Have you ever had someone who shared an audacious dream - a dream so big and bold that unless there was some kind of divine intervention or supernatural assistance it would be absolutely impossible? Have you ever looked at that person and thought to yourself, "Well, the dream is great but you, my friend, don't have what it takes to pull it off?" I'm sure you have either encountered such a dreamer or you've been that dreamer. And if you've been that dreamer, you know how hurtful it is to have people throw cold water on your dream.
I recently attended a meeting where that very thing happened. The circumstances shall remain private, but I will say that I was angry when I saw a group of leaders pile on a guy for having a dream that didn't fit into their own model. They were critical of the man's attitude, which, to be honest, needs some work. But instead of it being an uplifting time, it frustrated the dreamer. He left that meeting discouraged and wounded. All of my efforts to redirect the conversation failed. And to be honest, I was angry! I called the man the next day and apologized for my failure to keep the conversation positive and I apologized for the attitudes of the others in the room.
I've been one of those guys who has had his dreams crushed. Sometimes it has happened because of mistakes I've made or just simply having a wild idea that didn't work. But I've also been the victim of the criticism of others who, for whatever their reasons, didn't support me or my dream. I've been wounded deeply in the past.
What gets us through those times? I think I can reduce it to two things. The first is simply the fact that we need to tenaciously hang on to the dream that God has given us. If we believe that our dream is a "God thing" then we must hang on for dear life. And the second thing helps us with that. We need others in our lives who are dream encouragers, not dream crushers. A dream encourager doesn't just rubber stamp our stuff. They push back. They help us make adjustments. They ask the hard questions, but they do it without crushing our spirits.
To all of my dreamer friends out there - keep on keeping on!
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Certified Coach
In December I became a certified coach with the Wesleyan Coaching Network. I'm thrilled to be able to offer my services in the area of life coaching for pastors and other individuals who desire to grow in their lives. I will specialize in pastoral leadership but am open to whatever God directs.
The training to be come a coach was incredible. The initial two-day training session, reading, mentoring, and practicum hours combined to stretch me in many ways. I've learned better how to help people develop their own plan rather than me trying to be their "Mr. Fix-It." I'm less of a consultant and more of a facilitator. I've found this approach to be most satisfying and have used the approach in my local ministry. The results are awesome!
I am available to do six and twelve month contracts. Rates vary depending on the situation. Coaching calls are monthly unless otherwise needed. There is unlimited email consultation between calls. For pastors / churches, I provide two on site visits at cost. Contact me if you want to explore what it means to be coached.
The training to be come a coach was incredible. The initial two-day training session, reading, mentoring, and practicum hours combined to stretch me in many ways. I've learned better how to help people develop their own plan rather than me trying to be their "Mr. Fix-It." I'm less of a consultant and more of a facilitator. I've found this approach to be most satisfying and have used the approach in my local ministry. The results are awesome!
I am available to do six and twelve month contracts. Rates vary depending on the situation. Coaching calls are monthly unless otherwise needed. There is unlimited email consultation between calls. For pastors / churches, I provide two on site visits at cost. Contact me if you want to explore what it means to be coached.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Serious Business
On Sunday I spoke about how following Jesus is serious business. The reality of the fact that our faith is important to Jesus should mean our faith is important to us. What does that mean?
Discipleship is not a part-time, once-in-a-while investment. It requires the total investment of myself in following Jesus. It means that while it is important that Jesus belongs to me, it is equally, if not more important that I belong to Him. He is not at my beck and call. I am to follow His lead and allow Him to be Lord of my life. It is His tower - it is His war - that I am engaged in (see Luke 14:25-33). The old hymn says it well:
"All to Jesus I surrender. All to Him I freely give.
I will ever love and trust Him. In His presence daily live.
I surrender all. I surrender all.
All to Jesus I surrender. I surrender all."
What is your greatest challenge in following Jesus?
Discipleship is not a part-time, once-in-a-while investment. It requires the total investment of myself in following Jesus. It means that while it is important that Jesus belongs to me, it is equally, if not more important that I belong to Him. He is not at my beck and call. I am to follow His lead and allow Him to be Lord of my life. It is His tower - it is His war - that I am engaged in (see Luke 14:25-33). The old hymn says it well:
"All to Jesus I surrender. All to Him I freely give.
I will ever love and trust Him. In His presence daily live.
I surrender all. I surrender all.
All to Jesus I surrender. I surrender all."
What is your greatest challenge in following Jesus?
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
All I Want for Christmas
If I could have one Christmas wish, it would be that I could go back in my life to before our children were born and establish a foundation for being a better parent. My pursuit of ministry success caused me to neglect my children, especially the two oldest. I am guilty of having put the church before family for many, many years. It is my greatest regret in life.
