Mindy's Blog

True Today

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 17:48:00 GMT

Yet, the Lord longs to be gracious to you;

therefore he will rise up to show you Compassion.

For the Lord is a God of Justice.

Blessed are those who wait for him!

Isaiah 30:18

Symptoms of the Soul

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 17:38:00 GMT

On Twitter this week, Team Soul Care (@SoulCare) has been RE-Discovering our soul care roots and today we’re focusing on the symptoms of the soul.

When your own soul has been neglected, what tends to emerge? We often hear:

Self-absorption
Shame
Apathy
Toxic Anger
Physical Fatigue
Isolation
Stronger Temptation to Sin
Drivenness
Feelings of Desperation
Panic
Insecurity
Callousness
A Judgmental Attitude
Cynicism
Lack of Desire for God.

On other days, when our souls are thriving from a deepening life with God, we find:

Love
Joy
Compassion
Giving and Receiving Grace
Generosity of Spirit
Peace
Ability to Trust
Discernment
Humility
Creativity
Vision
Balance
Focus
Energy for Work

Who Is Caring for the Next Gen? -- With Tara Rumler

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:51:00 GMT

What will we call the emerging generation?

If it were up to you, what name or label would you give the new generation of young people?

Recently I read an article on this very topic. Some suggested labels included “Generation Net” or “iGen” because most have grown up online. Another suggested label was “Homelander” because they have grown up with public emergency at home and globally (like September 11 and the ongoing war on terror around the World.) Another idea was around the theme of the “Silent Generation” taken from the Great Depression because of the recent economic downturn.

The potential labels elicited three themes that are marking young people:

Internet and Technology
Home and Public Emergency
Economic Volatility and Uncertainty

How do you think those three themes are marking the souls of young people? Take a minute and respond. Journal or simply write a few words about that question.

Below the article, I noticed a multitude of comments about the new generation.

I estimate 90% of the comments were negative about perceived qualities and other possible harsh labels of the new generation, therefore demonstrating what I see as a major problem: Every generation looks down on the next, and instead of developing them, they condemn them prematurely. Thus, setting the new generation up to fail in a self-fulfilling prophecy.

So, how can we respond positively to these markings on the new generation?

Mentor or share your wisdom in any platform to this new generation. (A mentor can change the trajectory of a young person’s life!)

Train them now on how to care for their souls. (Habits begin and form in young people)

Encourage others to build into the new generation. (Who do you know that could inspire young people?)

I think we all know deep down that this new generation will not respond to negativity, but will respond to being empowered and believed in. Think back to a time when you were young and someone gave you an opportunity, spoke uplifting words to you, or simply believed in you. Who was it and what did that person say or do?

The need for encouraging leaders, shepherds, mentors, group leaders, and hope givers to this generation is massive and urgent. Young people are our hope, our future and current leaders, and our greatest long-term investment. Let's teach them all we know! Your words, intentionality, and life can make a difference of a lifetime. Take some time to pray or journal a response to this question: How will you make a difference in the lives of the new generation?

(The article referenced, “Kids labeled 'generation next' before they grow up,” is via)

Guest blogger Tara Rumler is Student Ministries Group Life Director at Willow Creek and a freelance writer. She can be found at www.twitter.com/taraumler where she shares about life and her likes - leader development, coffee, reading, coaching, community, finance, and working out.

Fire and Breathing Space

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:09:00 GMT

Fire

Judy Brown

What makes a fire burn
is space between the logs,
a breathing space.
Too much of a good thing,
too many logs
packed in too tight
can douse the flames
almost as surely
as a pail of water.

So building fires
requires attention
to the spaces in between,
as much as to the wood.

When we are able to build
open spaces
in the same way
we have learned
to pile on logs,
then we come to see how
it is fuel, and the absence of fuel
together, that make fire possible.

We only need to lay a log
lightly from time to time.
A fire
grows
simply because the space is there,
with openings
in which the flame
that knows just how it wants to burn
can find its way.

San M. Intrator and Megan Scribner, Editors, Teaching with Fire: Poetry that Sustains the Courage to Teach. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2003, p,89.

Today my Spiritual Director read me this poem in response to my sharing how I am, for the first time in my life, operating with space—with margin—in my schedule. I now have time not only to accept a last-minute call for a coaching meeting—as happened yesterday, but also space to Be, reflect, and do some of the creative work that each of us crave to do, but often gets squeezed out by the sheer quantity of the stuff we try to do or the number of people we feel we have to see. I am still wrestling with the issue of stewardship—What is enough? What is effective stewardship of my life as a faith-supported missionary?, and those issues and questions we all face from time to time.

