Pivotal Thought's

Is This What Christmas Is About?!?!

How Can I Work Under All This Pressure?!?!

Today I am working from home and getting some things done early in the week. But I have a question.....how can I do this with my wife and sister-in-law downstairs making cookies and crap?!?!

Not only that! The doorbell rings and the mailman drops off a package which is from my mother in S.C. Guess what it was?!?! Her famous Peanut Butter Balls (Ahhhhhh!!!!). How can I work and stay healthy around this time of year. There is tooooooo much going on! Hold on.....maybe it is the sugar kicking in!

Anyone else have this problem besides me?

(Office candy, family cookies, eggnog, chocolate, parties, etc....etc...etc!)

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.

Is This The Truth?

I truly believe that individuals feel this way at one place or another in their continuum's at their local churches. We often habitually fall into an acceptance trap of what we perceive someone, group, pastor, leader, or church as a whole feels about us. This is a lie from the enemy and is straight from Hell! I have seen this more in the church than anywhere else. I stand today believing that we need to be God-Esteemed and not fall into this lie-trap from the enemy. Besides, it was never about you anyway : )

Happy Thanksgiving as well as Break

As my family and I watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade I am reminded of my childhood memories.

I can remember the food, football, laughing, napping, and all the cheer that came with this day of Giving and Having thanks for all our creator has done and is doing.

I will be taking a holiday break from the office, meetings, preparation, blogging, and whatever else I may do. I pray that you and your's will have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Reflection: 2007 Remembrance Service

This past Saturday was bitter - sweet. The Annual Service that I was the Key Speaker at went extremely well.

What really hit me when I got there was this was a little different than when I do a Viewing and or Funeral for a family. All of these families represented were the immediate family of over 149 people that Aerhart - Echols laid to rest in 2007. The immediate thought that I had was, "everyone of these hearts here are broken and trying to put the pieces back together again."

Last year they stated that only 25 people came out. But this year (2007) there was a 500% increase. I mean 5 minutes into the service the people kept streaming in. We can never fathom those around the Holiday's that are hurting. Well, the message went great and I could feel His Holy Spirit like never before. King David was truly on point when he stated, "he is close to the broken hearted, and those crushed in spirit."

This day only rolled into Sunday as it was a dynamic time in the Lord. As I reflected yesterday... I truly sense He was smiling on our church and people. I am learning more and more that pastoring is more complex... yet simple. Oxymoron huh? What is simple or seems simple, I believe He is leading us. What is complex or seems complex, we are not allowing Him to lead. 

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?

Pivotal Paradigm Shift

As my wife and I are coming out of a time of Fasting, Prayer, and Reflection this past week I have things that I believe the Holy Spirit was showing me (Church Level, Personal Level, Family Level).

Often in a Church Plant setting we can be growing.... but not growing. I believe when people start looking around and wondering what is next, there is not enough being done. As a new Church Plant we need to be Exceeding peoples expectations. We need to be creating an environment that is a Catalyst. And we need to be the Example for Out of the Box Thinking.

I know and feel that my primary job @ The SHOW is to make sure that we are all being challenged and ever growing in every area. This means getting the Leadership, Core, Community, and Crowd re-focused and looking to new heights... this will take a Pivotal Paradigm Shift.

One thing that I know the Lord is not BIG on is Comfort! We will discuss this on Sunday as we look @ "Overcoming Adversity" in the "Chase the Lion" Series. Hold on, Get Ready, A Pivotal Paradigm Shift is Coming to a SHOW near YOU!!!

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.