Being a pastor some people do not think that I have any fun or play; that I just sit around reading the Bible and praying. That would be good, but I am a regular person, too. I enjoy boating, biking, hiking, skiing, and going to the beach with my family. I love to play other sports and enjoy watching sports, too. Golf was a great activity, but with kids it took too much time and money.
Some think that playing instead of working is irresponsible. Adults should be grown up and not play anymore. Play is a necessary part of a balanced life. It is restorative and enables us to enjoy all areas of our lives. As the old saying goes, “All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy.” On the other hand, too much play can short-change that which should be of a higher priority.
One dilemma is faced by the army of workaholics who approach their leisure and work with an equal zeal. Trying to make every leisure moment count, they apply the principles of 'productivity' to their leisure. Their three day weekend becomes a whirlwind that neither refreshes nor satisfies. When they finally return home exhausted, and plop down on the sofa, Monday doesn't look so bad.
Here are some ideas to have more time for recreation: downsize and simplify so you will have more time to live for what matters – God, and family. Try to live on less of your income so you can have some family fun activities. Spend time on hobbies and/or other leisure-time activities. You must schedule WORSHIP, REST, and PLAY, too!
We should not feel bad when we take time out for recreation or to go on vacation. Staycations are a new word put in the dictionary. It is one way to save money and yet enjoy time together recreating. This area of Western Wisconsin is great for walking, hiking, biking and in winter going cross-country snow skiing.
Balance is a fundamental element in creating a healthy lifestyle. Recreation must be a part of that balance.
Recreation with physical activity has these benefits:
• increases life expectancy; (Every time sedentary people walk a mile, they add 21 minutes to their life, saving society 34 cents in medical and related costs)
• reduces the risk of dying from heart disease or stroke, which are responsible for one-third of all deaths;
• reduces the risk of developing heart disease or colon cancer by up to 50%;
• reduces the risk of developing Type II diabetes 50%;
• helps to prevent / reduce hypertension, which affects one-fifth of the world's adult population;
• helps to prevent / reduce osteoporosis, reducing the risk of hip fracture by up to 50% in women;
• reduces the risk of developing lower back pain;
• promotes psychological well-being, reduces stress, anxiety and feelings of depression and loneliness;
• helps prevent or control risky behaviours, especially among children and young people, like tobacco, alcohol or other substance use, unhealthy diet or violence;
• helps control weight and lower the risk of becoming obese by 50% compared to people with sedentary lifestyles;
• helps build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints and makes people with chronic, disabling conditions improve their stamina; and
• can help in the management of painful conditions, like back pain or knee pain.
Look at the word recreation: it is to create again. We need after a day and week of work to create ourselves again. Definitions of recreation: the refreshment of the mind and body after work, especially by engaging in enjoyable activities; an activity that a person takes part in for pleasure or relaxation rather than as work.
God created you and gives you life with the intention that you will enjoy it. Some people think that Christians need to be serious all the time and never smile. It’s almost like we need to move into a convent and sit on the floor and only eat raw vegetables. The Christian life is not meant to be one of boredom; we ought to have more fun than anyone else. I don’t mean that we ought to have fun more often than anyone else, but we ought to really enjoy life.
So how do recreation and pleasure help us enjoy life? Recreation and pleasure break routine, reduce tension, bring laughter (good medicine, Pr 17:22), build relationships, and bring renewal.
But there is another side to recreation and pleasure the Bible addresses. We must be balanced in pursuing recreation and pleasures.
II Tim. 3: 2,4,5 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, […] 4 lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. NIV
When we love ourselves and pleasures our families will suffer. People can unknowingly worship recreation rather than God (“do not love the world, its desires pass away, doing the will of God lives forever” I Jn 2:15,17).The Bible also says, “those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them” (II Cor 5:15).
Isn’t it strange that some people know so much about a hobby but very little about God. They can give you the statistics of their favorite player since 1968 and tell you who won the Super Bowl 25 years ago, but they don’t know what God has promised them. They devote themselves to a hobby with their time, energy, and money when they get up early in the morning, drive for hours, and spend generously to buy tickets or equipment, but they complain they don’t have enough of these to spend time with God.
We must balance recreation and pleasure by asking these questions. Does it glorify God, or has it become an idol in our lives? Or do we work so much that we have no enjoyment? Ask God to help you and balance your life.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Be Balanced in Your Work
Overwork can shorten your life and can cause the things that really matter to be short-changed. Not enough work can also be detrimental as you are unable to make a living and it affects your self-worth. We need balance because too much or too little work can hurt us. Is your work week balanced?
