Thursday, July 30, 2009

Lot's of Reflection

Been doing a lot of reflection of how far we've come over the last few years. Man God has done some incredible things at Real Life. Seeing and watching people live changed lives. Seeing God heal people. Seeing his provision. Seeing people develop in ministry. And some things, I can't even write about because they are private. Just incredible.

At times when it seems that there are more questions than answers it can be helpful if you are able to reflect on what God has done. Not for the sake of being nostalgic or thinking about how good things used to be. We occasionally reflect, because it helps to remind us of God's character. If God has done all of those things in the past and he is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Why would we even consider the possibility that he might not continue his work in us?

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Wise Words

Some very wise words from Perry Noble. Love the thought here.....sometimes the stuff going on in our lives is painful.....

Preparation H and Confession

Posted: 28 Jul 2009 04:49 AM PDT

OK…so from time to time I am accused of being a little too transparent when I communicate…the following post will give evidence of that…and many of you may scream “TMI,” nonetheless…here we go…

Buying Preparation H is embarassing.

How do I know? I did it the other day…and not because I wanted to play a joke on someone…but because I needed it!

I was intimated walking into the drug store…and didn’t know where to look for it. BUT…(ha ha…”but”) I wasn’t about to ask where the hemorrhoid medicine was located…I guess I could find it myself.

After I located it I had to walk it up front and pay for it. For a brief second I thought about shoplifting…seriously…because I knew that the person who was going to ring me up was going to know what I was dealing with!

BUT…I decided to go ahead and get it over with. SO…I walked up to the cash register and a lady was standing there (GREAT…if it would have been a dude I could have at least cracked off a joke or something!) I handed her the box of Preparation H and she looked at it, sort of smiled and then rang it up.

I wanted to tell her it wasn’t for me…that is was for a friend…that I was getting a gag gift for someone. BUT…reality is this–I was in pain and wanted relief…and thus had to face a pretty embarassing situation in order to get my problem solved. (Yes, things are MUCH better–thanks for asking!)

I just KNOW that after I left the store that people probably referred to me as “butt boy” or “pastor preparation h!” BUT (ha-ha)…pain and discomfort will either produce desperation or denial…and I simply could not accept things the way they were.

WHICH brings me to how we do life (yes…this does have a point!)

I know a lot of people who are miserable right now…not sad, not disheartened…but MISERABLE. The reason = there is something going on inside of them that is painful…their marriage is struggling, they can’t stop looking at porn, they are WAY overextended financially or maybe they are involved in an affair.

AND…they are being tormented on the inside…seriously, the level of discomfort that they are going through is, at times, overwhelming…and they want relief…however,

What they must go through to get relief is not worth the price of relief in their minds (confession and repentance)…and so they just keep pretending that things are fine…not realizing that to deny the voice of God is to venture down a path of destruction.

The Bible says in James 5:16 that we should confess our sins to one another and pray for one another…in other words…we NEED one another.

It is embarassing to confess sin? YES! It it tough to admit that sin is dominating your life? YES! Will people talk about you and quite possibly make fun or you? YES!!! It’s NOT EASY…but…

To remain in a situation that Jesus is calling you out of will lead to more embarrassment than we could even imagine. I once heard someone say, “The consequences of concealment are far more damaging than the consequences of confession!”

So…do you have people in your life to whom you can talk with…REALLY talk with…about what is going on in your life?

Is there anything about you that, if it became known, would destroy your marriage? You reputation? Your relationship with your children?

You CAN’T live in that discomfort…b/c like I said earlier…to remain in discomfort will lead to destruction.

The conviction of the Holy Spirit is NOT God judging you…but rather Him being merciful!!! Why would we resist God trying to refine us? Answer–it MAY be embarassing…

When in actuality to remain where some of us are will be FAR more embarassing…

SO…anything you need to say or do?

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Sunday Mind Dump

This was a long and busy week. Hospital visits, birthdays, and a host of other things to keep a guy busy. Finally able to unwind a little tonight. So let's dump:
  • Had fun watching people tell their stories of what Real Life has meant to them and done in their lives. That will never get old and always remind us why we do what we do.
  • Today was Aaron and Tara's last day. It's always hard to see someone move on and even harder when those people are such a big part of your church. Here is what I know. God provides. He provided a worship leader before and he'll do it again. Course, we still love A & T and they are welcome back anytime :)
  • Starting next week yours truly will be taking over the band. There will be some changes in the way we sound. We'll have a little more keyboards and use just one guitar for now. We're going to look for another worship leader and guitar player but until that time we'll adjust.
  • Great time at Abbies graduation party. Although I still smell like smoke from the grill :)
  • Looking forward to getting a week and a half off. I love getting away with April and the kids.
Well got a few more things to finish tonight!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Sunday Mind Dump

