Live By Your Strengths!

Each one of us is a very unique person!  God has given YOU personality, talents, abilities, backgrounds, influences, and experiences that are specially suited to YOU.  To be successful in life, and to find real fulfillment, you must live and work according to your strengths.  Too often I hear it said, “Well, spend more time trying to better those areas where you are weak.”  I do understand the need to be constantly improving in our lives.  I want to do that in mine.  That is something all of us should be committed to.

I do believe, though, that we will be more effective when we work and operate out of our strengths.  There is something all of us can do well–it may be teaching, writing, singing, caring for others, cooking, working with numbers, playing sports, etc.  We need to find those things that we do well and focus our efforts and energies in those areas.  If you are a pitcher for a baseball team, the owner of the club is paying you to throw hard, throw strikes, and get batters out!  He does not want you to be able to play first base, or left field, he wants you to pitch….and pitch well.  The same goes for every other position.  If the owner hires you to play shortstop thats what he wants you to do.   And, he wants you to do that well.

Each of us must find those things that we do well and live by our strengths!  I believe when we do that we will feel more fulfilled as a person, we will achieve greater results in the things we do, and we will have greater peace of mind in our lives.  Too many people today are trying to be someone that they are not.  Many people are trying to do things that they are not gifted and equipped to do.  There are many people who are burdened and overstressed in their lives because they are trying to please other people, and do things that they are not good at.  Friends, when we get caught in that kind of trap, we will run through life dizzy, exhausted, and frustrated all of the time.

Don’t try to be someone you’re not–be yourself!  Celebrate yourself!  Celebrate your giftedness!   Celebrate the person that God made you to be!  Be excellent in all you do, and focus your energies on your strengths.  God has made you very unique and has a purpose for your life.  Do what God wants you to do!  Give yourself to those things, and those people, and those dreams that He has placed in your heart.  Don’t despair of those gifts, or abilities, you do not have.  Don’t beat up yourself over glaring weaknesses…instead, concentrate on the strengths that you have!  God made you special and He has given you everything you need to fulfill your purpose in life! 

Go make a difference in the lives around you!

“Each of us should use whatever gift he has received to serve others.”      1 Peter 4:10

Happy Birthday, Jon!

Tonight Mary Lou and I spent the evening with Jon and Michelle.  Tomorrow is Jon’s 28th birthday and so we took them out to Los Bravos for dinner.  It was delicious!  (I always overdo it on the chips & salsa!)  After dinner we all came back to our house for “buster bar” dessert.  Talk about rich!  We watched the Pacers play the Raptors while we enjoyed the ice cream dessert.  It was such a nice time to be with Jon and Michelle and celebrate Jon’s birthday! 

Happy Birthday, Jon!  We are so proud of you!  We love you so much!

Who’s Backing You Up?

One day a small bear cub was out in the woods playing.  Suddenly there was a noise and the little cub looked up and saw a ferocious mountain lion just twenty feet from him.  He froze right where he was at and couldn’t move.   Slowly the mountain lion approached the cub.  Right when the lion was ready to leap and attack the cub, the lion stopped dead in his tracks and then took off running in the opposite direction.  The cub did not realize that his momma had come up behind him and was staring down the lion.  You know it’s not good to mess with momma!

Many times in life we face enemies and adversaries who would seek to harm us and hurt us.  It’s good to know that when we walk by faith our God backs us up!  He is right there in His mighty, awesome power to fight for us.  The Bible says, “The battle is the Lord’s”!  How good it is to remember that!  When we are trusting God as our Rock and our Deliverer, it is good to know that all of heaven stands behind us!   God’s Word says, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper.”  Friend, you need not fear the enemy!  God has your back!   God is standing with you!   He will be your strength and help!  Trust Him completely!  Put everything in His hands!  Let Him work things out for His glory and honor!  He is all-wise and He knows what is best.

Are you in a tight spot today?  Are there enemies breathing down your back?  Do the circumstances surrounding you seem impossible?  Then, remember who’s behind you!  Remember who is fighting the battle for you!  Don’t give up!  Don’t despair!  Stand in faith!  Claim God’s promises for your life!  Sing praises to Him for His faithful care and provision!  Let the joy of the Lord be your strength!  Trust in the Lord with all your heart….He will see you through!

“Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth!  Sing about the glory of His name!  Tell the world how glorious He is.  Say to God, ‘How awesome are your deeds!  Your enemies cringe before your mighty power.’”      Psalm 66:1-3

Giants Along Our Path

All of us have “giants” along our path!  The “giants” I am speaking about are those “spiritual giants” who have been models, mentors, examples, and heroes to us.  I have been blessed thinking about those persons who have shown Jesus Christ to me by their lives and their witness.  I feel I have learned greatly from them and have grown in my own personal faith because of the impact they have had on my life.  Who have been the “giants” along your path?  Who has modeled for you the power of the Christian life?  Who has spent time with you helping you become grounded in your faith, and equipped to serve Jesus in our generation?

I hope that you will take time to give thanks to God for those whom He has led across your path in life who have helped you along the way.  Maybe you could spend a few moments in prayer expressing appreciation for their lives.  If they are still living, you may want to sit down and write them a note of gratitude.  Tell them how much you have learned from their life of faith and how much their example has meant to you.  I’m sure they would be blessed to hear from you!

