Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Thanksgiving Mind Dump

I have never been one to follow tradition. I am not sure why but I am just not sentimental like that. I do however find myself this Thanksgiving reflecting on how much I have grown over this last year and how for the first time in the last few years I feel like God is stirring something up in me. I am not sure what it is yet, I just feel like something big is about to happen and that is an awesome feeling.

So in light of that lets dump:
  • So thankful for God and all he's done for me.
  • Thankful for my family. They've seen the good and the bad and they still act like they know me and that's awful nice of them!
  • Thankful for God's second chances. In life, in ministry, and in love.
  • Thankful God doesn't treat us like we treat his children.
  • Thankful I am going to get away with my bride for a week in a few weeks. Sun, good food, and relaxation is much needed right about now.
  • Thankful that God has provided for us. Times are tough for many and we've been blessed far beyond what we deserve.
  • Thankful for life and health. So many I know have lost theirs too soon.
  • Thankful God allows me to work in ministry. It's truly an honor. I don't ever want to take it for granted or think that somehow I am good enough. It's only by his power and hand I can do what I am called to do.
  • Thankful for good friends who pray for me way more than I seem to pray for them.
  • Thankful God has allowed my Grandfather a little more time.
I could go on all night....

Friday, November 19, 2010

My Facebook Fast

Thinking I might be taking a month long fast from Facebook in December. I need to spend some extra time thinking and praying about some ministry related things and playing on Facebook just seems to take up so much idle time...I do enjoy having a place to goof around and stay in touch with all my friends from this stage of my life and other stages of my life but I need a break from it all for a while.

Dec 1st-Dec 31st...

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Sowing Seeds....Good Post by Rick Warren

I get a great devotional delivered to my email daily from Rick Warren. This was today's....loved the post so I thought I'd share it with everyone who stumbles upon my blog.....enjoy :)


Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV)

"No farmer considers sowing seeds an expense. He sees it as an investment."

God often compares giving to sowing seeds. Like a farmer, if you go out and sow a bunch of seeds, you'll get a bunch of plants. If you only sow a few seeds, you'll only get a few plants. And if you sow no seeds, you'll get no plants.

No farmer considers sowing seeds an expense. He sees it as an investment. He knows that if you don't buy seed, you won't have a farm.

When a farmer plants seeds, he's excited about it; he's hopeful about it. He has faith because he puts one corn seed in the ground and expects to get a whole corn stalk full of more seed than he put in. He looks forward to the harvest because he knows he's going to be blessed.

Here are three things the Bible says about sowing and reaping:

  1. Whatever you sow, you are going to reap. If you sow criticism, people are going to criticize you. If you sow gossip, people are going to gossip about you. Whatever you sow in life, you are going to reap it back. Count on it.

The good news is, this works in positive terms too. Give it to God and watch his blessings flow onto others and back to you.

  1. You will reap more than you sow every time. A farmer who plants one kernel in the ground will get a stalk with eight or nine ears that have 100 to 200 corn kernels each.
  1. You always reap in a different season than you sowed. You sow in one season and then you reap the benefit in another season. You can go plant a seed today, dig it up tomorrow, and there will be no difference. But if you let it settle, slowly it will grow and produce. That's the faith portion of the waiting period in God's economy.

How big a harvest do you want to see in your life? It's up to you. God says, "According to your faith will it be done to you" (Matthew 9:29 NIV).

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Sunday Mind Dump

I haven't written much in my blog over the last month or so for several reasons. We've just been busy and something has to give. I haven't had as much to say as in the past because I am trying to step back and just let God do his thing and talk about that rather than me trying to make things happen. Lastly, because I am trying to allow others to build the church and not so much me. I am a short timer at 242 and while I want to give it my all during my tenure, I am stepping back come January and April and I will be stepping away from all ministry at some point this spring or summer. So let's dump:
  • Since Closing Real Life I have had 5-6 offers to pastor churches...one more over the last few weeks. I don't know what God has in store for me, but I do know if I have a say in the matter We'll be taking more time off from ministry after we finish our tenure at 242. If God has other plan's so be it, we'll obey, but if you ask me :)
  • So much fun today watching the kids sing and tell stories. I love family worship experience days!
  • It was even more fun having the kids play instruments this time! Great job Bree, Tyler, and Tyler!!
  • Looking forward to the Christmas season. April and I have a get away scheduled. It might be our last one for a few years if some things happen we've been talking about. (stay tuned) and no, it's not a baby.
  • Helped Jake fill out his first college application today. We'll see....We'll see.
  • I am pumped about next weekends kick off of out new teaching series I am calling "Be The Church!)
Better get back to football!