Getting published

I'm ready to be rejected.

So over the next few weeks I'm going to be writing articles and sending them to ministry magazines.

I was inspired by a couple of books we received last week. They give details on how to write for Christian publications.

The introduction to one of them says, "Before you start, be warned that the journey is rife with pitfalls and dead ends, discouragements and dashed hopes."

I've been there before, so I think I can handle it.

Mechanic? Not me.

It's hard being clueless about mechanical things.

Some people have a knack for fixing things. Not me. Ask me to build a strong team of leaders, sure. Invite me to stand up in front of hundreds of people and preach or teach, no problem.

Challenge me to screw a nut into my tractor's oil pan? I'd better pass. Figure out why my toilet keeps running? I've tried and I've failed. I'm an idiot when it comes to fixing things that run.

I'm so glad I have smart, available, gracious, mechanically minded friends; the kind that don't make fun of me, much.

Thanks for the encouragement

This is a shout out to everyone who has encouraged me lately. As I said in my last post, you can think what you want. But as you'll see from this post, I like encouragement.

1. To all of you who have posted encouraging comments on my blog, thank-you.
2. To everyone who has emailed me words of blessing after I preach, thanks.
3. To those who speak to me in the church foyer, or when I'm drinking juice in the coffee room, or in the men's washroom, thanks.
4. To the wanderers who seem to find their way to my office, thanks for the great conversations.
5. To the growing tribe who used to gather, currently gathers, or has plans to join the gathering in our home on Saturday evenings, thanks for your friendship.
6. To the few who faithfully follow my life via sermon downloads available on the church website, thank-you for inspiring me.
7. To my beloved mentors, I owe you more than I could ever give back. Thank-you for freely giving.
8. To my loyal opposition. You probably don't read my blog. But, on the off chance you're reading, thanks for making me a better more sensitive leader, and for emboldening me to follow Jesus.
9. To my kids, thanks for reminding me to whom the kingdom really belongs.
10. To my wife, you're my fave.