What a Weekend!

The title sums it up appropriately-it was truly an incredible (and quick) weekend:

• Left Milledgeville on Friday to drive to DeFuniak Springs, FL for a spiritual retreat with FSU and their Christian Campus Fellowship
• Spoke 4 times in 36 hours on the Holy Spirit & God brought it!
• Worship led by Dan Cole & Kelsie & Nathaniel was incredibly passionate
• The sound of 90 college students singing their hearts out in a small room blew me away all weekend
• Change of place + change of pace = change of perspective
• The ministry that Michael Mears is leading at FSU is beautiful to see in action-the compassion that he has for these college students is admirable and it was a true pleasure to be a small part of it all
• I am continuing to pray for Garrett-a young man that didn't anticipate coming to this retreat-in fact, doesn't go to FSU-but was there with a friend.  God is working on his heart!
• Northridge had 765 in attendance yesterday! Wow-just simply wow.
• 765 people brings lots of logistical issues-praying that we can work through these so that more people can hear what God has to offer
• The Arizona team ran a perfect BBQ while I was in Florida and Northridge blessed us by helping to raise $2400 for our trip in one morning!
• Last night at The Well was simple & yet powerful. I am so grateful to be surrounded by incredible servants & youth that want God's truth.  We are still figuring it out and maturing, but the future with God's Spirit is so bright!
• Thanks to God for having me here in this season to be part of what He is doing!

The Struggle

"The struggle to the top alone can make the heart swell."
Albert Camus

This quote rolls through my head quite a bit.  It is often misread-Camus' intent is not to talk about struggling alone, but that sometimes the difficult journey holds more rewards than actually arriving at your destination. I have to believe that it is true-I am holding fast to that thought now. 

It is difficult to create a new culture in a church & in an area that has been around for so long.  There is so much teaching to be done, so much patience to be had, leaders to develop, foundations to build, and prayers to be prayed.  I'm not afraid of hard work-I actually relish it-but it can be frustrating as you continue to push along and not see the results you are hoping for or expecting.

Some days it frustrates me more than others.  I have this great desire to see ministry blossoming and people living out their faith on a consistent basis.  I invested 6 1/2 years in Florida and God did great things in spite of me there.  I don't want to recreate a Florida environment in Georgia, but my aim is to see young people (and us older folks) passionately following Jesus and desiring to do His great work.  It is going to take some time and the lessons that He is going to teach me (and His church) through the journey will mold and mature us into the church He designed us to be. 

I pray that I would not grow weary as we do His great work.

Mind Dump

I have to admit that I have not approached the regularity that I once had on the blogosphere since moving to Georgia.  I don't know if it is the new interface or just the hecticity (yep-that's the word I used) of life & ministry here, but I haven't kept up with it as much as I desire to do.  I am stealing the phrase "Mind Dump" from Michael Mears because that just seems to be the best way to get at this today.  So with my apologies to my brother at FSU, here goes:

• There were 752 people in worship at Northridge this past weekend-an increase of almost 500 since October 2008
• There is no explanation for growth like that except God.  Plain & simple.
• I am speaking at FSU's CCF "Family Vacation" this coming weekend-sharing on the Holy Spirit four times in three days
• I'm looking forward to this weekend, but also a little anxious.  It's a big responsiblity to share God's Word & I don't take it lightly.  I don't want to mess anything up or get in the Holy Spirit's way.
• The time frame for our mission trip to Arizona is dwindling-this is all new here & we still have a lot of money to raise.  It's going to be a God thing when it all comes together.
• Reculturing youth ministry is one of the most difficult things I have done.  We did it in Florida (by we I mean God), but I had zero clue back then.  Now I have a clue and I realize how hard it truly is.
• The rewards of youth ministry will come later-I know this.  God will reward our faithfulness through the struggles-just perhaps not in this life.
• Trying to balance working with youth and also working as an associate pastor is a very interesting act.  I have to remind myself daily that it has to be a God thing-I'm not that good.
• Spending time with our Florida friends as they visit us is always good for my soul.  I have spent a lot of time "in the trenches" with these folks and our hearts will be connected no matter the distance.
• Praying through the process of getting rid of our house in Florida-in foreclosure now, but hoping that our application for deed-in-lieu goes through.  Trusting that God will handle this last detail from the move northward too.
• I am a lucky man.  Married to my best friend and blessed with three incredible daughters.  Certainly more than I deserve & I pray as often as I can that I don't mess up the chance to be a godly father & husband.
• I have to work harder at establishing "margin" in my life.  The pace that we have been running at (and the one in front of us) is crazy.  I can't allow the schedule to dictate everything.  Got to set apart time for me & God and me & my family.
• To be loved by God in the middle of all of my faults, insecurities, weaknesses & sins is mind-blowing.  I don't think I'll ever fully understand it, but I pray that I will live as if I am grateful for it.

What's Next?

