Sunday, May 20, 2012    

In a Little Row Boat to…

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

beijingIf you are truly a child of the 80′s then you will be able to finish the song lyric (hint: “China”). This morning at 5:30 am Anita was picked up by our friends and her travel companions for an 11 day trip to China! Quite an adventure for a woman who has only been outside of the country once (and it hardly counted…Vancouver).

She and five other members of our church Praise Team are heading to China to lead worship for two Sundays at the Beijing International Christian Fellowship, an ex-patriot church of about 6,000 people that is allowed to worship on Chinese soil. They will also be doing some sight-seeing (i.e.: Great Wall and Forbidden City) and visiting a couple of orphanages. It’s a great opportunity for Anita and she is following God’s leading…and what a big step it is! They have an 18 hour flight before hitting the ground running on Saturday and Sunday.

I’m way excited for her. Now…11 days playing “Mr. Mom”? Doesn’t sound too bad…should be a lot of fun…but a lot of people think I’m crazy!  We’re going to have a lot of fun together, but we will all miss mom a lot. Kyle is already saying he misses her…I’ll just have to keep them so busy they don’t have time to think about it.

Anita will have all kinds of pictures and stories when she gets back…so stay tuned…

16.07.2009 Family, Ministry, Outreach No Comments

Sermon: John 21:15-17

Monday, April 20th, 2009

I had the privilege of preaching again this past Sunday—and on the first day of our new first service, “reFresh Cafe”. My passage was John 21 and I focused on the interaction between Jesus and Peter (his “reinstatement”). In this interaction, Jesus draws a parallel between our love for Him and our love for one another. You can’t have one without the other. Our love for others flows out of our love for Him, and our love for others is evidence of our love for Him.

Until I got to studying this passage I hadn’t always made that connection. Love God…check. Love Others…check. Love Others out of my Love for God….hmmm….not so sure about that one. I prefer to love others out of my own strength and ability. As usual…I still have plenty to work on!

Listen to the sermon podcast.

20.04.2009 Church, Ministry, Sermon No Comments

Enjoy It

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

School is drawing to a close (can I get an AMEN?!). One more class. Six more weeks of papers and studying. One more grade. And then I graduate…I can actually see the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s so close I can taste it. And the ride has been fun, but it’s time for it to be over.

But that simply leads to the next question: What’s Next? And God has finally released me to start praying about it…about what’s next. No answers yet—but at least I get to pray about it and start looking toward the future. So that’s what I’ve been doing over the past week. Not in large doses of prayer, but in simple prayers where I just ask God, “What’s next? What do you have in store for us? What should we be preparing for?”

And then I listen…

This morning He gave me an answer I was not expecting: “No matter what happens…enjoy the process.”

Enjoy the process. Hmmm…

Interesting. Not exactly what I was expecting. But I get it.

Don’t worry. Don’t fret. Don’t get your undies in a bunch (I might have added that one myself)…just enjoy the process regardless of the results. During the process…whatever that ends up being…I get to learn about myself. I get to learn about God. I get to connect with God and share thoughts and feelings with Him. I get to walk with God and hear His voice.

I should say…WE get to walk with God and hear His voice. I’m not alone in this process. Anita is in it with me. The kids are in it. I have no idea what’s coming down the road but I will enjoy the process. And I just might end up with exactly what He wants for me in the process. Wouldn’t that be a bonus? :wink:

07.04.2009 Ministry, School 1 Comment

Preaching in Topeka

Sunday, March 29th, 2009

Last week, at the beginning of our Spring Break trek through Kansas and Missouri, I got the privilege to preach in Grant’s new church in Topeka, KS: Western Hills Baptist Church. I had a great time. Great church. Great people. Great worship.

The sermon was on John 8:1-11, the woman caught in adultery. Grant is currently going through a sermon series entitled “conversations” that is focused on conversations that Jesus had with various people in the book of John…life changing conversations.

