Thanksgiving

So yesterday was Thanksgiving and we spent the majority of the day at home with the boys.  2 out of 3 had been sick up to Wednesday evening.  Even though they felt better, it was decided that we should stay away from the family for as long as the other kids were there.  We were still able to get out to the farm later and get our turkey fix on as well as some mashed potatoes, noodles, and sweet corn. 

By the time we left the house, though, most feelings of thankfulness had long since dissipated after the boys had spent the greater part of the day arguing with each other.  Even so, I realized how much I have to be grateful for.  My family is healthy (relatively) and happy (generally) now.  We have a nice home that keeps us warm when it needs to and cool when it needs to.  We have the support of our family and many many wonderful friends.  We have a new puppy, Molly, that frustrates us to no end, but also brings much joy and laughter to the house.  We are a part of a good church body that loves and encourages us. 

I guess what I realized was that, even in the midst of the chaos of being cooped up in the house yesterday, there is much to be thankful for.  God is good.  He may not always work things out the way that we want them.  But we know that if we love him and are faithful to him, he will work for our good!  Every time! 

I’m thankful.

Tim Grasham, Book Critic

I’m pretty excited today!  Earlier this week, I received word that I have been selected to write a book review on my blog of Mark Batterson’s new book, Primal.  Of course, I’m not sure who all is reading my blog anyway, but I look forward to reading it and then posting a review of it here.  I’ll also put a link on my Facebook status to the blog where people can come and read my review of Mark’s book. 

While I’ve never met Mark, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading his blog over the past few months.  Mark is the lead pastor at National Community Church in Washington, DC.  His blog posts are very authentic and real.  So after following his blog for some time now, I’m really excited about the opportunity to receive an advanced copy of Primal and review it and spread the word. 

FYI, the review should be coming out sometime during the week of December 13-19.

Enjoyment

So I believe that I can honestly say for the first time in quite a while that I’m really really enjoying my life.  Even with all the chaos of a couple weeks ago, I’m loving my job.  We’re seeing a lot of positive signs here at CCC in Frankfort.  I believe that God is really blessing us.

I just returned from a CCC Men’s Retreat at our local church camp.  What a great time with those men!  We really have some cool guys here who want to do great things.  The really neat thing is that I didn’t have much to do with the retreat other than playing my guitar a little bit and giving a brief message.  I’m eager to see what becomes of this ministry.

I would have to say that life is good now.  The only thing that is causing a bit of frustration is the adoption of our new pet dog, Molly.  We have officially had her now for 1 week.  She is 4 mos. old and very much a puppy.  After a couple of late-night “potty runs”, she has slept relatively well the past 2 nights.  We’ll see…  If the allergies hold up against her, she’s probably a keeper.  If not, we’ll have to find a new home for her.  She’s a good girl.  Interested?  Give me a shout!

Enjoy life.  It’s probably not as bad as we think it is.  Find the things to be grateful and thankful for.  Celebrate what God is doing in your life, not what He isn’t.

Family

Today I got to spend a little bit of time with our youngest son, Eli.  Susan was visiting with a childhood friend at the house this morning.  I came home for lunch at 11:30 so the two of them could go out and visit over lunch without a 3yo interrupting every other sentence.  

So Eli and I got to spend a little bit of time today.  I love my boys.  They each drive me completely insane in their own little ways.  They each have their own buttons that they push to help me lose my temper.  But I love them.  They make me smile. 

Our oldest, Isaac, will be a middle school student next year.  First of all, that is entirely not possible.  He CAN’T be that old yet.  He’s a reader, an intellect, a thoughtful, caring kid.  He wears his emotions on his sleeve (sometimes to a fault).  The same things that drive me crazy about him are the things that make me appreciate him so much.

Riley, our 7 year old, is our assertive child.  He wants to be the best at everything.  If he can’t win a game on the Wii, he restarts the game before he loses and tries again until he will win.  He hates missing a day of school because he loves having perfect attendance.  He’s smart, too!  I love wrestling with him!  He needs the physical touch to know that you care….and that physical touch usually comes in the form of wrestling.

Eli is our “Drama King”.  He can tell one whale of a story.  You may not understand all of what he’s trying to tell you, but he’s got a story to tell.  He loves to jump off the furniture with no fear whatsoever, yet he won’t jump out of the van when we pull into the garage.  He’s fun to laugh with.

I love all of them.  In the past couple of years, when everything around us was chaotic, they were a constant.  They knew that Dad and Mom were stressed.  They knew we were struggling with so many things.  Yet they love us.  They provided strength and encouragement and a reason to keep on going.  I love my boys!

Can’t wait to get home tonight for some movie and play time!

It’s Sunday!

It’s Sunday morning!  I’m in my office early getting ready for worship.  Final run-throughs on my sermon.  I need to worship this morning.  I need the fellowship of others.  I need the encouragement of spending time in group worship today.

I stated in an earlier post that it’s been a long week.  Yesterday was the climax of that long week, I think.  My new friend, thanks to Tuesday’s incident, came running to the church in a moment of panic.  He wasn’t dressed appropriately for the weather either.  I wasn’t here, but needless to say, 911 was called and the police and ambulance came to take care of the situation. 

My friend is a good guy.  He is also a hurting guy.  He is a man that needs people to love him for who he is, without fear of being judged.  This week I’ve spent a good amount of time with him.  I believe that through all of our circumstances this week, he has come to trust me.  He is now getting the help that he needs and I pray that God could use me to continue to show him the love that he needs.  He is a self-proclaimed atheist, but it is obvious that God has been working in him this week.

