Jodie's Chapters 8 & 9 Post

The Disproportionate Investor:  Do we really need to choose who we converse with or invest with?  How do we  know if that wasn't a 'God ordained conversation'?  How can anything we say or do be wasted unless it's in  a  relationship that is already built up or is it zapping lots of your energy.  When you invest in someone and they are consumers - don't they need you to help or is there someone else out there for them to 'suck the life out of.'  Will they turn around, be encourage or will they naturally go on to consume over and over again?  Where do we spend our energy?  What if we spend 80%  of out of our time in relationships that are based on healthy (fun) relationships and the other 20% was invested in being the eyes of Jesus and LOVING on these people.  They need Christ and if we can't give them alittle,  who will?

Chapter 9 :  The Last Word
Now putting it all together.  My prayer daily is 'Lord, who do you have for me today'?  Not even 'What' you have for me it's 'Who' you have for me.  We all face trials and situations or circumstances daily - most of the times it is dealing with people.  Jesus will walk us through them - how we handle them will make the difference.
New Notecards to keep in my Bible:
1.  Approachability:  Be available (no 'walk by' conversations)
2.  Conversations:  Be fully engaged, ask challenging questions.
3.  You are an Evangelist!  use your gifts,  listen when the Spirit of God prompts you.
4.  Look at them through the eyes of Jesus.  Love on them!

Jodie's Chapter 7 Post: The Likeable Hero

Are leaders put into  leadership "just because"?  I think they are drawn there by others because they are likeable and also in ministry because God has given that person favor to be 'drawn' into that position.  These people  are placed in positions because of there likeablility,  it is easy for them to connect with others in all different ways and are generally enjoyable to be around.  Their strengths have put them there.  I like the 5 Signs of Likeability:   Approachability, Stickiness, Trust, Friendliness, Flexible optimism.  I plan on putting these on a note card and review them often,  just to keep myself in check!  Let's not be who we were yesterday,  we are all a 'work in progress.'  Philippians 2:12 says, "Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling."

Jodie's Spot Question

Question: Has Signet helped you be more accountable in taking action in your area of ministry?  How?

Yes, it has.  I am always mindful of what I should or should not be doing.  Have I done what I have been asked or are my goals being reached?  I have it on my daily list to review - now have I got all that I set out to do accomplished done? No.  But I am closer than I may have been 6 months ago and I have more knowledge and determination.  It's a great tool for us who want to be better leaders - yeh!

Jodie's 90 day Goals (July - Sept.)

Goal: To raise my standards for leading Wednesday Night Heir Force, and identify a specific vision for what God wants me to do with that group.

July Action Steps:

1. Improve my connection and communication with the students via Facebook, text or call. Contacted some.  Need to do more
2. Meet with Pastor Randy to seek his input and share what God has laid on my heart to make sure it coincides with his vision.  Ask his permission to launch some fresh ideas.**Shared with Pastor Randy about Heir Force and ideas to impliment.

August Action Steps:

1. Research possible new curriculum (scope and sequence) that could be used in the new school year. Pastor Jeff oked me to get information and ideas
2. Recruit voluteers to support this specific group of kids (help with transportation, group and assist with teaching) I have been driving the van to pick up the kids.  Considering doing a tag team teaching approach.
3. Draft a plan for next school year.  Meet with leadership to review (Pastor Randy, Pastor Jeff? and Pastor Annette?).**  still need to do on paper
4. Accumulate ideas from Pastor Annette on ice breakers, games and activities.  Getting.
5. Plan a kick off for beginning of new school year.  Week of August 24th,  share plan with the kids, make fliers.
• Connect with the new students that are moving up
• Stratagize how to create excitement and new students (ie food, games, goals to strive for with attendance)
• Present a flier to draw excitement

September Action Steps:

1. Share new vision statement with the students.
2. Create an atmosphere of trust and a love for God's Word.
3. Ask the students for input about goals they want to achieve this year.
4. Create a visual illustration of their goals and an attendance record chart.
5. Work with Pastor Annette to train leaders and team up with AYM Leaders periodically throughout the year for an activity (exposure to youth ministry).**

Keep my focus looking up and pray for the wisdom and guidance to build these students up to be disciples for Jesus. What a great task I will have ahead of me - but I need the momentum to continue and will need lots of prayers and support from my 'team' of Signent leaders.  Thanks before hand.

Jodie's RI Chapters 3 & 4

I am loving this book.  Wow- what I am learning.  I hope now to apply it.  I get so excited about something I read and then either forget about it or don't make the change in my life.  To be a story teller would be something I would really like to strive for in my relationships.  How do I make others feel when I talk to them and how do I get them to engage in conversatation.  People love to talk about themselves and there is a gift to ministering through that.  I would hope that after they are finished with a converstion with me that they will feel inspired and have a kindred spirit with and by me.  May their day be brighter because they had an encounter with Christ through me.
 
What drives others to do what they do and how they got that drive to do it.  And at what level will and do they want to accomplis it.  I hope to push others to reach that and that I will also learn and be inspired by them.  When people can speak out verbally of what they dream about they may get that new focus they needed at that time.  Steering a converstaion, asking the right questions and patiently listening are qualities I will work on as a leader.

