a walk in the park

On a recent Sunday morning when the wind was particularly cold and blustery and the recent friendliness of warm Indian summer sunshine had been replaced by a strong north wind that forced my hands deeper into my much too thin fall jacket; I walked with a cluttered mind down a gravel path at a local park. As I walked my mind and heart began clearing up a bit and I remembered that when my life in Christ was brand new and I was really a fish out of my water, I would find solace and reassurance and the Holy Spirit would find me...where I was walking this Sunday morning. And now this morning, as I started connecting with my surroundings, my eye found some of the most incredible visuals and I had a sense that I was to see beyond myself and my own "stuff" and see the trees despite the forest and so I tried and I think I did, I am...

Now as I'm posting this it seems that the life and death photo is a scene that has been oft repeated in my life. Something (effort, dream...) comes to fruition but then it dies or dramatically changes...it all seems dead...or perhaps it's when my "self" dies...then, upon closer inspection...there is life, there is green among the browns and life more abundantly than I first assumed.

Confidence

I woke up early this morning, tried to go back to sleep but couldn't...so despite my grogginess, I began to think and hear and as often happens in the early morning, I seemed to hear God softly speaking to me...words of encouragement for you. He doesn't intend for you to be anxious about your future...we live in a frail, battered world where accidents happen and people get hurt...where what appears to be a left turn actually straightens our course...be confident in knowing that despite our best efforts sometimes it's not enough. But Jesus is. Enough. I'm asking Him to continue to guide your incredibly bright future...follow where He leads you.

Laura

Just got word that one of my most favorite people ever is now in the presence of Jesus. Laura Garber was probably one of the most "saintly" people that I have ever known. Her kindness and ability to encourage were unmatched. But this morning her desire to be with her Savior has been fulfilled. Thank you, Laura for your encouraging words, your faithful example of Godliness and for loving and living well.

Clarity

What is it about the mystery of God's presence that keeps me asking for more? Why does the unexplained happen and then remain unexplained? Is my heart open? Are my eyes seeing? Do you believe that the Spirit of God manifests himself physically? What if someone walked up to you and during your conversation, her hand began to shake uncontrollably and the Holy Spirit began to minister to you as she laid that hand on your chest as she prays over you? What would that mean to you or how would you react? Would you chalk it up to "weird" experience? I was tempted to but couldn't. I guess what I did was accept the experience as confirmation that recent decisions were indeed taking me in the right direction and that for sure, as the song by Geoff Moore so beautifully says, Jesus knows my name and he knows my every thought.

And then in one of my previous posts I mentioned a retreat that I was going on...now "post retreat" I have reflected many times on the experience of being with a group of men that I really didn't know and how the Spirit of God, I believe, used these men to minister to me at a time when uncertainty and questioning seemed to plague me. For the record, I am not accustomed to being in settings where prophetic words are spoken with such clarity and additionally, I can be a healthy/unhealthy skeptic...there were a number of things spoken over me but as I recall them, the one that most deeply affected me were the words "Father wants you to know He is well pleased with you". They were just a few words but these words were like a healing balm washing over me. I chose to accept those words and realized afresh that Jesus loves me (this I know?) Yes, I know again.

As I've recounted this experience, I've argued with myself and on one hand I want to say that my faith is rather simple...that I'm relying on an emotional response and on the other hand, I would say that Jesus said unless our faith is like that of a child we will not enter the kingdom of heaven. I know this doesn't undermine the importance of discernment and wisdom, (which is where I am most comfortable), but there seems to be a time for embracing my faith with the simplicity of a child and saying yes to the supernatural acts of God; saying yes to allowing Jesus to fill every nook and cranny of my being. Today, I'm saying yes more frequently and with greater urgency.

Summer 2010 MCCh Baptism Photos

Baptism 2010-08-22

Wrestling

This is the first week of a major change in direction for me. After a week in Florida that seemed to aid the transition I find that I have much to be grateful for...I love that for the first time in 4 years I am in an office with windows...that a quick stroll to the mailbox can be combined with pulling a few weeds in a flower bed...that my dog Buster is always happy to be in my company and that I haven't shaved in what is approaching two weeks.

It seems I'm forever wrestling with how the future looks and finding my place in it. But the wrestling is a process that is growing and stretching me.

Tonight I join a group of guys from the area at the Amigo Centre for a mini retreat. I have never been interested in a beat-my-chest, shoot some guns, let's prove that we are real men powwow, so I seriously hope that this is nothing like that...my attendance is a direct result of an invite from a person that has serious credibility with me. So, I go wanting to hear God and yes, perhaps it's another step in the process. Regardless, I want to be found worthy of His calling, whatever shape or form that turns out to be.

Leadership Summit - T.D. Jakes

Combustible Passion ~

You cannot impassion other people when you yourself aren't passionate.

They come to follow Jesus and they get stuck with you.

People follow people who move. They need to see that the vision is bigger than they are.

Self-assessment is critical to the success of great leadership.

If you always surround yourself with people just like you they will compete with you but they won't complete you. It is critical that you surround yourself with people that are different than you.

All of this information doesn't mean much if you as a leader run out of gas. When my heart is overwhelmed and I'm tired and exhausted. I go the The Rock.

If you're going to lead people you have to allow them to see your wounds and to see who you really are.