Soooo much to be thankful for. Obvious ones are salvation, the Gospel, the Bible, family, friends, health, my calling, my job, etc. Sooo much to be thankful for!
Today I'm going to talk about my family---specifically my wife and my two sons.
Let's start with my two sons Morgan and Nathan. Boys, if you are reading this--I LOVE YOU and am extremely proud of you! You are both amazing young men that have met Jesus and let Him guide and shape who you are. The fact that I get to be a part in the process of guiding and teaching you is both humbling and empowering. You are both HUGE blessings in my life.
Every Sunday, Morgan and Nathan start their day before 6 AM. That's what time they need to be up and rolling to help Element Church happen on Sunday morning. What is the average (I hesitate to use the word average, couldn't think of a better word and chances are if your reading this your kids aren't "average" either) kid doing in America at 6 AM on Sunday morning. Most of them are NOT getting out of bed to go help Mom and Dad and the rest of the team set up for church. I tell them all the time how proud I am of them, how much I love them, and how vital they are to what we do on Sunday. Morgan plays bass guitar on the praise band and Nathan is the light tech, but they both do so much more than that on Sunday's. I hope they know how vital they are to the team and know that they ARE making a difference in God's Kingdom.
Now let's talk about my wife, Terri Lynn. WOW. Where to begin? Terri Lynn, I LOVE and CHERISH YOU!
You are an amazing wife, mother, friend, help-meet, but MOST importantly you have a HUGE heart for the LORD. How you have supported and encouraged me since ( and before) we got the call on our lives to move to Cheyenne and help plant Element Church is priceless. Thank you! I am the man I am today because of YOU. Thank You! You were the first one in our family to meet the LORD. I was the last. Those years between those two events were not easy I'm sure. Thank you for staying the course, fighting the good fight, and having everyone praying for me. I hope that in some small way the man and husband God is shaping me into is your reward for all those years.
In my opinion, one of the "watershed" moments in every man's life is this---the moment that he finally comes to the realization what a HUGE blessing and gift from God his wife is. It was for me anyway. The day I realized what a precious and priceless gift Terri Lynn is, well let's just say I've never been the same. I believe that women are the "crown-jewel" of God's creation. Sadly , so many times they are not treated that way.
I almost missed it. The fact that my wife is a gift not a possession. Someone to be cherished not bossed around. When I see other men "out there" who have yet to figure this out, well honestly, I want to kick them and hug them. OK, I want to kick them first to get there attention and then hug and encourage them to get it right. Then I have to remember that I too was once like them, so then I try to remember to love them where they're at and pray for them.
I want to end by thanking God for all that He has done in my life and all He is continuing to do with and through me. I am truly AMAZED! Thank You LORD!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Finding Where I Fit
In the short life of Element Church and my short time as one of it's leaders I have learned something very powerful. Let me start by saying that I take no credit for the idea or concept as being "original" . I'm sure I learned it on a blog or in a book or somewhere else. But it has been huge for me.
It has to do with when I am trying to help someone find where they "fit" at Element Church when it comes to serving. The conversation usually goes something like this---
Bob (not his real name) approaches me and tells me he wants to serve. Usually Bob will ask me what we need. My response- "Bob I appreciate your willingness to serve, and to serve where we need you, but I first want to know what your passionate about or where you feel called" Bob-"What?" I continue-" Here's what I know, if your serving in an area that you love or even feel called to, then it will show on your face. The reverse is also true. If your serving somewhere just to fill a hole then that too will show on your face. So tell me first what you LOVE and we'll see where that fits in what we do."
Many times I have seen "Bob's" whole demeanor change. From one of "duty" to one of enthusiasm.
I can not tell how freeing this has been for me and for our awesome volunteers. Already I have witnessed many people take total ownership of their role and make it better and more powerful then I could have. I truly believe that when people find where they fit it totally allows them to be who they were created to be.
Now let me say that like any other rule there is always the exception. I have also seen someone hesitate when challenged to get out of their comfort zone, when it comes to filling a role or a need, only to see that person totally embrace that new role when they find that they actually enjoy it. All they really needed is someone to ask them and believe in them and help them along the way.
