As we explore the word Pursue through an acrostic these first few months, I trust that each of us will be challenged to pursue a deeper relationship with Jesus. In February, we shared on being a "Purposeful Leader." This month we will discuss being an “Understanding Leader.”
Here are some thoughts to consider in being an understanding leader.

What are some of the needs people have?
Why should we as leaders try to understand the needs of others?
How can I as a leader best understand the needs of others?

When thinking about this topic I wanted to think through some of the needs that I have heard people express to me recently.

A need to have someone who will listen to them and not be thinking of how to fix them as they are talking.
A need to know how to balance friendships in ministry.
A need to know how to use money wisely; they are always struggling with finances.
A need to know how to reach their friend who is struggling with self-image.
A need to know what to say when they are feeling criticized.
A need to know how to minister to someone who is sick.
A need to know how to run their first women’s event.

There are a variety of needs that we hear often, but how do we respond? One thing we need to do is listen and understand what the person we are interacting with wants from us as a leader or as a friend. Are they needing appreciation, understanding, or personal care? These are three things that people are often looking for when they share with us.
Understanding: Being sympathetically aware of other’s feelings, tolerant and forgiving. When someone comes to share something with us, they are looking for someone they can trust, someone they know will be kind, that won’t over-react. They are looking for someone with some insight or good judgment.
When someone comes to you make sure you keep their confidence. Do not share their conversation with you without their permission. As a pastor’s wife I realized how people would take information and turn it into a prayer request. This is not okay, if you have not been given permission to share it.
Be available but be wise with your time. Setting times when you are going to meet with people is important. Give a start time and an ending time. Look at your schedule and decide whether you need to do a phone call or a coffee time. Either way, time parameters are essential. If needed, set up another time to meet as a follow up.
A great way to interact with someone is not give them your “fix it” answer but ask questions so they can resolve situations themselves. If you give advice and it doesn’t work, you get the blame. When you help them come to the conclusion, they are responsible for the decision. Be wise with your words. They need you to understand and hear them. Always end in prayer. Ask “May I pray with you about this situation?’ Very seldom does someone say no.
I pray that these thoughts will be of encouragement to you.
Have a blessed March.
Please consider having your church groups assist with raising funds for these outreaches to women. If every church helps, we can accomplish so much more. Together we are better. 2019 Inspire Conference

Bill and I took a trip to Kalispell to be with our Montana family. Christmas-time is so full of activities for them that going either early in December or January works best. We love our times with Phil, Jenelle and our three amazing grandchildren. One thing we know about being in ministry is you have to be flexible.
This month I am going to take the letter P in PURSUE and use it for the word
PURPOSEFUL
How to be a Purposeful or Intentional Leader
Whether you’re leading your family, working outside the home, or working in ministry we are all leading. Doing life on purpose, gives us a pathway for what we want to see happen.
Recently I was with someone who was asking me about raising my kids and working. She had questions of how I did my schedule. I’m going to share a few ideas on how I had to be purposeful.
During our early years of ministry, I wore several hats, so I knew I had to be purposeful with my time. My children and Bill were my first priority, but I was also working fulltime teaching school when we came to Portland.
Some practical ideas:
Saturday I took an hour and planned meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner, I then wrote my grocery list from the menu. This helped me stay on track when I went to the store. It was the days of using coupons and I used them to make sure I stayed in budget.
Sundays I made all the lunches in paper bags and lined them up with the kids’ names on them, the only thing I made in the morning was their sandwiches. That was one way I had to be purposeful to help myself stay organized. Of course, as the kids got older responsibilities changed and they helped.
I also found that going over our weekly and monthly schedule with Bill was very helpful. We always had a Friday date time where we would regularly discuss calendars. It was so essential having three children in three different schools, all in school sports. Bill and I both tried to always be at their games. Sometimes we would each go to one half and switch so we could see each of them playing.
One area that was so important to be intentional was in my devotional life. Because of our schedule I wasn’t always able to have a set time. What I learned to do is look at my schedule, make a time and write it in as a meeting; that way if someone called or wanted to schedule an appointment I could say I had an appointment at that time.
It is so important to have that time each day. Don’t let the busyness of life rob you from spiritually replenishing yourself daily. It’s during these times that Jesus can speak to you. Pray in your car. When I am driving even now, I often take that time to pray.
So much could be written on this subject. Hopefully, these ideas are helpful to some of you reading this today.
My question to you is: Where do you need to be more purposeful? Make a plan and work the plan.

What are you looking forward to in 2019? I have really been giving a lot of thought to this upcoming year. What do I need to be intentional about to fulfill all that God has for me?
The theme for 2019: Pursue
The scripture, Proverbs 21:21, has been resonating with me for this year:

He who pursues (earnestly seeks) righteousness (right standing with God) and love, finds life, prosperity and honor.

