I am sitting up at the hospital this morning waiting to go back and pray with a person who is going to have surgery. I was thinking about this new year ahead. I need to make some changes in my routine this new year. Namely, I need to get healthy. I have become a major slob!
I am overweight and not healthy. I need to exercise. We bought Wii Fit for our Wii and I haven't even tried it yet. I am going to start Matt's Fitness class on Monday evenings (that runs from January through March) and I will go with my wife to the gym to swim (I haven't been doing that) and I will do Wii Fit every day.
I think if I start to do those things I will feel better. I am also stopping all consumption of Pop. I will be on water only for a while (so I can detox).
I need to make some changes. I don't want to be lazy and unfit. It really is time to get healthy!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 2008
This Christmas Eve Candlelight Service was not as well attended as it has been past years. But this is one of those services that has a real special place in my heart. There is something magical about seeing the eyes of a child when they hold a candle in their hand and sing "Silent Night." That never gets old!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Fast and Slow
Tonight my oldest son confessed to me that sometimes he feels like his life goes too slow. I confessed to him that MOST of the time I feel like his life goes too fast! It reminded me of a question that my youngest son asked me the other day. He wanted to know what would happen if I stomped on the brakes and the gas pedal at the same time. I told him nothing would happen (I think).
That's what is happening right now with me and my oldest son. Brakes and gas. Slow and fast. I need to give a little, so that the proper momentum can occur, but he needs to be understanding with my unwillingness to go too fast.
My goal is not to rush my kids out of my house as soon as they are 18. I don't want them to leave. I don't want them to rush out of our home. I want them with us as long as possible.
The reality is that I have about four more Christmases to spend with him...maybe five. And I think they are coming along too fast. I want it to slow way down.
So we have to find a happy medium. That's hard to do. But such is parenting...it's not a science. It's actually a messy, sloppy experience. But, with Christ's help we will reach the goal of developing our children (which he gave to us) into godly men who are agressive, responsible leaders in life.
That's what is happening right now with me and my oldest son. Brakes and gas. Slow and fast. I need to give a little, so that the proper momentum can occur, but he needs to be understanding with my unwillingness to go too fast.
My goal is not to rush my kids out of my house as soon as they are 18. I don't want them to leave. I don't want them to rush out of our home. I want them with us as long as possible.
The reality is that I have about four more Christmases to spend with him...maybe five. And I think they are coming along too fast. I want it to slow way down.
So we have to find a happy medium. That's hard to do. But such is parenting...it's not a science. It's actually a messy, sloppy experience. But, with Christ's help we will reach the goal of developing our children (which he gave to us) into godly men who are agressive, responsible leaders in life.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Criticism...
The other day in my mailbox I received a copy of my last newsletter article from a person who also attached a note to it. In the note, they explained that there were several grammatical problems they had with my article. (Which really confused me because I is a real good writer, I really is!)
But here's the deal, I had not asked for this...although it was still given to me. I have never said, "I need help with my grammar, can you help me?" But I have been getting letters like these for a number of years.
To be frank, it ticks me off. I don't give a rat's read end about proper grammar if I am able to get my point across and be heard.
I realize though, I don't handle unsolicited criticism well. When no prior permissions have been granted and someone feels like they need to address an issue with me, typically I perceive it as an attack or an assault. And that is especially true when I don't know if the person has my best interest in mind.
I have a rule that I employ when it comes to receiving criticism. I need to know three things:
1. Does this person love Jesus? Because if they don't, or if I am unsure in any way, then it is a no-go! They can tell me anything they like, and I will probably give them an ear-full back.
2. Does this person love the church? I need to know that they are passionate about the church growing and helping lost people find Jesus and found people know more about Jesus.
3. Does this person have my best interest in mind? Because if I have any question about that, then why do I want to hear from them?
Approaching pastors with petty crap like grammar in a sermon or a newsletter article gets real old after the 37th time. Also approaching pastors with the volume levels of the musicians gets real old after the 2nd time!
I think it is important to receive criticism from someone if I know that they love Jesus, love the church and love me. And criticism from someone like that will stop me in my tracks and cause me to really examine what is being said.
But for the most part, it is sad that in the church it can be the last place that you see someone practicing what Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:29. We need to be more gracious in our speech with each other. We need to look for ways to encourage instead of looking for what's wrong. We seem to be on a constant witch hunt with each other in the church a lot of the time. That get's old too!
How do you handle unsolicited criticism? Me, it really depends on who is bringing it. Otherwise, they are just another mouth flapping in the wind.
But here's the deal, I had not asked for this...although it was still given to me. I have never said, "I need help with my grammar, can you help me?" But I have been getting letters like these for a number of years.
To be frank, it ticks me off. I don't give a rat's read end about proper grammar if I am able to get my point across and be heard.