But I am finding, maybe for the first time in my life, that the issue is not sharing all the wonderful content and ideas which I have collected and gleaned over a lifetime, but finding that proper balance between fuel and space. I have never thought of the juxtaposition of those two items, but am finding great joy in coaching fewer, and going deeper, and finding that going deeper and burning hotter probably has not happened and will not happen without the necessary space between the logs.

Isn’t that a great metaphor, and one we all know to be true from our own fire-building experiences? And the meaning is even deeper in the context of spiritual friendships and formation.

This may be the image that helps me relinquish my fist-tight hold on content—the ideas, the paradigms, the principles that I for too long have thought were more important than they are.

I invite you, if and when you ever catch me loading up the fire with way too many logs, to just remind me—“Steve, you only need to lay a log lightly from time to time…”

I am finding that coaching surely operates on this kind of fire, as does mentoring, and the stewarding of relationships in the Body of Christ.

I just wish I had accepted that truth 30 years ago when I began teaching.

Warming myself by the fire…

Today’s guest blogger is Steve Hoke, a former VP of People Development with Church Resource Ministries who now focuses on leader development and strategic life coaching with mission leaders around the world. He lives with his wife in Ft. Collins, Colorado. He is the co-author with Bill Taylor of Global Mission Handbook: Your Guide to Crosscultural Service (IVPress, 2009). Steve can be contacted at steve.hoke@crmleaders.org.

Conversations that Nurture the Soul of Leaders

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 18:49:00 GMT

This week a couple of Soul Care friends are "stopping by" for conversation that reminds us to step outside our own situations, think, pray and listen.

Today is a post from Mac Lake, who is the Development Pastor at Seacoast Church in Charleston, South Carolina, a multi-site church with thirteen campuses. You can find him blogging ideas and insights on leadership at www.maclakeonline.com.

Compelled by the grace of God spiritual leaders serve selflessly, love extravagantly, and give sacrificially. But frequently it’s their untiring efforts for the cause of Christ that bring exhaustion physically, emotionally and spiritually. Isn’t it ironic that serving the God we love can cause us to feel distant from the God we love to serve? That’s why it’s essential that the leaders greatest priority is the care of his or her own soul.

There have been plenty of times my spiritual tank has been so low I can’t seem to get myself back into a healthy place with God. It’s in these times I need someone else’s perspective, wisdom, and faith to boost my own. That’s why I value Soul Care Conversations as a vital part of my spiritual regimen. These discussions with trusted spiritual friends nourish my soul and keep my perspective in alignment with God’s perspective.

Even the most mature leaders need these types of conversations. King Hezekiah was the most spiritually mature king Israel had known in years, yet when the King of Assyria threatened to destroy Israel, he found himself under a tremendous amount of stress. As his soul began to weaken under the weight of the situation he sent word to Isaiah informing him of the situation. Hezekiah’s words reflect his concern, as he put on sackcloth and ashes he said, “This day is a day of distress and rebuke and disgrace, as when children come to the point of birth and there is no strength to deliver them.” (Isaiah 37:3)

Sensing his weariness Isaiah spoke God’s truth to Hezekiah saying, “This is what the LORD says: Do not be disturbed by this blasphemous speech against me from the Assyrian king’s messengers. Listen! I am going to put a spirit in him so that when he hears a certain report, he will return to his own country, and there I will have him cut down with the sword.” (Isaiah 37:5-7). Isaiah’s words in this soul care conversation helped Hezekiah see the situation from God’s perspective and infused him with the hope, faith, and courage he needed to move forward.

If you’re finding that your soul is weary maybe it’s time for some soul care conversations. Here are a few questions that might help stimulate the discussion.

What’s the freshest thing God has been doing in your life lately?
How full is your emotional, physical and spiritual tanks? Empty, quarter filled, half, three quarters or full.
What theme does God seem to be emphasizing in this season of your life?
If you could see God do one thing over the next 30 days what would it be?
What’s God been saying to you through His Word recently?
What passion is God stirring in your soul recently?
What season best describes your spiritual life right now: Winter, spring summer or fall? Why?
What’s exciting you the most in your spiritual journey these days?
What are you most excited about what God is doing in, through or around you?

This Weeks Leadership Challenge: Seek out a trusted spiritual friend and have a honest open soul care conversation.

Are You A Candle-Lighter or Jet-Fuel-Drinker?

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:09:00 GMT

Mindy's also blogging at Renovaré!

Light a Candle, and Fly...

I often tell people that I feel called to stand—to live—as a bridge between the “candle-lighters”and the “Jet-fuel-drinkers.” What do I mean by that?

Candle-lighters are the quiet, steady-paced, somewhat solitary, somewhat mystical, focused-on-the-now, Spirit-aware, Presence of God-sensing Spiritual Formation types.

