Run With Horses

Thoughts from the National Disciple Maker Forum

National Disciple Makers Forum – Nashville, TN Oct 4-5, 2022“undiscipled but educated" pastors are too common.Church has given information often w/o transformation.Rules of the game = DoctrineMethodology - how to live it out wellPastor -  His purpose, his role is equipping & unleashing an army of disciple makers on a community.Success - disciples who can make disciples.Jesus- Teachings, Methods, tied together in a relationshipUse both hands L+R, Doctrine & Method* Never leave Doctrine, but we need to life it out in our Methodology.• We have allowed culture to make us deemphasize Truth / Doctrine & only seek relationships.God's Word is our standard. The Foundation we never leave. Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

Family Friday: Three months in America, How doe we see it Now?

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This week the family considers life in America after three months on the road. The kids are still learning what it means to be a nomad in life and God is definitely growing them in many ways!
 
 

Marriage A to Z: Are You Thankful?

Gratitude
What?Definition:Appreciate the value of, be grateful for, thankful, see the need forMindset, attitude, It’s an attitude, but it also involves actions.Gratitude for and to person and toward God (to God)Paul says, “Be thankful.” It’s a choice, just like complaining is. Feelings are there, but you can choose it. Thankfulness is not only an emotion.
Why?It affects your outlook on life – in midst of trials (better able to endure)It affects relationships. If you’re thankful for the person, it places the focus on positive things, rather than the things you’re NOT thankful for!
Filter – Look at a person, look at them through a filter of gratefulness. When dating, it comes more naturally to do this! But over the years, our “lens” gets clogged!
We tend toward complaining, griping, and negative thoughts about everything! Our flesh has this tendency.. and we make things all about ourselves. Thankfulness puts someone else in the spotlight.
 
How to?Paul says, “Be thankful.” It’s a choice, just like complaining is. Feelings are there, but you can choose it. Thankfulness is not only an emotion.
With God, dwell on who God is – His attributes and character. Consider what you know about Him, and be thankful for the fact that He is that way.
Make a list of what you’re thankful for regarding your spouse.
Many of the negative things you struggle with your spouse, see the good side of those things. For example, a strong-willed person can cause problems, but in the right setting, this type of person is invaluable! Pray that spouse will use his strengths for God.
See the potential in your spouse. What God can do in and through him/her.
Remember all the little things spouse does to benefit you. It’s easy to overlook little things – laundry, car upkeep, taking out the trash, vacuuming, paying bills.
Choosing thankfulness for spouse inserts a buffer for when times are tough.
Focus on Scripture – see how God has blessed you. If you’re overall thankful, it’ll be easier to be thankful for specifics.
Beware of things that seek to steal your gratefulness – friends who complain about spouse, inward focus on your needs and desires, putting others before yourself, remembering this life is short.
Summary:Ultimately, gratitude is about YOU, not the situation or relationships around you. It’s your choice!
 

Are you swimming upstream?

Swimming upstream against culture
What is culture?Merriam-Webster defines culture as the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group.Culture can be defined as all the ways of life including arts, beliefs and institutions of a population that are passed down from generation to generation. Culture has been called "the way of life for an entire society." As such, it includes codes of manners, dress, language, religion, rituals, art. - Boston University
Culture includes what we do and why we do it. Church culture. Surrounding society culture.Culture changes over time. 
What is our relationship with culture?We live in it. We practice it. We think about it (or don’t).We learn from it. Or are trained by it depending on how you think about it. Brain-washed would bot be far off.GRITers – movie time vs bible time – which shapes you the most?
How does culture relate to our relationship with other people?Culture determines how people relate to each other. There are ways that people interact that are determined by the culture they live in.We learn from our family, church, bible, movies, music, books, friends. Which has the most influence on your life?
What does a healthy marriage look like? Do you find examples in movies, tv, books, etc?What about parenting?You learn all these things from somewhere and it is often the culture you are immersed in.
Why does it matter how we think about culture?You can choose to be immersed in a culture without thinking or consider what is wrong in culture and choose not to follow it. That makes you different. You stand out if you don’t live in lockstep with the surrounding culture.
The nail that sticks up gets hammered down.
Culture changes over time. God’s standards don’t change over time. He is consistent.If you don’t think about the culture, you will be overrun by it and never realize it. The classic frog in hot water.
How do you stand up against culture when it is against God?Swim upstream. Be a revolutionary. How do you know how to live if you don’t get your information from culture? Seek wisdom while it may be found! Read God’s Word, think about what is important to God, talk to His family, spend time praying about your life and your choices.
Live with eternity in view and you are automatically different than the world around you. Choose Life. Choose Hope. Choose to Intentionally Follow Jesus.
 

Life 101: Do you know your NEXT ACTION?

Life 101: What are your NEXT ACTIONS?
Purpose – The Big WHY of Life
Most important that this is clear and firmly committed!
Vision – What does it look like when you live out your values and aspirations? 3-5 years down the road where do you want to be?
Dream Big and in line with your God- given purpose! Use your gifts boldly!
Goals – What do you need to do to realize your vision? 1-2 years out.
Brainstorm often and check the details. Are you planning to make progress? Then Plan!
Areas of Focus – What area do you need to focus on to succeed?
Are you active in the most important areas of life? Stuck in unimportant rat race? Looking too closely at the neighbors? 
Projects – Everything that you have committed to accomplish. Personal and professional.
What is on your plate now? What should be on your plate now?
NEXT ACTIONS – For every project, what is the next thing that needs to be done to move it forward today?Clear, specific, actionable.
If you don’t have a next action, you aren’t working on it.

