Recent rumblings in my head

So, I have been away from writing on this blog for quite a while.  I am still alive, just very busy.  I may go into more details of all that is going on some other time, but suffice it to say I am no longer looking for hours to work.

I have been listening a lot to the new album “Hope Rising” by the band FEE.  It is an absolutely outstanding album (thanks John and Laurie!) and if you have the spare cash or iTunes card that you just weren’t sure what to do with, I would highly recommend it.  The album is full of great songs and a couple have really started me thinking about some things to write on here.  I had one in particular in mind to write about first, but a conversation at the supper table tonight changed that.  The premise takes some story-telling if you will, so bear with me.

A few weeks back my church hosted a seminar by Thom Cunningham (a New Tribes Mission Representative that we support).  I was not able to make most of the sessions, but one afternoon I was at church and Thom and I had an opportunity to talk for 20 minutes or so.  That 20 minute conversation was not new material for me, but has totally revamped my thinking on ministry.

Thom made the comment that in church and especially with kids we teach them stories that tend to emphasize the people of the Bible rather than the God of the Bible and the people in the stories.  This started me thinking about all the stories that I learned growing up.

The song Glory to God Forever has really focused my attention even more on what I am doing for His Glory.  I will write more about this in my next post.  Here is the lyrics to the song:

Before the world was made, before You spoke it to be
You were the King of kings, yeah You were, yeah You were
And now You’re reigning still, enthroned above all things
Angels and saints cry out, we join them as we sing

Glory to God, glory to God
Glory to God, forever
Glory to God, glory to God
Glory to God, forever, yeah

Creator God, You gave me breath so I could praise
Your great and matchless name, all my days, all my days
So let my whole life be a blazing offering
A life that shouts and sings the greatness of our King

Glory to God, glory to God
Glory to God, forever
Glory to God, glory to God
Glory to God, forever

Take my life and let it be
All for You and for Your glory
Take my life and let it be yours

Glory to God, glory to God
Glory to God, forever
Glory to God, glory to God
Glory to God, forever

by Steve Fee and Vicky Beaching

Tonight at the table, Tyler was talking about people going to Heaven. I was prodding him as to what he understood and in the midst of talking about God, he proclaimed that people (like the disciples) can heal people.  This prompted me to correct his 4 year old theology, but really awoke me to what I am teaching my kids about God.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not criticizing those who taught me or those who have had a part in teaching my kids.  I am just thinking through the processes and making sure that we are putting the glory in the right place.  We are about His glory, not man’s fame.  Even though it is clear in our head, do those that we are teaching understand it?  Let’s make sure we are making much of Him!

My Review of A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller

The “story” behind the book is about the story of one’s life.  Miller accomplishes this by telling the story of a movie being based on his life’s story and his search for how to write a good story.  Many side stories are added to illustrate this point.

Let me start by stating that I had never read any of Donald Miller’s books before, though I had been very interested as I had heard a lot of good things about them.  I am not sure what I expected, but this book was much different that what I had expected.  To me, the book seemed very random and in speaking with a friend about it, I used the term abstract writing.  The author also made reference to times of smoking and drinking, that added nothing to the story, and should not have been included.

Overall, the book had a really good principle and was an easy read.  I really wish more Scripture (I don’t remember any, as a matter of fact) being used.  What I did take from the book is that our lives are a story and we need to choose what  story we want our life to tell.

Life, Death, and an Everlasting Hope

There has been a lot of talk about death lately with several well known people having died.  Even last night a friend of mine past away.  It was 3 years ago today that we buried our precious Olivia.

