I was in the hot tub tonight thinking back on my life in ministry. I began to think through what events took place in my youth that ultimately brought me to a ministry career.
I preached my first sermon at the age of fourteen. Well, actually I stumbled through that first sermon with horrible form. Over the next couple years, I spoke only a handful of times at various youth functions. Needless to say, I was by no means a “Preacher” and definitely not a preacher pastors thought of when they said, “I need a speaker for our upcoming event”. In spite of my limited resume’ at the time, I received an interesting call one day from Fred Abbott. Fred was the regional youth director for the Pacific Northwest Church of God. I had grown up over the past several years in the youth camps and winter retreats that Fred organized. He was a high energy, go getter, youth director and I really looked up to him. During this phone conversation, Fred invited me, a young eighteen year old punk, to be one of the speakers for the 1998 PNW youth camp. Youth camp was definitely much bigger than the few other speaking engagements I had done prior to this youth camp. Also, this youth camp was the one I had attended since I was nine years old. With a huge amount of nerves and a great deal of excitement, I accepted his offer. Now I ask, what would cause an influential and well known leader, to ask a no-name eighteen year old to speak at an important event with over 400 plus in attendance?
Looking back at over sixteen years of ministry since the time I spoke my first message at South Union Church of God in Olympia Washington, I can definitely see how God had been calling me into ministry. I can see many different ways throughout the last sixteen years that God extended favor to me in ways that I definitely didn’t deserve, especially when I look at it through the natural eye. I can also see how God placed certain influential people in my life, like Fred, to help bring my ministry to a launch.
One of the most amazing aspects of this whole story is the amount of power there is in our words. The day I received the phone call from Fred Abbott, was the first day I truly began to believe that God was calling me to something real. When I saw how much trust and how much influence Fred was placing in my hands, it changed my life. It changed the way I thought about myself. It changed the direction I thought I was going in life. The power of his words that told me how much he believed in me, and how much he recognized the anointing that God had placed on me was astounding.
This is a great lesson for every one of us as we get older. It is a lesson to keep our eyes open and our hearts soft toward the generations to follow us. We need to know that God has placed power in our words and he has given us influence. We must use that power & influence to help raise up the next generation. We need to let them know that we believe in them. We need to constantly remind them of how important they are to the kingdom of God. We must not be afraid to stick our neck out and put our names on the line to help mentor them and bring true discipleship to the table. This is an investment, but the return on this investment is measured in eternity.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Don't Talk About My Creation Like That!
The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” “Ah sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, “I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appointed you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:5-10 NIV
How many times have we read this portion of scripture? How many times have we gotten the same old thing out of it? Thanks to Francis Chan, I finally heard something different. Something fresh. Francis began to open up the reality that whatever God has called us to, no matter what social standing we currently hold, no matter how old or young we are, no matter how influential we think we are, God has something for us to do. Something for us to accomplish. More importantly, a purpose for us to live out.
“Before I formed you in the womb”
What does this mean? Are you telling me that, literally, before I was even created, before I was even conceived by my parents, before I was even a thought or glimmer in my daddy’s eye, God knew me? He had a specific plan and calling for me? That’s so hard to believe. So hard to understand. Is it really that hard to understand?
God is the creator of all. He is a master builder. An engineer. This idea is for anyone who has ever created something and thought through the details of a building plan in advance. They thought through not only the construction of that creation, but also the future USE of that creation, or the purpose for that creation. They knew what it would be specifically created for.
For example, a few years back, I decided to build my oldest daughter an oak toy chest. I knew exactly what I wanted that toy chest to look like. I knew exactly what color I needed it to be to go with the layout and color scheme of our home. I knew the size I wanted it to be. I KNEW THE FUTURE OF THAT PIECE OF FURNITURE!
I sat down with a tablet of paper, pencils, erasers, and rulers. I mapped out the specific design of this toy chest. Laying out what type of wood I would use, each angle, each hinge, each rosette I would put on the corners, the trim, and even what type of stain I would put on it. I then went to Lowes and purchased all materials needed for this project, went home and begun this creation process. Two days later, there it was. My creation. It was beautiful. It looked even better than the original plans.
Now, what would it have been like if after the creation of this piece of furniture, there was a conversation between me, it’s creator, and the toy chest? Kinda weird to think like this, but follow me here. I begin to tell the toy chest how amazing it is. How one day, a child will begin to fill it up with wonderful little toys and gadgets that would bring amazing joy and delight to the heart of this child and to the hearts of the child’s friends… I tell it that it will ultimately be an icon of fun. A picture of joy. I began to tell the toy chest how nothing else in this room or even this house, was created like it. It is specifically created for this job and for this purpose…. I also tell it about how much time and thought was put into the creation of it by me, it’s creator. I also begin to tell it how proud I am of it. And that one day, as people would come into my home, I would brag on it. Brag about it’s beauty. Brag about it’s usefulness and how it has brought so much joy to my daughters life. Then, the creation speaks back to the creator…..
