One of the Pastors at Charter Oak Church

Experiencing God - Week 6, Day 4

2012-02-20T16:24:00.001-05:00

The memory verse for this week is John 5:19, "Jesus gave them this answer: 'I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.'"

The part that really spoke to me in today's reading was - God didn't shift me; He focused me on something He had already been doing through the course of my life.

Last year I went through a season of being coached by a spiritual advisor. One of the first things I did was look back over my entire life and find markers along the way that described my life, when things were going well and when they were not. What I learned was that there was a common thread throughout my entire life of what God was doing. In those times that were not so good, either I was outside of the common thread or the affect of someone else in my life brought me outside of that common thread.

My whole life God has been at work in me and through me in a very similar way. When I realized that it was very freeing to me. I was able to see God working in me and guiding me and directing me in what was next. There hasn't been a time when God prompted me to make a 90 degree or 180 degree turn for my future.

Experiencing God - Week 6, Day 3

2012-02-20T09:55:00.001-05:00

The memory verse for this week is John 5:19, "Jesus gave them this answer: 'I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.'"

The part that spoke to me the most from today's study was - Radically orient your life to God. The most difficult thing you will ever have to do is deny self, take up God's will, and follow Him. The most challenging part of your relationship with God is being God-centered.

I don't think we use the word "radical" very much when it comes to describing our relationship with God. Seriously, the most difficult thing for me every day is to deny my self-centeredness and to only choose to do the will of God. That is a radical lifestyle.

Experiencing God - Week 6, Day 2

2012-02-18T07:57:00.000-05:00

The memory verse for this week is John 5:19, "Jesus gave them this answer: 'I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.'"

The most meaningful part of today's study for me was - to understand your painful or difficult circumstances, God's perspective is vital. I totally realize this to be true and I often share it with people who are going through those difficult times.

I needed to be reminded of it for myself because it seems like ever since I started preaching through the Gospel of John and so many people from Charter Oak Church have been studying Experiencing God there have been a bunch of little "attacks" upon me, our staff, and others. Most of it has been people getting angry, making comments that hurt, choosing to live outside the teaching of the Bible, and just a bunch of little things that have built on other little things that together they all hurt.

In the middle of all these little "attacks" I am reminding myself that God is at work and that He is to get the glory. I must keep my eyes on Jesus and not on the distractions.

Experiencing God - Week 6, Day 1

2012-02-16T08:43:00.000-05:00

Welcome to week 6 of Experiencing God! I can't believe how fast this is going. This week's memory verse is John 5:19, "Jesus gave them this answer, 'I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does."

The most meaningful part of today's study was - when you pray in a particular direction, immediately anticipate God's activity in answer to your prayer. I think it is very easy to have the attitude that my responsibility is to pray then I am done with my part and the rest is up to God. The prayer part is the beginning. I must have eyes to see and ears to hear what God is doing. I must look for His invitation to join Him in His work. I must respond.

Experiencing God - Week 5, Day 5

2012-02-14T16:32:00.001-05:00

The memory verse for this week is John 8:47, "He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."

The most meaningful part of today's study for me is - What God says in prayer is far more important than what you say in prayer. God already knows what you are going to say. You don't know what God is thinking.

What an incredibly challenging statement. It is very easy for me to go to God with all of my words, requests, thanksgivings, etc. and then get up and go do whatever I am going to do that day. I must be still and truly listen. Pastor Tom was telling me about how there are men in Korea who go to the church very early in the morning to pray. They will not leave to go to work until they hear from God. What a powerful testimony of men who are committed to hearing from God.

Experiencing God - Week 5, Day 4

2012-02-13T08:12:00.001-05:00

This week's memory verse is John 8:47, "He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."

The most meaningful part of today's study for me was in the explaining of the process we should go through to respond to the truth of Scripture. I really appreciated that fact that our obedience goes beyond confessing our sin, but to actually following through on doing what is right. I think it is all too easy to breeze through Scripture and not take the time to really invest myself in the daily discipline of the steps shared by Blackaby. When we go through this process we will experience God.

Experiencing God - Week 5, Day 3

2012-02-12T18:52:00.001-05:00

Our memory verse for this week is John 8:47, "He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."

The most meaningful part of today's study was - God uses Kingdom methods to accomplish Kingdom purposes. I love how today tied in with Pastor Dave's message from a week ago with the feeding of the 5,000. From a human perspective the way to feed them was to send them home, but from a Kingdom perspective the way to feed them was the revelation of the power of God at work in Jesus. I wonder how many times I have missed out on being a part of the revelation power of God at work in me?

I want to be a part of the Kingdom methods that God wants to work out in me to accomplish Kingdom purposes!

Experiencing God - Week 5, Day 2

2012-02-09T08:20:00.001-05:00

The memory verse for this week is "He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God." John 8:47

The most meaningful statement for me from today's study was - make up your mind now that when the Spirit of God speaks to you, you will do whatever He says.

There is so much to unpack in that statement. I realize that when I resolve to do something before the time arrives, I am much more likely to follow through. I have to make up my mind NOW about what I am going to do when God speaks.

The truth of Scripture is that God continues to speak to His people today. Am I listening? I can say yes I am listening sometimes, but I am not always aware of His presence and voice in my life. I must lean in and tune in to His voice and His promptings.

Finally, I must resolve to do whatever God says. That word WHATEVER is huge! Serious, that is a commitment that most people, and I put myself in that category, want to water down. God would never ask me to do this or to go there or to talk to that person. Really? I am willing to guess that as soon as that statement comes out of my mouth or someone else's, that is exactly where God is going to lead us.

Expereincing God - Week 5, Day 1

2012-02-08T08:30:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Week 5! The memory verse for this week is John 8:47, "He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."

The most meaningful part of today's study was - God is not obligated to stop you from making a mistake. If you want to know the will and voice of God you must devote time and effort to cultivate a love relationship with Him.

That is such a powerful statement. I meet Christians all the time that believe that somehow God is going to bless them and protect them from ever making a bad decision or failing. I can even think of times that I have prayed that I wouldn't fail, that too much was on the line, so God was going to have to do a rescue effort. What is being said behind this kind of thought process is - I don't want to devote time and effort to cultivate my love relationship with God. Few would have the courage to admit that, but it is really what is going on.

My responsibility to is to develop my love relationship with my heavenly Father. No one else can do that but me. It is only when I have that deep, abiding love relationship with God that I will hear what God has to say and be empowered to do it.

Experiencing God - Week 4, Day 5

2012-02-07T08:37:00.000-05:00

The memory verse for this week is from John 14:21, "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

The part that spoke the most to me was - As a church, do not look for ways God is going to bless you. Look for ways God is going to reveal Himself by working through you and beyond you to accomplish His purposes. I am amazed at how quickly we can turn in on ourselves. It is easy to just have our own best interests at the fore front. I am to seek to point people to God through a relationship with Jesus. I don't need to put myself first, I need to put God first - to seek His kingdom, then everything else that is necessary in my life will be taken care of. How easy it is to get that switched around and have the attitude that once God gets my life in order and takes care of all of my needs, then I will put Him first. It just doesn't work that way. God must be first.

Experiencing God - Week 4, Day 4

2012-02-05T08:24:00.000-05:00

The memory verse for this week is John 14:21, "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

The most meaningful part of today's study was the statement - When God is about to do something, He takes the initiative and comes to one or more of His servants to let them know what He is about to do.

I know I need wise and discerning people around me. There is so much "good" that we can do in our church and in our region. The discerning factor isn't if something is good, but if it is where God is at work. Having the wisdom and discernment to distinguish the difference is huge. I only want to do what God is already doing and inviting me and our congregation to join Him in that work. That is how God will be glorified and people will be drawn to Him.

Experiencing God - Week 4, Day 1

2012-02-04T09:05:00.001-05:00

We are starting week 4 already! Wow!

The memory verse for this week is John 14:21, "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

The most meaningful part of the study for me today was - I know God more intimately as He reveals Himself to me through experiences with Him. I took some time to think back to times in which God showed up so obviously in my life and I couldn't deny His work or His presence. I remember when I was trying to figure out of I should go to seminary or not. I applied to Duke, but the cost was more than Kelli made in a year as a teacher. I sensed God leading me to become a student pastor. It would take a year longer, but I would get good experience and a small salary. I asked to be appointed by the bishop. The day I called was the last day the cabinet was meeting and I received the last appointment available. God's timing was perfect! I also received a scholarship from Duke so I only had to pay $1,000 per semester. God was Provider!

Experiencing God - Week 4, Day 3

2012-02-04T09:05:00.000-05:00

The memory verse for this week is John 14:21, "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

The part that was most meaningful for me was - "God's commands are designed to guide you to life's best. You will not obey Him, however, if you do not believe Him and trust Him. You will not believe Him if you do not love Him. You cannot love Him unless you know Him. But if you really come to know God as He reveals Himself to you, you will love Him. If you love Him, you will believe and trust Him. If you believe and trust Him, you will obey Him."

I love how connected all of that is. It clearly defines the totality of the relationship between God and us. All of it is equally important and all of it builds on the other. All of it is necessary - know, love, trust, obedience, believe in order to have an intimate relationship with God.

Experiencing God - Week 3, Day 5

2012-01-31T16:28:00.002-05:00

The memory verse for this week is Matthew 22:17-18, "Jesus replied, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment."

The part that spoke to me the most from today's study was - God's constant presence is the most practical part of your life and ministry. I really leaned into the practical part. How often do I really understand that God's presence in my life is practical? I would usually call His presence spiritual, but it truly is practical. I want and need to realize and live with the expectation that the more tuned in I am to God's presence the more I will be acting out of His will and it will have practical implications.

Experiencing God - Week 3, Day 4

2012-01-29T08:20:00.000-05:00

The memory verse for this week is from Matthew 22:37-38, "Jesus replied, 'Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and all of your soul and all of your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment."

The most meaningful statement for me today is "to firmly anchor your experiencing God and knowing His will, you must be absolutely convinced of God's love for you." I started thinking about this beyond, yes I know God loves me. I think it is in the extremes of life that this belief is put to the test. When things are going really bad, am I absolutely convinced of God's love for me? It is easy for seeds of doubt to creep in when things are not going well. But I also have to ask myself that question in the other extreme - when things are going really, really well, am I absolutely convinced of God's love for me or do I become self-reliant? I think it is in the extremes that that statement of God's love must be absolutely certain.

Experiencing God - Week 3, Day 2

2012-01-26T08:55:00.000-05:00

The memory verse for this week is Matthew 22:37-38, "Jesus replied, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment."

The most meaningful statement for today's study really was a question - If you knew all you had was a relationship with God, would you be totally and completely satisfied? What a hard hitting question! I can answer that, "Oh, yes! I'm a pastor of course that is true." But when I dig even a little below the surface I have to really check myself. If something happened to Kelli would I still be totally and completely satisfied with my relationship with God? If something happened to Caleb or Abby, would I? If I lost my job, if I lost my health, if I lost everything around me that I know and I am comfortable with, would I be totally and completely satisfied with my relationship with God?

I do know this, I don't want to find out. That's just gut level honesty.

Saying yes to Blackaby's question cannot be done quickly and easily. I even think it is a day by day answer that grows and develops as I mature in my faith as a follower of Jesus. What it is causing me to do is evaluate if I am making decisions about my life that demonstrate that I am totally and completely satisfied with my relationship with God.

