My work has been closed since 11:00AM Wednesday due to the big snow storm in Colorado. I hope you all have a merry Christmas and let me leave you with words from Psalm 16:9-11
"Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."
May your days this Christmas season be filled with the joy of the presence of Jesus.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Friday, December 08, 2006
Missions Update
Sure, it has been over two weeks since I posted. I am generally not the "wacky news of the day" type of blogger, so you will have to look elsewhere for that.
I wanted to bring you up to date concerning my future in ministry. To start off, I will be writing a short-term missions volunteer handbook and teach a class on what it means to be involved with short-term missions (STM). There are a lot of negative comments concerning this and I hope to show that STM is very productive and useful to the Kingdom if done correctly.
I will also be meeting with Pastor Tobey next week to discuss my role as a volunteer pastor. Yes, volunteer. Not even bi-vocational, at least paywise. But that is okay, because I am doing what God wants me to do. This is a learning experience and will help me get my feet wet. I will let you know how the meeting goes next week.
I wanted to bring you up to date concerning my future in ministry. To start off, I will be writing a short-term missions volunteer handbook and teach a class on what it means to be involved with short-term missions (STM). There are a lot of negative comments concerning this and I hope to show that STM is very productive and useful to the Kingdom if done correctly.
I will also be meeting with Pastor Tobey next week to discuss my role as a volunteer pastor. Yes, volunteer. Not even bi-vocational, at least paywise. But that is okay, because I am doing what God wants me to do. This is a learning experience and will help me get my feet wet. I will let you know how the meeting goes next week.
Friday, November 10, 2006
The Journey, Part 3
After a month of mission services and being miserable after each one, I talked to my wife and told her something had to give. I could not continue not being in God's will. To my astonishment and surprise, she agreed and said she was ready for full-time ministry! You see, it is all God's timing, not mine. He's God and I'm not.
Since then, I have talked to two of the pastor's at church. Since I am very much involved with missions and the Singles ministry, I will be a pastor overseeing those ministries. Missions is my passion and God has given me a burden for the Single's, especially the 20-something sincgles that are post college but not married yet.
I will be bi-vocational for a time, since my church just hired another pastor and can't afford to bring on another one full-time. The way the church is growing and God is blessing the church, I hope to be added fulltime in 1-2 years. Until then, I will be staying at my current employment.
This blog will chronicle the journey from here. Feel free to ask me any questions along the way.
Here's to the journey...
Since then, I have talked to two of the pastor's at church. Since I am very much involved with missions and the Singles ministry, I will be a pastor overseeing those ministries. Missions is my passion and God has given me a burden for the Single's, especially the 20-something sincgles that are post college but not married yet.
I will be bi-vocational for a time, since my church just hired another pastor and can't afford to bring on another one full-time. The way the church is growing and God is blessing the church, I hope to be added fulltime in 1-2 years. Until then, I will be staying at my current employment.
This blog will chronicle the journey from here. Feel free to ask me any questions along the way.
Here's to the journey...
Thursday, November 09, 2006
The Journey, Part 2
After talking with my pastor, he suggested I finish my degree and take some seminary classes. As another pastor friend told me, "If you are going to use a hoe, you need to sharpen it." Studying ministry and preaching techniques is important for effective ministry, which I beleive he was trying to tell me.
I finished my degree and, while in the process, was told of a small store front church that needed help leading worship. I am a gifted musician and had always thought this was the area God was leading me. I worked with this church fo about 12-15 months and the pastor offered me the job full-time. I tried to force the issue on my wife and daughter. Never a good idea. My wife was not hearing anything from God concerning this little church. In fact, she was adamantly against it. She was so much against the idea that she didn't want me to even think of seminary.
There I was, stuck with no place to go. I started into a graduate program in History, thinking I could teach college evening courses. That was my new goal. I was miserable. I hated my job. I wasn't happy in anything I did, except mission trips and getting people excited about missions. This summer, I was asked at least a dozen times while on missions trips if I was a pastor. I would say no, then be depressed. We went to Ireland for a vacation and we fell in love with the people. I could see us holding home Bible studies and working with the small Baptist churches that were trying to survive against the established Catholic and Irish churches. My wife felt the same way. We even picked the same region we would like to live in. I was still miserable.
