I was in a meeting the other day when a friend made this statement: "We let our passions for what is good separate us from what is best." Isn't that true? Sometimes we allow the good things of life keep us from becoming the best that God wants us to be. We sacrifice the great by settling for what is simply good.
What are some examples of this? When parents are willing to involve their children in every sporting league and encourage them to compete in tournaments to the point their children are no longer regularly in church, I think this sends a signal to the kids that church isn't important. I know parents are trying to get their kids to earn scholarships and other honors, but how many actually get these awards? How many kids burn out on the very sport they are passionate about? Another example would be choosing to pursue a relationship we know isn't in the center of God's will but we allow ourselves that liberty. What does that say about our values?
Don't get me wrong. There is life outside of church! There are going to be times when some events conflict with the church calendar and your participation may be necessary. However, I think each of us knows the difference between what is good and what is best. Are you struggling in this area?
I'm going to do a sermon series in August on this topic. Let's explore this together.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
Longevity or "Old?"
I received a certificate on Saturday at our district conference. It was for 30 years of service in The Wesleyan Church. As I stood on the platform with pastors who had served 25, 30, 35 and more years, I thought, "All this means is that I'm getting old." The good news is that I felt (and hope looked) younger than the other men on the platform. I guess that's my perspective and I'm sticking with it.
Our General Superintendent did make an interesting comment: Nearly 50% of those who are called to and start out in ministry quite within the first five years. Wow! I'm not sure what to make of that exactly, but it's an interesting stat. I guess after 30 years it says I'm too stubborn to quit!
On a serious note, I tip my cap to all those who serve in pastoral ministry for whatever period of time, and particularly to those who have been at it longer than I have. Thank you for your faithfulness!
Our General Superintendent did make an interesting comment: Nearly 50% of those who are called to and start out in ministry quite within the first five years. Wow! I'm not sure what to make of that exactly, but it's an interesting stat. I guess after 30 years it says I'm too stubborn to quit!
On a serious note, I tip my cap to all those who serve in pastoral ministry for whatever period of time, and particularly to those who have been at it longer than I have. Thank you for your faithfulness!
Friday, June 22, 2012
Updates on previous posts
Well, I looked back and thought I better update some of my past posts.
- General Conference has come and gone. We have restructured The Wesleyan Church to being led by one general superintendent and four major department leaders. Many of the changes are good. There are a couple of concerns as far as how some of them will impact overall effectiveness, but all in all, the denomination is leaner and meaner.
- I completed my online training for IWU and I passed! I'm still a bit nervous about that first online class when it gets assigned, but like anything new, you have to try it before you know if you will like it!
- I've lost about four pounds since implementing the "weight upon the Lord" plan. I only have a couple of others in the church doing it with me, but that's fine. By the end of the summer we'll be the envy (oops, can't have that) of the church. :)
Monday, June 11, 2012
Weight on The Lord
Yeah, it's corny, but I issued a challenge to our congregation a week ago that we need to be better stewards of our bodies. The Bible tells us to wait upon the Lord for strength. Well, if we exercise and watch what we eat, our weight will go down, our health will improve, and we will have more energy for our families and for serving the Lord. Part of the goal is for each participant to set a financial goal at the end of the next three months as a gift for a benevolence that we will be designating in the near future. The money isn't for the church. It will be given away to others.
My goal is to lose 15 pounds by the end of August. I've made my financial pledge. If any of my readers would like to sponsor a financial pledge in support of my goal, that would be awesome! Just let me know. As I said, the money will go to assist a person or persons in need. I have a couple of other people in the church who are also doing the challenge. I hope a few more will step up!
One of the reasons I am doing this is to be more accountable for my weight loss. My doctor says I need to take off more weight (and keep it off) in order to better combat my diabetes. If I hit some of his weight goals, I may actually be able to get off my medication (Metformin) and keep my diabetes under control with diet and exercise. When I was first diagnosed I weighed about 242. A week ago I was at 224. Today I was at 220. I may be able to lose more than my goal of 15 pounds. But that's the goal for the summer!
My goal is to lose 15 pounds by the end of August. I've made my financial pledge. If any of my readers would like to sponsor a financial pledge in support of my goal, that would be awesome! Just let me know. As I said, the money will go to assist a person or persons in need. I have a couple of other people in the church who are also doing the challenge. I hope a few more will step up!
One of the reasons I am doing this is to be more accountable for my weight loss. My doctor says I need to take off more weight (and keep it off) in order to better combat my diabetes. If I hit some of his weight goals, I may actually be able to get off my medication (Metformin) and keep my diabetes under control with diet and exercise. When I was first diagnosed I weighed about 242. A week ago I was at 224. Today I was at 220. I may be able to lose more than my goal of 15 pounds. But that's the goal for the summer!
