Stretch Yourself!

“If we're growing, we're always going to be out of our comfort zone.” -John Maxwell

Fitness experts encourage us to stretch our muscles. Why? Because stretching increases our flexibility, improves circulation, and helps relieve stress.

The same is true for stretching our minds and, yes, our lives. We allow ourselves to fall into habits and routines, and we get comfortable. And, before long, we are comfortable UNDER-achieving. We accept mediocrity and disappointment.

We need to STRETCH ourselves! Don't settle for mediocrity. Stretch yourself. Grow.

How Much Do You (Really) Listen?

Listening is one of the least practiced skills today. We live in an Age of Expression! Everyone wants to be heard, appreciated, and understood. Yet few people are willing to invest the time and patience in understanding - TRULY understanding - others as well as the situations or circumstances surrounding them.

My mom used to say to me: "Brian, you have two ears and one mouth!" That meant, she would explain, that I should listen TWICE as much as I speak.

You don't learn ANYTHING by talking. Sure, talking can help you sort through your thoughts, but you don't take in any ADDITIONAL information by talking. You learn by listening - and by reading.

In reality, then, I could add to my mom's quote by saying that we're born with two ears AND two EYES. That means...we should listen and/or read FOUR TIMES as much as we speak!

Something to think about.

Olney Baptist Church on Facebook and Twitter

Interested in what's happening at Olney Baptist Church? Look for us on Facebook and Twitter....

Twitter

Sign into your Twitter account (or sign up for Twitter if you don't yet have an account), then go to...

http://twitter.com/OlneyBaptist

And click "Follow."

Facebook

Sign into your Facebook account, then search for "Olney Baptist Church." You should have two choices - the Olney Baptist Church group and the Olney Baptist Church Youth group. Join both! :-)

Back in the DC Area

Jane, the kids, and I are now back in the DC area. Tonight, we're with Jane's parents. Thursday night, we move back into our Ashburn, VA townhouse (which we've been renting out the last 3 years).

Tomorrow night, we visit Fair Oaks Church (our previous home church) and on Sunday, I begin my ministry as pastor of Olney Baptist Church in Olney, Maryland.