I am always amazed to see people with talent. My mom has artistic talent - she currently works in glass fusion but is always great at anything she tries. At work, I am surrounded by people with speaking and musical talent.
Today, I had the pleasure of watching a friend's son in the play Willy Wonka Jr. He played the part of Charlie, had a ton of lines to learn and he performed several songs. The play was put on by a troop of young people who participated in acting camp this summer and every single kid involved had incredible talent. My friend's son was no exception - he nailed every line and sang his heart out - he's really quite good. He is full of talent and I hope that he continues his acting and singing so I can say "I knew him when he was a kid."
I really admire talented people! I only wish I had a bit...but God had to make some people average, or else we would never recognize those people with real talent. Way to go Levi - you did a great job today!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
News
Last week I posted about stepping out of the boat in obedience like Peter, and the "sphere of influence" God has granted me. Well, I am being obedient and have climbed over the side of the boat, and my sphere of influence is becoming broader. My feet are standing on the top of the water and the good news - my flip flops are dry.
If you haven't already heard the news, here it is. God has asked me to leave my position at the LifeChurch.tv Tulsa campus and embark on a new adventure. I know - I still can't believe it myself. I figured that I would grow old and die here and they would have to shove me out the door in a coffin. But, God has different plans. Effective July 15th I will become the Children's Pastor at People's Church in Tulsa.
Leaving something as amazing, as God gifted, as blessed, as impactful, as incredible as LifeChurch.tv - well, why would anyone leave? Only two reasons - either because you are certifiably insane or...because God said so. I know God has this all worked out - after all, He said "For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."Jeremiah 29:11.
By allowing me to serve at the Tulsa campus of LC.tv for these handful of years, God has truly blessed me beyond measure. I am thankful for each child that ever walked through "the yellow walls" and every person I have had the opportunity to serve with. I will miss this place, its staff and most of all, its people.
As I step out on the water, please pray with me that my focus will remain on His will and I will not look down...I'm not a very good swimmer!
If you haven't already heard the news, here it is. God has asked me to leave my position at the LifeChurch.tv Tulsa campus and embark on a new adventure. I know - I still can't believe it myself. I figured that I would grow old and die here and they would have to shove me out the door in a coffin. But, God has different plans. Effective July 15th I will become the Children's Pastor at People's Church in Tulsa.
Leaving something as amazing, as God gifted, as blessed, as impactful, as incredible as LifeChurch.tv - well, why would anyone leave? Only two reasons - either because you are certifiably insane or...because God said so. I know God has this all worked out - after all, He said "For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."Jeremiah 29:11.
By allowing me to serve at the Tulsa campus of LC.tv for these handful of years, God has truly blessed me beyond measure. I am thankful for each child that ever walked through "the yellow walls" and every person I have had the opportunity to serve with. I will miss this place, its staff and most of all, its people.
As I step out on the water, please pray with me that my focus will remain on His will and I will not look down...I'm not a very good swimmer!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Orbit and Other Stuff
Isn't it amazing when God speaks? Do you ever just wonder why, with all that He has to do, does He take the time to speak to us? Here's scripture from two separate devotions today:
"...Peter...walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous he was afraid..." Matthew 14:29-30
"The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices." Proverbs 21:3
First - with all of the rain here in Oklahoma, it seems like we have been walking on water for days.
Okay - back to business. One of my questions in my previous post was "What is my sphere of influence?" The easy answer: those within my orbit - kids and parents in our children's ministry, family, friends, co-workers, etc. Right now though, my sphere is changing. God is moving me beyond what I ever considered doing.
When he brought me to children's ministry, I thought He was stinkin' hilarious. Kids? Yeah...right. Several years later, I recognize that His purpose was right on - and I'm no longer laughing. He has equipped me with passion and skills that I never imagined. And now, He's asking me to step out of the boat in the midst of a very boisterous wind and trust Him to stay the water so that it is rock solid for walking.
I pray that He will be pleased as I step out onto the water and that He will expand my sphere of influence in the way that He sees fit.
"...Peter...walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous he was afraid..." Matthew 14:29-30
"The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices." Proverbs 21:3
First - with all of the rain here in Oklahoma, it seems like we have been walking on water for days.
Okay - back to business. One of my questions in my previous post was "What is my sphere of influence?" The easy answer: those within my orbit - kids and parents in our children's ministry, family, friends, co-workers, etc. Right now though, my sphere is changing. God is moving me beyond what I ever considered doing.
When he brought me to children's ministry, I thought He was stinkin' hilarious. Kids? Yeah...right. Several years later, I recognize that His purpose was right on - and I'm no longer laughing. He has equipped me with passion and skills that I never imagined. And now, He's asking me to step out of the boat in the midst of a very boisterous wind and trust Him to stay the water so that it is rock solid for walking.
I pray that He will be pleased as I step out onto the water and that He will expand my sphere of influence in the way that He sees fit.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Orbit
Lately I've heard the word "orbit" a ton. Usually "orbit" is related to something in space - like the earth which orbits the sun, the moon which orbits the earth, or a space craft which orbits whatever it was sent to fly around. The context in which I have recently heard the term used was in the "business" of ministry, although I'm certain it's a new buzz word in other business sectors as well.
First, a definition:
orbit: 1 a: a path described by one body in its revolution about another; also : one complete revolution of a body describing such a path b: a circular path2: a range or sphere of activity or influence . Merriam Webster.