After the Ireland and Brazil summer trips, we had 4 straight Sunday evening services that focused on missions. We heard from all the different mission teams: Croatia, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Gulf Coast and Sri Lanka. We heard from an evangelist concerning his work in the Ukraine and Eastern Europe. I was crying during and after every service. I was miserable.
What could I do? Tomorrow, I will bring the story up to date.
I finished my degree and, while in the process, was told of a small store front church that needed help leading worship. I am a gifted musician and had always thought this was the area God was leading me. I worked with this church fo about 12-15 months and the pastor offered me the job full-time. I tried to force the issue on my wife and daughter. Never a good idea. My wife was not hearing anything from God concerning this little church. In fact, she was adamantly against it. She was so much against the idea that she didn't want me to even think of seminary.
There I was, stuck with no place to go. I started into a graduate program in History, thinking I could teach college evening courses. That was my new goal. I was miserable. I hated my job. I wasn't happy in anything I did, except mission trips and getting people excited about missions. This summer, I was asked at least a dozen times while on missions trips if I was a pastor. I would say no, then be depressed. We went to Ireland for a vacation and we fell in love with the people. I could see us holding home Bible studies and working with the small Baptist churches that were trying to survive against the established Catholic and Irish churches. My wife felt the same way. We even picked the same region we would like to live in. I was still miserable.
After the Ireland and Brazil summer trips, we had 4 straight Sunday evening services that focused on missions. We heard from all the different mission teams: Croatia, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Gulf Coast and Sri Lanka. We heard from an evangelist concerning his work in the Ukraine and Eastern Europe. I was crying during and after every service. I was miserable.
What could I do? Tomorrow, I will bring the story up to date.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
The Journey Starts...
I mentioned yesterday that I have surrendered to the gospel. My aife and I did that about a month ago. I thought I would start this journey by explaining how I knew it was God's call and what has happened since.
After spending 9 years in California (8 years too long), my wife and I moved to Colorado. I worked (still do for now) for Association of Christian Schools International and ACSI followed Focus on the Family's lead in moving to Colorado.
Once we found a church and got involved with the music ministries of the church, we suggested to out pastor to contact Jess Moody, our former pastor in California who had since retired, to speak at the church. Jess is very well known in the Southern Baptist realm and our pastor was pleased to offer an invitation to Jess to preach a revival. This would have been about 1996.
At that revival, Jess spoke about ministry. He knew that our church was beginning to look for land to build a larger facility. We were land-locked in a neighborhood and had 3 morning services to accomodate the people. We were also renting space 4 blocks away for extra classroom space. Most of Jess' sermons were on what a church needs to do to stay focused on ministry during a period of growth, warning that if we stay focused, the growth might continue for some time. This wasn't a negative warning, just reality.
During one of his sermons he talked about the church raising up ministers within the church, either to start new churches or to aid the present church during its growth. That is when God spoke to me, that still small voice in my head and heart that told me He wanted me in full-time ministry. I hesitated. People always said that I could be a preacher like my grandpa, but that idea always scared me. For one, Grandpa was a great preacher and pastor and I didn't want to be held to that measuring stick.
I kept silent for a few years, but that still, small voice kept telling me I needed to surrender to Him. I thought that all of mission trips I did would suffice. They did not. The trips would be a part of my decision, but they were not a replacement for complete surrender.
I finally talked to my paster about this. I will mention tomorrow his comments and the further developments. I am not in faover of long blog entries and this one has stretched the limits! I will continue tomorrow with the journey.
After spending 9 years in California (8 years too long), my wife and I moved to Colorado. I worked (still do for now) for Association of Christian Schools International and ACSI followed Focus on the Family's lead in moving to Colorado.
Once we found a church and got involved with the music ministries of the church, we suggested to out pastor to contact Jess Moody, our former pastor in California who had since retired, to speak at the church. Jess is very well known in the Southern Baptist realm and our pastor was pleased to offer an invitation to Jess to preach a revival. This would have been about 1996.
