Seeking More of God

The theme of my life and ministry seems to be MORE! That is, God has more for each of us. I can go way back in my walk with God to see his more.

Since I was eight years old I had wanted to be a writer and then a magazine editor. When I joined Campus Crusade for Christ staff, I gave up that dream - wanting God's will more than my dream. Two months later I was asked to begin working on Collegiate Challenge magazine. That began fourteen years of writing and magazine editing - for God and his kingdom. What he had planned, and the eternal value of it, was so much more than I had dreamed.

Or I can go to the past few weeks. The primary focus of my ministry has been our staff women. I love encouraging them and challenging them to believe God for more. But sometimes I miss working with young believers. Lately, not only have I had the privilege of watching my new sister in Christ, my daughter-in-law, Brandon, learn and grow, but my husband Steve and I are helping to plant a church primarily for college students and recent graduates. Every Sunday evening I am talking to another young woman about knowing and trusting God. God has more than I was expecting!

I believe this is true for every area of our lives. God has more.

Do you need wisdom? He offers it in abundance.
Do you need strength? He offers himself and his joy.
Do you need comfort? He sends the Perfect Comforter.
Do you need financial help? He owns it all and gives us all we need.
Do you need patience or courage or hope?
His grace is sufficient - more than enough.

He has called us to follow him, then join with him in seeking and saving the lost, in growing disciples, in building spiritual movements. He has created each of us exactly right for the opportunities he has for us - the good works he has already prepared for us. But I believe he has more - more opportunities, more good works, more people to touch for him.

When my children were growing up, I often told them, "Don't settle! Don't settle for less than God's best." And that is my challenge to myself and to you. Don't settle for less than God's
best. Always seek more of him and the more he wants to do in and through your life.

The verse I seek to live by is Ephesians 3:20: "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably MORE than we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us . . . ."

For more on seeking "more," we hope you join us at the Synergy Conference this March 6-8 in Orlando, Florida.

Supporting the Surge

As I glanced over the last Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) alumni newsletter, my eye caught the announcement that the seminary had reached a significant milestone: 1,500 female alumni on their roster. As one of the first women to set foot on the DTS campus as a student, I admit my heart skipped a beat when I saw that number. The fact that DTS was celebrating this was even more satisfying.

Rock on DTS!

Here are more encouraging statistics: The latest Association of Theological Seminaries study (2007-08) reported 34% of seminary students are women. Interestingly enough, the same report indicates a significant rise in the numbers of women students between the ages of 40-64 - underscoring the happy notion that it's never too late to get started! Furthermore, women now comprise 23% of fulltime seminary faculty.

This growing trend is one of the biggest success stories of the modern church, and we should be making a lot of noise about it. I know there are still some who question (or flat out oppose) the decision to offer theological education to women and still some seminaries that refuse to admit them. Opinions divide over how far women can go with their theological training and whether or not seminaries are capitulating to the culture (and more specifically to feminist influence) by opening their doors to women. But there is strong biblical warrant for what is happening.

The subject matter alone is reason enough for women to be part of the seminary community at every level. After all, theology is the study of God and no one (not even women) can get too much of that! Hopefully, the presence of women in theological seminaries will correct the misperception that theology is for men only and women should just learn from them.

Let us not forget that Jesus defended Mary's desire to "sit at his feet" and learn along with His male disciples - a description that identifies her as a rabbinical student. As I noted in my book, When Life and Beliefs Collide, Mary was the first real NT theologian to grasp the meaning of His atonement and the hope of his resurrection. Even Mary's sister Martha began theologizing as she conversed with Jesus after the death of her brother Lazarus. Then there are His challenging interactions with the Samaritan and Syrophoenician women, as well as His choice of Mary Magdalene and the other women from Galilee to be the first witnesses and proclaimers of the resurrected Jesus. All this in a culture that rarely if ever offered formal education to women, where men avoided public conversation with women, and where a woman's testimony was inadmissible in a court of law.

