Sunday, January 31, 2010

Still Going Strong

We are still going strong on the eating right loosing weight plan. I have been loosing 1-2 pounds per week. I am still just trying to take things slow and make better choices with what I put into my mouth. Avoiding fried foods and trying to keep the portion size reasonable. I have been watching my calorie intake as well. Just trying to keep tabs on things so I am not eating more than I should be without realizing it. I have been trying to eat around 300 calories for breakfast, 500 calories for lunch and 700 calories for dinner. Then I can have some fruit or string cheese in between meals and I am good for the day. You'd be surprised how much food that actually is when you cut out fried and processed foods!

I also bought a treadmill (which I have to put together today) so I can start getting my ticker in shape. Plus that will help burn through some calories. I am on my way to my target weight. It's probably going to take a year to get there this way, but I'd rather take my time and do this right than do it quick only to gain it all back after the diet is done.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Why Am I So Drawn To A Crash?

Like most people I enjoy a good story. Lately though, it seems I am more and more drawn to things that I really should pay no attention to. Kinda like when your driving down the freeway only to find yourself stuck in a mile long traffic jam when the accident in question was on the other side of the road. The only real reason for the traffic back up is people taking their eyes off what they should be looking at (the road ahead) and looking at what they shouldn't be looking at (the accident.)

This morning I was playing around on a social networking site and saw a post by my wife's niece that said a promenant Christian (remaining nameless to stop eveyone else from gawking) was now a practicing scientologist. This peeked my interest and I immediately stopped what I was doing and took 20 minutes to look for proof of the transgression (which I found none.) I thought nothing of it this morning and then on my way to work the question hit me: How much time do we spend chasing after watching someone else crash and burn? How much time do we spend looking with a smirk on our faces while others lives are falling apart?

The gossip magazines are chock full of stories about this garbage and they must be doing alright because I have never heard of one going out of business for lack of sales. Evey in a bad economy like this one where traditional print media is on the brink of bankruptcy it seems the gossip magazines are doing well. What does that say about us as a people.

Proverbs 17:4 Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander. (NLT)

Dang, that hurts.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Good Morning

This is pretty much a rest and recuperation type year for April and I. In many ways ministry has taken a toll on us mentally, spiritually, and physically. So, we are trying to take some time (as I have previously blogged about) to kinda bring those things back to center in our lives. I wanted to talk a little about some things God has been dealing with me on.

First, I realize that I have put on a tremendous amount of weight since starting in ministry. I have gained 40 lbs. Now, that didn't happen over night. It happened slowly by not being careful, always being on the run, and never wanting to walk away from a tasty treat. For this year, I have set a goal of losing 70 lbs and getting myself back to what I think is a healthy weight for me. Since I started I have lost a total of 10 lbs and am feeling pretty good about things.

For me, I really wanted to focus more on a creating a healthier lifestyle that just getting on a diet to loose weight. So here is what I am doing. Cutting fried foods out of my life, avoiding things that have been overly processed, and eating more fruits and veggies. I am also trying to work on eating every couple of hours to avoid being famished at meals. So I am snacking on fruits, cheese, and yogurt in between meals and then eating smaller "meals." It seems to be doing the trick so far.

I have also ordered a treadmill so I can work on getting my cardio in. I want to start working on getting in better shape and having more endurance. Also, the running will help my tennis game for this summer!

That's it, nothing profound just trying to make slightly better food choices and getting a little time in on the treadmill a few days a week.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Random Thoughts

