2011 was a good year for the church, but how would I describe my year? It may sound strange by it was just OK except for one thing I will share at the end that was awesome.
Busy was the early part of 2011. There was so much going on with new families and all of their new needs. Most people who come to church need some form of stabilization in their life before they can grow spiritually and 2011 was no different.
Add to that our first Liberty Theater service and you have a recipe for work. It was good work, fruitful work, but pretty busy.
Because of this I did not take care of myself mentally or physically as I should have and found myself longing for a break and by the middle of August I was ready to go.
This began a 20 day, 6500 mile adventure with my brother that was amazing. On my Harley the only thing I have to concentrate on is the road and the only council I can give is to myself. And while I missed my wife and children horribly, I would have gone back on the road a month later if I could have. It was refreshing, freeing, fun, and I believe every man should go on a trip like this every year. Praise God my wife is so amazing.
But when I came back, I fell right back into the same routines that wore me out before and soon I found myself weary again. and then.............
Something amazing happened. I found hope again.
Hope in my Calling as a Pastor.
Hope in my Commission as a Christian.
Hope in my Command as a Husband.
From a one day conference on ministry I was given answers to questions no one had ever been honest enough to give me. And questions that I would have to seek answers to on my own but at least I had a guide line to work from. I can't wait to work these things out in my life and I am sure that you all will benefit from that experience greatly.
For most of the year it was OK other than the trip. It was awesome. and the conference it was amazing. But there is one great thing I think may have finally sunk in.
I never want to end a year with an OK.
There is so much life God has called us to live. Jesus said life with Him would be abundantly lived and that's what I am looking for in 2012.
What about you? OK or Oh Yea
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
A Year in Review part one
2011 was an interesting year for me. Not great, not horrible but worthy of remembering.
I say this because at 48 you start to stack up some years you would love to forget, but you also begin to work harder at living the ones worthy of memories. So here are a few from my year 2011.
Church Memories:
2011 started out amazing as we saw 15 baptisms and 25 people join the church. After years of transition we started seeing the fruit of God's work in our lives. It continued on with an amazing Easter service where we had 278 in attendance. For us that was huge.
But soon after we suffered the loss of a couple of long time members who decided to go elsewhere. Its always sad to lose loved ones but sadder to think they would stay unhappy with where they were.
The summer was kind of blah in the church but that might have been because I was so focused on a motorcycle trip with my brother.
In the Fall, fresh off of 6500 miles of American Asphalt something changed in the church. People started just coming in. Amazing people who loved God and loved what we were doing. I remember asking Tim Clark who all these people were and he himself didn't know. All we knew was that they were as excited about Jesus as we were and all of them wanted to worship with us.
After years of declining attendance we grew in 2011 by more than half. Christmas closed out our year with 367 in attendance at a wonderful service at the Liberty.
Its been a good year for our church as we have seen so many come to know Christ, take the step of baptism, and desire to be part of what we are doing.
For those of you who have stuck it out. Thank you for your faithfulness and willingness to keep serving. And for those of you who are new I look forward to seeing how God uses you to love Him and others.
Tomorrow: My Year in Review
I say this because at 48 you start to stack up some years you would love to forget, but you also begin to work harder at living the ones worthy of memories. So here are a few from my year 2011.
Church Memories:
2011 started out amazing as we saw 15 baptisms and 25 people join the church. After years of transition we started seeing the fruit of God's work in our lives. It continued on with an amazing Easter service where we had 278 in attendance. For us that was huge.
But soon after we suffered the loss of a couple of long time members who decided to go elsewhere. Its always sad to lose loved ones but sadder to think they would stay unhappy with where they were.
The summer was kind of blah in the church but that might have been because I was so focused on a motorcycle trip with my brother.
In the Fall, fresh off of 6500 miles of American Asphalt something changed in the church. People started just coming in. Amazing people who loved God and loved what we were doing. I remember asking Tim Clark who all these people were and he himself didn't know. All we knew was that they were as excited about Jesus as we were and all of them wanted to worship with us.
