Judges 6:7-10; John 10:1-5

"Over the years," writes pastor Roger Barrier, "I have developed a checklist to help me distinguish when God is speaking to me. It is not complete or foolproof. No one point, of course, is sufficient in itself to prove or disprove the voice of God. But these principles have helped me discern more accurately the voice of God."

God tends to speak gently. Remember how God spoke ...

Topics:	Calling, Christian living, Discernment, Discipleship, Prayer, Pursuit of God, Quiet time, Reflection, Soul, Spiritual care, Spiritual growth
Filters:	Christian education, Counseling, Discipleship, Elder, Mentoring, Pastor, Prayer, Spiritual director
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Judges 6:7-10, John 10:1-5
Date Added:	July 11, 2007

When I turned 50, I had a complete physical checkup. Doctors poked, prodded, x-rayed, and even cut open parts of my body to assess and repair the damage I had done. At the same time, I scheduled a spiritual checkup, too. I went on a silent retreat led by a wise spiritual director.

In those days of solitude, I pondered what I needed to change to keep my soul in shape. The more I listened, the longer ...

Topics:	Character, Quiet time, Reflection, Restoration, Spiritual care, Spiritual direction, Spiritual formation
Filters:	Discipleship, Pastor, Pastoral care, Shepherd
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Psalm 1:1-3, Psalm 139:23-24, 1 Timothy 1:2
Date Added:	July 12, 2007

My heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul like a weaned child with its mother.

Not too long ago my husband informed me that during the night I sat up in bed and launched into the introduction to a new message. What surprised him most was that this sleepy sermon was coherent ...

Topics:	Balance, Character, Discipleship, Focus, Priorities, Reflection, Renewal, Solitude, Spiritual disciplines, Spiritual formation, Spiritual growth, Time, Transformation
Filters:	Church staff, Counseling, Discipleship, Elder, Pastor, Pastoral care, Spiritual director
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Psalm 37:7, Psalm 46:10, Psalm 131, Matthew 11:29, Mark 1:35
Date Added:	July 12, 2007

As pastors, our relationships and roles overlap and, at times, overwhelm us. We may acknowledge the boundaries that should exist, but we are constantly tempted to ignore them—those relational and vocational borders that separate our pastoral responsibilities from our personal needs.

Our familiar territories of commitment usually include marriage, parenting, administration, ...

Topics:	Boundaries, Character, Focus, Leadership, Reflection, Relationships, Solitude, Spiritual disciplines, Spiritual leadership
Filters:	Church staff, Counseling, Discipleship, Elder, Mentoring, Pastor
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Mark 1:35
Date Added:	July 12, 2007

Because we do not rest we lose our way.
Poisoned by this hypnotic belief that good things come only through unceasing
determination and tireless effort, we can never truly rest.
And for want of rest our lives are in danger.
—Wayne Muller

There are at least two kinds of tired in this world.

One is what I call "good tired." This is the tiredness we experience after a job well done, a task accomplished ...

Topics:	Balance, Burnout, Discipleship, Focus, Leadership, Priorities, Quiet time, Reflection, Renewal, Solitude, Spiritual disciplines, Spiritual formation, Spiritual growth, Spiritual leadership, Time
Filters:	Bible study, Church staff, Counseling, Discipleship, Elder, Pastor, Pastoral care, Spiritual director
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Psalm 37:7, Matthew 11:29, Mark 1:35
Date Added:	July 12, 2007