Process

Our culture is event oriented. We like spectacle. This tendency to see things in terms of a single experience can frequently rob us of the joy of the process. Think of it this way: we often think of marriage in terms of the wedding ceremony – an event. But, the real joy and challenge is in learning to live together over the years ahead. Following Jesus can be seen in terms of making a “decision” – again, an event. Yet, following Jesus is not a single event. Following Jesus is a decision we make every time we are faced with any choice. “Will I live like a follower of Jesus?” There is joy in the process. There is much more grace involved in the process. We are working out our salvation as we are being transformed into the image of Christ.

Right Away

"There are no classes in life for beginners; right away you are always asked to deal with what is most difficult."

- Rainer Rilke

Help!

Giving our friends the benefit of the doubt is important. This is one of the reasons that we call them friends. Because of the relationship we share, the level of trust must be incredibly high. When we believe a friend has let us down or has not been there when we needed them, perhaps we have built expectations that were never communicated. Or, possibly, there are a few reasons for their absence. (These could also be reasons that we are not helping our friends, too.)

1. Your friend may already be helping, but you simply aren’t recognizing it.
2. Your friends don’t know what to do.
3. They’re working on it, just be patient.
4. They really are more in need of our help than vice-versa.
5. Your friends don’t understand the seriousness of the situation.
6. They may be overextended with other obligations already.
7. They don’t believe there is anything they can do.
8. You and your friends have different definitions of friendship.
9. Your relationship may not be as solid as you believe it to be.
   
10. You haven’t asked.

What Am I Doing?

A Purpose or Mission Statement is a declaration of your reason for existence. Companies use these to challenge their employees, educate their shareholders and to inform their customers.

McDonald's brand mission is to "be our customers' favorite place and way to eat."

Levi-Strauss and Company: “People love our clothes and trust our company. We will market the most appealing and widely worn casual clothing in the world. We will clothe the world.”

"At Microsoft, we work to help people and businesses throughout the world realize their full potential. This is our mission. Everything we do reflects this mission and the values that make it possible."

NIKE: "To Bring Inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world."

What is the Purpose or Mission Statement of your life?

What is your reason for existence?

Habits

If you repeat something over and over, the neurons in your brain will create a path that allows them to move quickly from the prompt to the action. This is how we form habits. The repetition constructs an expressway in our minds which allows for rapid transit. This is how we link watching television to snacking or being nervous to biting our fingernails. What are some habits you have? (Yes, I’d really like you to think about that for a moment.) What are some habits you would like to develop? With the Lenten season approaching, I’m thinking that repeating an action at least once a day for 40 days could build a helpful superhighway in our behavior.