Apparently, it's time to change computers. Again, I apologize for the lack of consistency with my blog postings. Hopefully, the new computer ordered will provide more stability for this tech-savvy enthusiast.
Until then...
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Monday, March 26, 2007
Change - Part 1
Last week I witnessed an inspiring event. I was getting out of my car and looked up into the blue sky and saw a huge flock of geese flying north. I know Pennsylvania is famous for our weather forecasting ground hog, Punxsutawney phil. But there is no greater indicator of the end of winter than a flock of geese flying overhead due north. What a sign of change.
If you think about it, everything changes in life. Seasons change. Communities change. Culture and technology is constantly morphing and changing. Feelings change. Our bodies change.
There are two great truths in life:
1) Change is inevitable;
2) Most people resist change.
Easter is all about change too. Death to life. Hopelessness to hope. Old to new. This week I want to share some thoughts about change and perhaps inspire you to take a proactive approach to change and give you some practical insight on how you can best deal with the changes in life.
If you think about it, everything changes in life. Seasons change. Communities change. Culture and technology is constantly morphing and changing. Feelings change. Our bodies change.
There are two great truths in life:
1) Change is inevitable;
2) Most people resist change.
Easter is all about change too. Death to life. Hopelessness to hope. Old to new. This week I want to share some thoughts about change and perhaps inspire you to take a proactive approach to change and give you some practical insight on how you can best deal with the changes in life.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Day Off
Today I'm taking the day off. We have to drive to Harrisburg to return the flags we borrowed from another church for our Missions Convention. Since my family lives in Harrisburg it will be a nice opportunity to be with them for the afternoon.
Last night the prayer meeting was off the charts. We especially had a powerful time of corporate prayer for our children's pastors, Josh and Becky John. They have a lot on their ministry plate right now with the Family Theatre this weekend and Eggstravaganza right around the corner. It's so important for us to lift up one another in prayer. The Bible says, "They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength." Prayer also unites the church family together and cultivates harmony among the church body.
If you missed last nights prayer meeting, I encourage you to be with us next week.
Last night the prayer meeting was off the charts. We especially had a powerful time of corporate prayer for our children's pastors, Josh and Becky John. They have a lot on their ministry plate right now with the Family Theatre this weekend and Eggstravaganza right around the corner. It's so important for us to lift up one another in prayer. The Bible says, "They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength." Prayer also unites the church family together and cultivates harmony among the church body.
If you missed last nights prayer meeting, I encourage you to be with us next week.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Weekend Update
Wow! What an awesome, action-packed weekend at PCC! Even 20 inches of snow couldn't stop PCC from celebrating what God is doing all around the world.
Our 4th Annual Missions Convention was incredible. The Saturday night "Taste The Nations" banquet was fantastic. And the Parade of Nations on Sunday morning was inspiring. Our guest speaker, Jack Strom, challenged us to live out John 3:16. Thanks so much for everyone getting involved making it such a huge success.
Also, today we made the front page of the paper with a story on the Extreme Home Makeover. Check out the story by clicking on the link below. Perhpas you could leave a comment, as well.
http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070319/NEWS/703190327
Our creative, video guy at PCC, Matt Kennedy, did a great job with the Extreme Home Makeover video. Check it out below.
Thanks again, PCC! You rock! I'm so proud of you all and incredibly honored to be your friend and pastor.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Let It Snow
Just two days ago we were enjoying 60 degree temperatures and dusting off our barbecues for spring. And today we are getting hit with a noreaster snow storm that could dump up to 20 inches on the Pocono Mountains. Don't get me wrong - I love the snow and the changing seasons. But to be honest, I'm ready for spring.
It was so disappointing to have to cancel our community groups tonight hosting missionaries from 5 different countries. However, we felt it best to err on the safe side.
The snow will taper off tonight and we will have the green light for our Taste The Nations Missions Banquet tomorrow night at the West High School cafeteria. The banquet starts at 7pm. We're going to have a great time together celebrating what God is doing all around the world. Hope to see you there.
It was so disappointing to have to cancel our community groups tonight hosting missionaries from 5 different countries. However, we felt it best to err on the safe side.