I ask you to pray for me as I try to minister to him, but, more importantly, pray for him.  Pray that he would see God’s love and continue to seek it out.  Pray for his peace of mind and for his strength.

So I need today!  I need to spend time in worship.  I need to enjoy what God has given me and celebrate.  I need to give thanks in all circumstances.  I need to acknowledge God’s leadership in my life!

It’s Sunday!

Breathing

It’s been a very long week for me!  Without going into many details, it’s been a week that I never in my wildest imagination could have thought I would have.  Sometimes throughout this week I’ve stopped to simply breathe.  It’s been one of those weeks!  Breathing can be nice and relaxing from time to time.

I was in an accident on Tuesday.  Usually, an accident brings a lot of frustration and chaos.  This accident was no different.  However, this accident also has opened a door, I think.  I’ve been running here, there and everywhere trying to figure everything out.  I think he may have placed someone in my life through this that needed a friend.  Maybe that can be me. 

Have you ever had those days when things just didn’t turn out the way you thought they would?  Have you seen how God can work even in those moments?  I’m seeing…..I’m trusting…..I’m following.

Appreciation

October has been designated Pastor Appreciation Month.  Susan and I have been in full-time ministry for almost 14 years now.  There are people and churches that do a great job of showing appreciation for their pastors.  There are people and churches that do a lousy job of showing appreciation for their pastors. 

We have been fortunate that our current ministry here at CCC in Frankfort has shown us much appreciation this month.  There have been times in the past when the only appreciation we received was from someone from a previous ministry.  The people here, though, have been so thoughtful and encouraging.  We are so blessed to be able to serve with a group of loving and caring individuals.

But all of this has got me thinking…..Do I need to receive appreciation for this? 

On some level, we all want and even need affirmation and appreciation.  We all have that desire or need in our hearts to be appreciated.  But is it selfish of me to want it, especially in the role of pastor?  After all, my work is for the Lord.  Appreciation will come in the form of eternity with Him. 

What I’ve discovered, though, is that expressing appreciation is important!!!  No matter how lousy the timing of my service at McDonald’s is, I always say thank you.  I always say thank you to the teen taking my order or scanning my groceries.  I always say thank you to the bank teller.  I’ve even said thank you to the TOLL BOOTH OPERATOR!!! 

When we receive that encouragement or appreciation, it makes us want to do our job even better.  It makes us want to smile more when we encounter people.  It makes us want to do the best that we can in everything we do. 

Show some appreciation today to someone….a teacher, a bus driver, a drive-thru worker.  And if you forgot, show some appreciation to your pastor as well.

Unknowing Mentors

As a relatively young minister, I’ve heard many, many times now about the need to have a mentor or a couple of mentors in your life.  I’m fortunate that I have several people that I know that I can turn to in times of frustration or for words of wisdom and advice.  I don’t know that any of these people would know it, but I consider them to be my mentors.  One of these people is man who has been in the church planting “business” for a number of years now.  He has served as a major source of encouragement to me in the past 5 years or so.  I’m sure he is an “unknowing mentor” to many people. 

I also enjoy being mentored by many authors and preachers.  I enjoy reading and growing in my faith and in my walk.  People like Mark Batterson, Francis Chan, Reggie McNeal, etc. have all served as mentors to me over the years.  They have provided encouragement and conviction to me, not only through their books, but also through their blogs or sermons online. 

It’s said often of people in the ministry, “Who minister’s to the minister?”  These people minister to me.  I’m blessed to have friends, but even many friends do not understand what being a pastor/minister is about.  These people know.  They’ve been down many of the same roads that I’m walking.  They’ve learned the lessons that I’m learning.   And because of their experience, they can provide encouragement for those of us who are walking those paths currently.  More than ever, I’m realizing that being a Christ-follower is a journey that we travel along together.  I don’t have all the answers.  I never will. 

I hope and pray that God continues to work in my life to give me opportunities to maybe be an unknowing mentor to people as well.

Smiles!!

Today has been a very good day! I wish that I could fully explain it, but it’s just not possible.  It’s nothing that I believe is very tangible.  It’s just a feeling!  It’s like I woke up this morning with that song from The Black Eyed Peas in my mind, “I Got a Feeling….Today’s gonna be a good good day!!”

I spent the morning working on my sermon and reading.  Went home for some lunch, went to Flavor’s for some coffee and more work on sermon.   Then I went to the library and picked up a book I heard about.  Now it’s CoachKids here at the church, head home soon and enjoy time with the family before heading to soccer tonight with Eli.  Going to be a cold night on the field. 

I guess I just feel hopeful today.  God is good.  He is in control.  I am not.  I have a beautiful wife and cool boys.  My life is so blessed.  I hope you’re seeing how blessed your life is today, too!!!

ugh

Ok.  So it may not be the most exciting title for a blog post.  Truth be told, though, that’s kinda where my head feels at sometimes.  And none of this is really too deep of an issue.  It’s just a simple feeling of “ugh”.  There are times, as a preacher, that I struggle with what to say.  Not that I don’t have anything to say, but saying it in a way that touches people.  I’m often afraid of it sounding like just a bunch of rambling words spewing out of my mouth like volcanic ash.  Or even worse yet….It may sound like Evan Baxter on “Bruce Almighty” when Bruce is controlling his speech!! 

At any rate, today has felt like one of those “ugh” days.  I know that the best thing I can do is turn it over to God, asking Him to speak to me today.