I realize though, I don't handle unsolicited criticism well. When no prior permissions have been granted and someone feels like they need to address an issue with me, typically I perceive it as an attack or an assault. And that is especially true when I don't know if the person has my best interest in mind.
I have a rule that I employ when it comes to receiving criticism. I need to know three things:
1. Does this person love Jesus? Because if they don't, or if I am unsure in any way, then it is a no-go! They can tell me anything they like, and I will probably give them an ear-full back.
2. Does this person love the church? I need to know that they are passionate about the church growing and helping lost people find Jesus and found people know more about Jesus.
3. Does this person have my best interest in mind? Because if I have any question about that, then why do I want to hear from them?
Approaching pastors with petty crap like grammar in a sermon or a newsletter article gets real old after the 37th time. Also approaching pastors with the volume levels of the musicians gets real old after the 2nd time!
I think it is important to receive criticism from someone if I know that they love Jesus, love the church and love me. And criticism from someone like that will stop me in my tracks and cause me to really examine what is being said.
But for the most part, it is sad that in the church it can be the last place that you see someone practicing what Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:29. We need to be more gracious in our speech with each other. We need to look for ways to encourage instead of looking for what's wrong. We seem to be on a constant witch hunt with each other in the church a lot of the time. That get's old too!
How do you handle unsolicited criticism? Me, it really depends on who is bringing it. Otherwise, they are just another mouth flapping in the wind.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Get Off The Nipple
I don't normally follow this blog, but Brad Cooper posted the following thoughts yesterday that were very provocative...this really challenged me:
Nipple Feeders:
-Have to have food brought to them.
-Can eat in only 1 location.
-Can eat only 1 type of food.
-Have to rely on someone else faithfulness to be fed.
-Have to rely on someone else faithfulness to grow.
-Cry a lot… about a variety of different things…
-The only thing they do more than suck… is crap….
-The only thing they do more than crap… is sleep…
Self-Feeders:
-Can go TO the food.
-Can eat in a variety of different locations.
-Can eat a variety of different foods.
-Know that to be @ their healthiest they SHOULD eat a variety of foods.
-Instead of laying in their mess… They know where to take their mess.
-Know that HEALTH is defined by diet and EXERCISE.
-Understand the more you exercise the MORE YOU GET TO EAT.
We all start @ the nipple but move to become self-feeders…
So what do you think? Is he spot on?
Nipple Feeders:
-Have to have food brought to them.
-Can eat in only 1 location.
-Can eat only 1 type of food.
-Have to rely on someone else faithfulness to be fed.
-Have to rely on someone else faithfulness to grow.
-Cry a lot… about a variety of different things…
-The only thing they do more than suck… is crap….
-The only thing they do more than crap… is sleep…
Self-Feeders:
-Can go TO the food.
-Can eat in a variety of different locations.
-Can eat a variety of different foods.
-Know that to be @ their healthiest they SHOULD eat a variety of foods.
-Instead of laying in their mess… They know where to take their mess.
-Know that HEALTH is defined by diet and EXERCISE.
-Understand the more you exercise the MORE YOU GET TO EAT.
We all start @ the nipple but move to become self-feeders…
So what do you think? Is he spot on?
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Dirty Dishes
In our home, we have responsibilities that each of us are expected to carry out. In fact, we have a "chore chart." Part of that chore chart includes dishes each night. My night is Thursday night. Each of my sons have two nights and Shannon has two nights.
I noticed the other day, as I was getting a glass to drink from, that the glass wasn't clean. It had been washed but it hadn't been washed enough.
Now I don't want to brag, but I know when I wash a glass that you won't find milk rings on the bottom of the glass when I'm done. I will wash the glass and you will be able to drink from it knowing that it is a clean glass.
My children, however, don't always accomplish the task in the same manner.
Isn't that just like us? We know that we need to be clean before God. So we try to clean our act up, but we always miss something or forget something or try to hide something. But God knows every spot, every stain, every blemish.
The fact is, we can't do it. We cannot clean ourselves up enough so that we can be in right relationship with God. It is impossible. He is wholly other than us. And our efforts at getting our act together are futile.
That is why we have to place our trust in His Perfect Sufficiency. We need allow Him to do our dishes! Because there is no way he could ever dine with us unless He gets the plates clean in our lives.
And that is done through Jesus and only Jesus. There is no other way.
My heavenly Father desires to dine with me, but I keep insisting that I can manage getting things ready for Him, but that isn't the case. I need to stop trying to earn His approval and just relax in the knowledge that He just chooses to love me in spite of my dirty dishes! What a great God we serve!
I noticed the other day, as I was getting a glass to drink from, that the glass wasn't clean. It had been washed but it hadn't been washed enough.
Now I don't want to brag, but I know when I wash a glass that you won't find milk rings on the bottom of the glass when I'm done. I will wash the glass and you will be able to drink from it knowing that it is a clean glass.