In many ways we still grieve, as we always will.  That period of time was very stressful, hectic, and in many ways I am so glad it is over.  I just still wish we had our little girl.    At times we look at Alysa and see what she might have become, being identical twins.  I hold on to the fact that God has made her more beautiful than I can ever imagine in this life and that I will be with her again some day.  I also am thankful for every day that we had with her.  Almost 3 months wasn’t long, but at least it was.  As busy and out of the ordinary that time was, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

I also can look back and have no regrets.  Sure, there might be somethings that I/we might do differently now, but that is because of experience that we just didn’t have (who does!).  My trust was and is in the Lord.  I don’t understand the how and why, but I still trust.  The thought that has always come back to my mind was the story of Mr. Mark Bredin quoting Job when informed of his daughter’s death “…Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21

Olivia did give us many opportunities to share about Christ with so many people.  Many of the nurses and doctors and people we have and probably will never meet that read our blog hopefully saw Christ in us and our testimonies.

Maybe even some of you that are reading this have not experienced the hope that a relationship with God has.  I would love to share with you about it.

Olivia, we will always love you and are anxiously waiting to be with you again.

(for those who may not know the “whole” story and would like to read it, please go to www.ourpreciousones.blogspot.com and begin in April 2006.)

YOU are not replaceable!

Last night I was talking with Amy about what “work” I had before me today.  I had an unattainable goal to finish a HUGE stack of orders that had piled up while other things were given a higher priority.  (I had about 75-80 orders and my previous record is around 58 with no interruptions, which would not be the case today)  It was during this conversation, that I realized that I had a revelation, if you will.  It was really clear to me that I was the only one that could even come close to getting them all done.  No one else on the planet could come in today and accomplish what I could.  I had the right mix of training, understanding, and experience.  Sure, there are many who would know the software to process the orders better than me.  The company’s owner would argue that he knows the parts better than me (and he would likely be wrong!)  Others might even know right where to find most of the parts to be picked.  I, however, was the only one that had the best mix of all of these things.  That is not to say that I can’t improve, because I absolutely can.  The realization became a real motivating factor for me, a very competative person by nature.

I was thinking this over again this morning, as picking and shipping orders can be rather brainless at times.  God has something for each one of us to do that only we have the right gifts and talents to do.  This is true not only for each day, but also in our lifetime.  This is also for whatever situation we are in.  We are here for a reason!  If God was finished with us, He would move us on.  We have relationships with people that maybe no one else does.  We have been blessed in ways that God can use us to specifically reach certain people.  We have talents that can push the ministries that God has called us to work in.

The question then becomes, does this motivate us to DO IT?!?!  To often we tend to be complacent and have to be pushed.  Do we really care for the souls to which God has called us to minister, or is our “concern” just talk?  It is time that we get going.  We have a job and it is time to put our shoulder to the load and receive the tremendous blessing that comes when we are faithful.

Back to work, I didn’t get all the orders done.  With the many distractions a Friday has for me, I was able to get 40 or so done.  I do know that “I left it all on the field”.  I did all that I could do.  Now to have the same focus in me spiritual walk.

Given the economic situation we are in as a country, many have been replaced at the job that they were irreplaceable at.  Not so with God.  Everyone has a permanent position.  Job security beyond measure.

And, oh, what a retirement plan!!!

Star Search for a Transformation

Did you have a chance to read the Parade insert in the weekend paper?  I usually read just the comics and the “newsy/gossip” section of it, unless something catches my eye.  This week the article on Shia LaBeouf (star of the Transformers movie coming out next week) briefly caught my attention but I completely missed what my dear wife later pointed out to me.

http://www.parade.com/export/sites/default/celebrity/2009/06/shia-labeouf-mixed-up-life.html

“‘I don’t handle my fame well,’ LaBeouf says.  ’Most actors on most days don’t think they are worthy.  I have no idea where this insecurity comes from, but it’s a God-sized hole.  If I knew, I’d fill it, and I’d be on my way.’”

Wow!  I love his choice of words here.  He knows what he needs even if he doesn’t realize it.  Inspite of having many of the things that we would love to have in fame and money, he really needs what anyone can have.  For NOTHING!!!