I think back to when Jeff first asked me to work with the youth. At first, I really didn't think it was for me. Looking back, those years were HUGE for me! I was the one being blessed by my willingness to serve. I was the one that was learning and maturing every Wednesday getting to hear Jeff preach. I was the one getting shaped for something more. I can't imagine not having that part of my story.
So what does the church need? My opinion--the church needs people totally sold out for Jesus that are willing to "serve", whatever that looks like in their lives. So find where you fit and GO FOR IT!
It has to do with when I am trying to help someone find where they "fit" at Element Church when it comes to serving. The conversation usually goes something like this---
Bob (not his real name) approaches me and tells me he wants to serve. Usually Bob will ask me what we need. My response- "Bob I appreciate your willingness to serve, and to serve where we need you, but I first want to know what your passionate about or where you feel called" Bob-"What?" I continue-" Here's what I know, if your serving in an area that you love or even feel called to, then it will show on your face. The reverse is also true. If your serving somewhere just to fill a hole then that too will show on your face. So tell me first what you LOVE and we'll see where that fits in what we do."
Many times I have seen "Bob's" whole demeanor change. From one of "duty" to one of enthusiasm.
I can not tell how freeing this has been for me and for our awesome volunteers. Already I have witnessed many people take total ownership of their role and make it better and more powerful then I could have. I truly believe that when people find where they fit it totally allows them to be who they were created to be.
Now let me say that like any other rule there is always the exception. I have also seen someone hesitate when challenged to get out of their comfort zone, when it comes to filling a role or a need, only to see that person totally embrace that new role when they find that they actually enjoy it. All they really needed is someone to ask them and believe in them and help them along the way.
I think back to when Jeff first asked me to work with the youth. At first, I really didn't think it was for me. Looking back, those years were HUGE for me! I was the one being blessed by my willingness to serve. I was the one that was learning and maturing every Wednesday getting to hear Jeff preach. I was the one getting shaped for something more. I can't imagine not having that part of my story.
So what does the church need? My opinion--the church needs people totally sold out for Jesus that are willing to "serve", whatever that looks like in their lives. So find where you fit and GO FOR IT!
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Believe
A couple of years ago I was listening to one of my favorite "radio" pastors and he made a statement that has stuck with me. To me it was challenging and exciting all at the same time. His question/challenge went something like this--"Are you simply reading the Book of Acts or are you believing and living the Book of Acts?" Wow. He went on to ask if your simply reading the Bible or are you living the Bible. That really challenged me. When I'm reading the Bible what am I thinking. Do I believe the God of the Bible lives today? Or is it just a bunch of stories that was good for it's time and those things can't really happen today.
Well, I don't know about you, but I BELIEVE! The same God that performed all those signs and miracles IS the same God that LIVES today!
The other day I was at a pastor's prayer meeting and I felt God direct me to the Book of Acts. In particular Chapter 2;41,47. Verse 47 ends with this statement--"And the LORD added to their number daily those who were being saved." I believe!
I believe God desires to add to His numbers daily. I believe God desires to add DAILY those in Cheyenne who are being saved. I believe it. I've seen it. But here's the catch--I believed it BEFORE I saw it happen. I have been praying, and will continue to pray, daily for those that are lost to find LIFE in Jesus Christ.
One of the blogging pastors that I've really connected with recently talked about that very thing.http://johnatkinson.typepad.com/pastor_john_atkinson/2007/10/ill-believe-it-.html. Read it. Hope it challenges you and encourages you like it did me.
Well, I don't know about you, but I BELIEVE! The same God that performed all those signs and miracles IS the same God that LIVES today!
The other day I was at a pastor's prayer meeting and I felt God direct me to the Book of Acts. In particular Chapter 2;41,47. Verse 47 ends with this statement--"And the LORD added to their number daily those who were being saved." I believe!
I believe God desires to add to His numbers daily. I believe God desires to add DAILY those in Cheyenne who are being saved. I believe it. I've seen it. But here's the catch--I believed it BEFORE I saw it happen. I have been praying, and will continue to pray, daily for those that are lost to find LIFE in Jesus Christ.
One of the blogging pastors that I've really connected with recently talked about that very thing.http://johnatkinson.typepad.com/pastor_john_atkinson/2007/10/ill-believe-it-.html. Read it. Hope it challenges you and encourages you like it did me.
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