Pressing On in a Slow Burn

If I took time to list all the medical/dental issues I’ve had in the past two years, readers would get depressed and I’d go beyond my intent to share a one paragraph spiritual jump-start. Needless to say, it’s good that I retired so I’d have time for all my medical/dental appointments. The problem is I keep getting invitations to speak/teach/consult/mentor and the medical/dental issues sometimes cause me to have to cancel my engagements, and I hate cancellations. I need to remember some advice from an early colleague who said when unwanted or impractical invitations come, open your calendar in front of you, cover both eyes, and say, “I don’t see any way that I can accept your gracious invitation.” But that is incredibly difficult for me to do, having been raised and mentored by workaholics with a degree of perfectionism mixed in. I confess I need help with this – when and how to say “no” especially when everything in my calling says, “say yes.” Research is mixed on who first said, “I rather burn out than rust out” but I confess to be on a rather slow burn, struggling with Paul’s advice, “Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame” (Romans 12:11, MSG). So I will press on slowly– in between medical/dental appointments. In the words of Robert Frost, “I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep.”

Join me this week in remembering the following global concerns:
• Pray for ten major cities in Southeast Asia that are being targeted for church planting among the Chinese. The total Chinese population of these ten cities is over one million.
• Many Americans who live outside of America will still celebrate American Thanksgiving this week. Pray that their celebration will reflect thankfulness to God for the blessings of life.
• Pray for Joe in Ukraine as he continues his annual tradition of displaying Christmas cards in the corridor so his neighbors can enjoy them. If you’d like to send Joe a card, let me know and I’ll give you his mailing address.