Cars Theology

TOnight we were putting Ethan to bed and he started asking questions like: Why is Jesus God's son? and What did Jesus die? This brought us to an interesting point of trying to explain what sin is and how we relate with God.

I began to explain to Ethan that Jesus was God's son and that He was sent to this world to die for our sins. I then told him that everyone sins, including Daddy and Mommy and he then had trhe question of all questions. "Daddy, does Lightning McQueen sin?" "Yes he does," I said. "What about Mater?" Again I said "Yes." How about King and guido and..." "Yes Ethan, everyone has sinned." To which he replied, Oh!, Ok Daddy. Gopdnight."

Awesome conversation. I love talking to Ethan and trying to answer his questions as he thinks of them. Believe me some of them are off the wall.

Wednesday Night

Hey guys! We will be meeting in the Refuge tomorrow night at 6:30. We will have the volleyball net up and play some games then hang out and have a Bible Study. Invite as many fireds as you want. Have a great day.

Moving on

Congratulations to our graduates! Each one of you holds a dear spot in my heart and I want each of you to know you will be missed, greatly. Your laughter, humor and leadership, your passion for Christ where a great example to all who see you. When Sarah and I got here you all were going into 9th grade and now you have graduated.

Inside I am torn because I know some of you are going far away, however I know that God has something great in store for each of you. Remember to take what He has taught you and what you have learned here at Springhill and be the light in a dark world. Live with passion, compassion and a servants heart and you will go far. God is going to accomplish great things through the 2009 Seniors. Keep me informed of what God does in you and through you. You are special.

Why is Leadership so hard? (part 2)

Leadership continues to be something I believe everyone strives for, but not everyone acieves with success. I am continuing my thoughts from yesterday concerning my leadership characteristics and flaws. What I have learned I believe will make me a better leader in the future.

Volunteers are some of the greatest people in the world, because they are doing something out of the overflow and generosity of their heart. They are following the call of Christ on their lives, pursuing the direction and meaning God wants to bring to their life. They want to be used by God in ways they nor I have ever imagined. I have a major flaw in this area, not becasue I don't appreciate them, but becaseu I try and do everything. I have always thought, "I am the youth pastor and this is what they pay me for." But what I realized is I can't do it all by myself. God uses the people who step into volunteer positions to take the ministry to the next level. I have to be willing to turn things over to them. I get the opportuinty to empower them, partner with them, help them develop their gifts, to cheer them on, all the while watching them in the excitement of the moment when they realize God has used them to touch the life of another individual. What I have learned is that I love our volunteers and sometimes the one you love the most are also the ones you take for granted. So hear me on this one. VOLUNTEERS ROCK! I love our volunteers.

Intimacy with God is another characteristic that every biblical leader needs. Time alone with God should be our most precious comodity but often times it is what gets pushed aside in the name of ministry. You can be doing all kinds of good things for God, but be missing out on the best thing for you and your inner self. God isn't concerned with success as we define it, but he is concerned with my life and your life. He wants us to be more Christ-like, to be the light to a dark world, to bring hope to the hopeless and to speak from the overflow of our hearts. We can't do any of this apart from God.

Why is intimacy so hard? Intimacy reveals my deepest darkest secrets, my flaws and issues I want no one else to know. Intimacy allows someone to see me for who I really am. The closer I get to Christ, the more I realize how much I need Him. Without Him I will struggle through life. Intimacy with God is vital for any and all leaders.

Why is leadership so hard?

Over the past few months I have examined my role as a leader and looked at some strengths and weaknesses I possess in my leadership style. Also over the last few months I have realized that being a leader isn't the easiest thing in the world. Leadership is difficult. It's time consuming, chaotic, lonely, and at times it hurts. Everyone has their own opinion on what makes a great leader, and yet no one holds the market on knowing exactly what it is that makes one.

While leadership may be difficult it is rewarding at the same time. There are the exciting times you get to experience when someone you have led makes a key decision or steps into a leadership role themselves. What I have come to realize over the last few months and years is that leadership is an ongoing battle to grow and become the leader God wants me to be. That means there are a few things I must be prepared to face.

First, most leaders at some point or another struggle with paranoia. An overwhelming sense that you may fail, or that people don't trust you and will not follow your leadership. Paranoia creates massive leadership problems and will freeze you in your tracks. It says it's alll about me and not about the Kingdom, it is focused on my feelings and intentions often times rather than on God's goal to have us become more Christ like. Leaders acknowledge this reality, but can move past it because they have been called by God to accomplish a certain task or goal. The calling in their heart and the leading of the Holy Spirit pushes the leader to follow the will of God and allows the Spirit to work in ways we could never accomplish under our own power.

Second, brokenness is a huge factor in the quality and personality of a leader. God desires to use individuals who are broken and rely solely on the power and strength of the Holy Spirit. Brokenness is something every leader must go through, but it can be one of the most difficult stages as well. What I have seen is that a personal implosion is inevitable without a strong inner life. I have to be fully committed to my call to follow Christ and to spend personal time with Him daily. I can only pour into people what God is teaching me in my life.

I have so much more to write on this subject as God teaches me what it means to be a strong godly leader. Over the next few days I will bear my thoughts and struggles from the past few months of examining my leadership characteristics and flaws.

With that I ask you these questions: What are some characteristics you feel that a leader needs to succeed in His or her God given role? What are some good examples of great leaders in the Bible? Why is a strong inner life (devotional) necessary to follow Christ?

Chaos through the Storm

This weekend has been crazy. We all know that a huge storm battered the area early friday morning. Fair Grove High school had major damage with some of our students inside. Dylan Louderbaugh, Christin Hartman and Mark Harris were in the path of some debris that fell due to damage to the building. Thankfully the Lord protected many people, no one was killed and some were injured with broken legs, twisted ankles, cuts and bruises.

I spent most of the day friday getting supplies (tarp, roofing materials) to protect the building we have so they receive no more damage. Thankfully it was sunny and clear after the storm. I will be posting some pictures of the damage here at Springhill soon. If you are in need of help, or know someone who has some major damage and need help please let me know. We want to be the church to anyone and everyone we can.

Signature of the Author

I came across a great video I thought everyone should watch. I know there are some who have negative comments and thoughts, but this really communicates the truth of what Paul wrote in Romans 1:19-20. I thought you migh enjoy this and would love to hear some of your comments concerning this video.

Teamwork

I want to start this with a statement I read this morning. "Few things are more beautiful to God than seeing His people serve and work together in a united rhythm. It's like a symphony to His ears." I read this in a book I just got called "Doing Church as a Team." Wayne Cordeiro, pastor of New Hope Church in Hawaii wrote this book. One of the reason I am reading this book is the title, the other reason is before Sarah and I came to Springhill we took a trip to Hawaii and while in Hawaii we attended New Hope, and all I can say is, Wow! what an experience.

New Hope Church does not operate out of a church building, rather they meet in schools in various locations throughout the Hawaiian islands. It takes alot of teamwork and organization to pull off their services every week. Without one person functioning in the capacity that God had gifted them who knows what could have become. Not only was the teamwork noticable, the hospitality was great. I can say that even though we were not familiar with anyone at New Hope we felt like we were a part of their family.

Over the next few months lets work harder at becoming the TEAM God wants us to be. One that is focused on Him, while investing in the lives of those who come to Springhill. Let work hard together, be welcoming and friendly and open to building new relationships with others.

You guys rock and I hope you are having a great week.