Relative Truths

Ok, so I have a question for you: What do you want to do?  I spoke at the youth worship service last Sunday, and I tried to show them that God has a life of worth for them.  I wanted them to see that God created them for something.  I picked this topic partly because I often hear from people that they feel God has nothing special for them.  People ask me what they were created for.  The truth is that God has created everyone, you included for something, and it is something special.  The thing is we often miss out on that because we never stop to ask the question: what do I really want to do?  Now, before you get all “God’s will, not yours” on me, understand what I am asking.  When God made you, He wired you to have a passion for something.  He created you to be great at a purpose and to fulfill a plan.  When you allow God’s will to be the guiding force in your life, then what you desire will reflect how God made you.  A lot of people say that God doesn’t have anything special for them.  Well He does and you matter.  So, what is your God-given desire?   What do you want to do?  When you realize that, do it with all you have.  Trust me, it is worth it. 

Ok, so I met with my accountability group this morning.  I still love those guys.  Anyway, we wrapped up at our normal time, around 9:50, but then three of us continued the conversation in the parking lot.  We decided to go sit somewhere, drink coffee, and keep talking.  Now, I was on vacation all of last week.  Monday and Tuesday I was out at a staff retreat (see Monday’s post).  With all of that absence, I knew I had stuff piling up on my desk.  However, I knew it was important for me to express my concerns, frustrations, hopes, etc to these guys that I trust.  So, I decided to let the pile sit for a few more minutes.  After all, it isn’t going anywhere.  It was great to talk with those guys and to let them share some insight with me.  They have both been doing ministry longer than I have and can relate to what I am going through now, and help me to see what I will be going through in the future.  The truth behind this story is that we always have a ton to do.  We live in a culture where it seems like the more you have to do, the more important you are (or something ridiculous like that).  Since you always have more to do, take advantage of the moments when you can relax, fellowship, learn, etc.  Take that vacation; spend some time with friends, whatever.  The sad truth is that the pile will still be there.  However, the good truth is that it will seem easier to attack when you have been refreshed.

Ok, so I have been at Toccoa today for a staff retreat.  There are only 12 of us here, and it has been fun to spend time in fellowship with everyone.  During one of our sessions today we started discussing issues about church programming.  Allen brought up the book Simple Church which sparked discussion on why we do what we do in the church.  It reminded me of Seven Practices of Effective Ministry.  I know I quoted this book last week, but it has been really good.  The authors make the point that sometimes we have to do a little pruning to strengthen the vine.  What that means is that we might need to get rid of programs and ministries, even successful ones, if they are not meeting the need of the vision for the church.  That way, all of the time, energy, and resources of the church can be poured into a few specific things that are keys to what the “win” of the church is.  If you do something that meets the need of the vision, do it well.  If you do something that doesn’t meet the need of the vision, “prune” it from the church.  My uncle Leo always says, “Jack of all trades, master of none.”  The truth is that I don’t think that a church can, or is called, to be great at everything.  Each church was created with a vision from God in mind.  Decide what that vision is, simplify it, and do it well.  Then, we can win for God. 

By the way, this isn’t only true for churches.  God has given us all gifts.  I spoke at the youth worship service last night.  I told them that they are worthy of God.  That God loves them all and has a great plan for them.  However, we cannot have the full life that God intended and all the blessings from it until we are doing what we were made to do.  For me, I feel like I was created and gifted to communicate for God in front of people.  I feel fulfilled and excited when I can do that.  On the flip-side, I do not feel like I am fully using my gifts when I am not communicating.  The truth is, if you want fulfillment, find what you were created to do.  Then, do it well.  You will be rewarded and God will be blessed.  Is that a truth to you?  What did God create you to do?  Share, please.

Ok, so I am at the beach, so I haven’t posted this week.  Thanks to some very generous people at church, Rebekah and I have been at a time-share in Hilton Head since Sunday night.  It has been great.  I never realized how nice it is to go to the beach after Labor Day.  There are very few people here.  Anyway, today it has been rainy and cool, so we have stayed in the room and worked.  Rebekah is working on a client, and I have been working on my two messages for Sunday, sending emails about the 5K, and some other stuff.  Anyway, between sitting here doing work, some books I have been reading, and my quiet times this week, there are a few truths I wanted to share:

Work is work.  It doesn’t matter what you are doing.  When you are working, there is always something you would rather do.  However, if you can do it at the beach and away from an office, it is a little easier.  It is kind of fun to be sitting here with my wife working just a few steps away.  I envy people who have home offices now.

I have been reading two North Point Books: Creating Community and 7 Practices of Effective Ministry.  They are great books and I am learning a lot.  They have given me lots to write about in my “new church journal” (the place I write my ideas).  One notion that has hit me is the need to “clarify the win.”  In church we need to clarify what we are trying to accomplish.  To say, “Make Disciples,” is great, but who do we win at that?  What are we trying to do?  When we clarify that, and present it with all we do, people will follow.  If we are unclear, people will get frustrated, or the vision will be taken astray.  Clarify first before you seek to do something.

I read Psalm 22 in my quiet time this morning.  I am following a year plan.  It was cool as I was reading because Psalm 22 is the one that Christ quotes on the cross.  I have read it before, but always in preparation of a sermon or service.  It was great to read it for devotion not study.  I am constantly amazed at the Bible and how God knew what would happen thousands of years before it occurred. 

