While the video brings to light a hilarious aspect of common sense, what does this video say about your daily life?

Are you taking the necessary steps to reach the goals you began at the beginning of the year?

Goals have a tendency to fall short when the going gets tough. Like our friends in the video, the easy road might stop and we have to begin to take the hardest steps to reach the pinnacle of achievement. Here are some hints to assist you in your personal growth:

• Do not stop because everyone else does.
• Do not blame others when you could spend time working on your success.
• Stop talking about your problems and do something with them.
• See your obstacles as stepping stones instead of stumbling blocks.

What would you add to the list?

Just some thoughts,

While researching for an upcoming lesson, I ran across this short story I wanted to pass along to you. Take a moment, give it a read and let it settle in your mind, then use the information today.

How to Raise a Happy Child

 When John and Peter were growing up, other kids felt sorry for them. Their parents always had them doing chores: weeding the garden, running errands, carrying out the trash. When they grew older, they delivered newspapers or mowed lawns. Sometimes other parents shook their heads and remarked that all work and no play made a dull boy.

 But when the boys reached adulthood, they were better off than their childhood playmates who had been less industrious. They earned more money and had more job satisfaction. They had better marriages and closer relationships with their children. They were healthier and lived longer. Most of all, they were happier. Far happier.

 These are the remarkable findings of a 40-year study that began in the 1940s—a study that may help you raise happier children today. Started in an effort to understand juvenile delinquency, the study followed the lives of 456 teenage boys from inner-city Boston, many from impoverished or broken homes. When they were compared at middle age, one fact stood out: regardless of intelligence, family income, ethnic background or amount of education, those who had worked as boys, even at simple household chores, enjoyed happier and more productive lives than those who had not.

  (Source: Nelson’s Complete Book Of Stories, Illustrations, & Quotes by Robert J. Morgan)

Have a powerful day of achievement!

Just some thoughts,

Work has become a harsh word bringing people to slump when they walk and grumble about Monday mornings, but work is not necessarily a bad thing. Consider this, every congregation takes work to thrive, grow, prosper and develop other leaders. I encourage you to take a moment and view the PowerPoint below to see that “Building a Great Congregation Involves Work.”

Just my thoughts,

Chris

Take a moment, give it a read and let me know what you think.

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Stop Doing Church #1

Non-Christians are looking to you to make an eternal difference in their life; whether they believe it or not. Even though they act as if their minds are made up, the prosperity of their lives will fade and they will need someone to pull them out of the muck and mire of materialism. Take the recent turn in the economy for an example; since the economy has taken quite a downturn, many are changing their priorities regarding religion and family. Are the “called-out” (Christians) taking advantage of the recent change in people lives? Or are Christians settling back and waiting for the world to arrive at their door?

Taking advantage of every opportunity that presents itself need to be a goal for every Christian. Remember, Christians do not retire! I once heard Frank Higginbotham say, “The church is a place of work and heaven is a place of rest.” There are times when Christians want the world to come to them, instead of the Christians going into the world. After all, isn’t that what Christ spoke to the chosen few?

“Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel…” (Mark 16.15; ESV)

The disciples were to “go” not stay. They were to take an active part in sharing the gospel with mankind beginning with the people in their own town. There are many churches that go into the entire world and forget there are helpless and struggling behind down the block from their church building. I bet there are even struggling people in their own assemblies, but we do not have the personal contact with them to reach out to them. It is difficult to help someone, when you do not sympathize or identify with their problems.

Jesus was able to conquer the world and leave Christians powerful opportunities because He went through the same struggles people face in everyday life. (See Hebrews 4.15) Jesus knew and still knows what it is like to live on this cruel dirt clod called “Earth.” In fact, He knows what it is like to live on this Earth, but better still, He knows what it is like to overcome the Earth. His life was not 33 years of walking and talking, but it was 33 years and changing the people around Him so He could see them one day. He provided opportunities and teaching to everyone with whom he came contact. He never avoided the homeless, the lame the wise or children, instead He embraced them with His life. It would be His innocent life which would be laid out as a sacrifice for them. He did it for you and he did it for me. He even did it for the person down the street and the person living in the gated community across town. He did it so we may share his life with those in the world!