What an amazing challenge to take God’s love to the world!  I truly pray that God will bring someone into Shia’s life to share Himself with him.  I also pray that I am faithful to share with those that God places in my life.

Faith Rewarded

So, since my post a week and a half ago, God has blessed.  I have an interview for a part-time job on Wednesday.  Prayer for that would be greatly appreciated.

The greatest blessing came today while I was working on some things at church, and I was informed that there were 3 bags and 2 boxes of food and other supplies for us.  Whoever you are, as I am not even sure that you read this, Thank You!  Not only is it a help to our finances but a great boost to our spirits.

God is GOOD and so are His PEOPLE!

Bad Directions

The internet can be a wonderful thing for getting directions and maps.

Notice I carefully used the word “can”.  There are times that no matter what map service you use, you will get lost.

I had such an experience last night.  I was meeting up with another youth leader at Starbucks in Auburn.  Now, I had a general idea where it was, but I wanted to be sure ther wasn’t more than one.  So, I checked Google and it said that it was in the Auburn Mall, which didn’t seem right.  So I checked Starbucks.com and it had the correct street address, but the map showed it in a place that I knew was unlikely.  I even used the “get directions” feature and the turn-by-turn lead me to this unlikely location.  So, I tried this location first, trusting that Starbucks would have thier own location correct.  Well, they didn’t.  Rather than check the mall, I just checked where I thought it was, and I was right.

Our house can be hard to find that way as well, depending on which way you are coming from.  When Olivia came home from the hospitial, we had in-home nurses.  Mapquest sent anyone coming from the Lewiston area down an old, impassible, dirt road.

We can approach the Gospel the same way.  We can be very misleading or confusing with some of the terminology that we use.  Words like “saved” are not easily understood by the those that have not been around church.  Another is “ask Jesus into your heart”.  Where does that even come from?  I know of verses that speak of trusting with all your heart, but really.

We can also be confusing with the way we live our lives.  We can often be the biggest hypocrites.  What we say is important better shop up in our lifestyle.

I Corintians 4:3 says, “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing.” NKJV  We must realize that the losers are those that are looking and desperately need to find.  We have the greatest message in the world and must constantly strive to be presenting it in the most clear and relevant way possible.  Just as it is to Starbucks greatest advantage to get the directions, it is to our greatest advantage to make sure that people are “buying what we are selling!”

Faith and Risk

Let me start this post by saying that I really feel God has given me a vision and that He has some big things in store.  I have felt the vision for a while, but recently it is being challenged.

The decision at work was made to give us each one day a week off without pay, so last Monday I was “blessed” with my first day off.  This is a big hit for the family as it represents a 20% loss of income from now until September, when we are supposed to go back to 5 days.  I spent Monday filling out applications for part-time jobs/another job completely.  Just the sheer numbers would mean that I would likely not make the same hourly rate at a part time job as I do at my regular job, so that would mean working more than the 8 hours I lost.  This would mean less time at home with Amy and the kids as well as less time to work on the vision.

Now, with all this going on, I have been helping Pastor by preaching for the Sunday Evening service.  I have been using the opportunity to share with the adults the major points of what we teach the teens.  (We use the book by Andy Stanley and Stuart Hall – “The Seven Checkpoints for Teenagers”)  Last week’s point was on healthy friendships and covers the point that teens are influenced more by relationships than ever before.  They crave those who will accept them.  I attempted, at least, to drive home the fact that we need to respond in our ministries and do what we can to build relationships not just run programs.

One more piece to the story is that I, of late, have been challenging us as a church to realize that God is faithful to do all He has called us to, even though He is not required to provide before we step out in faith.  I also have started reading the book “Killing Cockroaches” by Tony Morgan.  The forward is written by Andy Stanley (One of my favorite writters…Thanks Pastor Jeff for hooking me up.)  and I was really challenged both personally and for our church where he talks about how it is easy to continue ministry as we have always done it.  He makes the point that we have talent, people, and finances along with the Holy Spirit and we fail to take the risks that God has called us to in order to reach the unreached.

