Jun 30 2008
Personal Renewal while walking Amsterdam
On last weeks trip to London, Amsterdam, and Beirut, I took a lot of personal time to re-evaluate my life, calling, failures and hopes for this next phase of life. Here’s a few of the things I believe God helped me see. Four or Five of these came to me after I fell asleep on a park bench in Amsterdam. I woke up and my camera had been taken, but it at least I got a few nuggets from God.
Principles to reaffirm:
• First things first: Whenever family wants to do something, make it a priority. Schedule ministry after I schedule family.
• I can’t out-give God
• I’m not in God’s will if I’m stressed. Prayer under pressure proves that I trust God.
• Everything cool I have has been given to me by God so stay on His good side.
• Ryan is God’s gift to me to make me more like Him. Pay attention to how I process his struggles. Patience with Him will be the most significant way I change at the heart level.
• Stay in shape, it’s not an option. It’s part of my job and calling.
• Walk outside with God every day. He doesn’t ever meet me in my office.
• Alli loves Harley rides and doing projects with me. Get’er done!
• McKenna loves shopping and talking with me. Get’er done!
• Start treating both like young women instead of girls. Teach them how to handle money this year. Give/Save/Risk formula.
• Cheryl loves to walk, dinners out with fun people, and longer coffee times. Get’er done!
• Don’t get frustrated with people’s lack of commitment or ignorance at any level. See it as an opportunity to be more creative in how I lead.
• In ministry, prioritize leaders and sojourners. Let other churches deal with the rest.
What I want these next five years:
1) Cheryl, Alli, & McKenna to love being around me
2) Ryan health to improve and for him to find friends
3) Shoot at least one Bull elk
4) God’s winsome blessing over Adullam
5) For Satan to leave me alone and go pester someone else.
[...] was also encouraged by Hugh Halter’s blog… it’s just reassuring that someone else feels the [...]
very good goals…
thanks for all the honesty. terrible shame the camera was taken.
Good luck on that last one, Hugh…over the last 19 years of my Christian life I haven’t ever found that to be the case…
Anyway, thanks for sharing the nuggets you are finding on your trip.
Hi Hugh. Take me with you on your next world trek! lol
My list looks a lot like yours except for the names and places. And, I AM the people who lack commitment. You should have stayed here in PDX longer so you could have worked through this more quickly because of me.
I think about you often and miss the early days of you, Jason and me getting together. We’ll do it again some day…in paradise if not sooner!
Hugh,
This is a great example of a man who loves the Lord more than the ministry he has called us to. I learned two years ago when I almost lost my marriage. God miraculously gave it back. Your post is a great reminder to all. Thanks for posting.
Hugh,
I love how you are so intentional in your relationships here. Instead of saying you need to be a better husband, dad, fill-in-the-blank, you’ve taken time to show exactly what it is each person needs and how you want to meet that need. You da’ man!
By the way, I loved church in the park. Thanks for reminding me to have fun. I didn’t even realize that I’m still proving to myself and others that God’s ok with my remarriage until I blurted out to you that “you made a good choice by marrying us.” Thanks for once again reminding me that Jesus loves me as I am–even if I screw it all up. I hope you never stop sharing that message.
Take care,
Rachel
You reminded me of two great articles I discovered over the years. One is by Sally Morgenthaler, “Does Ministry Fuel Addictive Behavior” and the other is by ??, “Why I Don’t Put Ministry First Anymore.” But even though I found them powerful articles, they haven’t completely changed my practice. It takes constant vigilance and even repentance.. Lord, help us along.