At that revival, Jess spoke about ministry. He knew that our church was beginning to look for land to build a larger facility. We were land-locked in a neighborhood and had 3 morning services to accomodate the people. We were also renting space 4 blocks away for extra classroom space. Most of Jess' sermons were on what a church needs to do to stay focused on ministry during a period of growth, warning that if we stay focused, the growth might continue for some time. This wasn't a negative warning, just reality.
During one of his sermons he talked about the church raising up ministers within the church, either to start new churches or to aid the present church during its growth. That is when God spoke to me, that still small voice in my head and heart that told me He wanted me in full-time ministry. I hesitated. People always said that I could be a preacher like my grandpa, but that idea always scared me. For one, Grandpa was a great preacher and pastor and I didn't want to be held to that measuring stick.
I kept silent for a few years, but that still, small voice kept telling me I needed to surrender to Him. I thought that all of mission trips I did would suffice. They did not. The trips would be a part of my decision, but they were not a replacement for complete surrender.
I finally talked to my paster about this. I will mention tomorrow his comments and the further developments. I am not in faover of long blog entries and this one has stretched the limits! I will continue tomorrow with the journey.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Crummy Church Signs
Ever see a church sign and wonder what the heck they were thinking when they posted it? Check out this website. Enjoy!
New Direction
This blog will take a new direction. I have read enough blogs by men who were apparently called to full-time ministry, yet have left the church and writing about their reasons why they left. God has called me to full-time ministry and I am surrendering to His call. The plan is to chronicle the journey, its ups and downs, the endurance of the race. I am not casting judgement on any of the blogs I have read. I just find it troubling.
To the journey, may God lead and, at times carry me, to do His will.
To the journey, may God lead and, at times carry me, to do His will.
Enduring
The writer of Hebrews in chapter 10 verses 32-39 tells us to endure. The word for endure means to remain under a load. A better description may be of a soldier under attack by the enemy, recieving the full brunt of the attack, yet having the strength to retaliate and win.
This is what we, as Christians, need to do, no matter the circumstances. God has promised to be faithful, so we need to cling to Him and trust in His promises.
verse 39 "We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved."
This is what we, as Christians, need to do, no matter the circumstances. God has promised to be faithful, so we need to cling to Him and trust in His promises.
verse 39 "We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved."
Friday, October 27, 2006
18" and what do you get...
Ok, so Tennessee Ernie Ford sang about 18 tons of coal, but we had 18" of snow plus a whole lot of wind. Most businesses were closed yesterday. It was blizzard conditions from 4am to 4pm. I had a nice 2-3' snow drift in my driveway but the 18" or more of snow in the road kept everyone at home. Now I am at work, it will be in the upper 50's today and 60's for the next week. Welcome to the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains!
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Typical Fall in Colorado
We had six inches of snow last week, then 60-70 degree weather. It will be 70 degrees today with a blizzard warning tonight and tomorrow! Really! We are supposed to get up to a foot of snow with susatined winds of 35 mph. Looks like I might get caught up with my reading for my graduate classes.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Friday, October 20, 2006
Mid-West Fall Classic
Tigers and Cardinals...Mickey Lolich vs. Bob Gibson...Dizzy Dean and the Gas House Gang. Great baseball history. Will we remember Suppan vs. Verlander in 30 years? Hopefully. The Cardinals have the worst record for a World Series participant in recent memory...Maybe ever.
I am normally a National League guy all the way, but I am tired of the Cards. Ever since Mark Maguire retired, it is hard to root for them. I will be going for the Tigers. The Tigers can continue the trend of old-school teams winning the series. Red Sox, White Sox and now the Tigers. Of course, the Cardinals aren't the new kids on the block like the Marlins or Arizona. Hopefully it will stretch out to 7 games that are pitching duals.
I am normally a National League guy all the way, but I am tired of the Cards. Ever since Mark Maguire retired, it is hard to root for them. I will be going for the Tigers. The Tigers can continue the trend of old-school teams winning the series. Red Sox, White Sox and now the Tigers. Of course, the Cardinals aren't the new kids on the block like the Marlins or Arizona. Hopefully it will stretch out to 7 games that are pitching duals.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Way Behind
Yeah, yeah, I know. It has been several days between posts. The Reds are out and the first round of playoffs are over with. NLCS is Cards/Mets and ALCS is A's/Tigers. Basketball training camp has started, hockey regular season has started and the NFL finished week 5. This is the great convergance of sports; sort of like when all the planets align.