Experiencing God - Week 3, Day 1

2012-01-25T15:23:00.000-05:00

It's the start of a new week. Great discussion last night about week 2. I love sitting under Stan and Betsy Hunt's teaching! They are doing a great job!!

The memory verse for this week is Matthew 22:37-38, "Jesus replied, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.'"

The most meaningful statement from today's study was - everything in my life - knowing God and God's will depends on the quality of my love relationship with God. That just brings such clarity to the desperate need that is within me to be in relationship with my heavenly Father. I am reminded of the memory verse from week one about how I can do nothing apart from Jesus. The more intimate my love relationship with God, the greater the quality of my life. That is so life changing. I must purse that love relationship with God. He is not holding me at bay, I hold God at bay with my busyness, distractions, and sin.

The responsibility of my intentionality toward God is tremendous!

Experiencing God - Week 2, Day 5

2012-01-24T09:48:00.001-05:00

The memory verse this week is Psalm 20:7, "Some trust in chariots and some trust in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."

Today's reading had so much good content in it that spoke to me. Here are a few of them...

"The moment God speaks to you is the time He wants you to respond to Him."
"The quality of the father will affect the quality of following generations."
"Nothing is more pathetic than having a small character when you have a big assignment."
"If you can't be faithful in a little, God will not give you a larger assignment.
"God always builds character to match His assignment. If God has a great task for you, He will expand your character to match that assignment."

I want my character to conform to the character of Jesus. I want God to build my character so I can be faithful and obedient to any assignment He may have for me. I realize I need to honestly assess my character and seek to confess where it is lacking and surrender those areas to God.

Looking forward to tonight's session of Experiencing God!!

Experiencing God - Week 2, Day 4

2012-01-23T09:57:00.000-05:00

The memory verse for this week is Psalm 20:7, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will trust in the name of the Lord our God."

The most meaningful statement for me today is - knowing God's voice comes from an intimate relationship with God. When I don't know what God wants from me or if I don't know where God is leading me, it's because I am out of relationship with Him. I'm not hearing His voice because the intimacy has been broken by sin or busyness. I must come back to Him in very specific and intentional ways.

I really appreciated the prayer on page 44 - "God, I pray that I will grow in my relationship with You so much that when you speak, I will immediately hear and respond." That is my prayer, today and everyday.

Experiencing God - Week 2, Day 3

2012-01-23T09:52:00.000-05:00

The memory verse this week is Psalm 20:7, "Some trust in chariots and some trust in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."

The most meaningful statement for me was - open and closed doors are not always indicators of God's will. I am amazed at how many people tell me that they are praying that God would open or close a door. I always have felt that wasn't the best way to pray and ask God to show His will. God gives us other things like the Bible and circumstances that should agree on the direction a person senses God leading them.

I think we want it too easy. We don't like to wait. We don't want to have to do the hard work of seeking God if it is in an area that we are not comfortable with so we use the language of a door. I want to be diligent in doing my "homework" of praying, reflecting on scripture, and looking at the circumstances around me to make sure I am walking in God's will and not just focusing on my own desires.

Experiencing God - Week 2, Day 2

2012-01-19T08:43:00.000-05:00

This morning I read about God's Plans Verses Our Plans in Experiencing God. The memory verse for this week is Psalm 20:7, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."

As I was reading today and seeking to listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, I realized that what I was reading was one of those - you have a choice here moments. I could just read the material, answer the questions and move on to the rest of my day. But the more I leaned in, the more I listened, the more I realized I didn't want to merely go through the motions. Today's study is big for me.

The part that spoke so profoundly to me was the statement, "You need to know what God has on His agenda for your church, community, and nation at this time in history. Then you and your church can adjust your lives to God so He can move you into the mainstream of His activity before its too late."

This is what God has been pressing down on me for months now! When I shared in my vision message a few weeks ago that I believe God is calling us to infusion spiritual passion for Jesus into the lives of the people in Westmoreland County it because I believe it is in response to what God wants to do through us - and here's what God has been really pressing down on me that I felt weird saying to people...before it's too late!!! What confirmation to what I have been hearing from God.

Remember, we can't do it! But it must be done. Therefore, God will have to do it through us. We must be faithful and obedient.

Experiencing God - Week 2, Day 1

2012-01-18T13:20:00.001-05:00

I don't know if it is just me, but last night's Experiencing God large group gathering was really good. Now today, I started into the second week of the study and it is also getting better. God is at work!!

This week's memory verse is Psalm 20:7, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses. But we trust in the name of the Lord our God."

As I looked at the difference between a self-centered life and a God-centered life and actually wrestled with the reality of my life, I confess that I do not have God at the center of my life at the depth that He desires. I have to desire that depth of intimacy and submission with God before it will happen. God will not force Himself into the deepest regions of my life.

The most meaningful statement for me today was, "God never asks people to dream up something to do for Him." I am a big picture - vision person. This statement really takes the pressure off of me. I don't have to dream up what God wants me to do in my life, my family, or at Charter Oak Church. That is so freeing!

I am to submit myself to God and watch, wait, and listen for where God is at work. I have two very specific assignments from today's study. I can't wait to watch and wait on God!!

Experiencing God - Day 5

2012-01-17T09:56:00.003-05:00

It is the end of the first week. Typing out the memory verse each day has been very helpful to me in memorizing this week's verse - John 15:5, "I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me, and I in him, he will bear much fruit; part from me you can do nothing."

The most meaningful part of today's study is the statement - when you believe nothing significant can happen through you, you have said more about your belief in God than you have declared about you. God is always at work! Always! Not just when we notice it or can see it. God is always at work! How does God work? Through people. As a matter of fact if scripture is any indication of how God works through people (and I think it is), then you quickly learn that He works through ordinary people. God does the extraordinary through the ordinary so that He receives all the praise.

Open my eyes God, that I can more fully see you at work!

See you at Experiencing God tonight!!

Experiencing God - Day 4

2012-01-16T09:43:00.001-05:00

I completed day 4 of Experiencing God on Sunday. The memory verse for this week is John 15:5, "I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me, and I in him, he will bear much fruit; part from me you can do nothing."

The most meaningful part of the day's study was that the Bible is designed to help you understand God's ways. Then when God starts to act in that manner in your life, you will recognize that it is He who is working. So the implication of that is I need to be disciplined in reading and reflecting on God's Word every day so that I will recognize the work of God around me so I can join Him.

The other statement that was meaningful for me was, "When God is about to do something through you, He has to get you from where you are to where He is, so He tells you what He is doing." The truth is, I will have to make a move from where I am to where God is. Looking back, that typically wasn't a comfortable move. But when I obeyed, I was amazed at what God did.

I'm looking forward to our time together on Tuesday night!

Experiencing God - Day 3

2012-01-15T19:23:00.001-05:00

On Friday I completed day three of Experiencing God. The memory verse for this week is John 15:5, "I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

The part of today's study that spoke to me was that God is always at work and He invites us to join Him where He is already at work. So my responsibility as a disciple of Jesus is to always be on the lookout for God working. He isn't just at work a little bit. He is just at work when I am at work. God is always at work. I will actually deepen my relationship with God when I obey Him and He accomplishes His work through me.

My prayer is that I will be much more aware and attune to God around me, especially when I am in the midst of my everyday ordinary life in Westmoreland County. Apart from God, I can do NOTHING. When I abide in Him, He will bear much fruit in my life.

Experiencing God - Day 2

2012-01-12T13:00:00.000-05:00

Today I completed day 2 of week 1. The memory verse for this week is John 15:5, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

The most meaningful part of my study today was the challenge - asking "what is God's will for my life?" is the wrong question. The proper question is, "What is God's will?" Once I know God's will, then I can adjust my life to Him. The focus needs to be on God, not on my life!!

This has been something that has come up for me a number of times over the last couple of weeks. Here it is again. I think God must be saying something to me. Do I seek God's will for my life or do I seek God's will? Am I more interested in having God bless what I am doing or am I more interested in watching to see where God is at work and joining Him?

My prayer today is that I will know God is always at work around me. I want eyes to see and a heart that breaks for God that I may join Him where He is already at work.

Book #2 - Move

2012-01-12T08:12:00.001-05:00

The Leadership Team at Charter Oak Church recently read a book together - Move: What 1,000 Churches Reveal about Spiritual Growth by Greg Hawkins and Cally Parkinson.

Reading this book gave us a place to have similar language and to challenge us about what we really believe God wants for the spiritual growth of the people of Charter Oak Church and Westmoreland County. I shared in my vision message that my goal for 2012 is to equip the people of our congregation to know where they are on the path of discipleship and what their next right step is for becoming a fully devoted follower of Jesus. I want to do everything I can to move people's hearts closer to Jesus.

This book takes real data and puts flesh and blood on what is working to see lives transformed. I really appreciated that the authors write that ultimately spiritual growth is done by the power of the Holy Spirit. It's not just about activity. In fact, most churches just make it about spiritual activity and that is why most churches in America are plateaued or dying.

If you are a pastor or a church leader I would highly recommend this book.

Experiencing God - Day 1

2012-01-11T18:30:00.003-05:00

Seismic movement - that's what is happening in people's lives at Charter Oak Church as people take the next right step on the path of discipleship by engaging in the Experiencing God study together. Quite honestly I didn't think this many people would sign up, then people just started showing up who didn't sign up. More and more lives being transformed by conforming to the character of Jesus. Only God!!

Today I completed Day 1 of the first week. The memory verse this week is on my desk..."I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

It was a good start. As I reflect on the memory verse and consider what God wants me to do in response to today's study I know that God wants me to stay attuned to Him through out the day. It's not just do my homework, read my Bible, spend time in prayer. It's stay open and available to God's leading and prompting. As a disciple I engage in the practice of my faith. I do so that I can be in a relationship with my heavenly Father. I want to remain in Him and He in me.

New Year's Resolutions

2012-01-08T06:00:00.001-05:00

Every year our family sits down and talks about what we are going to do in the New Year. We have the same categories from year to year. Before we create our new resolutions we pull our previous year's resolutions out of our Memory Box and talk about what we did or didn't accomplish and why.

The categories we have are: Serve, Learn, New, Improve, and Accomplish

For the sake of accountability here are my commitments for 2012:

Serve - Write a letter a week to my friend in prison.
Learn - How to prepare for Caleb going to college.
New - Get away with Kelli to somewhere we have never visited.
Improve - My attitude of encouragement.
Accomplish - Run a full marathon

Word of God Speak

2012-01-07T12:58:00.000-05:00

Over the last month or so I have really been thinking and wrestling with the holiness of God and what it means to me and how it impacts who I am as a follower of Jesus. I have been spending more time in the Bible. It's been wonderful watching how many of my Facebook friends have taken up the challenge of reading through the Bible in 2012.

I am also spending a ton of time in the Gospel of John as I prepare to preach through it over the next four months. As all of this is going on I heard Word of God Speak on Pandora. Here are the lyrics, they speak right into my processing and wrestling.

WORD OF GOD SPEAK
I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say

[Chorus:]
Word of God speak
Would you pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That you're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In your holiness
Word of God speak

I'm finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice

[Chorus: Repeat 2X]
I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay

God's Will

2012-01-04T20:33:00.003-05:00

When we honor God in the places no one sees, He will honor us in the places everyone sees.

God's will for my life isn't if I choose path A or path B. I don't need to try to figure out God's will in that regard. God's will for my life is to conform my character to His nature. The choice I have is whether or not I will chose to conform to Him or do my own thing. I have to make that decision when no one else is looking, because once I am where everyone sees, making character decisions is too late.