When I worked a summer job for IBM while I was going to Bible School, what a great job, I worked as many hours as they would let me, over 60 a week. I was thrilled to be able to make the money to pay for school. But it was a job and it was hard, boring, long and monotonous. I remember once getting a task that required me to use regular snips to cut a part. My hands got so tired and sore I could hardly keep doing it. A big boss came around to inspect it with my regular boss. The guy asked me about it and I told him I had about had it. He just looked at me and walked off. So much for open and honest communication. This life was filled with work. I knew it was only temporary however. It was out of balance. But I had to make hay while the sun shines.
Work must be balanced. Two Extremes: People only there to make the money to do what they want to do on the weekends; work my 40 hours and not a minute more, they hate their work.
The other side of work is those that have thrown themselves into their work. Their identities are wrapped up in their work. Their success in life depends on their success at work. Life only has meaning if their work is successful. They are willing to sacrifice friends, marriage, family, health, etc., to make sure they succeed at work.
Most of us are somewhere in the middle. Prioritize so you won’t get pulled down and stressed, and burned out. A balanced lifestyle enables us to not only begin well but far more importantly, to end well. God does not intend for us to be shooting stars or firework Christians.
Ecclesiastes 4:8 Here is a man who lives alone. He has no son, no brother, yet he is always working, never satisfied with the wealth he has. For whom is he working so hard and denying himself any pleasure? This is useless, too — and a miserable way to live. TEV
How do we balance our workweek? Don’t bring your work home. (Don’t talk about it).
Prioritize: schedule most important things first. God, spouse, kids, work; now God gives grace for the rest to get done. 168 hours in a week. 40 to 50 you work with commuting. 56 you sleep. Avg. of 65 hours of free time. Try to work 40 hrs a week, not 60. (Have enough energy to give to the other higher priorities).
The bible says that God told Abraham “I will bless you … and you will be a blessing [dispensing good to others].” (Genesis 12:2)God did not create us to work for the sake of work but to create, produce and be challenged. This should bring great joy to our lives. What you believe about how God wants to provide for you determines what you do with your hands, knowledge and time. Are you busy doing the right things that are effectively providing for your life, others, and God’s work?
2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." 11 We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. NIV
God created us to be productive through work.
Proverbs 6:9-11
9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest 11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. NIV
This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it. Everybody was sure Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.
Work makes you useful. Our family needs are met. This is basic and you might not think it is a God benefit, but it is doing something that God wants done in the world to supply your needs. (Some are hoping to win the lottery, or use get rich quick schemes, or play “Deal or No Deal” with Howie Mandel.)Work enables you to fulfill God’s plan for your life. The bible tells those that are rich:
1 Timothy 6:18-19
18 to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. 19 If they do that, they'll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life. MB
How you work is important. Work with the right motive. The bible tells us to work with a smile; serving God is your motive to work. God will reward you when you keep a good attitude and not just work enough to get by. (Eph 6:5-8 MB).
How much should we work? It depends on your priorities – married, number of children, called to church work, etc. Also we must have four things in balance: work, rest, play, and worship.
Dr. Charles Garfield, the professor of the University of California Medical School in San Francisco, studied 1500 outstanding achievers in all walks of life. He said that high performers are willing to work hard but within strict limits. For them, work is not everything. When Garfield interviewed top executives in ten major industries he found that they knew how to relax, they could leave their work at the office, they prized close friends and family life, and they spent a healthy amount of time with their children and intimates. They were balanced.
Don’t spend all your time each week at work. Be balanced by making time for family and friends. Be successful as a person by including worship, rest, and play. Realize, too, that God does want to bless your work, not your idleness. Use your work to bless others and fulfill God’s plan for your life and to help the Gospel be proclaimed.
When I worked a summer job for IBM while I was going to Bible School, what a great job, I worked as many hours as they would let me, over 60 a week. I was thrilled to be able to make the money to pay for school. But it was a job and it was hard, boring, long and monotonous. I remember once getting a task that required me to use regular snips to cut a part. My hands got so tired and sore I could hardly keep doing it. A big boss came around to inspect it with my regular boss. The guy asked me about it and I told him I had about had it. He just looked at me and walked off. So much for open and honest communication. This life was filled with work. I knew it was only temporary however. It was out of balance. But I had to make hay while the sun shines.
Work must be balanced. Two Extremes: People only there to make the money to do what they want to do on the weekends; work my 40 hours and not a minute more, they hate their work.
The other side of work is those that have thrown themselves into their work. Their identities are wrapped up in their work. Their success in life depends on their success at work. Life only has meaning if their work is successful. They are willing to sacrifice friends, marriage, family, health, etc., to make sure they succeed at work.
