I don't know what it is about someone else being in charge, but it tends to change my experience.
On a typical Thursday night at our Young Adults Ministry, I am in charge. The worship people ask me for topics and feels of the music, I plan the teaching, I give instructions for the small group time.
While I acknowledge that on those practical levels I'm in charge, clearly the work is only effective if God does it. (i had to put this blanket statement in somewhere and here was as good a spot as any)
But tonight, much like 3 weeks ago, someone else was in charge. We had an extended time of worship tonight, so there wasn't a teaching. That put our worship people in charge of the whole night. I always get to experience the night differently when that happens and i'm less concerned about seeing if the outcomes are as I expected.
I enjoyed not being in charge again tonight.
My life is lived within parenthesis. My life is not about me, though it may contain some interesting points. The main point is far outside myself and rests with my God/Savior. I seek to tell His story in a different way, a way that you'll understand, a way that will move you, and in a way that draws you into relationship with the Hero of the story.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Yay for Burritos
I've now eaten Chipotle for lunch 2 days in a row.
It isn't often that I get to do that, but after having it yesterday, I remembered my love for it, and awoke to an e-mail requesting that be where my lunch meeting was.
Maybe tomorrow I'll make it three days in a row. Highly doubtful, but I won't narrow it out quite yet.
It isn't often that I get to do that, but after having it yesterday, I remembered my love for it, and awoke to an e-mail requesting that be where my lunch meeting was.
Maybe tomorrow I'll make it three days in a row. Highly doubtful, but I won't narrow it out quite yet.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
A Stormy Response
The weather people on the news always give a recomendation when stormy weather comes into town. Generally, it is to get inside, away from windows and such.
Truth is, storms in MN aren't that frightening. The occassional tornado/wind is a problem, but just the rain/thunderstorms don't equate to much.
For that reason, and because storms are fun to watch, Jenny and I grabbed a couple of camping chairs and sat on the porch as the storm got near our house tonight. It was actually quite relaxing.
The basement wouldn't have been relaxing.
The weather people sometimes get it wrong.
Truth is, storms in MN aren't that frightening. The occassional tornado/wind is a problem, but just the rain/thunderstorms don't equate to much.
For that reason, and because storms are fun to watch, Jenny and I grabbed a couple of camping chairs and sat on the porch as the storm got near our house tonight. It was actually quite relaxing.
The basement wouldn't have been relaxing.
The weather people sometimes get it wrong.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
New Beginnings
Get to start working with a new coaching crew tomorrow as we lead some drills for high schoolers thinking about playing college soccer somewhere. Mainly to-be seniors in high school that are part of a college prep program are attending a 4 day camp in the cities here.
The coaches from NCU are leading a couple of the sessions which means I get to train some of the girls and write up some scouting reports bright and early tomorrow morning.
Getting to the field at 7:30 isn't as fun when you don't get to play.
The coaches from NCU are leading a couple of the sessions which means I get to train some of the girls and write up some scouting reports bright and early tomorrow morning.
Getting to the field at 7:30 isn't as fun when you don't get to play.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Buggy
Went frisbee golfing this evening.
Right before we started, someone walking back to the parking lot after finishing their round said, "hope you brought the bug spray."
I should have paid a little more attention to their warning and used some of my friends' that was in their car.
Maybe the most attacked by mosquitos that i have ever been.
Hopefully i didn't lose too much blood.
Right before we started, someone walking back to the parking lot after finishing their round said, "hope you brought the bug spray."
I should have paid a little more attention to their warning and used some of my friends' that was in their car.
Maybe the most attacked by mosquitos that i have ever been.
Hopefully i didn't lose too much blood.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
New Software
Anybody who regularly reads this use Adobe After Effects for digital video stuff?
I'm looking to learn how to do some digital animation to logos and powerpoints to use as buffer videos in services and hoping to accelerate my learning by talking to someone who knows the program.
Let me know if you do, otherwise, I'll keep using YouTube tutorials and playing around.
I'm looking to learn how to do some digital animation to logos and powerpoints to use as buffer videos in services and hoping to accelerate my learning by talking to someone who knows the program.
Let me know if you do, otherwise, I'll keep using YouTube tutorials and playing around.
Monday, July 19, 2010
No Time for Home
Decided I didn't want to spend the day at home I guess.
Had two meetings at different Caribou Coffee shops today and then came home for about half an hour, at which point, I decided it was time to leave.
Didn't feel like sitting on the couch all evening, so I left to pick up some flowers and meet Jenny at work for a surprise date.
We went off for some shopping, some dinner, a movie, and then some dessert.
