Here we are, another week later and to say that I am exhausted is a complete understatement. After a week of travel to San Antonio full of meetings, discussions, and then two extremely fast vacation days running all over the place to see family I am just whipped. Lisa and I got home about 9:30 last night and everyone woke up with a cold this morning making for a very long, very exhausting day. And so, here are just some random thoughts and notions that I had this week.
- I'm ready for another challenging week of work and looking to dig out from the computer crash a few weeks ago. Man, that still makes my head hurt.
- 19 years ago today I joined the United States Air Force. One (1) more to go folks, one more to go.
- I am really looking forward to the Men's Retreat this weekend (Fri-Sat) in Illinois. This should be an amazing time of refreshing and discussion and another chance to actually get out of the pew and "do the stuff". If you'd like to come with me and are in the area, let me know.
- I found myself taking some inventory this week (as I turn 37 in a few days), and the number one thing I am reminded of is how I stand amazed at how God continues to show me that those whom I call "friend" seem to miss the ultimate example of friendship that we have. John 15:15 records Jesus as saying, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." I wonder aloud, where is that kind of friendship in this world today? Does it still exist?
- Future ministry work continues to become clearer each day and if there is one thing I am certain of, is that God has a plan ... and I am thankful He has moved me out of some situations to teach me what following Christ is really all about.
- I made mention on Facebook last night about the song "My Jesus" by Todd Agnew and how it has really been speaking to me lately. Truly, we have to challenge ourselves and ask, "Which Jesus do you want to follow?" Lord Jesus, who willingly died for me, I want to follow you.
As I close, allow me to offer one final thought: Lord Jesus, help me to follow you and allow the things of this world to truly grow dim; for nothing else matters except Your approval, Your opinion, and Your pleasure as you look at my life. Thank you Jesus, thank you for being my Savior.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
September 13, 2009
What a busy week this has turned out to be!! I am shocked more and more with the amount of work that this new job is bringing on, and well, it ain't easy trying to get up to speed on 10 years of missed data inside of 2 weeks! Ouch!! At any rate, here's some thoughts to consider from the past week ... my oh my how time flies!
- This weekend I listened to coverage of the DC Tea Party as well as Obama's speech in Minnesota (which he decided was more important than hearing American citizens on his own front lawn). Still wondering if anyone is going to tell him that he's won the election so he can actually LEAD and therefore STOP CAMPAIGNING?!?
- Headed to San Antonio today for another trip of work. Good thing is, I am on leave Thursday and Friday and Lisa will be in town as well and we are visiting family. To be honest, I am DYING for some Taco Cabana breakfast tacos and this week ...... IT IS ON!
- Had a trip this past Mon-Wed to DC for a meeting that never really happened, but at least we were there to ensure our program was spoken for and that nothing bad could be said about us. In all honesty, that was the best part.
- Spent more than 10 hours at work on Thursday and 11 hours on Friday and well, I am still dead tired.
- Sigh ... then ... on Friday my laptop crashed (which is my normal work computer) and took out 5 years worth of data. I had a backup, but had removed it from my removable hard drive to make room for others to use since they were getting new computers; and I never did another one. 5 years, gone. Honestly, it's like my first day at work. PEOPLE - DO A BACKUP AND DO ONE OFTEN!! That is all I can offer here (grumble ... grumble ... grumble).
- Have I mentioned that work is wearing me out? Yeah ... I think you get the picture.
- In other news, I had a great meeting with another Pastor this week and discussed many things as well as some opportunities in their church. Still listening to God to see what He wants us to do, but I do believe things are becoming clearer and with God's leadership and counsel I think we are about to see some real peace in this area. It is my belief 100% that God is in control, and after talking with another brother who is in Iraq (love ya Shon, praying for you) I honestly can see God at work in all things in this church. To be honest I am excited to see God's hand at work and bring about using our family for His glory.
- Next Friday (the 25th) I am headed to Illinois for a Men's Retreat that I just cannot wait for. It is on the book "Courageous Leadership" by Bill Hybels and this sets the tone and the pace for the coming year for No Greater Love Ministries (see: http://www.nogreaterlove.org).
Anyway, enough rambling for now as I can smell that the coffee is ready! Here's to praying that your week would blessed and that you would have the peace of the Lord in all things. God bless you friends and patriots.
"ROLL TIDE ROLL" and "HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE GO"!!
- This weekend I listened to coverage of the DC Tea Party as well as Obama's speech in Minnesota (which he decided was more important than hearing American citizens on his own front lawn). Still wondering if anyone is going to tell him that he's won the election so he can actually LEAD and therefore STOP CAMPAIGNING?!?
- Headed to San Antonio today for another trip of work. Good thing is, I am on leave Thursday and Friday and Lisa will be in town as well and we are visiting family. To be honest, I am DYING for some Taco Cabana breakfast tacos and this week ...... IT IS ON!
