Now that is what I call a fish!

This fish was around 15 pounds! It was a carp that I caught in the Yellow River in Plymouth...Sarah had one but it got away after it broke her hook off in its mouth...it was fun to catch

My fish story...

Things have quieted down here in Plymouth (for now)...it seems like everything is swarming to May for some reason...


So here are a few pics of the people and fish that I caught last week! Sarah was there but she took the picture!

SMYG.

Worried Christians...

Sounds like an oxymoron doesn't it? Christ told us not to worry but yet I know a lot of Christians who are professional worriers (instead of prayer warriors). They see this happening or listened to Van Impe and he said something was going to happen soon...most likely June 6th of this year (6/6/06)...Oh MY GOODNESS!!! We had all better get some extra food and water because something is going to happen and we need to be ready.

You think I sound crazy?

The Christian world is worried about the Da Vinci Code movie and book that are causing such a stir. C' mon...Jesus had a relationship with Mary Magdelene? They had a child and the line lives on today?

The book/movie is not about rewriting the history book for crying out loud. It is about one thing and one thing only... $$$$$$$$$$!


Oh, and don't even go there with the Gospel of Thomas...as if it were something new that National Geographic just found in some Aboriginal tribes burial grounds! That info, along with many...many...many other pseudo gospels can be found on the internet...nothing new to those who know...look it up...www.goggle.com...19,800,000 hits in .17 seconds...really, come on.

All that to say this...I think that we need to stop worrying and fretting over things that first of all, we no control over...second that are not going to shake the foundations of our faith. It is like we are scared that something is going to come along and rip the rug from beneath our faith. Archeologist have never found anything that contradicts what the Bible says.

So as a song that I sang when I was just a wee little tot goes...

" The B-I-B-L-E, yes that's the book for me...I stand upon the Word of God...the B-I-B-L-E...BIBLE!"

SMYG.

Dreams

Last night, I talked to the teens about dreaming and their own dreams. I went around the room and asked each of them what they wanted to do when the grew up and then bashed them and pretty much told them that they couldn't do that. It got some mixed reviews and I think it really opened some of their eyes. I told them that if they thought what I did was rough, just wait until they graduate and see what the outside world does and says to them about their dream.

This was a tough topic for me to talk about because it has been hard for me to dream. I am not sure what I am supposed to dream about being a pastor and all. I have absolutely no dreams of becoming a D.S. or G.S. or anything close to that. I don't dream of being the pastor at a Mega church. I don't know what a pastor is supposed to dream about.

I don't think it is right for me to dream about the youth group to grow in faith, that should be a goal and something that I am working on.

I am not a very strong dreamer. I guess that shows me where I am at in my life. I mean, there are things that I want to see happen. I want to feel hunger for something big! I want to thirst for something bigger than me...larger than what I have the ability to do. So many times, it seems, that people (myself included) don't try something or do something that seems larger or bigger than what they think their skill set allows them to accomplish. Failure causes more action (or lack thereof) than does faith from what I have seen. People don't want to fail and so they don't even try.

I am no scholar and I don't want to be. You will never see a post from me about the missional church or social holiness or the emergent church. I am a pastor that is trying to dream big for his kids. They aren't doing it for themselves!

Pray that God helps me to dream big!

SMYG.

The God of the OT vs. the God of the NT

I am diligently trying to read through the One Year Bible this year...I am up to date with the reading...I just came through the section where God "gives" the land of Canaan to the Israelites. It talked about how God helped the people essentially wipe out a whole region of people, their towns and their existance. If that would happen now, we would think it a catastrophic event and wonder what God was thinking or even doing. We don't have to worry about that in this situation. God was there, helping the Israelites destroy men, women and children without a second thought. Now I get that God told Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses that he would give them that land. It was his word and he cannot go back on it. Still, as I finished the reading I thought to myself, "Did those people ever have a chance at redemption?" Did they know that what they were doing was wrong? Did God try to give them an opportunity to follow him and maybe just move instead of totally being killed? I don't know....that is why I am asking the questions I guess. I find it hard to relate this God who is seemingly blindly in love with a people who turn their back just as much as the rest of the nations did, to the one that Jesus and the NT books talk about being a loving, merciful God. The Bible even says that it is not God's will that anyone should die and go to hell. So how do you relate these two?