After years of declining attendance we grew in 2011 by more than half. Christmas closed out our year with 367 in attendance at a wonderful service at the Liberty.
Its been a good year for our church as we have seen so many come to know Christ, take the step of baptism, and desire to be part of what we are doing.
For those of you who have stuck it out. Thank you for your faithfulness and willingness to keep serving. And for those of you who are new I look forward to seeing how God uses you to love Him and others.
Tomorrow: My Year in Review
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
A Letter from PRob
Hey newLife I know that were supposed to be taking a break this week but there are seven things I wanted to share with you today about this past year.
1. "278/368" - The number in attendance at the Liberty theater on Easter and Christmas. These are the largest crowds God has ever allowed us to minister to in the same place.
2. "80%" - The percentage of people involved in one way or another to our Christmas service. The importance of this number is in the church world that number is10% and even in our past that number of involved people was closer to 20%. Big Steps newLife.
3. "50" - The number of people in attendance at Life - East. And its only the third week.
4. "52%" - The amount of Average Sunday AM attendance increased over the last 12 months.
5. "52" - The number of Sunday Morning Opportunities to reach more for the Kingdom of God in 2012.
6. "10" "6" "1" - The number of Teachers, Instrumentalists, and staff we need right now to step up and serve. Each need to be gifted, giving, and able to meet our church needs and not all of them are here right now.
7. "1" God, Savior, Holy Ghost to whom we will love, serve, follow, and share in 2012.
Its been an amazing year for our church and I believe as God continues to refine us and define us 2012 will be even more exciting.
Thank you for faithfully sticking with what God is trying to do in us and through us as we learn to Love God and Love Others in 2012.
PS: for those of you who think that this post was all about the numbers, it was.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
(any and all are numeric terms.)
1. "278/368" - The number in attendance at the Liberty theater on Easter and Christmas. These are the largest crowds God has ever allowed us to minister to in the same place.
2. "80%" - The percentage of people involved in one way or another to our Christmas service. The importance of this number is in the church world that number is10% and even in our past that number of involved people was closer to 20%. Big Steps newLife.
3. "50" - The number of people in attendance at Life - East. And its only the third week.
4. "52%" - The amount of Average Sunday AM attendance increased over the last 12 months.
5. "52" - The number of Sunday Morning Opportunities to reach more for the Kingdom of God in 2012.
6. "10" "6" "1" - The number of Teachers, Instrumentalists, and staff we need right now to step up and serve. Each need to be gifted, giving, and able to meet our church needs and not all of them are here right now.
7. "1" God, Savior, Holy Ghost to whom we will love, serve, follow, and share in 2012.
Its been an amazing year for our church and I believe as God continues to refine us and define us 2012 will be even more exciting.
Thank you for faithfully sticking with what God is trying to do in us and through us as we learn to Love God and Love Others in 2012.
PS: for those of you who think that this post was all about the numbers, it was.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
(any and all are numeric terms.)
Friday, December 23, 2011
One last thing.
We must remember as we prepare for our service tonight.
The power of One.
In Luke chapter 15 we find a powerful truth about one.
There was One sheep lost.
One coin lost.
One son lost.
But when one was found, all Rejoiced.
So please be praying this morning for that one lost soul, one lost heart, one lost son who tonight may finally come home.
See you at 7
The power of One.
In Luke chapter 15 we find a powerful truth about one.
There was One sheep lost.
One coin lost.
One son lost.
But when one was found, all Rejoiced.
So please be praying this morning for that one lost soul, one lost heart, one lost son who tonight may finally come home.
See you at 7
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Person of the Year Part 2
Last week Time Magazine came out with their Person of 2011 and it was the "Protester." While I shared a few things about this yesterday, today I want to know .....
Who is your Person of the Year?
Who is the person who had a huge impact on you in 2011? Was it a Pastor, an author, a teacher, a friend or family member?
