How will it turn out?

I am working on the church calender for 2011. As I look through the months ahead, it seems to compress the year. Even though the year hasn't even started, I am mentally already at Easter. I have taken note that Cinco de Mayo will be on May 5th this year and that Independence Day will be on July 4th. I think Thanksgiving will be on a Thursday. (I have a firm grasp of the obvious.) I am already counting the weeks until we reintroduce the completely revamped Sunday School department (only 36). It is energizing to look at the year ahead and plan. It is exciting to think of how many different ways that the living and active God we serve can completely obliterate those plans when He chooses to do so. Which week will be the one when I get to announce the sale of the south campus building? What other exciting announcements will there be? That's for God to know and for us to find out!

On Any Given Day

We are coming quickly to the end of another year. Each year has its own story, but the big story for me for 2010 is the new chapter that began for Carole and I by becoming pastors in October. This exciting and daunting calling has easily eclipsed my Inca Trail adventure as my top story of the year.

Pastoring is never dull. I noticed Sunday that the sink in the men's bathroom was draining much too slowly and I made a mental note to check on that later. This morning I was reminded of the slow sink again, so I immediately began to disassemble the p-trap to see where the clog was. When I removed the tailpipe extention I saw something dark and slimey looking. I grabbed it and gave a yank. Imagine my surprise when I pulled a dead frog out. Apparently it had come through the drain system and was looking for a place of  escape. When it made it to the end of the line, I guess it gave up or didn't like the soapy water. It couldn't have been there for more than a couple of days, but it had already begun to stink pretty badly. I gave it a proper burial in the dumpster, reassembled the drain and now the sink drains fine. The bathroom smells better, too.

You never know what opportunities await on any given day. It was better to be the plumber than the frog.

Will Blog for Books

I have once again scored a free book. Mark Batterson, who wrote Wild Goose Chase, (and who benefitted greatly from my cashews and jerky on the Inca Trail) has finished a new book, "Soulprint". And once again I have signed up for a free copy of his newest by agreeing to read it upon receiving it and then posting a review of it on my blog. That is like the best deal ever. I get to read new books. I don't have to pay for them. I get to talk about them on my blog. What's not to love about a deal like that?

Challenges

Yesterday I went to the gym for the first time in several months. A year ago I went several times a week as I prepared for both a 5k run and my Inca Trail hike. I developed a pretty good level of endurance and completed both goals. After my return from Peru, however, I didn't have any goals ahead of me. And as a result, the whole motivation to continue the workouts kinda slipped away. The fact that I felt really good and had a lot of energy didn't seem to be enough to cause me to continue the physical discipline of regular workouts. Now, I am again soft, my energy level is much lower, and it is more difficult to concentrate than it was when I was fit. It would appear that I need another challenge ahead to motivate me toward improvement.

Spiritual fitness is just like physical fitness. If we are just going along in life with no goals or challenges, we will not maintain the disciplines of prayer and Bible study that we do when we are facing something that appears to be daunting or beyond our capability. As a new pastor, I have plenty of spiritual challenge to keep me on my knees and in the Word. But as a soft middle aged guy I need to find a new physical challenge. I'll keep you posted.

Rejoice, Rejoice!

Sunday night our worship team did a breathtakingly beautiful rendition of the Christmas hymn, "Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel". I have heard that song many times; even sang choir arrangements several times in Christmas programs, but I had never really paid attention to the words of this verse-

Oh, come, our Wisdom from on high,
Who ordered all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

In this day of confusion, uncertainty and disappointment, it comes as a great comfort to rest in these lines. When we realize that the events of the world are not random and not haphazard but are ordered by Him who is ultimate wisdom, and ultimate love, then our natural response should be to ask God to lead us to the path of knowledge of Him and to teach us to follow that path. Then we can truly and honestly rejoice that God is with us, and that in Him we find protection, provision, and power.
I love the deep and powerful theology of those ancient hymns.

