Blowing It - Part 1

Eight scoreless innings. Cliff Lee and Tim Wakefield were locked in a pitcher's duel and we had prime seats for watching it! The weather? Perfect! 85 degrees in April with blue sky overhead. As I watched the game I munched on a bag of peanuts and listened to the Red Sox fans around me, make some noise.

In the top of the 9th inning Eric Wedge pulled Cliff Lee from the game and gave the ball to Kerry Wood. A few minutes later the Sox had 2 men on and Jason Bey hit a blast to the bleachers in left-center.

After all of the great pitching by Lee, spectacular catches by Sizemore and Choo, the Indians faced another loss.

How many times have we seen fellow believers walk with Christ only to let our opponent win in the last few innings of their life? Don't blow it!

New Life

I was able to take part in a miracle last night! It is exciting when the Holy Spirit uses us to lead someone to Christ. Robin and I had that privilege last night in my office. All heaven was rejoicing as someone began their new life in Christ!

"Never Judge a Book By It's Cover"

If you need some inspiration or a lift today, check out this youtube video. If you have ever been discredited, underestimated and/or overlooked, this video will make you smile. I'm still smiling! Plus, it is one of my favorite songs!

Click on the following link to watch the video.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk

In This Together

We tried something different in our engaged/married couples class, yesterday morning. Robin led the discussion with the ladies while I took the guys into another room for some discussion. It was awesome! The interaction and dialogue was excellent - more than I expected! We left the class with the sense that we are "In This Together". Can't wait to see what God will do through this!

Get Real!

I spent this morning with 6 other pastors in a meeting in which we were challenged to get real with ourselves and others. I loved the dynamic and the dialogue as, together, we expressed our concern, our questions and shared our challenges.

Who can you get real with?

Being Instant

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (2 Tim 4:2 KJV)

One week is not a short notice and it certainly does not require one to be instant. For me; however, one week , is shorter than my normal prep time as I typically do not preach on a regular basis. Last night, my pastor asked me to preach next Sunday evening, a welcome opportunity.

I immediately began seeking the Lord as to what he would have me speak. This continued off and on through the night, as I prayed, thought and slept. At about 5:30 this morning, I startled Robin when I sat up in bed and said, "Wait a minute, we have "GloryBound" (a band) coming in next Sunday evening!

Don't worry, the thoughts and prayers have only helped prepare me for the next opportunity.

Relentless Restlessness

I'm restless. My mind keeps spinning in circles and I am examining every aspect of my life in an attempt to identify the cause of my restlessness. The fact is, I am experiencing a range of emotions that, typically, mean one thing - Change.

Now more than ever, I need to be in God's Word, on my knees in prayer and with my hands raised in worship. God is up to something again!

Smile

Last night, Robin and I went to dinner with some members of the married couples class at our church. We had a great time - despite being tired and stressed, we laughed, shared stories and enjoyed the food.

After dinner, Robin and I went grocery shopping. Since we had quite a bit of food to get, Robin suggested that I go get some items while she would keep the cart and get other things. While I walked the aisles searching for the items on my list, I decided to try an experiment. I started smiling at everyone I encountered in passing and was keeping track of all those who smiled back. It was fun.

One woman, when I smiled at her, her whole face lit up and every time I encountered her she was still smiling! However, there was this one gentleman that apparently was not about to smile in any way, shape or form.

I may never know how the simple act of smiling may have helped one of those people. It was such a little gesture, but it's power is often underestimated.

Have you smiled lately?

B-Man - The Preacha'

Our son, Brandon, preached for a group of 26 of his peers today in a meeting of Warriors For Christ. He admitted to me that he was nervous but it went well. He spoke on the issues of gossip and lies.

My goal as a Father, is for my children to surpass me in every good thing during their life, especially their relationship with Christ. Yeah, I would say Brandon is on track!

It's a God-Thing!

This weekend was quite an experience. Our Youth group hosted a concert with four bands on Friday night. It was a blast and a couple more names were added to God's family! Saturday our church hosted our first annual Easter Egg hunt which attracted more than 500 people - that was something to see. Saturday evening we kicked-off our men's ministry and we had 27 men show up to pray and seek the Lord. Finally, yesterday, after a great service were five more names were added to that list, my family and I had the privilege to spend the afternoon with some new friends who are great people. We had so much fun - laughing, telling stories and getting to know each other better.

God is blessing Grace Fellowship. I get excited when people tell me how hungry they are for the Word - digging in and really going after God. We are in our 4th week of increased attendance as God builds the team that He will use to impact Perry Township and the surrounding communities.

There is a popular saying around our church. That saying, simply says, "It's a God Thing" Every good thing comes from God. God builds the church and we are asked to be faithful in letting ourselves be used to do it.

Choking On My Own Tongue

Let your conversation be always full of grace , seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Col 4:66 NIV

Wow! What a week and here comes the weekend! Sometime back in January, I had a senior moment and scheduled two events at the church back to back. I am excited about the youth and young adult concert tonight and the huge Easter egg hunt tomorrow; however, the prep for the concert has been a monster.

The other day, I had to stop and check my attitude as I tend to strive for excellence in every ministry area. Sometimes, when things are not going as planned, I can get a little frustrated. Yet another reminder of how human I am. That check allowed me to think before I spoke and I am sure that we are much farther ahead because I held my tongue.

As we go into the weekend, I have no idea what to expect as far as numbers. I can only pray that people's lives are touched and then changed by the Holy Spirit's presence and power.

God, do something great this weekend!