So, where am I going with all this, as this is already longer than I had planned?  I feel God called me to this vision and and I am willing to take the necessary risk.  If He opens up the work to regain the finances, I will gladly work.  But, if He choses not to, I am going to continue to push forward.  I am going to take the additional time that I have to build relationships with “my” teens and purse what God is calling me to.    The finances will be what they are, but what is great is that I am trusting Him who holds all the finances in the world.

What is this vision, you ask?  Well, in a couple of weeks I will be able to tell you more. What I can tell you, is that I have a great burden for the unchurched teens and college  students and teens in the community.

So, what risk is God calling you to take?  Remember the risks he called Abraham and Gideon to take.  Remember the praise and rewards for the servants who risked it all and the rebuke to the servant who made what he thought to be the safe action.  How would your world be different if you were to not only to be willing to step out in faith, but to actually take the steps?  That is what God has envisioned for the world and your life.

I want to hear, “Well done, Good and Faithful Servant.”

Time to step up and step out.

What I am up to…

Many of the followers of my previous blog did so to find out what God was doing with my life.  More specifically where God was leading us in terms of future ministry.  Now to catch everybody up on what has gone on over that past months.

We sent out our resume in to several churches and were asked to give more information to several.  We were even able to interview for one church, but ultimately we were able to gain only experience in the process.  There were not any good fits for us for several reasons.  

So where does that leave us now.  Our information is still out to some openings, but we are currently frustrated and exhausted by the process.  We will consider openings presented to us, but are not really “motivated” if you will.

I am confident of what God has called me to do right now.  I have gifts and talents that are to be used and I have no doubt that I am where I am to be whatever help to Pastor Rockwood.  Many of you may know that I was once considered for the position of Associate Pastor at Berean Baptist, but was not offered the position for various reasons (in my opinion, financial).  For me, whether the church recognizes the position or calling matters little.  I know that this is what God has called me to do right now.  If he leads elsewhere in time, so be it, but I will do it with all I can until then.

I will tell you this, it is great to be confident in what God is called you to do.  It does make it interesting when your “supporting” job is experiencing the strain of the economy.  More than likely, it will not lead to my being laid-off, but very likely (and quite possibly quickly) having hours cut back.  This will make a very tight budget much more challenging.  Your prayer concerning this would be greatly appreciated.

When Children Teach

This morning at the breakfast table, the kids and I were talking, and I don’t remember even what it was about, and Alysa (who is 3) made the comment that “God is in Heaven.” I replied, “Where is Heaven?” Alysa responded by giving her famous shrug and said, “God”. This got me thinking. The answer really could have been the same had I asked “What?” instead of “Where?”

As Christians, what view of Heaven do we have? I remember growing up all the flannel graph stories I was taught in Sunday School and VBS as well as the verses in Awana that I learned. All seemed, at least to my memory, to focus on what is or isn’t in Heaven.  Be it the lack of crying, death or the mansions and streets of gold.  Is that where our understanding stops?  I think that we are all beyond the TV concept of floating on a cloud playing a harp.  I could really start a debate if we theorized on what kind of music that will be there.

Ultimately, all of this is well and good, but it is irrelevant.  We are going to be in the presence of the Almighty God for eternity.  That should bring joy, comfort and even fear to us.  Will any of those other things even matter?  The question really comes down to is that going to be enough for us?  Will we be satisfied?  If there were no streets of gold or mansions?  Or, dare I say, if we would have to face suffering?  Would He still be enough?

Hopefully, the answer for all uf us is yes.  That, however, should make us look at things in our life now.  We have the same Almighty God with us now.  In spite of the suffering and junk that we go through here on earth, He is still right with us.  Do we live like it…and is it enough?  Are we content?  Now, I am not saying that we should not be looking toward that great day, but just evaluate our lives today… is God enough?

Besides, I’ll be playing drums on my cloud!