For me it was older brother Dave. He has been there for me through some very difficult times, sharing his wisdom and more importantly his life. I was honored to spend 19 days on a Harley Road trip with him and it literally changed me. We shared miles, meals, money (almost all from him), motorcycles, and memories that will last a lifetime.
That is mine. Your Turn.
Who is your Person of the Year?
Who is the person who had a huge impact on you in 2011? Was it a Pastor, an author, a teacher, a friend or family member?
For me it was older brother Dave. He has been there for me through some very difficult times, sharing his wisdom and more importantly his life. I was honored to spend 19 days on a Harley Road trip with him and it literally changed me. We shared miles, meals, money (almost all from him), motorcycles, and memories that will last a lifetime.
That is mine. Your Turn.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Person of the Year Part 1
Time Magazine has named their person of the year for 2011 and its the Protester. Yep, the person of the year ended up actually being a group of the year.
And I get this.
The Protester changed the world much like our forefathers did 200 + years ago.
But it made me think.......while I think protesting is not what we as Christians are called to do, we are called to turn the world upside down.
What if rather than sit around and complain about the world, we got involved in an more proactive way much like the "Protester".
What if instead of complaining about drug and alcohol abuse we sought out and loved on those who find the only way to survive is to self medicate?
What if instead of whining about how the church has failed we go out and be the Church God has called us to be.
If I am going to be a Protester, I am going to Protest Christians who have a problem with everything the church does and challenge them to get more involved.
To Live more, to Give more, to Love more, to Do more to make a difference in our world.
If newLife was the Church God called us to be, we would "Protest" how Selfish Christians are. Instead of fighting corporate greed we would fight Christian greed.
I clearly believe that Time got it right and the "Protester's" have inspired me.
Its time newLife to turn the world Upside down.
And I get this.
The Protester changed the world much like our forefathers did 200 + years ago.
But it made me think.......while I think protesting is not what we as Christians are called to do, we are called to turn the world upside down.
What if rather than sit around and complain about the world, we got involved in an more proactive way much like the "Protester".
What if instead of complaining about drug and alcohol abuse we sought out and loved on those who find the only way to survive is to self medicate?
What if instead of whining about how the church has failed we go out and be the Church God has called us to be.
If I am going to be a Protester, I am going to Protest Christians who have a problem with everything the church does and challenge them to get more involved.
To Live more, to Give more, to Love more, to Do more to make a difference in our world.
If newLife was the Church God called us to be, we would "Protest" how Selfish Christians are. Instead of fighting corporate greed we would fight Christian greed.
I clearly believe that Time got it right and the "Protester's" have inspired me.
Its time newLife to turn the world Upside down.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Anticipation is not Red and Thick, but its close
My wife says that Ketchup ruins everything. I say it makes everything taste better and proudly put it on everything.
Anticipation is that way. Some may say it covers up what is really there, I say, it makes everything taste better.
I can't help myself, Sunday is going to be AWESOME!
Sunday will be one of the most important messages for anyone who has suffered from depression. I didn't say it would be an easy message, but if you want to come "Out of the Depths" you will have to hear Gods plan for it.
Our attendance last Sunday was a record for our church. Some say its not all about attendance but that's what SATAN says. The bible says that God is not willing that ANY should PERISH! We want as MANY of the ANY we can get.
Our Greeting ministry was Amazing! I can't wait to see what happens this week.
And of course, our Christmas Service is coming up!
Our future looks bright, I can't wait to see what God is going to do next!
Have a Great Day Today and put some Ketchup on it!
Anticipation makes Every Day Better!
Anticipation is that way. Some may say it covers up what is really there, I say, it makes everything taste better.
I can't help myself, Sunday is going to be AWESOME!
Sunday will be one of the most important messages for anyone who has suffered from depression. I didn't say it would be an easy message, but if you want to come "Out of the Depths" you will have to hear Gods plan for it.
