, filled with word pictures, practical application, and charisma.

He led his people to reach out with God’s love by establishing an innovative system of literature distribution and visitation.  In a matter of months his church went from mission to mega, with more than a thousand people attending his Thursday night Bible study.

He was a prayer warrior.  This guy spent an hour a day just praying for the Jews!  Another hour daily in general prayer and meditation.  An hour and a half in breakfast and family prayers.  Six hours in prayer and devotional reading on Sundays.

Oh, and then there was the revival.  Returning from the Middle East, he found the town turned upside down with a fresh invasion of the Spirit.  People came nightly to hear him preach the gospel.  Hundreds came to Christ.  Without question, he was one of the greatest Christian leaders any generation has ever witnessed.

He died in 1843.

Age – 29. [click to continue…]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Eight Ways to Rebuild Your Gaps

by Andy Wood on October 28, 2008

in Ability, Allocating Your Resources, Consumers, Enlarging Your Capacity, Insight, Life Currency, LV Alter-egos, LV Cycle, Money, Pleasers, Time

Here’s a little exercise we actually take worship service time to practice occasionally.  Follow the instructions carefully (yes, I mean I want you to actually do this):

  • Take a deep breath
  • Let out half of it.
  • Hold
  • Smile
  • Repeat the following out loud, in a calm soothing voice:

“No.”

Repeat this exercise regularly, just for practice, and as needed in live game situations.

Not, “No because…”

Not, “Maybe later…”

Not, “Let me pray about it…”

Certainly not, “See if you can find somebody else, and if you can’t, I’ll see what I can do.”

Learning to graciously, kindly refuse is one of eight steps to building or rebuilding margin in your life.  Margin has to do with creating gaps – cushions of time, money, energy, or spiritual strength that act as living shock absorbers for those who have them.

Imagine how it could revolutionize your attitude, relationships, productivity, and health if the next time somebody says, “Got a minute?” you actually do! [click to continue…]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Next Entries →