Pivotal Thought's

Merry Christmas from The Darr Family!

Wishing you and your's a very Merry Christmas!!!

We pray that your day is filled with His Presence in all you do and wherever you may go. May your New Year bring all your heart desires.

Merry Christmas!

Toys for Tots

Yesterday @ The SHOW was rather amazing seeing individuals bring in toys for children that would not have a Christmas if it were not for this program.

It was not just the bringing and compiling of toys that excited me... it was the nature and attitudes in which they were brought. People in the church came cheerfully and willingly to give from the heart and it was felt.

Really want to thank Kate Travis for leading this forward and really stepping up and being proactive. You can really see that Kate has a heart for kids and ministry. Thanks SHOW for reaching out and allowing God to be seen through your giving @ Christmas. Joy To The World!

Regaining My Second Wind

Well today I made the decision to work towards more preparation for Sunday but to clear my plate for Tuesday night. As I entered into this week I found that I was feeling as if my stamina was low. My wife and I just came out of a week of reflection and fasting where the Lord really revealed some things to us.

In entering this week I was feeling weary, tired, depressed, and hurt. I just felt alone! I see great potential for everything that I am/we are doing.....but I believe I reached a place where all pastor's reach, exhaustion. A place where I believe instead of trying to do more....we should rest, be around family, surround ourselves with friends, and draw near to the Lord. Last night I did this with my staff and it was much needed. We had a chance to share things, feelings, ideas, etc. We really just came together to put it in the Lord's hands.

We are doing everything we can with everything that is available to us and more. Is there areas where more is needed, yes; but this will come in time. Is there a place where the SHOW needs to be, yes; but this will come in time. Is there a time for rest, yes; and HE has shown me the time is now. I remember when I set forth the core and they were ordained for ministry. I told them they could have their greatest moment, greatest time of being used for the Lord, greatest victory in life, etc. But nothing would compare to drawing alone with Him. This is where we can minister from the overflow....only then can we be filled and rested. So today.... I go to rest with my family.

2007 Annual Remembrance Service (Message)

I had a feeling in my spirit that maybe a reader needed this encouragement today. Remember, He is close to the brokenhearted. Below is the 15 minute message that I take to those tomorrow that lost loved ones in 2007.

"Message of Remembrance":

Today, this afternoon… we come together as a time of Reflection and Remembrance of our loved ones that we lost in 2007. For some of us we lost them without any warning signs or notice. For some, it may have been expected due to an illness and suffering. And for some of us…… we are still trying to figure it all out. But regardless of how our loved one left this life…. It is not easy is it?!

We walk through our homes with traces and remnants of artifacts that still remind us of that special someone that is no longer with us. Some of us may have even left the room still the same… untouched and un-visited. Maybe there are pictures that we find it hard to look at because pain has a funny way of disrupting reality to inevitably remind us that they are no longer with us.

Today I would like to ask you to put that pain on hold. I want to let you know that it is ok to cry! It is ok to let out the frustration and emotions that you may have bottled up! And it is ok to vent because maybe you still do not understand why this took place! I want you to know right now…. right in the midst of your questions… right in the middle of all the scattered pieces, that The Lord is waiting for you! He wants to take your pain… He wants to heal your wounds… and He wants to renew your strength.

In Psalm 34:18 it says:
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 147:3 says:
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Today my pray is that you will allow the Lord to do just that… that you will allow Him to heal your wounds in your heart and in your spirit. You know, we may have lost loved ones, but we are still here! There is a purpose that we still need to fulfill! Those loved ones may be counting on us to carry on the Legacy that they started. Maybe even the Legacy that they never started. If you listen closely…. If you just shut your eyes long enough…. We can see and hear them as they are cheering us on to live life to its fullest! To chase God-Ordained dreams! To live as if tomorrow is not promised! To leave the pieces alone and stop trying to make them fit. Maybe…. Just maybe…. our greatest days are just behind our greatest hurt! Give it to the Lord today.

Lastly, as we look back on this day of Remembrance; let us never forget that they are counting on us. More than anything… the Lord is waiting and counting on us. We still have our greatest days before us. Days of Opportunity!  Days of giving Love and being Loved! And most of all, the memories that we still have of are loved ones that have gone on before us. Today, there is a way that we can move past the hurt, pain, and grief. We just need to give it to the Lord. He is waiting to take it, if you are willing to let go……

Having a Leadership Moment...

Today is one of those days that has rolled up on me. I stay in control of my schedule rather well and always look for areas to Maximize moments. There are 2 kinds of leaders: The leader that controls and maximizes their calendar, time, and resources. Then there is the leader that lets all those areas control them. Which leader are you?