Our attendance last Sunday was a record for our church. Some say its not all about attendance but that's what SATAN says. The bible says that God is not willing that ANY should PERISH! We want as MANY of the ANY we can get.
Our Greeting ministry was Amazing! I can't wait to see what happens this week.
And of course, our Christmas Service is coming up!
Our future looks bright, I can't wait to see what God is going to do next!
Have a Great Day Today and put some Ketchup on it!
Anticipation makes Every Day Better!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
New Psalms
Jonah 2:3 (KJV) For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.
In the deep places of the heart, where depression lay as the floods of fear overwhelm, I found a few songs that spoke to me. New Psalms that spoke to me in my loneliness from men who I did not know, but knew what I was going through. I want to share a few of them with you today.
#1 Revelation by Third Day - Listen to the words, they were mine. #1 in my Playlist by far. I wanted God to help me, save me, show me, free me.
#2 Born Again by the Newsboys - This is what I wanted. This is the Life I desired in Christ. Not the religion I had been taught from a child, but a relationship with the one with two scarred hands. I claimed this whenever I felt is was slipping back or when someone tried to move me there.
#3 Mountain of God by Third Day - You were there with me. Do I need to say anything more?
#4 Rescue by Desperation Band - I need you Jesus to come to my Rescue. I still cannot listen to this song without weeping in that Jesus came to me and saved me from the deep.
#5 Never Alone by Barlow Girls (Acoustic Version) - This was my Anthem for a while. My Prayer. I Screamed it. Held onto it as there were many days when I felt so alone, but I held tight to what I knew, Your here and Never Alone.
#6 Love is here by Tenth Avenue North. From His Wounds we drink Salvation, He is the Lord, Love is here, Love is now. WOW
None of these are songs of Worship. They are songs of the Wounded. Songs that spoke for me when I could not speak. Songs of hope, when I had none. Songs that kept me going when I wanted to quit.
Maybe they'll help You.
Have an Awesome Day. Love is Here. Thank you Jesus
In the deep places of the heart, where depression lay as the floods of fear overwhelm, I found a few songs that spoke to me. New Psalms that spoke to me in my loneliness from men who I did not know, but knew what I was going through. I want to share a few of them with you today.
#1 Revelation by Third Day - Listen to the words, they were mine. #1 in my Playlist by far. I wanted God to help me, save me, show me, free me.
#2 Born Again by the Newsboys - This is what I wanted. This is the Life I desired in Christ. Not the religion I had been taught from a child, but a relationship with the one with two scarred hands. I claimed this whenever I felt is was slipping back or when someone tried to move me there.
#3 Mountain of God by Third Day - You were there with me. Do I need to say anything more?
#4 Rescue by Desperation Band - I need you Jesus to come to my Rescue. I still cannot listen to this song without weeping in that Jesus came to me and saved me from the deep.
#5 Never Alone by Barlow Girls (Acoustic Version) - This was my Anthem for a while. My Prayer. I Screamed it. Held onto it as there were many days when I felt so alone, but I held tight to what I knew, Your here and Never Alone.
#6 Love is here by Tenth Avenue North. From His Wounds we drink Salvation, He is the Lord, Love is here, Love is now. WOW
None of these are songs of Worship. They are songs of the Wounded. Songs that spoke for me when I could not speak. Songs of hope, when I had none. Songs that kept me going when I wanted to quit.
Maybe they'll help You.
Have an Awesome Day. Love is Here. Thank you Jesus
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
A Letter from PRob
Hey newLife there are seven things I want to share with you today about Sunday
1. Sunday was the most energetic pre-church service we have had in a long time. There was an anticipation of what God was going to do and He showed up powerfully.
2. Sunday was awesome because I saw so many people greeting and caring for others. From the parking lot to the pew people were loved. One first time visitor told me that He had never felt so welcome in any church he has ever been too. Great Job Tim and Debra for leading those efforts.