The snow will taper off tonight and we will have the green light for our Taste The Nations Missions Banquet tomorrow night at the West High School cafeteria. The banquet starts at 7pm. We're going to have a great time together celebrating what God is doing all around the world. Hope to see you there.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Life in the fast lane
Hey Everybody ~ I apologize for my inconsistent postings lately. My Internet is out at home and my computer is on the fritz. I actually got the blue screen of death yesterday. I've been delaying a computer upgrade for months, but I think the time is now upon me.
Anyway, it's been such an awesome season of ministry the past few weeks at PCC. I sense a great wave of momentum beginning to build here at PCC. Between the Extreme Home makeover and the upcoming Missions Convention and Easter Outreaches, we are all firing on all cylinders around here.
In fact, Tuesday night I was coming back from some meetings and was a tad late for our weekly prayer meeting. I got to the church parking lot and found it was full. I was like, "This is so AWESOME that I can't find a parking spot at our prayer meeting." God is really moving in our church as we pray and seek his strength and guidance.
Let's keep our knees close to the ground and our eyes upon the Lord has we live what we believe.
Anyway, it's been such an awesome season of ministry the past few weeks at PCC. I sense a great wave of momentum beginning to build here at PCC. Between the Extreme Home makeover and the upcoming Missions Convention and Easter Outreaches, we are all firing on all cylinders around here.
In fact, Tuesday night I was coming back from some meetings and was a tad late for our weekly prayer meeting. I got to the church parking lot and found it was full. I was like, "This is so AWESOME that I can't find a parking spot at our prayer meeting." God is really moving in our church as we pray and seek his strength and guidance.
Let's keep our knees close to the ground and our eyes upon the Lord has we live what we believe.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Weekend Update
Well, I'm recovering from an exhausting four days of ministry. Our Extreme Home Makeover was a huge success, but a lot of work, too. I spent something like 35 hours in 3 days working along side almost 100 volunteers. We scrubbed walls, painted, laid 1500 square feet of new carpet, installed new Pergo floors in the dining room, laid new linoleum in both bathrooms and kitchen, built an additional bedroom wall, and lots of cleaning.
I am so proud of our church family and how we all came together to make this happen. I have to admit, I had a few doubts along the way but God helped us and we were able to bless this deserving family. What an awesome reward to see them come through the doors of their new home for the first time. Their tears of joy was reward enough for me.
I am so proud of our church family and how we all came together to make this happen. I have to admit, I had a few doubts along the way but God helped us and we were able to bless this deserving family. What an awesome reward to see them come through the doors of their new home for the first time. Their tears of joy was reward enough for me.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Time Saving Tips - Part 3
#3 - Good enough is good enough
While working on a many handymen projects with my grandfather (Pop) in his basement as a child, I can often remember him saying as we neared the completion of the job, "Well, it's good enough for the girl I go with." Of course, he meant that grandma would be happy to have the project completed even if it wasn't perfect. Now, Pop was no shoddy worker, but he understood the principle of "Good Enough" - that things don't have to be perfect in order to be useful or effective.
I've heard many leaders in the church world say, "It doesn't have to be perfect in order for God to bless it." Often times, we waste so much energy, effort and precious time in the vain attempt to make things perfect. According to the law of diminishing returns, this endless pursuit of perfectionism actually works against us. Sure, you can put in an extra 20% of effort on a project that is already a "A-" but that extra 20% will not yield a significant return on the investment. Give up your perfectionist ways and you will get more done and ultimately be more effective.
While working on a many handymen projects with my grandfather (Pop) in his basement as a child, I can often remember him saying as we neared the completion of the job, "Well, it's good enough for the girl I go with." Of course, he meant that grandma would be happy to have the project completed even if it wasn't perfect. Now, Pop was no shoddy worker, but he understood the principle of "Good Enough" - that things don't have to be perfect in order to be useful or effective.