I am a believer that Christ provided us the perfect example of all-time regarding the way we should conduct our lives. His focus was not Himself, but the will of the Father. Would our lives change if we took a few moments and made the Father’s will the goal of our life? Would we be transformed with a new hope and a refreshed spirit? If so, then what are we waiting on? The time is now to seek the power of the gospel in the lives of people around us!

Will you act today?

Stay tuned for more on “Stop Doing Church?”

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Just some thoughts,

Chris

Warning:

These thoughts are the culmination of 14 years of ministry and 34 years of life. None of the comments in “My Retirement Statement” are directed at anyone or any congregation in particular. If you feel any of these apply to you, then follow the following steps: (1) Repent! (2) Get over it!  (3) Change! I wish a sincere heaping of God’s grace on each person as well as the excitement of God’s grace.

According to Webster’s Online Dictionary, to retire means “ (1) withdraw from action or danger, (2) to withdraw especially for privacy, (3) to move back, (4) to withdraw from one’s position or occupation, (6) to go to bed.” While I believe (6) is a great view of retirement and I long for that moment, my retirement is more like (1).

My Retirement Statement:

I, Christopher Gallagher, officially, on this day, February 17th, 2009, retire from perceived values and establish my own presence and my own character in a changing world.

To the end in which most preachers are descried as “jack-of-all-trades” and the “master-of-none,” I now retire. I retire from the perceived image that at every turn and every minor problem the preacher must be called and asked which direction to go. I retire from countless meetings to which I sit and wonder if I am in the right meeting. I retire from meetings which spend 25 minutes discussing what type of toilet paper holder should be in the women’s bathroom.* I retire from deciding who should be in charge of a committee to figure out which committees are best. I retire from countless meetings where my opinion is the one making the decision because no one else has stepped up. I retire from being the only one who teaches classes and presents a sermon. I retire from being the walking Bible so others can continually ask me questions so they will not have to look.

I retire from office hours, because Jesus had none. I retire from reading discussion group email from people who are hardheaded and unwavering in their opinion of truth. I retire from the standard of conservativism and the growing standard of liberalism. I retire from the “sides” of the spectrum and seek the balanced life/position. I retire from believing that because people say it is true, it is; instead I seek finding the truth of what God said. I retire from the traditions of Americanism and seek the traditions of the church that are founded in love, faith, peace and hope.

I retire from worry and I now focus on faith. Worry causes unknown problems and helps no one. I retire from letting people cause me to worry and I now seek the greatness of Jesus instead of the greatness of men. I retire from worrying about the physical and I now seek to find compassion in the spiritual. People are physical and their soul is spiritual, which is more important…the spiritual.

My retirement is simple, if I try to do it all I help no one. I retire from the previous aspects of life and seek to engage others in the work of the ministry. I retire from doing it all and I now seek full-time engagement of every member so the body can function properly. If I do it all, then other people retire their abilities and they never use what God has given them. I must retire and cause others to focus, act, love and rejoice.

Paul said it best,

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” (Ephesians 4:11-14; ESV; emphasis mine)

I retire because it truly benefits no one if I do the work myself. Paul gives the plan to equip the saints so all the members can be built up as a mature man and stand against the devil. The body must find each ability and strengthen each one so the body may build and grow. It is not our goal to do it all, instead to save all by uniting all in the work of the church.

The Lord left us with abilities to be used, not to have others abuse. We abuse abilities when we are not seeking the involvement of every member. People are robbed of their abilities when they are not used. Let us all use our abilities to strengthen the church.

I retire.

Yours truly,

Chris Gallagher

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* – Yes the toilet paper holder discussion really happened.

Over 500,000 individuals lost their jobs in the month of January. Companies are beginning to experience a slow down in sales because of our troubled economy. South Carolina’s unemployment rate is close to 9% at the current moment and many are expecting it to rise. In this troubling time, what are people to do. I am not an expert, but let me offer some suggestions to you.