As 2012 is getting started and you are seeking God's will for your life, read the Bible and study the nature of God and the character of Jesus, then begin to apply it on path A, path B, or path Z. It's about God's nature, nothing less.

Resurrection Power

2012-01-03T12:52:00.002-05:00

I believe in the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. I don't waiver in that belief and I cling to it when someone I care deeply about passes from this life into the next. I also hold that truth out as publicly as I can when someone I care deeply about experiences a death in their family.

In a few minutes my good friend, Cindy Jonczak, will be celebrating her mom's life and rejoicing in her resurrection at her funeral in Ford City. I am praying for Cindy, her children, Cara, Seth and Christian, as well as all of their family and friends.

I say to them and I say to you, we have a Savior in Jesus Christ who brings joy and peace right into the middle of death. Death has been swallowed up in victory. Death has no victory, death has no sting. Thanks to the life, death and resurrection of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

I am honored that I know Cindy's mom, Shirley. She was a pretty special lady. I am thrilled she knows Jesus and even more so, she is known by Jesus. I am praying for the Acerni Family to experience the peace, joy, and love of our heavenly Father.

Book #1 - Jesus' Model for Growing Healthy Leaders

2012-01-02T11:49:00.003-05:00

A few years ago I tracked my book reading by posting each book and a short review or thoughts on each one. I am doing that again in 2012. Here's my first book of the year...

Jesus' Model for Growing Healthy Leaders by Mike Breen with Steve Woods

As far as I know this is only available by pdf download. If you only read books that have paper and ink, then you won't be reading this one. But if you do read ebooks, then this is a great little book that is free.

Mike takes the reader through the development process of a disciple and leader...

I do, you watch
I do, you help
You do, I help
You do, I watch

This is a practical, easy read for leaders, teachers, parents, anyone really who is looking for a model of growing in a healthy way. The one missing element for me, which is probably inherently in this process but I like to make it more clearly articulated, is adding a step in the process at the end - you do, someone else watches.

Memory Box

2012-01-01T09:48:00.002-05:00

Every year for as long as I can remember we create a Memory Box for our family on New Year's Day. It is a simple shoe box that we cover with butcher paper and our kids decorate it. Then throughout the year, we place all of the souvenirs we collect as we experience each activity. On New Year's Day we sit down as a family and we open up the previous year's Memory Box and we look at each item remembering and giving thanks for each experience. We have kept all of our previous Memory Boxes. It is a great way to deepen our connection as a family. You can start this any time, why not start it today?

Followers vs. Fans

2011-09-30T16:40:00.002-04:00

Great blog by Brad Lomeninck

Follower vs. Fan.Is there a difference?
1. Followers are committed. Fans can be fickle.
2. Followers trust their leader. Fans trust in their leader only when it benefits them.
3. Followers want a vision. Fans want a show.
4. Followers ask “what have i done for you?” lately. Fans ask “what have you done for me lately?”
5. Followers are in for the long term. Fans are in for the short term.
6. Followers have an intrinsic connection; it’s not about wearing a t-shirt. Fans have an extrinsic connection; it’s ALL about wearing a t-shirt.

Facebook Changed

2011-09-21T19:08:00.001-04:00

I see Facebook changed again. People are very upset again. Some are threatening to leave and go to Google+. I guess that's not change. Leaving one social network and going to a completely different one.I've been thinking today about how this really seems to go with what happens in the church. Many people don't like change there either. But as I think about discipleship, isn't at the root of the discipleship process change? We love to sing Amazing Grace - I once was blind but now I see, I once was lost but now I'm found. That's all about change. We are invited by Jesus to leave our old life and follow Him. That's change.I love change. I also know I need to be changed - transformed.I think you like change too, you change your underwear everyday!Changes do make us uncomfortable, but without change, well, I'm thankful I'm not like I used to be.Give the changes to Facebook a chance, I bet you will catch on pretty quick to what is different. In six months when it changes again you will be amazed at how you want it to go back to the "old" way - yeah, the change we are in right now.

5 Levels of Leadership

2011-09-14T14:20:00.003-04:00

I can't wait until John Maxwell's next book, The 5 Levels of Leadership, is released. Here's John's latest blog about this book:

The 5 Levels of Leadership is almost here, and I’m excited. This is my best material, and it’s been tested and proven for over 30 years. I know the 5 Levels work.

Here on the blog, I’ve been going over the levels, and this week it’s time for Level 3: Production.

But before I get into the definition and value of production in a leader’s life, I want to clarify how the levels work. Remember the graphic? The 5 Levels are like a building – all the higher levels rest on the lower ones. Every leader must pass through every level to get to the next one. Level 2 builds on Level 1. You can’t be a Level 3 leader until you’ve mastered Level 2: Permission. But once you’ve built a relationship with your people, you’re ready to focus on producing results.

The Production level is where leadership really takes off and goes to another level. Production qualifies and separates true leaders from people who merely occupy leadership positions. Good leaders always make things happen. They get results. They can make a significant impact on an organization. Not only are they productive individually, but they also are able to help the team produce. This ability gives Level 3 leaders confidence, credibility, and increased influence.

No one can fake Level 3. Either you’re producing for the organization and adding to its bottom line (whatever that may be), or you’re not. Thomas Watson, the founder of IBM, noted, “The outstanding leaders of every age are those who set up their own quotas and constantly exceed them.” That is a good description of Level 3 leaders. They are self-motivated and productive. As a result, they create momentum and develop an environment of success, which makes the team better and stronger.

Another benefit of leadership on Level 3 is that it attracts other highly productive people. Producers are attractive to other producers. They respect one another. They enjoy collaborating. They get things done together. That ultimately creates growth for the organization.

Leaders can get to Level 1 for an almost endless number of reasons: They show promise. They have connections. They play politics. They have seniority. The organization is desperate. You name it, and someone has probably become a leader because of it. Leaders who are naturally good with people or who take pains to learn people skills can move up to Level 2. But some people never move up from Level 2 Permission to Level 3 Production. Why? They can’t seem to produce results. When that is the case, it’s usually because they lack the self-discipline, work ethic, organization, or skills to be productive. However, if you desire to go to higher levels of leadership, you simply have to produce. There is no other way around it.

I Believe in You

2011-09-12T09:08:00.002-04:00

It all started with a Father who believed in His Son.

Mark 1:9-11, “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’”

Jesus began His public ministry with affirmation. Following God's public affirmation of Jesus came temptation. I believe this continues to be true for you and me. As we hear God's voice and we respond in obedience, Satan is going to try to take us off track.

After Jesus remained true to God in the face of temptation He then begins to invite others to join Him in fulfilling God's mission for His life. When we come through on the other side of temptation we have the invitation to join God where He is already at work around us.

The great thing is we get to do this with each other. I believe we are all called to be a spiritual mother or a spiritual father to someone else and I believe we all need a spiritual mother or a spiritual father in our lives. This is the model that Jesus used with the disciples and that Paul used in the early church. It's biblical. It works. We should do it too.

Leadership Is Dead

2011-09-07T19:09:00.005-04:00

I recently finished reading Leadership Is Dead: How Influence is Reviving It by Jeremie Kubicek. I was originally introduced to Jeremie at the Chick-fil-a Leadercast in May. He is the founder and CEO of GiANT Impact.

I have to admit I wanted to read the book based on the title. It intrigued me to see what a CEO of a Christian based organization would write about leadership.

He gives an action plan for making leadership come alive in you:

Give trust to become trustworthy.

Become credible, not just smart.

Be intentional in your influence.

Break through your walls of self-preservation.

Pursue relationship before opportunity.

Give yourself away.

Become significant in your impact.

I loved Jeremie's transparency in his stories and how he wove his action plan into his life's experiences. Good stuff!

End Malaria Day

2011-09-07T16:03:00.001-04:00

Today from Seth Godin...

In fact, it costs double the standard amount.

Over the last few months, alert readers of the Domino Project blog have gotten a ton of free ebooks, each a bestseller, each worth reading and sharing.

You don’t owe us anything for that. The exchange was obvious–your attention and goodwill and willingness to share made it worth the author and the sponsor giving a free ebook to you.

No, you don’t owe us anything.

But you do owe the kids something. The kids around the world who die every single day from malaria. For no good reason other than a lack of a malaria net.

Today, 61 amazing authors (and me) are publishing an important new book, a book about great work and finding insight and making a difference. It’s a bargain at $20 for the Kindle edition and $25 for the paperback (international pricing and availability varies, as always).

But of course, there are plenty of great books to choose from. You probably own a few books you haven’t read yet. The fact that this is a great book is not why you should buy a copy right now.

You should buy a copy because today is End Malaria Day, and because we’re donating $20 from the sale of every copy in any format to Malaria No More. In fact, we never even see the money. The writers, the designers, the promoters and the Domino Project all worked for free for months to bring this book to you, so you could step up and save someone’s life.

Will you do that?

The little voice says: But what if they don’t? What if your readers become skeptical, I say to myself. What if they hesitate or don’t come through? Then I relax and realize that this just isn’t going to happen. You care too much. Thank you for that.

[One other thing you could do: spread the word. If you forward this note to just 25 people (and tweet it), it'll be worth more than you can imagine. Thank you.]

Books that Have Hit My Radar Screen

2011-08-31T16:42:00.002-04:00

Here are some books that have popped up on my radar screen in the last week that I am adding to my "to be read" list.

Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris
The Contrarian's Guide to Leadership by Steven B. Sample
The Naked Gospel by Andrew Farley
Rework by Jason Fried
Tough Choices by Carly Fiorina
A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards
Transformational Church by Ed Stetze and Thom Rainer
Breaking the Fear Barrier by Tom Reiger

Gather the Church

2011-08-29T17:09:00.003-04:00

Why do we gather as the church? Yes, we gather to worship our heavenly Father. We gather in biblical small groups to love, encourage, and hold each other accountable. We gather in other ministry environments to walk along side of each other, and we gather to serve together. But the reality is we can gather in all of these environments and not experience spiritual growth or maturity as disciples of Jesus. You or I could be in any or all of these environments and not engage and nothing will happen.

I am training for a race next month. I run three or four times a week. Sometimes I run long distances of 18-20 miles, sometimes I run mostly hills, sometimes I run for speed. All of this is done to prepare myself for my race. No one can train for me. I love it when my friends run with me, but only I can put in the miles. No one would ever think to have someone else do the training for them. And no one would think that they can do no training and then run the race.

It's the same way with our faith journey. We are on a journey to become fully devoted followers of Jesus (See 2 Peter 1:5-9). Hebrews 5:14 says we are to train ourselves, well, more accurately, it says the mature are constantly training themselves. They don't wait for someone else to train them or feed them. They know the responsibility is theirs.

So why do we gather as the church? One of the key reasons is to be equipped so that we can learn how to train ourselves as mature believers (See Ephesians 4:11-13). Are you training or are you expecting someone else to do to it for you?

Quote to Ponder

2011-08-22T13:04:00.002-04:00

This afternoon I am thinking and wrestling with this quote from James MacDonald...

"The purpose of the church of Jesus Christ is not to reach people, or feed the poor or any of those important 'by products.' The purpose of the church is to elevate and honor God's great Son in the minds and hearts of those who gather in His name. Period."

20th Anniversary

2011-08-04T16:04:00.003-04:00

This is where Kelli and I are going to celebrate our 20th anniversary. We will be staying with Don and Suzanne Rumbaugh in Honduras at the Hospital Loma de Luz.

