Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. Philippians 4:11-13 (MSG)

I've been slowly working on uncluttering my life. I started with my office and began going through drawers and shelves. I'm amazed how much "stuff" gets built up over time. I'm flabbergasted at how much "stuff" I store that I don't use and don't need. It seems to me that there is a little known universal principle in life: "stuff" will accumulate in direct proportion to the amount of space you allow for it. 

I had an apartment and accumulated an apartment's worth of "stuff." So, I bought a house so I would have "plenty of space" and the "stuff" grew to fill it. I moved to a larger house with a garage so that I might have more space and the "stuff" followed me and multiplied. "Stuff" is viral.

I've noticed a consistent thread through God's message to me: "be content." So, little by little, I'm purging "stuff." The closet in my office is next.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and sindesign

Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. Philippians 4:11-13 (MSG)

I've been slowly working on uncluttering my life. I started with my office and began going through drawers and shelves. I'm amazed how much "stuff" gets built up over time. I'm flabbergasted at how much "stuff" I store that I don't use and don't need. It seems to me that there is a little known universal principle in life: "stuff" will accumulate in direct proportion to the amount of space you allow for it. 

I had an apartment and accumulated an apartment's worth of "stuff." So, I bought a house so I would have "plenty of space" and the "stuff" grew to fill it. I moved to a larger house with a garage so that I might have more space and the "stuff" followed me and multiplied. "Stuff" is viral.

I've noticed a consistent thread through God's message to me: "be content." So, little by little, I'm purging "stuff." The closet in my office is next.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and sindesign

Oh, yes. Affirm the work that we do! Psalm 90:17b (MSG)

I once worked for a man who ran a ministry that, at the time, I believed was doing a great thing. I worked hard for this person. I gave above and beyond the call of duty. I even went around to family and friends and raised part of my own income through their charitable support. However, I soon felt sucked dry. My motivation withered. All of my efforts seemed to be swept in to a black hole of this person's insatiable ego. Disillusioned and discouraged, I decided to leave after a year.

Now, years later, I try to remember the lessons I learned in that year. As an employer and leader, I am constantly trying to remind myself of the fact that my team members need affirmation. The word "affirm" means to "maintain as true" and to "confirm." I don't want to give false praise. I don't want to blow a bunch of smoke that people know, in their heart, is just empty words. Affirmation needs to ring true to both parties. I want to speak what is both true and encouraging: "You do an important job. You are a valuable member of this team. I couldn't have completed this project without you."

Who is in my sphere of influence? Who can I affirm today?

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickrand techcocktail

You once said, "I joined forces with my chosen leader, I pledged my word to my servant, David, saying, 'Everyone descending from you is guaranteed life; I'll make your rule as solid and lasting as rock.'" Psalm 89:3-4 (TM)

Communication is a complicated process. I've learned through time that many, if not most, interpersonal conflicts are rooted in some form of miscommunication. "That's what you said," I'll say I'll say to my wife. "That's not what I meant," I'll hear in response. "I told you exactly what I expected," I'll say to my children. "That's not what I heard," I'll hear in response. The sender, the receiver, the text, the subtext, the context, and the intention are all woven into a complex web of communication. No wonder it gets so muddled.

Communication with God becomes even more dimensional and interesting. In communicating with God we are communicating with the all knowing and eternal. When God told David that he would establish his throne forever, David and his followers saw generations of flesh-and-blood kings sitting on earthly thrones. God looked ahead in David's family tree and saw His Son, born in the City of David, who would sit on an eternal throne over a Kingdom that is not of this world. God said one thing, the psalmist heard another.

Effective communication is rooted in being a good hearer and interpreter, not just being a good talker.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickrand scottwaddy