It's getting loud around here!!!

This morning I had the privilege of speaking at LCS (Lititz Christian School) for both the elementary and secondary chapels. I always enjoy my time with the kids down at the other end of Grace Ministries as I come away with a sense of great hope. This hope comes as I look out at all the talents, gifts and abilities sitting before me. But, I also learned during the elementary chapel that a room full of these kids can be loud.

As I was preparing for the young kids to arrive, I was warned by a teacher to be ready to plug my ears. With that warning fresh in my mind, I put my Bible down in preparation to plug away! Funny thing is, we went through the worship time with these 1st - 5th grade students and I didn't find it really that noisy. As the worship concluded, I stood up and did my little talk for about 15 minutes and then the worship leader got up again. I thought, "he must be the one who gets to dismiss them." Well... he dismissed them with a group scream that I didn't see coming. My first clue should have been the elementary teachers throwing their hands to their ears as the worship leader walked forward, but I'm a little slow before my many cups of AM coffee. All I know is that they hit a pitch that I thought would definitely draw blood from my ears.

As the noise subsided and I got my regular hugs and high fives after a chapel with the kids, I began the long walk back to my office. As I did, I couldn't help but think about the time Joshua and the children of Israel marched around Jericho and let out a loud scream which brought the walls down. Isn't it funny that we so often equate spirituality and the presence of God with silence and quiet. Now, believe me, I'm not opposed to quiet and solitude at all, but... I think I learned today that God doesn't mind loud if it genuinely comes from the hearts of ones who love God.

Come to think of it... I don't think heaven is going to be a real quiet place either! From what I can understand, we're going to hear the angels repeat HOLY, HOLY, HOLY over and over and over and over and over... well you get the idea!

This is the "Crazy Busy" Day the Lord has made!

Today was one of those days in pastoral ministry that was both crazy busy yet very rewarding. Here are a few of the highlights:

• I started my day off with an hour of prayer with a number of staff members. You really get to know and appreciate those you serve with when you pray together.
• I had a great meeting with some of our office staff. The amount of work these ladies get accomplished on behalf of our ministry is incredible. I'm blessed to work with them.
• I moved into an HR meeting that dealt with Health Care. It was both enlightening and confusing all at the same time. Thank goodness for an HR manager that knows what she is doing!
• I had a blast at a welcome lunch for our Pastor of Connections. There's nothing like having lunch with 8 of the guys I get to do ministry and life with daily. I came away feeling very blessed to be serving alongside these guys.
• I then moved into a meeting with our Pastor of Connections where we spent an hour talking about connecting people to Christ and each other. There is not much that is more rewarding than to sit and talk about growing Christ followers in God's Word with a brother in Christ that shares the same passion. Great hour!!!
• My next move was into a marketing meeting. WOW! It's incredible to think about how marketing can serve the local church to make us more effective in communicating our desire to meet and move. I look forward to more of these discussions.
• As evening began to roll in, I spent an hour talking with the Sr. Pastor about the future of Grace Church ministries. How incredible it is to sit and think big together about what we believe God is going to accomplish in and through this local church. That's a fun hour!
• I then moved into my evening that saw me working with an employee who is leaving. It's never easy to say good-bye, but it's easier when the individual feels they are in the will of God.
• I then had a fun hour with a couple that is getting married on November 1st. What a privilege it is for me as a pastor to marry this sweet couple that loves the Lord and each other. These are the special moments of ministry.
• My evening then finished by once again talking with my Sr. Pastor who had the privilege of leading a young man to Christ who had been attending our church for 1 year searching. I had met this young man a month ago over lunch and it was so exciting to see him take this step of faith tonight. GOD IS GOOD!

It's been a crazy busy day, but I'm getting ready to head home with a big smile on my face because I get to wake up and do this all over again tomorrow. Call me nuts, but I love being a pastor!!!