My children, however, don't always accomplish the task in the same manner.
Isn't that just like us? We know that we need to be clean before God. So we try to clean our act up, but we always miss something or forget something or try to hide something. But God knows every spot, every stain, every blemish.
The fact is, we can't do it. We cannot clean ourselves up enough so that we can be in right relationship with God. It is impossible. He is wholly other than us. And our efforts at getting our act together are futile.
That is why we have to place our trust in His Perfect Sufficiency. We need allow Him to do our dishes! Because there is no way he could ever dine with us unless He gets the plates clean in our lives.
And that is done through Jesus and only Jesus. There is no other way.
My heavenly Father desires to dine with me, but I keep insisting that I can manage getting things ready for Him, but that isn't the case. I need to stop trying to earn His approval and just relax in the knowledge that He just chooses to love me in spite of my dirty dishes! What a great God we serve!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
What Will 2009 Look Like For You?
It is getting close to the end of 2008...and with that comes things that I believe should be our goal for 2009 as a church. Here's a list:
1. We need to be a church who isn't held back by any barriers when it comes to reaching out to lost people. In 2009, I want to have the biggest outreach effort we have ever had! I want to see us Man-Up when it comes to being who we say we are and really get busy in inviting people to church and sharing the gospel! I want this year to be our banner year, a pivotal moment for us where we can look back and say, "That was the year where it all changed."
2. I want our baptismal waters to never be stagnant. I want us to be sincerely focused on winning lost people to Jesus. What else are we supposed to be doing? We're not Rotary Club, for crying out loud! We are the church...the hope of the world! We better start acting like it! We have the only message that will help people in this fallen world.
3. I want our youth and children's ministries to see dynamic growth this year. They both will be experiencing some change with the beginning of the new year...and I want to see them experience radical growth. This can only happen with your: Prayers...they can't make it without you praying for them; volunteer support...they can't grow without more people being willing to step up and help them get to the next level and financial support...let's face it, ministry costs money. I never will apologize for asking people to financially back the MOST important endeavor on earth...helping lost people find God!!
4. I want our church to become real. We still have a lot of people that aren't really taking it serious. They aren't really living out what they claim to believe. How do I know this? Because any and every excuse under the sun is given and taken for some of you to miss church. Because you still don't read your Bible every day and then you wonder why your life is screwed up. Because we have had financial struggles as a church before.
Listen, I believe if we had 30 people in our church who really, I mean, really believed God's Word and lived it out every day of their life for a month. Our church would look nothing like it currently does. It would change us forever! 30 people living out their faith for 30 days! We would shake the city of Des Moines to it's core!
So here we are...at the doorstep of 2009...with no guarantees about our future. Before 2010 comes along, some of us may not be here on earth anymore. Our Lord may return (which would be awesome if it happened because I wouldn't have to finish paying off my mortgage!) So will 2009 be just like 2008? Or are you finally going to step up to the plate this year and get busy serving Jesus like you have never done before?
I plan to. My family will. I hope you join me. Because I don't want to be the same. I want to be different. I want God to change me. I want God to change our church. May it be so, Lord Jesus!
1. We need to be a church who isn't held back by any barriers when it comes to reaching out to lost people. In 2009, I want to have the biggest outreach effort we have ever had! I want to see us Man-Up when it comes to being who we say we are and really get busy in inviting people to church and sharing the gospel! I want this year to be our banner year, a pivotal moment for us where we can look back and say, "That was the year where it all changed."
2. I want our baptismal waters to never be stagnant. I want us to be sincerely focused on winning lost people to Jesus. What else are we supposed to be doing? We're not Rotary Club, for crying out loud! We are the church...the hope of the world! We better start acting like it! We have the only message that will help people in this fallen world.
3. I want our youth and children's ministries to see dynamic growth this year. They both will be experiencing some change with the beginning of the new year...and I want to see them experience radical growth. This can only happen with your: Prayers...they can't make it without you praying for them; volunteer support...they can't grow without more people being willing to step up and help them get to the next level and financial support...let's face it, ministry costs money. I never will apologize for asking people to financially back the MOST important endeavor on earth...helping lost people find God!!
4. I want our church to become real. We still have a lot of people that aren't really taking it serious. They aren't really living out what they claim to believe. How do I know this? Because any and every excuse under the sun is given and taken for some of you to miss church. Because you still don't read your Bible every day and then you wonder why your life is screwed up. Because we have had financial struggles as a church before.
Listen, I believe if we had 30 people in our church who really, I mean, really believed God's Word and lived it out every day of their life for a month. Our church would look nothing like it currently does. It would change us forever! 30 people living out their faith for 30 days! We would shake the city of Des Moines to it's core!
