To Purge or Prune, That is the Question

Most Christians, at some point in their Christian walk, have heard someone say something about purging and/or pruning. For some it was part of a sermon; for others it was the whole message. For those who have never heard anyone ever say anything about either p word, keep living; your time is coming. Over the years I've heard more than one message about pruning; many involving purging. Both words can be seen as being negative words, but with different purposes, with vastly different outcomes. Let's take a brief look at both words, their purposes, and when to incorporate each or both in our lives. Let's start with purging.

The word purge means to remove, get rid of; to eliminate. Applied to our walk with God it means to examine our lives and remove, get rid of, and eliminate those thoughts, words, actions, and areas contrary to God's Word. These would include areas such as hatred, anger, lust, unforgiveness, and fear. Definite areas of purging here.

To prune means to cut back, cut off, to reduce (such as branches on a tree or plant) to improve shape or growth. One exception to this definition is the use of prune juice in the encouragement of,  shall we say,  elimination. I'll move on.

Purging is for total elimination, while pruning is cutting back to bring new growth. Example: television time. There's nothing wrong with watching some television, including an occasional sports program. But if you're watching hour upon hour of television-even Christian programs-it's time to prune. It's time to cut back/reduce-time spent in front of those square inches of (mostly) entertainment and invest it in doing something of more value, like spending time in improving your own life. Spend more time working to achieving your dreams than watching others live out theirs. 

How about consistently praying for others, including your pastor, or learning what those Sunday School lessons were really about? What about calling someone to give encouragement?  Cleaning your office-especially if it's in your home-could prove helpful in more ways than one. Improving life, starting with a clean room.

There are lots of ways to spend an additional hour or so a day that's been freed up by pruning back time with that one-eyed monster some call a television. Look around. Ask God to show you areas needing to be pruned. Him showing you is the easy part; doing what God says takes more effort-but it's worth it.

I can think of a few areas in my life needing purging; more needing pruning. What about you? What are some areas in your life needing some pruning? Maybe, just maybe, there's something that requires actual purging. Ask God to show areas needing adjustment, then trust Him to guide you in the process of either pruning or purging.

 © Hubert Gardner Ministries 2016-2024

What's In Your Budget?

A lot of people budget nowadays. Whether by a family, couple, or single person, budgets help to monitor how/where household income is spent. What's in your budget? If you're like most "budgeters" things like food, mortgage or rent (if applicable), utilities, vehicle fuel/maintenance, as well as cleaning supplies are on your budget list.

When something is outside your budget, at least for the moment, one has to decide whether that item is really needed. If yes, something else will need to be reduced or eliminated. Easier said than done, right?

But there's another kind of budget I want us to think about: it's our words budget. What about our words? What about those everyday words and phrases we've been saying for ever so long? Do they need changing, or even  elimination? Can our words be budgeted to speak positively, eliminating what's negative-even harmful?

Words are important to all of us. We either encourage or discourage with what we say. We either lift up or tear down with what comes out of our mouth. No one makes us say what we do; it's our choice. Every time.

You may or may not have a financial budget to monitor where your money goes-how it gets spent. But everyone can budget what comes out of their mouth. Perhaps it's time to think about prioritizing what you say, leaving off words which are unhealthy for you. I'm including myself in this as well, as I need to improve in this area.

What are some ways you know to reduce, change, eliminate, or improve your "word" budget. What would you recommend others do that, if you've already done this, worked for you? Remember, what helps/helped you can help someone else.

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2016-2024

Why People Won't Change

My previous post dealt with the subject of change, including the consequences of companies/organizations not changing. Regardless of their own reason(s), they're becoming further and further behind in maintaining their customer base-mainly because they're not reaching out to the next generation. No matter the purpose, structure, size, or product, every company/organization's commonality-Christian or secular-can be summed up in one word: People. Whether manufacturing, ministry, or media, people are the common denominator in every case. Whether with two or two million, no organization I know of can exist without having at least one person. With just one person, that one individual is the decision maker. Simply add on to or multiply that for larger organizations.

You can change without growing, but growing cannot come without change. And change requires decisions.

Change comes easier for some than others. For every one who's quick to change, there are multiplied others who are just plain slow, resistant-even opposed-to change. Why is this? Why won't some people change, especially when refusing to change puts the future of their organization at risk?

I believe the number one reason why people won't change is fear. Whether in the form of pride, fear of failure, or fear of losing one's influence or position fear is, in my opinion, the primary reason people won't change. They can; they just won't.

Change is all about having the right people making the decision to change, then leveraging available resources-including technology-to achieve the desired result. Since having the right people is crucial to change, removing the wrong people is often the first-and most painful-part of change. Owners, pastors, and company presidents who recognize this are doing everyone a favor and will be blessed. Those who fail in this area must prepare to reap the (potentially) disastrous consequences of their actions. I believe God has a better way.

Real love-God's love-wants what's best for all, not just one person. Walking in God's love means there's no place for fear to gain a foothold (1 John 4:18). And when decision makers walk in God's love everyone benefits.

