I did a double-take when I first read the title, The Radical Pursuit of Rest---isn't "pursuit" the opposite of "rest"? Author John Koessler definitely sparked my interest, and his subtitle added to the intrigue: Escaping the Productivity Trap. In his introduction, Koessler says that while his book contains practical suggestions on how we might pursue … Continue reading Enter to Win a Free Copy of The Radical Pursuit of Rest
Plan a play date, go for a walk through your favourite park, and take time to enjoy the beauty and wonder of God. - Christine Aroney-Sine, A Daily Dose of Awe This week I received a delightful surprise in my mail box: The Gift of Wonder: Creative Practices for Delighting in God by Christine Aroney-Sine (InterVarsity … Continue reading Enter to Win a Free Copy of The Gift of Wonder
As of last Easter Sunday, I've now been pastoring in my congregation for 23 years! I didn't mention that in my Easter sermon since I wanted every precious minute to focus on the resurrection of Jesus, but as I've been catching my breath during this post-Easter week, I marked my anniversary in ministry by re-reading … Continue reading 13 Best Practices for a Healthy and Happy Sabbatical
No, I don't have a hyphenated last name, and I don't live south of the border in the USA, but I do have something in common with both Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove and Nadia Bolz-Weber because we each spoke at Seattle Pacific University this month. I was excited by the invitation to speak as part of SPU's … Continue reading What I have in common with Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove and Nadia Bolz-Weber (and you do too)
Last month I started a new preaching series on the Ten Commandments as a vision for healthy community. After that intro, we’re now spending one Sunday morning on each of the ten commandments with a sermon and a response time following. “Every sermon should be followed by this kind of discussion,” a first-time guest said … Continue reading Ten Commandments for Getting the Most Out of the Ten Commandments
Please welcome Lisa Ackland Carriere, who is a new friend, ministry-focused writer, and college English educator. Lisa is currently working on a book about women in ministry entitled Divine Call: How Women Leaders Overcome Ministry Challenges. I appreciate what she has to say about work, rest, and prayer, and hope that you will too! It’s … Continue reading God Wants to Do Your Work for You. So What Do You Need to Do? Rest.
When I first accepted my congregation's call to pastoral ministry, a friend from another church said, "I don't know whether to say congratulations or condolences." He was familiar with the stress that can come with any ministry and knew that my congregation's previous pastor had a difficult leave-taking. "I'm worried for you," he said. He … Continue reading My 22 best practices in 22 years of pastoral ministry
The headline just below the fold in last Tuesday's National Post intrigued me: New mantra for working fathers: Lean out. Financial titan quit after critique by daughter. The article told the story of Mr. Mohamed El-Erian, Chief Executive Officer of the world's largest bond firm and the father of a ten-year-old daughter. One evening, he … Continue reading Renewal: Sacred Pauses for Leaders
April Yamasaki 