- Had a trip this past Mon-Wed to DC for a meeting that never really happened, but at least we were there to ensure our program was spoken for and that nothing bad could be said about us. In all honesty, that was the best part.
- Spent more than 10 hours at work on Thursday and 11 hours on Friday and well, I am still dead tired.
- Sigh ... then ... on Friday my laptop crashed (which is my normal work computer) and took out 5 years worth of data. I had a backup, but had removed it from my removable hard drive to make room for others to use since they were getting new computers; and I never did another one. 5 years, gone. Honestly, it's like my first day at work. PEOPLE - DO A BACKUP AND DO ONE OFTEN!! That is all I can offer here (grumble ... grumble ... grumble).
- Have I mentioned that work is wearing me out? Yeah ... I think you get the picture.
- In other news, I had a great meeting with another Pastor this week and discussed many things as well as some opportunities in their church. Still listening to God to see what He wants us to do, but I do believe things are becoming clearer and with God's leadership and counsel I think we are about to see some real peace in this area. It is my belief 100% that God is in control, and after talking with another brother who is in Iraq (love ya Shon, praying for you) I honestly can see God at work in all things in this church. To be honest I am excited to see God's hand at work and bring about using our family for His glory.
- Next Friday (the 25th) I am headed to Illinois for a Men's Retreat that I just cannot wait for. It is on the book "Courageous Leadership" by Bill Hybels and this sets the tone and the pace for the coming year for No Greater Love Ministries (see: http://www.nogreaterlove.org).
Anyway, enough rambling for now as I can smell that the coffee is ready! Here's to praying that your week would blessed and that you would have the peace of the Lord in all things. God bless you friends and patriots.
"ROLL TIDE ROLL" and "HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE GO"!!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
After tonight's Presidential speech ...
Well, after listening to tonight's speech by the President .... I must publicly repent for not praying more fervently for our Nation. Believers, we must pray, and we must pay attention!!
Joel 2:12-13 says, ""Even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity."
May God have mercy on us.
That is all I can say right now.
Joel 2:12-13 says, ""Even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity."
May God have mercy on us.
That is all I can say right now.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Lord, grant me restoration.
I wanted to take the time to share some thoughts with whomever might read this and just say that I am feeling spiritually worn out -- much like I have been taken to the woodshed and back several times. Over the past few weeks I have been reading the book "Courageous Leadership" (by Bill Hybels) and to be honest with you, I needed this book in my ministry 3 years ago. The concepts of church leadership and how to cast a vision that allows a church to grab on is so much more than just a sermon series and hoping/praying that it takes hold. Now, many know about the issues I went through and how defeated I felt, well, I think that cloud is finally lifting (praise the Lord) nearly a year later. Truly "joy comes in the morning" (see Psalm 30:5), but it is by God's calendar and not my own.
The prayer of my heart is that as a servant of Christ I would be restored to the pulpit only AFTER learning more about being an effective leader. I'm hungry, no, let me correct that ... I'm DESPERATELY starving for the Lord's teaching right now. Naturally, I have been asking myself "how can this be done"? The only answer that I can come up with is that it is done by WATCHING other successful leaders "do the stuff". It seems elementary of course, but as a man I have to admit that I don't have all the answers. Am I filled with pride and stuffiness? Admittedly yes, but thankfully Jesus is not done with me. The cry of my soul is that through the Holy Spirit I would be granted a clear vision of what it takes to lead a church, and allow God to work through me as a willing vessel, vice trying to lead and hoping God will bless it. I confess that sort of thinking is not only idiotic; it is un-biblical and will never work.
Psalm 127:1 says, "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain."
Summarized, it takes the Lord's leading and guidance FIRST in order for anything to happen; and I want to see this verse become a reality in my life. My desire is to have a new heart created in me that brings to my life a vision for the lost of this world; and an understanding that THE CHURCH IS THE ONLY HOPE THIS WORLD WILL EVER HAVE. It's not about the church building, but the church body which lives its life in complete servanthood to the authority of Jesus Christ.
Lord, as I sit in this hotel room tonight I want to meet you, I want to experience you, and I want to see you manifested more in my life. Grant me a willing heart, strengthen my spirit, and allow me to live the rest of my life serving You in what you have called me to do. This is my prayer. This is the cry of my heart. This is my desire.
Thank you for reading.
