It is getting harder

I am trying to remain optimistic but things seem to go from bad to worse. Not only did Tara break her hand but we found out yesterday that she will be facing surgery. As that news absorbed we discovered that her car was totaled. The really sad part of the total loss of the car was we just filled it with gas and changed the oil. O well! We have also had some other things pile on us. Just when you think you are getting a break. I have been preaching on suffering so I am once again living out what I am teaching. Here are some thoughts ….
• Three reasons we suffer
– Things we do
– Things others do
– Things that just happen
• Three common reactions to suffering
– We get negative
– We look around for answers and not up
– We resist and withdraw
• Life is hard and gets harder suffering is part of the deal
• God is interested in your character
Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
James 1:2-4
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us, they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us.
Romans 5:3-4
• God is in control
For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
• God hears your prayers
He will listen to the prayers of the destitute. He will not reject their pleas.
Psalm 102:17
• God can handle all your emotions throughout you suffering
Lord, hear my prayer! Listen to my plea! Don’t turn away from me in my time of distress. Bend down your ear and answer me quickly when I call to you ….
Psalm 102:1-11
I wrote this for me today and I hope it helps you!!!

Tara Broke Her Hand!

Tara had a car accident yesterday. She broke her hand in two places. Other than that she is fine, a little shaken but fine. She was headed home to give Caleb some money and was in a bit of a hurry when a car darted in front of her. It was an accident and I am so thankful she wasn’t hurt any worse.
Here is the strange thing, last Sunday night I was speaking at a sister church and said that this year had been a tough one. My back went out and had to have surgery, Caleb had his appendix removed, and I said “Tara, I guess you are next”. Well, she was next. I don’t understand why this is happening to our family other than it is. I have to believe that God is in control and we are most likely being protected from things that are far worse.
As I was praying this morning I could not help but think that Satan really doesn’t want us in Tallahassee. I know that God does. He is our provider and protector. We will trust in Him!

Dog Island

Tara and I had a great adventure this week-end. We went to Dog Island with some friends. Dog Island is located off the coast and is only accessible by boat. I had heard about this island for years but had never adventured there. It was amazing! We had a blast!
The best part was getting to spent time with Carlos and Georgie. We knew these two when we lived in Tallahassee 25 years ago and now we have reconnected through the church. They are great folks.
The amazing part about Dog Island was the unspoiled nature. We saw all kinds of sea life, shells, and birds. The water was “bath tub” clear and the sand white as snow. Our agenda was to be lazy and enjoy the beauty. (I am really good at this)
Tara and I had a great adventure this week-end and God used it. Yea God for Dog Island!

I reaaly didn't want to write this

I was praying this morning about what to write today. (I know that sounds so spiritual) The thought about leading with your heart and loving people kept coming to my mind. I really wasn’t feeling it. I wanted to write something funny or stir up folks.
I got to the office and began reading some post form other friends and found a theme. Several guys were posting about keeping relational distance in ministry. They had some good points. One said that people often have agenda and want to get close to you to influence you their way. NO KIDDING! Another said that limited time means to invest in your marriage and kids. That is true. Then I can across a pastor of a huge church and he said “I have chosen to live life with a few folks, and this has been the best decision I have ever made.” WOW! This guy is on the right track! I understand why God is using his life in a great way.
We who are called to pastor are called to love people. People are messy. I am messy. Here are a very quick takes on how to lead, love, and connect with folks…
• People will hurt you and disappoint you, expect it
• No secrets, no worries. Be real with everyone
• Folks are looking to you to lead them to Christ. That means they are watching everything you do. It is not fair but it is real
• Stay close to Jesus, your spouse, your kids
• Practice what you preach, really!
• Look for friends who love Jesus and love you. I listen to folks who love me and love Jesus. If you don’t love me then don’t bother me!
• There are some folks who are a big pain, and you are a big pain to some folks
• The greatest gift I give to the folks I lead is my heart
I lead the church in Texas for 15 years. I have wonderful friends there. Upon my leaving I was hurt by some of those same friends. So what! God is giving me some wonderful friends here in Tallahassee. I can’t hold back because of the hurts of the past. I am hearing of so many leaders who pride themselves in isolationism. That bothers me. Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 2:8 “We loved you so much that we gave you not only God’s Good News but our own lives too.” God called me to preach but mostly God has called me to love and connect. What do you think?