I have hard time believing Jesus isn't rejoicing in the swelling numbers of women pursuing theological studies today.

It is indeed a good thing that more women are walking the hallowed halls of seminaries. What is more, there is a growing recognition that the seminary community needs women. My latest book, The Gospel of Ruth, reinforced this conviction, as I studied the conversations between Ruth and Boaz - discussions over Mosaic Law where Ruth's insights expanded Boaz's understanding and subsequent actions. Likewise today, the involvement of women in theological seminaries is changing things for the better. Suddenly a new pair of eyes falls upon the biblical text. A new perspective that has for centuries been missing is now enriching the discussion of God and His Word. And men - both fellow seminary students and professors - are the better for it.

And isn't this the way things are supposed to be? When God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone," what part of life did He exclude? Even in seminary - maybe especially in seminary - men and women need each other.

So, I'm celebrating the numbers! It is glorious to see them surging.

And now a word to women seminarians - students, alumni, and professors (yes, this is a commercial): If you're feeling isolated, alone, or unwelcome, if you've hit a wall in your job search, or you simply want to connect with other like-minded women who believe in you and want to see you flourish in your academic and ministry pursuits - Synergy2009 is for you!

Come join us MARCH 6-8, 2009, and let us cheer you on!

Top 10 in 2008

As we begin a new year, once again we’ve looked back on the previous year to see which blog articles and downloads you found most intriguing. Thought you might enjoy seeing what was most popular with the Gifted for Leadership crowd in 2008. Check out the great conversations from last year:

Top 10 Most Popular Blog Posts of 2008

10. The Women Out There
by Caryn Rivadeneira
9. Why I’m Glad Sarah Palin Didn’t Speak for Women
by Amy Simpson
8. What’s Missing in Friendship
by Laura Polk
7. The Life You’ve Always Wanted (In Bed)
by Amy Simpson
6. Is the Church Ready for Iron Ladies?
by Halee Gray Scott
5. Is Women- or Men-Only Ever Okay?
by Caryn Rivadeneira

4. RetroWomen: The Rise of Gender Fundamentalism
by Sally Morgenthaler
3. When a Woman Finds Her Voice
by Carolyn Custis-James
2. Angry at the Wrong People
by Caryn Rivadeneira
1. Letting Mother Mary Be
by Eileen Button

Top 10 Most Popular Downloads of 2008

For a limited time, enjoy 25% off these downloads in our store!

10. Identifying and Developing New Leaders
9. Raising Up New Leaders
8. Dealing with the Emotionally Wounded
7. Spiritual Direction and Formation
6. A True Servant Leader
5. Organization and Time-Management
4. Why Modesty Matters
3. Find Your Calling
2. Managing Conflict Well
1. Ministry for Today's Women

Just looking through all these great articles and downloads is a real blessing for me. I hope you’ll experience the same thing as you review some of the great conversations we’ve enjoyed over the last year. I look forward to another great year of growing together!

Continuing Our Journey

All of us at Gifted for Leadership are so grateful so many of you participated in our Devotional Journey! We hope it's been a great one for you.

I hope you've been as encouraged and challenged and as blessed as I was. One of my favorite things about this journey was that we took it together - in community, even if it was virtual. I loved that we got to share our stories and insights together. This community and togetherness is really what drives the Gifted for Leadership team.

Our desire is to provide a place for Christian women in leadership to voice their frustrations and triumphs as well as to find encouragement and resources to help you in your leadership. Those resources include this blog as well as other downloadable resources. We WISH we could offer them all for free as we did with this devotional, but as a not-for-profit ministry, we rely on the sales of these downloads to support our ministry (and since most downloads are $9.95 and you can make copies for up to 1,000 people, this is quite a bargain!).

We'd like to call upon those of you who took advantage of this Devotional Journey to provide us with some feedback as we evaluate this project and plan for the future. Please click here to take a brief survey about your experience. It will take less than 5 minutes and you don't need to provide your name or email address.