I love my wife!

Doubt

2011-07-25T11:06:00.003-04:00

This past weekend Pastor Dave continued his Survivor series by talking about Doubt. There were two lines from his message that were home runs for me.

The first was in the discussion of Mark 9:14-24. Pastor Dave said that the man didn't doubt that Jesus could heal his son, he doubted he would do it for him. Wow! I cannot remember a time that I doubted the power of God. But that statement really pushes me to think about how many times I have doubted if God would do something for me. I know I will be thinking and praying on that one for a good while.

The second line from Pastor Dave was when he said, "Faith isn't the absence of doubt, but choosing to trust." I needed to hear that as I wrestled with the above statement. As a disciple of Jesus I can't know and understand everything, but I can choose to trust, even when I don't know or understand. That choice is mine. No one else can make that choice for me. That is very comforting on one side and very challenging on the other side.

I love Pastor Dave! I am so thankful he continues to pour God's truth into our lives at Charter Oak Church.

Be a Finisher

2011-07-13T08:47:00.000-04:00

Great blog by Brad Lomenick...

I love people who get things done. Who execute. Who make it happen. Who finish.

Of all the traits of people on my team and of people I work with, for, alongside and in partnership with, the “finisher” trait always is one of the top at the list. When it comes to hiring new employees, I want a finisher. It is the #1 trait related to work ethic that I look for in a new hire.

In today’s “free agent” culture, almost anyone can be an “idea guy.” There is no lack of new ideas, new concepts, a new pithy word, a new organization, a new startup idea, or a new perspective. Ideas are a dime a dozen. And I get pitched constantly on a brand new concept or startup or idea that I know will never make it to the finish line because the person pitching me is not someone who can get it done.

Great teams move ideas from concept to completion. And to do that, you have to have finishers on your team. The folks who are intrinsically wired to make things happen, and bulldog their way to the finish line. The team members who find joy in checking things off the list. But not just a task machine. Finishing is not just about completing tasks. What matters is whether you can carry the ball all the way down the field and cross the finish line, running over the goal line into the end zone.

How many projects are sitting in “idle” mode for you right now? Are you still “working” on that same idea from a couple of years ago?

Take a moment and think about who that is on your team. If you don’t have someone in this role, go find them immediately. This is incredibly important if you are the leader- you have to have someone on your team in whom you have ultimate confidence that if you hand them a project, they will get it done… and without your constant management of them. The answer can’t constantly be “we’re still working on it….”. That is an excuse for either being lazy or unfocused or in the wrong role.

For our team here at Catalyst, it is imperative that everyone ultimately plays the finisher role. Now some have to more than others, but no one can only be the “idea” guy. Everyone is required to execute and own projects from start to finish. It’s a non-negotiable, and deep seated part of our culture. We take incredible pride in being able to take a concept and turn it into a finished project. This is a distinctive part of our culture and DNA here. We’re serious about it.

His Wife

2011-07-12T13:51:00.000-04:00

"I find that too many people believe they can love Jesus and hate His wife. They claim to have a great love for the Lord, but they hold a great disdain for the church. We must recognize that this instrument, this vessel, this imperfect bride is God's choice to spread His 'multi-facited wisdom,' so that His glory might be shown in the world. Yes, sometimes she is a mess, but she is still God's choice. We are God's choice."

- Ed Stetzer

Summer Jubilee

2011-06-30T13:45:00.001-04:00

We're excited to welcome Allegheny String Band to our Summer Jubilee on Saturday, July 9. We hope you'll join us for this wonderful evening celebrating 50 years as a church family! Please RSVP to cjonczak@charteroakumc.org

An Adventure of a Lifetime

2011-06-17T10:31:00.004-04:00

My son, Caleb, is heading off on the adventure of a lifetime. He will be spending nearly three weeks touring Europe starting this Saturday. He will fly into London, England, then take the speed train to Paris, France, then on to Berlin, Germany, and finishing up in Rome and Venice, Italy.

I am so proud of Caleb and what God is doing in him and through him. I can only imagine what God is preparing him for as a disciple of Jesus entering into his sophomore year of high school.

I would ask that you join Kelli and me in praying for Caleb over the next three weeks - that he has an incredible adventure, he stays healthy and safe, and returns home with a broader understanding of who he is as a follower of Jesus and a child of God.

Day 8 - #Trust30

2011-06-07T15:14:00.003-04:00

Five Years

There will be an agreement in whatever variety of actions, so they be each honest and natural in their hour. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

What would you say to the person you were five years ago? What will you say to the person you’ll be in five years?

What would I say to the person I was five years ago? Here's what's most important in order - your relationship with God through Jesus, your relationship with Kelli, your relationship with Caleb and Abby, and your personal integrity. Work at each everyday. Be faithful in the small things.

What would I say to the person I will be in five years? Invest in the next generation of leaders. When I was a young leader in my 20s and 30s I wish I would have had someone who intentionally poured into me. Be the answer to some young leader's prayer.

Day 7 - #Trust30

2011-06-07T14:58:00.003-04:00

Dare

Our arts, our occupations, our marriages, our religion, we have not chosen, but society has chosen for us. We are parlour soldiers. We shun the rugged battle of fate, where strength is born. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Next to Resistance, rational thought is the artist or entrepreneurs worst enemy. Bad things happen when we employ rational thought, because rational thought comes from the ego. Instead, we want to work from the Self, that is, from instinct and intuition, from the unconscious.

A child has no trouble believing the unbelievable, nor does the genius or the madman. Its only you and I, with our big brains and our tiny hearts, who doubt and overthink and hesitate.” - Steven Pressfield, Do the Work

The idea of “being realistic” holds all of us back. From starting a business or quitting a job to dating someone who may not be our type or moving to a new place – getting “real” often means putting your dreams on hold.

Today, let’s take a step away from rational thought and dare to be bold. What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to accomplish but have been afraid to pursue? Write it down. Also write down the obstacles in your way of reaching your goal. Finally, write down a tangible plan to overcome each obstacle.

The only thing left is to, you know, actually go make it happen. What are you waiting for?

The one thing that is a goal that I never thought possible for me to accomplish is running a full marathon. I was a sprinter in track. I hated to run more than the 400 meter dash. Now I want to accomplish something that takes time, discipline, and commitment. This week I am starting to train for my first full marathon that I will run on September 24 in Akron, Ohio.

The schedule is set, the goal is before me, I will fight the resistance!

Day 6 - #Trust30

2011-06-06T07:01:00.003-04:00

Come Alive

Life wastes itself while we are preparing to live. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

If you had one week left to live, would you still be doing what you’re doing now? In what areas of your life are you preparing to live? Take them off your To Do list and add them to a To Stop list. Resolve to only do what makes you come alive.

Bonus: How can your goals improve the present and not keep you in a perpetual “always something better” spiral?

If I had one week to live, I wouldn't do much different. I would pray more. I would pray for my family and my church family. I wouldn't hold back my words. I wouldn't put things off. When life is shortened, the intensity is ramped up. On my "To Stop" list would be frustration. I hate being frustrated.

Day 5 - #Trust30

2011-06-05T08:24:00.003-04:00

Travel

If we live truly, we shall see truly. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Not everyone wants to travel the world, but most people can identify at least one place in the world they’d like to visit before they die. Where is that place for you, and what will you do to make sure you get there?

I would love to go to Australia. Every summer Kelli and I go somewhere, just the two of us. This year it is Honduras. One day, probably after the kids graduate, we will make it to Australia.

Day 4 - #Trust30

2011-06-05T08:19:00.003-04:00

Post It

That which each can do best, none but his Maker can teach him. Where is the master who could have taught Shakespeare? Where is the master who could have instructed Franklin, or Washington, or Bacon, or Newton? . . . Shakespeare will never be made by the study of Shakespeare. Do that which is assigned you, and you cannot hope too much or dare too much. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Identify one of your biggest challenges at the moment (ie I don’t feel passionate about my work) and turn it into a question (ie How can I do work I’m passionate about?) Write it on a post-it and put it up on your bathroom mirror or the back of your front door. After 48-hours, journal what answers came up for you and be sure to evaluate them.

My biggest challenge at the moment is trusting God through the summer months as many people (20% in past years) disappear from worship at Charter Oak Church.

To turn that into a question...How can I trust God in practical ways over the summer months?

Day 3 - #trust30

2011-06-02T08:20:00.003-04:00

One Strong Belief

It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude. - Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance

The world is powered by passionate people, powerful ideas, and fearless action. What’s one strong belief you possess that isn’t shared by your closest friends or family? What inspires this belief, and what have you done to actively live it?

These are great questions. It's what sets us apart as unique from everyone else in some shape or form.

I believe that most people in this region are happy, content, and comfortable with where they are in their lives. I believe that level of comfort has created spiritual apathy. Most people, in my opinion, aren't passionate about very much outside their own bubble. I believe this apathy can only be cured by a deep, intimate relationship with Jesus that is focused outward towards others. I don't believe the church is a building. I believe the church is a surrendered group of people fulfilling the Great Commission. I give my life to this everyday.

Influence

2011-06-02T08:16:00.001-04:00

“Becoming obsessed with what people think about me is the quickest way to forget what God thinks about me.”

-Craig Groeschel

Day 2 - #Trust30

2011-06-01T20:58:00.000-04:00

Today

Your genuine action will explain itself, and will explain your other genuine actions. Your conformity explains nothing. The force of character is cumulative. – Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance

If ‘the voyage of the best ship is a zigzag line of a hundred tacks,’ then it is more genuine to be present today than to recount yesterdays. How would you describe today using only one sentence? Tell today’s sentence to one other person. Repeat each day.

My sentence for today:

Be who God created you to be - gloriously messy, abundantly generous, extravagantly loving.

Day 1 - #Trust30

2011-06-01T13:51:00.002-04:00

15 Minutes to Live

We are afraid of truth, afraid of fortune, afraid of death, and afraid of each other. Our age yields no great and perfect persons. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

You just discovered you have fifteen minutes to live.

1. Set a timer for fifteen minutes.
2. Write the story that has to be written.

If I had 15 minutes to live I would set the timer for one minute, write one sentence to Kelli, one to Caleb, one to Abby, and one to my Charter Oak Church family, then I would go hold my family as tight as I could.

My sentences...

To Kelli - I love you! Thanks to you I know Jesus, there is no greater gift you could give me.

To Caleb - I love you! Be a man after God's heart and love courageously.

To Abby - I love you! Pursue Jesus with everything you are and make Him known.

To my Charter Oak Church family - I love you! live beyond the walls of our building and pursue the mission to bring people to Jesus and become more like Him in every aspect of your life.

To everyone else - Don't wait to truly live, don't hold back your love, make the most of every moment. This isn't our home.

Ambition and Arrogance

2011-05-25T09:32:00.001-04:00

Just read this from Pastor Steven Furtick, good stuff...

There’s a word many Christians are afraid of. It’s almost a bad word. If you have it, many people assume it means you’re self-serving. Power hungry. But most of all, arrogant.

I’m talking about ambition.

It’s almost like if you want to excel at something or do big things with your life or organization, then you must have a God-complex. An all too elevated sense of self-importance.

There’s no denying that that’s definitely true in the case of some people. But I also fear that our fear of ambition is severely limiting other people who have been called to do great things for God. Why should we put a cap on their potential because some people can’t put a cap on their pride?

I’ve seen too many pastors settle for reaching hundreds when God called them to reach thousands. I’ve seen too many talented businessmen stop short of the impact God had called them to make on their field. All because they feared being thought of as ambitious.