“I can’t do all that!!!! What you’re telling me about my future, sounds amazing. But again, I can’t do that! I’m not good enough for all of those dreams and aspirations you have for me. I have a scratch on the bottom front corner, the whole world will see. I’m not big enough. I don’t have the right color stain. I’M JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!!!
What a ridiculous story, right? Wrong! Unfortunately, this story is all too true in the lives of God’s creation. He took so much time and thought in the creation of you. Once you came into existence, and God began to tell you his ultimate plan for your life, and He began to tell you of the very specific reason you were created, you immediately began to tell him how much he screwed up! How he didn’t do a good enough job. You began to put God’s craftsmanship down. ß
God told Moses to go speak the Israelites. Moses replied, “I Don’t speak good enough!” God replied with, “Who made your mouth!” God made you specifically and perfectly for a job and task that no one else can do. You can’t use a blender to make coffee! You can’t use a toaster to vacuum the carpet. So why do you think someone else can do the job God created YOU to do? “Do not say, “I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. The the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”
GO! Walk in the purpose of God. Know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Go and know that you are going to impact specific people in ways that no one else can…
Be strong… Be bold… Know that you are great at what you were made to do. This is not arrogance. Arrogance simply means, - having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities - Exaggerated! Do not exaggerate what God wants you to do. Do not try to do someone else's job… Do what He created you to do. Be yourself and be exactly what he create you to be. Do it and you will see God move. You will see lives changed.
How many times have we read this portion of scripture? How many times have we gotten the same old thing out of it? Thanks to Francis Chan, I finally heard something different. Something fresh. Francis began to open up the reality that whatever God has called us to, no matter what social standing we currently hold, no matter how old or young we are, no matter how influential we think we are, God has something for us to do. Something for us to accomplish. More importantly, a purpose for us to live out.
“Before I formed you in the womb”
What does this mean? Are you telling me that, literally, before I was even created, before I was even conceived by my parents, before I was even a thought or glimmer in my daddy’s eye, God knew me? He had a specific plan and calling for me? That’s so hard to believe. So hard to understand. Is it really that hard to understand?
God is the creator of all. He is a master builder. An engineer. This idea is for anyone who has ever created something and thought through the details of a building plan in advance. They thought through not only the construction of that creation, but also the future USE of that creation, or the purpose for that creation. They knew what it would be specifically created for.
For example, a few years back, I decided to build my oldest daughter an oak toy chest. I knew exactly what I wanted that toy chest to look like. I knew exactly what color I needed it to be to go with the layout and color scheme of our home. I knew the size I wanted it to be. I KNEW THE FUTURE OF THAT PIECE OF FURNITURE!
I sat down with a tablet of paper, pencils, erasers, and rulers. I mapped out the specific design of this toy chest. Laying out what type of wood I would use, each angle, each hinge, each rosette I would put on the corners, the trim, and even what type of stain I would put on it. I then went to Lowes and purchased all materials needed for this project, went home and begun this creation process. Two days later, there it was. My creation. It was beautiful. It looked even better than the original plans.
Now, what would it have been like if after the creation of this piece of furniture, there was a conversation between me, it’s creator, and the toy chest? Kinda weird to think like this, but follow me here. I begin to tell the toy chest how amazing it is. How one day, a child will begin to fill it up with wonderful little toys and gadgets that would bring amazing joy and delight to the heart of this child and to the hearts of the child’s friends… I tell it that it will ultimately be an icon of fun. A picture of joy. I began to tell the toy chest how nothing else in this room or even this house, was created like it. It is specifically created for this job and for this purpose…. I also tell it about how much time and thought was put into the creation of it by me, it’s creator. I also begin to tell it how proud I am of it. And that one day, as people would come into my home, I would brag on it. Brag about it’s beauty. Brag about it’s usefulness and how it has brought so much joy to my daughters life. Then, the creation speaks back to the creator…..
“I can’t do all that!!!! What you’re telling me about my future, sounds amazing. But again, I can’t do that! I’m not good enough for all of those dreams and aspirations you have for me. I have a scratch on the bottom front corner, the whole world will see. I’m not big enough. I don’t have the right color stain. I’M JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!!!
What a ridiculous story, right? Wrong! Unfortunately, this story is all too true in the lives of God’s creation. He took so much time and thought in the creation of you. Once you came into existence, and God began to tell you his ultimate plan for your life, and He began to tell you of the very specific reason you were created, you immediately began to tell him how much he screwed up! How he didn’t do a good enough job. You began to put God’s craftsmanship down. ß
God told Moses to go speak the Israelites. Moses replied, “I Don’t speak good enough!” God replied with, “Who made your mouth!” God made you specifically and perfectly for a job and task that no one else can do. You can’t use a blender to make coffee! You can’t use a toaster to vacuum the carpet. So why do you think someone else can do the job God created YOU to do? “Do not say, “I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. The the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”
GO! Walk in the purpose of God. Know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Go and know that you are going to impact specific people in ways that no one else can…
Be strong… Be bold… Know that you are great at what you were made to do. This is not arrogance. Arrogance simply means, - having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities - Exaggerated! Do not exaggerate what God wants you to do. Do not try to do someone else's job… Do what He created you to do. Be yourself and be exactly what he create you to be. Do it and you will see God move. You will see lives changed.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Here With You
In October of 2009, I moved my wife and two daughters to Tacoma Washington. We took a staff position at an amazing church called Tacoma Foursquare Church. Unfortunately, in this particular move, God asked us to leave a town, a home, a church, and friends that we did not want to part with. For any of you that have gone through this type of a move, you know how difficult it is emotionally on your entire family.