The first question that comes to mind is what are we orbiting - or more appropriately, what am I orbiting? What is my life revolving around? The "church" answer would be that my life revolves around God and around His purpose for me. But, being human, that's not always true. Minute by minute, my revolution focus changes - one minute it's my job, one minute my son, another my friend(s) - in short it's all too often...myself.
Ouch! That's not pretty, especially considering what God has called me to do in service to Him! While there's a vast space within my orbit which allows for life influences like family and career, the very center must be God himself. While it's easy to focus on those things within close range of my orbit, without a very center to revolve around (God), then there's truly no orbit at all.
What's the center of your orbit?
Check back in a few days - this topic has got my mind really thinking (scary, I know). The next question relates to the second definition - what is my sphere of influence? And another question I may try and tackle - What is God's orbit? Tell me what you think!
First, a definition:
orbit: 1 a: a path described by one body in its revolution about another; also : one complete revolution of a body describing such a path b: a circular path2: a range or sphere of activity or influence . Merriam Webster.
The first question that comes to mind is what are we orbiting - or more appropriately, what am I orbiting? What is my life revolving around? The "church" answer would be that my life revolves around God and around His purpose for me. But, being human, that's not always true. Minute by minute, my revolution focus changes - one minute it's my job, one minute my son, another my friend(s) - in short it's all too often...myself.
Ouch! That's not pretty, especially considering what God has called me to do in service to Him! While there's a vast space within my orbit which allows for life influences like family and career, the very center must be God himself. While it's easy to focus on those things within close range of my orbit, without a very center to revolve around (God), then there's truly no orbit at all.
What's the center of your orbit?
Check back in a few days - this topic has got my mind really thinking (scary, I know). The next question relates to the second definition - what is my sphere of influence? And another question I may try and tackle - What is God's orbit? Tell me what you think!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Spiritual Pride
One of the pastors I work with used the term "spiritual pride" during our staff meeting recently. He was describing why he felt that churches are divided and why they don't really want to come together, even though they have the same main purpose.
This term really stuck with me. I often check out other churches, both in person and on the internet, and have found myself exhibiting a bit of this "spiritual pride." Being on staff at LifeChurch.tv has been an amazing adventure for me. I have had the opportunity to work with the best of the best - people who eat, sleep and breathe our core value of Excellence.
Surrounded daily by these type of people sometimes conjures up the thought - "my church is better than your church." But, is my church really "superior?" If so, as a children's pastor at my church, then does that mean my ministry is superior to children's ministries at other churches?? Well...there it is...and it is truly ugly! Spiritual Pride! Yuck!
Truth is, if we have the same goal - an eye on the true prize - then it doesn't really matter who has the best culture, most dynamic ministry or gets the most media attention - no church (or ministry) is more superior than any other. God reminded me that it doesn't matter where I work so long as I'm actually working for the creator of the church himself - Jesus Christ. The ministry will only be as good as its purpose, and if the purpose is to further the Kingdom of Christ, then there's no need for spiritual pride. God doesn't need us to compete with each other - His love is big enough for all of us.
It's time for all of us to believe that we are not in competition, and instead begin helping each other. So, step outside your comfort zone and check out Christ's church - no matter whether it's First Baptist or First Assembly...I dare say that many are full of the same greatness as your church. Lets drop the spiritual pride and share the spiritual purpose.
This term really stuck with me. I often check out other churches, both in person and on the internet, and have found myself exhibiting a bit of this "spiritual pride." Being on staff at LifeChurch.tv has been an amazing adventure for me. I have had the opportunity to work with the best of the best - people who eat, sleep and breathe our core value of Excellence.
Surrounded daily by these type of people sometimes conjures up the thought - "my church is better than your church." But, is my church really "superior?" If so, as a children's pastor at my church, then does that mean my ministry is superior to children's ministries at other churches?? Well...there it is...and it is truly ugly! Spiritual Pride! Yuck!
Truth is, if we have the same goal - an eye on the true prize - then it doesn't really matter who has the best culture, most dynamic ministry or gets the most media attention - no church (or ministry) is more superior than any other. God reminded me that it doesn't matter where I work so long as I'm actually working for the creator of the church himself - Jesus Christ. The ministry will only be as good as its purpose, and if the purpose is to further the Kingdom of Christ, then there's no need for spiritual pride. God doesn't need us to compete with each other - His love is big enough for all of us.
It's time for all of us to believe that we are not in competition, and instead begin helping each other. So, step outside your comfort zone and check out Christ's church - no matter whether it's First Baptist or First Assembly...I dare say that many are full of the same greatness as your church. Lets drop the spiritual pride and share the spiritual purpose.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Vacation
Yes, I'm on V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N! Because of gas prices, Josh and I decided to stay home. So what have I done? Well...(I know you love my lists):
- Cleaned my apartment.
- Took Josh fishing - caught 2 small mouth bass myself (I know, right?).
- Worked Tuesday morning on kids' camp stuff (has to get done - vacation or not).
- Met with a volunteer.
- Checked e-mail.
- Updated my Facebook page (help - I wish I knew how to use this resource better).
- Took a couple of big fat naps.
- Met my best friends for a fun lunch.
- Talked on the phone (oh yeah, I still need to call my Mom).
- Researched church websites.
- Drank a lot of tea (I love tea).
Okay, so it doesn't sound like a lot of fun, but I am enjoying it! I still have 2-1/2 days remaining, and so far, my only plans are to sit by the pool and get some sun, pick up my glasses (yuck), and do some reading. Oh yeah...and drink some more tea! I'll be "back in the saddle" Saturday...meantime, it's vacation, vacation, vacation!
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