So let’s clear this up once and for all: nowhere in the Bible is ambition condemned. Selfish ambition is definitely warned against. But ambition for the sake of God’s glory is not only condoned, it’s commended. It’s a required asset for anyone wanting to rise above the mass of men and do something extraordinary.

Ambition led Noah to build the ark. David to expand the borders of Israel. Solomon to build the Temple. Nehemiah to rebuild the walls. Paul to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth.

I wonder if people accused them of being arrogant? Maybe. But then again, if you’re never accused of being arrogant, it’s probably a sign that you’re not being ambitious enough. You’re dreaming too small. Your goals are too easily attainable.

Let me free you: it’s ok to want to be the best at what you do. It’s ok to want to achieve as much as you can with your life for the sake of the God who gave it to you. I sincerely doubt God is going to look at you at the end of your life and say, “you did too much for me.” But I do sincerely believe that God is going to look at many people and say you were too “humble” for your own good. And the good of countless people you could have impacted if you had a little more ambition.

Don’t let anyone ever tell you that ambition is synonymous with arrogance. Godly ambition is what God uses to do incredible things in our world.

If that makes you look arrogant, don’t back down from what God has called you to do. Instead mourn for the people who are living so far beneath their potential that anything greater must be arrogance.

Unfair

2011-05-16T15:13:00.002-04:00

When life is unfair remember...

"You don't have to understand everything to believe in something." - Andy Stanley

Wednesday Mind Dump

2011-05-11T10:58:00.002-04:00

I feel like I am on a steep learning curve right now. We hosted the Chick-fil-a Leadercast last week and I have been watching last year's Catalyst Conference over the last two weeks. So much to process and take in right now. I'm mining for the gold nuggets that God is seeking to infuse into my leadership.

Been wrestling lately with the question - Am I delegating tasks or authority? When I delegate tasks I'm raising up followers. When I delegate authority I am raising up leaders. I say I want leaders, but do my actions demonstrate and lead to where I want to go? I'm not always liking what I am hearing as I am wrestling with God on this one.

God lead me to Psalm 42 today. Wow, I needed to read that more than I realized.

Kelli and I have been invited to spend some time this summer in Honduras with Don and Suzanne Rumbaugh. I really want to go, but for all the right reasons. Listening to God on that one.

Interesting reading on the state of our denomination and the "Call to Action" to become vital congregations. I wonder if this will merely be a report or if it will truly turn into a call to action that will lead us to make disciples of Jesus Christ? My commitment has been and always will be to be obedient to God. This has put us into the category of a vital congregation, today. But every church on that list, including us, are only three or four decisions away from no longer being vital and obedient to God.

Spring Jubilee

2011-05-10T15:59:00.004-04:00

Sunday, May 22 · 6:30pm - 9:30pm

Join us as we turn back time in celebration of our 50th anniversary with an evening of music under the direction of former music director, Alan Lomicka.

Enjoy hearing your old favorites sung by Charter Oak Church's choir and musical solos on piano, flute and organ followed by an old fashioned pie social.

Childcare will be provided. Please RSVP. Hope to see you all there!

Chick-fil-a Leadercast

2011-04-27T14:32:00.004-04:00

Coming to Charter Oak Church on Friday, May 6!

Your actions mirror it. Your attitude reflects it. And it's so much more than what you say.

It is your leadership voice, and it is how you make a lasting impact.

Your leadership voice is how you inspire greatness and reinforce resolve. It can strengthen a fragile dream, or dash a sliver of hope. It alone can serve as the tipping point, reshaping one's character or redirecting another's path.

Your voice is a voice of change, and change creates new possibilities. That's why the purpose of Voices of Change is to help you demonstrate the power of change through positive leadership.

Are you ready to develop your leadership voice? Then learn more about Voices of Change and make plans now to attend the 2011 Chick-fil-A Leadercast.Your actions mirror it. Your attitude reflects it. And it's so much more than what you say.

It is your leadership voice, and it is how you make a lasting impact.

Your voice is a voice of change, and change creates new possibilities. That's why the purpose of Voices of Change is to help you demonstrate the power of change through positive leadership.

Are you ready to develop your leadership voice? Then learn more about Voices of Change and make plans now to attend the 2011 Chick-fil-A Leadercast.

Join us on May 6, 2011 for the Chick-fil-A® Leadercast, and learn how to use your voice to better your community or bring hope to your workplace. The Chick-fil-A® Leadercast is the can’t-miss leadership event on May 6, 2011, broadcast LIVE from Atlanta, GA, direct to 75,000 influencers around the world. Become a voice of change as you glean wisdom from a lineup of the world’s best leaders.

NOTE: Ticket includes access into event, lunch, and the event notebook.

Easter 2011

2011-04-25T16:38:00.002-04:00

2011-04-23T15:25:00.000-04:00

The Time In-Between

2011-04-22T11:09:00.003-04:00

I need the time in-between. I need the time in-between Palm Sunday and Easter. I need it because I don't want cheap grace. It is all too easy to jump from weekend to weekend and miss out on the depth and breadth of the passion of Jesus.

I need to hear that on Monday Jesus went into the temple and declared, "My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” God's house matters to Him and it matters to me. It is a place of prayer - deep intimacy with God. It is a place where there better not even be a hint of injustice or prejudice.

I need to hear that on Tuesday Jesus did some of the most intense truth telling of His life - signs of the end of the age, the widow's offering, paying taxes, and the parables of the wedding banquet, the tenants, and the two sons. It was also the day Judas sold his soul for 30 pieces of silver.

Scripture does not describe anything Jesus did on Wednesday. I don't need to speculate. Scripture stands on it own authority. It doesn't need my help.

I need to read that on Thursday Jesus made Himself nothing and took on the very nature of a servant as described in John 13:1-17...

¹It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.

²The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. ³Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; ⁴so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

⁶He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"

⁷Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."

⁸"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."

⁹"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"

¹⁰Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." ¹¹For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

¹²When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. ¹³"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. ¹⁵I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."

By washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus enters into an intimate relationship with the disciples that mirrors the intimacy of his relationship with God. It is an intimacy that discomforts Peter, because it overturns all his conventional assumptions about the role Jesus lives. Yet it is only by accepting Jesus in the surprising role of loving host and intimate servant that one has a “share” with him, that you can receive the love of God incarnate. Jesus asks nothing of the disciples other than they place themselves completely in his hands. That they allow their relationship with him be defined by God’s love and God’s love alone.

The Last Supper – Mark 14:12-25

¹²On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus' disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"

¹³So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. ¹⁴Say to the owner of the house he enters, 'The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' ¹⁵He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there."

¹⁶The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

¹⁷When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. ¹⁸While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me."

¹⁹They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, "Surely not I?"

²⁰"It is one of the Twelve," he replied, "one who dips bread into the bowl with me. ²¹The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."

²²While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body."

²³Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it.

²⁴"This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them. ²⁵"I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God."

“This is my body” “This is my blood.” Jesus is not being literal, but in some holy, mysterious way Jesus is pointing to his death. The first Lord’s Supper was a remembrance of the Passover – celebrating deliverance from slavery, now we celebrate the Lord’s Supper as a deliverance from sin by Christ’s death and resurrection. Jesus invites us to join with him into a new covenant. The old covenant people went through priests and made sacrifices to gain access to God. With the new covenant offered to us through a relationship with Jesus we have immediate, personal access to God.

Garden of Gethsemane – Mark 14:32-42

³²They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." ³³He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. ³⁴"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."

³⁵Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. ³⁶"Abba,Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."

³⁷Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? ³⁸Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

³⁹Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. ⁴⁰When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.

⁴¹Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴²Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"

Here’s what we learn in Gethsemane:

· Spiritual battles do occur

· Loneliness is felt

· Honesty is expressed

· Submission is required

· Strength is received

I need the time in-between to right myself with God, to not cheapen the grace that has been given to me. Tonight we read of the crucifixion of Jesus. Darkness. Torture. Sacrifice. Death.

What does this Holy Week mean for you? Do the last days of Jesus change you and open your eyes to all that was done on your behalf? What does Jesus mean to you?

Enough

2011-04-20T15:41:00.002-04:00

I was reminded today that He really is enough. Can you get your head and heart wrapped around that promise? Sometimes I can't, honestly, most days I don't.

No matter what I am going through, no matter what someone may say about me, no matter how difficult the decision, really - no matter what, He really is enough.

Here's the promise - Romans 8:28-39...
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Scriptural Way of the Cross

2011-04-19T14:53:00.003-04:00

First Station: Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me." He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will." When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, "So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:36-41

Second Station: Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested

While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs, who had come from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying, "the man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him and lead him away securely." He came and immediately went over to him and said, "Rabbi." And he kissed him. At this they laid hands on him and arrested him. Mark 14: 43-46

Third Station: Jesus is Condemned by the Sanhedrin

When day came the council of elders of the people met, both chief priests and scribes, and they brought him before their Sanhedrin. They said, "If you are the Messiah, tell us," but he replied to them, "If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I question, you will not respond. But from this time on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God." They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied to them, "You say that I am." Then they said, "What further need have we for testimony? We have heard it from his own mouth." Luke 22: 66-71

Fourth Station: Jesus is Denied by St. Peter

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the maids came over to him and said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilean." But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about!" As he went out to the gate, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, "This man was with Jesus the Nazorean." Again he denied it with an oath, "I do not know the man!" A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter, "Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you away." At that he began to curse and to swear, "I do not know the man." And immediately a cock crowed. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: "Before the cock crows you will deny me three times." He went out and began to weep bitterly. Matthew 26: 69-75

Fifth Station: Jesus is Judged by Pontius Pilate

The chief priests with the elders and the scribes, that is, the whole Sanhedrin, held a council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" He said to him in reply, "You say so." The chief priests accused him of many things. Again Pilate questioned him, "Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse you of." Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.... Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas and handed Jesus over to be crucified. Mark 15: 1-5, 15

Sixth Station: Jesus is Scourged at the Pillar and Crowned with Thorns

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged. And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, and clothed him in a purple cloak, and they came to him and said,"Hail, King of the Jews!" And they struck him repeatedly. John 19: 1-3

Seventh Station: Jesus Bears the Cross

When the chief priests and the guards saw [Jesus] they cried out, "Crucify him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him. I find no guilt in him." ... They cried out, "Take him away, take him away! Crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your king?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar." Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. John 19: 6, 15-17

Eighth Station: Jesus is Helped by Simon the Cyrenian to Carry the Cross

They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. Mark 15: 21

Ninth Station: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.' At that time, people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall upon us!' and to the hills, ‘Cover us!' for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?" Luke 23: 27-31

Tenth Station: Jesus is Crucified

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. [Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."] Luke 23: 33-34

Eleventh Station: Jesus Promises His Kingdom to the Good Thief

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us." The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." Luke 23: 39-43

Twelfth Station: Jesus Speaks to His Mother and the Beloved Disciple

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. John 19: 25-27

Thirteenth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross

Reader: It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit"; and when he had said this he breathed his last. Luke 23: 44-46

Fourteenth Station: Jesus is Placed in the Tomb

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who was himself a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be handed over. Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it [in] clean linen and laid it in his new tomb that he had hewn in the rock. Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb and departed. Matthew 27: 57-60

Our Man in Jamaica

2011-04-13T07:36:00.002-04:00

Hey Americans

I just did my laundry for the last time by hand. The little old Jamaican lady that helps me with it can hardly get around, but I'm convinced her arms are stronger than mine with the way she scrubs those clothes. I definitely won't ever take having a washing machine for granted again!