Gallagher’s Suggestions for Today’s Workplace:

(1) Develop Your Resume

• Even if you already have a job, now is the time to redesign that resume. Granted, some of you will be in the same job for years to come because it is what you love; but for others, now is the time for development.
• Companies might be a little leery of spending more money, so detail what you can do for the company. Most will not worry about what you have done, but what can you do in the available position.
• Remember, constant updating and redeveloping your resume allows you to get it out sooner when a job is lost.

(2) Use Technology

• Use Twitter – So many people are using the micro-blogging platform of Twitter that you can become actively involved in a small network with a few simple clicks. In fact, I saw a lady on the Price Is Right wearing her Twitter name on her shirt. Imagine how many followers she has now! (Don’t forget to add me to your Twitter list! – http://www.twitter.com/GallagherPreach)
• Use Email – Begin using your email network to inquire about job openings in other areas. People you know can be a great help when looking for work.
• Use Networking Websites – Facebook and LinkedIn are providing some great networking avenues for everyone to take advantage of right now. These sites offer discussion boards for you to share information and interact with other people in your field of expertise or a field you want to learn more about. Remember to add me to your Facebook and LinkedIn profiles – Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=723101031) LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/in/gallagherpreach)

(3) Aquire Knowledge

• When you look for work, knowledge can be your best friend. If you are searching for a job at a particular company, acquire knowledge about that company and include the information you gained when you are in your interview. For example: tell them how you can help the company reach their goals by using your abilities. You will know their goals and mission by your knowledge of the company.
• Use Podcasts – Podcasts allow you to gain knowledge about any field you seek. There are thousands of podcasts on platforms like iTunes where you can learn from the experts in your field. Remember, you must put the knowledge you gain into practice!
• Use Audio books – Use audio books the same way you use podcasts, but get your audio books from your local library.

(4) Hold Your Own Seminar!

• Inquire of your public library, the cost of holding a small seminar in one of their conference rooms. The cost might be minimal and ask them if you can post a flyer on their bulletin board about your seminar. The library benefits from this because they are able to get patrons and you are able to get your name out.
• Hold your seminar on your area of expertise! Help others understand your field better than they do now and get your name in the hands of people who can make a difference.
• Send information to companies in your local area and detail what you plan to do in your seminar and ask them to come.
• Use your own seminar as a mini-job fair. Let your attendees know how you acquired your knowledge and why you want to assist companies in their work.
• Get information from your attendees and send them a thank you note for being a part of your work.
• Remember, work your rear-end off to share information with people so they will learn, then get job information/prospects. People want to know how you will help them, then they want to know about you!
• Give them something to take home – Provide them with a handout of the material you present, but remember to put your contact information on the material.
• One last thing – Host your seminar for free! Yes FREE! People will come to hear a free expert and you will gain a group of people looking for assistance.

(5) Work When You Do Not Have Too!

• Begin doing some freelance or consulting work in your field. Use your ability instead of letting it rust while you search. There are thousands of companies looking to cut back on overhead and you might have the best opportunity to serve them!
• Write an article to a trade publication and get your name out. Remember to use online publications and newsletters as well. Some of these reach more people than a magazine.
• Write are article to the local paper about a current event.

I hope these ideas will help you find some comfort in these current and troubling times. Use every available means you have to reach the masses around you.

Remember, as Zig Ziglar says, “You can have anything you want in life just as long as you help enough other people get what they want in life.” (Zig Ziglar)

Just some thoughts…

Chris

Special Note: While the Preacher’s Pen is primarily a spiritual work, there is a gap to fill in the lives of people from a secular point of view. This article is one that will fill the gap in assisting others live the best life possible.

The Preacher’s Pen is dedicated to assisting people in creating the best life possible based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. The Preacher’s Pen believes Jesus provided details and principles to have the best life possible but it takes application of those principles to travel the road to success. The Preacher’s Pen seeks to offer encouragement and help as each of us travel the road of life on the path to a great destination.