Anyway, those are my truths.  Got any to share?

Ok, so I couldn't find away to get this in my last post.  Yesterday, I went to Caribou Coffee with Allen.  We met up with Alex who was returning home from Simpsonwood. It was great to hang out with him. We talked about what was going on at Mt. Bethel, and how things were at Lawrenceville.  We are guys so we also talked about football.  We had a great discussion about "ministering on the edge."  You can read what he wrote about that here.  Anyway, the time we spent reinforced something to me: it is great to have friends that are involved in the same things you are.  It is good to have people in your circle that are different from you. As a minister, I have many friends who do not attend church, and I always want it to be that way.  Yet, it is good when you can kick back with some buddies who understand your struggles and know what you go through. I have that with my accountability group, and I enjoyed that with Alex and Allen (as well as Andrew, no all of my friend's names do not begin with an A).  Find people you can have that with.  If you are in ministry, find some ministers you can talk open and honestly with.  If you are in another profession, find some colleagues who can support you in the same way.  No person is an island.  So, find some people, get a cup of coffee, and have fun.  The truth is, we were created for God-given relationships.  Enjoy it.  

By the way, I had a Mint Condition.  What do you like at your favorite Caribou, Starbucks, etc? 

Ok, so it has been yet another week without a post.  To my faithful readers, I amsorry.  I know that I have over 20/daythat check this, and over 30/day when I post a new blog.  So I am sorry for that.  I promise to be more faithful.  Anyway, I wanted to post some things asI have been sitting here.  It’s arainy Friday, and those days seem to make you think more than others. 

I had my first K-Swiss match of the fall today.  Technically, the season doesn’t startuntil next week, but I will be out of town next week, so we played today.  I won, but that is not the importantpart (yet better than losing).  Itwas great to get out and play.  Ilove to play tennis.  I am notgreat at it, but I love to do it. It is good exercise, a fun sport, and I enjoy the competition.  I also have been working on sermonstoday.  I am preaching September 23^rdfor Alex at Mt. Bethel and laterthat night at our youth worship service. I love preaching.  I am notthe best communicator in the world (that would be Andrew).  However, I love preaching.  I get to talk about God and be a partof worship.  It’s awesome when weget to praise God, and when you preach you are in the middle of it.  Thanks to Alex and Allen for letting medo those.

The point of that paragraph is that my day has allowed me todo two things I love.  The hardest partabout being an associate is not preaching frequently.  I look forward to the day when preaching is a weekly occurrencefor me.  However, it is not God’stime for that now, so I am just thankful for the chances I get.  In our lives, there are many passionswe have.  There are many things welove to do.  However, we mustremember that God has a great plan and purpose for our lives.  When we work on His timetable, greatthings happen: lives are transformed, His kingdom is built, and we can findfulfillment.  Yet, when we growimpatient and seek to do things when we think they are best, then God is takenout of the equation.  That is aprocess that does not lead to God’s will being done, and we will not find peaceand fulfillment.  Let’s see, peaceand fulfillment in God’s plan or frustration and futility in ours.  Which one seems better to you?  Trust me, I know it is hard to bepatient.  I deal with thatdaily.  Just allow God to give youcontentment, and you can find joy in His plan.  

Ok, so I already posted today, but I felt like I needed to make up for lost time.  Last weekend I went to the beach.  It was a great time and a much needed vacation.  The only problem is that it was way too short.  You know, it takes a few days to get settled into a vacation, and then a few days to recover from it.  We left Thursday afternoon for Destin and got back Monday evening.  Now, I am grateful for it, and thankful that God has blessed me with the ability to get away, but I could have handled a few more days.  Anyway, while I was on vacation I discovered a few truths:

Different people like to do different things.  There is nothing wrong with that.  The only wrong thing is assuming that someone else’s preference is wrong.  Hey, Jesus picked 12 guys who had different talents, interests, and ideas.  The only thing they had in common (except for the fisherman) was that they were interested in this guy that was teaching and healing.  They followed Him, and a world was transformed.  Similar things can happen today.

I love football.  It was great to have college football back.  Saturday was a great day, and I am just glad that UGA was able to show the Big XII (at least one Big XII team) what’s up.  I hope the season started off well for your team, and if not, there is always next year. 

Don’t ever take friends for granted.  You never know when you will need them.  I miss one buddy who I still see and talk to, but it is not the same.  The time you get to spend with your friends and family is precious, so enjoy it.  If you don’t, I might punch you in the throat (I really won’t but I wanted to say that). 

Anyway, that is all I have.  Any truths come to you over Labor Day?

Ok, so I haven’t posted in almost two weeks.  I could give you excuses.  I have been at Simpsonwood for three days and I went to the beach for the weekend.  However, that doesn’t really matter.  The truth is that I didn’t take the time to sit down and post.  I apologize for that.  Too often, we let things get in the way of what we need to do.  I know that too often I let my fatigue, desire to hang out with people, or something stupid on T.V. keep me from spending time in devotion and study like I need to.  I will too often let my desire for an extra half-hour of sleep keep me from running in the morning, or my desire for something sweet to keep me from eating like I need to.  Also, too often, I will let my agenda for what is best for me keep me from being the servant that God created me to be.  Have you ever struggled with that?  Have you ever let something get in the way of doing something important?  The truth is that if we are willing to prioritize our life with things that God thinks are important, we will be doing what we need to.  Any truth to that?