Traveling is hard. When I was younger (it’s scary I even wrote that phrase) I always dreamed of being able to travel and see the world! Well, God gave me my wish and while I appreciate the travel, it has proven to be really challenging. As of writing this post I just crossed 90,000 air miles for the year and I still have six major trips left.

As I consider how I’ve survived this year, I’ve been surprised to find that there are seasons where I feel like I am incredibly productive. Then, there are seasons where I am surprised I can even keep up and remember to jump on a flight. After evaluating my productive seasons, I found the following principles crucial in my ability to accomplish everything I need to with excellence.

Rest and Reward:

Get the right amount of rest that your body needs. Train yourself to sleep at the right time so that when you have to wake up, you do so refreshed. For me, I’ve found that I need at least 8 hours of sleep. I’ve also found that TV, iPad, and my computer are serious distractions to getting the rest that I need. My iPad may be the biggest culprit. I love reading on it, but it’s only a click of a button to get to my ESPN Fantasy team or start researching on food places for the next trip I have, or get to that last email quickly. I didn’t want to give up reading, and I didn’t want a print book, so instead I was able to pick up the Amazon Voyager. Its amazing and has a simple function, to let you read. The benefit of rest is priceless. It allows your mind to be sharp and for you to be more effective in thought process.

Be Smart With Technology:

As I mentioned earlier, technology can’t always be assumed as helpful. However, when used thoughtfully and with intention it can be a game changer in how productive you are. There are so many apps, tools, and resources that I use, but the ones that I always go to are:

• Evernote – Its the best. If your not using it, your missing out. It serves as my digital brain and stores everything I need. Recently I purchased the premium version and I love it!
• Wunderlist – Its a simple task list app that syncs across all your devices. Its not overly complicated and works seamlessly across all my devices.
• All Apple – I drank the Koolade, and I love it. Seriously, all my devices are apple. My wife even got me an apple watch and I have grown found of it. However, if you are on the other side, seriously consider the devices that you have. Do they all play well together? Do the research and ensure that they do, its a world of difference
• Kindle Voyager – For distraction free reading, its amazing. I have found that I can actually read longer staring at the screen and I don’t get a headache.

Dig Deeper Into The Word:

This is honestly one of the most overlooked disciplines in my life.

My passionate pursuit of the Word of God sets the stage for everything else in life @Muddamalle
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Have Fun:

Seriously, have fun. Make sure you carve out time to enjoy life. Whether that’s playing sports, watching a movie, or taking a walk; do it. Life gets busy and we have a lot to do but neglecting what makes us happy and refreshes us is a huge mistake!

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Although a difference in opinions or modes of worship may prevent an entire external union; yet need it prevent our union in affection? – John Wesley

This las year I’ve had the privilege of traveling to various conferences that have roots in a variety of streams, traditions, and denominations. Interestingly, while some of these conferences have a clear dividing line in terms of secondary issues concerning doctrine, theology, or church ordinance, the essentials remain the essentials. Further, it seems that at times the body of Christ has mistakenly taken preferences and turned them into convictions which in turn become dividing lines amongst brothers and sisters in Christ.

As I consider this past year I am encouraged by the conferences I attended. In fact, the church at large would benefit from each other. While it seems that there is a resurgence of a pursuit of Christian unity, this really should be a priority for church and ministry leaders. I love what John Wesley says regarding church unity.

Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? – John Wesley

While it is inevitable that there are differences of opinions, the challenge is when those opinions become convictions. Rampant examples of this occurring in the local church are:

Music

Music may be the most visible preference that can quickly become a conviction for some. In the past I have served as a Worship Leader/Pastor and so I find myself very sensitive to conversations involving music type, style, and creativity in the arts. In my experience, a major challenge is two fold. First, there are a lot of young and immature worship leaders out there (I was in this group when I first started). These young and restless worship leaders have a chip on their shoulder and the burden to bring excellence, innovation, and creativity into the church! Sadly, they blatantly overlook the second issue; context. The ability to contextualize is not only important for a pastor and his sermons but equally important to the worship leader and the songs that he chooses. Simply, music should never be a dividing line in the local church which causes hurts, anger, and resentment.

Tip: I think Shane and Shane have one of the best resources for worship leaders that want to pursue both musical excellence paired with a foundation in the scriptures. A pursuit of these two things will be incredibly helpful as you process music and style in your local church context. Check out their new project – www.worshipinitiative.com 

Technology

I work for a technology company that serves the church. You can only imagine the amount of conversations with pastors that I have in regards to technology and their local church. Conversations from church leaders that want to move from the faithful hymnal to “that projection stuff”. Then the very next conversation with a church leader who has an entire creative/arts team and they are working through environmental projection, mapping, and playing around with the development of a church app.

Tip: If you are looking for good church app check out www.bibleandjournalapp.com

The type of technology that you use or do not use should not be a predicating factor for unity in…
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Final Thought

Ultimately, this all boils down to a heart issue. Regardless of preferences, it is more than possible for churches and ministry leaders to partner together for the common goal of the advancement of the gospel. It’s ok to have preferences. However, its never ok for those preferences to cause hurt, resentment, gossip, or other forms of destructive behaviors within the body of Christ.

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Visual Copy :

Factbook:

Cultural Concepts:

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