After discussing the establishment of predictable rhythms in physical exercise and work, author Bob Merritt (When Life’s Not Working) offers this caveat: rhythms do not exist in a vacuum. He states: “Nobody has the freedom to establish their own rhythm to the neglect of others who work with and around them. . . . . […]
“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9 In my last blog I related Bob Merritt’s idea of establishing predictable rhythms in your life. Pastor Merritt says that requires establishing those rhythms, or what […]
Bob Merritt distinguishes between rhythmic and random approaches to life in Chapter 6 of When Life’s Not Working. Establishing a healthy rhythm helps you become more consistent and effective. On the other hand, although a random approach is spontaneous and free, it can be unreliable and unpredictable. Random is acceptable when it fits in the […]
In Chapter 5 of When Life’s Not Working, author Bob Merritt quotes Andy Stanley’s principle of the path: “Direction, not intention, determines destination.” In other words, whatever path you’ve chosen will lead to a destination, God-pleasing or otherwise. After experiencing a ministry downsizing or position loss, the desire to ‘plant’ new seeds of ministry remains- […]
One of the key points Jeff Manion makes in his book The Land Between is that when the Israelites left Egypt they were unprepared to enter the Promised Land. They needed desert transformation time. Bob Merritt (When Life’s Not Working) echoes that perspective when he ways that some people want God to bless them with […]
Reflecting on his 3 years spent as a doctoral student in the speech department at Penn State University (aka “Happy Valley”), Bob Merritt (When Life’s Not Working) states they were the unhappiest years of his life. Periods of joy were intermingled with fears, depression, and poverty. Today when people ask him how he made it, […]
In his book When Life’s Not Working, Bob Merritt says that God has given each of us the ability and desire to do things well. He quotes Max Lucado: “You find your sweet spot at the intersection of success and satisfaction.” Most likely, our called teaching or pastoral position filled that sweet spot in our […]
Much of our experience is mundane and routine. Yet Pastor Bob Merritt (When Life’s Not Working) wonders how we’re spending the rest of our lives, whether we’ve “made any room in (our) days and weeks for the things that really matter and have lasting value.” Especially for those of us who have been involved in […]
In When Life’s Not Working, Pastor Bob Merritt acknowledges that he doesn’t know the specifics of adversities people are facing. But he does know “that sometimes all you can do is get through one more day, then another, and another after that, believing that God is teaching you, strengthening you, and doing something in you […]
When Moses encountered resistance in his efforts to communicate God’s command to Pharaoh, Exodus 5:22 tells us that Moses went back to God. Bob Merritt (When Life’s Not Working) explains: “When you’re in the pit, there’s no gimmick, slogan, or saying that will get you out- sometimes there’s not even another person who can help. […]
One of my wife’s favorite Christian authors is Joni Eareckson Tada. In her book A Place of Healing, Joni comments on Psalm 100: 2- “Serve the Lord with gladness!” (RSV). Joni states that this is a command, not an option. Whatever our current circumstances or the particular service to which God has called us, we are […]
Dr. Stephen Viars addresses idolatry of the heart in his book Putting Your Past in Its Place. He states that: “Idolatry of the heart is difficult to admit, but it is often at the core of our struggle.” He then cites as an example that one “who chooses the path of bitterness may be worshipping […]