So here we are...at the doorstep of 2009...with no guarantees about our future. Before 2010 comes along, some of us may not be here on earth anymore. Our Lord may return (which would be awesome if it happened because I wouldn't have to finish paying off my mortgage!) So will 2009 be just like 2008? Or are you finally going to step up to the plate this year and get busy serving Jesus like you have never done before?
I plan to. My family will. I hope you join me. Because I don't want to be the same. I want to be different. I want God to change me. I want God to change our church. May it be so, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
What a church!?
Well, I was utterly surprised today by my church. They threw a surprise party for me to celebrate me being at The Fort for 10 years. I really was blown away. Part of the event included this video tribute that my buddy, Kyle, put together...
It really was humbling to me. Thank you so much to everyone who came and for all the gifts. And they didn't just give gifts, they were very personal gifts that meant something special to me. I will put up a few pictures when I get them later from the event.
Thanks again, church! You really know how to treat your pastor!
It really was humbling to me. Thank you so much to everyone who came and for all the gifts. And they didn't just give gifts, they were very personal gifts that meant something special to me. I will put up a few pictures when I get them later from the event.
Thanks again, church! You really know how to treat your pastor!
Planned Parenthood Exposed
Many people view Planned Parenthood as this nice agency that helps families and young women with medical advice and care...nothing could be farther from the truth. They are an abortion factory. They will do any and everything they can to get another girl to have an abortion that walks through their doors.
Being devoutly pro-life, I am glad that Planned Parenthood's practices are being brought to light. Watch this video and let me know what you think...
Being devoutly pro-life, I am glad that Planned Parenthood's practices are being brought to light. Watch this video and let me know what you think...
Friday, December 5, 2008
10 Years Ago Today...
We loaded up a U-Haul Truck and packed up our little Escort Station Wagon as well and headed out of Putnam, IL for the last time into an unknown future with a new church on the South Side of Des Moines called Fort Des Moines Church of Christ.
We arrived at the church building to a waiting crowd that helped us unload our stuff at the duplex we moved into. That first Sunday was a snowy Sunday, only 49 people in church. I was rather embarrassed because I used to wear a suit and tie every Sunday and that Sunday because I hadn't fully unpacked, I didn't wear a tie because I couldn't find my ties.
I got over it. Now I never wear a tie unless someone's dead or wants to get married. Ten years! It's been a pretty amazing ride! Who knows what God has in store for the next decade of my life but this last decade has been very good. God has been outrageously good to me.
I thank God for His call on my life and the opportunity I have had to serve at The Fort these past ten years.
We arrived at the church building to a waiting crowd that helped us unload our stuff at the duplex we moved into. That first Sunday was a snowy Sunday, only 49 people in church. I was rather embarrassed because I used to wear a suit and tie every Sunday and that Sunday because I hadn't fully unpacked, I didn't wear a tie because I couldn't find my ties.
I got over it. Now I never wear a tie unless someone's dead or wants to get married. Ten years! It's been a pretty amazing ride! Who knows what God has in store for the next decade of my life but this last decade has been very good. God has been outrageously good to me.
I thank God for His call on my life and the opportunity I have had to serve at The Fort these past ten years.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
This is really provocative...
My buddy Shane Vander Hart posted this video on his blog and it just smacked me between the eyes. This is something to seriously ponder...
On the Inside
On the outside, I may appear to be a lovable little pastor, but on the inside of me, I'm a dangerous Jedi ready to do battle with any critical Church of Christ androids disguised as cute little old ladies. So with this glimpse of my true personality, evil androids beware!
Create your own FACEinHOLE
Create your own FACEinHOLE
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
What a unique idea!?
I read a lot of blogs. One blog I read is Tim Steven's Blog. He had a post on a little over a week ago that was a video of a monologue done at Newspring Church in Anderson, SC. It really blew me away. It is a dramatization of Proverbs 7:10-23. I've never looked at this passage in quite this light before. Let me know what you think of it...
Based on Proverbs 7:10-23 from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.
Based on Proverbs 7:10-23 from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Putnam Christian Church
From 1993 to 1998 I preached at a little country church in Putnam, IL called Putnam Christian Church. The church building was built in 1866. It is a very beautiful little building that has a real fond place in my heart. The people there were very gracious and patient with me while I was just beginning in ministry. They endured some real bonehead sermons from me. They basically watched me grow up as a minister.
I love that place and I still love those people. While I was back in IL over Thanksgiving we drove over there and I saw the building again. Their minister is a really great guy. He is a perfect fit for that good little church.
I thank God for my start in such loving and patient circumstances like Putnam. Here is a picture of the building I took...
I love that place and I still love those people. While I was back in IL over Thanksgiving we drove over there and I saw the building again. Their minister is a really great guy. He is a perfect fit for that good little church.
I thank God for my start in such loving and patient circumstances like Putnam. Here is a picture of the building I took...
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