SMYG

Truck and dog...what more could a guy ask for?!

I am so content with my truck no matter how weird people might think it looks...it is different...but then so am I!!! That is our crazy dog Lex...yes, he always has those bug eyes!

Happy Easter everyone...He is Risen!

Update...

Things seem to be going...they are good and kind of seem to be moving in slow motion. With Easter this Sunday, it is bound to pick up.

Other news: with the purchase of new vehicles, Sarah and I have begun a budget program. At first, I was a little worried about it...you know having to document EVERY dollar that you spend and having limits and stuff...then, God really spoke to me and showed me that I need more discipline in my life. I need more discipline financially and spiritually. I asked a few weeks ago about leadership and stuff and I think that God has really answered me with one word: Discipline. I am not a very organized person and I don't think that that helps my ministry. I have gotten frustrated with Sarah because she keeps pushing me towards that and I didn't want to hear it. (that whole woman intuition thingy is creepy!)

I am just working on organization and discipline so that God can use me as much as possible.

I will try to take some pics this afternoon of the truck and dog maybe and the washer and dryer and such to get you caught up on the "new" stuff in our life!

SMYG.

New vehicles...yeah...

This is going to my first new vehicle, vehicle with 4 doors, my first TRUCK

(now I get to be a real man!)





Sarah is getting a new vehicle too, one that won't send her in the ditch! Pictures sure to come...

Am I thankful...

I am thankful that it is Monday and that last week is over!!! Actually, its been a couple of rough weeks. As I wrote the last time, it seemed like people were "jumping ship" and leaving and the sort. It has been a couple of character building weeks as Zig Zigler likes to call them. Last week I was an assistant pastor/ youth pastor/ van driver/ secretary. So am I glad that it is a monday? You bet! Last night we had a good chili cook off...we made about $300 dollars...I had some family at the event...and we had 89 people there! Those are the good things. It was a rough night for Sarah because it was her first night acting as the "I am the wife of the youth pastor so that means you can gripe at me if you want" position. I am used to getting critized and I feel that I deal with it pretty well. I vent and then move on. However, mess with my wife and it isn't that easy to deal with. I can handle someone coming up and griping that we are selling on Sunday and how could I preach from the pulpit and yet sell on Sunday! You can tell me anything, complain about whatever, but if you make my wife cry...it makes me want to protect her. Still, it is over...lesson learned...lump taken...stress felt...and the only thing that comes into my mind? NEXT!

SMYG.

Surreal

It seems like I am waiting for something to happen. I am not sure what it is, but something. I am not anxious or worried about it. Still, it feels in my soul that something is coming. Maybe it is because of what I posted about yesterday (so much change happening). It is not a bad feeling. Just a feeling that something big/bad/good/small is going to happen. I guess it has to doesn't it? Things are always changing and I would be nieve to think that they wouldn't. I mean when you think about it, don't we usually get surprised by things that are just part of life? Changing jobs, getting pregnant, someone getting sick, family members or friends making decisions that affect many others. Things always will happen that way.

Lately, with the whole divorce thing with our friends, Sarah and I have been kind of discouraged because they were our closest friends up here or over here (depending on where you are when you read this). I miss my friends from time to time that are in Anderson and my family...I recently got on myspace.com and they are all on there talking about how they are doing things together and going here and there and it has really affected me. I miss having friends that come over and do nothing really. I get that every once in a while when the SPEDS come up but I am usually doing an overnighter so I dont get much QT with them. So in reality, I don't really have many friends like that anymore. Sarah is in the same boat. She was working a lot with orientation but now that that is over she is feeling that same thing. Her friends all live together in Indy and she really has no friends here. Well, thats that. I have now said whats been on my heart for a while.

SMYG.

Punched in the gut...

I guess my posts come slower and slower now. Things are going really good. I am feeling a little of those summer time blues...in the spring...I guess it is because of all the drama around me. I am ready for no drama and some time where we can just be... I ordered a new computer today so it should be coming soon.

