Do you find yourself so consumed with thoughts, feelings, plans and obligations that you just don’t know what to do? Like the expression: “I have so much to do, I don’t know what to do!”

There are many things that vie for our attention. Many things that are worth paying attention to, and many more things that we need to ignore.

Since we are so consumed in this way, how can we know what to focus on, what to ignore and what to do next?

First of all, I recommend that you get rid of all of your distractions in order to sit down and prayerfully sort through all the noise and options in your life. Find a quiet, empty room (maybe at your church or a local library) and bring nothing with you but a blank piece of paper or journal. Write down all of the things that God has given you and what He is teaching you. Then write down what you know you are neglecting, all of the things that seem to be begging for your attention, and finally (after much prayer) write down what you believe God is saying your purpose and goals are for this season of your life.

Second, after you have these things written down, go to your pastor, Sunday school teacher, counselor or a godly friend and share with you them what you are have written down and what you are struggling with. Ask for their input. In particular, ask them to help you discern if anything you have written down is incorrect (in light of Scripture) or if there is any wisdom they can give to you for your journey.

Third, even after you have done this, don’t yet begin working on your list and checking things off of it. Instead take a day, a week or even a month and fast and pray about the things on the list. Then while you are fasting and praying, try to eliminate the noise and the extra voices in your life and instead listen only the God (through the Bible, preaching, teaching etc) and continue to write down the things that you believe God is speaking to you.

Finally, after all of this, then only implement one or two things at a time (unless the Lord Himself directs you otherwise). Work on the new tasks diligently for 4 – 6 weeks and when they begin to become habits in your life, then you can add 1- 2 more things. Remember, the point of this is to discern the will of God for what to do with all of the many choices and voices in your life and then to intentionally develop a plan to work through them one on one until you are only doing what God directs and are not consumed by the fear and the incessant demands and accusations. Your goal is to peacefully, patiently and joyfully take one step of faith at a time to accomplish what God has laid out for you.

May God richly bless you as you seek His will and to live an intentional and disciplined life to His glory and according to His plans and purposes for your life!

If you feel like everything is just too much, too overwhelming and too painful, I want to share some life-altering truth with you!

Please take the time to read both the first and the second parts of this article. They are both exceedingly important.

Part 1

The gospel of Jesus Christ, is a message of good news of deliverance for all who will receive it from God. It is a gift of salvation, paid for by the sacrifice of God, the death of Jesus and the victorious salvation offered to us by God. All we have to do is to believe with our hearts and confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and then live it out and we can receive freedom from worldliness, distraction, discouragement, sin, shame, guilt, etc. God begins the process of fully setting us free and sanctifying and glorifying us with a single step of faith, wherein we say to Jesus: “Yes I believe! Now what do I do?”

You may be saying to yourself, what does that have to do with the title of this article? I’m glad you asked

First, if you and I are distracted by sin, tired of running from God and feeling under a weight of guilt, shame and emptiness, then God is the answer to this and all we have to do is listen, believe, receive and then walk with God our Savior.

But it might also be that you are already a Christian and you still feel distracted, tired and overwhelmed and you can’t figure out why…

Part 2

Here is some straightforward and difficult truth that you might need to hear.

As Christ followers we are not supposed to act or react like the world. We are not supposed to behave or think or talk like the world. And yet over and over again Christians seem to do these very things.

Why is that?

In large part because the greatest influencers in many Christians lives are secular culture, Hollywood, worldly music, materialism, social media, etc. In other words we begin believing and acting according to the input that we receive and Christians are constantly digesting the world’s content.

So please, if you are already a Christian and you want to get rid of your distraction, your fatigue and the overwhelming discouragement in your life, start with cutting out the input and content from the world. Turn off the TV, turn off your phone, unplug from technology and instead plug in to God with all of the spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible study, worship, meditation, fasting, etc. Do this for a week or a month or even longer! And watch and see how as God detox’s your mind and soul from the corruption of the world, that all of a sudden you will notice the craziness of the world’s distraction, tiredness and defeat fall off of you and you will be able to walk in the freedom made possible by the amazing grace and perfect provision of Jesus Christ!

Dear pastor,

What would it be like, if collectively, all of God’s shepherds would pray daily for their flocks? What would it be like if we all reached out with love and compassion as well as the challenging truths of the gospel? What would it be like if we all modeled a life of peace and holiness of speech and attitude and behavior?

Of course, we know, we are far from perfect! And we know that we keep making mistakes, and yet: God’s grace is bigger!

And since God is our ever-present help and is the fire around us and the glory within us, I just believe that it is possible that God’s shepherds can indeed be men and women who are after God’s heart and can feed, lead, guide and tend God’s flock with patience, holiness, wisdom and understanding.

Dear fellow minister and servant leader of God’s people,

What does it look like to be faithful to the call God has placed upon us?

In the middle of this crazy mixed up world and even in the midst of polarizing, divisive and judgmental perspectives within the church, how can we stand out as lights?

