In August, I'll celebrate 6 years of blogging at sixthgen.com.  In that time, I've posted nearly every week.  Now it's time to take a break.  Today I begin a blogging sabbatical until September.  

Tools, like the internet, are good things.  This blog allows me to reach thousands of people around the country and world.  

But as Thoreau noted, "Men have become tools of their tools."  Even good things can enslave us.  I'm checking my use of technology and assessing my workload.  Taking a break from regular blogging is part of my re-calibration.  

Fields need to lie fallow in order to be more fertile.
Calloused hands need time to soften.    
Weary feet need to be lifted.  

Thanks for following me.  I'm grateful for the support.  

This summer, find some time for rest, health, and leisure.  

And if you're looking for summer reading, go here.  

Peace,

Jeff

One year ago I was nearing the end of writing a book.  I had invested 500 hours into it, and I was about to scrap the whole thing.

I took out a loan for $12,000 to self-publish.  I was afraid of the debt. 
I was weary after months of writing in the dark hours of the early morning.  
I suffered from self-doubt.  "It isn't really that good.  No one will read it."  
I felt naked with the choice to be transparent in my story-telling.  
I had writer's block near the end.  I couldn't find an effective conclusion.  

It was like standing at the end of a dock on a lake.  Should I jump in?  The water is so cold.  I was about to hit "delete" on the whole project.  But first, I went for a walk.  And the words on this note card came to me.  
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With these words, I was possessed.  I had to keep going.  This line became my prayer for the remainder of the process:  "Lord, I'll just keep writing and trust that you will give the words."  

So I jumped.  Writing became an exercise of faith.  To leap without knowing where I'd land.  To walk without being certain of the path.  
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Today, I'm approaching 5,000 copies distributed.  For a little self-published book, all expectations have been exceeded.  

Every week, I hear from strangers around the country.  Loved & Sent is being used in small groups and book clubs.   For leadership development, new member classes, and sermon series.  See a list of churches and organizations here. 

The book has been used to raise thousands of dollars for causes.  An immigrant and refugee agency.  An urban after-school ministry.  Christian Camps.

 A pastor in Wisconsin wrote me,   “I gave gave the book to a truck driver that kept coming to me with questions.  I encouraged him to read it.  After the chapter on grace, he asked me about baptism.  He was baptized last Saturday night.”  

What's your dock?  Is it time to leap?  Why aren't you jumping?    

"Progress always involves risk; you can't steal second base and keep your foot on first."

"Any simpleton can follow the narrow path in the light; faith's rare wisdom enables us to march on in the dark with infallible accuracy, since she places her hand in that of her great Guide."                                    - Charles Haddon Spurgeon.


Major props to these people for their love and encouragement.

"How are you?" they ask.  "Busy," I reply.  

You say it too.   "My schedule is crazy!"  "I'm super busy."  "I've got too much to do."

In his book, The Contemplative Pastor, Eugene Peterson gives two reasons why pastors become busy.  I believe they apply to all people.  I reread Peterson's book annually, and these two statements continue to convict me.  They are my yearly "check-up," and help me to refocus my time and energy.

This article was first posted on Mother's Day 2016.  

Mother's Day is approaching.  For some, it's anything but a sentimental Hallmark card or pleasant Sunday brunch.  Motherhood is filled with surprises, and many of them are difficult.  

As you prepare to celebrate Mother's Day, consider all the situations in which women find themselves.  Be sensitive to the many circumstances that exist.  Pray for those who are living through a variety of situations.  Here are a few.

Our culture places a high value on winning.  Picture the the New England Patriots after collecting another Super Bowl.  Think of the North Carolina Tarheels winning their sixth college basketball championship last week.  They are dynasties, storied programs, winning teams.

Americans are obsessed with being number one, on top, basking in the glory of victory.   This preoccupation goes far beyond sports.  

​We are told that there are winners and losers.  And all of life is about being a winner.  Be wealthy.  Be successful.  Be the best at all costs.  Make the most money.  Be the biggest, fastest, and strongest.  Have the best house with the perfect family.  

In a society of winners, Jesus stands out for his propensity to lose.  

What do you say in the face of death?  What do you say to grieving family, friends, or neighbors?  What has been said to you when you lost a loved one? 

There’s the awkward moment in the greeting line at the funeral home.  There is a hesitation the first time you see a friend after his mom died.  There is the debate over whether you should call, stop by, or send a card.  Or what do you say a month later, or on the one year anniversary?
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Knowing there are a variety of circumstances and contexts, here are a few things to say at death.

​I've been on numerous boards and committees that have engaged in the strategic planning process.  I have enjoyed the analysis and assessment, collaboration and discussion.  Personally and professionally, planning is a good thing.  

But I have found one problem:  

The best things in my life have been unplanned.

The woman I married.
The city I reside in.
The job I have.
The house I live in.

I got at app called Moment that tracks how much time you’re on the phone and how many times you check it in a day.  Let’s just say, “Convicting.” 

I was at my daughter’s gymnastics class.  There’s an upper balcony with bleachers for parents to watch their kids.  Forty parents and all of them glued to screens.

Ten years ago, before the iPad and iPhone were mainstream, the average person had an attention span of about 12 seconds.  Now it’s 8 seconds.  Shorter than the 9 second attention span of a goldfish.  See Adam Alter’s book Irresistible and his recent interview on NPR. 

So I’m going on a tech diet.  I’m not quitting, just putting my electronic devices in their proper place.  Why?

Did you give something up for Lent?  Why?  Why not?

I find it amusing when people give up things that are entirely trivial.  Chocolate.  Soda.  Snacks.  Coffee . . . Now, wait.  Caffeine might be more than trivial.  

You don't have to give up anything for Lent.  There's no biblical command to fast.  But if you do, make sure it's significant, and make sure it's for good reason.  Below are four reasons to fast.  

​Is it worth all the work?
How much difference does it make?

He's discouraged as his church continues to decline.
She's frustrated by the people she helped; they returned her generosity with resentment.  
He poured his heart out for a friend in need and it seemed to make no difference.

What do you do when you want to quit?  
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