Jet-fuel-drinkers are the louder, fast-paced, somewhat solitary, somewhat fanatical, focused-on-the-future, Spirit-aware, Presence of God-sensing Leadership types.

I love these two groups deeply; they have each formed me in their own way, and I deeply believe the cause of Christ, the Kingdom of God, the blessed community, depends upon them both. In fact, though they often speak very different languages, they need each other.

To continue reading on the Renovaré blog, click here.

Renovaré is a nonprofit Christian organization that seeks, "to resource, fuel, model, and advocate more intentional living and spiritual formation among Christians and those wanting a deeper connection with God."

Lent 2010

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 05:05:00 GMT

Thanks for recent requests for an online Lent devotional! Great one from CRM Leaders: http://www.crmleaders.org/lent/signup

Grace & Peace,

Team Soul Care

Invest in a Few Good Friends, Part 2 - How Do You Find Them?

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:30:00 GMT

Are spiritual friends, mentors, and relationships in short supply?

Recent conversations leave me wondering if this is true. Everyone is communicating, communicating, communicating . . . but are we listening, contemplating, and learning to walk through the journey together?

At one point, Willow Creek asked Mindy to share why she believes spiritual formation, and connections with others, happens best in small groups. There's something there . . . happening . . . when a group of people commit to knowing God and living in grace and healing . . . together.

Grace & Peace,

Team Soul Care

Invest In a Few Good Friends

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:52:00 GMT

Spiritual Formation is often associated with very private, contemplative, even isolated ways of being with God. And it is certainly true that those individual spiritual practices are essential to our life with God—in fact, they often are necessary in stripping any dependence on unhealthy attachments to others.

Solitude and silence, solitary prayer and engagement with the scriptures bring us to openness and yielded-ness to God. When we embrace these core practices, we care for our souls—we put ourselves in a place where God infuses us with life and love and power and grace and healing.

But, the human soul is also designed to receive life and nurture—from God—in the context of relationships. Honest conversation with a trustworthy friend ALSO brings us to the place of openness and yielded-ness to God. When I intentionally walk through this life in the company of friends, I ALSO put myself in a place where God infuses me with life and love and power and grace and healing.

Why? Simply put, He actually indwells his imperfect people. So as we connect authentically with others along this journey of following God, we are able to connect with God. So how do you connect with others?

Intentionally take conversations to the topics that really matter
Wisely discern friends who are willing to “go there”
Swallow our pride in order to share the real stuff of our struggles
Share our “growth edges” where we sense God is doing a new thing in us

I’ve even found over these many years that these spiritual friends are the ones who have encouraged and even taught me the importance of those very private practices. And I know I have been able to offer that gift to a few of my friends as well.

Relationships change our lives; it’s a simple fact of the human soul. Be sure to be investing in a few good friends.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4: 14-16

Inspiration for Blank Pages

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:06:00 GMT

At Soul Care it's no secret: We believe in the life habit of journaling. Like anything else you do to take care of your self, this requires planning and effort. But sometimes, the words don't come, the thoughts are lost, and the page seems . . . well, blank. Below, we've posted a few ideas (from Write For Your Soul: The Whys and Hows of Journaling) for inspiration:

Look back ("Yesterday I...")
Record your dreams (Particularly recurring, troubling, or exciting dreams.)
It you're bold, try to analyze them. (You may want to find a book on the topic.)
Fun moments (You're birdie on the 18th hole!)
Pray on paper ("Dear God...")
What you're learning lately (insights, wisdom, mistakes)
Work through decisions (write out pros and cons)
Quotes or stories you want to remember (something you read or that a friend told you)
Observations about how life works ("Malls instill a need for more. When I go there, I feel dissatisfied with what I have.")
Precious moments (What your 3-year-old said to his baby brother)
Scenes you want to keep with you (the incredible sunset over Lake Pleasant)
Ideas or goals for the future ("Go whitewater rafting this summer.")
Your values
Mission statements (personal or family)
Notes from sermons or lectures

Have a great (and maybe reflective journaling) weekend . . .

Waste Not. Want Not.

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 21:07:00 GMT

Waste Not. Want Not . . . ageless wisdom on economic thrift from our friend Ben Franklin. Business leader Jim Collins advises something similar in his newest book, How the Mighty Fall, in which he exposes the five stages of decline organizations go through—from “success” to oblivion or obscurity. It’s not a pretty picture, but I find his warnings and guidance to be profound. Challenging.

Collins writes of leaders who used decline as a catalyst. I love the quote he uses from Dick Clark, “the quiet, longtime head of Merck manufacturing who become CEO after Gilmartin, put it, ‘A crisis is a terrible thing to waste’” (Page 116).

A crisis is a terrible thing to waste.