Since I last wrote, we built six homes for community members in need as well as planting foundations and moving rocks for future home construction. The fish farm's filters, plumbing and pump are all implemented. As soon as the tanks are filled with water, there will be shrimp and tilapia growing that the community can eat or sell to other markets. We also helped with the construction of a community center that will house changing rooms for the nearby soccer and cricket field, a general purpose room to hold wedding receptions or other community events and an office for Won by One's Jamaican pastor, Clinton. Clinton is a real asset to the community.

He is also a cultural bridge to the Jamaicans. Won by One plans to be active in Harmons for a long time, but it's better to be raising up local leaders than to stay dependent on the Americans that come down. Clinton is not only concerned about the spiritual needs of the community but also their economic ones. He recently worked with a bank in a neighboring town to set up savings accounts for all the workers. This is huge in that most of the people of Harmons have never had any sort of bank account.

Last week and this, there have been no American visitors. This has given me much freedom to be out in the community with no particular agenda. I like to walk around talking to people about whatever's on their mind and seeing if they need help with any projects. I was also able to get to the infirmary for a full day, something I've always wanted to do. When Americans come, we take them there for about an hour and a half, but there are just too many residents to visit. If these people don't get any other visitors throughout the week, that's less than 1% of their time that they get to see someone else other than the nurses that are already too overworked to talk to them. My travel to and from the infirmary was quite interesting. It took two taxis and a flatbed truck to get in and three taxis to get home. Once you ride in a Jamaican taxi, you won't ever think an American taxi driver is crazy again!

I attached a picture of my friend Mutta. It's from my first weekend here, so I'm a little tanner now, but he's about the same color. We like to listen to music, play basketball and just talk. He told me about how he got saved a few years ago but won't go to church, since he's not baptized. When I asked him why he wouldn't just get baptized, he told me he didn't have nice enough clothes. After almost two months of talk on the subject, I finally got him over the Jamaican legalism enough to get into a church yesterday morning. Being in the church isn't the most important thing, but to a young believer, it's pretty close. In the afternoon he told me he wished he could be there everyday. Pray for our relationship and his growing relationship with God.

I can't believe I only have two more weeks here. In some respects, I feel like my work here is just beginning. As far as construction goes, I've been able to be involved in the completion of many projects. As far as building relationships goes, I'm only now gaining the trust of some people and getting past small talk and into more substantial conversation. All I can hope for is a productive end of my time here and to get back soon. I have faith that there will be others coming after me that can continue the work I started.

Thanks for your continued support.

Greg

The Tide

2011-03-31T15:45:00.002-04:00

I was listening to an interview with Seth Godin earlier this week. He shared the push back he is receiving from people to do things that are risky. They use the state of the economy as the excuse for not being bold and daring.

Seth responds by saying, "just because the tide is out it doesn't mean there is less water in the ocean."

I have been thinking about my attitude toward risk. I have been wrestling with how wide my bandwidth of trust and obedience is of God. Do I still believe this is God's church? Do I still believe this is God's vision? Do I believe it is up to me or up to God?

There is a church I follow closely that has declared that they are living under "the new normal." I like that mentality. I love that vision of the tide. I don't want to live out of fear. There isn't less water in the ocean. Yes, things are different, but our heavenly Father is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

God has given our church a mission to reach out to those who are searching and equip believers to become fully devoted followers of Jesus. I am more committed to that mission than I have ever been in the six years I have been at Charter Oak Church. We are living into it with greater intentionality every day. We have laser beam intense focus to listen to God and walk obediently in the power of the Holy Spirit, together.

It's a great adventure!

Intentionality

2011-03-30T07:58:00.002-04:00

"If we would only give the same amount of reflection to what we want out of life that we give to the question of what to do with two weeks' vacation, we would be startled at our false standards and the aimless procession of our busy days." - Dorothy Canfield Fisher

Greater Things Are Yet to Come

2011-03-21T07:03:00.000-04:00

LORD, I have heard of your fame;
I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD.
Renew them in our day,
in our time make them known;
(Habakkuk 3:2)

Prayer of St. Patrick

2011-03-17T08:13:00.001-04:00

Today recognizes one of the great prayers of Christianity. Here it is:

I bind unto myself today
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this day to me for ever.
By power of faith, Christ's incarnation;
His baptism in the Jordan river;
His death on Cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spicèd tomb;
His riding up the heavenly way;
His coming at the day of doom;*
I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power
Of the great love of the cherubim;
The sweet 'well done' in judgment hour,
The service of the seraphim,
Confessors' faith, Apostles' word,
The Patriarchs' prayers, the Prophets' scrolls,
All good deeds done unto the Lord,
And purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today
The virtues of the starlit heaven,
The glorious sun's life-giving ray,
The whiteness of the moon at even,
The flashing of the lightning free,
The whirling wind's tempestuous shocks,
The stable earth, the deep salt sea,
Around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, His might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need.
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, His shield to ward,
The word of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard.

Against the demon snares of sin,
The vice that gives temptation force,
The natural lusts that war within,
The hostile men that mar my course;
Or few or many, far or nigh,
In every place and in all hours,
Against their fierce hostility,
I bind to me these holy powers.

Against all Satan's spells and wiles,
Against false words of heresy,
Against the knowledge that defiles,
Against the heart's idolatry,
Against the wizard's evil craft,
Against the death wound and the burning,
The choking wave and the poisoned shaft,
Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name,
The strong Name of the Trinity;
By invocation of the same.
The Three in One, and One in Three,
Of Whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

Thursday Random Thoughts and Learnings

2011-02-24T09:25:00.002-05:00

Thursday Random Thoughts and Learnings

I learned from Nathan Anderson that we can build a social network within a social network that can connect the people of Charter Oak Church in a more significant way.
I can’t believe it was 17 years ago that I graduated with a degree in computers.
We have a vimeo account for Charter Oak Church and we have posted our congregational gatherings where I shared about our strategic plan and structure. You can watch it http://www.vimeo.com/charteroakchurch
It takes 18 weeks to train for a marathon. I’m just sayin!
Tuesday I had a meeting at 7:00a.m. with Tom Beagan. We walked out of the office together at 9:45p.m. together. It was an awesome day. I love my job and I love the people I am privileged to serve on this staff!
I had lunch on Monday with the Chair of our Church Council, Stan Hunt. He is a man of God. He’s encouraging. He asks the right questions. He loves his wife. Most of all, he love Jesus. I believe discipleship is about walking with people who are ahead of you in the journey to become more like Jesus. I am blessed to walk with Stan and the other members of our Church Council.
Duke men’s basketball team is #1 again. I’m just sayin’.
I hope the NFL learns from the mistakes of the professional sports from the past.
I am on stay-cation next week; vacation while staying at home. Sleeping in, lots of reading, long walks with Kelli, and lunch out every day. I can’t wait!!

God's Plan - My Role

2011-02-16T16:25:00.003-05:00

In January I shared God's vision for the people of Charter Oak Church for 2011 and beyond. The following two weeks we had congregational meetings called God's Plan - My Role to share the outworking of that vision through our new strategic plan. We video tapped one of those gatherings. If you would like to watch it, it is broken up into different sections depending upon what you are interested in learning. Click HERE for the video.

If you are interested in reading the executive summary of the strategic plan click HERE. At the end of the plan is a list of places you can use to discern your role in God's plan.

10 Things that Cause Stress in a Leader

2011-02-10T07:30:00.001-05:00

Just read this from Perry Noble...

10 Things That Cause Stress In A Leader

Actually…I am not sure if these cause stress in every leader…but I know these are the 10 most common things that cause stress in me…

#1 – I actually believe the church is MY church and not HIS church…and that I am in control rather than HIM! (See Matthew 16:18)

#2 – I do not trust the people who I delegate authority and responsibility to and actually begin to believe the lie that, “if I want something done right then I must do it myself.”

#3 – When I know without a doubt what God has spoken to me to do…but I begin to listen to the “experts” who tell me that the very thing God has called me to do is an impossibility.

#4 – When I try to explain myself to those who don’t really want an explanation…they just want to argue.

#5 – When I refuse to take some time to disconnect and rest, claiming that the devil never takes a day off while not understanding that the devil isn’t supposed to be my example.

#6 – When I begin to take on the “Messiah complex” and begin to think about how much the church needs me rather than how much I actually NEED CHRIST!

#7 – When I worry about results more than obedience!!!

#8 – When I focus on the size of the problem rather than the size of God!

#9 – When I fail to share my worries and concerns and admit my mistakes to others for fear that it may make me seem weak and stupid. (When…the opposite is the case, those around me actually love and respect me more when I ask for help!)

#10 – When I become unaware of HIS presence every single minute of my life!

Steeler Football

2011-01-27T11:37:00.000-05:00

I just received this from a friend...

Being a Steeler fan means so much more than football. It means being from a corner of the world unlike any other.

It means being from a place where the people are so tough-minded that they have survived the Homestead strikes, the Johnstown
flood and most recently the Etna Floods. These people have the DNA of hard work, in mills and mines, without the necessity of complaint. They live
simply, with no frills. They don't have movie stars or fancy cars.

Instead, they have simple traditions like kielbasa, Kennywood, and celebrations. They live in distinctive neighborhoods like Polish Hill
and the Hill District and all of the surrounding counties. These people are genuine.

They don't have chic internet cafes and cappuccinos, but they have The Original Hot Dog joint, Primanti's, Eat n' Park and Iron City
Beer. People from Pittsburgh don't have sunny beaches or fancy boats, but the rivers roll gently, connecting the small towns of people whose
histories have been built on strength and humility.

People from Pittsburgh don't have the biggest shopping malls or the best nightclubs, but they'll take Friday night high school football and Steeler Sunday over
anything.

Steeler football means so much more than you think. It symbolizes a Diaspora of generations who had the best childhood they could imagine.

They ran free without a care or concern in the valleys of those Allegheny Mountains . Their blue-collar world was easy ... there was
no one to tell them that they lacked material things. There was no one to tell them that they needed more.

As the steel mills closed and the jobs disappeared, some of these people had to leave. While the world benefits because they spread their Pittsburgh values, they long for their
home where things were simpler and more pure.

They teach their kids about Jack Lambert, Lynn Swann, Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Jack Ham, L.C. Greenwood, Joe Greene, and Myron Cope in hopes
of imparting not just the knowledge, but the feeling that they represented.

They are everywhere, those Terrible Towels. They wave, not just for the team, but for the hearts they left behind.

They wave in living rooms in Fort Lauderdale and in the bars of Washington , D.C. They wave all the way to the Seattle Superdome! They wave for the Rooney family, whose values mirror our
own - loyalty, grit, and humility.

They wave for football players like Jerome Bettis and Hines Ward, whose unselfishness and toughness have allowed sports to be about the game and the team.

Make no mistake that Steeler football is not just about football. I could not be prouder to be from the Pittsburgh area than I am right now!!
Even if you no longer live in the area, you have South Western Pennsylvania in your blood no matter where you go.

And deep down in your heart of hearts, you can still hear the Super Bowls of times past, the excitement in everyone's voices especially our fathers, cousins, and anyone else who gathered around
the TV on Football Sundays!

Make no mistake, it’s just as exciting right now! It's not just about rivalries and who is better than the other, it's about family, tradition and roots! It's more than football, but
its football at its finest!