In my sermon, the focus is on these words that Jesus speaks to this woman after her accusers have left (after He makes them look foolish): “Neither do I condemn you.” I still have a hard time hearing this from God. I would much rather carry around my guilt than accept his scandalous forgiveness. It’s hard to hear these words and really accept them, but He means it.

I. Don’t. Condemn. You.

He loves us just the way we are…and too much to leave us there! :cool:

Here is the audio of the sermon if you really want to torture yourself:

Conversations: A Guilty Pawn

29.03.2009 Church, Ministry, Sermon No Comments

Sermon Reflection

Wednesday, January 28th, 2009

This past Sunday I had the distinct honor and pleasure to preach at our church (Pinecrest Community Church). Now, I have preach many sermons but it had been a long time and I hadn’t preach at this church. I wasn’t nervous, but I was reminded a few times (by a close and dear friend of mine) that I really should not suck if at all possible.

Upon reflection, I do not think I sucked. You can judge for yourself by listening to the podcast. Since it has been awhile since I preached there were a few little cobwebs and a returning to some old habits, but all in all God did His thing and I just tried to let Him speak and be His conduit. It was fun…I truly love teaching and preaching.

What do I need to improve? Where do I begin? The big thing I want to focus on is slowing down and using silence. I got this feedback from both of our pastors and it’s a bad habit I have worked very hard to break (my very first sermon was over in like 5 minutes instead of the 20 it should have taken…those poor people!). Speaking is a craft and it takes some honing. The more you do it, and focus on getting better, the better it gets.

For those of you that heard me…I welcome constructive criticism. I just hope and pray that God continues to us me for His glory! It’s fun when you’re doing what He has called you to do.

28.01.2009 Church, Ministry, Sermon 5 Comments

Through God’s Eyes

Thursday, November 20th, 2008

As part of my current college course (Spiritual Formation) we have gone through several exercises this week to practice solitude and listening to God’s voice. These are uncomfortable exercise…but that’s supposed to be part of the point as we get out of our comfort zone and learn to hear God speak into our lives. It has been hard. It has been good.

Last night was a 30 minute exercise of silence and listening. After the first 5-10 minutes (I wasn’t watching the clock) God did a LOT of talking. This is probably indicative of how much I haven’t been listening recently..He unloaded on one very specific topic: Having a Servant’s Heart. I won’t go into all of the details, but here are the highlights:

  1. Am I leading from a servant’s heart or am I serving out of simple duty and obligation? (I hate it when He asks questions like this because I rarely like the answer!)
  2. God wants my motive to service…not service because I’m supposed to or because it feeds my ego. (OUCH)
  3. Two examples for me to chew on: Jesus washing His disciples’ feet (He wanted to do it…it wasn’t just a duty) and Philippians 2:4-11.
  4. Here’s the big one: He wants me to really start seeing other’s as He sees them—through God’s eyes!

This is all about my motives for ministry and service. Am I doing it for my own benefit or for God’s benefit? Is my heart truly in the right place? I’m not saying I am serving out of some dark place…but it’s not the best place. It’s for God’s glory not mine. It’s not about me…it’s about Him.

God, grant me a servant’s heart!

20.11.2008 Ministry, Spiritual Development, Spiritual Musings No Comments

What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?

Tuesday, July 29th, 2008

This is a great question to spark discussion, because it strikes a cord in our spirit…our desire to do something we love and are passionate about.

So, if you could do anything in the world (money and life circumstances not being an issue) what would you do? What is your true passion? What is your dream job (or dream calling)? If you could do or be anything you wanted to be, what would it be?

It’s fun to think about, but take a second to really consider this one. I asked this question to a co-worker this week and got an unexpected answer: Starbucks Barista. And she meant it, that’s what she would do if she could do anything and I admire her determination and spirit.

I for one am struggling with the answer…mainly because I have too many options and have a hard time narrowing the list down. I would certainly do something in the arena of teaching, but I’m not sure if that would mean as a Teaching Pastor, as a Sunday School teacher, Discipleship Pastor, or in some Para-church organization. I also DREAM of becoming a writer so I would add that to the list as well (but that can be done along with something else too). This is something I will continue to ponder and chew on…I even made it a matter of serious prayer this morning as I look toward the future God is preparing us for in ministry. His answer? Keep praying and pondering, but no answer for now…the process is part of the journey.