Friday, June 8, 2012
In Over My Head
Have you ever had one of those experiences where you really wanted to do something, pushed hard to be able to do it, and then when you were granted permission you found out you were way over your head? Man, I've felt that way the past two weeks, but this week in particular.
I have been teaching for Indiana Wesleyan University for nearly 12 years. Due to the explosion in online education, our onsite program is struggling and the number of courses I am being offered to teach has dwindled from six to one a year. That's not good on the old family budget! I started asking to teach online about two years ago. I was always turned down and told, "You are too valuable to our onsite program and we don't want to lose you to online." I assured people that I would make onsite a priority, but I needed a couple of online classes a year. I was finally approved a couple of months ago and started my training two weeks ago.
Wow! The first week of training took up a bit of time (about 14 hours). This past week was supposed to take 18-22 hours - to give us a feel of what a real online class would be like. Right! I spent nearly 40 hours just on the program, doing my online assignments to learn how to use the program and grading fake papers that were all jacked up! I mean, I had one three page paper I graded with 35 errors!!!!
Next week is the third and final week of this training process. If I complete it without losing the rest of my mind, I might be "hired" by the online division. If not, I will continue teaching onsite in a very limited capacity.
To top it all off, I'm still working on my coaching certification for the Wesleyan Coaching Network! Anyway, I'm not really whining. Seriously. But I may have bitten off more than I can possibly chew, let alone eat!
I have been teaching for Indiana Wesleyan University for nearly 12 years. Due to the explosion in online education, our onsite program is struggling and the number of courses I am being offered to teach has dwindled from six to one a year. That's not good on the old family budget! I started asking to teach online about two years ago. I was always turned down and told, "You are too valuable to our onsite program and we don't want to lose you to online." I assured people that I would make onsite a priority, but I needed a couple of online classes a year. I was finally approved a couple of months ago and started my training two weeks ago.
Wow! The first week of training took up a bit of time (about 14 hours). This past week was supposed to take 18-22 hours - to give us a feel of what a real online class would be like. Right! I spent nearly 40 hours just on the program, doing my online assignments to learn how to use the program and grading fake papers that were all jacked up! I mean, I had one three page paper I graded with 35 errors!!!!
Next week is the third and final week of this training process. If I complete it without losing the rest of my mind, I might be "hired" by the online division. If not, I will continue teaching onsite in a very limited capacity.
To top it all off, I'm still working on my coaching certification for the Wesleyan Coaching Network! Anyway, I'm not really whining. Seriously. But I may have bitten off more than I can possibly chew, let alone eat!
Friday, June 1, 2012
Thinking About Summer
It's June. I'm looking at my schedule.
- I am just finishing week 1 of a three week training course with Indiana Wesleyan University to teach online. I've been teaching onsite for nearly 12 years. Next week will be killer!
- It's the end of the district conference year. Monthly, quarterly, and annual reports are due to the district and denomination. Before June 15!
- I am trying to get my coaching hours completed by the end of June for my coaching certification.
- Vacation isn't until July 5... Look out Dennis, I'm gonna win the fishing competition!
- Return from vacation July 16 or 17.
- Sarah, Adam and Micah arrive July 18.
- District conference - July 21
- Vacation Bible School - July 23-27
- Bekah has volleyball tryouts in early August.
Monday, May 14, 2012
The President is Wrong
Ok, I have to get this off my chest. The President of the United States is wrong! Same-sex marriage is a violation of biblical truth. His recent declaration that his view has evolved over the last few years is both misleading and untruthful. It is my opinion (yes, I'm issuing an opinion because I don't have "proof") that he is taking this stance in an effort to gain the gay vote in the upcoming election. He knows he is in trouble and could easily lose this fall. His voter base has been backing away from him, so he had to reach out to another segment of the population. His decision is not based on principle - it is based on lust for power and prestige.
For years our country has been headed down the path of other great cultures that have fallen over time. It is time for the Church to stand for what is right and for us to say "NO" to the cultural drift. But let me say that the change will not take place in the courts or in the legislature. It will take place if we get serious about our calling to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) in the spirit of the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37). The only way for our nation and our world to change will be for the Church to make disciples seriously. We have allowed the spiritual slippage that has taken place. Let's take back the territory that we have given up over time. Let the Church be the Church!
For years our country has been headed down the path of other great cultures that have fallen over time. It is time for the Church to stand for what is right and for us to say "NO" to the cultural drift. But let me say that the change will not take place in the courts or in the legislature. It will take place if we get serious about our calling to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) in the spirit of the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37). The only way for our nation and our world to change will be for the Church to make disciples seriously. We have allowed the spiritual slippage that has taken place. Let's take back the territory that we have given up over time. Let the Church be the Church!
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