The pace never seems to slow down.  That is pretty typical of ministry-typical for a lot of life.  That doesn't mean that it is all bad, but it does mean that there are opportunities for distraction.  Distractions many times will keep us away from our true purpose and cause us to focus our energies in a lesser cause.  I see Satan trying to do that now. 

There is a great need for a revival here-especially within our youth-and that is the last thing that Satan wants to see.  He is going to do whatever he can do disrupt relationships, cause dissension, create stress, and increase doubt.  None of this decreases the power of God however.  None of that punk's work can take away from God's great plan. 

I know that big things are on the horizon-not because of our human abilities, but because the Holy Spirit is able to do all things.  I am praying and begging God for the souls of people & for those that have accepted the truth to have a fire ignited within them that will not go out.  We do not want to lose our focus on God and His power.  We do not want to lose sight of God's leading and His pathway for the church here.

Father, hear our prayers.  Bring revival to your people.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit so that we may become more like You.

"The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy.  But I have come that you might have life and have it to the full."  John 10:10

A Glimpse of Heaven

The old (somewhat cliche) story is that when you get to heaven you will see the people that you influenced while you were here on earth.  It is difficult to see the positive impact that you might be having when you are in the middle of that life.  My family was blessed last week to gain a small glimpse into that truth as we visited Florida.

As we left Ormond Beach this past September we did not have the opportunity to say goodbye to our friends & family in the church-some of whom we had been investing in for almost 14 years.  The parting was certainly difficult for my family and it was not easy for those close to us as well.

When we discovered that we would be heading back to Florida for a wedding, we knew that we needed to set a time to connect with people in Ormond.  Our friends were gracious enough to open their home for us and we quickly spread the word that we would be there last Thursday.  What transpired that night is firmly etched in my mind and will always be one of the most special days of my life. 

Starting at 6 p.m. a crew of people started coming in and the crowd did not die down until 9:30.  I am sure that I must have given out close to 300 hugs and shared countless moments of joy in that living room.  I hear that the cars were parked up & down the entire street and that a line led out of the house, down the front stairs, and down the driveway at one point.  There were tears mixed with laughter, pats on the back, kisses, bear hugs, words of encouragement and pictures with red-eyed youth.  The night was overwhelming and yet healing at the same time-definitely for us and hopefully for many others.

My family and I are blessed to have such a great group of family & friends in Georgia and in Florida.  One man does not deserve all the love that I have found in my life.  I don't know that I will ever be able to put into words all of the emotions of last week, but I do know that if heaven is anything like the love that we experienced in that home, I can't wait to get there.

Reflections

What a week it has been.  I am overdue on my Sunday reflections, but will blame it on the lack of internet in my hotel in Miami that night.  Not sure that I can get all of my thoughts in a somewhat brief blog-some will need further fleshing out in subsequent postings-but we'll give it a whirl.

• I don't like to drive long distances-I get bored in the car-but we managed to drive from Milledgeville to Ormond, Ormond to Fort Pierce, Fort Pierce to Miami and then back in five days.
• I was excited to get to see old friends/family in Ormond Beach last week-there was a hug-fest on Thursday night that lasted for 3 1/2 hours and did our hearts so much good.  I hope it was as good for others.
• I'm not too old to sit up until 3 a.m. talking with a friend.  I might be too old to be on top of my game 4 hours later unless there is good coffee.
• Brought the whole family by Mainland High School on our way out of town-what great friends & family are there that have loved us for a long time.  I miss them always.
• Dana & I were blessed to be at the wedding of my oldest friend-Paul & I have known each other since elementary school and were roommates in college too.  He is so obviously happy and we think Lesley is an incredible woman.  They are truly a blessed couple!
• Hanging with one of my college friends & his wife the night before the wedding was a great blast! It's been too long & distance (he is in Texas) makes it hard to do often.
• I am thankful for good friends on staff here at Northridge that are talented and able to carry on so that I can get a weekend away.  Matthew Orr & Mike Waers would be a blessing to any church, but selfishly we are glad they are part of our team here!
• Monday afternoon was simple-spending some time with my mom, sister, nephew, brother & our family by the pool was a great time.  I miss them & wish we could see each other more often.
• We're back at it in Georgia, but this past week has certainly shown us how loved we are!

Sunday Reflections in the Cold

Wow! What an incredible day at Northridge! My prayer is that God continues this great work and it spreads throughout all of His churches!

• Turkey Bowl was a blast yesterday-a blast of arctic air! 18 degrees at the start!
• What an incredible blessing today as we saw 703 people in worship!
• We had 3 scheduled baptisms today, but also saw 2 more people choose to join them
• Also had another couple parter with us after Discover Northridge
• A God-focused life doesn't happen accidentally!
• No Spectators!
• Started The Well tonight-new high school worship experience for high school and saw 36 people come to start our January series, "New & Improved"
• Looking forward to "Awakening" coming this Wednesday night for middle school-praying for God to fill the room.