Wednesday, February 17, 2010

From radio host to pastor....

If you would have seen me 10 years ago, you would never have thought I would end up as a pastor. If you would have asked me 5 years ago, I never would have thought I would end up in full-time ministry. God has a way of suprising us. I don't know if I will always be a pastor (I will always be a minister of the Gospel), but this is where He has me right now. It's been an interesting journey for me to transition from hosting a radio show to becoming a pastor. I can say that I am thankful to now be doing something that is much more fulfilling to me. For some reason, talking about where Terri Clark was going to be on tour next got old! I felt God stirring something new in my heart. I had a strong passion for God rising in my heart. I was, as the whipper-snappers say, "ON FIRE".

Then, I joined the professional ministry ranks and slowly watched my "fire" dwindle. At first, I fell into the trap of performance. I was too immature to realize that it really wasn't about me. I had quickly lost the vision that was once burning within me. Then, it got worse. Not only was I stuck on my own performance as a minister, but I found myself becoming a "professional information sharer." I was simply sharing information about God that I hadn't taken the time to cultivate in my own heart. I felt like a lion that had been declawed, tamed, and domesticated. It was frightening. It was miserable.

Thankfully, I began to snap out of it and realize that God did not call me to become a professional information sharer. Neither did God call me to be the center of the story. God did call me to know Him and enjoy Him. He has chosen me to be His son and His heir. He called me to live out of my relationship with Him and minister to other people out of the overflow of that relationship. This has changed the way I minister to people. The passion for God is back. Ministry is becoming fun again. I'm still amazed that my job is to draw closer to God and help others to do the same. Being a pastor is an honor, a privilege, and pretty amazing when you think about it. I praise God for the story He is telling in each of our lives and for the transformation that accompanies it. It's really a good life.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Ephesians 3:20

Ephesians 3:20
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us..."

There is nothing better than walking with God. Life would be boring if we served a God who was too busy to be involved in our daily lives. I praise the LORD that God loves us and cares about the details of our lives. I'm working at being more intentional about inviting him into the details of my life...When this happens, life becomes so rich.

Ephesians 3:20 is a verse that God has been highlighting to me lately. We serve an awesome God. I think He likes it when we pray the big prayers and believe that he'll come through for us. Not only will He come through, but he will do immeasurably more than we can even imagine if we'll simply believe! I recently experienced this reality. I have been looking forward to going on vacation and enjoying my beautiful wife and the beautiful beach. Recently, our vacations plans seemed to be slipping away. God reminded me of Ephesians 3:20 and how He can do far more than I was even thinking or planning. He cares about vacation. He cares about rest. He cares about the condition of marriages. The very night I began praying Ephesians 3:20 was the night a friend approached me and handed me an envelope. Inside the envelope was more cash than I had seen in a long time! Attached was a note that said to enjoy a vacation.

Wow, we serve a God who is interested in the details of our lives. I'm going to continue to pray Ephesians 3:20 over the details of my life. Join me...Let's watch God do the unthinkable.