Jodie's 60 day goal (Mar-Apr)

GOAL: Plan a Mother's Day Woman's Event

ACTION STEPS:
1. Define Event
-Who
-What
-Where
-When
-How
2. Meet with Annette week of March 21st to set plans.
3.  Design a poster and distribute around community and churches.
4.  Ask a team of helpers (decorations, food, publicity).
5.  Advertise in the P&D etc.

Jodie's Feb. RI Book Review

Wow,  how many people like the 'Michael Scott's" do we know.  Being total self-UNaware.  I try not to be judgemental of others but sometimes it is almost hilarious - just have to laugh at them.  Having our own opinion of others, yet not trying to judge them - giving them the benefit of the doubt.  I think when I was younger I was so much easier going,  never let people get to me.  Now I find myself at times letting the small things get to me.  I need to  not look at others like that if I can't say honestly they are no different than I am in their thinking.    I see what a work in progress I am in and thank God for his grace and mercy on me!  
Can I handle it if someone criticizes me?  Of course it depends on who it is.  How well they know me.  Are they saying it to puff themselves up or is it out of love and truly wanting me to grow through this.  "Wisdom shouts from the rooftops" as said in a proverb,  maybe God is using that person to tell us something we need to change about ourselves or work on.  I'm all for the examination!  God's ways are not our ways  and I could very easily live in the 'polyanna' world where all is good and don't step on any toes.  But I don't want to be the person I was yesterday and better toughen up, wipe my nose and let others help me through the bumps of life with mature growth.  The Word also says, 'as iron sharpens iron',  that's what I need to remember when we relationship with others.  It's to improve me.

Jodie's RI Assessment

I got a 71.

Jodie's Feb 30 Day Goal

GOAL: Be a better prepared teacher for Heir Force.

Action Steps:

1. Start to study the lesson Mon, Tues, then review on Wed. again.
2. Plan to bring treats for the kids.
3. After each time I teach in February, honestly evaluate myself when I get home and jot notes about what went well and what needed work.

Other notes for some personal disciplines I'm working on:

• Do the Honor Team schedule on Worship Planning the last week of every month and ask Annette for help to learn how to use the site better.
• Start reading a chapter a week on the "Life of Christ" for personal devotions.  To make time for this, I'm going to wake up at 6:30 am and go to bed by 10:45 pm.

Jodie's Jan Reading

As a leader is want to be a person that cultivates that of healthy relationships and be a role model of that to others.  I like how Steve Saccone tells us - Intelligent relationships are the key that opens the door to humanity's heart, to true spiritual influence.  I see how much better I need to be at these relationships, to cultivate them and invest in them.  If I want to make a difference in others lives, I need to learn better how to relate and let myself get closer to people.  I learned that I need to purpose environments to build these relationships,  invest my time into these relationships and know that working with others there will be headaches.  But, I hope to learn how to better handle situations ahead.

Jodie's book to read.

Journey to your promised land.  What if life on Monday was as powerful as church on Sunday?

Jodie's 1st Post (Jan.)

Jodie's 1st post

Why did I agree to be part of Signet Leadership at this time?  Well,  What am I waiting for!!  No time better than the present - I can't put it off any longer.  Christ return will be soon and I want to be found ready and those around me to know.  I am up to the challenge. 
I see an urgency out in the world right now, I want to do better at  what I do -do.  I can continue to keep adding 'jobs' or 'labels' to my life but if I don't do good to what I commit to - I am a clanging cymbal.

What am I passionate about?  I want to be effective in children's/ teens lives.  If these kids of this generation don't make a commitment to stand for Christ now - the chances that they will as adults is very slim to none.  It's a tough world out there and we need to equip them with All they will need.
I also love to scrapbook - preserve those memories.  Let my kids know how loved they are.

Growing as a Leader -   I think we should never stop learning.  But,  I can learn and be educated about things and changes I should make - but, if I don't apply them, what good was it.  I need to work through the application process.  Just as we all are a work in progress through Christ - we can read the Bible but if you don't apply it to your life, they are just worlds on a page(make HIM real).  So Work It Out - is my new goal also.

What 5 things that could Hinder me?   As I put off things, like this blog - procrastination is a down fall and being on time.  I also hate to ask people for help,  I want to just get it done myself.  Is it self control, perfectionism,  or just not wanting to bother someone???  I've got alot to learn.  I want to be trustworthy, but if I get to much on my plate I feel I have failed at times-many times. 
I have to laugh at my self, we all should - right!?  I use to think I was a "nice person"!  Wow - where did I go?  Is it that I could handle more earlier in my life - less stress, or I just don't let it 'roll off my back' like before.  I really try to not let people bother me - but it's harder now (am I just older and crabbier?)  I might be  your greatest 'piece of work' in this group! ha!

Writing and speaking are not my strengths, so I will need to put forth more of an effort in these areas.

What gifts can I bring to the leadership of this church?  I feel that I am an approachable person,  I hope I can comfort and share the joy of Christ to others.  Encouragement is a natural gift - and I enjoy purposefully spreading it.  I've got my Dad's big smile (hate the wrinkles that come with it though) and I just now have learned since his death, of what a gift it is. He was remembered that way - always had a smile to greet everyone.

I am looking forward to a bond of growth with this group, a kick in the butt,  helping me to do better and be better for the Kingdom of Christ.  I hope not to let any of you down- let alone my Jesus.

Love you all,

Jodie