In the year ahead, we hope you continue to be a part of the Gifted for Leadership community, that you remain grounded in the Word, and that you check out some of the wonderful resources Gifted for Leadership offers:

? The Synergy Conference for women leaders March 6-8 in sunny Orlando. If you enjoyed this devotional, you'll love this conference. Several of the devotionals' authors will be there! This year's theme is "Recovering the Blessed Alliance."
? Downloadable training resources on everything from Organization and Time Management to Multicultural Ministry to Spiritual Refreshment.
? A six-session Bible study perfect for small groups or personal devotions called Six Principles for Women Leaders from our ministry partner ChristianBibleStudies.com. Enter coupon code GFLDevo during checkout to receive 40% off this or any other Bible study on that site. We hope this helps you stay in the Word!

Devotional Journey--Day 14

For the final day of our Devotional Journey, Laurie McIntyre writes that what growing Christians need is not a new idea but a commitment to put into practice what we already know. This commitment, she writes, is similar to trying to lose weight. Laurie says,

"I liken it to the multi-billion dollar dieting industry?Those of us who struggle with unwanted pounds are always on the lookout for some new strategy, breakthrough method, or even the ever-hoped-for magic pill that will melt the pounds away and somehow eliminate the hard work of denying ourselves and hitting the gym. In truth, there is no easy way and no one can do it for us."

Her bottom line: There are no shortcuts to spiritual intimacy with God.

Get it?

The most common barrier to spiritual intimacy that we see on this blog is busyness and over-commitment. This isn't something that I personally struggle with (maybe because I don't have kids!) but I make plenty of other common mistakes. Sometimes I mistake acts of service or ministry for closeness to God. Then there's materialism, or entitlement (oy, that's a big one). And the list goes on. Laurie's right ? I need a spiritual kick in the pants. I know what I need to do be grow closer to the Lord, but I don't do it.

How about you? Are you willing to do the hard work needed to follow Jesus and grow in intimacy with him?

Devotional Journey--Day 13

It's not often that I laugh out loud in the opener of a devotional. But Angie had me laughing. I mean, isn't her image of the "ideal" Christian woman dead on? The coffee. The nook. The light streaming in. It's the way I imagine it should be too.

But like Angie, it's not at all the way my life looks. Frankly, I've found much of my spiritual formation has come out of the crazy and the chaotic - and not quite the peace and tranquil. Which is not to say my spirit has been formed a better way because of it. It's just the way my life is right now.

Perhaps one day my life will permit that that coffee in the nook with the light and the book. Sounds good, actually. Though I'll probably never be convinced that it is any kind of formula for a good Christian "walk," as we like to say. And I believe this because of what Jesus says in John 15: 1-8 (the suggested Scripture reading for today). Specifically, I love verse 4, where he says, "Remain in me, and I will remain in you."

I love it because remaining doesn't imply a 20-minute sit-down. It's a constant thing - and yet encouraging and comforting. While clearly taking time to read Scriptures is essential (verse 7 talks about his "words" remaining in us too!), to remain in Jesus means that we're with him in the peace and in the crazy of our lives. That we turn to him and talk to him and listen to him throughout our days. That we're with him alone in breakfast nooks or when we're packed together on the subway or - say - feeling cold-bound and cabin-feverish with a house full of small crabby children as I am now.

What about you? What does remaining in Jesus mean to you?

Devotional Journey—Day 12

I can definitely relate to Kirsten's beautiful narrative today. In fact, this story is really just a continuation of what I wrote about on Day 2 of our Journey. If you'll remember, I confessed to you that I was a perfectionist and ball of nerves when it came to academic achievement. I'm not like that anymore, and here's the brief story of how that came about:

I attended a reputable and challenging Christian college and spent my freshman year miserably battling insomnia, anxiety attacks, and general sadness and disappointment. I did get my straight A's, and yet was deeply unfulfilled. I was doing exactly what it seemed my life was building to, and yet had never felt more lost, and never had God been so silent.