While ignorance may hinder some from changing, that "condition" is easily cured by correct information. The willingness to change, without fear, makes for the possibility of positive change(s) to be made where you work, worship, and walk your dog.

What do you see as the reason(s) your place of employment isn't changing, at least like you think it should? If you were the chief decision maker what would be the first change you'd make? What other changes would you make?If you're not the chief decision maker what can you do to influence the ones who do make the decisions?

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2016-2024

It's Time to Change

I was almost a teenager when the so-called British invasion of music groups came and changed the face of music in America, forever. Beginning with the Beatles, British bands made their way across the pond to America's shores, into the hearts and minds of millions. In doing so a whole new genre of music was introduced to music fans, from sea to shining sea. John, Paul, George, and Ringo were viewed as messiahs in music and, more importantly to some, message. The times, they were a changing.

Fast forward to today, and a different kind of change is happening, moving faster in this century. This change is bigger than music, transcends radio and television waves, and is changing our lives, whether we like it or not. It's called technology. The climate of change being produced through it is here to stay.

God gives people of all ages the ability to create, invent-to improve the world around us. Some choose to use what God gave them for evil, but the original ability-the gifting if you will-comes from God. Why am I saying all of this? Because, like it or not, we live in a world where change is almost constant. I know, some of it isn't what we'd like but why, as some do, resist change just because it's change? And Christians are the worst at this.

Why is it that, generally speaking, churches, ministries, and so-called Christian companies are painfully slow-even resistant-to embracing what is now viewed as ancient technology? I'm not talking about being on board with the 21st century; being current with the 20th would be progress. Example: a particular insurance provider spent years talking about promising but, then, delaying the option of online payments. When online payments were finally accepted a few years ago this company touted how great this "new feature" was. Really? When others were doing this in the last century, what were their decision makers doing while change passed them by?

Churches wasting money on non-LED signs, Christian-owned companies ordering merchandise by hand, and ministries's idea of social media is phone calls and emails, are just three examples of Christians stuck in the past. While this happens the world not only embraces change, but is in the driver's seat when it comes to identifying, creating, and launching new products. I believe Christians can and should do better-much better.

In my book, The Five-A Team: Character Traits For Success In Life (you can get it through our website's link) I talk about adaptation, or change, as being a key to individual success in the workplace, and life. It would behoove organizations to so the same: change (adapt) or face a future where they are the ones being left behind,  technologically speaking. Where failure to change breaks companies-even Christian ones.

Maybe you're a part of a church, company, or other ministry where frustration, team morale, and success are being stifled by short-sighted decision makers, stuck in the previous century of antiquated processes. If so, my condolences, as well as my prayer that God will, somehow, intervene in those situations to bring fruit to visions stagnated by weeds of fear, uncertainty, and/or ignorance. Yes, the times they are a changing, but we're running out of time, as we know it, to change the world and those around us.

What do you think? Is your church/business/organization up with the times, technologically? What are you doing-what can you do-to effect change for the better? I'd like to know, then share your thoughts with others.

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2016-2024

When Change Can Be Good For You

Change has been around for thousands of years, including the Garden of Eden. As long as Adam and Eve obeyed God things went well. Then something  happened: Adam and Eve disobeyed God, sin entered into a perfect world, and Adam and Eve encountered change in their lives. Man and woman were evicted, if you will, from having it all to living off of the land, by the sweat of Adam's brow. Not a good change. Becoming a Christian is certainly a change. Going from spiritual death to eternal life, from darkness to light, is change, the best change of all. A change associated with becoming a Christian-being born again-is renewing ones mind to think in line with God's Word. This produces change in the way one thinks, which eventually affects ones words and actions. Renewing ones mind is definitely a good change. A very good change.

Recognizing change around you and being willing to use what's changing (i.e. technology) to impart the unchanging Word of God to the world around you, including your next-door neighbors, is part of good change. Those under the age of 25 are better at this kind of change than those of us over 50.

Why are people against change, especially when it comes to technology? Why do so many who are 60 and over dig in their heels to resist change when they were those who saw (some demanded) so much change in the '60s and '70s? To use a restaurant analogy, spiritual appetites were changing in the '60s but most menus (churches) weren't.

One church that did change was Calvary Chapel, in Costa Mesa, California. Pastored then by Chuck Smith, this church became a leader in what came to be known as the Jesus Movement. Pastor Chuck allowed change to come into the sanctuary. New music, new people, new attitudes. And it was for good. The Movement spread across the country to the East Coast. Catering to young people drew thousands to churches willing to change or risk being left behind, culturally speaking.

Fast forward to today. As Christians we have the greatest message of all time, the message of the Gospel. Let's not change that; let's keep the pureness and simplicity of the Bible. After all, how much simpler can John 3:16 get? At the same time, each generation learns differently than those before it. Take potatoes, for instance. You can boil, fry, bake, boil, stew, and mash potatoes.  I've had potatoes each of these ways over the years. It's called variety.

A lot of churches-thus Christians-are like potatoes. They "preach" potatoes but serve them up only boiled, for instance. As much as I like potatoes, I'd get tired of them being just boiled. After a while. I'd be looking for change. The same is true in reaching younger generations: they're hungry for the potato (message), but want it some other way than boiled. Those refusing to change may lose a whole generation of "eaters." Isn’t that worth changing?

