I am very forgetful. For all of you who have ever asked me to do something and then I forgot to do it - I am so sorry. Please forgive me. Some things seem to go in one ear and out the other.
As a result, I love post it notes. Before I owned a Palm Handheld and now a Blackberry I would put post it notes everywhere. I would make little notes and post them were I could see them so I would not forget. The problem was when there got to be so many post it notes that I just started to ignore them. The other problem was when I did not write it down.
God knows it is good for us to have reminders. This week in our readings we read an interesting section in Numbers 15:37-41 where God tells the Israelites to put tassels on their garments. He says, "You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the Lord, that you may obey them . . . (15:39).
This all got me thinking about remembering God's Word and taking it with you throughout the day. I know there are many times I will spend time with my readings in the morning, but will rarely come back to them throughout the day. What I read goes out of sight and then out of mind.
Today, we may not put tassels on our clothes, but we might put a message on our cell phone or on your screen saver or desktop of our computer. I heard of a pastor who put a little dot sticker on his wrist watch to help remind him to be faithful in prayer. Maybe you might considering putting a sign above your television asking yourself if you re being a faithful steward with your time. Or maybe a magnet on your refrigerator reminding who provided the food inside. Or maybe you might set an alarm to go off at a certain time of the day to spend some time with God.
If you have some reminders that you have established to help you remain faithful in your walk, I would love to hear about them. I love to hear from you.
Readings for next week:
March 16
Numbers 24:1-25:18
Luke 2:1-35
Psalm 59:1-17
Proverbs 11:14
March17
Numbers 26:1-51
Luke 2:36-52
Psalm 60:1-12
Proverbs 11:15
March 18
Numbers 26:52-28:15
Luke 3:1-22
Psalm 61:1-8
Proverbs 11:16-17
March 19
Numbers 28;16-29:40
Luke 3:23-38
Psalm 62:1-12
Proverbs 11:18-19
March 20
Numbers 30:1-31:54
Luke 4:1-30
Psalm 63:1-11
Proverbs 11:20-21
March 21
Numbers 32:1-33:39
Luke 4:31-5:11
Psalm 64:1-10
Proverbs 11:22
March 22
Numbers 33:40-35:34
Luke 5:12-28
Psalm 65:1-13
Proverbs 11:23
As a result, I love post it notes. Before I owned a Palm Handheld and now a Blackberry I would put post it notes everywhere. I would make little notes and post them were I could see them so I would not forget. The problem was when there got to be so many post it notes that I just started to ignore them. The other problem was when I did not write it down.
God knows it is good for us to have reminders. This week in our readings we read an interesting section in Numbers 15:37-41 where God tells the Israelites to put tassels on their garments. He says, "You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the Lord, that you may obey them . . . (15:39).
This all got me thinking about remembering God's Word and taking it with you throughout the day. I know there are many times I will spend time with my readings in the morning, but will rarely come back to them throughout the day. What I read goes out of sight and then out of mind.
Today, we may not put tassels on our clothes, but we might put a message on our cell phone or on your screen saver or desktop of our computer. I heard of a pastor who put a little dot sticker on his wrist watch to help remind him to be faithful in prayer. Maybe you might considering putting a sign above your television asking yourself if you re being a faithful steward with your time. Or maybe a magnet on your refrigerator reminding who provided the food inside. Or maybe you might set an alarm to go off at a certain time of the day to spend some time with God.
If you have some reminders that you have established to help you remain faithful in your walk, I would love to hear about them. I love to hear from you.
Readings for next week:
March 16
Numbers 24:1-25:18
Luke 2:1-35
Psalm 59:1-17
Proverbs 11:14
March17
Numbers 26:1-51
Luke 2:36-52
Psalm 60:1-12
Proverbs 11:15
March 18
Numbers 26:52-28:15
Luke 3:1-22
Psalm 61:1-8
Proverbs 11:16-17
March 19
Numbers 28;16-29:40
Luke 3:23-38
Psalm 62:1-12
Proverbs 11:18-19
March 20
Numbers 30:1-31:54
Luke 4:1-30
Psalm 63:1-11
Proverbs 11:20-21
March 21
Numbers 32:1-33:39
Luke 4:31-5:11
Psalm 64:1-10
Proverbs 11:22
March 22
Numbers 33:40-35:34
Luke 5:12-28
Psalm 65:1-13
Proverbs 11:23
4 comments:
1) Make people and their lives a priority - even if it means making a phone call or two to connect (email is too cold for ANY pastor to use-and people know that). Remember-it's all about relationships. If people sincerly matter to you, you'll remember. If they're your sheep, then they're your children. Love them as such-no matter what, even if it hurts. Anything else is a lie.
2) Set one night aside a week to do just that. If you can't you're pretending you're too important.
3) God never said "don't take notes". Carry a journal-get away from the computer (PC or MAC-they're both just as bad). It's just a substitute again for thinking you're too important and nothing will get done without you.
4) PRAY. Too many people forget that one most important thing. It's ok to pray for yourself, too.
5) Here's something I've said to you and a few others: "if it's important to you, you'll find the time". Make those things you're forgetting important to connect people to Jesus. If it's something trivial, it's ok to hand off things. It's called delegating. That's why God gave you a staff and leaders and friends.
6) FOLLOW-UP - #1 thing people forget to do (or neglect to do). Even if it's just a sentence, it shows people you really do care. (see #1)
7) Let God have complete control. If you're not remembering to do things, maybe it's because your brain is so cluttered with so much unneccessary stuff. Give it up. You're not God.
8) Be accountable: to others, and to God, and to yourself.
Selah.
Wow Mr. Anonymous,
You seem very bitter and resentful. If I have offended you, please come talk and pray with me about it (Matthew 18). I will listen. But please listen to me as well before you jump to conclusions about what I do or don't do.
Please don't gossip about my failures for all the world to see while you hide behind the veil of anonymity. Talk about cold! An anonymous post on the internet doesn't get much more cold than that. Talk to me face to face. I'll buy lunch if you want.
I would love to talk to you about this more, but not in this forum.
Not bitter at all. I'm guilty of #1-8 plus 16 more. I'm just pointing out how I solved remembering things by things I've gone through in life. I think you thought I was talking directly to you. These are all from a well-known church leader who speaks on leadership issues (like prioritizing). Geez-don't ask if you don't want a response.
People always seem to remember what's important to them. My point is especaily being a pastor (or any other responsible role for that matter), you might need some help. It's there-use it.
Sorry if I stepped on something you took overly personal. Maybe there's some truth to this after all. After all, you did ask.
As for anonymous, I don't blog and I don't have a website or url. These are the only options you've given those who respond. Remember what christians always say "do it in love". Hear things completely instead of biting back half-sentence. Even in bitterness we all can learn. Lessons come in forms of grace.
...and it's not Mr.
It's Miss.
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