Since I cannot redo the past, I must make do with the present. Over 2500 miles separate me from my oldest daughter, her husband, and my only grandchild. I missed too many years of her life when she was growing up. She is very successful in her career and I am proud of her and my son-in-law. Now, when I am more in tune with what is important, I cannot be there for them. I ache every time we skype. I miss seeing my grandson grow up and being there to help my daughter with him. I don't like the fact that I am not going to see him open the train set we sent him for Christmas. In spite of the miles, I treasure them dearly. I only wish we were closer.
I am thrilled that my son and I have been able to find healing in our relationship. I am grateful that he lives so close and that he will be home for Christmas. But beyond that, I am pleased to say that he is my friend and that I really enjoy spending time with him. I always look forward to seeing his truck roll into the driveway. It means that we can spend a few hours together. I'm proud of how he has carved out a life for himself. He has a good career and is very gifted at what he does. With all that he has going on, he still makes time for his parents. I am blessed.
My youngest daughter has benefited from my wake-up call the most. She is still in high school, and I make it a point to be as involved in her life as she will allow me to be. We've done soccer and softball together for many years. She is now involved in volleyball and is having great success. She is an excellent student. But more than anything, I love her tender heart. She has become a sweet young lady. I'm probably too much of a meddling parent and overly protective for her liking. I'm just trying to be a better dad.
My wish for this Christmas is to always strive to be a better dad. With God's help, it is possible.
Since I cannot redo the past, I must make do with the present. Over 2500 miles separate me from my oldest daughter, her husband, and my only grandchild. I missed too many years of her life when she was growing up. She is very successful in her career and I am proud of her and my son-in-law. Now, when I am more in tune with what is important, I cannot be there for them. I ache every time we skype. I miss seeing my grandson grow up and being there to help my daughter with him. I don't like the fact that I am not going to see him open the train set we sent him for Christmas. In spite of the miles, I treasure them dearly. I only wish we were closer.
I am thrilled that my son and I have been able to find healing in our relationship. I am grateful that he lives so close and that he will be home for Christmas. But beyond that, I am pleased to say that he is my friend and that I really enjoy spending time with him. I always look forward to seeing his truck roll into the driveway. It means that we can spend a few hours together. I'm proud of how he has carved out a life for himself. He has a good career and is very gifted at what he does. With all that he has going on, he still makes time for his parents. I am blessed.
My youngest daughter has benefited from my wake-up call the most. She is still in high school, and I make it a point to be as involved in her life as she will allow me to be. We've done soccer and softball together for many years. She is now involved in volleyball and is having great success. She is an excellent student. But more than anything, I love her tender heart. She has become a sweet young lady. I'm probably too much of a meddling parent and overly protective for her liking. I'm just trying to be a better dad.
My wish for this Christmas is to always strive to be a better dad. With God's help, it is possible.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
What Would You Do?
A few evenings ago, our son Jon was home for a visit. While he was there, a discussion came up about something he had posted on his Facebook page. Jon's posting was very thought provoking. It went something like this: If you could go back and relive any day of your life, would you chose a really good day and enjoy the experience again, or would you chose a horrible day (due to personal choices) and try to change the circumstances?
On the one hand, some might desire to relive that really good day - to recapture what it felt like. Perhaps current circumstances are difficult and to go back in the past to a favorite moment might raise the spirit and provide some much needed encouragement. Maybe a return to former glory would serve as an escape from the present.
On the other hand, to return to a bad day and change it would indeed be challenging. It might require owning one's poor choices. It might entail hard decisions and even harder work. Would it be worth the effort? Would it re-shape things so that today would be different?
If you were given that choice, which would you choose?
On the one hand, some might desire to relive that really good day - to recapture what it felt like. Perhaps current circumstances are difficult and to go back in the past to a favorite moment might raise the spirit and provide some much needed encouragement. Maybe a return to former glory would serve as an escape from the present.
On the other hand, to return to a bad day and change it would indeed be challenging. It might require owning one's poor choices. It might entail hard decisions and even harder work. Would it be worth the effort? Would it re-shape things so that today would be different?
If you were given that choice, which would you choose?
Monday, November 12, 2012
Revolution
Yesterday in our worship service I challenged our people to start a revolution - a revolution of one. It only takes one person to impact the life of a people group, a nation, and yes, even the world. History is littered with examples of revolutionaries that brought about incredible change.