Using technology to present the timeless truths of Jesus Christ is one great example of when change can be good for you. Let's not lose another moment in being willing to change methods in how the message is "served." It's change the Church cannot afford to not make.

What are some changes you would like to see happen in the church you attend? What are you doing to try to bring about good change where you live?

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2016-2024

So, What Are You Saying?

Overall, Christians-even some non Christians-believe that God's words are important; what God says matters. After all, God is, well, God. But what about your words? How important are your words? What difference does it make what you say? In the Old Testament book of Jeremiah, chapter 1, verse 12, God says through Jeremiah that He (God) watches over His word to perform it (make it good). That means God cares an awful lot about what comes out His mouth. God really cares about His words.

Why is this? One good reason is that God recognizes and understands the importance of words, what comes out of His mouth. God understands how creative words are, how that words have the ability to create what's seen, out of the unseen (naturally speaking).

What about you? How important are your words? As a Christian, a child of God, how important is it to watch over what comes out of your mouth? Realizing that, like God, your words are creative, are your words creating good or bad, encouragement or discouragement?  According to Proverbs 18:21, are you speaking words of death, or life?  Yes, this verse is actually in the Bible.

What am I saying in all this? I'm saying that words matter, that your words matter just as much as God's. God spoke the worlds into existence. God, according to Hebrew 1:3 is holding up all things by the word of His power. Imitating our Father, our words are creating an environment-a world-around us. Like Father, like son or daughter. Your words do make a difference in your life, and in the lives of those around you. If wars can start with words, so reconciliation, restoration, and renewal can start with the right words.

So, what are you saying? How important is it to say good things, to the point of saying what God says about the situation?

Don't Forget the Outside Information

"We have inside information" means that an organization has information not generally available to those on the outside. Inside information has come to light in recent years, often in reference to the stock market. Those with inside information see and know things other cannot, at present time, see in the same manner. In churches and other ministries, relying on inside information can also have unintended consequences. What do I mean by that? Relying on information/perspectives from only those on the inside, so to speak, robs organizations of an outside pair of eyes, the insightful perspective of someone on the outside, looking in.

Let's say you're the pastor of a growing church. Your messages are relevant, your technology is changing with the times, people are coming, and finances are solid. Good news, right? What ain't broke, don't fix, yes? Let's take a closer look.

Where are the ideas coming from? Whose ideas-whose suggestions-are being heard, considered, and, implemented? Is it just from those who have been there since the beginning, the ones who don't remember anything else? Or are you secure enough to risk the status quo's future through those who moved to where you are, through those who are too old for children's and youth ministry, but are career/ministry-minded singles yearning to be accepted for who they are-not for what they can do?

How many "outside" ideas are not just heard, but actually listened to? Many an organization has suffered from the delusion that only those on the inside have relevancy, then wonder why they fall short of their God-ordained destiny.

A good way to expose yourself to new ideas is to include those new to your church or organization, the outsiders. Get to know them for who they are, then for what they can do. In time their perspective may be just the answer you've been praying for. Choosing to rely upon just your inner circle produces unintended consequences of unintended comfort and convenience.

Here's some inside information: The answer you need may well be lying dormant in that "outside" person who's been coming, the one with outside information to propel your church/organization to the next level. Don't forget the outside information.

Now that's information you can grow with. So, what are you doing about it? What are you willing to risk to get the best answer?

How's Your Framing?

For a few months I worked as a framer, a carpenter's helper on a construction crew. Once the foundation was ready our job was to frame both the outside and inside walls of the home we were building, With enough workers and decent weather, we could frame a two-story home in under two weeks. Framing changed a flat foundation into the beginnings of rooms, closets, and the garage. As a framer I used a lot of wood and nails, an electric saw, and my 24-ounce framing hammer. Building your life on a solid foundation is great (for more on foundations watch our Life Change episodes). The best foundations, however, still need something on them to fulfill their purpose. For a home it starts by framing bedrooms, kitchen, living, and laundry areas, plus a garage and bathrooms. For your life it starts by "framing" it with what God says about you in His Word.

Your life should be "framed" with God's Word concerning peace, walking in love, health, and prosperity. Your life will include  framing of individual direction, from God's Holy Spirit. Whether it's business, ministry, sports, teaching, or other field of endeavor, a whole lot of framing has, hopefully, been going. Not with wood, nails, and hand tools, but with words-those things you speak. Words which are framing, covering, and reinforcing the "rooms" of your life. Your life is being framed-outlined-by the everyday words you have been/are saying about yourself. Good or bad, positive or negative,  your words are creating your life room by room, so to speak.

What are you saying about yourself? Whose words are you allowing to dominate your thinking and, thus, your speaking? The media's? Your relatives'? God's? Successful framing of your life includes saying what God says about you in the New Testament epistles, letters written to fellow Christians. That's the best place to find out who you are and what you have, as God's child.

So, how's your framing? How are the rooms of your life coming along? Whose words are being used to frame your life?