Tag Archive - Pastor
16

The Rocky Path

When I was still living at home, my parents decided to remodel their kitchen.

They decided that they really liked tile floors and called the tile man.

I still remember how careful the tile guy was to be sure that he was laying the tile on a smooth surface.
Every few minutes, I’d see him smoothing out the grout to be sure that the tile would lay flat.
After he laid a piece of tile on it, he never smoothed it again, it had already been worked out.

“If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere.” - Frank Clark

The obstacles that are in your way exist because the path is not worn…
The grout hasn’t been smoothed out.
No tile has been laid.

Few have traveled the tough path,
the path that it takes real faith to travel.

  • The path that gets up everyday and lives out their faith even though the office they work in is filled with people that don’t.
  • The path that prays for their children even though their children ignore the faith they’re taught.
  • The path that loves when it doesn’t make sense… when it’s not easy.
  • The path that forgives because they’re forgiven.
  • The path that pastors even when the people refuse to be lead.
  • The path that prays for and obeys their parents even though they’re never shown love.
  • The path that is faithful to their husband even though he isn’t faithful to her.
  • The path that lives a vision from God by the voice of God and not by the opinions of man.

Those paths have obstacles because they haven’t been smoothed out… not many people have been there… not many people are willing to pay the price.

Today, welcome the obstacles.

The obstacles are evidence of the destination.

For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.- Matthew 7:14

Travel on and…

turn the world UPSIDE down.


Written by on March 23, 2011 and categorized under Blog, Encouragement

24

Dear Church. A Letter From the Searching

Dear Church,

I write to you because I’m searching. I’m searching for something that I’m not sure can be found. I’m not sure what it looks like, what it feels like, or where to find it. I know it’s missing, and I need your help.

I know there has to be more. There has to be more to my life than what I know. Than what I have. Than who I am.

This just isn’t enough. There’s something missing.

And so, I’m coming in your doors. Please point me in the right direction. Please point me to the missing. I don’t really care how you do it, what it looks like, or how much it costs. All I care is that I find it.

You’re my last hope. You see, I’ve been everywhere else. I’ve visited all your “competitors”. The mall down the street took more from me than it gave. The bar across town left me emptier than ever. The mortgage company didn’t deliver on their promise of finding me a comfortable “home”. My family even tends to fail my expectations.

So please, show me what I’m looking for. Make it easy to find. Make it clear to find… I have too much on my mind already.

I just want the answer.
I just want what’s missing.

See you Sunday,

The Searching


Written by on March 22, 2011 and categorized under Blog, Church Ministry, Top

11

Know Your Market

I don’t know if you’ve noticed or if it’s necessarily the case where you live, but where I live, Dollar General stores have popped up everywhere.

Anytime I ride by one or reluctantly walk in one :) , I can’t help but notice how they all seem to have a booming business.

The reason?

In my opinion and from what I’ve noticed, they know their niche.
They know their market.

They realize that they’re never going to compete with the Wal-Mart down the street or the Target a town over, but they know they can compete with the gas station right beside them. For what they sell, they’re going to be a bargain compared to what is offered at places around where the company places them.

Ultimately, they know their market.

I don’t think this principle can be overlooked in any part of life or leadership.

  • If your leading a church, know your market (culture).
  • If you’re buying a new house, know the market.
  • If you’re competing for a job, know the market.
  • If you’re hiring for a new position, know the market and pick the person that best fits.
  • If you’re shopping for anything, know the market.

The truth is, we can try to be someone or something else, but it may not be very effective where we are… with what’s around us.

So we have a choice…
Be them, or be effective.

Know your market.


Written by on March 15, 2011 and categorized under Blog, Church Ministry, Leadership, Life

18

You’re Not Excused

It seems we live in a world that loves to make excuses.
We make excuses for everything.

Instead of taking responsibility for our own actions, we pass the blame off on someone else.
Instead of confessing to a mess up, we make up a reason things went wrong.

WRONG!

We have to take responsibility for our own actions.

Deep down we usually know where and when we messed up.
We have to be honest enough to admit it.

For leaders, (pastors, parents, teachers, anyone leading anyone) we often tend to think that we have to always make the right decisions and pull the right triggers.

The problem, we don’t always.

Maybe, instead of making excuses, we should admit our mistakes.

Think of the results of ‘fessing up…

  • The people around us begin to relate to our imperfection.
  • We gain respect because of our honesty.
  • People are even more willing to follow because they know we’ll take the blame when something fails.

Don’t pass the buck of blame, swallow the truth of your own mistakes.


Written by on February 21, 2011 and categorized under Blog, Leadership, Life

12

6 Leadership Lessons From Acts 9

I was reading through Acts a few days ago and came to Acts 9. We often view this chapter as the conversion of Saul, but it has a lot more than just one event.

Here are some leadership lessons I jotted down as I was reading…

1. Significant impact is often made by ordinary people with extraordinary potential – Look for future leaders (Acts 9:3)

2. Never let what seems to be interfere with what can be. – Trust God (Acts 9:13 & 17)

3. When God calls you to serve, don’t attempt to command. – Serve gladly (Acts 9: 17)

4. When God calls, don’t hesitate. – Follow God (Acts 9: 20)

5. Allow people to help you. – Show humility (Acts 9:25)

6. Remember that persecution often brings growth – Use it (Acts 9:31)


Written by on February 4, 2011 and categorized under Blog, Leadership

17

Get In The Boat

Genesis 7:1 The LORD then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.

As I was reading through the story Noah a few days ago, I had this thought…

What if Noah, after all that he had done, all the steps of obedience he’d taken, refused to get in the boat?

What if Noah, after spending his time, energy, and effort building this big boat, would have failed to step inside?

What if Noah, would have failed to make the leap after the preparation?

What if God’s been preparing me for something?

What if God’s been working something in my life?
Guiding me through the process.
Teaching me step by step.

And I refuse to get in the boat and obey?

What if God’s doing the same in your life?

Don’t waste what God’s done in and through you because you’re unwilling to get in the boat and take the final step!

Get in the boat and…

turn the world UPSIDE down.


Written by on January 31, 2011 and categorized under Blog, Devotional Thought, Encouragement

19

Never Make Them Mad

I used to try my best to make people happy…

Never make anyone mad.

Then,

I came to my senses and realized…
It’ll never happen.

At least, if I’m doing what I should be doing.

No matter who we look at over the course of history,
anyone that did anything significant caused people to get a little bitter.

It’s just the way it works.

Because…

Everyone has different passions in life.

If we’re living out ours, we’re bound to come in contact with someone who lives out the exact opposite.

In Christianity,
In ministry,
In leadership,
It’s kind of what we should expect.

A passionate life brings about passionate opposition.

We’re bound to butt heads.

If you’re facing opposition and not sure why,
look at your passion,
your conviction,
your faithfulness to it.

That could be why.

So,

We face a fork in the road…

Follow the passion,
or chase the never-ending goal of peacefulness.

I choose my passion.

I choose to…

turn the world UPSIDE down.


Written by on January 27, 2011 and categorized under Blog, Church Ministry, Featured, Leadership

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