Got home at 11:30. Apparently, Monday just didn't have time at home in the cards for us.
Had two meetings at different Caribou Coffee shops today and then came home for about half an hour, at which point, I decided it was time to leave.
Didn't feel like sitting on the couch all evening, so I left to pick up some flowers and meet Jenny at work for a surprise date.
We went off for some shopping, some dinner, a movie, and then some dessert.
Got home at 11:30. Apparently, Monday just didn't have time at home in the cards for us.
Fewer Hours, More Exhaustion
On a typical Thursday, I will work roughly 14 hours.
Today, I worked roughly 6.
Amazing sometimes how the tasks can change how exhausting something is. Between preaching at both services and hosting and speaking at a lunch about where the Young Adults Ministry is headed, I felt spent.
It was far fewer hours than my long days, but I was more exhausted because of the tasks at hand. That and I was speaking to crowds for a little longer than 2 hours today.
Today, I worked roughly 6.
Amazing sometimes how the tasks can change how exhausting something is. Between preaching at both services and hosting and speaking at a lunch about where the Young Adults Ministry is headed, I felt spent.
It was far fewer hours than my long days, but I was more exhausted because of the tasks at hand. That and I was speaking to crowds for a little longer than 2 hours today.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
It Doesn't End
Nothing makes a more dreadful dent into a busy week than adding a 7:00 a.m. meeting to the schedule.
Looking forward to talking with the rest of the soccer coaching staff about the upcoming season for NCU and discussing what role I will be bringing to the table for them.
Looking forward to talking with the rest of the soccer coaching staff about the upcoming season for NCU and discussing what role I will be bringing to the table for them.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Far Away
My brain wants to go somewhere far away.
For the most part, it's use has been for things that are fun and exciting, but the constant high productivity asked of my brain today makes it want to leave my week and go far away.
I could have done without a couple of the issues that arrived today, even if they needed to arrive at somepoint, had they waited until next week, that would have been nice.
For now, i'm hoping to sleep well. Hoping that when I lay down, my brain will shut off. Hoping for a break before I put it to work for 14 straight hours again tomorrow.
For the most part, it's use has been for things that are fun and exciting, but the constant high productivity asked of my brain today makes it want to leave my week and go far away.
I could have done without a couple of the issues that arrived today, even if they needed to arrive at somepoint, had they waited until next week, that would have been nice.
For now, i'm hoping to sleep well. Hoping that when I lay down, my brain will shut off. Hoping for a break before I put it to work for 14 straight hours again tomorrow.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
That will make things busy-er
It was already set to be a busy week getting ready for a vision casting lunch for this Sunday afternoon to prepare for the fall kick-off. Getting prepared to speak in a way that will gain interest so that hopefully people will commit over the next couple of weeks to volunteering in a role for our Young Adults Ministry.
Adding that onto the top of the teaching for Thursday night meant the office hours would be busy this week.
Then, I was asked this morning, on short notice, if I could fill in and preach the Sunday Morning services as well.
That has made the week much more busy than it was before. I couldn't say no to that opportunity, and will be excited when it arrives, but now have lots to take care of over the next few days to get ready.
Adding that onto the top of the teaching for Thursday night meant the office hours would be busy this week.
Then, I was asked this morning, on short notice, if I could fill in and preach the Sunday Morning services as well.
That has made the week much more busy than it was before. I couldn't say no to that opportunity, and will be excited when it arrives, but now have lots to take care of over the next few days to get ready.
Monday, July 12, 2010
It Feels New
They announced my role change (effective this coming Thursday) to the church on Sunday morning.
I was offered lots of congratulations by people who have appreciated me, most of which not knowing that my role on the hierarchy chart hadn't already been pastor, as they had clearly seen me in that role.
For a lot of people, the changes to my role won't seem new. I'll simply be called what I've been assumed to be for quite some time.
On my end though, it feels new. There is a new sense of pressure I have put on myself. A new sense of responsibility I feel the need to hold up to. Maybe this is because I have large dreams for what can happen through this church, and has less to do with my role, but something about this week feels new in my Spirit.
I was offered lots of congratulations by people who have appreciated me, most of which not knowing that my role on the hierarchy chart hadn't already been pastor, as they had clearly seen me in that role.
For a lot of people, the changes to my role won't seem new. I'll simply be called what I've been assumed to be for quite some time.
On my end though, it feels new. There is a new sense of pressure I have put on myself. A new sense of responsibility I feel the need to hold up to. Maybe this is because I have large dreams for what can happen through this church, and has less to do with my role, but something about this week feels new in my Spirit.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Everything's New
Lots of new things this weekend.
