Okay. It's all well and good that I'm leaving the church and many friends have a lot to say about it. It's about to make me crazy! Jess and I have no plans about the future. We are leaping and planning on looking later. One dies not get paid to look. I can't seem to turn my mind off today from thinking of all the possibilties AND all the worries about all that we just don't know yet.
I know: "be anxious about nothing but in everything with prayer and supplication give thanks"
- Posted from my iPhone
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
The Stars Align
I'm excited because of all that God is doing behind the scenes to care for HIS church, LDMBC. From a very selfish perspective (and maybe even wise), I want LDMBC to find a great pastor and continue to fulfill its full potential. The "stars are aligning". It makes me feel so proud to know my God takes care of things when I can't/don't/won't. I get to feeling like if I don't do it, it won't get done. That is wrong. I'm just a vessel. If I'm not used, He'll find another vessel. The work is greater than me and my limitations. Praise be to God that it all doesn't hinge on me or any other human being.
Monday, November 16, 2009
a Few Things I Take With Me
Well, in case you haven't heard, I resigned my post at Longview Drive last Sunday. Our last day will be December 13th.
There are some great people there, and it was overall a good 3 years. We will miss some people very much. I have learned many things in this experience, both by doing the right things, and by doing the wrong things some too. I've learned that teaching new adult believers is a great challenge that is always worth it! I've learned about integrity from one of the greatest men I've ever met. I've learned that a few people can do a great work if they try. I've learned that, no matter how long we've done it a certain way, tradition can be changed for the better. I think so highly of those more "mature" christians who were always willing to do anything I asked them to at least once. That is what it takes to reach the next generation. The positive lessons far outweigh the negatives.
I've learned that satan only needs one person to wreak havoc. I've learned that when it is apparent that satan is present, the church should remove him as quickly as possible. I've learned that civility and formality sometimes tie our hands. I've learned that a little leaven leavens the whole lump, one bad apple ruins the barrel, that one sick cow can ruin the herd. I write this without the expectation of someone reading it. But if, by chance, someone does read this however, know that I failed in removing the evil one and I pray you find success. If you can't see it, just watch who EVERY conflict involves. Some feel there is "US/Them" going on. It is not so. The church is not as divided as it seems. There is only 1 couple creating that illusion.
Maybe I've said too much. I do know this: I love Longview Drive more than I love satan, so I'll run the risk of saying too much. Nobody reads this anymore, so I may be safe in just getting this off my chest. Maybe somebody will.
There are some great people there, and it was overall a good 3 years. We will miss some people very much. I have learned many things in this experience, both by doing the right things, and by doing the wrong things some too. I've learned that teaching new adult believers is a great challenge that is always worth it! I've learned about integrity from one of the greatest men I've ever met. I've learned that a few people can do a great work if they try. I've learned that, no matter how long we've done it a certain way, tradition can be changed for the better. I think so highly of those more "mature" christians who were always willing to do anything I asked them to at least once. That is what it takes to reach the next generation. The positive lessons far outweigh the negatives.
I've learned that satan only needs one person to wreak havoc. I've learned that when it is apparent that satan is present, the church should remove him as quickly as possible. I've learned that civility and formality sometimes tie our hands. I've learned that a little leaven leavens the whole lump, one bad apple ruins the barrel, that one sick cow can ruin the herd. I write this without the expectation of someone reading it. But if, by chance, someone does read this however, know that I failed in removing the evil one and I pray you find success. If you can't see it, just watch who EVERY conflict involves. Some feel there is "US/Them" going on. It is not so. The church is not as divided as it seems. There is only 1 couple creating that illusion.
Maybe I've said too much. I do know this: I love Longview Drive more than I love satan, so I'll run the risk of saying too much. Nobody reads this anymore, so I may be safe in just getting this off my chest. Maybe somebody will.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Lessons from a Golden Retriever
There are few things funnier than playing frisbee with my dog. He has yet to learn when to jump. He tries to jump too soon and has some pretty nasty spills. Even after the fall, he runs with all his energy and pounces on the frisbee. Then, it takes a small army to get it out of his mouth so we can do it all over again.
I wonder why it's been so long since I've approached anything with that kind of reckless abandon. I'm not talking about bungee jumping or skydiving. Nothing stupid. I'm talking about real things in life. When was the last time I loved my wife that way? When was the last time wrote her a letter or planned a Special date? When was the last time I worshipped with that passion? When did I last seek to serve God that way?
Just a thought.
- Posted from my iPhone
I wonder why it's been so long since I've approached anything with that kind of reckless abandon. I'm not talking about bungee jumping or skydiving. Nothing stupid. I'm talking about real things in life. When was the last time I loved my wife that way? When was the last time wrote her a letter or planned a Special date? When was the last time I worshipped with that passion? When did I last seek to serve God that way?
Just a thought.
- Posted from my iPhone
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Want to lose 10 lbs
I'm trying to lose 10 lbs. To do this, I got a calorie counter and a workout regimin for my iPhone. To be quite honest, it sucks!!!!
Does anyone have an encouragement or advice to male this easier?
- Posted from my iPhone
Does anyone have an encouragement or advice to male this easier?
- Posted from my iPhone
Monday, September 28, 2009
first iPhone post
https://vr.shapeservices.com/play.php?hash=6657811629ee8b754ed5ed84a00f76dd62b55231b606966be
I'm posting this from my iPhone. this is cool!
___
Recorded on iPhone and posted with VR+ Lite.
http://vr.shapeservices.com
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Vanilla Church
So there's this book that's not written very well. In spite of its failings, the premise is great. It is centered this guy's 7 prayers that he learns to pray. Here is the first one.
1. Dear God, astound me with Your plans for me.
I can't decide what I think of this. On the one hand, I have heard my whole life, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future". I've sitting here waiting on these amazing plans to materialize. It's almost like I've been brainwashed into believing that if it isn't amazing then it is not God's plan for me. But I still would like that.
On the other hand, God seems to be simplifying everything lately. "Do the Great Commission", He says. But, to a Bible-belt Baptist, just doing the G.C. seems too simple.....like a cop out.
The more I ponder on this (yes I said ponder), the more I'm beginning to see that if I only did the G.C., life would not be that simple. If I made that top priority, then I would stick out, even in the Bible-belt. If my life was consumed with making sure every person was saved, baptized, and working to get others that way, then I might be offensive to some and stimulating to others, and there would be no "vanilla-Christianity". Maybe His plans are great, but in a simple kinda way.
What do you think?
1. Dear God, astound me with Your plans for me.
I can't decide what I think of this. On the one hand, I have heard my whole life, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future". I've sitting here waiting on these amazing plans to materialize. It's almost like I've been brainwashed into believing that if it isn't amazing then it is not God's plan for me. But I still would like that.
On the other hand, God seems to be simplifying everything lately. "Do the Great Commission", He says. But, to a Bible-belt Baptist, just doing the G.C. seems too simple.....like a cop out.
The more I ponder on this (yes I said ponder), the more I'm beginning to see that if I only did the G.C., life would not be that simple. If I made that top priority, then I would stick out, even in the Bible-belt. If my life was consumed with making sure every person was saved, baptized, and working to get others that way, then I might be offensive to some and stimulating to others, and there would be no "vanilla-Christianity". Maybe His plans are great, but in a simple kinda way.
What do you think?
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