Today I find myself looking @ these areas of my Leadership Calendar:

• My girl's have parent gatherings @ their school today
• Finalizing Sunday Message "Overcoming Adversity"
• Planning & Finalizing Staff Meeting for Friday
• Family Small Groups Tonight
• Saturday / 2007 Key Speaker for "Annual Remembrance Service" (Aerhart-Eckols)
• Sunday Experience @ The SHOW
• Looking for Key Location for The SHOW (January Time frame)
• Scrubbing documents for CLASS 101-401 (Starting in January)

I suppose as I look at these items that I am marching out on throughout my day I cannot help but wonder how we all handle our time. Are we living up to our callings... are we maximizing our potential... are we becoming what we desire for the Lord... or is everyone and everything filling and dictating our calender and effectiveness?

2007 Annual Remembrance Service

This Saturday @ 2:30pm I have been asked to do what I believe is a Sacred Duty in my calling to be a Pastor. I truly feel a deep conviction and responsibility to Encourage, Offer Hope, and Peace to people and families in their times of loss.

King David talks about our Lord being close to the Broken Hearted and Crushed in Spirit (Psalm 34:18). I think that as Pastors we may have gotten away from our true callings. Sure, I love the Emerging Vision, New Territory, and Thinking Big! But I also love having the Humble Honor of being a representative for My Lord.

We need to be Repairers of the Broken. We need to be a Light to a lost World. We need to be the Salt to dull and desolate places. And most of all.... we need to be a Kind and Uplifting Voice to those that are in a time of need.

What I use to avoid doing... I now have found myself enjoying more. Why? Because I believe I find my Lord close to the Broken, close to the Hurting, and close to the Wounded. Thank you to Arehart-Echols in La Plata MD for the opportunity and open door to humbly come and serve in this capacity on Saturday. I do not take it lightly.

Weekly Reflections: Thoughts & More......

As I am wrapping up for the week I cannot help but think of How BIG God is. I guess it does not help as I finalize our Conversation (Message) for Sunday, "Facing Fears" in Chase the Lion Series.

I look back and see so much that He has delivered me from and the things that once paralyzed me and inundated my thoughts, relationships, dreams, goals, and circumstances. It is Pivotal the things that the Lord has allowed me to get through. The things that He has wiped away. The things that are gone for ever just because He is who He is and that is just what He does. He does all things WELL.

Maybe you are reading this Blog and something right now....at this very moment has you fearful and or discouraged. Let me just say that my God can help you over come any obstacle. The first thing that you must do is Minimize your Fear and or Circumstance and start to Magnify (Maximize) the Lord. He is bigger than our Biggest problem. And He is more than able to accomplish in you what He has started and destined you to become and do. I would like to pray for you now.... if you would pray with me:

Lord, I stand here now. Ready, willing, and wanting to give this fear, this hurt, this circumstance to you. I know that you are able....more than able to do the Exceedingly and Abundantly in my Life. I know that you wait for me to come boldly before your throne in order that I can leave changed, whole, and brand new. I thank you for the patience that you show in your love for me. And I thank you now for the strength, vitality, and new hope. I praise you always as you are Worthy of all Praise. In Jesus Name..... Amen!

Pictures from New Jersey Youth Revival

It was really awesome to travel with the four pastor's @ The SHOW this past weekend and "Emerge Beyond Tradition". We had a blast as we stopped for food, shakes, dough-nuts, and potty (You know I have children!).

Friday night was truly a intimate time as the Lord did what He does best. It was rewarding to have our two Youth Pastor's with us Lauryn & Steve to share in the time of ministering and growth. My wife really set the stage as she did 2 songs that God put on her heart. Then I was up to speak on "Keeping Our Focus".

I look forward to seeing Eddie, Ashly, Walter, and Blocha soon as they are dear to our hearts and close in prayer. Keep doing it for Him guys!!!

Here are some photos from the event, enjoy!

Her First Leadership Journey: Part 2

Well, I am proud of Molly. She went through weeks of the application process, getting in front of her fellow classmates, and chasing a lion that stood in front of her breathing doubt, fear, and failure down her neck.

When I went to pick her up from school yesterday she ran to the car with a huge smile on her face. My heart started to beat faster as I could see victory on her face and relief in her eyes. As she opened the door I grasped for air waiting to hear the details. As her little body jumped into the front seat she said, "I did not make it". Honestly......my heart sunk into my stomach and I began to thin slice why she was so happy. All I could do was say what was on my heart, "Honey, I am proud of you for taking the journey......It was not in the Lord's plan for you this time". She was still smiling and I was getting nervous. She looked back at me and said, "I was able to at least try and see what it was like". I thought to myself what she is saying is, "there was a lion dad standing in front of me telling me that I would not be able to take this journey, and today.........I completed my course and that lion is put to rest".

I learned a huge lesson myself today. Molly learned today that it is not the fact that the title defined her (Student Council), it was the Journey that defined her and she is that much closer to understanding that victory is not in the score..........victory is if you showed up and gave it your all. Today, my daughter has my vote and she is a great leader that I am so proud of. Let this teach us all today that the Journey will be more significant than the thing that we are trying to accomplish. The journey defines us.......not the title.

*** I would like to say well done to those 2 individuals that did make Student Council for the 3rd Grade class @ James Craik Elementary. May you lead with conviction and passion as your run this leadership journey. Molly and her dad are very proud of you ***

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