Marriage A to Z: Are You Forward Thinking in Your Life Together

Are You Forward-Thinking?
 
What:
Not getting wrapped up in today; need to spend a little effort to think ahead.
Not reactionary only.
Be pro-active – marriage When spouse has busy stuff ahead; how to support?
-- kids Before they have issues, how can I prepare them ahead of time for what’s coming?
--
Example: Help kids think about college; how to help them think through paying for it, order, timing
 
Example: Nathan: making rash decisions – quit job to follow God’s path, but not have another path in place. Puts whole family on edge.
 
 
Why:
If you’re not planning ahead, then you’re just reacting. Can’t spiritually or emotionally respond as well. Even little things – If spouse works late today and you know he’ll be tired, you can plan ahead to be supportive; make life a little easier for him to recover.
 
This is one way to show love and support by thinking about the spouse’s schedule and needs. Not just thinking of your own life and schedule. My choices and help can make things easier for him. “Consider others better than yourself.”
 
If you plan ahead, you make better choices/decisions. You can address it with more thought, get advice, etc. Example: Move living space to one floor before you are too aged to do it; before you are forced to need it.
 
Good stewardship. If not prepared, you could end up wasting money. Which causes stress and conflict with spouse! Financial problems! Reduces future stress if you plan ahead!
 
How:
Plan time together to think and talk about upcoming schedules, life events, options, changes, the future. Your future together, your kids’ futures, preparation needed, ministry changes, church stuff. Spend time practically thinking about the future. Help set yourself up for facing things in the future.
 
Categories:
Kids to college – you can help out on multiple levels; prepare couple for empty nest, different challenges – mow grass when older.
Changes coming up in kids’ lives and how it affects us.
Health
Finances
Relationship changes – moves, kids getting married/accepting new in-laws,
 
Idea:
Same with a church. When pastor is old and thinking of retiring, the church can think ahead and prepare for next steps. How to help old pastor ease out, how to look for new pastor, how to aid church in unified decision-making. Forward-thinking is helpful for all aspects of life.
If one spouse changes jobs/ministries, loses jobs; if start new ministry, takes up extra time; how does this affect spouse?
 
Scripture: You wouldn’t build a tower without counting the cost. Live wisely. Wisdom. Make most use of your time, resources; 10 virgins didn’t plan ahead. Faithful steward.
 

Have you settled for Better in your Spiritual Life?

Are you settling for Better in your spiritual life?
Quote of the Day:
“When something bad happens you have three choices. You can either let it define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you.”— Dr. Seuss
James 1 teaches that God is using trials in your life to strengthen your faith. You need trials to be the person God is making you.
Understanding the purpose of a trial can help you go through it without being defeated.
God offers us His view of life, trials, pain, suffering, relationships, priorities, values and Himself.
To know what He says is Good. To follow it is Better. To pursue it with your heart, mind and soul is Best. Choose the Life He intends for you. Surrender control and put everything into being the person God says you are.
Consider Good, Better, Best
Pastor challenged me to pursue the best.
Good to avoid overt sin.
Better to follow righteousness, make choices that glorify God.
Best to surrender all to Him and give all your energy to be the person God intends for you to be. Heart, soul, mind and strength. Accept His goals for your life. Accept His direction. Work to build His family.
Mary and Martha - serving
Rich young Ruler – obedience to rules
What are you putting in front of living with God? Have you surrendered your all?
 

Life 101: All the Projects of Life

This week we are putting all of life's projects in order!

Marriage A to Z: Are you an Encourager in your Marriage?

Keep up with Norman and Susan at www.runwithhorses.net and www.smithlife.net
Encourage One AnotherDefine: the act of giving someone support, confidence or hope
Why?It’s a command in the Bible.We all need encouragement. Life is hard.You’re in the best position to encourage. (closest to them, know them best)Part of what builds the relationship – foundational, maintenance-typeYou benefit from this, too!By trying to do this, you learn what encouragement is, what gifts you might have, grow in your  ability to do this in family and to others.
What is encouragement?Intentional  (There is an unintentional encouragement. Being a growing Christian, etc.) Underlying theme/goal is to BE an encourager – apply thought and effort into what it looks   like.May be different depending on the person – * words – affirming, gratefulness, expressing love/care,* actions – serving, meeting a need, put them first, physical touch (hug), listen well,* being there – be present.
How do I encourage my spouse?Clearly make them a priority.Write a note.Remind them of promises in Scripture.Commit time to them. A date, a walk, availablePray together.Personal experience – how I’ve been encouraged; etc.Know what they like/enjoy; provide it. (If you don’t know, ask!) - day at spaBe growing spiritually, studying. It will provide a reservoir to draw from. Outflow
-- General info versus Specific to you– Communicate to each other about what is most encouraging to you. Specifically ask, “What is most helpful from me when you’re feeling down, etc.”
 

Are you Motivated to really Live?

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Let us know where you are listening from and what God is teaching you.
 Where does your motivation for Life come from?- Surrender / Trust God's Plan
Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of Self- satisfaction in Knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable. -John WoodenTension / Paradox- Surrender Your Will to Gods- Give up control to the Holy Spirit• Commit to the mission of Jesus
Your Life has tremendous value.God gave it that value.Your Life has tremendous potential.God gives it that potential.What does it mean to live as an image-bearer?Life of PurposeLife of InfluenceLife of RelationshipsLife of Sacrifice- Love God / Love God's people