long days
Lacey has been out of town the past couple of days babysitting her brothers.
So, I've been home alone. But I've been staying busy by working early and late.
The days have been extremely long for a couple of reasons:
1. I miss Lacey.
2. I have a lot of work to get done and have been working on different projects.
3. I also have been trying to work ahead.
My goal is to eventually be 3-4 weeks out on my sermon writing. I'm currently at 1 week ahead, which is a good start. I just believe the more I plan ahead, the more creative I can be with illustrations and the message as a whole.
Another thing has been brainstorming for the future and a leadership lesson. We have our first leadership meeting on Sunday where we are going to spend time dreaming about the future and casting the vision for Thrive.
Days are long and nights are too short. I'm surrounded by some great students, so it makes things fun and rewarding. But please pray for us. We're working through a lot of past issues.
Labels: harvest time, personal
ministry's responsibility
The role that I am in at Harvest Time is my first full time ministry position.
I volunteered with Seven when I was at SAGU and was very involved at my home church growing up, so I have been a part of ministry for a long time now.
But one of the things I'm learning is not so much about how to do things, but about the level of responsibility that is carried by being a pastor. I have felt it before as a homegroup and zone pastor, but it's really strong now.
I'm responsible for the spiritual growth and direction of my students.
It's kinda scary when I think about it, but it brings my dependance level on God a little higher. I can't do this on my own. I'm incapable. I have to have God's help and with his help I'm ok. He enables me to fulfill his calling.
The weight of the ministry is heavy, and that's one thing you could never learn in school. But I'm learning it fast now. Labels: leadership
amazing love
We had a worship service Sunday night at church, and to be completely honest I was just struggling to express anything to God.
We were singing a song, which I have no clue now what it was, but it was about Christ's death, love, and sacrifice. And I couldn't help but have this thought:
God has the ability and means to create anything and anyone, but he didn't create another means of salvation or put the sacrifice on anyone else... he endured it himself. His plan could have involved another means, but it didn't. Christ came and willingly suffered the sacrifice required for my sins. What a completely loving God.
I'm extremely thankful for God's love today and could never do enough to repay him.
Labels: christianity
locked doors
This morning I got up early to play raquetball with a friend.
We have a court in our apartment complex, but I truthfully had not seen it. I was just hoping it really did exist since I got up early and invited someone to play with me.
The court did in fact exist but a key was required to open the door... and it was a key I did not have. My regular apartment key would not work. I was pretty frustrated and didn't understand why anyone would want to lock the door to the racquetball court. Seriously, it doesn't make any sense to me. But oh well.
Doors that are closed in life are extremely frustrating, especially when it's a place you really want to go or an opportunity you really want to seize. The fact remains though, I sometimes cannot unlock the doors I wish I could.
But I know God can if it's a part of his purpose.
God knows what he is doing and always will. I can trust in that fact. God teaches us patience, humility, and a kingdom mindset through spiritually locked doors. We can begin to realize that God is God, and we are not.
God's timing may be a little different, but he does know what he is doing. Instead of getting what we want when we want it, a lesson is learned; we are molded more into the image of Christ; and he produces character in us.
Locked doors are not impossibilities for God. Sometimes they are teaching moments or redirecting moments. Whatever the case, God can do all things if we believe in faith.
He does things in his time, for his purpose, and for his kingdom.
Labels: christianity, leadership
church management software
We currently don't have any church management software at the church. But we are looking. I'm really trying to do some research on what's out there so we can have all of our information in one central location. It would just make certain tasks a lot easier and bring much needed processes so we can more effective in reaching people.
We are looking at several different one, but if anyone knows of one, please shoot me a link.
Labels: harvest time
thrive 1
Our first service last night went very well last night. Attendance was actually a little higher than I expected it to be.
It was nice to finally relieve the awkwardness of never having conducted a service and meeting most all of the students.
We started a series last night called God the Builder, and we looked at how God built us individually and uniquely. We aren't built normal. The truth is there has never been and will never be another you. In fact, the author George Shaffner did a study in one of his books and looked at life through the lens of mathematics. He basically concluded that each of us are who we are based on the probability of about a jillion gazillion. I'm not sure how many zero's that is, so don't ask.
Tomorrow night will be our first all-nighter. I may need some help on that one.
The adventure continues with getting foundational systems in place to have a solid launching pad to effectively reach students.
Labels: thrive
staff retreat
I am at staff retreat right now not too far from Sherman, but far enough away for good.
We will be here through Tuesday and golf Tuesday afternoon before heading home.
Excited about catching more of the vision of Harvest Time and connecting with everyone. Labels: leadership
