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Owned by Mike
We discuss personal plans and ministry ideas We offer space to be you and gentle nudges with seasoned support and encouragement
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6 contributions to Intentional Conversations
2d •
Leading uP and Down at the same time...
On one our roadtrips, we stopped and visited some pastor friends. As we both are pouring out our souls and lifting each other up, he made the comment, "As you lead down (to the people on your team or in your department), you also lead up (to the management teams and organizational leaders)." One of my roles is working with an organization of traditional structure. It is very much top down. Ironically, I lead a team of dynamic and empowered leaders. The team is encouraged to lead from their skillsets, to press the paradigms of interpersonal relationships, and to care for the well-being of others. I often find myself bumping against invisible barriers while trying to encourage others to go beyond. I am curious, how do you empower others and stretch the paradigms of those who operate in hierarchy?
8d •
How would you live if you knew you were going to die?
I am part of many groups, all are my favorites. Today's thought comes from a group of Christian men, we are coaches in different aspects. We call ourselves, "The Bench" - we are part of Christiaan Coaches Network International (CCNI) (https://christiancoaches.com/) Our topic of discussion was the semiannual conversation of what resources are currently influencing us? I will probably share some thoughts from this discussion over the next few weeks. (that's a veiled accountability statement trying to say I want to be better at post discussion content here.) one of the guys shared his new interest in Ben Sasse, a man who knows he's dying and wants to share some of his insights with others... here's a link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CFo6-6BN9k. I encourage you to look it up. My hope for this page is to give a snippet of information that might spark a conversation. I've give the snippet, and now, I'd like to hear your thoughts... mine are included in the comments.
0 likes • 8d
recently, I was in the Hospital... the Neurologic ICU to be exact. I experienced a 'tiny' brain hemorrhage and ot felt like I was done. it was excruciating, my vision was discombobulated, and my heart rate was through the roof. The Drs were hypothesizing on cause and cure. Turns out, no one knew why, there is no evidence of a cause... and there are no restrictions, meaning they don't know what I should do to prevent another episode. We are tracking Blood Sugar/Glucose and Blood Pressure, but nothing definitive. I walked away from the Hospital with one suggestion: take several breaks throughout my days and do 1-3 5-10 minute walks. As I face my own fragility, I am encouraged to BE in the moment. BE me, BE who God has created me to BE. Bring God given identity to every meeting and connection. The tension is, I want people to like me, so I strive to do what I think they want. I am a task-driven personality, I like to have things to do, I get nervous when I don't have something to do. I push away the feelings, I am intent on getting details correct, and I miss the indicators for my own needs. <pause> I am learning to BE with God, family, and friends; without having to prove myself, do something for another, or having to accomplish a task or project. <pause> The Bench group invited me to make a journal entry and list what I am feeling?, where am I feeling it?, What is going on right now? They said it is NOT going to be done in a minute or two.... take some time. and repeat it a couple of times. One of our Bench friends is from India, and he shared he is in a Chai Group. A group of friends who can call anytime to meet over Chai, and ask, What do you see in me? What is good? What is off? And, yes, I made the connection right away between a Chai Group and Looks Like Coffee... I am on the road this week. I need a virtual Chai Group call.
0 likes • 8d
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May 14 •
When the DO Comes From the WHO
When the thought hit me, it didn't sound so much like Dr Seuss wrote it... I feel like Ephesians 2:8,9,and 10 describe the concept so well, I don't have to do anything but receive God's gift of identity. And, then, from that gift, I receive salvation and a purpose... But when I get it backwards and think my WHO (identity) comes from what I DO (role), it seems to make people bristle a bit and they are repulsed from the intent of drawing them closer to God. How do you help people (Ministers especially) operate in their God given identity, rather than find their identity in their current role?
May 1 •
When There Seems to be No Way
I was reading Exodus 17 this morning... It struck me hard... like a 2x4 to the head hard (or is it a 2x4 to the hard head?). it was quick.... right there in verse 2; ...the people quarreled and said, 'give us water to drink'... Perhaps God forgot about them in the desert once He delivered them. Perhaps the patterns of slavery were still fresh in their mindsets. Perhaps they forgot God just delivered them from their Egyptian masters in a miraculous way. Perhaps they forgot the wonder of walking through the Red Sea; seeing the underwater world while they were on dry land. Perhaps they forgot... >insert 2x4< Perhaps I forgot. I was praying this week for all the things I think God forgot about.... our house, my health, the ministry, our finances, the move, the plans, the rest. I know so many stories, in the Bible and from Godly mentors of how God provided just what was needed at the right time. God provided what He knew they needed, or in the case of the people in this story, He removed their need for water. I am reminded of the Samaritan woman at the well... she thought she needed water, Jesus gave her living water... Would you join with me today in seeking what God has given rather than the perceived need? Will you share of a time when you had a perceived need and God provided something different?
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Apr 25 •
Are you numb?
A friend sent me an article from Tara Beth Leach- 'Why Do You Feel Spiritually Numb (and What To Do About It) (4/21//26) - I loved the vulnerability in it. I loved the words she put to the feeling... it's not depression, its not burnout, its not laziness. It is Acedia - an oppressive enemy-- The demon of acedia is the most oppressive of all the demons. He attacks the monk about the fourth hour and besieges his soul until the eighth hour. First of all, he makes it appear that the sun moves slowly or not at all, and that the day seems to be fifty hours long. The instruction to deal with acedia is to sit with it...no fight, no pressing through, no sweat it out. Tara Beth says in giving this enemy a name, we can reduce its power. she goes on to give three postures to defeat acedia... Stay in your cell, stop trying to feel, let someone feed you. She describes each step in depth. Each is intriguing in its own right. One of my key phrases to weary ministers is 'you're not 'alone.' I realize God's gifting to kathy and I is to support and encourage others. We also recognize the need(s) to let others minister to us. There are times I need to be supported and encouraged. How about you? How do you receive support or encouragement? How do you fight the long days? https://open.substack.com/pub/tarabethleach/p/why-you-feel-spiritually-numb-and?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
2 likes • Apr 25
the struggle is real
0 likes • Apr 27
@Frank Morris I think it is a bit of both. I've heard some ministers fight something similar for years... I felt it in a particular city; anytime we came into or left that city we felt something that could be described like acedia.
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@mike-field-3464
I host and facilitate intentional conversations related to various life stages and events.
I offer coaching (various flavors) and Biblical application
Active 2d ago
Joined Apr 22, 2026
ISTJ
Spokane Valley, WA