God had to teach me to ditch the perfectionism the hard way. After buckets of tears I decided not to return to school for a while, and had to face family and friends who clearly viewed me as a "dropout" and a waste of potential. People at church were the worst. "You'll never go back now," they told me. Through this experience, God showed me (because I was too stubborn to learn any other way) that he loved me the same, that my identity was as his daughter, that he had thrilling plans for me.

Despite uncertainty about what went so wrong at college, and what in the world to do next, I felt more in line with God's will than I ever had at school. I got a job and prayed faithfully about my next steps, and most of all about what God would have me do about the passions that seemed to be flying around inside me. I wanted to do something about international justice and evangelism. I wanted to learn so much more about the Bible, theology, and other cultures. But how?

Several months (and miracles) later, I was in Western Australia, beginning a six-month Discipleship Training School which focused on exactly the passions I just mentioned. I didn't know anybody, had no idea what to expect, but had never felt more in line with God's true purpose for my life. Those six months ended up being the most challenging of my life, and also the most precious. Peace and fulfillment came with the knowledge that I was in the safest place on earth ? within God's will. We truly serve a faithful God.

By the way, after returning to the States, I did go back to finish college. A small, unimportant school near my home, where I met my husband, slept well, and got my fair share of B's. Praise the Lord!

Do you remember feeling frustrated or depressed when you weren't responding to your God-given passions? How do you feel about the notion that God has work he's planned specifically for you to do for him? How did the Holy Spirit open your heart to your God-given passions?

Devotional Journey--Day 11

It's so typical that this is the entry for today. A day - if you must know - that has already been filled with "tasks" - one of which happens to be to write an entry for our shared devotional journey. (If you're just joining us, click here to download the FREE devotional booklet.)

In fact, in the 20 minutes after I sat down at my desk, I was cranking: I responded to five emails, confirmed a speaking date, revised a schedule for this blog, and written notes for a new book proposal. Once I checked those off my little to-do widget on the side of my screen, I headed to the devotional (I'm a day ahead of you guys so I can have this up in the morning. I probably wouldn't beat a lot of you out of bed otherwise!). It took no further than the title to convict me.

Of course, God. It's THIS one today?.. You see, in the past month or so, God's been working on me big time to slow down, to "x" things off my huge lists, and frankly, to trust him more. But like Susan who writes about her bent toward "productivity," I tend to equate getting a lot done quickly with a day well spent. I pride myself on my ability to multi-task, and I am efficient to a fault. It's good for business, but not always for my soul.

So I'm going to change that a bit right now. I'm going back to Luke 10: 38-42 and quiet my soul a bit with it. At least, I'm really going to try. And I want to see what God has to say to me and try not to view it as a task. But it's not easy with so many other things lurking on that to-do widget.

How about you all? Anything convict you today?

GFL Devotional Journey—Day 10

Boy, I know what this one is about. I have fallen into this trap repeatedly. Maybe it's because I grew up in a pastor's family and constant unquestioned service - filling whatever roles weren't already filled - was a way of life. I still tend to see a ministry opportunity or need and ask myself, "Could I possibly do that?" rather than "Should I do that?" or "Am I the best person to do that?" or "Does God want me to do that?" or "Has God gifted me to do that?"

That question - "Could I possibly do that?" - almost always leads to "Yes" and to a bad experience.

Like the time when I volunteered - out of guilt - to serve as cook for a high school retreat when I was 8 months pregnant. Could I possibly do that? Yes. Should I have done it? No. I don't possess any of the gifts needed for effectively serving in that role: hospitality, service, preparing food, making kind-hearted conversation with surly teenagers while my hormonal condition made me want to smack them, spending two sleepless and painful nights sleeping on the floor while my nearly-born youngster kicked my ribs and stomped on my bladder. No, I don't have those gifts. Bad experience.

What freedom God provides in reminding us that he created us intentionally and with purpose. He doesn't expect us to be anyone else or to minister out of a sense of guilt of shame. There is no guilt or shame in saying no to an opportunity that might actually distract us from God's purpose for us. After all, chances are the need exists because someone else came up with the idea but didn't fill the spot. That doesn't mean God wants us to do it.