3. Sunday You all Learned to Clap! What is up with that? It was Awesome.
4. Sunday the Song service was just what I needed to free myself from me and find myself focused on Jesus.
5. Sunday Anthony showed us a side of himself few of us ever knew.
6. Sunday the message spoke deeply to me and I appreciate the fact that this church allows me to be real without judging me for it. The pain I see in so many, I have felt, and I just want them all to be free. NO ONE ought to live in Depression for long. and NO ONE ought to be ALONE when going through it.
7. Sunday is Coming Again, Lets Anticipate Greater Things.
Lets get the Party Started
1. Sunday was the most energetic pre-church service we have had in a long time. There was an anticipation of what God was going to do and He showed up powerfully.
2. Sunday was awesome because I saw so many people greeting and caring for others. From the parking lot to the pew people were loved. One first time visitor told me that He had never felt so welcome in any church he has ever been too. Great Job Tim and Debra for leading those efforts.
3. Sunday You all Learned to Clap! What is up with that? It was Awesome.
4. Sunday the Song service was just what I needed to free myself from me and find myself focused on Jesus.
5. Sunday Anthony showed us a side of himself few of us ever knew.
6. Sunday the message spoke deeply to me and I appreciate the fact that this church allows me to be real without judging me for it. The pain I see in so many, I have felt, and I just want them all to be free. NO ONE ought to live in Depression for long. and NO ONE ought to be ALONE when going through it.
7. Sunday is Coming Again, Lets Anticipate Greater Things.
Lets get the Party Started
Thursday, December 8, 2011
It's all Cake
I loved birthdays growing up.
Being the last of eight kids my mom went all out.
Tons of presents, lots of friends, fun games, and cake.
I love cake.
German Chocolate.................uuuuuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmm.
Sorry.
Birthdays were that one day when I felt special, important, valued.
I even loved going to my friends parties for the same reasons.
It was there day and I got to celebrate it with them.
Now they just suck.
My next one will be 49. Kill me now.
and everyone of my friends feel the same way cause thier all old too.
But thats not the point of this post.
I feel that way about Sunday.
I can't wait to get to the Party.
We are going to celebrate Jesus!
We are going to Sing our Guts out!
We are going to share the Good News!
We are going to have a Baptism!!!!!!!! (In warm water)
We might even have someone join our church!
Lets Go All Out!
Maybe we should have a Cake?
I love MY LIFE
Being the last of eight kids my mom went all out.
Tons of presents, lots of friends, fun games, and cake.
I love cake.
German Chocolate.................uuuuuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmm.
Sorry.
Birthdays were that one day when I felt special, important, valued.
I even loved going to my friends parties for the same reasons.
It was there day and I got to celebrate it with them.
Now they just suck.
My next one will be 49. Kill me now.
and everyone of my friends feel the same way cause thier all old too.
But thats not the point of this post.
I feel that way about Sunday.
I can't wait to get to the Party.
We are going to celebrate Jesus!
We are going to Sing our Guts out!
We are going to share the Good News!
We are going to have a Baptism!!!!!!!! (In warm water)
We might even have someone join our church!
Lets Go All Out!
Maybe we should have a Cake?
I love MY LIFE
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Can I get a Witness!!!!!!!
This morning I woke up at 2:00 am. Not to be sympathetic to the Loggers in the Church, but because of too much.
Too much I want to do for God.
Too much I need to do for the Church.
Too much I have to do for my life.
I'm back a day and a half from a conference on learning how to finish well and I am already overwhelmed.
Too much is too much.
There is so much that has to be done.
All of the phone calls, all of the meetings, all of the sermon prep, all of the relational activities.
And it has to be done today.
No rest for the wicked.
But I'm not wicked.
Jesus saved me from that moniker years ago.
His work on the cross freed me from the bondage of wickedness.
His life was given for mine.
So why no rest?
Because I'm choosing to live my wicked life again.