Been doing a lot of soul searching and thinking over the last few months and some things have really come full cricle and others are still their floating around in my heart and head. I am starting to get some clarity on some things. So here are some radom thoughts I have had:
  • Over the last few months I have had people and pastors ask me if I would ever plant a church again. As of right now the answer is no, and yes. I can't see myself doing another plant that rises from nothing without the support of a mother church. It's simply too hard to have enough support and workers to be viable. I would consider planting again if the situation were correct and we had proper support from a mother church.
  • That said, it would be a long time before I was ready to do it again, and even if I were I am not sure I would take on a lead pastor role. I am better suited to be an executive pastor that serves as a church planter then allows someone else to take on the work once it is established.
  • I see, at least right now, my next vocational ministry being more along the role of an executive/teaching pastor.
  • When you're in ministry you face a lot of criticism. Everyone has a better idea than you do about how you should be doing things. A few things I have learned about criticisms:
  • First, unless a person is willing to step up and take a share of owning the problem and the solution, their criticisms are hallow and stink of personal preference and possibly an agenda.
  • Second, and this I think rings true whether you're in ministry or not. Never trust a person who isn't willing to sit down man to man or woman to woman and discuss their issues with you. If they are willing to tell their problems to other but not you watch your back.
  • Since we closed Real Life I have had 3 offers to come help out other ministries. I am flattered and humbled for that. But really, I just don't feel released in my spirit to do anything right now. At some point I hope and pray God puts that passion and his anointing back on my life but I just don't feel it's their right now. Until that happens April and I are content to sit and wait on God.
  • We have however begun the process of trying to find a new church home. We are taking our time and looking for the right place for us.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Quiet Time

Over the last year or so I have had very, very little quiet time. I talked a good game about it but I just didn't find much time for it. God has been really hitting me over the head with how much of a junkie I am. Internet, TV, books, music, and a host of other things take up my time and I couldn't seem to find quiet in my life.

Last night I finally broke out of that mold. After April went to bed I just turned it all off, and sat in a room alone with God. I told myself I wanted five good minutes with God. I was amazed at how hard it was to get five good minutes. My mind kept racing, thoughts kept pouring in, it was hard. I am not going to lie, it took almost a half an hour to get five good minutes. Every time I'd get myself out of the way something else would pop into my mind, or a thought would race.

Those five minutes, were awesome. Felt God speaking to me for the first time in a long time.

Friday, January 8, 2010

Random Life Updates

As part of my vision 2010 post I talked about some things I am working on changing in my life. I thought I would update some of those things periodically.

  • April and I decided to leave HallowVox. It's a great band and ministry but in the end it was us costing more time, money, and resources than we wanted to contribute.
  • My musical vision is that I want to use whatever musical ability I have to reach people here in Toledo. So, I have started working on some other musical projects that will be focused here in Toledo rather than regionally.
  • I started my new eating plan last week and I am doing OK with it. So far I am down 7lbs and feeling pretty good.
  • We are still seeking God about the next church of ministry he'd have us attend/serve in. Don't really feel like we are released to go and do much yet. One of these days....
  • Still doing a lot of reading and waiting :)

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Vision 2010

Ok, so I know it's usually a church that has a vision statement or has a vision message about where they are going in the upcoming year. So, I thought why shouldn't I have a vision blog about where I see God taking me and what I think God is working on in me?

So here goes:

I am going to spend 2010 getting healthier, stronger, and better connected to those I am called to reach.

Getting healthier:

  • (Physically)I have put on 50 lbs over the last 7-8 years. Not healthy, not good, and seriously causing some health probelems. That weight has got to come off period. I started eating better last week and can already feel the results. I want to drop about 70 total lbs.
  • (Spiritually) I have been running on empty for too long. I am not even thinking about any type of vocational ministry. I want to take as much time as I feel like God needs me to take to recharge my spiritual batteries.
  • (Emotionally) I have been hurt by some people I cared deeply for and I am working on processing that
  • (Relationally) I am putting some things in place in my life that will help me reconnect with people I feel like God is calling me to reach. It means some reprioritizing of my time, talents, and efforts. It means saying goodbye to some things and hello to others.

I have really enjoyed the last two months. My calander has been clearer than ever, I have had more time to spend with my family, and am starting to make some sense of some things that have puzzled me for a while.

Life is good. God is good.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

We're Back

April and I are back from our winter get away. We had a fun time in the Caribbean sun and are now ready to get back to work.

On a personal note, God showed me some pretty tough things in terms of area's that I really need to grow in. It's encouraging that we are always a work in progress with God and that none of us are perfected yet.