At the same time we're setting ourselves free from guilt, though, we might be tempted to see service as a form of self-indulgence and personal fulfillment. I believe service in God's name should bring joy, but often requires self-sacrifice at the same time. How do we serve according to our gifts, and not out of guilt, but at the same time make the appropriate sacrifices to do what God wants us to do?

Devotional Journey--Day 9

Today's devotion, "The Sin of Humility" (available by clicking here if you're just joining us) got me thinking - more than reflecting. Particularly because Heidi writes that she believes men may lean more toward the sin of pride and women more toward the sin of humility. So I'm busy here thinking backward and forward in my own life and my own experiences to see if that's true.

And I don't know. While I'm certainly not a boastful person - I don't walk around trying to convince other people how great I am because of my achievements (or at least, I HOPE I don't), I wrestle with pride - no doubt about that! When I do something well, I feel great. I start thinking it's more my doing than God's and all that bad stuff. When things are swimming along for me accomplishment-wise, I get happier in that all-puffed-up-with-my-own-greatness sort of way. So there's that.

But then, that pride-wrestle I do tends to be internal. So that's where the humility thing comes in. It's hard for me to tell friends or family or strangers about good things in my life - because I fear they won't share my pride, but instead will be annoyed at my arrogance. But because of this, it also means that some of the awesome stuff God is doing in my life gets silenced for the same, pathetic reason.

I guess I have more thinking to do on this. How about you?

Devotional Journey—Day 8

The topic of today's devotional, intellectualism, has been hotly debated among Christians for centuries. The debate is not new to me. I was baptized Lutheran, went to Episcopalian churches as a child, a nondenominational church as a teen, a Reformed college for my freshman year, and an Assemblies of God school for missions. As a result, I've experienced a wide range of opinions and biblical teachings on the importance of an intellectual faith.

Rosalie De Rosset's charge for women is to refocus on knowing God's word and studying the faith, instead of a discussion on leisure activities and touchy-feely spirituality. While I have my opinions on the topic of loving God with our minds, we want to hear from you about the thought-provoking questions from today's devotional. Share your thoughts on these with the rest of us, or any other reactions you had.

? Do you agree with Rosalie that women's ministry focuses too much on emotions and family roles and not enough on "becoming an intellectual"? Do you agree with Carolyn Custis James that "all women are called to be theologians"?

? What do you think it means to love God with all your mind? Is a good study plan really a part of love?

? What is one specific way you'd like to build up the intellectual aspect of your faith?

By the way, it's not too late to join us for the 14-Day Devotional, or to download it to save for later. Click here to get your free copy of the Bible studies, or here to see the dozens of other training resources Gifted for Leadership offers for women leaders.

Devotional Journey--Day 7

I'm just going to jump right in with and say this in response to today's reading, "The Heart of a Servant Leader": I'm a gung-ho, work-hard, give-it-all-I-got kind of leader. But if I look at the state of my heart - as Jaye suggests we do - I'm not such a hot servant leader. More of a struggling servant leader.

This is not to say I don't "aim to please" - because I do, actually. But mostly that pleasing is less about serving than it is making people like me - or think better of me. God included.

So, one of today's questions asks, "What non-servant heart attitudes do you need to confess?" For me, it's really that in my leadership I focus more on my abilities and results and on what people think of my efforts than the people I lead and the One whom I serve. And that's not right.

One of the ways I'm going to try and change that is by resting on this Sabbath, by taking a day away from tasks and accomplishments. So I'm cutting this a bit short.

But how about you? Any non-servant heart attitudes you need to confess?

Devotional Journey—Day 6

Speaking of work and the workplace, we now have scientific proof that one bad apple can ruin the whole bunch. A recent episode of National Public Radio's "This American Life" featured researcher Will Felps, who identified three types of bad apples (below) when it comes to group dynamics. He hired an actor to play each of the parts below and surreptitiously placed him in motivated small groups working on a business project. After you've been thinking about your work today, see if any of these types sound familiar:

1. The Jerk. This person attacks others and their ideas, but offers no viable solutions. Common phrases might be, "Are you kidding me?" or "Have you taken a business class before?"