Peter understood something about choosing to live the wicked life when He denied Christ. He got caught up in all that was going on with Jesus Crucifixion and failed miserably, so when he writes about this subject he writes from experience.
1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Its my pride that tells me that I have to get it done............myself.
That I have to carry the burden............myself.
That if I don't get it all done I will fail...............myself.
But Peter learned another option.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Today I am going to do two things.
1. Recognize that God cares for me.
He loves me and saved me from the wickedness that drives me.
He wants me to love my life, to live it to the fullest, to be free.
2. To do this, I have to cast my cares upon Him.
Is it that simple?
Yes.
I am going to get off the computer, take my too much to Him in Prayer and go and live my life to the fullest.
What gets done, will get done because of His work in me.
Rest, yes, but for the Witness not the wicked.
Why is this important for me?
because of the next verse.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
My life has an adversary.
He wants to steal and to kill and to destroy.
He wants me to live overwhelmed and fearful which will lead me back to a wicked life.
No rest for the wicked.
I'm am going to go and pray, then go to breakfast with my brother, and then I will start a very long day.
And its going to be Awesome.
Join me this morning by casting all those burdens that are weighting you down on Him.
and be a witness of the grace, love and mercy of our Savior.
I love my Life
Too much I want to do for God.
Too much I need to do for the Church.
Too much I have to do for my life.
I'm back a day and a half from a conference on learning how to finish well and I am already overwhelmed.
Too much is too much.
There is so much that has to be done.
All of the phone calls, all of the meetings, all of the sermon prep, all of the relational activities.
And it has to be done today.
No rest for the wicked.
But I'm not wicked.
Jesus saved me from that moniker years ago.
His work on the cross freed me from the bondage of wickedness.
His life was given for mine.
So why no rest?
Because I'm choosing to live my wicked life again.
Peter understood something about choosing to live the wicked life when He denied Christ. He got caught up in all that was going on with Jesus Crucifixion and failed miserably, so when he writes about this subject he writes from experience.
1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Its my pride that tells me that I have to get it done............myself.
That I have to carry the burden............myself.
That if I don't get it all done I will fail...............myself.
But Peter learned another option.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Today I am going to do two things.
1. Recognize that God cares for me.
He loves me and saved me from the wickedness that drives me.
He wants me to love my life, to live it to the fullest, to be free.
2. To do this, I have to cast my cares upon Him.
Is it that simple?
Yes.
I am going to get off the computer, take my too much to Him in Prayer and go and live my life to the fullest.
What gets done, will get done because of His work in me.
Rest, yes, but for the Witness not the wicked.
Why is this important for me?
because of the next verse.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
My life has an adversary.
He wants to steal and to kill and to destroy.
He wants me to live overwhelmed and fearful which will lead me back to a wicked life.
No rest for the wicked.
I'm am going to go and pray, then go to breakfast with my brother, and then I will start a very long day.
And its going to be Awesome.
Join me this morning by casting all those burdens that are weighting you down on Him.
and be a witness of the grace, love and mercy of our Savior.
I love my Life
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
No rest for the Wicked, is true, but there is hope!
If there is one truth about conferences, it is this, They are not for Rest.
Because to be a part of a conference, you have to get there.
The Travel is stressful.
The Time is wasteful.
The Meals are horrible.
and then at the conference they leave you with more questions than answers.
Rest?
But I guess that's why they called it Re-Awaken.
The goal of this conference was to wake you up to what wears you out to keep you from wimping out.
And it did, and I'm Glad.
and Today I ask for your Prayers.
I have so much to work on in my life Physically, Emotionally, Relationally, and Spiritually to be the Pastor newLife needs for the future. And, for the first time in years I have hope that I can not only survive but thrive in ministry.
newLife is becoming a great church and I am excited to be a part of it and hope, that the work that God is doing in my life will help Debra and I to FINISH WELL.
But before I begin, I am going to rest from the travel, so I can work on the truth.
Thank you newLife for caring for me enough to allow me to do so.
