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My Feeding Plan

The thought of my life and leadership being as repulsive as maggot-covered, stank bread was just too much for me to gloss over when God challenged me at the beginning of 08.  So, I made daily time in His Word a priority for 08 and set a pretty lofty goal.

Like I said yesterday, I am not naturally rhythmic at all.  I'm jealous of those who are.  But, that is no excuse when it comes to feeding on the daily bread God provides.  I've had to adjust a little since the beginning of the year, but here is my plan:

Before I do anything productivity-related, I spend time reading The Word. 

Physically writing notes in the margins, underlining, etc. keeps me focused, so I switched over to a "book at a time" Bible reading plan produced by Discipleship Journal and now use my new Bible.  This reading plan works well for me because it works through about 3 chapters per day plus a reading from Psalms or Proverbs.

After I read, I journal immediately.

I use Wayne Cordeiro's SOAP outline.  Cordeiro writes about this plan in-depth in The Divine Mentor, which was one of the most refreshing books I have read in a long time.  The goal is to focus on one scripture from my daily reading, meditate on it, and then write what God says to me.  Here's the outline in a nutshell:

S = Scripture.  Write out the verse(s) word for word in my journal.
O = Observation.  What happened in the verse(s).
A = Application. How am I going to apply what I learned, and experienced in this verse(s).
P = Prayer. Write out a prayer for applying the truth(s) to my life.

Typically, I have done a terrible job journaling my journey through scripture.  With this outline, I have confidence and God is using it to speak directly to my heart each day.  My biggest challenge is zeroing in on one scripture to meditate on and journal about. Of course, I journal using the famed Moleskine.

After I journal, I pray.

This takes on a lot of different forms. Sometimes it's in the shower. Sometimes it's while I'm driving.  Sometimes it's on my knees. But I always pray my written prayer from my SOAP outline and pray for the other things on my heart.  I pray for my family, my friends in ministry, neighborhoods I drive by/through, friends I am investing in, etc.  I try to capture these things in my journal as well.

On Saturday or Sunday, I rest.

God provided two days worth of fresh bread on the day before the Sabbath for the Israelites.  He literally wanted them to do nothing but enjoy Him and rest in Him for an entire day.  So, I have added this into my plan as well.  I take a day off from reading, journaling, and praying and just enjoy what God has taught me, what He is doing in and around me, and dream about what might be next.

So, that's me.  Anyone else want to share your feeding plan?

8 Wants for 08

What a week last week...thanks to all who emailed encouragement and prayers while we were away! The time away was exactly what we needed...we literally did NOTHING last Thursday except sit by the fire, talk, read, and eat some amazing food!  But, now we're back and ready to kick 2008 in the teeth...in a good way, of course!

What better way to start than to articulate some focus areas for 2008.  In fact, there are 8 of them...yeah, I planned it that way. :-)  Each line may have several statements or goals, but they all fall under the same category.  Without any further ado...

In 2008, I want to...

1. Increase my morning discipline by consistently waking up at 6:00 am...reading through the Bible using the YouVersion reading plan...pray and journal...exercise no less than 5 days per week.
2. Date my wife as creatively as I did before we were married.
3. Create and experience at least 4 lifelong memories with my family.
4. Take a weekly Sabbath that is a day dedicated to nothing work/productivity-related, but a day dedicated to rest, family, and communion with Jesus.
5. Establish relationships with the mayor of Columbia and other city leaders.  I want them to know my name and our organization. I want them to call on us to help tackle the big needs of the city.  I want them to know that I/we are here because we believe God wants a better Columbia.
6. Have more fun with my blog by taking myself less seriously.  I want to create an expanding community of people who are trying to think and live like missionaries in the places where they live, work, and play all over the world.
7. Mentor 2 young leaders for 3-6 months each...significantly invest in at least 6 people who are far from God...develop at least 1 "naked and unashamed" accountability relationship.
8. Talk less and listen more...rely less on email...play to my strengths 80% of the time...read at least 26 books...connect with and learn from leaders/churches/organizations/movements in other cities and countries.

Why do I share this with you?  I need your prayers, accountability, and encouragement!  You have full permission to ask me at anytime how I am doing in these areas.  Just click on the little email link on the top right and ask away.  I want you to.  I need you to.

2008 is going to be a good year...blessings on you!