Spring within

So as I make my way into the new city of Eau Claire, Wisconsin I figure that it will looks a lot like Stockton or Willows, California. Since it is known for the Green bay Packers or aka Cheese heads I thought there would be a lot of farm land or Dairy farms. Believe it or not I have seen over 10 dairy farms & over 20 farm lands. I am impressed and astonished that Eau Claire, WI can hold that many farm land.

But the reality here is that I am here for my Pastoral Internship. Shadowing a Pastor is not easy because they are capable of accomplishing their tasks faster than I am. This Pastor that I am shadowing is a man of God who continues to encourage me daily as we study God's word together. I am truly blessed to have found this man of God and it has been countless prayers that has brought me here as well.

There are times where you need someone else to lead you. Then there are times where you just needs to set back and relax. Letting someone else lead you is pretty hard if you have been a leader all your life. I am currently reading a book called "Developing the Leader Within You" by John C. Maxwell. It is a very encouraging book that teaches leaders to be even better leader in whatever, wherever they are leading their group. Many stories from the book are from actual leaders life experiences and changes they made. A quote from the book "You will only become What You are Becoming Right Now." I believe this is true because if you focus on becoming something else rather than what God had planned for you, or what you have planned out, then you'll never become person or reach that goal.

Being mindful of what is to be done right away seems to be too much for some people. Lets break it down then!
- Write out what you value in life
- Ask someone who knows you well what areas of your life they
see as consistent (you do what you say)
- Ask someone what areas they see as inconsistent (you say but
don't always do)

This is a simple grid or answer sheet that Maxwell had in his book.

Life brings many obstacle, but if we face those that are coming right at us first then we will conquer our goal faster. If we choose to scatter our self all around and not tackle one at a time or the first obstacle then we will just fall.

Ephesians 4:17-24
17So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

20You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

In this passage it talks about being followers of Christ and putting off our old self and to put on the new self. We are made anew because Christ died for our sin on the cross and he took all of our sins and threw it all away into hell. We are to be glad and especially praising God for His one and only Son Jesus Christ that He gave to us. "Life is not easy" some may say. But it is when we all share it together and help one another along the way.