A Morbid/Hopeful Tension

At the risk of sounding morbid, I've been thinking recently about my mortality. It has nothing to do with another birthday come and gone but rather a few deaths that occurred within a number of church families last week. The heartache and grief associated with having to say good-bye to a loved one usually brings me to a place of pause to reflect upon the eternal.

Whenever I give pause to think about the reality of one day facing death (unless Jesus returns before I die), I'm faced with that tension Paul speaks about. It's a tension that has me wanting to stay put upon this earth with a longing deep within to leave it and be with Jesus.

The tension that says "I want to stay" is firmly rooted in my desire to watch my kids grow up, be married to my wife for 50+ years and to be as effective for Jesus as is humanly possible.

The tension that says "I'm ready to go Jesus" is firmly rooted in my desire to see my wonderful Savior face to face, live in His presence where I will never again experience sadness, hopelessness, fear, temptation, worry and the million other things that weigh us down as human beings at times.

I loved this past Sunday at Grace (You can access it here ) where we placed a huge focus on the person and work of Christ Jesus. I believe Paul was able to live with the tension described above because of Jesus. While walking on this earth, Paul lived for the person and work of Christ Jesus his Savior. But, as he looked forward past the grave, he also saw very clearly through the eyes of faith a victorious King who has extended an invitation to live with Him forever for all who would believe by faith that He is the promised Messiah of Scripture who has conquered sin and death. (John 14:1-6)

It's a tension that's not always comfortable with, but I press on because I'm really looking at an eternity of immortality because of Jesus my Savior. If you have time, take a look at the following verses which encouraged my heart today; 1 Corinthians 15, 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:5, Philippians 1:20-26, Philippians 3:20-21.

Lessons from 108,000 People

Yesterday was one of those special days a father and son get to enjoy. I had the privilege of attending the Penn State game with my son Joshua, my friend Tim and his son Andrew. It was my son's first experience at a sporting event this large and he soaked it all in. He's somewhat reserved, so I'm not always sure what's going on in his head, but last night as we talked, he remembered and took in details I hadn't even noticed while grinning ear to ear.

As I came away from the game, here are a number of things that crossed my mind as I hit the pillow last evening;

1) I need to cherish each and every moment like that with my son as we need to enjoy our "guy" time together while we have the chance.

2) I hope the pattern of "guy" time is something that will continue far into the future even after he's left home.

3) Tropical storm Hanna could have made life at the football game miserable, but we were far enough west.

4) Tailgating is incredible. We don't do that at hockey games in Canada. I'm sure it has something to do with the subzero temperatures that have you running from your car to the warm arena.

5) 108,000 screaming fans is loud. The only use for a cell phone inside the stadium is for texting. Any phone conversation would be a mute endeavor.

6) The rally in the Bryce Jordan Center was fun. The band sure could get a crowd going.

7) The Nittany Lion is buff - that dude did 50 one arm push-ups during the rally and game. That's the last time I'll make fun of a mascot.

8) Oregon State's mascot is a beaver. That's not a very intimidating creature. Unfortunately, I can't make too much of a scene because that's also Canada's national animal. Not sure who came up with that one!?!?

9) I'm pretty sure there is quite a bit of underage drinking going on during the tailgate. The good news is that most of them sober up during the game as there is no alcohol within the stadium.

10) I always come away from these events wondering why we as Christ follower's get more excited about a football game then we do the worship of Christ. I'm pretty sure heaven's going to be as loud, fun and full of joy as Happy Valley was yesterday.

All in all, it was a great day of making memories with my son!

Another Year - Strong God!

This past Monday I celebrated birthday number 37. I know many would say that's still pretty young, but I must confess that there are nights when 9:00 PM hits and I'm dead to the world on our sofa with CNN or the Food Network still moving through their evening programming.

