Myers Briggs Profile

I am a ESTJ.  This describes me to a "T"...

As an ESTJ, you deal with things rationally and logically.

ESTJs live in a world of facts and concrete needs. They live in the present, with their eye constantly scanning their personal environment to make sure that everything is running smoothly and systematically. They honor traditions and laws, and have a clear set of standards and beliefs. They expect the same of others, and have no patience or understanding of individuals who do not value these systems. They value competence and efficiency, and like to see quick results for their efforts.

ESTJs are take-charge people. They have such a clear vision of the way that things should be, that they naturally step into leadership roles. They are self-confident and aggressive. They are extremely talented at devising systems and plans for action, and at being able to see what steps need to be taken to complete a specific task. They can sometimes be very demanding and critical, because they have such strongly held beliefs, and are likely to express themselves without reserve if they feel someone isn't meeting their standards. But at least their expressions can be taken at face-value, because the ESTJ is extremely straight-forward and honest.

The ESTJ is usually a model citizen, and pillar of the community. He or she takes their commitments seriously, and follows their own standards of "good citizenship" to the letter. ESTJ enjoys interacting with people, and likes to have fun. ESTJs can be very boisterous and fun at social events, especially activities which are focused on the family, community, or work.

The ESTJ needs to watch out for the tendency to be too rigid, and to become overly detail-oriented. Since they put a lot of weight in their own beliefs, it's important that they remember to value other people's input and opinions. If they neglect their Feeling side, they may have a problem with fulfilling other's needs for intimacy, and may unknowingly hurt people's feelings by applying logic and reason to situations which demand more emotional sensitivity.

When bogged down by stress, an ESTJ often feels isolated from others. They feel as if they are misunderstood and undervalued, and that their efforts are taken for granted. Although normally the ESTJ is very verbal and doesn't have any problem expressing themself, when under stress they have a hard time putting their feelings into words and communicating them to others.

ESTJs value security and social order above all else, and feel obligated to do all that they can to enhance and promote these goals. They will mow the lawn, vote, join the PTA, attend home owners association meetings, and generally do anything that they can to promote personal and social security.

The ESTJ puts forth a lot of effort in almost everything that they do. They will do everything that they think should be done in their job, marriage, and community with a good amount of energy. He or she is conscientious, practical, realistic, and dependable.

LifeGroup - Unleash You

I had the honor of getting to write the framework for this week's LifeGroup material for our church.  LifeGroup material is used to help facilitate discussion when folks meet in their small in-home groups each week.  Its created as a continuation of the Sunday message.  The document isn't all mine, Rob from our church contributed and Seth our LG pastor edited and formatted.

I have always felt like I may be gifted at teaching.  This was a cool first step towards UNLEASHING my talents for God's glory.
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Tonight we’re going to continue the story of Nehemiah by looking at the opposition and obstacles that Nehemiah faced when he was unleashed to do this great task for God We will see that, despite the difficulty and suffering Nehemiah dealt with, the Lord was faithful to see him through to the completion of his ordained task.

Question 1: Is that a new thought for you? Have you ever thought of yourself of being restrained or held back from being the person that you were created to be.

Question 2: Was there a time in your life that you stepped out in faith to follow God’s clear direction for your life and met with opposition.

·         Explain the depth and extent of your suffering and how it affected you.

·         Discuss the way that God, in his timing, brought you out of that difficulty, ultimately for his glory.

·         Reveal how God used that experience to change you and bring you closer to Him.

Question 3: Are there areas in your life where you currently feel held back or restrained?

Question 4: This feeling of being held back can sometimes be referred to as persecution. How would you define persecution?

As the story continues, Nehemiah has been granted permission by the king of Persia to travel to his ancient homeland of Judah.  Traveling far with the letters of the king as authorization and a troop of cavalry as protection, Nehemiah arrives to inspect Jerusalem’s walls.  He finds them in desperate need of repair and rallies the people behind his vision to rebuild them.  Immediately however, he is met with opposition.

Read Nehemiah 2:17-20.

When Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem hear about Nehemiah’s plans they begin to mock and ridicule him. But Nehemiah ignores them and responds confidently that the Lord that has unleashed them for this task will give them success. When faced with trials and tribulations as we seek to do the Lord’s will, we must remember to respond as Nehemiah did, with faith that the Lord will complete what he has begun. (Philippians 1:6)

Read Nehemiah 4:1-6.

As the work on the wall continues, Nehemiah’s naysayers continue stirring up discord over his work; but Nehemiah continued to turn to the Lord as trouble presented itself. Check out how that affected those people physically rebuilding the wall – Re-read Nehemiah 4:6b

·         Never underestimate the power of a godly leader who stays true to his calling.  It can have a strong affect on those under and around him, even as opposition arises.

Question 4: Can anyone think of a time that they were positively influenced to continue a good work by a godly leader who held to his convictions in the midst of difficulty?

Read Nehemiah 6:5-16.

We see Nehemiah experiencing more and more persecution in these passages. After unsuccessful attempts to persuade the people that Nehemiah was wrong, his enemies begin to plot to kill him. We often fall short of accomplishing God’s vision that he has placed bfore us because we lack the confidence of his work through us. Essentially, it’s an internal persecution. We feel like we can’t do the task God set out for us.

Question 5: What does Matthew 17:14-21 say about this?

The amazing thing here is that Nehemiah has that kind of faith. He does not fear. He remains confident that he was unleashed in this way for this reason. So he simply asks the Lord for strength for himself and the people.

Question 6: Do you pray to the Lord and trust in him when troubles come your way or do you try and handle things in your own strength and time?

Despite all the efforts of his enemies, the wall gets completed.

Read Psalm 9:10 and discuss for a moment the word “never.”

Even in the darkest hour of opposition, God promises to see us through.  It may cost us a temporary season of suffering, but that will only bring us closer to Christ.

Read Romans 8:16-18

Tonight we want you to close with an open time of prayer.  Ask that God will work, through the Holy Spirit, to unleash each person in our local body to abandon fear and entrust their service, gifts, talents, and resources to his vision and his kingdom.  By unleashing each individual at Momentum to their personal calling, we can have a multiplying effect for humanity’s good and God’s glory all across Henry County.

KONY 2012

Put aside the political rhetoric and the consumerism for a moment...this video informs you about about something that REALLY matters.  Watch it before bed tonight, pray on how you might be involved to stop this injustice, and pass it on.