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How Roger Miller influenced my ministry!
In February of 1966, singer/songwriter Roger Miller released a song called Husbands and Wives. The song was a hit for the artist and has been covered by several other big name artist including the Everly Brothers, Neil Diamond, Brooks and Dunn and Ringo Star…a Beatle sang this song – how cool is that! It is a sad song about a couple breaking up because their own pride has driven them apart. The lyrics of the song go as follows: Two broken hearts lonely, looking like Houses where nobody lives Two people each having so much pride inside Neither side forgives The angry words spoken in haste…
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Why You Need Your Why!
Have you ever felt lost in life? You know, a time when you felt like you were going through the motions of life but you were not really sure where you were going? Sort of lost in a haze of uncertainty that made you question your very existence? Perhaps, you've even grown numb to life and just live life day to day with hopes for something better. Ever wonder how you got in this position? Personally I think some of it has to do with that fact that many don’t know or lose the “why” for their lives. In my opinion, the “why” is critical for us to live…
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To Everything Turn Turn Turn!
Ecclesiastes 3 fascinates me and apparently it fascinated the 60’s super group The Byrds too. They even wrote a song based on the scripture, though they made into a political statement and thus conveniently took something out of context from the Bible…imagine that?? That never happens right? I’m not here to pick on The Byrds, in fact I actually really like the song “Turn Turn Turn.” I’m writing about the fact that as humans and especially Christ followers, we actually live out our lives in seasons regardless of how "forever" we tend make things seem in our minds. Seasons are really nothing more than a periods of time…
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Are You Scared of Tornado’s?
Ok call me a sicko but I’m fascinated by Tornado’s. I’m utterly afraid of them yet I will not pass up a Tornado show on the Weather Channel if it’s on. The funny thing is that I live in the heart of Tornado Alley and just this spring, we narrowly missed getting hit by one or two of them. What is it that attracts me and other sicko’s like me to Tornado’s? I don’t know for sure but when you think about it, Tornado’s are truly fascinating things. They are elusive, often spontaneous and merciless. They can wreck a whole neighborhood in seconds and they know no bias although…
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Leadership Lessons from a Family Pastor!
For those that don’t know, I serve as the Family Pastor for my local church. It’s a great opportunity for anyone who loves the concept of the family like I do. I oversee age groups from birth to Sr. High and I’m seeing overseeing marriage ministry as well. I love that God has given this responsibility to me and I love the thought of what a Christ-Centered family looks like. As the Family Pastor, I’ve already made some discoveries in leadership that I’ve been a bit eye opening and yet familiar. I have learned a few lessons along the way and I have a feeling I’ll be learning more…
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The Pursuit of Becoming A Better Husband!
I think marriage is one of those pursuits that God felt we needed to spend out entire adult ives working on and with a goal of drawing us closer to Jesus. I also believe that the Lord was clear with his over-arching vision statement for marriage when he said he wanted me to Love my wife just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (Eph. 5:25) but I must say, how I get to that level of love is going to require some work on my part. In my pursuit to become a good husband I have discovered the following things to…
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Who Wants Leftovers Tonight?
Have you ever asked this question? Sure you have those casseroles or soups that taste better the second day but for the most part I bet you would prefer a freshly cooked meal over one that you have to warm up in the microwave. I know plenty of people who will flat out not eat leftovers simply because that food is not the full meal deal they’ve already had. For them leftovers are considered second-rate food and could never be as satisfying as the first course. If no one really loves leftovers then…why do we so often give our God, our spouses and our kids what is…
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Time Flies When You’re Having Fun!
It’s been many weeks since I’ve last blogged but I’ve been in a bit of a whirlwind lately and sometimes it’s hard to focus when you’re going in circles like that. Professionally, I’m no longer working bi-vocationally for a secular company while trying to be the children’s and family pastor of my church. The Lord has allowed me to finally go back to work full time at my church as the Associate and Family Pastor. What a blessing it has been for me and my family as I’m able finally devote my time to the things I truly love to do. It’s been absolutely crazy and wonderful at the…
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Volunteers are Crazy!
What in the world would we do without volunteers? Really…think about it! How in the world would we even function without the hearts and hands of good people who sacrifice something (and they do sacrifice something) to give you your time and energy? Die! That’s it, just die and our bones would be left somewhere on the church floor until a paid staffer came along, set their Starbucks on the ground and moved them out of the way. Over the years, I’ve been so unbelievably blessed to have worked next to some of the most incredible people on the planet. Some paid employees and others good ol’fashion volunteers. The people…
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Fixing Busy!
Every Spring and Fall my wife and I gear up for our kid’s soccer season and by “gearing up” I mean we get our calendars out and start moving our life schedules around to accommodate practice and game schedules. The schedule is ultimately exhausting and it kicks our tails! My question is this: If you have kids who are in competitive, club or select sports or multiple sports – How do you do it? Here’s why I ask, because my wife and I have noticed that every soccer season, we experience a real lack of communication, family togetherness and intimacy. Perhaps it’s a combination of work and personal schedules that…
