Wrapped Up Nice & Warm In My Own Little World

What if there’s a bigger picture?

What if I’m missing out?

What if there’s a greater purpose

I could be living right now

Outside my own little world
- Matthew West, My Own Little World

I don't know if I've mentioned how much I dislike cold weather, but suffice to say that I LOATHE it.  You can quickly jump to where my mind was as I got out of the car this morning to retrieve some OJ from the local grocer and the temp was a crisp 3 degrees!  Not pretty!  I couldn't find the desired container size and could only purchase twice the amount I wanted...and the price was half with a Hen House membership card (another MAJOR pet peeve).  I headed toward the checkout anticipating a wrestling match with the checker to get the 50% discount off my morning beverage.  So what happened when I arrived at the pleasant lady in checkout lane four?  She scanned a card and said I could fill it out online (okay....no harm done...got the discount).  I dourly commented on how cold it was outside. Then came the hammer.  She began telling me how she works overnights at Walmart and had been part of a cart cleanup crew that had to work outside last night (subzero temps) and when she finally got inside her hands felt like they were frozen.  As I left, she said, "Have a blessed day!" and I realized...I already had.  What concern was it to me that it was 3 degrees outside?  I was sleeping in a toasty house last night.  I drove a garaged car with a functioning heater to take the kids to school.  In fact, the first time I had been out in the elements was the short walk from my car to the grocery.  Poor me!  Helen Keller said, "It is a terrible thing to see and have no vision."  I want to live more aware of who is around me than the elements of the environment I'm in.  I want to be more aware of Whose I am than where I am.  If you're reading this, you're blessed...live like it!

General Thoughts and Musings

My mind has been racing this week.  I'm in training on a phone system that I've used (and installed) before...this just gives me the paper that says I know what I'm doing.  Don't get me wrong.  I'm thankful for the opportunity to learn and grow in my career, but it just isn't as exciting as I think it might have been at one time.  It doesn't fulfill me.  I believe that God is doing some really neat things in me - preparing me for what only He knows.  I realize that it is still important to grow in knowledge that doesn't appear to have a long-term purpose in my human understanding.  I'm really praying and seeking God for what He has for me this year.  I think that many times I miss what God has for me because I'm not paying attention.  To re-quote Len Sweet, "God, make a quick dead-end of any road that doesn't lead me to You."  I want God to take every area of ministry that I'm responsible for to a new level this year.  I know that He wants to...will I be willing to do whatever He asks of me? 

The Gathering 2011 - Day Three

As I laid in bed last night (this morning?), my mind was racing with all that I have heard.  I'm unsure of what God is up to in my life.  It's scary and exhilarating at the same time!  I can't imagine not serving God in some form of ministry.  Six months ago I considered myself a technologist that also served as a Worship/Arts Pastor.  Within the past couple of weeks, I realized that I considered myself a Worship/Arts Pastor that also was a technologist. Maybe it doesn't sound like much, but I feel like God is doing some thing that I can't even begin to imagine.  It feels huge to me.  The thought that God would use me to accomplish His purposes is humbling and exciting like crazy!

This morning we were ministered to by Brenda Salter-McNeil.  She challenged us from the story of Esther and was very dynamic.  A side note: her countryman got tangled in her hair and kept falling off her ear.  I was feeling some serious love for the sound techs - who did a spectacular job of chasing the sound as the level fluctuated.  Bravo!

The afternoon was free-time and we visited the Jacksonville Beach area.  Gina hadn't been to the ocean in 20 years we figured, so it was time.  It was very soothing (Gina didn't want to leave). There's something about the salt in the air - super relaxing!

The evening session started off with a tribute to generations past.  After a tribute to our Wesleyan chaplains serving abroad, Paul Baloche led us to worship.  I have a hard-core appreciation for his heart and his approach to worship.  Mark Batterson followed up with some great insights.  His quote for the night: "There are ways of doing church that have not been thought of yet."  He challenged us to be orthodox in theology and unorthodox in our methods.  The prayer was, "God, let us do anything, except sin, to win people to you!"  A quick shout out to Benji Kelley who did a superb job of emcee'ing the event.

It was great to catch up with Ernie and Susan Mullins as well.  They have been so instrumental in our lives and poured into us during a very difficult stage of our lives.  We're on our way home - can't wait to see the kids and apply some of the things God spoke to me about.  Here's to the immeasurably more that God promises to pour out on us - greater than we can even imagine to ask!  

The Gathering 2011 - Day Two

I came into this event not sure what to expect...I was blown away today!  Jeff Allen is a really REALLY funny dude.  Michael Smalley gave the morning presentation and did a great job.  He was able to very effectively communicate that being able to communicate our feelings is more important than arguing the facts.  Note to those who weren't paying attention: he was not speaking in the context of Biblical truth!  This was in the context of a marriage relationship where it seems feelings are the reality. 