Letters from a Birmingham Jail

2011-01-17T09:45:00.001-05:00

From Dr. King...

I received a letter this morning from a white brother in Texas which said, "All Christians know that the colored people will receive equal rights eventually, but is it possible that you are in too great of a religious hurry? It has taken Christianity almost 2000 years to accomplish what it has. The teachings of Christ take time to come to earth." All that is said here grows out of a tragic misconception of time. It is the strangely irrational notion that there is something in the very flow of time that will inevitably cure all ills. Actually, time is neutral. It can be used either destructively or constructively. I am coming to feel that the people of ill will have used time much more effectively than the people of good will. We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people. We must come to see that human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and persistent work of men willing to be coworkers with God, and without this hard work time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnation...

I have heard numerous religious leaders of the South call upon their worshipers to comply with a desegregation decision because it is the law, but I have longed to hear white ministers say, follow this decree because integration is morally right and the Negro is your brother. In the midst of blatant injustices inflicted upon the Negro, I have watched white churches stand on the sidelines and merely mouth pious irrelevancies and sanctimonious trivialities. In the midst of a mighty struggle to rid our nation of racial and economic injustice, I have heard so many ministers say, "Those are social issues which the gospel has nothing to do with," and I have watched so many churches commit themselves to a completely otherworldly religion which made a strange distinction between bodies and souls, the sacred and the secular.

There was a time when the church was very powerful. It was during that period that the early Christians rejoiced when they were deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was the thermostat that transformed the mores of society. Wherever the early Christians entered a town the power structure got disturbed and immediately sought to convict them for being "disturbers of the peace" and "outside agitators." But they went on with the conviction that they were "a colony of heaven" and had to obey God rather than man. They were small in number but big in commitment. They were too God-intoxicated to be "astronomically intimidated." They brought an end to such ancient evils as infanticide and gladiatorial contest.

Things are different now. The contemporary church is so often a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. It is so often the arch supporter of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church's often vocal sanction of things as they are.

But the judgment of God is upon the church as never before. If the church of today does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authentic ring, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century.

God at Work in Honduras Through Charter Oak Church

2011-01-06T08:47:00.000-05:00

I was blessed by an email received from Don Rumbaugh this morning and wanted to pass it along. God is at work and this is a great testimony to how he uses his servants worldwide to reach the world for Jesus, making disciples in all the nations.

Our advent tree missions donations this year netted $1750.00 and were split between 8^th Avenue Place, our local Food Pantry and the purchase of Spanish bibles for Don Rumbaugh’s ministry. A few years ago, we also took part in a project with VBS kids which advanced Don’s large scale use of Pilgrim’s Progress books to teach the gospel story. Here is what he had to say when I sent the email regarding the money raised for bibles during advent.

I've gotta say that your timing is remarkable for the printing...that my contact in the capital (who can get bibles for $5) was in my living room one hour and fifteen minutes after your email came in, with an invoice for $450 for the IslamaCards (my next large scale project) and a need to put several hundred dollars down on the Picture Bible to encourage them to begin the printing.

Don

p.s. Your Pilgrim's Progress song and story books are all over the north coast and north mountains. My next project is getting more made (that's not a hint; I'll find a printer here. I just thought you'd like to know that they are teaching young worship leaders in EVERY village.)

p.p.s. Jamaica as a mission force?

May Don’s faith, courage and perseverance inspire you as it does me. His response to God is always “yes”, even in advance of all the details. As you follow God’s lead in 2011, may God give you the same courage!

Don't Put Jesus First This Year

2011-01-06T08:02:00.001-05:00

Great post from Steven Furtick...

I have one piece of advice for you as we start out this New Year:

Don’t put Jesus first this year.

Yes, you read that correctly. Before you label me a heretic, let me explain.

I imagine that many of you are going through a similar process as me right now of setting and resetting your priorities. Personally, I love this time of year. I’m a very goal-oriented individual and I’ve found that reprioritizing and recalibrating your life is an indispensable activity if you really want to actualize your potential.

And here’s what it usually looks like. We start by putting Jesus at the top. Then family. Then maybe career. And so on. So our priorities look something like this:

1. Jesus/God
2. Family
3. Career

Looks good. However I’ve found that this isn’t very effective when you get down to the grind of everyday life. For example, what does it even mean to put Jesus before my family? Do I ignore my family to spend more time with Jesus? Or with your career, do you stop working to put Jesus first?

The essential problem with this approach is that it segregates the different priorities of life. You end up removing Jesus from where you spend the majority of your time and putting Him on an island by Himself. The biggest island maybe, but an island nonetheless.

I don’t think this is the way it was ever supposed to work. Colossians 1:15-20 repeatedly tells us that Jesus is first before and over everything. But it also says that all things were created through and for Him. That in Him all things hold together. That the goal of the cross was to reconcile all things to Himself.

So Jesus is first. He is first in order. He is first in importance. But He is so because He is the center of everything.

That’s what He should be in your life. And consequently, the thing that is at the center of your life is the thing that is ultimately first in your life.

This year, instead of worrying about putting Jesus first in your life, what if you concentrated on making Him the center of every area of your life? Not just the top priority in front of every other priority, but the top priority in every priority?

Not Jesus, then my family. But Jesus in my family.
Not Jesus, then my career. But Jesus in my career.

We’d probably be a lot more successful in actually keeping Jesus at the top spot on our list. And we’d be much more likely to do an exponentially greater job at accomplishing our other goals and maintaining our priorities.

God Story #12

2010-12-23T23:10:00.000-05:00

As Christmas quickly approaches I want to share some "God stories" with you that have been shared with me lately. If you want to share a God story that I can share with our church family please email me at cwhitehead@charteroakumc.org.

A little background about my experience with cars and traveling.
When I was 8 years old, I lost my oldest brother in a car accident. He went away to school and I begged my parents not to let him go, cause I knew he wouldn't come back. I just knew. He was killed in a car accident. When I was pregnant with my first child, my second brother was killed in Israel while working with the Army corps. of engineers. So, I'm not a big fan of cars. As a result I'm a very aware driver. Now, on to the God story. On my way to church this past Sunday, I was waiting at the light coming out of Lewis Rd. It's the light down from Mt. View going into Greensburg. There was no one in the turning lane from Greensburg when I pulled up. But a voice in my head told me to watch for the car that would turn in front of me on a red light. Over the years I've learned to listen to that voice. Just as my light turned green, a car pulled up in the turning lane. So, I waited a moment, and sure enough he turned right into my road on my green light and his red light. It didn't appear he even saw me. Some would say luck, some would say coincidence, but I know what I'm calling it. Needless to say I said many thank yous the rest of the ride to church. While singing worship songs, I was really feeling the spirit, and the songs just flowed. God does talk we just don't always hear. I've become very good at listening for Him. He never ceases to amaze me.Thanks for letting me share.

God Story #11

2010-12-22T21:57:00.000-05:00

As Christmas quickly approaches I want to share some "God stories" with you that have been shared with me lately. The following is a newspaper article written by one of the members of our team to Jamaica in November. If you want to share a God story that I can share with our church family please email me at cwhitehead@charteroakumc.org.

After witnessing extreme poverty, malnutrition and poor health conditions in the mountains of Jamaica, we focus on how richly blessed our family, friends and community are this Thanksgiving. The most severe situation in our daily lives pale when put alongside the struggle of these brothers and sisters in Christ.

Upon further pondering their plight, we see two things wrong with the last statement. First, it is never fair to compare and, second, these folks do not consider their station in life a struggle. Time and again we saw people working together and thankful for what they have. One such example is engraved forever in Rusty’s memory.

It was a long drive for a short visit with a Jamaican family in the hills near Green Pond. Friend Chuck had introduced Rusty to John B. a few years ago and this time they took along Pastor Chris. He is nicknamed “Burn John” because as a young boy he had fallen into a fire. Thirty years later the result of the accident is still shocking. His face is severely disfigured causing him to be legally blind.

On the day of their visit, John was cutting wood to make charcoal that he sells. Hearing Rusty and Chuck’s voices, he extended his calloused hands and offered greetings of “blessings and joy: peace and love!” Other members of his clan returning from tending the yams, coffee and bananas were happy and welcoming. Nephew David, who has slurred speech, proudly showed the men the two-room house built of scraps of wood, some rusty tin and torn tarps.

Inside, with little room to turn around, they saw his “mushed” bike with broken rim and torn tire that he uses to ride 10 miles over rough trails and roads to work. In another, smaller, shack the three Americans were directed to John’s mother, Louise. Laying on a cot, too weak and poor to seek hospital care, she was wrapped in a blanket wearing a fancy brown hat. Withered to a frail 70 pounds, she was kept clean and comfortable by her family’s love.

The visitors knelt by the matriarch. Chris held her hand and stroked her thin arm. He prayed with the family and as he finished speaking to God, Louise’s eyes gently opened and her toothless mouth moved ever so slightly.

As they stepped outside of the shack, Chuck asked the family when they last had a meal with meat. John replied that he couldn’t remember the last time. His statement, matter of fact and showing no embarrassment, never hinted for help. There was no sorrow, regret or grief. This family was thankful and grateful for what they had.

Rusty witnessed a family relationship on the horizontal level where food, chores and caring were shared. On a horizontal level, they praised their heavenly Father for “monumental” blessings. Thank you, Jamaican friends, we rejoice with gratitude for the lesson of contentment.

Rusty and Claire Orner with their two sons, Walker and Ashton, are stewards of the non-profit educational organization, Quiet Creek Herb Farm and School of Country Living in Brookville Pennsylvania. They can be contacted at www.quietcreekherbfarm.org Quiet Creek 2010.

God Story #10

2010-12-21T21:54:00.000-05:00

As Christmas quickly approaches I want to share some "God stories" with you that have been shared with me lately. If you want to share a God story that I can share with our church family please email me at cwhitehead@charteroakumc.org.

Earlier this month I made plans to have lunch with a friend, and check in on him.
Yesterday, while on vacation, I went to his house with lunch.
We had my wife's world class wedding soup with Ritz crackers.
It was excellent. So was my time spent with my friend.
We talked and told stories. I prayed and I poured into him. Encouraged him.
We spent a good 2 and a half hours together. It was good for both of us.
I prayed with him for his recovery and return to good health.
I prayed with him for their marriage and parenting of their son.
While it was a simple act, God was there. It was His plan not mine.
There are many blessings each day, and this was one of mine yesterday.
I’m so thankful for what God is doing in my life, and for what He is doing at Charter Oak Church.
More prayers and blessings and love!

The Highest Level of Living

2010-12-21T10:40:00.002-05:00

Here is a blog from Steven Furtick that really spoke to me today:

There are few things more important to God than gratitude. It’s the highest level of living because it’s where you realize everything you have is by the grace of God. It’s the eternal state of Heaven, and it’s something we can experience here and now.

Here are the five observations on gratitude:
1. Gratitude is never invisible or silent. There is no such thing as silent gratitude. If you’re really grateful for something, you’ll say it and show it. Unexpressed gratitude is a lost opportunity to give God praise.

2. Gratitude sustains joy and blessing. In the same way that you can relive an offense through bitterness, you can relive a blessing of God through gratitude. It is possible to relive the joy of yesterday’s gifts with today’s thankfulness.

3. Gratitude begins where my sense of entitlement ends. To keep a high sense of gratitude, you must keep a low sense of entitlement. You can’t be grateful for something you feel entitled to. And the truth is, you’re not entitled to anything.

