Author: Scott Strand

Posted on

Interesting Challenge

While flipping through my Twitter feed I came across this challenge at the web site One Word 365. The challenge is to pick a single word that you will use to “sums up who you want to be or how you want to live or what you want to achieve by the end of 2012.”

This past year that word for me would have been “transformation.” if you read or want to read my 2011 reflection you will see how this word was applied in my life.

This year the word I am choosing is “integrity.” I want to live a life where what I say and believe is mirrored by my actions and deeds. This should include all aspects of my life- time, talents and money.

If you were to let a single word transform you this year what would it be and what would that look like in your life?

Posted on

Make An Impact in 2012

Don’t you see: It’s not the cut of a knife that makes a Jew. You become a Jew by who you are. It’s the mark of God on your heart, not of a knife on your skin, that makes a Jew. And recognition comes from God, not legalistic critics. (Romans 2:28, 29 MSG)

The passage above points to the idea that is not external actions that God is concerned about. Rather, God is looking for an internal, heart transformation to show that we have have turned to Him. We are all able to put on masks, say the right things and even do what looks right. God sees right through this. When He chose David as king He was not looking at external features as Samuel was, rather God was looking at David’s heart.

A transformed heart reflects the internalization, personalization of the head knowledge we have of God. As this new year begins to unfold before you make the effort to grow in your heart knowledge of God. Draw close to Him. Spend time reading the Word, spend time in prayer listening to God’s still small voice.

Spend time looking back at what God is teaching you, look though this to see the big picture of what God wants you to do, take a look around where you can join God and finally see what kind of help you might need to accomplish it.

In 2012, step outside your box and make the decision to make a difference for the Kingdom this year. If we all do a little we together (as a community of God’s people) can make an impact on our little corner of the world.

Posted on

Reflections from 2011

I have spent the last week or so reflecting back over the last year. I am in the process of writing it up now to share with my wife, friend, and spiritual director. I won’t bore you with all the details but I would like to share with you the highlights and then direct you back to a few blog posting from the past year that I think are worth a second look.

The process I follow for my reflections is call a grand examen. This is an old spiritual practice where you look back, look through, look forward, and look around.

Looking back there were a number of key events – a doctoral class’ discussion on 2 John 12, thoughts about an encore career, scripture about being a new creation, love, practical faith, and my rather lengthy relationship with my old friend depression.

Now looking through these things the themes that came up were personal transformation, soul care, and the idea of coming along side others. The verse 2 John 12 really impacted me and caused a significant change in me – I can’t really explain it any better than that. My dance with depression really brought into focus the need for soul care, relying on others (my counselor has been a real blessing), having spiritual practices you can do even when you don’t feel like (lectio divina) and turning to my scriptural comfort food (James, 1 John, Haggai). A lot of things came together that made me realize that my ministry is focused on coming along side others and helping them move…. Where they move is base on the context of ministry – at work it helping with teaching and technology, at church its about helping people discover their gifts and listen to their stories, at Lino its coming along side guys helping them look at their beliefs and values and making sure they are ground in the Bible.

Looking forward is the tough part of this. One think I did was get involved with the HopeLink ministry at my church. I also jumped in with both feet as a GPS consultant (gifts and passion for serving). I have continued to work with the offenders at Lino’s IFI program. I have also put out a number of feelers for adjunct teaching opportunities.

Looking around I have a spiritual director how helps me discern God’s voice, I have a wife who tolerates my eclectic life, I have a great friend who listens as I ramble and I take the time to listen to God’s still small voice to discern what is next.

I invite you to take a little time to do a grand examen and see where it is that God is leading you. If you need a hand let me know – my spiritual director shingle has been hung.

Now for some blog posts that you might want to reread:

Lost but also read Found, Knowing God Is In It, A Journey of Transformation, Position Desired: Soul Care Pastor, Becoming Who God Wants Me To Be (4 parts), and the transcript of a sermon The Praxis of Love (4 parts).

See you in 2012.