The afternoon sessions I chose were Leading Worship w/Paul Baloche and Building Creative Weekends w/Jenn Petersen & Panel: Dave Ronne (12 Stone), Michael Rogalski (The Garage) & Charlie Alcock (IWU). The session with Paul Baloche was so rich!  The way he was vulnerable with us was impressive.  I learned so much and realized that there is so much God wants to do in our churches…in our church...and worship is a key part of it.  The emphasis was on the preparation for worship on Sunday.  I was challenged and convicted, but came out of the session excited to put some of these disciplines into action at BreakPointe.  The second session was really neat - I loved this statement from Dave Ronne: "We prepare creative content for 52 weeks every year!  Hollywood doesn't even try that!"  Charlie Alcock stated that if "you don't use your brain when you have little/no money, you won't use your brain when you have a lot."  I got some great ideas, and it was nice to reconnect with Michael Rogalski as well.  He shared some simple yet super creative ideas as well.

Keith Loy (Celebrate) spoke in the evening session and reminded us of how Christ saw people, had compassion on them, and met their needs.  A great quote was, "when we protect what we like, we ignore what He loves...PEOPLE!"  

The Kansas District reception was also a great time of fellowship. We heard updates from a couple of churches...Tom shared what is happening with New Hope and the way that God has provided for our finances.  It's been a really great convention...can't wait for tomorrow!

The Gathering 2011 - Day One

We made it!  No travel issues (unless a vow to lose weight and shower daily count....a not-so-subtle hint to the traveler next to me from KC to Baltimore).  The room is great - I'm really appreciative and thankful that we are able to be here.

The highlight of the day was Dr. Wayne Schmidt's presentation this evening on 'Stronger Passion."  I will post links/quotes later, but he shared his personal journey and some questions that God asked him along the way.  I really identified with those questions as they have been the ones that God has led me through during the past three years.  I'm not sure what it is about Florida (roughly three years ago in Orlando I volunteered to serve as an interim worship pastor), but it has been an amazing journey.  I hope that God will balance my passion and drive for His calling with patience to wait on Him and to move in His time.

So many thoughts tonight...pray for wisdom and God's plan to be played out in my life.

The Gathering 2011 - Prelude

So...we're off to The Gathering 2011 in Jacksonville.  I'm really excited about this week.  I feel like God is stretching me and I'm excited to see where this year takes us.  I'm praying that as God shapes my passions I will be open to whatever (and wherever) that leads.  More updates to follow.

Not "What" or "Who" but "How" and "When" and "Where"

It's been a while since I've posted - apologies.  I have a lot in my head and heart that I haven't been able to get onto this virtual paper due to whatever distractions.  To quote my friend, Lynn, I'm "in the question" of what does God want from me?  Beyond that devotion, beyond the "thank you, Lord, for saving my soul" chorus at the end of the service, beyond the "read my Bible, pray every day,"  beyond being in services each week....what is that God wants from me?!?!

'take my life i lay it down
at the cross where I am found
all I have I give to You oh God

take my hands and make them clean
keep my heart in purity
that I may walk in all You have for me

oh here i stand arms open wide
oh, i am Yours and You are mine

take my moments and my days
let each breath that i take
be ever only for You oh God
oh here i stand arms open wide
oh, i am Yours and You are mine

my whole life is Yours i give it all
surrendered to Your Name
and forever i will pray
have Your way
have Your way!
::arms open wide, hillsong united::

 I see so many things I can improve in our church (local, district, national): technology, creativity, the communication of the vision.  I'm praying the bridge from the song above: my whole life is Yours, i give it all... do your thing, God!  I'm trying to patiently wait, but I'm not very good at it.  I need to write these things out more often.


Until next time....

Hooked by A Christmas Tune

So this doesn't happen very often.  I tend to find Christmas music overdone in general (98.1 and Star 102 could double their Christmas music selection with 20 CDs...a mere $200 on iTunes).  Newer songs like Mary Did You Know, Grown-up Christmas List, etc get tired on me VERY quickly.  I've been previewing some Christmas music to do at BreakPointe this Christmas season and came across Relient K's Let It Snow, Baby...Let it Reindeer CD (I know, I know!  2 Relient K CDs back to back but it's really good and you should buy it if you enjoy upbeat, slightly punk music).  There is a song on it that has me hooked...big time!  The song is Celebrate the Day and it will appear at BreakPointe in some fashion this Christmas.  I have a ton of respect for the song writing; there are some really clever lines.  No more Relient K posts for at least a week or two. 

Celebrate the Day

And with this Christmas wish is missed
The point I could convey
If only I could find the words to say
to let You know how much You've touched my life
Because here is where You're finding me,
in the exact same place as New Year's eve
And from a lack of my persistency
We're less than half as close as I want to be

And the first time That You opened Your eyes
Did You realize that You would be my Savior
And the first breath that left Your lips
Did You know that it would change this world forever

And so this Christmas I'll compare
the things I felt in prior years
To what this midnight made so clear
That You have come to meet me here

And the first time that You opened Your eyes
Did You realize that You would be my Savior
And the first breath that left Your lips
Did You know that it would change this world forever

To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me
In the hope that what You did
That you were born so I might live
To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me

And the first time that You opened Your eyes
Did You realize that You would be my Savior
And the first breath that left Your lips
Did You know that it would change this world forever

And I, I celebrate the day
That You were born to die
So I could one day pray for You to save my life

Album of the Day

Forget and Not Slow Down by Relient K

Quote of the Day

The greatest mistake is trying to be more agreeable than you can be.
- Walter Bagehot