Things You Find In Church

Today I was spending some time in the church auditorium. I was up on the platform, thinking, praying, and straightening. I noticed a small book underneath one of the chairs. I picked it up and looked at it. It was an old book about revival. I like old books, so I opened the cover to see when it was published and to see if the original owner had put his name in it. I found the name of the owner and immediately recognized it as one of Oklahoma's pioneer preachers and pastors. Brother "Doc" Woodell spent his last years at Lakeside, the church where I grew up. I was fortunate to grow up in a church that was populated my many heroes of the faith from his generation. I was overwhelmed as I held the book that had once been in the library of someone I respected so much and realized that it now lay in the church I have been called to pastor. A flood of emotion came over me as I realized that I have now assumed the mantle from those pioneers who paved the way for the great things we are able to do today. A sense of great responsibility washed over me as I realized that I now serve a significant church with a great future that is here today because men like him were faithful when times were hard and progress was slow, but they sowed seed that is still being harvested today.

I took the book up to my office and looked at it further. As I turned a few pages to look at the table of contents there was a stamped message that this book had also been owned by the pastor of my teenage years. Pastor Lacy is a very important part of my spiritual formation and I am forever grateful for his imput into my life. Once again, my pulse quickened to realize the significance of my find. The legacy of these ministers now resides in me, and I have purposed to be faithful with the calling that has been laid upon me.

I don't know who the book used to belong to, but it belongs to me, now.

Naomi- Steadfast in the Bad Times

In our study of the book of Ruth last Sunday we saw that Naomi went through an extended bad spell. She moved to a different country and her husband died. Her two sons married and died as well leaving her no grandchildren or money. When all of this had happened, she learned that the famine that had caused her family to move in the first place was over and things were much better back home. If anyone ever had a reason to be bitter, it was Naomi. But even though her situation was very bitter, she stayed true to her faith, and a result, one of her daughters in law saw something attractive in her. Ruth decided that a God who could sustain Naomi in the toughest of times was a God who was worth giving up everything for. Our response to adversity says much more to the seeking world than our proclamations ever will, because it shows that our faith is real and not based only on good outcomes. Come this Sunday and hear more about this wonderful story. I can't wait to tell you about it.

Our Everyday God

This Sunday I begin a series from the book of Ruth I am calling "Our Everyday God". The book of Ruth, just four chapters long, is a wonderful story of loyalty, trust, innocence, purity, and love. There are no larger than life characters in the story. There are no national crisis moments. It just tells the story of a normal lady, Naomi, who goes through a tough time in her family life. There are no amazing miracles, but you can see God's faithfulness throughout. I am looking forward to unpacking this really interesting story over the next few weeks on Sunday mornings.

Also, be sure to come to the Fall Feast this Sunday night. We will enjoy a time of good food and fellowship, and, as promised, I will display a hidden talent as I sing what is in my estimation, the greatest country song ever written. You'll have to come to see which one it is. Be here at 6pm Sunday night. We'll have a great time!

Sparks A'flyin!

Today Carole and I went to visit the new camp facility that the Oklahoma District is constructing near Sparks, Oklahoma. I have been hearing about the Sparks property for several years, now, and until today it has all been conceptual talk. Progress seemed slow, reports were sparse, and, I suppose, obstacles were in abundance. (An outsider's perspective). Today it was easy to catch the vision of an enlarged, up-to-date, well-designed environment designed especially to lead our children and youth closer to God in a safe and attractive setting. It is clear that today's young person attaches no romance to the idea of attending a worship service in an open air tabernacle, no matter how many fond memories their parents might have of such a setting. Cramped musty smelling cabins aren't selling points for the camp experience. Truth is, a great Spirit-led camp experience was necessary to get young people to go to camp. It had to be good to overcome the condition of the facilities. It was clear to me that the plans that have been developed are well thought out and meet the requirements of our 21st century American realities. The safety of each student is paramount in the plan. Keeping them well fed and as well rested as they are willing to be are priorities. As you can imagine, a facility which can accomodate 1000 people is an expensive proposition, and it is incumbent on our many churches in the district to each do their part. A lot of work remains to be done if the facility can be used next summer. Our children and youth are the most precious responsibility we have. I believe that this camp will be a tool used for years to come to bring young people to Christ. There is no way to know how many lifelong relationships will be built; how many ministry callings will be identified, and how many will look back to a camp experience as the event which solidified their relationship with God.

