Door Shopping

Yeah, I know, our humble little house does need a few doors replaced; however, I promise that this post isn't going to be about some excursion to Home Depot or Lowes.

OK, so if I'm not writing about physical doors that you can touch, install or paint, what am I writing about? For most of my life and especially in ministry, God has directed Robin and I by the closing of doors. Some slowly creaked shut on their hinges while others busted our noses as they slammed closed.

Two weeks ago another door closed for us as I experienced a lay-off from my secular employment. Just so you know, this isn't a first, it's not even a second or a third for me. However, we're not panicked, we know this territory and, more importantly, we know who owns this territory!

That owner is God and as Robin and I have been seeking him, he has given us a general direction towards a door in which to walk. The door's name is ministry. When? Where? How? Why? No clue! Why don't we have the answers? Because those answers are found on the other side of that door!

So, aside from the comments made by those that I choose to believe are genuinely concerned for our well-being, Robin and I truly believe that our obedient response to this situation is to press on in ministry wherever and whenever God leads. I believe that frustration in ministry as well as in life often occurs when we stick our foot in the way of a door that God wants to close or when we refuse to walk through a door that he is opening for us.

So, please pray with us that God would give us keen spiritual ears to hear the sound of door hinges - the sound of doors closing and doors opening. Robin and I don't want to miss either!

Until God's Holy Spirit shows us which door of ministry he has for us, we will keep walking the path he last showed us and...

Keep Door Shopping!

What's That Smell?

A few months ago, I wrote a blog post stating that I felt as if God was bringing a change into some area of my life. As insane as it sounds, being downsized from my part-time pressman's position has created some excitement for me.

God's Spirit has assured me that He has a plan and purpose in all of this and every time I take a deep breath of His Spirit, I can smell the building aroma of change... It's exhilarating!

True, it may sound insane, but sanity is so boring...

What Are You Putting in Their Hand? - Relevant Ministry

Recently, I attended a seminar that focused on teamwork in regards to church and church leaders.
One of the most striking statements that I took away from this event was this...

(paraphrase) Individuals will not return or continue to return to a event, service or ministry unless we have placed something of value into their hands. I have thought about that statement and realized how true it is. Every book I read and every speaker I listen to, I have one priority question. How can I use this right now?

Even with my limited experience, I have identified three things that people need from our ministries.

People need applicable ideas that are:

1. Profound - Ideas that are apart from individual norms. Change comes from ideas that are either different from what we have already been doing or comes from increasing or eliminating that which we already do.
2. Proven - Quite simply - Does this idea work? What is this idea or concept based on?
3. Practical - The idea has to be something that everyone can apply to their lives. I once heard a speaker at a marriage conference say that everyone should treat their spouse to a 7 day cruise to Mexico. Great idea, except over 90% of those couples in attendance could not afford such a grand excursion.

Whatever the ministry, from Childrens' ministry to Seniors' ministry, we should make every effort to provide an opportunity for everyone in attendance to take away something that meets these three criteria.

We should ask ourselves, what do people need today? That is always relevant!

My Worst Enemy

Instead of asking, "Why do today what I can do tomorrow?" I should be asking. "Why am I not doing this today so I won't have to do it along with what I have to do tomorrow?"

This is a killer for me! God has been really dealing with me in the area of discipline. There are things that I need to do, that I tend to push back in favor of the things I tend to do.

For instance:

I need to spend at least 1/2 hour in prayer. - I tend to hit the snooze button.
I need to be in God's Word. - I tend to browse social media - Ouch!
I need to be connecting relationally with my wife. - I tend to watch reality shows on the TV.
I need to use the treadmill. - I tend to eat more ice cream.
I need to spend quality time with each of my kids. - I tend to squander the time I have.
I need to focus on course-work. - I tend to want to take a nap.

I want to do the things that I need to do. I know that I should do the things that I need to do. I often do the things I need to do, but I know that I can do those things far more often.

The things I need to do would be a lot easier if "I" would get out of the way. "I" am my own worst enemy.

MORE OF HIM - less of me

An Awesome Message

This Message was delivered this past Sunday by one of my former pastors and friends.

http://evangelchapel.org/new/showvideos.aspx

"That Had Better Be The Start of a Prayer"

Ex 20:7 NLT

"Do not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name."

We've all heard it. Most of us have probably said it. However, I believe we are beginning to hear it and, more often, read it far too often.

When I worked as a counselor at the group home, the residents soon learned that the quickest way to get a demerit on their charts from me was to utter those three little Words. "Oh, my God". At first, whenever I heard it, I would stop, bow my head and wait for them to continue praying - only to look up and catch their puzzled stare. After that initial time, My response would always be, "That had better be the start of a prayer." A few ornery boys would quickly turn it into a impromptu and feeble attempt.