Here's a look at my favorite teams:
Colts: 5-0, but not firing on all cylinders
Steelers: 1-3 and trying to find themselves
IU Hoosiers Football: 3-3 and not scaring anybody
Reds: Finished with a 80-82 record but showed better pitching depth in the second half of the season. Aaron Harang could win the NL Cy Young award.
Pacers: Why is Stephen Jackson still on the team? Get rid of him and his 9mm handgun.
Penguins: Nice start to the season, but sold to a Canadien businessman. A move north in the future, eh?
Here's a look at my favorite teams:
Colts: 5-0, but not firing on all cylinders
Steelers: 1-3 and trying to find themselves
IU Hoosiers Football: 3-3 and not scaring anybody
Reds: Finished with a 80-82 record but showed better pitching depth in the second half of the season. Aaron Harang could win the NL Cy Young award.
Pacers: Why is Stephen Jackson still on the team? Get rid of him and his 9mm handgun.
Penguins: Nice start to the season, but sold to a Canadien businessman. A move north in the future, eh?
Friday, September 29, 2006
Three Problems With the Emerging Church
I like Brent Barnett's take on the Emrging Church syndrome. I am very hesitant about this phenamena. I agree with his view of deception. Read on at his site, Relevant Bible Teaching.
The emerging church is a contradiction and an ethereal entity. It is always unsure of itself, keeping up a continual “conversation” (one of their favorite words) but never coming to any real conclusions. This is something to really be wary of because the deceptions are more subtle in practice than it might at first seem.
The emerging church is a contradiction and an ethereal entity. It is always unsure of itself, keeping up a continual “conversation” (one of their favorite words) but never coming to any real conclusions. This is something to really be wary of because the deceptions are more subtle in practice than it might at first seem.
Three Games Left
Still alive with 3 games left in Pittsburgh. Harang and Arroyo are pitching. Cardinals may be forced to play a makeup game on Monday in San Francisco.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
There is Still a Pulse
Just when I counted the Reds out, they started showing some life (not to mention the Cards going on a nosedive). With 5 games left they are 2 1/2 games out. I am not buying my playoff tickets, but there is still hope. It has been a long time since there were only 5 games left and the Reds were still in it.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
The Reds Are Out
Ok, 16 games left and 4 1/2 out. The Reds are done. They had a 3 game series at home against the Padres, who have the wild card lead, and had a chance to get within 1/2 a game. After only scoring 2 runs in the last two games (10-0 in game 2 of the series), they are now unofficially out. Yes, they are mathmatically in the race, but when you go 4-16, you don't deserve to go to the playoffs. They do have a good nucleus to work with and next year could be a great year in Cincy. This year, the Queen City will just have to accept "would'aves" and "should'aves".
Monday, September 11, 2006
Arroyo Keeps winning
Bronson Arroyo won for the 3rd straight time with another impressive 8-inning outing. Too bad he disappeared during the middle of the season. The Reds need a serious winning streak. Not just a 6 or 7 gamer, but a 10-11 gamer.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Happy Birthday Lona
Today is my lovely wife's birthday. She is...well I won't tell you how old she is, but she doesn't look or act her age, but 10 years younger. I am a lucky man! She loves muder mysteries, especially those produced by A&E, so I got her season 2 of Foyle's War, which is based in England during WWII. Happy Birthday!!
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Arroyo's First Shut-out
Bronson Arroyo pitched his first career shutout last night as the Reds beat the Giants 3-0. The Reds shot themselves in the foot over the last two weeks by having a 2-8 road trip and losing their first game at home. 11 games ago they beat the Giants on the first game of the road trip and was tied for first with the Cardinals. Since then thay have dropped to 6 games behind the Cards and 3 games out of the wild card slot. Still plenty of games to go, but more wins are preferable to more losses. Now we find out the Jr Griffey dislocated his big toe two nights ago trying to catch a Barry Bonds homerun.
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