Great day at church today. The band played pretty solidly and it seemed like people where having a good time. Nice to See an old friend of Real Life back in church today. So, let's dump:
  • Band sounded good. I think we could have been a little louder but we did sound pretty good.
  • Great to see someone other than us use our church yesterday. We need to do a better job of promoting our place for parties and stuff. It's perfect for showers and parties.
  • We are going to be making some big changes to how we run our kids ministry. We'll make those announcements next month.
  • We are doing everything we can do deal with the financial issues the economy has brought our way. At the end of the day, we have to realize that God is in control and we are to do whatever he asks us to do. As of now, it's going to be close for the next few months.
  • Looking forward to getting away with the family for a week. Hard to believe my baby girl is going to be 18 this week. I am way to young for that :P
I and out!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Sunday Mind Dump

I am not sure about everyone else but I actually had a great time at church today! The music was great and I really enjoyed giving today's message. Learning to hear God's voice is something every Christian struggles with from time to time....So, let's dump:
  • IF you want to hear God speak into your life there are 4 basic things you need to do....first, have an open heart and mind. Second, set aside some daily quiet time and just listen. Third, Get along and eliminate the distractions of life. Lastly, be willing to do what he tells you in advance. Seems simple doesn't it?
  • The band sounded great today. Lot's of positive comments about the music. People really loved the closing song. Great choice Aaron :)
  • Tough meeting after church talking about some of the struggles we are having as a church. Many churches are struggling with the same things as us. It's a sign of the times. God is in control and we are merely along for the ride.
  • Next week's message is even better than this weeks. I am stoked.
  • We'll get to the I love my church series in a couple of weeks. It's taking longer than we'd like to edit the video's we shot. As soon as those are all completed we'll be ready to go. I know you're all eagerly waiting but patience is a virtue!
  • Going to be making some big changes in the way we run our kids ministry. You'll hear about it more over the next few weeks.
  • I am loving this song called "How He Loves." It's coming to Real Life soon. Really soon :)
I am outta here....my wife says that I need a shower.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Dinner

Been playing with a recipe for chicken enchiladas....we'll see if this one is the bomb or not. I can't seem to find one I really like. If you happen to have one send it my way and I will gladly award you with 1000 brownie points. Make sure you give it to me and not April as she will eat the brownie points and you'll be left with nothing :)

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Sunday Mind Dump

Man, I had a blast this weekend. First off, thank you to everyone who has served our country and given a part of themselves for our freedom. The 4th of July always takes me back to my days serving as a paramedic in the Army. I know the costs that were paid and I am glad to call you my brothers and sisters :)

So, let's dump:
  • Had a lot of fun playing guitar for Aaron the last few weeks however the party is over, now let's bring back the REAL worship leader :)
  • Loved Perry Noble's message this morning on God is Here. Perry is very funny, but he can also preach like no ones business.
  • Thanks John and Shelley for having everyone out to your boat Saturday for food and festivities.
  • Still really loving the new set up at church. All those new tables really help deliver the coffee house feel.
  • Got a new guitar toy I am going to be breaking out next weekend. I love it.
  • Had a bunch of people over to the house for dinner and games this afternoon....Lot'sa fun.
That's it....I could say a few more things but it's midnight and I do need my beauty rest.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

I Love Our People

One of the things I really love about Real Life is that I don't have to be everywhere and do everything. In some churches, the lead pastor is the guy on everything. He handles all the hospital visits, phone calls, moral boosters, teaching, etc.

Today when I went to the hospital I found out that I was the 4th or 5th visit from a Real Life member or staff person. How cool is that? Our people love each other so much that they'll make sure they get up to the hospital to visit those of us in need :)

I LOVE that you guys rock it like that!!!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Planning and thinking ahead

Over the last few days I have been doing some planning and thinking ahead.....here are a few things I am pondering.

Teaching: Next month we are doing the I Love My Church series. That should be a lot of fun! I totally changed my mind on what I was teaching and we are changing up the teaching series. We are going to do a series called Five Lies: Things Satan Wants You to Believe. The sad thing is many time in life we are not only believing Satan's lies but we are acting on them. This August we are going to start the process of confronting them.

Outreach: Now that we have the tables in place I am kicking around doing a once a month open mic night. We could have bands come and play a few songs, poets, artists, and maybe a band to close out the night. Any thoughts? I'd love to hear them....

Celebrate Recovery: We are moving in that direction. Not sure when we'll be ready for it but it will happen. Part of the purpose of our pastoral coaching and consulting network is meant to help us design that. When we feel like we have it down we'll move forward. The only thing worse than not doing something is doing something really poorly and leaving a bad taste in everyone's mouth :)