“Remember your leaders, who spoke the Word of God to you.  Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”        Hebrews 13:7 

“Iced In”

Monday evening we had a wintry mix of rain, sleet, freezing rain,  and snow.  This went all through the evening and into Tuesday morning.  By Tuesday evening we had about 4 inches of snow along with about an inch of ice on top.  The road into our subdivision is in horrible shape and there has not been a snow plow through the area.  The temperature last night got down into the single digits and so everything is really “iced over”.  Mary Lou has been off school Tuesday and today, and she received word that school is cancelled for Thursday also.  We have enjoyed having the fire place going and spending some much needed time resting.  We did venture out for just a short time this afternoon, although the roads were not in very good shape.  We did watch Purdue play Michigan State in basketball last evening in what turned out to be a very exciting game.  Purdue upset Michigan State 60-54!  Go Boilers!

I’ve learned in life that sometimes the best laid plans just don’t come about sometimes.  The weather has definitely affected everyone’s life this week.  Sometimes you “just have to roll” with things.  It has been nice having Mary Lou at home and enjoying some special time together.  With things really picking up as Journey Church is getting started, it may be that the Lord wanted to give us a little retreat!  It’s nice to think about.  Hope you’re having a great week.

Don’t forget your valentine tomorrow!  Catch you later….

Journey IS Launched!

Today was a very exciting day for us!  Journey Church officially launched at 10:00 a.m. this morning at the YMCA on the east side of town.  Our launch team did a superb job of helping us get everything set up, and then serving our guests so beautifully.  It has been such a joy to see the passion and enthusiasm of our core group.  We believe that great things are in store for Journey Church as we trust Jesus to be the center of all that is going on!! 

“I am the Vine and you are the branches.  He who abides in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit.”  John 15:5

You Need People Who Believe in You!

All of us need people around us who are “speaking faith” into our lives–people who believe in us, people who are affirming us, people who are helping us reach our dreams, and people who are helping us fulfill God’s purposes for our lives.  Many people never accomplish the things that their hearts desire because they are surrounded by people who never believe in them, or their abilities, and are constantly speaking “negative” things into their lives.  I think we would all agree that we will never get ahead in life, or achieve the things that we really desire, by listening to ”nay sayers”.  Let’s face it, there will always be people that will never understand your dreams, or deepest heart desires.  If we allow our minds to constantly feed on all the ridiculous things that people around us say from time to time, we will find ourselves ”derailed” off the track from the purposes that God has for our lives.  

In order for us to stay focused on the things that God wants us to accomplish, we need people around us who will help us dream, who will strengthen our faith, and who will affirm the gifts and talents that God has placed in our lives.  Take a look around you today.  Do you have those kind of people in your life?  Do you have people who are “speaking faith” into your life?  Do you have people who believe in you?   Do you have people who are supporting you in fulfilling God’s purposes for your life?  We all need this kind of circle of friends!     

Great Rehearsal!

Yesterday we had our first “mock” set-up for Journey Church.  We met at the YMCA at 6:30 a.m. with our launch team and lots of excitement.  The first thing we did was to meet in the lobby area and pray.  We committed the morning, and the weeks ahead, to the Lord and asked for His strength and direction in all we are doing.  Just standing in the lobby of the YMCA was truly a dream come true [and the answer to many prayers!!!].  After praying, we pointed out to our launch team where each station would be placed (the welcome center, the cafe area, and Journey kidz), where the worship area would be located in the gymnasium, and then we all headed to the trailer to unload everything and get things set up.

We have an amazing group of volunteers who are so excited about what we are doing and can’t wait for Journey to launch next Sunday morning, February 10th at 10:00 a.m.  Everyone worked hard and the morning went real well.  Outside of a few minor concerns with how to plug in all the different parts of our sound equipment, everything went real well.  [and by the end of the morning we had the sound board all figured out!  PTL!]  All of us in the launch team have been inviting people that we know from work, school, and the neighborhoods where we live.  We don’t know how many will come to our first service next week, but we are very excited to share Jesus with them!

In this interim period in which I have not been preaching every weekend, it has been very rewarding for Mary Lou and me to visit churches in the area and get to know pastors in the community.  Many have expressed real interest in the vision that God has put upon our hearts, and we have appreciated how they have taken time to pray with us about this venture.  It has been such an uplifting thing for Mary Lou and me to be around other leaders in the community who have  spoken words of affirmation and encouragement to us.  There are many fine churches in Evansville, and there are many godly pastors doing a great work where they are at.  We do not see ourselves competing with other churches in the community, or feeling that we are in some way better than the others.  We just see ourselves being called to do things differently.  We are following the vision that God has placed upon our heart for reaching the unchurched in our community. 

Maybe for some our means and methods appear ”unorthodox”, that’s ok!  We are not trying to be like others, or to try and copy others.  We have set our focus on pursuing the ministry that God has entrusted to us, and using the giftedness that He has placed in our lives.  In all we do, we want to do it with excellence and for His glory!  We realize that following the Lord’s will sometimes forces us to “think outside the box” and “do things a little differently”.  I don’t mind what others think, I just want to see people come to know Jesus Christ and experience life change!   

Please pray for us as our launch date nears.  We want to see lives changed!

“Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”      Matthew 4:19