What defines me?

I have been doing some soul-searching in recent weeks, whether walking on the beach, sitting on my patio, or sometimes, in the early hours of the morning when I can't sleep.  Here;'s the haunting question..."WHO AM I?"

I always defined that by what I did.  I am a pastor.  I am a Hospice chaplain.  I'm a part-time missionary to Haiti.  I'm a Christian counselor/coach, etc...  There was always a list of things that I did that seemed to define who I was.

It's different these days.  I am semi-retired with less responsibility and visibility--except for a sharpened look at myself--and I am not always pleased with what I see.

What defines me, I am remembering from what I've counseled others, is not what I do but who I am on the inside.  It is not who I appear to be in public when I am demonstrating my best behavior but who I am in the private place when no one--but God--sees me.

Scripture reminds us that while man is looking at the outside, God is checking out the inside.  And that can be scary to contemplate.

I've decided I really do know who I am.  I am a redeemed sinner, a child of God, a growing believer in need of spiritual food and fellowship and a joint heir with Christ.  That's a mouthful to contemplate but it is who I am, by God's grace.

How do you define yourself?

Join me in purposefully choosing not to recite what you do, but remembering who you are in Christ.

A new office, a new perspective

I can look out from my desk window and see the semi-industrial area around me, dotted with rows of dressy metal buildings with offices and businesses inside.  It reminds me that I am no longer in the sleepy confines of Amador County.  The locals here would argue, however, that this is paradise, a far cry from the bustling highways of Los Angeles three hours away.

It's a new perspective for me.

And I'm in a  brand new office with an architect, a therapist, a driving instructor and a landscape material order business around me.  An eclectic group.

I've been asking myself, "Am I a new me"?  Everything about my life seems so different--no pastoral responsibility, living space reduced from 2200 square feet to 1200 square feet (three bathrooms to one), discretionary time, anonymity in a new community...?

Who am I really?

Here's what I am re-discovering about myself...
1.  I cannot not work.
2.  I cannot not serve God.
3.  I cannot not be involved in ministry.

It's how God hard-wired me.

Here's to semi-retirement and the opportunity to reaffirm who I am..and get about the fulfilling pursuit of God's work here in San Luis Obispo County.

Update on Full-LifeCoaching

I have arrived in Arroyo Grande where Beverly and I are establishing our "new life", near eight of our grandchildren...and the ocean.

Here is some pertinent updated information for our friends and clients.

1.  I am doing Skype counseling an am available now for those out of the San Luis Obispo County area.

2.  We are retaining the same cell phone contact number, 209-403-2296, and email address, daleabarrett@gmail.com.

3.  My new office address is 636 Clarion Court, Suite 101, San Luis Obispo, 93401.  I'll be moving into that office August 20th and available for appointments August 26th.

4.  I am developing a new website that should be available in September, 2013.  It is             www.Full-LifeCoaching.org.

5.  I'll be speaking at a Suicide Survivor's Seminar at the American Legion Hall in Jackson, September 7th from 9 a.m.-noon.  I'll be joined by Liseanne Wick, Program Manager for Suicide Prevention and Crisis Services.  The seminar is free and is directed towards those who have lost friends and love ones through suicide.

I hope to keep in contact with you and invite you to communicate with me as we get re-established in our new community.