Freedom comes from self discipline

This summer I have been reading a series of novels called “The Mark of the Lion Series” by Francine Rivers. My wife and a number of gals from the nine70 family have read these books and recommended them to me. They are great books and so far have challenged me to look at my life and the way I live out my faith. The books are set in the 1st Century during the height of the Roman Empire. As i was reading yesterday I came across a conversation between a husband and wife that really intrigued me. They were talking about their children and how depraved they had become living in the society of the Romans. I want to share with you some quotes:

“Our son Marcus believes nothing is true and anything is permitted. And our daughter Julia thinks the only thing that matters is her own pleasure.”

“I am afraid for our children, what happens to a society when all restraints are removed? I see our children consumed with watching blood be spilled in the arena. I see them seeking an unending diet of sensual pleasure. Where does it all lead? How can intemperate minds be free when they’re slaves to their own passions?”

“Rome tolerated every abominable practice, embraced every foul idea in the name of freedom and the rights of the common man. Citizens no longer carried on deviant behavior in private, but pridefully displayed it in public. It was those with moral values who could no longer freely walk in a public park without having to witness a revolting display”

These excerpts form the book really made me take a hard look at the society we live in and the life that I lead. Like anyone else I want to live a life of freedom, but as I grow In Christ I see that freedom has less and less to do with doing anything you want and more to do with allowing yourself to be so disciplined that you are free from being a slave to your own desires. People think that freedom comes from giving into whatever you want, I would submit that continually giving in leads you to a life of slavery to yourself and your desires. May we be a people that truly live free in the confides of self discipline and purity.

Life is about progress, not perfection.

I have a great friend named Jim Thurston who I have been working with here at Timberline for a couple of years now. Jim is one of our Timberline Deacons and he and his wife Karen have been a big part of mine and Allyson’s life. A couple of years ago I asked Jim to come alongside of me and help me develop into a better leader. He is a retired business man and owned an Insurance firm up in Wyoming. We get along great everyday of the year except one, the day that CSU and Wyoming play the Border War. He is a great friend and I am very thankful for his friendship.

About a year and a half ago he came to our nine70 staff meetings and talked to our young adult staff about the importance of time management and how to manage your time more effectively. It was a lifechanging experience for me personally and it really impacted our team. Last Fall I asked him to come talk to a group of our Pastors here at Timberline and we spent about 4 straight weeks with him talking about leadership and managing our time as leaders.

He recently sent us an email that was a great encouragement to me in one key area of leadership, the email focused on PERSEVERANCE. There are many traits that will help leaders succeed but perseverance is one of those non-negotiables within leadership. The email included the following experpt from the book The Best Way Out is Always Through by BJ Gallagher. It is called “Staying the Course”. The message of this excerpt is timely and hit home for me. I tend to be a perfectionist and I know that there are insecurities in my life that cause me to want to be a perfectionist. I am asking God to show me these areas of my life. I think having high standards is a good thing, but not when it drives you frustration. May the message of this blog encourage you to look at life a little differently and allow you to stop and enjoy all life brings.

I hope you enjoy it and it encourages you:

Our journey of life is about progress,  not perfection. It’s not about doing one thing 100% better – it’s a matter of doing 100 things, 1% better each day. Progress is evolutionary not revolutionary, and most days we measure our progress in inches, not miles. What matters most is showing up for your life whether you feel like it or not. Ask yourself, “What two or three little things can I do today that would move me forward?”

You’ll be amazed  at how much distance you can cover by taking it in increments.

The little things add up; the inches turn to miles; and we string together our efforts like so many pearls. Before long, look what you have – a whole strand!

Ah… beautiful.