Got to spend time with extended family on Friday night. In the process, Jenny got two new shirts and a new necklace. I got lots of new understandings about a certain few cousins.
Dad turned a new age Saturday. We also celebrated a new marraige of some friends from the young adults group.
Sunday saw a new World Cup champion.
Overshadowing them all...a new birth announcement for Jason and Sarah. Congratulations again, looking forward to meeting the rugrat.
Got to spend time with extended family on Friday night. In the process, Jenny got two new shirts and a new necklace. I got lots of new understandings about a certain few cousins.
Dad turned a new age Saturday. We also celebrated a new marraige of some friends from the young adults group.
Sunday saw a new World Cup champion.
Overshadowing them all...a new birth announcement for Jason and Sarah. Congratulations again, looking forward to meeting the rugrat.
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Golf Caddy
First ever experience caddying comes tomorrow morning.
He/We tee off at 8:00. I hope he/we set the course record.
After that, I'll need to run to the church quick to finish something for Sunday that I didn't have time to do today.
That is the midling task, because following that, I'll be spending time with family from out of town. Should be a grand ole day.
Hoping for good weather.
He/We tee off at 8:00. I hope he/we set the course record.
After that, I'll need to run to the church quick to finish something for Sunday that I didn't have time to do today.
That is the midling task, because following that, I'll be spending time with family from out of town. Should be a grand ole day.
Hoping for good weather.
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
No Teaching
Tomorrow will be the first Thursday in a long time that I won't be teaching. I invited one of the regular attenders to speak tomorrow night and am looking forward to what she will share with the group.
It kind of feels awkward to have a week that I don't have any teaching I need to prepare, but I've been finding plenty of other ways to fill the time. Namely, getting around to lots of the administrative work that gets put on the back burners while I work on teachings.
Hopefully, tomorrow I will cross a big chunk of adminsitrative things off of my list.
It kind of feels awkward to have a week that I don't have any teaching I need to prepare, but I've been finding plenty of other ways to fill the time. Namely, getting around to lots of the administrative work that gets put on the back burners while I work on teachings.
Hopefully, tomorrow I will cross a big chunk of adminsitrative things off of my list.
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
1 Year
I'm amazed the amount of trust that people have placed in my over the last year at Grace Fellowship.
I'm amazed at the belief in me from many of my co-workers and from my boss to do great things in service to God.
I'm amazed at people's willingness to listen to what I may have to say, and to excitedly work alongside me to accomplish visions that have stemmed from me.
It has been a great year, I hope the coming ones are even better.
I'm amazed at the belief in me from many of my co-workers and from my boss to do great things in service to God.
I'm amazed at people's willingness to listen to what I may have to say, and to excitedly work alongside me to accomplish visions that have stemmed from me.
It has been a great year, I hope the coming ones are even better.
Monday, July 05, 2010
Long Weekends
It was nice to share a long weekend with many people, most of whom also had unusually long weekends.
Fireworks on two occassions where we were close enough that debris landed on us. Grilled out a couple of times. Buffalo wings a couple of times.
A fun way to spend a holiday weekend.
On a new front, I will be caddying for the first time in my life this week. I have a friend who is also a golf professional. He is playing in a tournament this week that happens to be at the course right by my house, and was looking for someone to carry the bag for him. I made the short list by both knowing the course, having a working shoulder, and having an open Friday morning. Should be a fun new experience, and will be great to catch up with him again.
Fireworks on two occassions where we were close enough that debris landed on us. Grilled out a couple of times. Buffalo wings a couple of times.
A fun way to spend a holiday weekend.
On a new front, I will be caddying for the first time in my life this week. I have a friend who is also a golf professional. He is playing in a tournament this week that happens to be at the course right by my house, and was looking for someone to carry the bag for him. I made the short list by both knowing the course, having a working shoulder, and having an open Friday morning. Should be a fun new experience, and will be great to catch up with him again.
Thursday, July 01, 2010
July Is Here
It doesn't feel like it should be July already.
Next Monday will be 1 year that I have been at Grace Fellowship. It seems like the time has flown by. Some of the relationships feel like they have more history than that, but overall, it seems like just yesterday I started on the staff there.
Wonder what the next year will hold.
It shouldn't be July already. Things need to slow down.
Next Monday will be 1 year that I have been at Grace Fellowship. It seems like the time has flown by. Some of the relationships feel like they have more history than that, but overall, it seems like just yesterday I started on the staff there.
Wonder what the next year will hold.
It shouldn't be July already. Things need to slow down.