I’m grouchy this week.  Sarcastic with co-workers. Caustic with my family.  Yesterday a friend asks, “What’s wrong with you?” and I shrugged it off.  Didn’t know anything was wrong until he got me thinking about it.  I thought it was all the porcupines around me with quills flared ganging up to irritate me—including the freeway speed-control freaks who blocked my way. Sure I was short with everyone, but they deserved it for getting in my space.  ?

This morning I’m praying about a decision and I realize how stuck I feel. It’s not all the porcupines around me causing my acidic attitude. It’s a thistle rolling around inside me.  I’m stuck and irritated by that helpless feeling of stuckness.

It’s like spinning your wheels in a snow bank.  Your build up all this heat from the tire spinning and it hardens the snow into ice, increasing the spinning and decreasing your chances of getting out without help. So I decided I need help getting unstuck.

It’s easy to blame the porcupines around us when we’re miserable. Truth is, it’s usually something inside creating the porcupine in the mirror.

Mark Reed

See Mark’s Heaven blog at www.hopeworthy.com/blog

Contributing to God’s Kingdom work generally involves giving rather than getting.  After long periods of giving, to expect others to give back is normal.  In fact, having reciprocal relationships in ministry helps to provide balance and enduring ministries.

What is fair to expect to get out of being in ministry?  Paul writes in 1 Timothy 5:18, :”Do not muzzle the ox (quoting Deut. 25:4) …The worker deserves his wages”.  We are led to believe, to receive something for giving is expected, similar to the idea in Galatians 6:7. “A man reaps what he sows”.  Let’s also not forget eternal rewards (Luke 6:23).

As a ministry leader and servant, what do you get out of ministry?  Whether you receive monetary support or not for ministry, what do you get that motivates you to serve Him with your best?

Two words motivate me more than anything else: Cherry Pie.

As a teacher and leader I know that I’m supposed to use intrinsic more than extrinsic motivation.  Get employees to want to complete a project because of the skills they will develop (intrinsic) rather than because they will receive a cash bonus (extrinsic). Intrinsic is true motivation that builds self-discipline.

But extrinsic motivation is not bad and it works well for short-term results—especially when I need motivational booster  shot.  I need to exercise to lose weight so I will be a healthier person—a ho-hum motivator for me.  But when my doctor said, “Exercise or I’m putting you on medication,” I started walking every day. And when I’m low on motivation, I stoop to dangling a short-term incentive in front of myself: walk 30 minutes today, and you can have a slice of pie tonight.

We’re not pure and spirit-driven enough to always find inner motivation in spiritual discipline. Sometimes we need an external, physical reward for doing something spiritual.  I’ll stop by the coffee shop for a latte after my prayer walk today.

When you don’t feel like being spiritual, it’s okay to dangle a carrot—or a latte—or maybe a cherry pie.

Mark Reed

Author of Rehearsing for Heaven

In the midst of life challenges, what sustains you?  Is it your outgoing personality?  Stubborn perseverance?  Your church and family?

The writer of Hebrews describes believers as runners.  Their endurance is based on following the example of Jesus, fixing their eyes on Jesus as they run life’s race.

While training, a runner experiences a battle within their will due to the physical and mental stress.  As a Christian, we know our focus on Jesus is essential, yet life’s hassles and obstacles slow us down and wear us out.

Gordon MacDonald in his book, A Resilient Life writes, resilient people believe that quitting is not an option.  They know that “walking” is unthinkable.  They are convinced that building resilience is a daily pursuit.

Weariness and exhaustion is a reality, but if quitting is not an option, take the advice of the Hebrews writer, who encourages the runners not to “fall short” of the finish line (God’s rest); but daily seek His Word to penetrate the heart and mind.  We realize our personal stamina will wear out,  only the power of God and His Word will empower us to endure the race.

While running life’s race, what empowers you to endure?

Connecting can be easy with some people and difficult with others.  Have you ever wondered why Jesus was so good at connecting and relating to others?  One primary reason throughout the Gospels is simply, “He cared”.

