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Unprepared for Rome

June 30, 2011 in The Will of God, True Stories with 0 Comments

There comes a time or moment in all of our lives when the best laid plans fall apart.  Are you familiar with those times? You have it all mapped out, scheduled, and even a mental timeline in place only to discover that what you thought would happen, didn’t.  Your plans didn’t shatter as a result of poor execution, but because of purposeful intervention.  This was my story recently.  Several months ago we had formed a team of nine people who would accompany me on a trip to Rome to conduct a sports camp.  After the team had been formed, I discovered that the sports camp would not be possible due to unforeseen circumstances.  Although some of the team was disappointed, they remained flexible and were committed to the destination, not the details.  I began preparing for a miscellaneous trip of sorts to work with a wonderful family in a small community outside of Rome to assist them in an upcoming church plant.  A little re-instruction of the team brought us a little more clarity; however, upon our arrival in Rome I discovered that our original plans to conduct a sports camp in Rome had been revived at the last moment. I wasn’t prepared and neither was our team; after all, I had only brought my black, low-top Chuck Taylor Converse.  Oh well.  I guess I would finally know how my dad felt playing basketball in the 1960′s.

We all laced up our Chucks and began a basketball camp in Rome for kids ages 9-12.  Our team was not prepared, but God had been preparing this all along.  I believe that God used our “unpreparedness” to dig deeper and rely on Him instead of ourselves.

 

Miracle Baby Born to Elderly Couple!

July 24, 2009 in Determination, Faith, God, Prayer, Relationship with God, The Will of God, Trials with 0 Comments

Not too long ago I began reading Luke’s account of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and I have not been able to shake some truths I gleaned from the first chapter (Luke 1:5-25, 57-64). A couple named Zacharias (a priest) and Elizabeth were elderly, but felt unfulfilled in their lives because they had never been blessed with a child. It appears that they had prayed for years (1:13) that God would answer their request, but year after year God was silent and no answer was in sight. All hope seemed to be lost for this couple whom Luke describes as “righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless” (1:6). The question of fairness comes into view here because why wouldn’t God answer the desperate prayers of two people who were doing everything right? Little did they know that God was already at work…just not on their timeframe.

God sends an angel to Zacharias in order to reveal that he and Elizabeth were going to be parents, but Zacharias has a hard time believing that a man his age was going to be able to…well, you know. The angel gives Zacharias a sign, which also doubles as a consequence for his disbelief, and he cannot speak until John (the Baptist) is born. In my opinion, Zacharias prayed for God to answer without being fully convinced that He would respond.

When the same angel later appears to Mary, the mother of Jesus and relative of Elizabeth, he reveals to her that Elizabeth is pregnant and will soon give birth. Luke documents the angel’s words to Mary, “Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible” (1:36). Our God specializes in making the impossible possible for those who are righteous and walking in His ways.

Maybe you’re tired of asking? Maybe you are convinced that God is not listening? But maybe tomorrow or the next day is the day God will arrive and make what once seemed impossible a reality.

You can hear more of my unfiltered thoughts on this story at the Summit this coming Sunday at 10:15am!

My First Moment of Stupidity for the Month…Which Began Today!

March 1, 2009 in The Will of God, True Stories with 0 Comments

Before leaving the church today, I decided to stop into my office one last time to drop off a few things. As I was walking down the hall where my office is located, I pulled out my keys. Now, I’m a pretty simple key guy – car key, house key, and an office key. You will not find any key chains hooked to my key rings plastered with sayings such as, “There Are Three Kinds of People – Those Who Can Count and Those Who Can’t “or “Jesus is Coming…Quick, Look Busy!” or “I love Myrtle Beach.” I made a commitment at a very early age not to be the guy who has 100+ keys/key chains and a Swiss army knife attached to his belt.

Besides the three keys on my key ring, I also have a remote keyless entry with a built in panic button. I find this very handy since my last car did not have one and I may need it to thwart off possible attackers in the church parking lot or just annoy my neighbors. The remote keyless entry has become second nature to me and I find myself using it mindlessly; in fact, when I was walking down the hall to my office today, I tried using it to open the office door. Unfortunately, it didn’t work and I realized I am an idiot!

Is it possible to get so used to doing something that we don’t even think about it anymore? We’re just going through the motions. I believe John wrote to the church at Ephesus who was seemingly going through all the proper motions, yet without passion. John writes, “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” (Revelation 2:2-4). The church at Ephesus was doing all the right things, but only out of habit. What was the cure for their mindless works? John instructs them to repent and once again serve God with passion (Revelation 2:5). The solution is the same for all who continue to push the button without seeing the door open.

Hard Questions

October 7, 2008 in The Will of God, True Stories with 0 Comments

Tyler, my eight year old son, came into the room to talk with me the other night. Looking very concerned, the first words out of his mouth were, “Dad, do you ever have any hard questions in life to answer?” I thought for a moment and wondered what kind of questions were going through the mind of this little third grader. In a split second I thought of things which may be plaguing his young mind…school problems, spiritual questions, or other off the wall scenarios. Isn’t it amazing how our minds can jump to crazy conclusions before we even listen? “Sure, Ty, I have tough questions to answer every day.” He responded, “Well, I have a hard decision to make tonight.” He paused for a moment…”I don’t know if I should watch Batman or Indiana Jones?” In a way I was relieved that it was not some earth shattering dilemma, but in the back of my mind I thought about how decision making gets much more complicated with age. Right now Ty is struggling between which movie he should watch, but later he will be making some tough choices in his life.Yesterday I came across a verse of wisdom written in Proverbs 16:13. It says, “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.” In my opinion this proverb is structured in a weird way because it implies that committing to God comes before understanding. But in reality, God allows decisions to come into our life so we will rely on Him for direction. Whenever we are faced with a tough choice, we must first commit to God’s way and then He will provide understanding. Maybe you have encountered a “fork in the road.” Pursue God’s way and He will give you understanding as you take steps of faith.

What Does GPS Stand For?

August 28, 2008 in The Will of God, True Stories with 0 Comments

For my birthday this year my wife bought me a GPS. I’m not sure if she was trying to tell me something or not, but I have really enjoyed owning it; in fact, I would say that it brings me much comfort when I am in an unfamiliar place. Very rarely do I ever feel lost without it. Recently we took a trip to Columbus, Ohio and the GPS helped us find places we didn’t even know existed. I cannot recall getting lost one time while there, but even if we did the GPS automatically recalculates our position and redirects our route. What did people do before these things were invented? Read maps? So old-fashioned!I have got to be honest…I need a GPS system for my life right now. I know where I am going, but uncertain of how to get there. The last eight months of my life have been what I call a “transition period.” For the last decade, I have been involved in youth ministry working with some of the greatest students in the world. But now I am stepping out into the church planting world. It is a scary, but exciting place…if that makes sense. I have never been a lead pastor before. I have never been to a church’s first Sunday. I have never led a volunteer team of thirty people. I have never had to pay the rent (for a church, that is). Should I keep going? I keep asking myself, “And why are you making this transition?” I just know that God put a restlessness in my heart about a year ago and when this opportunity came my way, I knew it was right. Logic cannot explain why a person would leave that which is familiar for that which is unexplored. I guess when I read about some of the people in the Bible, I also see a lot of uncertainty in their hearts. God usually unveiled a plan, but failed to reveal all the details in between. Maybe God should invest in a GPS system for His followers. Maybe not. If I really believe He knows what is ahead, I’m sure He’ll let me know when I need to turn right, exit, or turn around.