Between pastoral ministry, two kids in a multitude of activities, a wife committed to her call as the Children's Ministry director and a dog with ADD, the days blow by in rapid succession leaving me feeling weary at best some nights. Yet, I'm feeling stronger than ever these days. I must admit that it has nothing to do with a regimented exercise program or even much sleep (even though these things are very good), but rather a faithful God. I've been listening to a song recently that speaks well to the truth of what God is accomplishing in and through me on a daily basis as I seek to rest and wait upon Him.

The song is Everlasting God and I enjoy the arrangement sung by Chris Tomlin. The lyrics are:
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary
Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary
You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles.

I'm still feeling pretty young, but it sure is nice to know that God still renews the strength of young guys like me even though 9:00 PM on the sofa sounds pretty good even now! Isaiah 40:30-31

And God is Faithful!

It's been one of those weeks that has reminded moment by moment that our God is faithful. In fact, the reality of God's faithfulness is something that has been cemented upon my heart over the past three years of my life in ways I never even considered until I found myself walking through varying life events. I'm slowly coming to learn that relying upon the faithfulness of God is a moment by moment choice. Self must die daily in order for Christ to have 1st place. Learning to rely upon the faithfulness of God in every circumstance of life is helping me to do this.

My goal with this post is to simply point you towards some Scriptures that have encouraged and continue to encourage and strengthen my faith and hope in a faithful God. Enjoy and be encouraged today!

He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He. (Dt. 32:4)

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made. (Ps. 145:13)

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them - the LORD, who remains faithful forever. (Ps. 146:5-6)

God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. (1 Cor. 1:9)

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. (2 Thess. 3:3)

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. (Heb. 10:23)

What are you thinking?

I've recently been preparing a talk on Daniel 1 through our church's series on Temptation and our need to "Just Say No". The verse I continue to come back to is Daniel 1:8 where he chooses to do it God's way at a great risk to his future and life. It is there in that verse we learn that Daniel had "resolved not to defile himself" (purposed in his heart - KJV). This verse tells me that Daniel had already won the fight in his mind/heart long before he was confronted with this specific temptation.

This simple phrase is a reminder to me that the battle against temptation is won in our minds. If we are all honest, there is a battle raging daily within our minds as we face a multitude of temptations. My response (your response) is going to greatly hinge on what I'm (we are) filling our minds with. We need to be asking "Is my mind/heart in a place of submission to God and am I thinking about the things of God so as to give myself a better chance at standing up strong against temptation?" I am coming to truly learn (more than just head knowledge) that temptations will draw out of me a response that is greatly dependent upon what is already floating around in my head/heart. Luke 6:45 is true in the sense that whatever is going on inside will eventually make its way out, especially in moment's of decision when tempted.

With this in mind, I'm determined yet again to live out Philippians 4:8. I am determined to think upon the things God wants me to think upon so that when faced with temptation, I will respond in a Christ like fashion. I want my Christ like response to honestly reflect what's already happening in my mind/heart because of what I've chosen to fill it with. I think we need to regularly ask ourselves "What I am regularly filling my mind with?" The answer to that question will give you a pretty good hint at how you will fight/overcome temptation.

So think upon these things:

Whatever is True

Whatever is Noble

Whatever is Right

Whatever is Pure

Whatever is Lovely

Whatever is Admirable

Anything that is Excellent or Praiseworthy

Proud Daddy and Spiritual Reminders

Last night I had one of those very proud moments as a daddy. After a very long week and three evenings in a row away from my family, I got home from a meeting to a very excited daughter. That evening, she with a number of other children from the Grace Children's ministry had finished their worship team rehearsal for Sunday. As I came through the door, she couldn't wait to put the kids worship DVD into the player and go to the song "Forever".

Now this isn't the first time she has sung for me, so I wasn't sure what all the excitement was about until I came to understand that she had created her own actions to the song and that she had been given the privilege of teaching and leading all the other kids on Sunday. I say all that not to boast but rather to share what went through my heart at the moment.