Some things I have learned recently:

1. St. Patrick's Day is huge for Catholics!
2. Dogs like their own puke
3. My dog is stupid
4. Marriage is fun
5. I don't like change as much as I thought I did...explain: it seems that a lot of people are jumping ship on the things that they have been doing (church secretary, treasurer, one of the youth sponsors leaving...etc etc etc)
6. Most of the friends of my teenage years have websites on myspace.com
7. Working together with people is so much easier than working against them



SMYG.

Computer issues...

Hey, sorry for the lack of posting! My computer or modem one of the two, got zapped over the weekend and I have been too busy at work to post anything. Sorry.



So here are some nuggets of my week:


1. Last week was fun, and refreshing. Spending time with Kerry was great.
2. We (Kerry and I) had an amazing discussion Friday night on the way home about God and salvation and stuff...it was a long time coming.
3. Indiana about gave me a heart attack last night
4. Our best friends up here in Plymouth, who were in our wedding, are and have been over the past month getting divorced. So pray that God would send Sarah especially, a woman friend that is much needed.
5. Sarah is done with orientation, finally! Good and bad...
6. I have no motivation to work out anymore
7. We got a new washer and dryer
8. We are looking at getting me a newer car (maybe a truck or suv)
9. I love my wife!
10. I am so thankful for family. My mom made it through her surgery and is on the road to recovery.
11. I am rooting for Taylor Hicks (yes, the old lookin' guy) on American Idol!


So there you have it...my life in a nut shell.
SMYG.

Leadership

Back at IWU, one of my professors asked a question that recently has been haunting me, daily. It is a question that could and probably will affect the outcome of my entire life. It is a question that people in leadership should ask themselves often at the beginning of their careers. So here's the question:


Are great leaders born or are they made?


You see, I don't consider myself to be a GREAT pastor. I don't see myself as being someone that leads a mega-church some day. Right now, I am not sure where the ceiling is for me in this respect.

Sarah and I recently had a LONG discussion about this and she really hit the issue home with me. I realized that I really don't have goals in my life. Not only in my life, but as a Pastor. I thought in my head, "Should Pastors have goals"? I mean, the two pastors that I have been around the longest were my dad (he stayed at one church for 30+ years) and Dick Gregg who has been at Central for 15+ years and counting. Neither church is a "big" church. They maintain and keep mostly the same people. Some people come and go. The church that I grew up in and that my Dad was at is dead with only about 10-15 left if that! Did they have goals? I guess that it was subconsciously put in my head that you just maintain. Until recently, I was really ok with that. However, now I am not sure how to get out of the maintaining stage and become a pastor that is...well I don't even know what to call it. Maybe that's the problem...

So, are leaders (GREAT pastors) born or are they made?

SMYG

busy busy busy

Man, things get busier and busier when you get older. Heres what my 10 day outlook looks like:

Today: Worked in the office, worked out, going to the tax office to get taxes done, praise team practice

Tomorrow: Work in the office, decorate the Oasis for the month of March, clean up the house for company, take a nap (HA), entertain friends

Saturday: wake up early and spend the day in Chicago

Sunday: I wont even get started with Sundays

M onday: Going to be in Anderson for my momma surgery (Pray for her will ya)

Tuesday: Back in Plymouth, must get everything done for the week and weekend because...

Wednesday-Saturday: VACATION...I am going to be spending time with my brother at the Big Ten Tourney (GO IU) and then who else knows what

So yeah, busy times. It should be a fun 10 days though!

SMYG.

Thankful

As I have been reading my bible, (yes I am still up to date with my reading!) I am just now getting out of the book of Leviticus and boy am I thankful. I am thankful for many things after reading through this:

Things I have become thankful for:

1. That Jesus was crucified one time for sins committed.

2. That Jesus' death is still enough to pay for the sins of the world

3. That we are under a new covenant and that we dont have to offer a sacrifice every time we mess up (that could get expensive)

4. That God is merciful and gracious to those who love him and are seeking after him

5. That God cared enough about us to help us get closer to Him

6. That I am a friend of God

7. That God forgives AND forgets

In a culture that teaches us to remember what other did to us so you can get them back, Christ lived a life that was in stark constrast. Not only does God cancel our debt to him, he cannot even remember the times we messed up.