The revolution I am speaking of is spiritual in nature. Each of us who claims to be a follower of Christ must really take up the cross of discipleship. We need to take our follower-ship seriously. We need to be devoted to Christ and to walk in utter obedience to Him. We must devote ourselves to the same things the earliest Christ-followers devoted themselves to: the apostle's teaching (the Word), the fellowship (the Church), the breaking of bread (the sacraments) and prayer (direct communication with God). See Acts 2:42.
Then we must be about the business of being leaders. The best definition of leadership is one word: influence. We must make it our aim to influence those who don't know Jesus to come to faith in Him. We must live like Christians ("little Christs") and always be ready to share with others the internal hope we possess (see 1 Peter 3:15).
Let's turn our corner of the world upside-down for Christ! Let's decrease the potential population of hell by sharing a vision of heaven with those who need it most. Will you join me?
If you read this, what does the word "disciple" mean to you? I'd love to hear from you.
The revolution I am speaking of is spiritual in nature. Each of us who claims to be a follower of Christ must really take up the cross of discipleship. We need to take our follower-ship seriously. We need to be devoted to Christ and to walk in utter obedience to Him. We must devote ourselves to the same things the earliest Christ-followers devoted themselves to: the apostle's teaching (the Word), the fellowship (the Church), the breaking of bread (the sacraments) and prayer (direct communication with God). See Acts 2:42.
Then we must be about the business of being leaders. The best definition of leadership is one word: influence. We must make it our aim to influence those who don't know Jesus to come to faith in Him. We must live like Christians ("little Christs") and always be ready to share with others the internal hope we possess (see 1 Peter 3:15).
Let's turn our corner of the world upside-down for Christ! Let's decrease the potential population of hell by sharing a vision of heaven with those who need it most. Will you join me?
If you read this, what does the word "disciple" mean to you? I'd love to hear from you.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Challenging Days Ahead
I know that there will be those who will disagree with what I am writing today. However, I'm allowed to have my point of view as much as they do, so here I go.
I am disappointed in the results of the national election. The political agenda that has been embraced at both the national and state levels is one that takes us away from God. There are forces at work that have been waiting for this election to begin the onslaught against our civil liberties. There are lawyers that have been working behind the scenes to prepare an attack on Christian churches and organizations, eliminating our 501(c)3 status in an attempt to force churches to pay taxes while at the same time forcing nationalized health care on our institutions. If such action is legalized, then many churches will be forced out of existence. The financial burden will be too great. And when that happens, the programs and charities that currently meet the needs of many people will be eliminated, forcing people to become more and more dependent on the federal government. The new world order that our current political leaders are calling for will become a reality, paving the way for a world government and a world leader. This sounds eerily like the prophecies of Scripture.
However, I am not a fatalist. I still believe in prayer and the power of God! The Church must rise up! I am not espousing a political agenda or that the Church become another PAC. No, the Church must rise up and be the Church. We must get back to fulfilling the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment. We must be soul winners. We must disciple those we lead to Christ. We must teach people the Truth.
My friends, there is no answer but Jesus! There is no power that can change a life but His! We must change our world one person at a time! But we must engage our culture with the message of hope and salvation. We can't wait for them to come to us. We must go to them! Those without Jesus are lost and dying and headed for a Christ-less hell. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (see John 14:6). As Josh McDowell once wrote, Jesus Christ is either Lord, lunatic, or liar. I believe He is Lord. Do you?
I am disappointed in the results of the national election. The political agenda that has been embraced at both the national and state levels is one that takes us away from God. There are forces at work that have been waiting for this election to begin the onslaught against our civil liberties. There are lawyers that have been working behind the scenes to prepare an attack on Christian churches and organizations, eliminating our 501(c)3 status in an attempt to force churches to pay taxes while at the same time forcing nationalized health care on our institutions. If such action is legalized, then many churches will be forced out of existence. The financial burden will be too great. And when that happens, the programs and charities that currently meet the needs of many people will be eliminated, forcing people to become more and more dependent on the federal government. The new world order that our current political leaders are calling for will become a reality, paving the way for a world government and a world leader. This sounds eerily like the prophecies of Scripture.
However, I am not a fatalist. I still believe in prayer and the power of God! The Church must rise up! I am not espousing a political agenda or that the Church become another PAC. No, the Church must rise up and be the Church. We must get back to fulfilling the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment. We must be soul winners. We must disciple those we lead to Christ. We must teach people the Truth.
My friends, there is no answer but Jesus! There is no power that can change a life but His! We must change our world one person at a time! But we must engage our culture with the message of hope and salvation. We can't wait for them to come to us. We must go to them! Those without Jesus are lost and dying and headed for a Christ-less hell. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (see John 14:6). As Josh McDowell once wrote, Jesus Christ is either Lord, lunatic, or liar. I believe He is Lord. Do you?
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