1) It was one of those "WOW, thank you Lord for a daughter that loves to worship you and express her love for you through music and motions."

2) It gave me pause to pray quickly right then and there that God would continue to guard her heart and cause her to spend a lifetime growing in her love for Jesus and His Word.

3) It allowed me to breath a temporary sigh of relief with a small smile that was saying "I guess we're doing OK as parents even though we're far from perfect." It's nice to get those little reminders from the Lord once in a while.

4) It refocused me to make sure that Susan and I keep the focus on praying for and raising our children in the ways of the Lord. I'm still a number of years off from launching them off onto their own and I need to take advantage of every God moment to impress the love of Christ and truth of Scripture upon their hearts.

Finally, it gave me a brief look at how my heavenly Father must feel when we as His children worship Him in simple abandon. It must refresh His heart and bring a smile to His face just like my daughter did to this proud daddy.

Guard the Deposit (The next generation)

I've been challenged recently to think about all that has been entrusted to my care by God. From relationships to responsibilities God has give me (actually all of us) the call to be a good steward of everything he entrusts to us.



I could not help but think about Paul's words to Tim in 1 Timothy 6:20-21 where he encourages him to "guard what has been entrusted to your care." As I reflected upon this, I came to the realization that one of the greatest things entrusted to each and every generation is the next generation. One of my favorite thoughts that motivates me daily is the truth that the body of Christ is always one generation away from extinction. So here is my question; "why is the church (why am I) so passive when it comes to dying ministries?"



Think about it, if we are called to guard what has been entrusted to our care (including the next generation) then why aren't we more passionate about making sure the church is effective? Why do we celebrate mediocrity in our churches, fellowships and denominations? Why am I at times content with spiritual mediocrity in my own life?



As with any deposit, we hope it grows and becomes valuable. Lately, that's my prayer for the next generation. I'm praying that God will use me (as a husband, father and pastor), Grace Ministries and other ministries to pursue excellence and refuse to celebrate mediocrity. God has entrusted us with something huge and I want to be found faithful in it so that those who come behind me will make a huge impact upon the work and ministry of Christ here on this earth.

Lost Golf Balls and Luke 15

Last night I had a blast golfing with a pastor buddy of mine from Canada. We decided to take advantage of the Iron Valley twilight rate which made us the last two golfers on the course for the evening. It was there I learned two important lessons.

The first thing I learned relates to golf carts. Did you know that when a golf course is designed out of an old quarry there are many steep hills you must drive your cart down? Did you know that some golf courses actually warn you about steep hills, sharp corners and invite you to take them slow? Did you know you can actually hit the brakes so hard on a golf cart that you come to a squealing stop leaving rubber on the cart path? These are questions I got answers to last night as I drove. (Note: This is also the golf buddy that I almost flipped a golf cart with when we took a very steep hill a little to sharp a few years back. He had to jump out, stand on the side and balance us out as I came down the hill. We have a lot of laughs together.)

The second thing I learned related to lost golf balls. I don't think I have ever lost so many (or found so many) balls in one round. I am hitting my driver off the tee so poorly I heard the wooded animals yelling fore as the ball released from the tee blocks. Seriously, by the middle of the first nine holes, I was getting frustrated with my constant walks into the high grass, prickly bushes and wooded areas. Because nobody was behind us, I didn't feel the pressure to move quickly and I worked and looked hard for my golf balls.

As this pattern continued for most of the evening, I could not help but think about Luke 15 and the individuals who were so committed to finding that which was lost. Jesus used this illustration to give us a vivid picture of how hard He chases us and desires to find those who are spiritual lost. With this in mind, I was challenged with the truth that there are times in my life where I'm more passionate about finding golf balls then I am seeking out and sharing the truth of God's redemptive plan to lost people. It was a good reminder for me to work just as hard in this endeavor as I did last night looking for balls.

I'm thinking I have a new story for Luke 15 - The parable of the lost golf ball.