Sharpen Your Saw

In August of 1989 the book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Dr. Stephen Covey was released and within a very short amount of time made a tremendous impact on management training and leadership development in both public and private sectors.  The seven habits Covey describes are simple to understand but like many things in life harder to live out.  I remember being taken not only by their simplicity but the common sense feel that attended each habit. And while the book was meant for corporate audiences, the habits apply to virtually all walks of life.

I was especially intrigued by his contention in habit #7 that one had to make time to “sharpen the saw.”  In introducing the principle, he told the story of a lumberjack who was found sweating and cursing as he labored to cut down a tree.  When asked what the problem was he said, “my saw is blunt and won’t cut the tree properly.”  When it was suggested he sharpen the saw the lumberjack responded, "but then I would have to stop sawing.”  The story concludes with it being suggested the lumberjack could cut the tree more efficiently and effectively if he stopped to sharpen the saw to which he replied, “but I don’t have time to stop.”

The whole thing sounds ridiculous doesn’t it, but the point is obvious.  We many times feel like we do not have time to stop what we are doing, whatever it is, in order that we might be renewed.  So, we continue on doing what we have always done, the way we have always done it, often with diminished results.   But the wisdom of the principle is validated in the fact that every occupation and walk of life uses vacations, seminars, conferences, retreats and even extended sabbatical times so people can be renewed physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.  The belief, validated by experience, is that individuals will return rested, renewed, focused and many times equipped with new knowledge and/or skills that will enable them to be more effective at their craft.  I have had this very experience numerous times.

In keeping with this principle of personal renewal and development we are offering two “sharpen your saw’ events this summer. 

July 15th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This is for Cleansing Stream Ministry team members and will be held at Thanksgiving Church. There will be a time of worship, teaching, a catered lunch and time to reconnect with Cleansing Stream friends.  We will also be exploring, as a community, ways to spread the word about how the Lord uses the seminar and retreat to bring healing and freedom into people’s lives.  Registration information will be available in the next couple of weeks.

August 5th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. GLS is bringing Bob and Cheria Guier, from the RTF Healing House Network, for an all day training event.  We will again start with worship and then Bob and Cheria will be teaching on topics designed to increase our effectiveness as RTF ministers, both Issue Focused and Thorough Format.  Together they have many years of experience doing ministry but also a vast amount of knowledge and expertise as trainers of the RTF integrated approach.  The content will be new material that supplements the core training we receive as Issue Focused and Thorough Format ministers.  It promises to be a rich and productive day.

To be a follower of Jesus Christ is to be a life-long learner.  He is constant in His attributes but His revelation is progressive and His ways change to meet the needs of His people.  I hope you will make time this summer to “sharpen your saw.”  As stated previously, registration will upon up in the coming weeks but we wanted to provide some advance notification so you can save the dates and plan to attend.  We look forward to seeing you soon.