Dear Friends,
Later this morning I'm heading to the lake for summer vacation, and
I will be gone for much of the summer. In the past I've continued writing a
daily Leadership Thought while on vacation, but this summer I'm planning
to reduce the amount of time I spend at my computer keyboard, so I can enjoy
more time with my family and friends. I haven't yet decided how this decision
will impact my communication, but hopefully with some time away, I will have a
clearer sense of how I would like to spend the next few months. Right now, I
plan to take a few days to refresh and recharge (hopefully catch some bass and
work in the garden), and after that, I trust I will have a clearer sense of how
I will spend the summer.
As I have shared with you before, I write because it is an
important, and I believe, a necessary discipline for me. It keeps me reading,
thinking, and reflecting on things which are important to me. The more you
write, the more you improve, and improvement has always been a goal of my
life, regardless of whatever the area in which I have been involved. Yes, I
want to be a better writer and communicator, but I also want to be a
better small mouth bass fisherman, flower gardener, pastor, husband, father,
grandfather, and a good friend, and all of these things take time and work and
the "B Word" balance, something that I have never been
particularly good at.
One of the bi products of writing is that I not only get
to share with you some of the things that are important to me, while staying
in touch with people like you, friends from the present and the past who
have meant so very much to me.
Well, the longer I write, the more this is beginning to feel like
a leadership thought, and that was not my intended desire.
My desire was to let you know I'm grateful for your friendship,
and to let you know how much I appreciate hearing from you from time to time. I
probably wouldn't keep writing without having friends who keep on reading, so
thanks for your encouragement.
As I have said, growth is important to me, so I want to continue
growing, and one of the most important areas of growth for me is my spiritual
growth. I want to always be "growing in the grace and the knowledge of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18).
I hope this summer you might take some time to concentrate on
your spiritual growth as well. Paul writes to the Colossians,
"For you have been raised with Christ, (so) set your hearts on things
above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on
things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now
hidden with Christ in God" Col. 3:1-3).
I hope you will find some time this summer to "set your mind
on things above," and that when you do, God will speak to you in ways
He has never spoken to you before.
I know it can be an overused cliché, but I don't care if it is:
"God loves you and so do I," and that's the truth!"
Yours in faith and friendship,
Tom
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