2. The Slacker. He or she does as little as possible. When collaborating on a project, they might spend their time text messaging with their feet up, eating a bagged lunch. Their phrase of choice? "Whatever."

3. The Depressive Pessimist. Someone who is negative about every idea. They keep their head down, and look, in Felps' words, as if their cat had died. "This project is dumb anyway, and it will never work."

In theory, the power of group dynamics should overcome the negativity of one member, right? Wrong. Felps' study showed that the groups who were burdened with the bad apple suffered from poor performance ? 30-40% less productivity than the groups without the bum personality. The ultimate result? Team members took on the characteristics of the bad apple, mimicking the jerk behavior, or putting their heads down, always sapping the teams of positive energy. Interpersonal relationships suffered as conflicts arose. They would plod along miserably until the group could officially be pronounced dead with an utterance of these words: "Let's just get this over with."

Contrast this with Paul's words in 1 Corinthians from today's devotional: "I don't just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved. And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ." How does Paul's description of his approach to leadership inspire you, encourage you, or convict you? Do you recognize a little bit of yourself in any of those descriptions? If not, do you know a positive group member you can acknowledge this week? Do you view your work as a sacred trust, or just something to get over with?

Devotional Journey--Day 5

When I was the editor of Marriage Partnership magazine, I used to tease my husband: "You know I'll never leave you, Babe. It would kill my career!" While I wouldn't have left him anyway (love that guy!), I have to admit there was an ounce of truth to my joking. I mean, how much of an advocate for marriage could I have been if I were to have thrown in the towel in my own marriage?

But I didn't have to throw in the towel to doubt my effectiveness as an advocate for marriage on those days (weeks or months) when our marriage was less than stellar.

That's why I liked this set of Reflect questions from today's devo: "Have you felt pressure to present an exemplary, ideal marriage to those you lead? How have idealistic ideas about marriage had a positive or negative effect on your relationship with your spouse?"

My answers?

To the first: Heck yes!

To the second: Idealistic views have actually had a positive effect on my relationship with my husband as I watched my own parents' marriage crumble. While their's was a mess, from other positive role models and from these "idealistic ideas," I had a vision for what a marriage could be - or at least what we could work and hope toward.

But these idealistic views also have a negative effect: comparison traps and jealousy. It's easy to look at other couples - especially when we're going through rough patches or when we find ourselves continuously aggravated by our spouses - and think they've got it all together. And then fall into the "grass is always greener stuff."

So while we leaders should certainly strive for the best marriages we can, we should also be honest and open (without being disloyal and without trash-talking) about what real marriages look like and go through. I think that's the best example.

Your thoughts?

Devotional Journey—Day 4

It's Day 4. Are you starting to notice any themes in these Bible studies? One message I've noticed cropping us it that we are to fix ourselves solely on the Lord and not his work. Being spiritual and holy is all about "to be" instead of "to do." Consider these excerpts:

Day 1: "Our sole focus should be on the compelling beauty of our Lord, and what moves us forward is only our desire for him. So my advice is: don't seek an improved spirituality, or even a better prayer life. Just seek the Lord Jesus Christ, and keep your eyes on him."

Day 2: "I don't know what your default is as a leader, but my guess is we could all use a little more ?encounter' with God and fewer bullet points."

Day 3: "It takes courage, faith, and the power of the Holy Spirit to truly embrace the love of God for ourselves and others" (emphasis added).

Day 4: Romans 12:1 reads: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship." Amy Simpson writes, "But perhaps spiritual gifts are more about being than doing."

Often when we focus on the character of God and the power of the Holy Spirit instead of religious chores, we naturally end up ministering to others without even trying. We worship constantly, and only sometimes use words, as the saying goes. I was thinking about the Reflect question from today's devotion: When has God nudged you to minister to someone along your path ? in your neighborhood, at work, at the store? How did you respond to God's leading? And I remembered this.

