by Clarence E. Stowers | Apr 3, 2008 | Family
There are SIX IMPORTANT areas that pull on my time.
- I want to spend time with my wife.
- I want to spend quantity time with my kids at a very important time in their life.
- I want to lead our staff well and do my job with integrity.
- I want to learn from other church leaders (conferences, visit other churches)
- I want to resource other church leaders (teach).
- I want to write.
All of these areas are great.
All of them are important. And there is a dynamic tension which exists in trying to juggle all of these priorities. I’ve seen leaders mess up.
- Some sacrifice their marriage for their job.
- Some sacrifice their kids.
- Some leaders get on the teaching circuit and stop learning. They spend all their travel time teaching and no longer take time to sit at someone else’s feet and learn.
I want to avoid all these extremes and today, things change. I’ve decided to spend no more than 30 nights away from my wife in 2008. Oh, you should know I realize the 30 night rule is not in the Bible. It’s just what is right for me and my family right now. Others may draw the line at a different place. I don’t think the number is the point–the fact that you give it some thought and get some input is important.
Where do you draw the line?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Apr 2, 2008 | Preaching, Religion, Worship
I have three children (13, 11, & 6) and all of them ask me "why?" about everything. Why is the sky blue? Why are there clouds? Why can’t I go outside? Why do I have to take a shower? Why can’t I stay up past 10PM? Truthfully, it’s frustrating. If you’re a parent, you know what I mean. Why are we frustrated?
We’re frustrated for two reasons. Often we don’t know the real answers to the innocent questions they ask, but even when we do, our answers don’t slow the pace of their relentless questions. That’s because we’ve misunderstood their language and think that when they ask "why?" they mean the same thing we mean when we ask why. Our cause-and-effect answers miss the mark, and so they fail to satisfy.
When it comes to understanding God, we’re just like children and ask "why?"
Ever wondered why you don’t feel the presence of God when other people claim they do? Ever had an unanswered prayer? Wondered why God would love you? Or why He would let bad things happen to good people? If you’ve ever wondered why…this may be just what you are looking for.
I’m planning something totally different this series…Imagine if we were able to get together and have a "Digital Conversation" regarding my series "Why." I’ll provide a link to the questions and we’ll use the comment section to share our thoughts and grow together. What do you think? Please share how we can make this experience better for all.
by Clarence E. Stowers | Apr 1, 2008 | Communication
Oh my goodness…my day has been filled w/intense meetings…my mind needs a break.
So, I’ve compiled a list of questions, as Arsenio Hall says, "that make you go hmmm…"
Here we go!
1. Have you ever imagined a world with no hypothetical situations?
2. If 7-11 is open 24-hrs a day, 365 days a year why are there locks on the door?
3. If nothing ever sticks to Teflon, how do they make Teflon stick to the pan?
4. Why are there flotation devices under plane seats instead of parachutes?
5. Why are cigarettes sold in gas stations when smoking is prohibited there?
6. Why do "fat chance" and "slim chance" mean the same thing?
7. If you can’t drink and drive, why do you need a driver’s license to buy liquor, and why do bars have parking lots?
8. Why does your nose "run" and your feet "smell"
9. Why is it called a "building" when its already built?
10. Why do they call them apartments when they are all stuck together?
11. What is another word for "thesaurus"?
Ok, back to work…my minds is clear now…
What about you – what’s on your mind?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Mar 31, 2008 | Current Affairs, Empowerment, Leadership, Vision
Questions I Ponder Daily…
#1 – How can I serve God with all my heart, mind, and soul…
#2 – How can I be a better husband…
#3 – How can I be a better father…
#4 – Is there anything in my life that I need to stop doing…
#5 – Is there anything in my life that I should start doing…
(By the way…the answer to #5 is YES…but in order for it to happen I REALLY need to wrestle with question #4!)
#6 – Will the majority of our members ever move from membership to discipleship…
#7 – How can I be more efficient in the way I use my time…
#8 – Why, out of all the people on this planet, is God allowing me to be a part of what He is doing…
#9 – Will I ever rejoin our denomination’s convention…
#10 – Will Mars Hill ever become a church with multiple locations…
So, what about you – what’s on your mind?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Mar 28, 2008 | Empowerment
After a long day at the office, sometimes I sit back and watch TV. Recently, I found myself channel-surfing for about 15 minutes. I was amazed at how many of the ads were about getting in shape. Here are some of the exact phrases I heard:
"Six-second abs."
"Easy shaper."
"Incredible — a miracle!"
"It feels terrific! Let us show you how easy it is!"
"Quickly turn your flabby abs into that sexy six-pack!"
Where did we ever get the crazy idea that getting in shape is supposed to be quick and easy? Why do we think that there will be almost no cost? Why are we surprised when working out turns out to be arduous and healthy foods don’t really taste that good?
HERE’S THE PROBLEM: WE OFTEN CONFUSE THE WORDS "SIMPLE" AND "EASY"
The changes I help people make are generally very simple. However, they are never easy. Just as with diet and exercise, changing behavior involves hard work. It takes time.
Look in the mirror. Not just at how you look but who you are. If you want to be a better leader, a better professional, or just a better person — don’t kid yourself. To achieve meaningful goals, you’ll have to pay the price. There’s no product, no diet, no exercise program, and (I hate to admit it) no pastor who can make you better. Only you can do it. If your source of motivation doesn’t come from inside, you won’t stick with it. This may not be infomercial material, but it’s great advice for any real achievement.