What concerns me most is when many Christians, those who bear that same name and call upon that name as our Father, still do this without a thought. The Bible contains the phrase - "the name of the Lord" 99 times. This is the same name that brought everything into existence, brought fire from heaven and gave us a complete - once and for all- sacrifice so that we can have eternal life. There is power in that name! Yet it is carelessly used in everyday conversation.

Today, in social media we see the abbreviated version of the vain use of God's name - "omg". It shows up in the online posts daily. An old Mennonite farmer heard me say, "oh my gosh" one time and immediately corrected me. "Young man, the intent of your heart is still the same, you just changed the word to soothe your conscious." I have never forgot that.

I think Jesus said it best as he taught his disciples and, subsequently, us to pray...

Matt 6:9 NLT
"Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored. "

God's name is so much more than a word or expression. Let's honor it!

Ice Cream and God's Word

I love ice cream! Always have, always will. I love to eat it, look at it, blog about it and I probably even dream about it! (If you ever want to get me something that you'll know I'll like - think ICE CREAM) After lunch today, I was putting some things back into the fridge and happened to open the freezer. Wanting a sweet treat, I began digging through the various choices. "Nah, had that yesterday." "Nope, had that 3 times this week." Then I saw it!

Shafts of light were beaming out of it and an angelic choir was singing as I reached in to take hold of this treasure! Ok. Not really. However, there in my freezer was a half-gallon of Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream! How long had it been in there? Why hadn't I noticed it?

Perhaps it was because that, until then, I hadn't been looking for it. God's Word is a lot like that. It is only when we begin to search it that we can experience its treasures. So many times we sift through the boring, mundane and familiar stuff in the freezer of our lives, wanting something new and fresh. We say, "life is boring." Or. "I'm bored" Let me ask you. Where is your Bible today, have you searched it's treasures? There is nothing boring about being met by God in his Word. Dig through the busyness of your life and spend time with God, I promise that you'll find a treasure!

One bummer - My bowl of ice cream didn't last as long as it took me to write this - ha!

Goals - Dream Big!

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

Prov 16:9 NIV

I have often been told that I have done a lot of things in my life. True, I have experienced a great deal of diversity in the workplace, my interests and, yes, the things I've been thrown into.

However, for most of my life, there has always been one directional intent. Serving God by helping people.

As I reflect on my life, I can remember the times when I seemed to be way off course. It's amazing how your perspective changes after you have been through or experienced something. Everything I have experienced has molded me and prepared me for the goal that God has intended for my life.

I love what I am doing in life. I love being a staff pastor. I love watching Christ work in people's lives. However, I have become somewhat content in this aspect of my life. I have planned my course, but have completely fallen in love with one of the God-ordained steps in that course.

Am I going to cease being a staff pastor? Not in the foreseeable future. However, for accountability, I am revealing a goal to keep myself moving through the steps God has for me.

I want to complete a D. Min degree in pastoral counseling by the time I turn 50. I have 7 - 1/2 years to complete this goal. A social media acquaintance of mine, Chilly Chilton, said this, "A goal is a dream with a deadline." If I want my dream to come true, it needs a deadline. So, May 28, 2017 is my deadline.

Robin and I also have a dream. We dream of a retreat center to which hurting couples can come and be ministered to, regardless of financial status. It's a dream and somehow and in some way, God will enable us to make it a goal.

What are you dreaming about? How can adding a deadline turn your dream into a goal? Make your plans and be prepared for the steps that God will determine for you.

Mr. Cellophane

Yesterday, I returned home from a minister's conference and business meeting held near Columbus, Ohio. While there, I heard from and learned from great speakers while building friendships with a number of fellow ministers.

During the two days a running joke developed between a few friends of mine and I. On Monday, a fellow pastor, who I have met several times, re-introduced himself to me while I was standing with a few others. We talked for several minutes and went our separate ways. A few hours later the same pastor walked up to me and stated that he didn't think we had met and introduced himself again. OK. By then I was looking for a camera, thinking that this had to be some sort of joke. No camera, no joke. The only joke, between my friends and I, was that I was invisible and subsequently could not be remembered.

After the next evening's service, I was standing in the back of the room praying in my usual fashion- pacing back and forth. Two pastors approached me and one of them proceeded to run into me. I stepped aside and continued my prayer-walk. Within a minute someone else bumped into me. I began to question, (cue the little pity party)"What am I made of, cellophane? I prayed, "God, it's like no one even sees me." God's response was immediate to my heart, "Good, then they will only see My Son!" Wham! Isn't that what people are supposed to see when they look our way? Am I there yet? NO-WAY!

For the rest of the conference, I made it a point to seek out, speak to, visit with and pray for anyone seeming to be alone. WOW! It was amazing how the presence of the Holy Spirit would move in each situation.

What are you made of? When people look at you, do they see Jesus?