So how about you…what do you want to be when you grow up? What’s your dream job…your life calling and passion? Leave a comment with your answer(s) and maybe you’ll spark someone else’s passion…or at least have some fun sharing.

On a mostly unrelated note, here’s a great quote I read this morning in Messy Spirituality (my new favorite book). Enjoy…

I’m all for getting the mechanics right, but spiritual growth is more than a procedure; it’s a wild search for God in the tangled jungle of our souls, a search which involves a volitile mix of messy reality, wild freedom, frustrating stuckness, increasing slowness, and a healthy dose of gratitude. (pgs 114-115)

29.07.2008 Ministry, Misc Ramblings, Work 4 Comments

The Right Response

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008

I saw this story on a fellow blogger’s website (Robert’s Blog) and I think it’s a great story to share. There is a little church in Charlotte, NC (they meet in an AMC Theatre) called Kinetic Church. As is the case with many small churches, this church had all of their stuff in a moving trailer. Long story short…the trailer was stolen. Now the typical reaction to having your church trailer stolen would range from anger to outrage.

But not this church. They have the right response…can’t say it would have been my response, but I’m learning from their attitude, their sense of humor, and their attitude of forgiveness. You can read more of the details on their website, but essentially this church wants to meet the person(s) that stole their trailer–for all the right reasons. In this effort they have taken a two pronged approach: billboards and the Internet.

Click here for an example of one of their billboards…gotta love a sense of humor!

Here is the YouTube video from their pastor. I absolutely love and am convicted by this response (makes me want to visit this church):

23.04.2008 Church, Ministry, Outreach, Video No Comments

Practicing God’s Presence

Monday, March 31st, 2008

I am starting a new four week learning series this Sunday at church called Holy Habits. Our first session is on Practicing God’s Presence. As often happens, as I have been putting the final touches on the “lesson” God has been challenging me…and sometimes it’s a painful process!

The main principle in the lesson is that we are supposed to life our everyday lives with God. It’s so easy to compartmentalize our lives and have our “God Time” and our “Every Day Life” be separate. But that’s not what God wants…He wants to have a “rich relationship” with us and He wants to be part of everything we have going on. But that is SO much easier said than done!!

It’s so much easier to do my 30 minute devotional in the morning and “get God out of the way”. Taking Him with me throughout the day is another matter entirely. How about that meeting I have…does God care about that? Yep! How about my stray thoughts during the day…does He care about those too? Yep.

You get the picture.

So how do you practice God’s presence in your life? How do you keep Him front and center in everything you’re doing? I’m open to any and all suggestions, ideas, and practices (and I’m looking forward to the class this week to unpack this even more).

And if you’re not doing so well at it, join the club! The good news is God is willing to help you and me along. If you’re struggling with this one let me know and we can work on it together and pray for one another.

31.03.2008 Church, Discipleship, Ministry, Spiritual Musings 3 Comments

Would They Miss Me?

Wednesday, March 5th, 2008

We had a special speaker this Sunday in church. His name is Jon Talbert and he was there speaking to us about our new compassion and outreach ministry called Beautiful Day. Jon is the Compassion Pastor at Westgate Church in southern California where the Beautiful Day concept got started. Westgate asked themselves this question: “If our church were to disappear tomorrow, would the community even notice? Would they miss us?”

It’s a great question, and God has been using it in my life this week. Of course, He has made it more personal. The question He has placed on my heart this week goes something like this: “David, if you were replaced at work would anybody notice? Would they miss you?” Now I know they would miss the work I’m doing, but that can easily be replaced. The real heart of the question is would the people I work with notice…have I made any sort of lasting impact on their lives…especially their spiritual lives?

I’m not sure I like the answer, but it’s a question I have to deal with…

05.03.2008 Ministry, Outreach, Spiritual Musings No Comments

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