Brandon@Random

An Essential Element of Pastoral Ministry

Pastors.com has a great leadership article this month.  Check out this quote from its author, Kevin Harney.

"When Jesus was reviled, he did not retaliate. When he was mocked, he prayed for forgiveness. When the Savior was denied three times by Peter, he willingly died on the cross for his sins. Then he rose from the dead, and called Peter back to himself and a place of fruitful ministry.

As pastors, we will have plenty of opportunities to forgive people in our church, on our leadership team, and even our closest friends in the Church."

Checking in on Jennifer Bartlett

I Googled "Jennifer Bartlett" and was surprised to find a link to pastel drawings similar to the one above. In the early 90's, I became a fan of Jennifer's because of work that was quite different than this. 

It's strange how these pastel drawings resemble a couple of canvases that I am working on right now.

Self-expression often brings to the surface connections between selves.

Are Our Minds Renewed?

Put-downs, making-fun-of, criticism, sarcasm are the world’s ways of reacting to the faults of people.

However, as Christians we don’t behave this way.

Our thinking and attitude should be renewed by the Word of God, which teaches us to bear the infirmities of the weak, to love, and show compassion and encouragement.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  (Rom. 12:2).

Celebration Stillwater=Opportunity to BE the Church

Next week we have the chance for all Christ-followers to come together as THE church of Stillwater and serve...love...witness...share.  As the Greek poet Nike said, "Just Do It."

"Follow You" by Leeland

Watch and listen to this video by the group Leeland.

You will realize how much we have...how much we have to give.

My Favorite Landscape Painter - Lilian Garcia-Roig

"By definition, plein-air painting means to work on-site, to experience nature first-hand. For me, this seemingly passé mode of painting is today injected with new relevance and urgency as it helps underscore how removed most of our own experiences and even images of nature have become."  Lilian Garcia-Roig @ www.liliangarcia-roig.com

Hyperbolic Nature #15

48" x 60"

10 Ways to Know that You are Not a Leader

10 Easy Ways to Know You’re Not a Leader (from Tony Morgan)

When you get looking for leaders, you’ll notice there are several types of people. Some are genuine leaders. Some are in leadership positions, but they aren’t really leaders. Some aren’t in a leadership position but think they should be. So what are the signs that indicate you’re not really a leader?

1. You’re waiting on a bigger staff and more money to accomplish your vision.
2. You think you need to be in charge to have influence.
3. You’re content.
4. You tend to foster division instead of generating a helpful dialogue.
5. You think you need to say something to be heard.
6. You find it easier to blame others for your circumstances than to take responsibility for solutions.
7. It’s been some time since you said, “I messed up.”
8. You’re driven by the task instead of the relationships and the vision.
9. Your dreams are so small, people think they can be achieved.
10. No one is following you

Manning Quote: Cause of Atheism

"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny him with their life style. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."  Brennan Manning

Remembering Susie Mitts

This is a video that my brother put together to honor the memory of our mother Susie Mitts.

Donald Miller on Life Change

It is always the simple things that change our lives.

And these things never happen when you are looking for them to happen.

Life will reveal answers at the pace life wishes to do so.

You feel like running, but life is on a stroll. - Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz, 217