A few years ago, I worked at a coffee shop. As I'd walk through the shop cleaning tables, I noticed it was very common for people to read their Bibles, journal, or pray while they sipped their lattes. Without thinking too much about it, and without ever even making eye contact, I got into the habit of saying a quick prayer for people who were spending time with the Lord in the coffee shop. Sure, they were generic, like "Lord, bless this person as they read about you" or "May this person feel your presence today," but heartfelt and undoubtedly heard by God.

So how about you? Will you share with us how your answered this Reflect question from today's devotion? Does God's nudge ever come, like it did for Amy's sister, in the form of saying "no"?

GFL Devotional Journey—Day 3

I'm acutely aware of my need for God's help in loving others. Some people seem specially gifted and naturally inclined to love others - even the unlovable. My husband, a counselor, is one of those people. Unfortunately, I'm not. Instead, I seem naturally inclined toward competition, self-protection, revenge, jealousy, and winning at all costs. I sometimes find it hard to love the lovable, let alone the unlovable.

Knowing this, I beg on a daily basis for God's grace to infuse and inform my relationships with others. As all leaders know, every day carries the potential for serious and unexpected challenges in relationships with others, especially those we lead. And God is faithful in answering my prayers and granting me the grace I need.

So in reading today's devotional, I was struck by its reminder that begging for God's help isn't the only way - or perhaps even the best way - to exhibit his love in leading others. In Verses 1 through 3, John establishes Jesus' frame of mind as he sits down to the evening meal with his disciples:

* He knew the time was right.
* He knew Judas would betray him.
* He knew he was all-powerful God.
* He knew he was leaving his human condition.
* He knew his disciples needed a tangible demonstration of his love and an example to follow.

As Sherryl puts it, "Jesus knew who he was, where he had come from, and where he was going." This was no spontaneous impulse driven by Jesus' "natural inclination" to wash feet. This was the intentional expression of what was true about Jesus as a man and as God himself, designed to meet the needs of the people around him.

Jesus called his followers to imitate him, and to follow his example. So perhaps our most effective motivation and power to love others can come from the same place: a knowledge of what is true about us and about God. Steeping ourselves in God's truth - as revealed in his Word and through our relationship with him - may produce acts of love that feel almost, well, natural.

So how do we steep ourselves in the knowledge of who we are in Christ, and who God is in our lives and the lives of other people? How have you found that such knowledge can arm you for supernaturally powered acts of love?

GFL Devotional Journey – Day 2

Did you feel like Sally had you in mind when she wrote today's devotion? I sure did. As soon as I read her introduction to today's devotion, I felt like this could be a prophetic nudge from the Lord about an all-too-familiar topic.

Because, you see, I've always been someone who wants to be not only good at things, but distinctively the best. I'm naturally driven and inquisitive, and find peace in lists and accomplishments. My default is please others and follows the rules. This propensity to overachieve easily went in to hyper-drive when it came to school. In fact, the only intentionally disobedient thing I remember doing in elementary school was to sneak into the forbidden teacher's lounge and steal extra homework from the recycling bins. Later in high school, I took high-level classes and worked hard for straight A's. When people at church told me God would take care of all my needs, I would sneer, "Oh yeah? God's going to write this paper for me?"

Clearly, I have problems.

While my parents praised my grades, they knew that I sometimes let stress rob me of confidence in God and ultimately of my submission to him. One day, I found a note on my bedroom desk. During his morning devotional time, my dad had been praying for me and felt strongly about Titus 3:14, which says: "Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive." Dad jotted me a note (below) which simply reads, "Titus 3:14. Live this out and let the grades fall where they may."

I think he knew that my perfectionism was breeding self-centered anxiety instead of concern for other people. He was telling me that true productivity happens when we love others like God loves them. And he was enabling me to be free from a bondage to overachievement.