Caring affects our motivation to reach out to others or just be receptive to others’ attempts to connect.  How do we maintain such a caring attitude like Jesus did on earth?

In the Gospels, we find Jesus receiving help and support from His Father and others.  One reason why Jesus was able to connect and care with others is, He willingly received what He needed from others.  While receiving with one hand, Jesus gave with the other hand.

Growing relationships are mutual in nature, both giving and receiving.  In ministry, mutual relationships are difficulty because of the focus of ministry is generally “giving”.  Plus the attitude of ministry is generally 24/7, so our focus may not be on our needs or seeking to get our needs met.

As simple as taking a shower or eating breakfast in the morning can make a good start to our day, reaching out to receive support, a friendly voice or a hug can be enough fuel to fire up our desire to care for others.

What fuels your attitude to care?

Is it time to “throw another log on the fire”?

Carol began 2012 feeling fresh and alive, motivated to go back to her office at church for another year.  As Sunday approached, Carol began to wonder if people would respond to the programs she organized or would it be a repeat of last year’s lack luster responses?

After the holidays, Eric picked up where he left off, excited and anticipating what God would do in 2012.  This week, at staff meeting, their pastor reported his concern about low attendance and offerings over the last month, unlike the last few years.  Eric wondered, what does this mean for his ministry and family?

Kevin enjoys the Christmas season and time with his growing family.  In fact, reflecting back over the last few weeks, he could not think of a more memorable time with his family.  Today, Kevin’s wife Julie called inquiring when he would be home since she is feeling overwhelmed with the kids.  Julie wonders how her and Kevin will manage their schedule at home and church?

When anticipating a new year and it’s challenges, what do you wonder about?  We learn quickly in ministry and family life, we can never take anything for granted, especially in our ever changing world.

God told Joshua, when considering the future of their new kingdom in the promise land, “Be strong and very courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

What do you hear God telling Joshua?  What is God telling you through His Word regarding your new year challenges?  How will God’s presence affect your thoughts about today’s needs and tomorrow’s concerns?

There are many opinions about New Year’s resolutions, many saying they don’t work.  Do any resolutions work?

G. K. Chesterton’s quote is the best by far.   

How often in times of stress or worry have you said, I’ve got to pray harder? What does praying harder look like?  More intense until sweating drops of blood?  Louder, longer, with more feeling? Jesus agonized in prayer, but he taught others to pray without drama:Make your prayers simple. Ask your Father with faith, humility, and persistence. Seek, ask, knock, i.e. pursue your requests as though you have a father who knows your every need and willing provides every need.

For me, praying harder means trusting more, realizing it depends less on me and more on my Father.  Trust without ceasing. Set aside anxiety after making my request. I’m struggling to shift my agony in prayer to agonizing over faith in the Faithful One and to sweat over letting go, to let him control, to accept whatever outcome he chooses.

Mark Reed

Author of Rehearsing for Heaven

Solomon, speaking about foolish living wrote:  At the end of your life you wil groan, when your flesh and body are spent.  You will say, “How I hated discipline!  How my heart spurned correction!” Proverbs 5:11 & 12

These are tough words to read and hear from a man of wisdom.  Yet, Solomon speaks to the core of our heart of need to remember His purposes for practicing spiritual disciplines.  Here are some reminders:

One purpose for practicing spiritual disciplines is to bring a deeper dependence upon our Father.  For example, moving from an inner chaos towards renewal and power through God’s Spirit.  Developing relationships based upon God’s righteousness and grace.  Seeking God’s goodness to happen in others and our self in the midst of turmoil and loss.

A second purpose of practicing spiritual disciplines is to become more God-centered.  In ministry, serving can be both giving attention to others while being the center of attention.  While we preach, lead, teach or e-mail, we expect others to pay attention to us. Sometimes we treat God the same way.

A third purpose is as a part of worshipping God, our creator and sovereign Lord.  In ministry, it’s easy to become frustrated or stressed, at times uncertain of God’s plan, provision and timing.  God still expects us to submit and trust.  Worship becomes the expression and evidence of submission to Him who sits on heaven’s mercy seat.