2014 Director Business Training
For posterity sake, Christi Panek was here! She just needed to come a little late because her husband was on a rescue mission. (Coast Guard) So thankful for each of these beautiful sisters in the Lord.
WORSHIP
Thank you, Terri for opening us in WORSHIP! I love that she did not know our theme (title of this post) and yet look at those words.....I worship your holy name!
ICE BREAKER/WARM-UP
This year we asked each director to bring a verse that they have used, or see themselves using, to keep their eyes on the Lord when walking through the different high's and low's that come with leadership. All of our hearts were edified and lifted up as we took our eyes off that which is seen and put them on that which is unseen.
I will include each directors verse God gave them individually. It was a poweful start to our day. As we meditated on the Word of the Lord our hearts were pulled from the silly things of this world and lifted high to the things that matter most!
"Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom HE gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts." Col 3:16 (Jennifer Russo)
"And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father." Col 3:17 (Susan Avato)
"The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God's help be encouraged." Psalm 69:32 (Roshanda Smith)
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord's favor has come, and with it the day of God's anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty fo rashes, and joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory." Isaiah 61:1-3 (Terri Ulrich)
"Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying." Romans 12:12 (Amy Licht)
"How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven's Armies. I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God." Psalm 84:1-2 (Nikki Davis)
"For we focus not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal". 2 Cor 4:17 (Mary Arnold)
DIRECTOR BUSINESS TRAINING
We spent eight glorious hours in fellowship walking through our Director Business Guides and taking note of the integrity and strong framework our leadership has given us to serve others. As we poured through the pages in our guide our hearts were constantly renewed by the wisdom and direction given from those who have walked longer and seen more. We are grateful for the men and women of Classical Conversations who prayerfully come together to pour out to those they are serving.
LUNCH
We had a wonderful time of fellowship at lunch. I was very blessed and felt completely loved that my directors chose not to eat outside because I couldn't sit with them. (allergies) I would have been totally fine had they taken a few moments to renew their hearts on such a beautiful day, but they sacrifice overwhelmed my heart with HIS love!
Part of the fun is the deep friendships God forms.
PLATES OF RESPONSIBILITY
As we began pouring through communication, policies, and conflict resolution we took time to put together, Plates Of Responsibilites!
Q: What is a plate of responsibility?
A: It's a time where we go before the Lord and carefully examine exactly what is and should be on our personal plate of responsbility. Our roles within CC, our role as a wife and mother, our role as a homeschooling parent. In addition, we write on the back of our plate those things that renew our hearts to finish the race God has given us. (ie; listening to praise music, exercise, doing laundry, spending time with our husband's, being in the Word, etc...) It helps us to recognize that when those things aren't happening we need to be on high alert that we've crammed too much on our plate and when you're full you cannot taste anything! Too much busyness steals our ability to walk in love or grace. Everything becomes about checking off boxes of responsibility and we fail to focus on the relationship.
Q: Why do we do this?
A: Because nothing causes more conflict than when we eat off others plates or put things on ours that are not our responsibility. This plate is a constant reminder of how to stay focused on our role, our relationships, and our responsibilities. We serve one another more effectively and our parents when we stay on the task given to us by the Lord.
IN CLOSING
I want to close with a verse God gave Terri as we were walking through the heart of why we have to keep our eyes on Jesus in the midst of conflict.
"A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth." 2 Timothy 2:24-26
I don't know about you, but I am so grateful for those Godly mentors in my life who modeled that verse to me when I was stuck in that which was seen. They helped get my eyes back on that which was UNSEEN.
To GOD Be the GLORY!
