Forgiveness

A story is told that when da Vinci painted the "Last Supper" he was fighting with a fellow painter; so he painted that dude's face on Judas's body! But when he began painting Jesus, he couldn't continue; so he erased the face of the other painter from Judas's body. Forgive: da Vinci did it; more importantly Jesus did it, so can we.

Lesson Learned

I've been asking God to make things clear to me recently. I love the catch phrases He's been giving me to keep it clear and simple. See if this helps you: "I need to let go of frustrations I have with some people, and others I need to let it fester." Here's the Case: I had a reservation about something today. But I played it off as myself being to critical. Wrong: in my heart I knew there was reason for my gut check. Thankfully, as I'm learning slow but sure, God has been surrounding me with some armor bearers that help protect. For your sake: give everyone the benefit of the doubt, don't leave them unattended. The Point: Follow your intuition until the coast is clear. Evaluate the circumstance with prayer and fasting and proceed from there; slow but sure.

Bunch a Linchpin's

Don't let your circumstance, job or your ministry define you. Define it first, in other words, cast vision, paint a picture of what it needs to be, and by what would make you proud to be apart of it, and work to that end! Do things that will help you move forward and eventually help your office or construction crew move forward. Was reading a book called Linchpin for a while. I still flip its pages every so often. The book is for middle managers first, and everyone else a close second. Basically, serve so efficient at what you do that you create an atmosphere and an idea that you really are irreplaceable, even though every one is, you can still be of such good help and encouragement to those around you that they will wonder what they'll do if you ever leave. Be the definition, not the word that defines it. Think about it: would you like people running around calling you a Linchpin or would you rather people say "that person is who holds the many elements of our complicated structure together." Be more than hearers, say more than words: Be action.

Hungry...

I started praying through the scripture of Ezekiel 37. I'm asking God to awaken every single last dead bone in my body mind and soul and bring life to all facets of my life. Sometimes we have area's in our lives that we don't dare let God have, and it stunts our spiritual growth. God told Ezekiel to speak life into the dead bones of Israel and Judah and He would renew their land, He'd make them whole again. I want Velocity church to be whole and right with God so we can be about His business.

If These Walls Could Talk

Tonight I have a date with my wife, but not just a typical date. We're going to discuss the subject of "If these walls could talk." This past week at ministers retreat we were challenged w/ this subject from the Ohio Ministry Network. Krista and I are going to take the materials with us to dinner tonight and talk about how we got our start and ask each other just what our walls would say about our family if they could talk! We'll examine where we want to make adjustments at home so that we can be all the more intentional about a strong finish in our faith, raising kids, and loving each other.

No matter if it's home, church, work, school, riding motorcycles, playing golf or sitting in your easy chair... Do what you do with the intention of glorifying God. In other words, Make God Proud! Of Jesus He said, "This is my son, in whom I am well pleased!" May it be the same for you as you enter eternity, "Well done, my good and faithful servant!"

Season's

Wintertime...blah. Springtime, Oh Yea!

Seasons: I like Spring, Summer, and Fall the best. However, if it weren't for the Winter season, Spring wouldn't be so sweet!

Spiritual Seasons: Our church is in the middle of a 40 day fast. As far fasting goes, it's like winter time! However, this is still an exciting season for us because we're looking ahead to greater things!

Whatever season you're in; take full advantage of learning something and moving forward! Whether you want it to pass soon or last a lifetime; learn what God needs you to learn from it and share your experience with someone close by!

Do What God is Doing

John 5:19 - Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

I've been at a pastors cohort this last couple days and this scripture verse is one I've been thinking about. The cohort is a year long trek of leadership discussions, self evaluations, church evaluations and more. There are 20 some other pastors included; its good to see many of my good friends there!

Well - let's do what John 5:19 says to do. In fact, Jesus only did what God the Father was already doing. Let's find out where God is moving, where He's working, and let's join together in the efforts of those who are doing that as well! Like my daughter always sings "teamwork, teamwork..."

In 2010, lets stop, look, listen, and pray...slowly. Slow yourself down below 5 mies an hour for once and ponder, consider, think..... And let's find out what God is blessing, what He's doing, and let's roll with God through 2010 and make this year on e of the greatest in the history of the world!