For me, this verse and memory are what Sally refers to as "antidotes to overachievement." Like her, I think prayer and meditation ? taking the time to refocus and let God get a word in ? are invaluable solutions to anxiety. When I really open myself to God in prayer, I begin to feel so small compared to him?and it's wonderful. That insurmountable task doesn't necessarily solve itself while I pray, but God gives me the ability to see its importance for what it really is: not very. Do you ever feel this way when you pray?

I think I'll take Sally's advice and take an extra helping of the Psalms this year. And her suggestion to take your devotions outside and pray while you walk is a great one! Here's another suggestion for those of us who are Type-A, left-brained, overachieving, or whatever you want to call us. A rocking chair. I often sit on a glider while I do my devotions and find it to be a non-distracting way to occupy the body and the over-active part of the brain, which enables me to focus more fully on prayer and meditation.

Whatever your antidotes, may you find a way, in Sally's words, to "toss an ?achievement' mindset into the garbage and spend some time in God's presence simply being the real you."

Devotional Journey--Day 1

Welcome, everybody! I hope you're excited about this 14-day devotional journey together. It's not too late to join us. If you'd like to download the free GFL devotional, just click here and follow the prompts!

Okay, so Day 1: "Spirituality vs. Jesus." I don't know about you, but this one hit me. While I've never been the sort to describe myself as "spiritual" when describing my faith, I certainly have fallen prey to this "consumer" mentality of practicing religion that Frederica writes about: "What appears to be very intentional involvement with spiritual things can actually be simply
the taking up of a new beauty regimen." And I'm just about as good as sticking to the practicing of spiritual things as I am about sticking to new beauty regimens. Which - since most of you don't know me all that well - is not very good.

But I love her antidote to this ugly self-centered spirituality - focusing on the "compelling beauty of our Lord." Now that's something that's easy to stick with. Because once you really seek - and then see - the face of Jesus, once you see how he interacted with people, how he loved (and loves!), it IS hard to look away.

One of today's "Reflect" questions asks, "How have times of intense focus on Jesus - his life and his teachings - been meaningful in your own life?" I'd love to hear from you on this. For me, the most meaningful encounters I've had with Jesus have come from studying the way he "handled" outcasts. The story of Jesus and Zacchaeus - when Jesus invites himself over to this scoundrel's house for dinner, presumably to hang out and chat and get to know someone society scorned - blows me away. The story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman - where Jesus approaches this woman (bad enough, in that day) of ill-repute and sits down with her for a sip of water (totally NOT DONE!), again to chat and get to know someone society shunned - reaches deep nooks in my heart. To know that Jesus loves and wants to get to know those of us who might live on some edges, who struggle with deep sins (and who of us doesn't!), makes me never want to look away from that face.

Now you go. What touches and moves your heart when you focus on the life and teachings of Jesus?

The Rested Leader--Part 1

One of my mentors tells me, "You have all the time you need to do the things that God has called you to do." I tend to doubt her. I write books and articles, I travel the country to speak at retreats and events. I describe my job as "full-time freelance ministry." I also devote time to building my relationships with my children, my husband, and friends. I lead and mentor and teach at my church. I often feel that I have anything but all the time I needed.

But unpack that statement for a moment. None of us has all the time we need to do everything everyone else wants us to do, or even all the time we need to do the things we think we want to do. In order to have all the time you need, you must begin by listening to the call of God.

One spiritual practice that has helped me to slow down and listen, to live out this "all the time you need" philosophy, is the practice of Sabbath-keeping. Taking one day a week to rest actually has made me more productive, and given me clarity about my calling.

"We live in a world that celebrates work and activity, ignores renewal and recovery, and fails to recognize that both are necessary for sustained high performance," write Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz in The Power of Full Engagement.

Loehr and Schwartz are performance experts. They help athletes and corporate leaders improve their performance by learning how to be what they term "fully engaged." They write: "At the most practical level, our capacity to be fully engaged depends on our ability to periodically disengage."

Do you "periodically disengage"? In other words, are you ever unavailable to your work or other people, so that you can be available to God?