You woke up this morning. Someone else didn’t. They thought they would, but they didn’t. You received a standard Christmas bonus. Someone else is still looking for a job.
If that wasn’t enough, for the Christian, anything short of hell is God’s miraculous, overwhelming, and sufficient grace. We’re not entitled to salvation. It’s a gracious gift that demands a grateful response.

4. Grateful people can find a blessing, enlarge a blessing, or create a blessing in almost any situation. The opposite of this point is that negative people can find a burden, enlarge a burden, or create a burden in almost any situation. It might sound crass, but some people are crap factories. It doesn’t matter what you put in them, it just comes out crap. They’ll always find a reason to complain. They’ll always find the worst in every situation.

But then for other people, they find crap, put a seed in it, and let it grow. Who do you think possesses more joy?

Your situation doesn’t need to improve for your gratitude to increase. Gratitude sees the best and the potential in every situation.

5. Gratitude increases favor and creates opportunity. Gratitude will make you magnetic for miracles. Joseph preserved his gratitude even after unjustly spending over a decade in slavery and prison. And God used him to save a nation and preserve His people.

If you want the favor of God to flow through your life, keep a grateful heart.

God Story #9

2010-12-20T21:52:00.000-05:00

As Christmas quickly approaches I want to share some "God stories" with you that have been shared with me lately. If you want to share a God story that I can share with our church family please email me at cwhitehead@charteroakumc.org.

When Kiersten was home at Thanksgiving she was required to work at Redstone to maintain her employment status so she has a job next summer. She chose to work the day before Thanksgiving and was assigned the Alzheimer unit instead of the dining hall. When she got home that night, she said that the Spirit touched her and she realized how much she missed the residents. On Thanksgiving Day she spent time calling her regulars that she didn’t get to see in the dining room just to talk with them.

God Story #8

2010-12-19T21:50:00.001-05:00

As Christmas quickly approaches I want to share some "God stories" with you that have been shared with me lately. If you want to share a God story that I can share with our church family please email me at cwhitehead@charteroakumc.org.

This past weekend (December 3-5), the sr. high went on a retreat. During the retreat God was at work in the relationships of the students. First, God was working on the student to student relationships. There were several students who went on the retreat who are not regular attenders to the sr. high ministry. So needless to say, Friday night was a little uncomfortable but by Saturday afternoon, all the students were getting along laughing, playing, chatting, and worshipping together. The second relationship God was a work was the leader/student relationship. Since there was a small number of students the leaders were able to build closer relationships with the students during activities and Bible studies. Third and finally, God was at work in the relationship between the student and God Himself. Throughout the weekend we heard a powerful speaker share with us how our relationship with God was "not right". But through Jesus' death and resurrection on the cross we have the opportunity to become righteous and be in "right relationship" with God. Through these sermons/talks several of the students re-committed their lives to the Lord! They realized their priorities were not on him and that they needed to take a step back and ask themselves, "Do I filter all the things in my life (academics, athletics, friends, social media, work, clubs, etc.) through my relationship with Jesus?"

God Story #7

2010-12-18T21:48:00.000-05:00

As Christmas quickly approaches I want to share some "God stories" with you that have been shared with me lately. If you want to share a God story that I can share with our church family please email me at cwhitehead@charteroakumc.org.

About a week before the Jr. High retreat I received notification from the organization that we were working with that the number of leaders going on our retreat was not going to be enough for their purposes. Well a week before a retreat is not a huge amount of time to try and find someone willing to jump into Jr. High Student Ministry (at least for retreat purposes!) but thanks to Tom Beagan and Bill Gates for announcing our need during the weekend worship services we received several offers of help so that I had to prayerfully make choices about which offers to accept! I thank God for moving in the hearts of several women of our church who offered to help on such short notice but especially for Kristen McKeag and Carla Zema who ended up going with us. Their assistance, along with the other adult leaders who were already along for the ride, helped make the trip a good one for our Jr. High students.

God Story #6

2010-12-17T21:45:00.000-05:00

As Christmas quickly approaches I want to share some "God stories" with you that have been shared with me lately. If you want to share a God story that I can share with our church family please email me at cwhitehead@charteroakumc.org.

Last year, God had me step away from helping with Mission Possible.

This year, God’s prompting led me to throw my hat back in the ring to help with Mission Possible. “Wherever you need me,” that’s what I told Maxine. Each week, Maxine puts me exactly where I’m needed, as a helper, a runner, a first aid person…

But my favorite joy is serving as a table parent at dinner. I have had the privilege of getting to know four second grade girls: Annie, Gracie, Addison, and Zoey. They keep me up to date on their favorite ice cream flavor, their favorite movie, their favorite sport, and their favorite colors. We get to share birthdays on birthday night, we pray together, we use our table manners, and we talk about lessons that Jesus teaches us. One particular week, the lesson was on compassion. At dinner Zoey wasn’t feeling well so she went to the rest room. When she didn’t come back, Addison asked if she could check on her. When neither girl came back, I went to check on them both. What I found was Addison gently wrapping her jacket over Zoey’s shoulders, because Zoey was cold and shivering. Compassion- being the gentle hand of Jesus.

I serve because I love God. God loves me so much that He blesses me with those moments where I see Him at work. Our children are the future. They won’t know Jesus or the promises of God unless we teach them, unless we share with them what God has done for us, and then they too can pass it on to their children.

God Story #5

2010-12-16T21:43:00.001-05:00

As Christmas quickly approaches I want to share some "God stories" with you that have been shared with me lately. If you want to share a God story that I can share with our church family please email me at cwhitehead@charteroakumc.org.

I was having lunch at Wendy’s last week with my daughter and 2 of my grandchildren. As usual, we prayed before we ate. A young woman sitting at the table next to us said, ”Excuse me, but did you all just pray before you ate?” I said yes that we think it is important and it is just something that we do. She said the she was just saved in Christ last year but was already feeling like she was losing some of that ‘feeling’ and had asked God that morning to refresh her spirit. She felt that observing us pray and make God a natural part of our lives was a confirmation from Him. We all were enjoying the sacred carols that were playing and that was another confirmation for her. She asked where we go to church and said that she just might come and try our church sometime because she was driving quite a distance to the church that she had been attending. I told her that we would welcome her and look forward to seeing her again.

Merry Christmas…a refreshed spirit by the work of the Holy Spirit!

God Story #4

2010-12-15T21:41:00.000-05:00

As Christmas quickly approaches I want to share some "God stories" with you that have been shared with me lately. If you want to share a God story that I can share with our church family please email me at cwhitehead@charteroakumc.org.

I saw God at work in Brenda when she lovingly and graciously cared for a person who called and had to back out of an obligation for which she had signed up. The person was so embarrassed and ashamed because of the reason she couldn’t fulfill the obligation and Brenda made her feel loved and valued. Brenda reminded this person by her actions that this person wasn’t valuable because of what she did, but because of who she is in Christ.

God Story #3

2010-12-14T21:40:00.000-05:00

As Christmas quickly approaches I want to share some "God stories" with you that have been shared with me lately. If you want to share a God story that I can share with our church family please email me at cwhitehead@charteroakumc.org.

Last Monday, April, who takes her son to accessAbilities, stopped in the church office inquiring about what items she could purchase and donate to the Food Pantry. She said she doesn’t go to church because she’s “not a good person, not good enough.” I wanted to cry. I told her we’re all sinners and all have issues. I told her God made us just the way we are for a reason and He loves us no matter what. She asked about our worship services and nursery and what else we offer. Naomi showed her around the church and we think she may come back to worship. My heart breaks for someone who asks about donating to the Food Pantry and in the same breath feels she isn’t “good enough” to attend church.

I think (I hope) Naomi and I made a difference in her life that day. I’m going to try to track her down this Monday if she shows up for accessAbilities, because she has been on my heart and in my thoughts all week.

God Story #2

2010-12-13T21:36:00.000-05:00

As Christmas quickly approaches I want to share some "God stories" with you that have been shared with me lately. If you want to share a God story that I can share with our church family please email me at cwhitehead@charteroakumc.org.

Visiting at a local nursing home recently, I walked into the room of a senior member of our congregation, who has not been active here for many years. Walking into the room of someone dealing with memory issues, you never know how you may be received. This morning, I saw Ruth lying peacefully on her bed covered in a beautiful velvet blanket. Not wanting to disturb her, I introduced myself again to her roommate, a younger lady who had been moved here away from her home and surroundings to live close to her daughter, in order to better care for her.

As we spoke, she began to cry and was obviously mourning the loss of her former life. As it was close to lunchtime, Fay mentioned we should wake Ruth. Fay began to share with me, as we woke Ruth, how she cares for her, dresses her when no one can come down, helps her find things and keeps her company. I could clearly see how she simply devoted herself to caring for her roommate, loves her with gentleness, patience, and self-sacrifice. In the simple acts of caring for her, I saw God at work in this woman’s life, building purpose and meaning into her days, and healing her own loss in the process.

God Story #1

2010-12-12T19:33:00.002-05:00

As Christmas quickly approaches I want to share some "God stories" with you that have been shared with me lately.

The following is the email I read in worship this weekend. I have taken the names out to honor the family's anonymity. If you want to share a God story that I can share with our church family please email me at cwhitehead@charteroakumc.org.

Hi Pastor Chris,
I had to write and tell you about the "Santa Claus" moment we had last night because it ironically happened when we took our son to see Santa at the mall.

The line to see Santa was long so it took about 30 minutes to reach the front. At one point while I was trying to keep our son entertained, my husband was talking with the young woman behind us who had a son who just turned one in November. As we neared the front of the line, there is a sign that lists all of the photo packages you can purchase. I started complaining to my husband that the cheapest package was $20 (because apparently you can't just buy one picture of your kid with Santa for $5 anymore). He turns to me and whispers, "The girl behind us is here alone with her son because her husband is in Afghanistan." And at the same time that the Holy Spirit spoke the words into my head, they came out of my husband's mouth - "Let's buy her a photo package...the biggest one they have." While my husband tried to convince our son to sit on Santa's lap (which he would have nothing to do with), I talked to the photographer and cashier and purchased the package and we left before the woman could find out what we did.

I would normally have left there disappointed that I didn't get a picture of our son with Santa, but instead I left in tears so overjoyed that we could help make sure that little boy's Daddy had lots of pictures of a moment he had to miss because he was out fighting for our freedom. I know in the grand scheme of things it wasn't that big of a deal...I'm sure the woman was going to buy pictures anyway, but I also know that God had a purpose in it and hopefully she recognized our gratitude and appreciation for what she and her family are sacrificing for the rest of us.

My Son

2010-12-01T06:23:00.001-05:00

This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.

- Matthew 3:17

Christ in Me

2010-11-30T06:14:00.000-05:00

It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.

- Galatians 2:20

Prayer

2010-11-28T20:09:00.001-05:00

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

- James 5:16

Little Children

2010-11-24T07:36:00.003-05:00

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

- Matthew 19:14

2010-11-23T12:32:00.002-05:00

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.

- Proverbs 10:9

This is my friend Rusty. He is a man of integrity. When I watch him live his life, I see the character of Jesus. He inspires me to want to be more like Jesus. Rusty's paths are straight. His heart is genuine. He walks with God.

Noble Character

2010-11-21T20:10:00.006-05:00

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies." - Proverbs 31:10

Words cannot express how much I love this picture of Kelli. A tender touch...a smile...a heart for Jesus.

Foundation

2010-11-21T20:03:00.003-05:00

With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: “He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.” And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

- Ezra 3:11