I love my LIFE
Because to be a part of a conference, you have to get there.
The Travel is stressful.
The Time is wasteful.
The Meals are horrible.
and then at the conference they leave you with more questions than answers.
Rest?
But I guess that's why they called it Re-Awaken.
The goal of this conference was to wake you up to what wears you out to keep you from wimping out.
And it did, and I'm Glad.
and Today I ask for your Prayers.
I have so much to work on in my life Physically, Emotionally, Relationally, and Spiritually to be the Pastor newLife needs for the future. And, for the first time in years I have hope that I can not only survive but thrive in ministry.
newLife is becoming a great church and I am excited to be a part of it and hope, that the work that God is doing in my life will help Debra and I to FINISH WELL.
But before I begin, I am going to rest from the travel, so I can work on the truth.
Thank you newLife for caring for me enough to allow me to do so.
I love my LIFE
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Cover Your Mouth!!!!!!!!
I hate colds.
It's not just being sick, but that it's an annoying sick.
Annoying in that your nose runs all the time, breathing hurts, and you just generally feel gross. And worse of all, annoying in that colds are so easily preventable.
If your getting sick, rest.
Stay germ free by washing your hands.
Eat properly.
If you cough or sneeze do so into your own arm.
This week Debra and I attended a conference for sick Pastors.
They stated that 90% of Pastors do not finish the course of their life well.
I took it as if a Pastor does not finish well, how would thrived church finish?
If I have a cold, hang around me too much and you'll probably get sick too.
I am walking away from this conference with the understanding that I need to be healthier aa a Pastor.
1. I need to rest more.
A. Physically
B. Emotionally
If I am going to finish well.
2. I need to wash more.
A. Be more aware of my own Spiritual health.
I. more time in personal prayer and bible study rather than people prayers and sermon prep.
3. I need to eat better, more healthy.
For me this is more than more bible study or book reading, but meditating on what I am getting from God.
4. I need to be more aware of my own sin, and repent of it.
Even our bad attitudes can spray filth on those around us infecting them with our bad day.
newLife I want to be healthy and finish well.
I don't want to end up a statistic or a sick man embittered and battered by the work of God.
And I definitely want our church to be coldless.
Pray for me as I begin this journey of health to finish well.
I'll share more as I travel.
Have an awesome day tomorrow!
It's not just being sick, but that it's an annoying sick.
Annoying in that your nose runs all the time, breathing hurts, and you just generally feel gross. And worse of all, annoying in that colds are so easily preventable.
If your getting sick, rest.
Stay germ free by washing your hands.
Eat properly.
If you cough or sneeze do so into your own arm.
This week Debra and I attended a conference for sick Pastors.
They stated that 90% of Pastors do not finish the course of their life well.
I took it as if a Pastor does not finish well, how would thrived church finish?
If I have a cold, hang around me too much and you'll probably get sick too.
I am walking away from this conference with the understanding that I need to be healthier aa a Pastor.
1. I need to rest more.
A. Physically
B. Emotionally
If I am going to finish well.
2. I need to wash more.
A. Be more aware of my own Spiritual health.
I. more time in personal prayer and bible study rather than people prayers and sermon prep.
3. I need to eat better, more healthy.
For me this is more than more bible study or book reading, but meditating on what I am getting from God.
4. I need to be more aware of my own sin, and repent of it.
Even our bad attitudes can spray filth on those around us infecting them with our bad day.
newLife I want to be healthy and finish well.
I don't want to end up a statistic or a sick man embittered and battered by the work of God.
And I definitely want our church to be coldless.
Pray for me as I begin this journey of health to finish well.
I'll share more as I travel.
Have an awesome day tomorrow!
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Excited
At re-awaken and ready. Please be praying for Debra and I as we recharge after 15 years of service to our Lord. And thank you church for being so great to us. I hope you have an awesome prayer meeting tonight as this is an amazing time for our church. I'll write more tomorrow.
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