1. Holy cow ... I've been a minister for 25 years! How did that happen? I started churches in Austin, TX, and in Savage, MN. Then I took five years out of church
ministry, and did counseling and led recovery workshops. Five years ago, I moved to Chicago, and got back into ministry in the local church. I'm pastoring two smaller churches, whose founders moved away or retired. Never planned to be a minister, but here I am, 25 years later ... loving it.
2. Healing from trauma: excellent resources from Bessel van der Kalk:
Unprocessed trauma is a growing epidemic. And not just for war veterans. Unprocessed trauma is at the heart of most -- some would say all -- addiction, and is the root of much of the depression and anxiety people struggle with today. Bessel van der Kolk is one of the leaders in the growing field of trauma therapy, and he's got a
new book out on the subject. Pastors,
therapists, people in recovery -- and their partners -- if there's one psychology book you read this year, make it this one. If you want something shorter -- and prefer audio -- here's a link to an
excellent interview with him from the PBS show "On Being." I think it's one of the best interviews about trauma I've heard.
3. The most important question for productivity and sanity. I'm reading a really good book right now about being focused and not getting pulled into too many different directions. The book is called "The One Thing", by Gary Keller. Keller encourages us to continually be asking the "focus question" ... and getting this question alone I think is worth the price of the book: What's the one thing I can do
such that by doing
it
everything else will be easier or unnecessary?
At first glance, this question might seem basic, or maybe strange. But read the book, and you'll see how it applies to planning your life, your year, your week, and your day.
4. I'm going to be speaking
to two different groups of church leaders this month ... if you want in on the Renew Retreat, you should act now because it might fill up. The Renew Retreat is five days in glorious Sedona, AZ, from
January 15-20 . We will talk about how to experience ongoing renewal in our lives, so we can make a difference in the world without making a mess of our personal lives.
Get more information here.
5. Quote of the week:
“Stress is a fact of life -- but it doesn't have to be a way of life.” - Dylan
Moran
