I’ve been asking myself this question a lot lately if you’ve been tracking my blog.For the last six months…I’ve been in a slump and a funk…everything has felt forced.I’m so grateful that God is bringing me into a new season, and I’m rediscovering how to have fun again.
Sounds simplistic, but if you’ve ever been base line, you don’t think you can ever get back.Frankly, I used to be a blog hater.Now I’m a blog believer.I’ve journaled for years, but blogging has helped me through this season.My prayer is that God uses CREMEANS COUCH to encourage you and show you the REAL FACE of ministry and leadership.
I’m confident that if I had the wisdom and feedback of the ones sitting on CREMEANS COUCH, my funk maybe could have been avoided or at least it wouldn’t have lasted as long.Enjoy this edition of CREMEANS COUCH and the genuine, humble manner of Mark Batterson as he encourages all of us to ask this HEART question…Am I still having fun?
Are you having fun or are you in a funk?I would love to hear back from you!Share with me how you’re intentional about having fun in your life.
Next Monday on CC, you’ll hear from my friend Ed Young, one of my favorite leaders and mentors, as he shares his experience on how he deals with the adrenaline drain of public speaking.
I had been in a funk for some time. I lost my focus on Him. Thank God I have finally come full circle about a year ago. And at the beginning of this year, God led Vince and I to Northway Church and we know it is the place where He wants us to be.
(Side thought: This is the only church I’ve been to where I can actually remember messages, sermons, times of precious worship, thoughts, things to look forward to…….we love what God is doing here!)
I started a journal too. Never really did that before but it has been a wonderful source to look back at to see how God has touched my life and how.
I guess the things I try to remember is that we all go through funky seasons and they don’t last forever. We aren’t alone because our God is ever-present, and we can get through it because our God is ever-faithful!
Hey Buddy!
I have to share that we loved the music in Clifton Park this past Sunday. The bongo addition is fantastic. Way to go music ministry.
Pastors are real people so who would even think that they don’t have seasons of slump? I would wonder if you didn’t have a slump from time to time. I agree that we all need someone to talk with to share our ups and downs with be it a good friend or a professional. In todays fast paced world we need to all slow down and smell the roses and count our blessings and it shouldn’t be done just once a year. It may be just getting away for a walk after work, or going to the park with a good read, finding a quiet place at home to just meditate on God’s Word.
No one is immune from the tactics of the evil one who wants to rob and destroy us. We all need time to regroup and refresh so as to be available for God when He calls.
This is AWESOME – can’t wait to see the continued series to kick of my week; appreciated the spiritual insight of both Pastors about being in a funk or having fun; touched me deeply as it’s the exact same question I’ve been asking myself -right on time for moving through a season. Truly a God thing! Thanks
Buddy
I have also been in a slump and a funk and I have been trying to schedule in some Fun. Even when I schedule it in it still seems to be lacking somehow…. I need to start chasing some lions !! It seemed as if Mark Batterson was speaking directly to me because it just really hit home with me. I bought his book and it was awsome!
I look forward to Cremeans Couch and to the fall with Northway Church.
Pam – Glad you and Vince are enjoying the NC memorable experience. Love that you started journaling.
Anne – You are right on! I love the discipline you have of solitude and reflection…that is exactly what Jesus did!
Sheila – Thanks for the encouragement. Glad you are enjoying Cremeans Couch. As you are leading, keep asking that question!
Chris – Glad to hear you are coming out of your slump and glad to hear you are enjoying Batterson’s book. I talked to him today, he loves Northway. We are first on the list when he releases his next book. Keep chasing the lions!
Scott – Thank you for the encouragement! Your blog looks great. Keep rocking THE ROCK!
Margaret – Thanks for the encouragement. My wife read your book while on vacation. She loved it. I’ll be reading it soon. Congrats on the new move. Would love to have you as a future guest on Cremeans Couch!
-Buddy
Hey Buddy…
I went through a real funk for about 3 years where I felt over worked, under appreciated and stressed beyond belief. Ministry had lost its joy and I found myself just focused on the tasks at hand. At the time I couldn’t figure out what was going on or why God would abandon me in this place. Then He brought a change, a new opportunity in ministry, the opportunity to launch a new church. The last year has been one of the most difficult, challenging, thrilling and “Fun� experiences of my ministry. As I have walked this Journey I have discovered that those three years were not a “Funk�, but rather training. Sometimes the Lord needs to stretch us, shape us and equip us for the next step in our walk with Him. It reminds me of Max Lacado’s book “On the Anvil� where he talks about the fact that at times we are all in need of being reshaped or sharpened. It’s a painful process, but just think, the Master believes your worth reshaping. So, the next time your in a “funk�, you might actually be being shaped for the ride of your life!
I have bookmarked this blog into my favorites and look forward to more insight from the couch. I have entered into a season of extreme joy and satisfaction of ministry for the past two months after about six months of funk. My problem was that I wasn’t taking enough time to get away from the routine. My routine become a rut that I had to get out of, and thank God am out of now and I don’t plan to go back there. Thanks for pouring into my life today. Blessings!
Bob- Thanks. Keep it real! I have felt your pain…literally. You’re 100% on that it’s God reshaping us! You will thoroughly enjoy Ed’s encouragement next week regarding this.
Enjoy your Journey!
