Steering Through Chaos

Check out Scott Wilson's new book!
It's a must read for any pastor!

This is great book that teaches leaders and pastors how to lead and guide your church to get it to the next level. It is very practical and applicable. In chapter 3 Scott talks about how to anticipate change and use your current momentum to get through it successfully. If you want your church to grow and to be the leader God has called you to be...read this book!

ONE thing for Twenty10

Another year and decade in the books. The New Year often causes us to reflect on the past but also to look forward to the future. It is a time where we set goals and make commitments to better ourselves. These goals often consist of losing weight, exercising more, connecting with family more often, making more money, being a better spouse/sibling/friend, reading more, and the list could go on and on. There is nothing wrong with these goals and we should have them but we sometimes forget the ONE most important thing we can do better not just every year but everyday. That ONE thing is to know Christ more and to live for His purposes with more passion.

My prayer for this year is to live for Christ with a new dedication and desire! To live for His purpose of reaching a lost and hurting world with His great message of hope and salvation! I pray that this will be at the top of your resolutions list as well. Jesus is worthy of the best of what we have...give it to Him!

Happy New Years!

Lamentations 3:22-23 The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning

I had the awesome opportunity to speak in "big church" at Central Assembly this past weekend.
If you'd like to listen click here.

Hitting the Pause Button

My favorite thing about my DVR/TIVO is hitting the Pause Button while watching live Ohio State football. When something distracts me or needs my attention I simply hit pause and then pick back up right where I left off. I don't miss a single play. It's a beautiful thing!
I know for most of us that life is busy. I know for Jess and I our days and nights are often full of things to do. However, recently we have set a goal to just shut everything off 3 nights a week. We turn off the TV, close down the computer, and turn off the Blackberry to focus our time, thoughts, and hearts on the Lord. I have to admit that this is hard to do (especially turning off my "crackberry"). Many of us are so overwhelmed with the busyness of LIFE that we miss the entire reason we LIVE.
I think God is trying to distract us in the middle of our "live" game called life and is wanting our attention. Let us remember that we were created by God and for God. We were created to be in relationship with Him. God desires so much to speak to His creation, but how will we ever hear Him if we don't stop and listen. God wants us to hit the "pause button" on our lives frequently enough so that He can distract us and speak. He wants to use us to impact our world. We are the carriers of His hope. The ones sent to fulfill His mission. God is speaking, are you listening? Hit the "pause button" today and just listen. Just like my Buckeye games, life will be right there waiting for you when you get back.

Certainty in Uncertainty

As many of you know Jim Bradford our Sr. Pastor at Central has accepted a position as General Secretary of the Assemblies of God. I have to admit it was quite a shock last Wednesday morning when Pastor Jim informed me along with the rest of our Pastoral team that he would be resigning. Hundreds of thoughts immediately went through my mind; what are the next steps, how is this going to effect the church, the staff, our student ministry, my wife and I, and so on and so on. When a sudden change in life happens it easy to become fearful. I think it's a natural reaction and emotion to have but as we have time to process our feelings we have to allow FAITH to replace the FEAR. One of the many benefits of walking with and serving God is to know that he is in control. That He PROMISES to take care of us and provide for our needs. It does not mean that we won't face uncertain times in life but it does mean that we can be certain that God knows all things and that he is constantly advancing His purpose for our lives. I'm not certain what the future holds for Central but I am certain that God does. God asks all of us to walk by faith not by sight and to trust Him during uncertain times. And what's awesome about God is when we live by faith God is always faithful to respond! I believe God has great things ahead for Central and will continue to lead us to accomplish His vision for our church and community. I am blessed to serve with an amazing and strong Pastoral staff that is going to continue to follow God on this exciting journey!

Putting the “ING” in Christmas

It's not only the season "to be jolly" but there are a few other things that we can do. Here's a few.

Tis the Season for…
Remember-ING
Luke 2:4-7
He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

Today I counted that over the Holiday Season I will attend 12 Christmas parties. Even as a Pastor it's easy to lose focus of what Christmas is all about. If were not careful it becomes more about parties and presents then about the birth of the Jesus, the Savior of the world. The Media has wagged a war to take Christ out of CHRISTmas and public school teachers can no longer say things like "Christmas Tree" but have to say "Tree of Illumination". We have to fight back and REMEMBER to keep Christ in the center of Christmas. After all, "He's the reason for the season!"

Appreciat-ING
Colossians 3:15-16
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

This is a great time of year to appreciate how blessed we are. We all have a lot to be thankful for. Here's just a few things that I appreciate in my life: my salvation, my wife, my family, my friends, my job, my church, my health...I could go on all day. When we focus on what we DO have, what we don't have does not seem so important. This Christmas be aware of your blessings.

Giv-ING
Acts 20:35
And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Matthew 20:28
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.

The true meaning of Christmas is the GIFT that God gave us in his son Jesus. The most famous scripture in the bible says, "For God so loved the world that he GAVE his only son." When we remember what Christmas is all about and appreciate what we have the next step is to start giving it away to others. Albert Einstein said, “The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.” What a joy it is to be able to bless other this time of year.

Reflect-ING
Lamentations 3:40
Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD.

With New Year's resolutions just around the corner it's always good to look back over the year and reflect on what's happened, what you've learned, how you've grown, etc. Then it's great to set goals for the New Year on things you want to do and new ways God wants to grow you.

Make the Holiday Season great by putting the "ING" in Christmas!

Time Flys

It really is crazy how quick the time has flown by this past year. It's been a big year for me. I moved to Springfield, MO in August of 2007 to be the Student Pastor at Central Assembly, got married November 10, 2007, and bought my first home August 22, 2008. God has been so faithful to me and has blessed me beyond what I deserve.
Jess and I celebrated one year of marriage just a couple weeks ago and I can't tell you how thankful I am for her. She is my best friend, my biggest supporter, and my encouragement!
With the Thanksgiving Holiday coming tomorrow let me encourage you to take some time to reflect on all the things you are thankful for. You'll be surprised just how many there are and how it can change your attitude and add a smile to your face.

Be thankful for and enjoy all the blessings you have because time truly does FLY!