Here are 3 powerful ways:

1. Let us make sure that we do not throw mud on the bride of Christ. So many pastors, ministries and churches these days seem to make their mark by pointing out everything that is wrong with everyone else. Let us continue to look for what is right, holy and good in not only our church but even in the churches around us. And when we do sense that something is wrong, let us not condemn, or pass judgment but instead pray and as the Lord directs gently restore those who have gone astray. Let us be different in this way.

2. Let us make sure that we don’t talk about God more than we talk to God. It is easy to be a Pharisee. Let us continue to talk to God, listen to God and enjoy the sweet commune of simply worshiping and waiting in His presence. Let us be different in that we actually take the time to make the space in our lives and at the church to always pray and fellowship with God.

3. Let us make sure that we don’t talk about the church more than we talk about God and His salvation. The church is a beautiful gift and a wonderful body that God has formed but the point of the church is to make much of God, not of ourselves. Let us be different in that we don’t spend our time talking about the messenger (the church) and forget to talk about the message (Jesus!).

Thank you in advance for intentionally joining me in these 3 things. We want to shine as lights in this world and we don’t want to get caught in the traps of the enemy and if we pay attention to these three things I know that God will grow our faith and our effectiveness for Him.

Please let us continue to pray deeply and regularly for each other and for our flock! I sense that God is moving mightily in our midst and perhaps in ways we have not seen before and as such I know we must be on guard against the devil and his schemes.

I thank God for each of you

The call to pastoral ministry is a difficult call.

We are to shepherd people, oversee the administration of the church, equip the people for works of service, preach the gospel, care for the sick, hurting and absent, and the list goes on.

Perhaps one of the more difficult roles shepherds must tend to (and it seems to be increasingly necessary) is that of protector and defender. We need to protect the sheep in our care from wolves that would try and destroy them. We are called to defend the integrity of the Word and protect the doctrinal standards of the church.

In the midst of protecting and defending we will have opposition and feel caught in the middle. Let us remember 4 vital things about protecting the people and guarding the Word and doctrine of the church:

1. The people need to be protected from false teaching, but we also need to equip them to identify it themselves and to learn and apply the true gospel to their lives and the church
2. Knowing the Word of God is vital to identifying falsehood as well as knowing when and how to call it out. We must study the Bible like a dying man searching for food or water to save him
3. To know the Word we also need the gifts and tools of Godly counsel and the traditions/liturgies of the church to help us interpret and apply what the Bible is saying. Let us not arrogantly assume that we have the answers in our own head without seeking wisdom outside of ourselves
4. Finally let us carefully seek God’s counsel for when and how to correct and rebuke and instruct. Let us remember about “casting pearls before swine” and “endless genealogies and myths” whilst also remember that with “gentleness and respect” we are to “always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that we have” especially as we are “watching over our life and doctrine closely”

I know there is so much more to be said about this, but I am calling pastors to please be sure to protect and defend, but let us also do it with gentleness and respect (because how we shepherd is vitally important. We must shepherd like Jesus and even work for the salvation and transformation of the wolves). But whether the wolves are ever won over to the Lord, we still must defend the people and the truths of the gospel. This is a necessary role of being a shepherd, let us not run away when a wolf comes, like we are only ‘hired hands’ but instead let us recognize we are to be true under-shepherds of the Good Shepherd, and as He did, so should we, be willing to lay down our life for the sheep. 

There are certain words that consistently come up these days: 

• Busy
• Distracted
• Tired
• Stressed-out
• Overwhelmed
• Burned-out

I believe that there is a common denominator that ties all these things together.

Depending on how you read the title of this post, you may have already been trying to think of what one word describes your life. Maybe one (or more) of the words I have already mentioned seems appropriate. 

But I wonder if you might look back at the title and consider another word: “GO”

If you are always “on” and always doing, always thinking, always pursuing something, this word might fit you perfectly. You might even describe your life as “always on the go”.

Here is the problem: God never intended us to always be on. He calls us to rest. He created rhythms of life that help us to receive His peace. God has included daily times of rest, weekly times of ceasing from our labor, as well as annual times of stopping to celebrate Him, let the work cease and let our bodies, minds and spirits be refreshed and renewed.

So if your life is all about “GO”, I want to challenge you to try one (or more) of these things:

1. Stop for one minute. Close your eyes. Breathe in and out slowly. Say “thank you God for loving me…please help me to trust you…I give everything and everyone to you”
2. Grab a blanket and find a seat to watch creation (or a video like “Blue Planet”) and then just breathe in, breathe out and recognize that God who created all this can take care of you
3. Set a timer for 10 or 15 minutes, put some worship music on, close your eyes and just listen and let the Holy Spirit minister to your soul
4. Open your Bible or listen to the Bible for 10 minutes uninterrupted. Turn off your phone (and smartwatch too) and just rest in the reality of God’s perfect instructions, warnings and promises.
5. Go for a 30 minute walk and while you are walking just start listing (outloud helps if you dare!) all of the many things you are thankful for. 
6. Find a completely quiet room (dark too maybe) and if you are able to just kneel or lay down or sit with your palms facing up to heaven, and one-by-one say “God I give you _____” and release each of these things to God

There are other things you can do as well, including going to church, spending time with a Christian talking about God, or enjoying a good Biblical movie. The point is that you give yourself time to stop going and just rest in the presence of God and let Him cover you with His love, comfort and peace

I hope you will take me up on this. You may just find God changing you.