One thing I know is that I want to be passionate and totally committed to Proverbs 21:21. I want to continue to grow in my personal intimate relationship with the Lord. There are so many things that always need my attention or that I could pursue, but let me encourage all of us to pursue a more personal and intimate relationship with the Lord in 2019.
What to look forward to?
February: Connection Tour. Always a great time to see you at these events.
March 1-2: Oregon Garden Getaway. Make sure you have secured your spot. Oregon Garden Getaway is for women in all walks of ministry life. It’s an opportunity to hit “pause” on all that life demands for two days of refreshing, relaxing and relating to other women who walk similar paths to you. It’s inspiring to sit and hear new perspectives on ministry and to be encouraged by others. Take time today to register.
April 30: Summit Breakfast with Missionary Pat Beiler.
Plan now to attend these great events that are planned with you in mind.
Projects
Inspire Conference: Raise $5,000 to enable Vienna Christian Center to do this outreach to Europe. November 2019. Money needs to be raised by August.
Ecuador Trip: Raise $7,500 for a weekend retreat for pastors wives in the Cuenca area, a Tim Tebow event that our own missionary Laurel Ellis is asking us to help raise funds to enable them to help children with disabilities.
These are two areas I’m asking you to ask your Women’s Ministries to help us. Please let them know these needs. I believe the women in the Oregon Ministry Network can help this become a reality. Please let me know how you are willing to help. Maybe set a couple Sundays where you take a dollar offering.
2019 is going to be a great year as we pursue all God is challenging us to do and be a part of.

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” It’s the time when we remember the birth of our Savior. It’s the time when we celebrate by singing carols that are reminiscent of His birth. That’s why it’s called Christmas.

For many it’s the most stressful time of the year. There are gifts to be bought, with money we don’t have. There are parties to attend, when we feel so alone.

What can make this season different? What is important to you? Consider how you want to spend this Christmas season.

Is this the year to change focus? What would it mean to focus on the spiritual aspects of Christmas instead of the materialistic demands. What can you do to keep focused on the true meaning of Christmas? Here’s a few ideas:

Every day do something to share God’s love.
Bake some cookies and take them to a family in need.
Simplify your expectations of what you need to do. Be reasonable with your schedule. Pick one or two activities to attend rather than doing everything.
Relax and enjoy your family. Prioritize this time.
Thank the people who serve you in restaurants, supermarkets, stores, gas stations etc. (A kind word is a gift during this season.)
Send a personal note to someone who needs some encouragement during this season.
Plan one thing that will make you happy. Stress free! Be kind to yourself.
Have coffee with a friend, sometimes that’s more meaningful than a gift. The gift of your time.
Read a Christmas storybook. I still like reading through some of my grandchildren’s.
Read Luke chapter 2. What stood out to you the most? Be thankful.

I would encourage you to do a few of these things. I think you’ll likely find yourself enjoying the holidays more this year. Christmas time is meant to be filled with family, friends and fun.

As a life coach let me encourage each of you to take some time this month to plan for 2019
What are three things you believe God is speaking to you about? Write them down; what actions do you need to put in place; when do you want to accomplish this; and who will you be accountable to?

My prayer for each of you as we close out 2018 is Ephesians 3:14-19.

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Happy Fall! What incredible weather we are having for the fall season. I love all the colors of the leaves. What an incredible Creator we have! This week I saw the beautiful scenery of the Flathead Valley of Montana. It’s stunning.

I’m writing this as I leave my three oldest grandchildren in Montana. (Dad and Mom were in Togo, Africa). Being with them was a great reminder of the need to pray for the younger generations. I sat and listened to them share about friends who come from broken families, about the use of language they are around every day, the disappointments of losing games and not getting enough playing time.

They also shared some positive highlights as well. My oldest grandson is excited about a small group that is starting for athletes; my oldest granddaughter is excited to go to Youth Convention this weekend; the younger granddaughter shared how much she loves helping in the kids’ department at church and how much she loves her children’s church.

I’m thankful, that in the midst of the daily battles for influence in their lives, they have parents daily sharing the need for a strong faith and healthy, godly values. So many of the children in our churches don’t have the privilege of parents who do this.

How can you encourage leaders to disciple those they are overseeing to know the truth of the Word? Teach them to know how to open the Bible and where to find answers to questions they are asking. This is so important to know truth – God’s Word.

Some of you may not have kids at home, but look around your church and neighborhood for who you can be praying for. Who can you encourage with a smile or "nice to see you" today?

Our words are so powerful, when we don’t even know it. Do you remember people who spoke into your life? Some of you may have had people who said hurtful things to you. Let’s be leaders who make a difference and help this generation. They hear enough negative talk, let’s be affirmers, and encouragers. Let’s help them.

My questions today are: Whose life are you speaking into? Who do you see that needs someone to be a positive influence in their life?

Let’s help this generation be world changers by knowing God is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do.