God is Amazing

I might have used that title already, but it's truth makes it worth repeating. I was driving, on my way to work at the group home today and began to pray (with my eyes open). I was asking God to do something amazing during my shift, nothing in particular, just something amazing.

When the evening began to wind down, one of the residents came up to me and we started talking. We hadn't always gotten along real well, he was typically getting into trouble - starting fights, getting angry and being agressively disobediant. For the past several weeks I have noticed a change in him, especially how he was being more open and respectful toward me.

I was excited when tonight's conversation turned to God. I felt the Spirit whisper, "Tonight's his night." We talked for a while longer and I asked him if he had ever accepted Christ. He said that he often went to church as a child, but had never accepted Christ. I asked him if he would like to do that tonight, he said that he thought it was time.

We sat down at the table and prayed, It was a simple prayer in which he asked Jesus to forgive his sins and come into his life. I watched as his attitude and typical expression softened and changed. He asked me if I had my Bible and if I would read it with him - He HATES to read! But he wanted to read God's Word!

God is amazing! Thank you God for answering my prayer and for giving this young man hope and a future!

Insight From a Book

For the one person who reads this, I just finished the book Communicating For a Change by Andy Stanley and Lane Jones. I must admit, I got more than I expected from it. Not only did it address areas where I fail, or, at least do poorly, but it also gave me a glimpse of what the goal of a good communicator should look like.

Surprisingly, Stanley began by saying that he never felt called to preach, he just volunteered. Wow! I'm not dissing the call, I believe it is important. However, I wonder how many people sit in the pews or chairs every Sunday wanting to do something but they are waiting for "the call". I'll be thinking on this for quite some time.

2008

I've been thinking about this past year. In so many areas I can see how God has been moving and I am praying that 2008 will be a year of miraculous events. I pray that I will see it in the church, in our homes and in our lives.

Happy New Year!

AHHHH

Ok, so I am a 40 year old college student. It is an amazing feeling when I get to put the books in the bookcase and tear up all the unimportant papers that have accumulated through the semester. There is just something about hitting that send button to submit my last assignment for the semester. It's a mix of feelings ranging from accomplishment to freedom. Another semester done and a few steps closer to my degree!

Our relationship with God should be like that, I mean, God is always teaching us and it's up to us to learn. Once we learn something, God is already moving to the next level, wanting us to follow. Each level brings us closer to the time when we'll be with him forever - graduation!

Are you doing your homework?

D

Family Stick

The other day our son Alex came home from school holding something he had made. It was a colored wrapping paper tube onto which he pasted cut-out heads depicting each member of the family. Wow, does that boy have a keen eye! Each of "our heads" were placed in the proper order from top to bottom. He didn't miss anything, not my mustache/goatee or his older brother's buzz cut. It was a remarkable piece of work.

As I look at it, I'm reminded how God notices every detail of our lives. Scripture says that he knows how many hairs are on our head. He knows about our strengths, weaknesses, successes and failures and he can use them all for his glory.

Just as Alex recreated our heads in intricate detail, God knows us and desires to use us, faults and all. The question is, will we let him?

Christmas Joy

Ok, I admit it. There have been times in recent days when I wasn't exactly joyful that Christmas Day was approaching. It isn't that I don't love the holiday, or realize the true importance and significance of what God did for mankind. My focus was diverted from the true meaning to thoughts like "what will the kid's think with another year of space under the tree?" Or. "Can I find some extra job with insane hours to make-up for my shortcomings as a dad?"

Pondering this at work the other day, it was brought to my attention that many children do not have families to celebrate Christmas with. Or, worse, they have families that want nothing to do with them.

That was the attitude adjustment I needed. I think I will hold my kids a little tighter this Christmas... and the whole year through.

Honesty and Transparency

As of today, I'm almost through the book entitled "Confessions of a Pastor" by Craig Groeschel.

It has been a breath of fresh air and has challenged me in so many ways. This past year my family and I have been through some things, some things that I erroneously thought that a Christian and especially a minister should be above or be immune to.

This book has really helped me to see my own humanity in a different light. What I have read is starting to sink in and, more importantly, change me.

I also am following the blogs of several staff members at a church near Columbus, Ohio who are attempting to go 21 days straight without complaining. It has been refreshing to follow and relate to the struggle such an attempt presents.