Mental Post-Its

Thoughts, Notes, and General Mental Mayhem

Monthly Archives: May 2009


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Meeting God at the Water Cooler?

Memorial Weekend was our annual beach retreat weekend. While I heard our speaker, John Turner, say a lot of really great things, I think the one thing that stuck with me was his concept of “work boundaries”. Specifically, he pointed out that “there is a time to say yes to work and a time to say no to work. Work isn’t as important as relationships and learning about yourself and God. We all have time demands. But God gave us the example to take time off, too.” This really struck me and I’ve thought about it in the days since retreat. This thought was definitely for me, and I’ve struggled with it for a very long time. I will work myself to death to get my goals accomplished, especially if people are depending on me. Without a doubt, I let my time with God slip while working on this retreat. Ironic, isn’t it? I absolutely have a tendency to work for God so much that I neglect my time with Him. Sometimes I can let it happen with others, too, but I definitely see it most in my relationship with God.


As I reflected on this at retreat, I thought about my current state. I find it easy to say no to work I don’t like. But I have a really difficult time saying no to work that I love. I definitely feel like God is calling my heart to ministry. I love the conversations. I love the ins and outs. I thrive off of thinking about all the subjects surrounding it. But I also have to be very careful not to let God become my co-worker in ministry. I have to always let Him take the lead. I have to give my ministry to Him and see how He wants it done. I have to remember that nothing I accomplish will be as good as He can accomplish within me and through me. And I have to remember that working for Him is no where near as important as living for Him. I have to spend more time with Him than at the water cooler.

I know this will continue to be a challenge for me. In ministry, there will always be so much to do, and I’ll want to think I can handle it all. It drives me nuts to think I can’t accomplish everything. I have no idea why I think I can live outside those limitations, but it’s always something I’ve had a hard time with. And in a sick way, it’s going to be hard to let that go…

I’m really good at multi-tasking. And it’s a skill I don’t want to lose. And so I guess that is why I think I can get it all done. So, for me to think about putting down some of those responsibilities and letting a few things slide is almost unbearable. I don’t want to give it up. I don’t want to think I can’t get it all done. I don’t want to not try to get it all done – even if I know I can’t. It’s like letting this shiny little skill go that I pride myself on. It’s a gift after all! And that is really hard for me to comprehend. But I also know that relationship is number one. That is where I need to focus. I either need to let some of the other stuff wait a bit longer than I want, be more efficient, ask for help to accomplish things, or “simply” let it go. None of those comfort me. But I also know that when I let my strengths and gifts get out of control, they are my greatest weaknesses. And they make me weak because they can separate me from the Creator who gave me those gifts. And irony rears it’s ugly head again.

Anyway, that concept is what I preach to people in Emergence, yet I have such a hard time seeing it in myself. I always think I can hold on just a little longer, the light is at the end of the tunnel. I just have to work this hard for a couple of weeks and then it will be over. But it’s never over. There is always more to do. There is always a new way to be busy. I thrive in busy! I can handle it, can’t I? Ugh, I’m sick and need help. I need my Lord. I need my God. I need my…time. Time with Him.

And so the struggle continues. But Emergence is all about “where awareness meets action” so maybe I’m in my awareness phase. Maybe my action phase is right around the corner. Maybe I need to practice what I preach!


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Emergence Journey – Sign Up NOW!

emergence journey

Hi, guys!

It’s time to sign up for EMERGENCE JOURNEY!!! I really hope you have been thinking and praying about this opportunity. We would love to have you be a part of this amazing experience. Please sign up by June 1st for the June trip and July 1st for the July trip. And please feel free to ask me, Daron or Mark if you have any questions!

Emergence Dates 2009:
June 12-14, 24 – training 1
June 25-29 – trip 1

July 17-19, 29 – training 2
July 30-Aug 3 – trip 2

Please note:

1. The training will be retreat style, so participants will be going away for the weekend on Friday evening and returning around 5 pm on Sunday evening. It’s a really intense weekend, but it will be a lot of fun, too.

2. These trips are open to anyone wanting to participate, either at North Atlanta or outside it, single or married. If you know of anyone wanting to participate in this trip, you are welcome to pass this along to them. We only ask that you communicate two things. The first is that anyone who goes must be willing to be led by God’s Holy Spirit. The second is that the person must be willing to “act as Jesus” to those they come in contact with on the trip. These two things are vital to maintain the integity, mission and purpose of this trip. Anyone willing to adhere to these things may participate on the Emergence Journey!

3. These are all the trips we currently have planned for 2009. However, if you can not make either of these trips and can gather a few friends for a fall trip, we will absolutely consider another one.

I have last year’s newsletter, a trainng summary and a FAQ sheet for anyone interested in more details. Just email me at kporter9876@yahoo.com to get them.

We hope that you will prayerfully consider joining the Journey!

Kristi, Daron and Mark

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If you would like to read more newsletters from past trips, please contact me.

What is the Emergence Journy?
The Emergence Journey is unconventional in that it starts with no destination or persons in mind; therefore no “preplanning” is necessary. All of the preparation comes in team-building and self-awareness exercises. This trip evolves during the journey rather than starting at the destination. The opportunities and relationships that are often overlooked or passed up when schedules are set and destinations are planned are fully experienced here, allowing you to free your mind to the possibilities at hand. A random act of kindness and open heart are the only requirements. We allow the Holy Spirit to fill in the details. Additionally, we operate from loose guidelines to allow the trip to shift as needed. For instance, we travel back roads rather than interstates when possible and avoid eating at chain restaurants, making it easier to meet local people. We also build a Safety Net of Prayer, a list of people who are praying for us every hour that we are on the road. And finally, we avoid turning on the radio and using our cell phones if possible, utilizing time rather than killing it.


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67 Books?

I heard a sermon last week proposing that each of our lives were the 67th book of the Bible. These were the books that almost anyone would be willing to read whether they knew Christ or not. He went on to say that we have had to result to shiny marketing and clever slogans because our lives weren’t transforming or interesting enough to tell about Jesus o their own. No one was attracted simply to our lives. This was a sad statement, not just because of the words but the truth behind it. (I wish I could remember who said it but I heard a lot of sermons last week!)

Earlier today I was listening to a podcast by John Eldredge. I love that man because he speaks in movie metaphors, the language of my heart. He said something to the effect that we have reduced Christianity to tips and tidbits, do’s and don’ts. The heart is gone. The passion is dead. What happened to the people who would tear back roofs to be near Him and His power? He continued to say that John 10:10 doesn’t say that He came to give us more to do, but to give us an abundant life. We have stopped truly living, and what appeal is there in that for people who don’t know Jesus?  Where is the adventure and attraction of our Christian lives? I have to admit, sometimes I wonder how interesting it would look to me if I hadn’t grown up in it.

This has been a lot to chew on over the past couple of days. Honestly, it’s kinda been rolling around in my head. I have always used my life as a default witness technique. It was always safer and easier. But have I been wasting my time? Did I just prove my own point? Do I look any different than any other Average Joe walking down the street? If not, what is the first step to improvement? If so, how can I be sure?

I’m supposed to be made in God’s image. Therefore, my life should reflect His goodness, His grace, His love, His adventure. Ironic that we strive for comfort, and yet He is anything but comfortable. We yearn for adventure, but most of us are only okay with it when it’s portrayed on screen. What kind of message are we sending?

Guess I have some editing to do in my own life. I don’t like to read. I really have to force myself to do it. But maybe that’s exactly what I need to keep in mind. I need to attempt to be a book even I would read. Yikes.