The prayer of my heart is that as a servant of Christ I would be restored to the pulpit only AFTER learning more about being an effective leader. I'm hungry, no, let me correct that ... I'm DESPERATELY starving for the Lord's teaching right now. Naturally, I have been asking myself "how can this be done"? The only answer that I can come up with is that it is done by WATCHING other successful leaders "do the stuff". It seems elementary of course, but as a man I have to admit that I don't have all the answers. Am I filled with pride and stuffiness? Admittedly yes, but thankfully Jesus is not done with me. The cry of my soul is that through the Holy Spirit I would be granted a clear vision of what it takes to lead a church, and allow God to work through me as a willing vessel, vice trying to lead and hoping God will bless it. I confess that sort of thinking is not only idiotic; it is un-biblical and will never work.
Psalm 127:1 says, "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain."
Summarized, it takes the Lord's leading and guidance FIRST in order for anything to happen; and I want to see this verse become a reality in my life. My desire is to have a new heart created in me that brings to my life a vision for the lost of this world; and an understanding that THE CHURCH IS THE ONLY HOPE THIS WORLD WILL EVER HAVE. It's not about the church building, but the church body which lives its life in complete servanthood to the authority of Jesus Christ.
Lord, as I sit in this hotel room tonight I want to meet you, I want to experience you, and I want to see you manifested more in my life. Grant me a willing heart, strengthen my spirit, and allow me to live the rest of my life serving You in what you have called me to do. This is my prayer. This is the cry of my heart. This is my desire.
Thank you for reading.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
September 6, 2009
Well, here it is, another week has come and gone and I am actually not believing that it is already September. Time is really flying by and well, I am actually happy about it. So, here are this weekend's closing thoughts and ramblings about the past and coming week for you to chew on. Hopefully, I don't prattle along like a 5 year old.
- The health-care stuff in this nation is getting to be ridiculous; so glad I am part of an "angry mob" where there is a like-minded refusal to be told what to do by talking heads who are drunk with assumed power.
- You ever notice that some of the nicest folks can be found at gas stations along the highway? I have. Say hello to people, you might receive a blessing!
- Went to Huntsville yesterday to perform the wedding for Pete Frambach and Linda Haynes. It was a complete blessing to me to be a part of their joyous day, and one that I will never forget.
- So, after driving up there on Sat and coming back today, I have packed my bag to head to DC tomorrow (yes, on Labor Day) for a 3-day trip. Ugh. Then, I am home for four days and head out again to San Antonio, TX for work. September? What? When?
- I still miss my dog, Lucy. Some days go by uneventful, but others really tear my heart up (like watching football without her at my feet sharing peanuts). Hate that.
- The new job is really taking off and it looks like there are some real challenges ahead as well as some opportunities to to make a difference for the Air Force. Good stuff of course, just real busy with a steep learning curve.
- I've discovered that some shows just put me to sleep no matter what I do to fight it. (Programs on Lifetime are usually the biggest offenders here.)
- My grass really needs to be cut, but I haven't the time nor the energy to get it done. Not too mention the rain we have gotten lately has made it tough to cut, but I ain't complaining.
- School starts up again this week -- 24 short weeks from graduating with my Masters ... finally. Been thinking about signing up for Seminary next year; still rolling it over and debating the pros and cons.
- Lastly, people in this country need to know that there are actually others out there who are part of the human race and care about them. Take the time this week to hug a stranger or just buy someone lunch -- you never know what rewards will come from it because you were willing.
- The health-care stuff in this nation is getting to be ridiculous; so glad I am part of an "angry mob" where there is a like-minded refusal to be told what to do by talking heads who are drunk with assumed power.
- You ever notice that some of the nicest folks can be found at gas stations along the highway? I have. Say hello to people, you might receive a blessing!
- Went to Huntsville yesterday to perform the wedding for Pete Frambach and Linda Haynes. It was a complete blessing to me to be a part of their joyous day, and one that I will never forget.
- So, after driving up there on Sat and coming back today, I have packed my bag to head to DC tomorrow (yes, on Labor Day) for a 3-day trip. Ugh. Then, I am home for four days and head out again to San Antonio, TX for work. September? What? When?
- I still miss my dog, Lucy. Some days go by uneventful, but others really tear my heart up (like watching football without her at my feet sharing peanuts). Hate that.
- The new job is really taking off and it looks like there are some real challenges ahead as well as some opportunities to to make a difference for the Air Force. Good stuff of course, just real busy with a steep learning curve.
- I've discovered that some shows just put me to sleep no matter what I do to fight it. (Programs on Lifetime are usually the biggest offenders here.)
- My grass really needs to be cut, but I haven't the time nor the energy to get it done. Not too mention the rain we have gotten lately has made it tough to cut, but I ain't complaining.
- School starts up again this week -- 24 short weeks from graduating with my Masters ... finally. Been thinking about signing up for Seminary next year; still rolling it over and debating the pros and cons.
- Lastly, people in this country need to know that there are actually others out there who are part of the human race and care about them. Take the time this week to hug a stranger or just buy someone lunch -- you never know what rewards will come from it because you were willing.
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