Will He or Won't He?

Brett Favre has the NFL just where he wants it- focusing on him. Favre, of the Minnesota Vikings and holder of the longest streak of continuous starts has a bad ankle, a sore throwing elbow, and has been playing badly. But there is no talk of what the Vikes need to do to have their best chance of winning this game because it is all about Brett and his streak. His coach, Brad Childers isn't really a great coach. He's probably not even a very good NFL coach but he is still the coach. However, he must wait, along with the rest of Favre's teammates, and the breathless sportswriters and fans to see an hour before the game if Brett and Brett alone feels like playing. Childers doesn't dare scratch Favre from the lineup because he (Childers) would be the story of the game instead of his team. So, skilled teammates, coaches, trainers, and even owners are pushed into the role of supporting cast members for Brett the Invincible. I'm sick of it. I've been sick of it since the second fake retirement years ago. I never like it when one person elevates the pursuit of his personal satisfaction above his entire team's success. Put Brett Favre out on the field without the other players and see how he does. Then no one would have to ask his friend, "Which one is Brett Favre?" He could have the spotlight all to himself. And in one play he would be finished.

Reaping the Benefits

It's now official. I have been extended the great honor of serving Living Water Church in Guthrie, Oklahoma as their pastor. I am really excited to begin this new opportunity. I have been here at the church today preparing for Sunday. As I have walked the hallways and corridors of the church building I am continually awestruck that God and the good people at Living Water would entrust me with the responsibility of serving them here.

At lunch a while ago, I was reading my YouVersion bible on my iPhone because I forgot to bring the book I am reading. I was reading in John 4 about Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman. After that interchange, the disciples came back and were wondering what was was going on. A verse jumped off the screen of my phone. Verse 38 says, "I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor."

I realize that this verse is for me today. Many years ago people plowed the hard ground and sowed what seed they had available to start this church from scratch. Faithful people for many years have worked and given faithfully of their talents and resources. People are currently working joyfully in many different areas of ministry even though they have gone through a tumultous season. So much has already been done.There is so much already happening.  And there is so much yet to happen because God has been faithful through the decades. I will willingly give of everything God has given to me to use, and count myself privileged to be a contributor to the Living Water story.

Decision Time

I haven't posted much in the past couple of weeks. It's not because I haven't had the time and it's not because my mind isn't working. It's because I have been consumed with something that will come to a climax this weekend. I have been asked to be the pastoral candidate for a church this weekend. This invitation could turn out to be the assignment that God has been preparing me for over the past several years.

This Saturday evening I will have the opportunity to meet with the church congregation at large in an informal setting so we can get a sense of one another. They will have the opportunity to ask whatever is on their minds as we begin the important process of determining if this is the direction God is leading all of us. I will preach in the the Sunday morning service and in the Sunday evening service I will share from my heart my vision for pastoral ministry. A vote will follow. If the congregation votes to ask me to become their pastor, and Carole and I accept the invitation, We all begin to write a new chapter in the church's history. Pretty much the usual way things are done in this type of situation.

I have been involved in this sort of thing before, but never as the candidate. I have been the member who is required to discern in a very few hours something with long-lasting consequences. I have been the leader of a pastor search committee who spent countless hours praying, talking, and researching while waiting to hear from God. I have experienced the uneasiness of knowing in my heart that I have heard from God but knowing that the final decision wasn't mine, but was entrusted to the votes of people who would just have a brief opportunity to discern what I had found over the many visits. And I have been a staff pastor who was hired by the person who is no longer in place. I have known the uncertainty of wondering what the new leadership structure would look like and if I would be invited to be a part of it.

Pastoral transition is difficult on everyone even in the best of cases. The stress that results from the realization of the importance of the decision can cause us to question the motives of others. All of us need to pray for more grace as we approach the coming climax on Sunday night. For me, the situation is simple. Is this where God is calling me, or is there another place He wishes to use me? For the local church, the situation is a little more complex. Pray with me that this local church can come together in unity and trust in God and in one another. I am confident that they will. Then, whatever the outcome Sunday night, the Kingdom of God can go forward.