December 2, 2013: Volume 3, Number 3
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MORE WITH
30 60 100 MINISTRIES | |
December 8
December 13 Board of Directors meeting
Albuquerque, NM
2014 Spiritually Healthy Leader� Workshop SeriesSecond and Fourth Thursdays8:45 AM AM - 1 PM30 60 100 MINISTRIES officesAlbuquerque, NM 1/9/2014 Spiritual Fitness 1/23/2014 Healthy Relationships 2/13/2014 Conflict Checkup 2/27/2014 Conditioning for the Course 3/13/2014 Clearing the Hurdles 2/27/2014 Finishing Well More details here
30 60 100 MINISTRIES COACHING
* Interactive Group Planning
* Mission Field Preparation
* Leadership Transition
Learn more--------------------------------------------- 
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|  Adversity, conflict, challenges, setbacks -- it can be tempting in life to focus on simply clearing the hurdles themselves.
But successful runners know that it's not the hurdle itself that presents the biggest challenge in a race, but rather the stride with which you approach it. How is your approach? Do you consider hurdles to be obstacles or opportunities? Compare the two approaches in this issue's feature article.
We look forward to hearing from you about how this article impacts your spiritual health. Keep growing!
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30 60 100 TO TRAIN CHRISTIAN LEADERS IN THE UKRAINE
|  30 60 100 has been invited to present the Spiritually Healthy Leader� series in Ukraine during early 2014 as part of our Back 40 ministry to equip believers in remote areas. We are excited about this opportunity God has given to us to work in eastern Europe!
Join us in praising God for Nataliya, a native Ukrainian who resides here in Albuquerque and has partnered with us to translate the Spiritually Healthy curriculum into Russian, the language requested by our Ukrainian friends who will be attending the Spiritually Healthy Leader workshops in Ukraine.
We invite you to consider partnering with us in this specific Back 40 effort that will multiply impact in the Ukraine, particularly in remote areas. Thank you for your generous partnership!
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Spiritually Healthy Leader� Series in 2014
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30 60 100 MINISTRIES announces its Spiritually Healthy Leader� stateside workshop series schedule for 2014. Workshops will be conducted at our offices in Albuquerque.
The SHL series challenges Christians to reach outside the natural limitations of their own power and abilities to experience living in the life and power of Christ. Each of the six workshops (listed on the left) lasts 4 hours.
Learn more about this exciting series and register here.
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 Feature: LIFE'S HURDLES, PART 2: OBSTACLE OR OPPORTUNITY? | Scripture compares a healthy Christian life to running a race - one with twists in the course and hurdles along the way. Adversity, conflict, challenges, setbacks, the unexpected: life's hurdles are many. They can slow a runner.
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Athletes approach hurdles one of two ways. Some runners slow down, cross across the hurdle, and then resume running. Their races are less effective because the runner loses momentum. Other athletes learn to adjust their stride to maintain their speed. They clear hurdles efficiently in order to finish the race strong.
In other words, it is not the hurdle itself that presents the biggest challenge in a race, but the stride with which you approach it. Likewise, your approach to life's hurdles determines whether or not you have a winning race strategy.
Is a hurdle an obstacle?
For the typical runner in life's race, hurdles are negative obstacles that get in the way of a smooth, easy lifestyle. The difficult relationship, the financial challenge at work, the unexpected diagnosis, the prodigal child: these are a deviation from a comfortable, secure default mode and are to be avoided at all costs.
When a hurdle is viewed as something to avoid or simply a phase to "get through," then a Christ-follower won't adjust his stride - his attitude. Why should he? Once the hurdle is past, the runner seeks to forget it, reverting back to his previously comfy approach. The hurdle is a one-time event, he thinks. It won't block his way again ... or if it does, he can break his stride, figure out how to get through the crisis in survival mode, and then resume his comfortable pace.
The problem with that view is that it is not a very effective or healthy way to win a race.
Hurdles are opportunities
The spiritually healthy Christ-follower sees hurdles differently - as opportunities. This approach identifies a hurdle for what it truly is: part of the race to be identified, considered, and adjusted to - not avoided, but be used to grow.
That's why a healthy Christ-follower continually adjusts his stride. The difficult relationship becomes an opportunity to demonstrate God's grace. A financial challenge is the chance to grow to trust God more deeply. A medical scare becomes a door to manage stress more intentionally. A wayward child pulls a believing heart out of complacency to a deeper dependence on God.
Clearing a hurdle successfully equips the runner to clear the next one even more efficiently. His stride improves. He builds upon each experience.
Can your life hurdles be opportunities? Yes ... when you adjust your approach in how you view them and use them.
Life's Hurdles, Part 1 compares life's race with hurdling.
Growth Point
See life's hurdles as opportunities to grow.
Scripture
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14, NIV)
Prayer Points - Name a time when one of life's hurdles slowed you down. How could a different attitude have helped you handle it better?
- Identify a recent hurdle in your life. How did it help you to grow?
- Ask God to help you to adjust your stride - your attitude - to develop a winning race strategy in clearing life's hurdles.
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| What People Are Saying ... |
 "I received 2 hard copies [of El Cultivador] and am excited to continue receiving them electronically. Thank you for coming to Guatemala, leading us, and coaching us. I am looking forward to knowing how things go with you both and to the opportunity to share together again soon." Jorge G., Guatemala
Hear more testimonies from Christians in remote areas served by 30 60 100 MINISTRIES staff here.
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