I've heard many leaders in the church world say, "It doesn't have to be perfect in order for God to bless it." Often times, we waste so much energy, effort and precious time in the vain attempt to make things perfect. According to the law of diminishing returns, this endless pursuit of perfectionism actually works against us. Sure, you can put in an extra 20% of effort on a project that is already a "A-" but that extra 20% will not yield a significant return on the investment. Give up your perfectionist ways and you will get more done and ultimately be more effective.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Time Saving Tips - Part 2
#2 - Do less and get more done.
It's a hard fact of life that no one is good at everything, yet everyone is great one thing. Once you accept that fact, you can begin to prioritize your life around the things that you are passionate about and are naturally gifted to do.
It's true that at least 25% of our daily routines or employment responsibilities are going to be grunt work that we all have to do. However, the other 75% of our time must be focused on that which will bring us the most significant results.
Remember, time is a non-renewable commodity. You only have so much of it and once its gone its gone. The value of time is measured by how we spend it. So, when it comes to prioritizing your time, simply play to your strengths. Do what you do best with the lion share of your time. You will find that you get more done while you are doing less.
It's a hard fact of life that no one is good at everything, yet everyone is great one thing. Once you accept that fact, you can begin to prioritize your life around the things that you are passionate about and are naturally gifted to do.
It's true that at least 25% of our daily routines or employment responsibilities are going to be grunt work that we all have to do. However, the other 75% of our time must be focused on that which will bring us the most significant results.
Remember, time is a non-renewable commodity. You only have so much of it and once its gone its gone. The value of time is measured by how we spend it. So, when it comes to prioritizing your time, simply play to your strengths. Do what you do best with the lion share of your time. You will find that you get more done while you are doing less.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Time Saving Tips - Part 1
This week I want to give you some tips on saving time. If your life is anything like mine, you never have enough hours in the day to get everything done. You wish you could slow down time while simultaneously speed up productivity. Whether you are a swamped salesperson, homemaker or entrepreneur, these proven time-mangement strategies will help you manage your life and get more done in less time. So, let's get started. Now is the time.
Tip #1 - Rethink Time Management
I've often thought that I could get more done if I simply became a better time manager. Although this is a great idea, it doesn't work in the real world. You cannot manage something that remains in perpetual motion. In his book, Time Traps, Todd Duncan argues that time management is impossible. He says, "you can't manage time or control time any more than you can lasso the wind and tie it to a fence post."
Quit waisting time trying to manage your time. You can only manage what you do with your time. Time is the most precious commodity available to us. You can always make more money, but you can't make more time. Take a few minutes today and evaluate what you are doing with your time. Remember, you might not be able to manage the clock, but you can control what you do with every tick.
And that's the truth on time.
Tip #1 - Rethink Time Management
I've often thought that I could get more done if I simply became a better time manager. Although this is a great idea, it doesn't work in the real world. You cannot manage something that remains in perpetual motion. In his book, Time Traps, Todd Duncan argues that time management is impossible. He says, "you can't manage time or control time any more than you can lasso the wind and tie it to a fence post."
Quit waisting time trying to manage your time. You can only manage what you do with your time. Time is the most precious commodity available to us. You can always make more money, but you can't make more time. Take a few minutes today and evaluate what you are doing with your time. Remember, you might not be able to manage the clock, but you can control what you do with every tick.
And that's the truth on time.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Happy Birthday Dad!
Today is my Dad's birthday. We went down to Harrisburg yesterday on our day off to celebreate with my Dad and the rest of the family. Of course, we had lots of good food (Dad's favorite is chicken) and fun around the table.
As I have been preparing this series of messages on parenthood, I've been reminded of how fortunate I am to have such a great family, especially a God-honoring father. Studies show that father's have the most significant spiritual influence on their children, for good or bad. I am so blessed to have a father that has taught me what it means to be a real man, one that follows after Christ's example. Thanks Dad and Happy Birthday.
As I have been preparing this series of messages on parenthood, I've been reminded of how fortunate I am to have such a great family, especially a God-honoring father. Studies show that father's have the most significant spiritual influence on their children, for good or bad. I am so blessed to have a father that has taught me what it means to be a real man, one that follows after Christ's example. Thanks Dad and Happy Birthday.
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