⏳Reflecting on 1-Year Full Time

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Dear steward,

One of the hardest things for me to do is reflect.

I get so focused on doing the next thing, taking the next hill, and starting the next project, that I often fail to pause and take stock of where the Lord has already brought me.

Maybe you’re the same way.

Here are a few things we miss out on when we don’t stop to reflect:

  • Encouragement from our progress
  • Opportunities to thank God and praise Him for what He’s done
  • A chance to course correct if we aren’t headed in the right direction

This week, I’m celebrating a major milestone. And I want to take a moment to reflect on that with you.

It’s officially been one year since I started working on Redeeming Productivity full-time! 🎉

Sometimes I have to pinch myself when I realize I’m getting to spend the best part of my day doing what I love, helping Christians better steward their lives for God’s glory.

If you had told me two years ago I’d be doing this full time I wouldn’t have believed you. But, by God’s grace, here we are.

Some highlights from this past year with Redeeming Productivity:

  • Developed many amazing connections with people like you • I’ve discovered there are far more people interested in a biblical approach to productivity than I ever would have imagined.
  • Wrote two books • In the past year, I got to write and release A Student’s Guide to Gaming, and on Monday. I turned in the manuscript for a forthcoming book on productivity 😲
  • Released POWER Mornings • Last Spring I created my first course on Christian morning routines. Thanks to all of you who purchased it and have shared how it has impacted your life. The reception of that course is what gave me the courage to keep going.
  • Launched Redeeming Productivity Academy • Last September, I opened the doors to RPA and was blown away by the response. It’s been so fun, learning and growing alongside other productivity-minded believers.

One of my favorite follows on Twitter is Visualize Value by Jack Butcher. He does these really cool minimalistic illustrations of concepts. And reflecting on the past twelve months made me think of this one:

Our days can feel so volatile and unproductive, both in our work and sanctification.

It’s easy to feel like you aren’t making progress; that you aren’t growing.

When we view our life from a daily perspective, we have a tendency to focus on the misses rather than the hits.

But when you press on day after day, eyes clearly fixed on a goal, progress is inevitable. It’s just hard to see from that vantage point.

But when you pause to reflect, your progress is so much clearer. Because now you have the benefit of hindsight.

And God’s faithfulness is only visible in the rearview mirror.

When you reflect, you are more able to see that God is indeed transforming you. You’re not the person you were a year ago. Often the fears and worries that plagued you and constituted so much of your prayer life, have been answered and dealt with.

Every day, even with all its ups and downs, is a new chance to glorify God. But don’t forget to look back on the path behind you once in a while, so you can praise Him for how far he’s brought you.

Thank you for following along with Redeeming Productivity!

Thanks for your encouragement, your support, and your passion to better serve our King of Kings. I pray this ministry has been a blessing in your life and will continue to help you lead a more productive life for the glory of God.

Now, let’s get into this week’s Roundup!

✨ New on Redeeming Productivity

The Redeeming Productivity podcast will be back this coming Monday! I’ve got an exciting list of guests and episodes lined up for you for season five.

Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss an episode.

🧑‍💻The Roundup

The Fruitful Empty Nest: Lessons for When the Kids Leave Home (5 mins)

How do you continue to productively serve God, when your main mission in life is suddenly gone? Because, for moms, that’s exactly what happens when your kids move out. Appreciated Linda’s thoughts on being a productive empty nester.

If you are in the transition years, anticipating the day when your kids leave home, or are already adjusting to an empty nest, here are some practical steps that have been a great help to me.”

(Linda Linder / Desiring God)

These questions are changing my life (3 mins)

I’ve been reading The Coaching Habit, and it has some great questions for helping you to have deeper conversations with people. This isn’t a Christian book, but I’ve still found these questions to be helpful in a discipleship context. I’ve already begun using them to spur deeper discussion in our RPA community and in the Bible studies I lead.

Ali has a good breakdown of the six big questions from the book.

“Here are six questions from The Coaching Habit you can use the next time a friend or colleague asks you for advice.”

(Ali Abdaal)

The Blissful and Trivial Life: How Entertainment Deprives a Soul (7 mins)

“The television slowly taught us that nothing was worth our time unless it was entertaining. And anything entertaining, almost by definition, requires less of us — less thinking, less study, less work.”

(Marshall Segal / Desiring God)

Raycast Launcher for Mac

I’ve used the launcher Alfred on my Mac for years to make me more productive and automate repetitive tasks. But I recently stumbled across Raycast and it looks awesome! Plus, the personal version is totally free.

“Raycast is a blazingly fast, totally extendable launcher. It lets you complete tasks, calculate, share common links, and much more.”

(Raycast)

🖋Quote of the Week

It is not your business to succeed, but to do right; when you have done so, the rest lies with God.

– C.S. Lewis

🤠 Pardners*

Come Hear Dr. Joel Beeke on “Pastoral Conflicts and Criticism” at Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary

Every spring Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary hosts a theological lecture on current issues in Christianity. Speakers include recognized theologians and pastors with a commitment to the absolute authority of Scripture.

Join us on March 18, 2022, for a series of lectures presented by Dr. Joel Beeke of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary as he lectures on criticism in pastoral ministry

Learn More


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*Pardners are paid classifieds or affiliate links that support Reagan’s Roundup. To enquire about placing a classified ad in Reagan’s Roundup, simply reply to this email.

⌛️That’s All for this Week

See ya next Thursday!

– Reagan

P.s. I’ll be at Shepherds’ Conference next week. If you plan to be there and would like to meet up, just reply to this email. I’d love to get together!

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