I love people. I love seeing them experience a breakthrough. I love seeing them live victoriously. I love laughing with them and rejoicing with them in the blessings and milestones of life.

But I also hurt for the pain they endure. And the pain they put themselves through. And the pain they cause other people to experience. I also hurt because of the pain they have caused me and those I love.

But I can’t quit. God won’t let me. And I have a fire inside of me that simply consumes and compels me. No matter the pain, I can’t stop. Even when the joy of ministry seems like it is fleeting or fleeing, even then I still have to love people, listen to people, pray for people, and tell people the good news of Jesus.

I pray that some things will get easier. I pray that I don’t get in the way of the work God wants to do. I pray that I am not the one causing another pain, but that instead I am the cause of their joy in the Lord.

I pray that I will be faithful and that God will be honored and that many people will be eternally impacted by my pitiful efforts.

There is deep joy and sometimes ongoing pain, but ultimately I don’t pastor for any temporary joy or temporary pain-relief here on earth but for the eternal glory of God and eternal blessings for all who will call on His name.

May God help us to faithfully press on through it all. Eternal joy is coming to all who will stand firm to the end!

Is your life full of peace? Is everything calm and full of tranquility?

My life seems to have moments of this but unfortunately it seems like those moments are often few and far between. The chaos and tumult and craziness that are ever present around me seem to always threaten to consume me and steal my joy and peace. My thought life and emotions seem to swirl, explode and implode on any modicum of peace that I might’ve once had.

Is there something we can do that will create a culture and atmosphere of peace in the midst of our lives, regardless of what is going on around?

I believe the answer to this is yes, and these are some things I contend will make possible a life of peace:

• Try to do less in a given period of time.
• Make sure that whatever you do, you find enjoyment in it,
• even as you also slow down enough to do it with excellence.
• Make sure to intentionally stand back and admire what God has done for you and even through your efforts
• and then give thanks to God for His gifts which enabled you to work, produce, and accomplish.

These are practical, life application steps for peace. Let me give you some things that we should be practicing in the the deep, spiritual places of our lives in order to walk with peace:

• Remember that Jesus is the Prince of peace, when you walk with Him you walk with peace
• When we give our concerns to God, with thanksgiving, the Bible reminds us that the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus
• We must hold firmly to the promises of God which declare, over and over, in various ways: “God will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfastly fixed on Him”
• When we receive the salvation and the freedom that comes from forgiveness in Christ and walk according to His ways and refuse to worry about the world’s ways, abounding peace begins to well up within our very souls

I have given you some practical and some spiritual ways to pursue peace. Let us come to realize that above all we must walk in a right relationship with God Almighty, through the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This and only this will ensure that any wall of separation that has kept us at a distance from Him, will be removed, and the peace of knowing He is our Savior, Lord and Sustainer will be imparted as a peace that no person can take away from us!

Sometimes I think to myself: “well, I may not have succeeded in what I hoped to, but I will just hold on until I can retire and it will be what it will be”

This resignation is not usually a good thing when it comes to ministers dealing with their disappointments and disillusionment in ministry.

I think though, that I am not alone in these thoughts.

I went into ministry with high hopes, lofty dreams, positivity and a desire to save the world! It didn’t take long for a hard case of reality to hit me as I dealt with broken people, carnal Christians, divided churches and unrealistic expectations.

But somewhere along the way, God also started working in my heart and mind to show we what really mattered. I am a long way from where I believe God is ultimately bringing me but so far this is what He has been revealing to me (and in / through these things, I have hope):

• The opportunity to talk with people about the salvation Jesus offers is exhilarating, fulfilling and a primary reason I entered ministry
• When people come under conviction, have an “aha” moment, confess/repent/release and finally receive the saving and sanctifying grace of Jesus, that makes every other moment of suffering worth it
• If everything had gone according to my immature (and often worldly) hopes and dreams, the ministries would have been weak (at best) and my heart would have been shallow
• Through the pain of suffering, failure, rejection, slander/gossip, and unmet hopes/dreams/expectations God has helped me to look deeper, cry out more and cling more desperately to His promises
• Because I still have yet to see all that God has done (or is doing) in the places I have served, I have yet to be able to fully celebrate what God has accomplished through my meager (and often misguided) efforts. But, I will cling to the belief that God is making something beautiful, in His timing, from the ashes, and somehow He has used even my weakness and lack, to show forth His strength and provision to impact far more people than I even know

So, if you also know the bitter taste of ministry, I hope and pray you will also take the time to patiently savor the goodness and sweetness of God who is working in spite of all the stuff and one day will present, holy and blameless and without spot or wrinkle, you, me and even those crazy, wonderful, maddening people we have been trying to shepherd.