Most of us are somewhere in the middle. Prioritize so you won’t get pulled down and stressed, and burned out. A balanced lifestyle enables us to not only begin well but far more importantly, to end well. God does not intend for us to be shooting stars or firework Christians.
Ecclesiastes 4:8 Here is a man who lives alone. He has no son, no brother, yet he is always working, never satisfied with the wealth he has. For whom is he working so hard and denying himself any pleasure? This is useless, too — and a miserable way to live. TEV
How do we balance our workweek? Don’t bring your work home. (Don’t talk about it).
Prioritize: schedule most important things first. God, spouse, kids, work; now God gives grace for the rest to get done. 168 hours in a week. 40 to 50 you work with commuting. 56 you sleep. Avg. of 65 hours of free time. Try to work 40 hrs a week, not 60. (Have enough energy to give to the other higher priorities).
The bible says that God told Abraham “I will bless you … and you will be a blessing [dispensing good to others].” (Genesis 12:2)God did not create us to work for the sake of work but to create, produce and be challenged. This should bring great joy to our lives. What you believe about how God wants to provide for you determines what you do with your hands, knowledge and time. Are you busy doing the right things that are effectively providing for your life, others, and God’s work?
2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." 11 We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. NIV
God created us to be productive through work.
Proverbs 6:9-11
9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest 11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. NIV
This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it. Everybody was sure Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.
Work makes you useful. Our family needs are met. This is basic and you might not think it is a God benefit, but it is doing something that God wants done in the world to supply your needs. (Some are hoping to win the lottery, or use get rich quick schemes, or play “Deal or No Deal” with Howie Mandel.)Work enables you to fulfill God’s plan for your life. The bible tells those that are rich:
1 Timothy 6:18-19
18 to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. 19 If they do that, they'll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life. MB
How you work is important. Work with the right motive. The bible tells us to work with a smile; serving God is your motive to work. God will reward you when you keep a good attitude and not just work enough to get by. (Eph 6:5-8 MB).
How much should we work? It depends on your priorities – married, number of children, called to church work, etc. Also we must have four things in balance: work, rest, play, and worship.
Dr. Charles Garfield, the professor of the University of California Medical School in San Francisco, studied 1500 outstanding achievers in all walks of life. He said that high performers are willing to work hard but within strict limits. For them, work is not everything. When Garfield interviewed top executives in ten major industries he found that they knew how to relax, they could leave their work at the office, they prized close friends and family life, and they spent a healthy amount of time with their children and intimates. They were balanced.
Don’t spend all your time each week at work. Be balanced by making time for family and friends. Be successful as a person by including worship, rest, and play. Realize, too, that God does want to bless your work, not your idleness. Use your work to bless others and fulfill God’s plan for your life and to help the Gospel be proclaimed.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Influenced or Influencer?
Our culture is a culture of influence. Everyone is under the influence of someone or something. Advertisers vie for our spending dollars. Highway safety officials influence us with “Click It Or Ticket” admonitions to wear seat belts. And I noticed in a television ad that Dish customers do not let their friends use cable… so Dish customers are urged to influence their friends to switch to Dish.
Are you a thermometer or are you a thermostat Christ-follower? A thermometer is circumstantially led. Depending on the temperature, the mercury moves up or down. It moves according to the circumstances that it is set in. Everything around a thermometer controls how the thermometer works, whether it moves up or down.
A thermostat influences its surroundings. Unlike the thermometer, the thermostat controls the heat or coldness around it. What type of believer are you? Do you influence your surroundings? Or, are you influenced by your surroundings? The Bible tells us which we should be, (Jer 15:19b,TLB) "Only if you return to trusting me will I let you continue as my spokesman. You are to influence them, not let them influence you!"
There are all kinds of voices that we allow into our lives. Some voices are our own intellect, or feelings, or emotions, or other people. Many get all their answers from the TV. When we listen to these other voices we will not listen to the Spirit of God within us. This will cause us to go the wrong way and into disaster. You will make bad choices and fall for anything.
Right thinking leads to right attitudes and right actions. What is the controlling influence in your life? Is it your job, the internet, money, greed, alcohol, or drugs? Is it your sinful nature, the world’s ways, the lies and temptations of the enemy, or is it the Holy Spirit of God?” The way you can determine the dominant influence in your life is to examine what occupies your mind or what you think about. Our thoughts lead to attitudes and our attitudes lead to actions. Our attitudes and actions reflect that we are either under the influence of our sinful nature, or under the influence of God.
