Posted by Chris
Hey DCers,
The last year has been quite a journey. It’s turned out to be a year of surprises and no one feels more surprised than me. I have a hard time believeing that you could have told me I’d be getting a counseling degree over a year ago. I want to thank you for two things.
First, thanks for your flexiblity to follow the Lord. If the path of our church would have gone like I thought it should a year ago, I would never have faced some big things about myself. Facing those issues brought me here and that took me closer to Jesus.
Second, thanks for your awesome support for me to be here and do this. I look forward to the next step of our journey as I bring what I’ve experienced here, there, as we seek Jesus together.
I’ll miss you guys tomorrow night!
Chris
Posted in: Discovery Church
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Posted by Chris
When Brandi and I were dating and first got married she said one of her attraction points to me was my sensitivity and tenderness. (She found out differently after we got married 
) Here’s the problem. I’ve never thought of myself that way. I want people to see me as intense not tender! Tender is for the wuss. Why? I don’t know really. Just a freak I guess.
Seriously, the degree I’m earning is awakening a lot within me. Forcing me to realize who I am not who I want to be seen as. Lots we can say about that. I’ve found myself really thankful lately that Brandi saw that in me and never gave up calling that out. Thanks for believing in me baby! Anything you need to keep believing or calling out of somebody?
Posted in: Marriage, family
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Posted by Chris
You know I’m thankful for you, right? I pray my blog is a blessing to your life. One that challenges and encourages. And sometimes you have to put up with little mileposts as I mark my spiritual journey. Here’s a different post. Let’s help each other.
I would like to request 3-4 of you agree to be a prayer partner for me over the next 3 years as I complete school. I would like to also be able to pray for you. We would set up a google doc that we could all update and only we would look at.
Email chris@chrismcalister.com if you’re interested.
Peace
Oh yeah, if you don’t mind, lift up a prayer for me now. I’m sitting in a hotel room with 2 papers to write and 9 books to read over the next two weeks. And I miss these something terrible…
Posted in: News and updates
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Posted by Chris
Right now I’m sitting in my first doctoral class. They definitely freak you out about the work. 150 hours per class. (There are 6) 500 hours to write your dissertation. Whoa man.
It’s a little weird that everyone in my class is at least 15 years older or more. One might be just 10 years. That will be interesting over the next few years. (This program is a cohort system so I take classes with the same group.) What is amazing is I’m at a similar place emotionally and in ministry as these folks.
Already loving it. The prof has been challenging my thinking. I asked a question to challenge one of his propositions and at the same time scraped a scab from a wrestling match with my middle daughter. I’m trying to cover my bleeding face while he walks to my table and speaks directly to me. He opened my mind to a new angle while I opened my flesh. I think I covered up for it well
Prof is teaching again, better go.
Posted in: News and updates
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Posted by Chris
Reflecting today. Thinking about a decision in my recent past that continues to bring consequences. I overlooked some critical things. A friend said it this way, “My infatuation with where I could get in the future caused me to overlook some warning signs in the present.” Chew on that. I posted about this idea on April 25 this year. It’s one of my favorite posts. I’ve copied the content from that day below. It’s Saturday so think on this…
Have you ever read Joshua 9: 3-16 and thought about it in the context of attachments, partnerships, or relationships? That’s the obvious point of that story, no doubt. For some reason in this season of life I find myself seeing things that should’ve been obvious but weren’t. Beware those that come to you wanting to link up. It could be a good thing. A God thing. A link that will open up doors of great opportunity. Or it could be a relationship under false pretenses. How will you know?
1. Do some investigating. Joshua could’ve investigated. Subjectivity got in the way and emotions were probably running crazy. Been there done that. Should’ve asked more questions.
2. Ask about why they want to help or link up. Don’t be afraid to ask their motive. They can still by lying to you so make sure you…
3. Understand clearly what they expect to get from you and what you expect to get from them. (If it’s a business deal I’d get all that put in writing.)
4. Ask a trusted advisor, mentor or if you’re married see if it passes the spouse test. When we don’t listen to my wife’s concerns it always hurts our family.
Special word to pastors…There are usually people around you that would love to be able to pull your strings. The moment you sense you are overlooking concerns so as not to upset the “string puller” then you must cut the strings. There may be consequences but it is worth it to put your life back in God’s hands and to have authority to make your own decisions.
Where do you need to cut some strings? Where do you need to do some more homework?
Posted in: Decision-making, Leadership, Superior Psychology
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Posted by Chris
It’s been six years. I’m a little crusty. I had been doing it since I was a kid non-stop up until the age of 24. What am I talking about? Writing papers.
I like the reading part. I like the class part. Not so crazy about the paper writing part. I enjoy writing…when I’m free. When you tell me what I have to write about and I have to make sure it conforms to the Tarabian standard, umm not so much. I used to pray in seminary that I’d open my laptop and my paper would be done. Never happened. So how do I do it? One typed word at a time. One foot in front of the other.
Any feet you need to get moving? (Maybe I should stop blogging and get back to writing :) )
Posted in: Superior Psychology
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