Tuesday Mind Dump

• Really digging a couple of new CD's Third Day's new CD "Move" and Lincoln Brewster's new CD "Real Life." Awesome music
• Looking forward to Friday night. We're having friends over for dinner and conversation. We don't do that often enough...this should be fun.
• Good music set list for this weekend. Should be a great time.
  
• Looking forward to the next steps God has for me. Been really moving me in certain directions. Looking forward to acting on it when the time is right.
• Hoping April's car is out of the body shop this week. I cannot stand driving that little rental car....
• Been in a zone preaching the last few weeks. Hope that continues after my week off. Got some good stuff coming up too.

Reflection(s)

What a difference a year makes. It just hit me that it was a year ago that we were entering our last week at Real Life. I was spent spiritually, emotionally, and physically spent. As sad as it was to close RL, I don't know how much longer I could have gone on even if we had been more solvent. We took six months and didn't do much of anything church related. We visited around and got to worship with friends that we'd been meaning to catch up with but nothing in terms of playing, teaching, leading, serving. It was a really much needed respite.

Last spring we offered to help a friend that was planting a church in the Findlay area. Originally, we were going to come and help out for the summer. The summer gradually turned into we'll stay till launch next Easter. God has a purpose and a plan in everything. Last month our friend passed away. He was only 54 and had a massive heart attack. While it's been tough for everyone, it's pretty obvious that God called us to 242 Church to help. God knew what was going to happen and he knew he needed us there. We are not called to be at 242 long term. God also had a plan and a man that he wanted to lead that church. Next week we'll get to hear from him (Craig.) We'll pray that his calling to 242 is confirmed by everyone at church.

It's been a weird year. When we closed RL I said that I was done in ministry. I meant it, I really wanted nothing to do with it anymore. I was tired of friends who loved me to my face, but spoke ill of my behind my back. I was tired of the attacks on my family. I was just plain tired. I've often said that I love God but struggled to love his people. If you've ever been in ministry, perhaps you can relate. I told God that if ever wanted me back in ministry that he'd have to come get me because I would not be looking for ministry work.

I believe God has a funny streak about him. We went to 242 just to help out with worship and I was going to coach Scott a little behind the scenes and then we'd walk away. Here I am leading a church again (although just short term.) Over the last 6 months, I have had 6 people call, email, and take me out for coffee asking if I'd be interested in helping out or taking a ministry position with their church. Small group pastor, teaching pastor, lead pastor, worship....all kinds of ministry opportunities. One very large church, and some mid to smaller sized churches...Till now, I have turned them all down and really without much thought or even prayer.....Finally, last week. I said OK God I GET IT.....You want me in ministry.

I know what my calling is. I have for a long time. When the right offer comes along. I will do it....until then I'll follow where he leads. Sometimes, I forget that my life isn't my own. In order to have a life I have to be willing to give it away. If it means taking the kind of crap (yes I just said crap) that comes with ministry I will learn to endure. I am learning that the Apostle Paul said when he said "For me to live is Christ."

You Might Be A Pharisee If....

I stumbled upon this post here. Very good post...I could add a whole bunch more to it....but still really good!

Get your best Jeff Foxworthy voice on as you read....

You might be a Pharisee if:

• You see church as all about ministering to you and your personal needs.
• You don’t really think you need grace – after all, you’re doing pretty good at this Christian thing.
• You judge others by their actions, but are offended when people fail to judge you by your intentions.
• You don’t really feel called to minister to “those” people.You sure wish ole Jimbo or Earnestine had been here to hear this today – because God knows she sure does need to hear it.
• You rush to judgment and meting out punishment first without ever considering the possibility of mercy when you hear of someone else’s failure.
• You’re consumed with splinters and haven’t dealt with personal logs.
• You actually acknowledge that you have sin, but know it’s nowhere near what other people are doing.
• God will take care of “those people.” You just worry about ministering to me and my family and keeping us happy pastor.
• Phariseeism is a virus – contagious – the only way to treat it, to wash regularly with the water of the Word and apply grace generously.

Sunday Mind Dump

Had a great time teaching today. Last summer I was working around the house and God gave me a message about healing our hurts. I thought "Ok, but when in the world am I supposed to teach that message God?" God knew. I am so honored that God allows me to do what I do. When we came to 242 it was supposed to be short term, just long enough to help Scott get the ministry off the ground and stable. I am glad we followed the leading of the Holy Spirit in bringing us there. It won't be forever. But, still glad to have been a part. So let's dump:

• Some highlights from the message. You don't have enough emotional energy to worry about getting even with people. Let God balance the books.
  