The Bible tells us that when you let the Holy Spirit control or influence your mind there is life and peace, versus our own sinful nature that leads to death. (Rom 8:6). You decide what controls your mind. The bible tells us in Romans 12:2 to renew or feed our minds; one translation says to “fix your attention on God” (MB), and another adds that then you will “experience how his ways will really satisfy you.” (TLB)
Eph 4:14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. NLT
Ultimately, every person decides what he or she will think about and do. How can we be influenced by the Holy Spirit continually? How can we keep the others voices at bay long enough to let God's voice come flowing in? In short, how can we be led by God's Spirit all day long, so we can avoid disasters and be an influencer for Jesus Christ.
Three keys to better hearing God's voice:
1. Identify the wrong influences. Many of you have had voices and influences that wrecked your life and derailed your future? Check the crowd you hang with. Are they negative, cynical, and pessimistic?
2. Spend time with God by prayer, worship and bible study. The more in tune we will be by studying the Bible. We must be reading the word daily and getting it in our hearts. It’s easier to differentiate His voice from all the voices because you are so familiar with it from spending time with His writings. Also you will know His will and can be assured you are hearing Him as His leading always lines up with His Word.
3. Let peace be your umpire. The bible tells us that the peace that Christ gives is to guide you in your decisions, (Col 3:15 TEV). His voice gives peace to your heart and can be your umpire (one chosen to rule on decisions) for the way you should go. The Holy Spirit will speak to you from the inside, not the outside. Take time to be still and listen. Clear the line by closing out the other voices. Faith does not get in a hurry. Pray about the leading for a few days to make sure. You will have peace about what to decide.
Now you will be able to influence your world instead of the world influencing you.
Are you a thermometer or are you a thermostat Christ-follower? A thermometer is circumstantially led. Depending on the temperature, the mercury moves up or down. It moves according to the circumstances that it is set in. Everything around a thermometer controls how the thermometer works, whether it moves up or down.
A thermostat influences its surroundings. Unlike the thermometer, the thermostat controls the heat or coldness around it. What type of believer are you? Do you influence your surroundings? Or, are you influenced by your surroundings? The Bible tells us which we should be, (Jer 15:19b,TLB) "Only if you return to trusting me will I let you continue as my spokesman. You are to influence them, not let them influence you!"
There are all kinds of voices that we allow into our lives. Some voices are our own intellect, or feelings, or emotions, or other people. Many get all their answers from the TV. When we listen to these other voices we will not listen to the Spirit of God within us. This will cause us to go the wrong way and into disaster. You will make bad choices and fall for anything.
Right thinking leads to right attitudes and right actions. What is the controlling influence in your life? Is it your job, the internet, money, greed, alcohol, or drugs? Is it your sinful nature, the world’s ways, the lies and temptations of the enemy, or is it the Holy Spirit of God?” The way you can determine the dominant influence in your life is to examine what occupies your mind or what you think about. Our thoughts lead to attitudes and our attitudes lead to actions. Our attitudes and actions reflect that we are either under the influence of our sinful nature, or under the influence of God.
The Bible tells us that when you let the Holy Spirit control or influence your mind there is life and peace, versus our own sinful nature that leads to death. (Rom 8:6). You decide what controls your mind. The bible tells us in Romans 12:2 to renew or feed our minds; one translation says to “fix your attention on God” (MB), and another adds that then you will “experience how his ways will really satisfy you.” (TLB)
Eph 4:14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. NLT
Ultimately, every person decides what he or she will think about and do. How can we be influenced by the Holy Spirit continually? How can we keep the others voices at bay long enough to let God's voice come flowing in? In short, how can we be led by God's Spirit all day long, so we can avoid disasters and be an influencer for Jesus Christ.
Three keys to better hearing God's voice:
1. Identify the wrong influences. Many of you have had voices and influences that wrecked your life and derailed your future? Check the crowd you hang with. Are they negative, cynical, and pessimistic?
2. Spend time with God by prayer, worship and bible study. The more in tune we will be by studying the Bible. We must be reading the word daily and getting it in our hearts. It’s easier to differentiate His voice from all the voices because you are so familiar with it from spending time with His writings. Also you will know His will and can be assured you are hearing Him as His leading always lines up with His Word.
3. Let peace be your umpire. The bible tells us that the peace that Christ gives is to guide you in your decisions, (Col 3:15 TEV). His voice gives peace to your heart and can be your umpire (one chosen to rule on decisions) for the way you should go. The Holy Spirit will speak to you from the inside, not the outside. Take time to be still and listen. Clear the line by closing out the other voices. Faith does not get in a hurry. Pray about the leading for a few days to make sure. You will have peace about what to decide.
Now you will be able to influence your world instead of the world influencing you.
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