Rusty- Thanks for the encouragement and sharing your story. You’ll love next week. Pumped you’ve added bcremeans to your favorites and even more stoked to hear about you finding your new rhythm within the last 2 months.
Nate- Glad you enjoyed it. Your blog and site look great! Thanks for your feedback. Keep rocking Bedford Christian Community. Can you steal my idea…..ummm……NO!
I was just surfing around the net and googled my name and you came up. I have an uncle Buddy I was just wondering where you were located. E-mail me and we can chat!
I had been in a funk for some time. I lost my focus on Him. Thank God I have finally come full circle about a year ago. And at the beginning of this year, God led Vince and I to Northway Church and we know it is the place where He wants us to be.
(Side thought: This is the only church I’ve been to where I can actually remember messages, sermons, times of precious worship, thoughts, things to look forward to…….we love what God is doing here!)
I started a journal too. Never really did that before but it has been a wonderful source to look back at to see how God has touched my life and how.
I guess the things I try to remember is that we all go through funky seasons and they don’t last forever. We aren’t alone because our God is ever-present, and we can get through it because our God is ever-faithful!
Hey Buddy!
I have to share that we loved the music in Clifton Park this past Sunday. The bongo addition is fantastic. Way to go music ministry.
Pastors are real people so who would even think that they don’t have seasons of slump? I would wonder if you didn’t have a slump from time to time. I agree that we all need someone to talk with to share our ups and downs with be it a good friend or a professional. In todays fast paced world we need to all slow down and smell the roses and count our blessings and it shouldn’t be done just once a year. It may be just getting away for a walk after work, or going to the park with a good read, finding a quiet place at home to just meditate on God’s Word.
No one is immune from the tactics of the evil one who wants to rob and destroy us. We all need time to regroup and refresh so as to be available for God when He calls.
This is AWESOME – can’t wait to see the continued series to kick of my week; appreciated the spiritual insight of both Pastors about being in a funk or having fun; touched me deeply as it’s the exact same question I’ve been asking myself -right on time for moving through a season. Truly a God thing! Thanks
Buddy
I have also been in a slump and a funk and I have been trying to schedule in some Fun. Even when I schedule it in it still seems to be lacking somehow…. I need to start chasing some lions !! It seemed as if Mark Batterson was speaking directly to me because it just really hit home with me. I bought his book and it was awsome!
I look forward to Cremeans Couch and to the fall with Northway Church.
Congrats on the New home!!!
Chris
Great stuff. Love it and look forward to more!
Pam – Glad you and Vince are enjoying the NC memorable experience. Love that you started journaling.
Anne – You are right on! I love the discipline you have of solitude and reflection…that is exactly what Jesus did!
Sheila – Thanks for the encouragement. Glad you are enjoying Cremeans Couch. As you are leading, keep asking that question!
Chris – Glad to hear you are coming out of your slump and glad to hear you are enjoying Batterson’s book. I talked to him today, he loves Northway. We are first on the list when he releases his next book. Keep chasing the lions!
Scott – Thank you for the encouragement! Your blog looks great. Keep rocking THE ROCK!
brilliant idea–love it. Thanks for being so transparent.
Margaret – Thanks for the encouragement. My wife read your book while on vacation. She loved it. I’ll be reading it soon. Congrats on the new move. Would love to have you as a future guest on Cremeans Couch!
-Buddy
Hey Buddy…
I went through a real funk for about 3 years where I felt over worked, under appreciated and stressed beyond belief. Ministry had lost its joy and I found myself just focused on the tasks at hand. At the time I couldn’t figure out what was going on or why God would abandon me in this place. Then He brought a change, a new opportunity in ministry, the opportunity to launch a new church. The last year has been one of the most difficult, challenging, thrilling and “Fun� experiences of my ministry. As I have walked this Journey I have discovered that those three years were not a “Funk�, but rather training. Sometimes the Lord needs to stretch us, shape us and equip us for the next step in our walk with Him. It reminds me of Max Lacado’s book “On the Anvil� where he talks about the fact that at times we are all in need of being reshaped or sharpened. It’s a painful process, but just think, the Master believes your worth reshaping. So, the next time your in a “funk�, you might actually be being shaped for the ride of your life!
I have bookmarked this blog into my favorites and look forward to more insight from the couch. I have entered into a season of extreme joy and satisfaction of ministry for the past two months after about six months of funk. My problem was that I wasn’t taking enough time to get away from the routine. My routine become a rut that I had to get out of, and thank God am out of now and I don’t plan to go back there. Thanks for pouring into my life today. Blessings!
That was VERY cool.
Can I steal the idea?
Bob- Thanks. Keep it real! I have felt your pain…literally. You’re 100% on that it’s God reshaping us! You will thoroughly enjoy Ed’s encouragement next week regarding this.
Enjoy your Journey!
Rusty- Thanks for the encouragement and sharing your story. You’ll love next week. Pumped you’ve added bcremeans to your favorites and even more stoked to hear about you finding your new rhythm within the last 2 months.
Nate- Glad you enjoyed it. Your blog and site look great! Thanks for your feedback. Keep rocking Bedford Christian Community. Can you steal my idea…..ummm……NO!
I was just surfing around the net and googled my name and you came up. I have an uncle Buddy I was just wondering where you were located. E-mail me and we can chat!
Nate