Then, to add more difficulty to this entire equation, we had to move into my in-laws house for a two month period... Don’t get me wrong. I love my in-laws very much. Jim & Lesli are literally some of my best friends in the entire world. I mean, I took a vacation to Mazatlan Mexico with just my father-in-law... That has to say something about how much we like each other. But no matter how great we get along, mixing lives and living styles is not an easy thing.
Now for this next part, I am going to be really “True-Faced” with you. I am going to share my deep feelings about this situation and about my reactions to God for asking this move of me and my family.
As I left our home on Bowmont Ave in Kelso, pulled onto Brightstar way in Olympia, and began unpacking my life into a single bedroom, upstairs in my in-laws house, I began to become angry with God. Began to ask questions. Why do you hate me God? Why do you continually ask me to start over? Why does everyone else get to live in the same place their entire lives while I have to move every several years? I began to really resent the ministry. I began to feel upset about the entire road I have traveled in ministry just to find myself with NOTHING! At least that’s what I thought.. NOTHING? Wow. What a funny way to look at what I had. I didn’t realize what God was trying to show me. What he was trying to teach me.
Through everything that I had experienced in an entire life of ministry, I didn’t realize that I was really screwed up. Screwed up from being hurt repeatedly by church people & hurt by stupid decisions I’d made over the years. I was screwed up! There isn’t a better way to put it.
As I began to unpack more than just a suit case, I quickly discovered that God was at work in my life. He had brought me to a place where he could really get my attention. A place where I couldn’t do anything for myself. A place where I would, for the first time, actually rely on Him. It was in this very place where he gave me this song.
“Here with you”
Here with you, I’m finding all I need
Here with you, I’m humbled by the grace you give
From the depths of the grave you heard my cry
As an offering I give to you my life and sing
Thank you Lord for you are good
Your love endures forever
Thank you Lord for you are good
Your love endures forever
I sing praises to your name of Lord
I sing praises to you
Then, to add more difficulty to this entire equation, we had to move into my in-laws house for a two month period... Don’t get me wrong. I love my in-laws very much. Jim & Lesli are literally some of my best friends in the entire world. I mean, I took a vacation to Mazatlan Mexico with just my father-in-law... That has to say something about how much we like each other. But no matter how great we get along, mixing lives and living styles is not an easy thing.
Now for this next part, I am going to be really “True-Faced” with you. I am going to share my deep feelings about this situation and about my reactions to God for asking this move of me and my family.
As I left our home on Bowmont Ave in Kelso, pulled onto Brightstar way in Olympia, and began unpacking my life into a single bedroom, upstairs in my in-laws house, I began to become angry with God. Began to ask questions. Why do you hate me God? Why do you continually ask me to start over? Why does everyone else get to live in the same place their entire lives while I have to move every several years? I began to really resent the ministry. I began to feel upset about the entire road I have traveled in ministry just to find myself with NOTHING! At least that’s what I thought.. NOTHING? Wow. What a funny way to look at what I had. I didn’t realize what God was trying to show me. What he was trying to teach me.
Through everything that I had experienced in an entire life of ministry, I didn’t realize that I was really screwed up. Screwed up from being hurt repeatedly by church people & hurt by stupid decisions I’d made over the years. I was screwed up! There isn’t a better way to put it.
As I began to unpack more than just a suit case, I quickly discovered that God was at work in my life. He had brought me to a place where he could really get my attention. A place where I couldn’t do anything for myself. A place where I would, for the first time, actually rely on Him. It was in this very place where he gave me this song.
“Here with you”
Here with you, I’m finding all I need
Here with you, I’m humbled by the grace you give
From the depths of the grave you heard my cry
As an offering I give to you my life and sing
Thank you Lord for you are good
Your love endures forever
Thank you Lord for you are good
Your love endures forever
I sing praises to your name of Lord
I sing praises to you
Sunday, January 3, 2010
That one moment...
I love that one moment as a worship pastor, when you look out into the eyes of the congregation and see that look. The look when they begin to understand. Understand what it really means to worship. When they begin to grasp that worship is more than just words on a screen. More than just guitar licks and vocal blending. It's a life spent praising the one who gives us the freedom we know. It's time spent with God and it has NOTHING to do with us and EVERYTHING to do with him...
Worship... It's life! It's freedom...
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