SMYG.

A couple of questions for you...

First...

What makes a pastor good?
What makes him successful?
Is there a difference between the two?
Is there a difference between being a good youth pastor and a good pastor?



Second...

I am just wondering who actually reads this blog? So if you could just comment and let me know who is reading it that would be awesome!

Words...

The old saying goes "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me". While that might be good to try and reinforce to a child, it really doesnt fly in the real world does it? Some people wait their whole lives to hear a few words: "I Do", "You are Hired" or "I love you". Then there are other times when you hear things that sometimes really arent said: "You arent thin enough", "For real happiness you need this product or this new car". Many times, when our friends are hurting we are searching for the words that will help them in their situation.

So do words not really hurt us?

Are words not really that important?

Words have the power to many things. James 3 tells us that it is what guides the body. The tongue can praise and uplift like few other things. However, the tongue can cut as deep as any other thing as well. Some things are rough to hear, we might think them or even believe them in our subconscious without ever really saying them.

BUT...here is some things that I have learned in my short 24 years...

1. People always need to know you appreciate them
2. People always want you to listen to them
3. Wherever you are is where you need to be...God put you there
4. People will disappoint you
5. Pastors will disappoint you
6. Family members will let you down
7. True friends, ones who will let you be who you are and still love you, are few and far between
8. Family is important because they will always be there, no matter what
9. God loves me
10. He knows my name
11. He knows what I am going through
12. People will always have selfish ambitions until they commit fully to Christ
13. In a church, no matter large or small, there will ALWAYS be problems
14. Faith should move us to actions
15. Money isnt all it's cracked up to be
16. Happiness is a choice
17. Love is a choice
18. Your attitude is a choice
19. I have been forgiven and that is so beyond me to totally understand and appreciate
20. Finally, as a band once put it in a song, "This is your life, are you who you want to be?" should be a question that we ask often of ourselves.

SMYG

It was bound to happen...

It finally happened. Mike Davis is no longer going to be the coach at Indiana University. He is going to resign at the end of the season. But why the end of the season and not now? I am not an expert but I just wish he would have stepped down now and let IU move on and aggressively start searching for the coach that they need...whoever that is.


Hope your Thursday was as restful as mine...I woke up at 11:30am...it was nice!


SMYG

Day of rest

Today was and is a day off...Sarah and I slept in and worked out...then we had lunch with my uncle Harold...We are chillin' and heading to South Bend to eat at the BoneFish Grill and catch a movie. Should be a good time and a much needed "break" from pastorhood.

SMYG.

God has a plan...

As humans, most of us have a sense of a higher being. No matter if they think it is Allah, Buddah or God. As Christians, we wholeheartedly believe that we serve the one true God. I believe that without a doubt. What I am wondering about today is the whole topic of God's will and predestination and free will. As a good Wesleyan the official answer is that we believe that God knows but he does not ordain or something along those lines. As I was reading my daily passage yesterday it was where Judas and Peter both denied Christ. Judas gave the money back and said that he condemned an innocent man. I have heard it said that Judas might have been trying to accelerate Jesus into restoring Israel because Judas thought he would physically overthrow Roman rule. When Judas realized that Jesus wasnt going to be that revolutionary he was filled with horror! He then went and hung himself...did Judas have the opportunity that Peter had to repent? If it wasnt Judas it would have been someone else. Would they have had a chance for redemption? Peter, one of the most charismatic disciples, denied Jesus three times...the third time cursing even. He went away and wept for forgiveness...that is the opposite to what Judas did...the Bible says that Godly sorrow leads to repentance...but worldly sorrow leads to regret and to death! Judas was filled with regret...Peter was filled with remorse. Where are we at in our lives? Are we full of regret when we get "caught" in sin? Or do we have remorse and truly seek forgiveness?

SMYG