Quick Post

Here is a quick post for today. I have been spending a lot of time in preparation for this week’s talk on security. I am amazed how task driven I can become.
Here is something to think about. What are you doing now that might be the preparation for your next? There have been seasons in my life when I knew that my assignment was up and I was waiting for God to show me the next. What I have learned from those times is to be faithful until God moves. Looking through scripture I find many people who were doing things that did not fit them but God was using those experiences to get them ready for His next. God uses every experience in our lives to shape us into His image. This season of church planting feels a lot like preparation for the next so I have to lean into it right now so I will be ready! Just a thought on a Thursday afternoon.

Security

I am in the middle of a sermon series called truth. Over the month of July we are looking at some deep truths from God’s word. I am doing what God has wired me to do, taking complex things and translating it into “bubba”. It is fun and very challenging. This week I am speaking on security.
I have discovered that Tallahassee is very “religious”. It seems that everyone here has a denominational label of some sort. I have also discovered that folks here are very insecure in their relationship with God. Most are convinced that God loves them only when they are good or they are attending church, giving their money, not doing any major sinning. This insecurity has produced a huge amount of dysfunction. Because God’s love is tied to their behavior then God is “ticked” at them most of the time. This is a lie. (read Romans 8) This lie causes the church to be ineffective. If we are insecure then we are at best tentative. God’s love and salvation is based on His character not your behavior but on your response to Him through faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
God wants me secure in Him so I can thrive and become all He wants me to be. Growing up Baptist I was taught once saved always saved but had so many preachers create insecurity in me by trying to get me to respond to an invitation. I often felt like their goal was to get me down the aisle of a church building other than building my life in Christ. Sometimes their teachings created confusion, doubt, and discouragement. In our preaching we must make the path to Christ plain but we must build the security of the believer as well. God has called me to build lives. I want the folks I lead to know Jesus and thrive in Him.
This week I will be teaching on security. Any relationship that is rooted in insecurity is dysfunctional and God is not dysfunctional!

Old Guy in a young world

I am an old man in a young man’s world. Why do I say that? Because most church planters are young hip dudes in their late 20’s or early 30’s. When I go on line and look at other churches like ours or when I am leading a conference I don’t see many old dudes like me in these environments. I have come to grip with the fact that I am not young, hip, or cool. I am called to do this and I am enjoying this season of my life. (most of the time) The church I am leading is full of college kids. I love this group and they are helping launch a God movement in Tallahassee. They want me to be me. What is really cool is that they don’t care that I am the same age as their dad. They do expect me to act my age.
Here are some quick takes on being old in a young world …
• I appear foolish when I try looking young. Here is a news flash everyone knows you are dying your hair, you are not fooling anyone!
• I can be current. Just because I will be fifty next month doesn’t mean I don’t get it, whatever it is.
• Tight graphic tee shirts looks cool on a buff 20 something. If you aren’t hitting the gym spare us the view of your Buckle tee on your flabby pecks! I am sticking to a baggy button down.
• Not everyone is meant to wear 7 jeans. Get a mirror and check it twice.
• Character matters more than being cool.
• You can’t teach experience. I have 27 years of leading and I need all of that experience. What I must do is reach back to loving lead these new leaders.
• Music matters and staying current is important.
• A 50 year old on face book is creepy!
• This generation needs my example and they are into relationships. I have to open my life and my home to them.
• No clubbing, really!
There is so much more but that’s enough. I have some wonderful young leaders in my life. God can use an old guy in a young world. Nothing is too hard for Him.