When life is really hard, it’s tempting just to use a journal as a place to “dump” all our woes and worries. And at times, that’s certainly helpful! But in heeding wisdom, be sure not to waste the opportunity that presents itself in a crisis. For many years, I believe I did just that, rather than seeing my journal as a place to record, yes, but then evaluate and even imagine where God was in the midst of that.

I distinctly remember a time . . . not that long ago . . . when I finished a proper pity-party for myself and sensed the Spirit nudging me. “The greatest potential loss in all this is not what you just wrote about . . . it would be if you don’t learn from this.” I began using my journal not only to record the hardship and frustrations, but also to consider different paths, new resolves; even earnest prayers for next things.

Of all the things we might waste (time, money, energy, talent, opportunity) please be sure not to waste failure and disappointment. They are invaluable to our growth and learning. Also, to our humility.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)

2010: Writing Life, No Edits

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:12:00 GMT

A new year, much like a blank journal. Page after page, day after day, is open—wide open—waiting for the future to write itself into our lives.

Like the fresh, clean pages of a new journal, this year brings the promise of things sure to come. Tears I will cry, dreams I will dream, prayers I will pray. Ideas I will, well, ideate (?!).

I am facing new beginnings as I join forces with the Willow Creek Association in some exciting new ways. There are new beginnings for Soul Care, as a team steps forward to help shoulder this vision. “Behold, I am doing a new thing… do you not perceive it?” Isa 43:19. I am surrounded by new things. And I love that.

Yet that rhetorical question from God to us haunts me at times. Right now, at the beginning of this year, I’m hyper-attuned to the noticing… noticing the tragedy in Haiti, noticing the amazing students I’m with this week at Spring Arbor’s MSFL residency, noticing ways God seems to be orchestrating the most minute details in ways that bring life and hope and healing. How exciting it is to notice the activity of God!

But other times, I miss it. I do not perceive it. What a tragedy, to miss what’s right there, right before my eyes??!

One of the things that helps me most to notice… to not “miss” the ever-present activity of God… is to spend time reflecting and writing about what’s happening in my life in those blank pages of a journal.

In January, with the able help of our new team, we’ll focus this blog on how a journal helps us notice.

A journal is a great place to record one “jour”, one day. Let’s take 2010 one day at a time. Noticing. Celebrating. Grieving. Living. Watching, waiting, anticipating… God. The one who makes streams in the wasteland.

See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.

Just Diving In

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:54:00 GMT

Today I’m needing to find the courage to act on what I know God has called me to do.

I’m learning that’s not a “once and for all” decision; it comes in daily decisions. Today, right now, it looks like being diligent with writing. (OK, I’ll get back to it soon!) But what is it for you? What do you know God has called you to, but it’s easy to get distracted with other things—even good things?

Take a minute now—decide to set those aside and do something directly related to what God has called you to do in this season. Even if it’s to read a book to a toddler because this is a season for investing in small children. Set aside the laundry or whatever else… and bless that little one (or ones) with your undivided attention. Please, no major proclamations for massive change; just a decision for what you’ll choose to do right now. OK so get on with it! It's time to DIVE!

-Mindy
twitter: @mindycaliguire
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mindycaliguire
(re-posted from the DIVE Facebook page... become a fan at Dive: it's time to go deeper!, and follow us on Twitter @DIVEconf)

Desert Beauty

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:22:00 GMT

Hi friends--passing along a quote today that was sent to me last week.
....thought you might like it.

Henri Nouwen wrote in Reaching out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life

"As hard as it is to believe that the dry desolate desert can yield endless varieties of flowers, it is equally hard to imagine that our loneliness is hiding unknown beauty. The movement from loneliness to solitude, however, is the beginning of any spiritual life because it is the movement from the restless senses to the restful spirit, from the outward-reaching cravings to the inward-reaching search, from the fearful clinging to the fearless play." (p34)

Looking for Peace for Your Soul? Kicking it Old-School

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:40:00 GMT

Thomas a Kempis (1380 - 1471) wrote the classic devotional work, The Imitation of Christ; which is second only to the Bible in terms of it's impact worldwide on the development of Christian Life.

Recently, this excerpt really struck me and we used it during our last class on Ephesians.

Four Things that Bring Peace to the Soul (p 139)
My son, now I shall teach you the truest way of peace and of perfect liberty.

Study, my child, to fulfill another person's will rather than your own.
Choose always to ahve little worldly riches, rather than much.
Seek, also, the lowest place, and desire to be under others rather than above them.
Desire always-and praythat the will of God be wholly done in you.

These challenges seem incredulous to our ears today, and likely did to his contemporaries as well!

Does your soul need some peace today? How might these guides serve you, counter-cultural as they are?