• Forgiving others isn't about them deserving it. It's about you being able to move on with your life....and because God forgives you and I.
• Fill your mind up with Jesus and you won't have time to worry about getting even with people.
• You'll know you're healed when your ready to start helping others overcome. That's how God makes good use for our pain....when you use it to serve.
• Sunday's are long days for us....we leave the house at 7am and don't usually get home until after 1. When our time is up at 242 we are going to take another ministry sabbatical for a few months and recharge our batteries.
• Really looking forward to our cruise this December. Getting away for a week is going to be so sweet!
• So many people hurting. So few willing to do what it takes to get well. It's not easy....but there is great freedom in it.
• My past is not my future. God is going to do a new thing in my life....
• I am out....peace everyone.....time to veg out and watch some foosball!
  

What am I Praying For?

I often wonder how many Christians go through life not really knowing what they should be praying for. Do we pray for ourselves is that too selfish? Do we only pray for those we love, but not us? Or do we pray for everything and everyone? Well...I am by no means an expert on prayer so I will just tell you what I pray for nightly.

• I pray that God would bless and protect my family.
• I pray that God would bless and protect my friends.
• I pray for my church and my pastor (although that's me right now...so feel free to pray for me!)
• I pray for those I know who are enduring trials and suffering.
• I pray for anything else that God lays on my heart.

I think for most of us, if we could just start with those things....we'd be getting somewhere...I know you'd think people in ministry would be much deeper than that....but I have to confess...I have never been much of a prayer warrior....For years I felt bad about that....but a few years ago, I just felt God release me from feeling bad about something that wasn't my spiritual gift. All of us can and should pray regularly....but not all of us are going to be the kind of prayer warriors that can spend hours and hours praying down heaven and earth.....just pray and listen....be obedient to what God is leading you to become as a pray-er!

Sunday Mind Dump

Seeming like these mind dumps are morphing into Monday morning mind dumps more and more. Course it is football season.....So let's dump:

• Great day at 242 yesterday. Loved the talk by Jenn Ditmeyer.
  
• Jenn brought up some great points and ideas for the church. She did a fabulous job talking about needing to raise the funds to pay for a full time pastor. We have a tremendous opportunity with some matching funds. We've got the guy picked out we think is the next person to lead the church....the next step is God providing the resources through his people.
• Loved hearing Jake play the cajon yesterday. Sounded so cool.
• Speaking of music, it seems like over the last month or so we've hit our stride in terms of song selection and style and we are starting to see much more responsiveness with the congregation.
• Looking forward to the next few months. I love putting things together and that's what we are going to be working on. The kids ministry is coming along nicely, worship is moving forward, we are going to be moving some other area's forward as well. We'll talk about those in the coming weeks.
  
• It's been nice to be back teaching again. I hadn't done it (teaching of Sunday's) for a year and after this run is over April and I are going to take another small ministry sabbatical and figure out what our next steps are going to be. Right now we are not sure when that's going be...It could be as soon as January or as late as next summer. It all depends on the leader we are bringing in and what his needs and desires are.
• I've had 4-5 offers for ministry related work since coming along side 242 last spring. We've turned them all down knowing that God had called us to use what we'd learned about church planting to help get 242 off the ground. We'll see how God leads over the next year or so in that respect. One thing is clearer than ever, April and I have a much better perspective on what God is calling us to do with our lives.
  

God Doesn't Want to See Your But...

Once and a while Perry Noble writes something in his blog that just needs to be share word for word......the following is one of those posts....love it!!

Taken from www.perrynoble.com

God doesn’t want to see your “but!”

Your “but” is nasty…it is gross…it should be covered up and never shown…

Yet so often times we want to “moon God” and show Him our “but” when God’s Word is declared…

• “I know I need to plant a church…”BUT” I don’t have enough money.”
• “I know I need to take that step of faith…”BUT” I don’t know how things will turn out.”
• “I know I need to admit that I am struggling with sin…”BUT” I am afraid of what people will think of me.”
• “I know I need to share Christ with my friend…”BUT” they may label me and I may lose a friend.”
• “I know I need to put Jesus first in my finances…”BUT” I don’t think I can afford to.”
• “I know I need to end this dating relationship…”BUT” if I do then I may be single for the rest of my life.”
• “I know that God wants me to fight FOR my marriage…”BUT” the easiest thing to do is walk away and start over.”
• “I know the decision I need to make…”BUT” if I do what I know I need to do it is going to cause me to have to embrace the unknown.”

See what I mean…we always want God to see our “BUT!”…and yet He isn’t interested…because…

He sent Jesus to the earth for your “BUT!”

Jesus died on the cross for your “BUT!”

Jesus rose from the grave for your “BUT!”

And Jesus reigns OVER YOUR “BUT!”

So stop telling Him about your “BUT” – get off of your “BUT” and get on with what He has said to get on with!!!

No one ever accomplished anything great for God by showing Him their “BUT!”

He is able to handle your “BUT!”

So do whatever He’s telling you to do…and stop worrying about your “BUT!”