Ahhhhh what a team

I have had some major stress in my life (well, major to me) and I knew I needed to see some change.

And change, I have seen.

Following Christ... Living by faith... through grace...

Working on being a better husband (wow, edging up on 20 years!!!!)

Being a better dad (I must say, I'm pretty good at that)

Pastoring.............. well that is a challenge.... but oh what a great team i work with!

Brady (asst. pastor) he is a get it done guy

Ann (yep you) by far the MOST efficient, caring and sharpest people I know! (She is our book keeper)

Phillip - What a passionate worship leader!!

My board - men that do not stifle vision (Kenny and Keith)

You see, its this team - and a load of other people that enable me to do what i do.

If I had the means I would take them and their families on a cruise! (if you wanna give, call me... LOL kidding.... LOL no I'm not)

Whats next? I don't know, but i will NOT do it alone!! Just a thought.....

The Edge

The edge is scary. It is lonely. It is a place that causes you to really think! Yea, its a place that is away from the middle ground. That place that if you fall down you just hit the ground. On the edge, if you fall you are not gonna hit the ground for a while!

I love coming from the edge of thought and inviting someone to come with me. To that shift in culture. That thing that makes you really challenge your self, question things and cause you to really pray. Yes, I am wired differently, but - like Mark Batterson from NCC Church in DC says, "Chase the Lion".

Try this, go to a tall building and go to the roof of that tall building and set on the edge of the roof of that tall building. Your heart will jump, you will respect the edge and you will see a new perspective than you can from the ground.

From the edge you can dream, target and see what it is from a panoramic view what God wants you to conquer next.

Come on, come with me to the edge and hang on tight and see what else there is to do in this thing called life.

Next? I wanna skydive off the edge! Wanna come? Just a Thought.....

Faith

Substance. Things hoped For. Risk. Blind. These are all words that describe faith. In all of life we are required to live by faith. To not know what tomorrow holds. We learn it through process, through life, mistakes, and or success. Understanding faith is impossible , yet operating in it is not. Moving mountains, praying for that unreachable thing. I am beginning to find in my own walk that faith is not what we see on the local Christian TV station. Where it can be seen is in that single parent that is raising a kid and holding 3 jobs. In the teacher who makes a small salary for an untold amount of dedication. The missionary in worlds not heard of. The kid who says no to peer pressure. The CEO who is ethical. Faith, I certainly do hope, risk and God knows I am blind at times. I just want to see what i am supposed too. Just a Thought.....

Mind Dump

I saw another pastor do what is called "mind dump" on Twitter. Once a week he will just empty his thoughts onto paper. So, in the spirit of that pastor - here goes......

Time is short.

Rest is hard to get.

Its getting harder to be romantic.

My dog is my best friend.

I have to go, again??

My kids are my heros.

I wish I could scream very, very loud.

I love Jesus with all my heart, yet sometimes I just want a cold beer (but I don't - because those other "preachers" might gossip about it)

I hate religion

I wish we had carpet instead of hardwood floors at home.

I want to sky dive.

I am self centered.

I love Jesus with all my heart, why do I get road rage?

Frusteration is a flaw of mine.

I will NOT please everyone, so why do I try?

Do all people have Drama problems?

Its hard to be commited to people with the lack of commitment.

I need to loose 50 lbs.

I joined a gym two weeks ago and have not gone yet!!!!!!

I am a hypocrite

I cant spell!!!!!!

I love Jesus with all of my heart, why don't I trust him most of the time

ahhhhhhhhhh, that is much better. Just a Thought.....

Others

In the Church you will find as many stories as there are people. As many people you will find, you will discover relationships. Unless, of course you are one of those narrow minded, self centered "Christians". The fact that we go to church every Sunday is for several reasons. First, to worship God. Then in this order, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry and then Evangelism. Did you notice the list of importance? Yes, God is FIRST! However, 4 of the 5 are about others. A sobering question that needs to be asked of ANY Christ following church every 3 months is, "when do we notice the "others". You know, those ones that are not in our inner circle. LOL, yep that includes the local church. The fact of the matter is this. The song "I just need Jesus" is a false doctrine that is taught in introverted Churches. Jesus not only loves people, he needs people. Not in the "needy" since, but in the since that He wants to involve us in His plan of helping others, through compassion and hands on love. Everyone has a story, and every story is unique and God wants us to hear it. Why?, well to quote a college history professor I had, "History is "His Story". Just a thought.....