Hogback Mt at sunrise

This morning started about 4 am for me and my family as we got ready to head out to Upstate New York for our 20th college reunion. It started out ok, but quickly got worse as the unexpected delays began. The original plan was to be out of the house no later than 5am so we could be at the reunion by 1pm. Well, as you can imagine, that plan was short-lived. By time we left the house, it was 5:30am. However, as we got underway, it dawned on us that we forgot to withdraw money from the bank for tolls. So, an unexpected trip to the bank put us another 15 minutes behind. Then there was the intense fog, which slowed us down even more. The darkness of the early morning hour only seemed darker with all the perceived distractions and setbacks.

However, all hope was not lost. something wonderful happened as we proceeded from New Hampshire where we live through the mountains of Vermont. It just so happens that halfway across the state, we arrived at the summit of Hogback Mountain. Due to all the delays, we happened to reach the summit just as the sun was coming up. From the top, it is said you can see for 100 miles down into Massachusettes and over to Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire. The sky was clear, the air brisk (about 36 degrees), and the view was downright breathtaking! It was at that moment that it dawned on me how we would have missed that incredible view had it not been for the so-called inconveniences earlier during the pre-dawn hours. At that point, I had to apologize to God for my poor attitude and complaining. The sights made it all worthwhile.

However, there was still the matter of time lost, not that I cared so much anymore. We still had to stop off for at one pit stop along the way and to get some breakfast at that popular Golden Arches place (which I need not say would delay us a little more). Well, the food was decent and the travel was awesome with clear blue skies the whole way. And as for the 1pm arrival time, let’s just say we got detoured trying to follow a Google map which cost us another 25 minutes which caused us to pull in to the college at … ummh … 12:15pm! (that’s 45 minutes AHEAD of schedule for all the mathematically challenged). God is so good!! We had a great time catching up with old friends and the weather was beautiful (even though they called for rain, which did come but after we left the reunion).

As I sit here now in the motel room at 12:35 am thinking back on the day, I can’t help but think how much today resembles life in general. We so often have the best laid plans. We do all within our power to accomplish what we feel needs to be accomplished, only to come up short. Worse yet, it always seems to take place in the midst of dark times in our lives. We spit and sputter, whine and complain, unsure why everything seemed to go wrong… only to get blind-sighted by yet another setback. The fog gets thicker and thicker making it harder to see God in the midst of it all.

But the truth is to be known, that as we look back, we can see that through the difficulties — or perhaps in spite of them — God brings a blessing as a result when the sun begins to rise again that makes the previous circumstances worth while. And somehow, someway, God manages to bring a season of peace and restore back to us that which “the locusts have eaten” (Joel 2:25).

Be careful not to so quickly cast judgment on your circumstances. God is much bigger … and oh yeah … He is still on the throne. Just give Him every moment, and see what He will do! He truly does look after and care for His own. Just trust Him.

May the Son rise on your day and may God’s blessings be yours in abundance. 

I don’t know about you, but I am so tired of all the political ads on the television. There have been so many of them that I feel I have grown numb. The volume of ads has not been overwhelming enough, but what bothers me the most is the quality of the ads. 95% of them are negative toward the other party, which I believe only fosters the division that exists in our country. What happened to the days when a candidate promoted where they stood without bashing the other party? It seems politicians are more bent on tearing down their opponent’s ability to lead rather than building up the concept of why they are equipped to lead. How are we to stand behind an individual as president when they enter the White House already “behind the eight ball?”

I know I am not alone in this. I have talked to so many who are discouraged in our election process. They are tired of voting for the “lesser of the two evils.”  They refuse to vote because they feel neither candidate represents them, or else that neither candidate is qualified to lead. Some just don’t want to bear the burden of voting for a man, and then finding out afterward that they voted for the “wrong man.” Whatever the reason, many will forfeit the right to vote this year, only to find themselves under the political leadership that the masses feel are the worthy leader — whether they are or not.

As one who seeks to follow Christ, what is my role supposed to be? How am I supposed to respond in this election season that is upon us?

Romans:13:1-2 says this:

“Everyone
must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no
authority except that which God has established. The authorities that
exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is
rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will
bring judgment on themselves.”

As Americans, we have been given an incredible gift to have our voices heard in who becomes our governing authority. We have the opportunity to vote for our elected government officials. As a follower of Jesus Christ, this is not just my right, but also my responsibility. This Bible passage states that God has established all authority. Now, some Christians have taken this to mean that God will place in office whomever He chooses, and then use that reasoning to justify why they need not vote.  Nothing could be further from the truth. In a nation where the God-given established government is based on the voice of the people, it is all the more crucial that the Church — God’s voice in this world through the Holy Spirit — be all the more diligent to make that voice heard each election. We are called to be “the salt of the earth” and the “light od the world” (Matthew 5). We need to be sure we have done all we can as God’s ambassadors to see that the man whom He has chosen to govern us these next four years makes it into office.

Now, as followers od Jesus Christ, it is vitally important that when we vote, we do not vote based on our own will, but the will of God. Who does God want in office? This decision can only be reached as we humbly, and with no agenda, fall on our knees before God and ask Him to direct us. We nee His eyes, His heart, and His wisdom to make such a decision. That goes far beyond any wisdom we could have in the natural.

Last, but not least, we must remember that — regardless of who gets in office — that we have done our part in the election process. We then have a God-given responsibility to stand behind and submit to the new governing authority that is over us, whether it is the individual we voted for or not. Always remember to pray redemptively for our leaders and that God would lead them in the decisions that they face in leading our country.

As you get ready to go out and vote, remember to also pray that God would give wisdom to all voters that are discharging their God-given responsibility in the voting booth. Pray now for those that are not planning to vote or lingering on the fence about voting, that they would see the importance of making their voice heard and have the sobering knowledge that this is one of the most important decisions they will make that will affect generations to come.

See you at the vote! God bless you…and God bless America, as we bless Him!

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Have you ever wondered what possible similarity could exist between Mario Andretti, Wladziu Valentino Liberace, Luciano Pavarotti, and Michael Phelps? No?? I didn’t think so. My brain is obviously a little twisted to even contemplate including these four individuals in the same sentence. But seriously, what could a famous race car driver, concert pianist extraordinaire, Italian operatic tenor, and world-record-shattering olympian gold medalist have in common? Well, not much — but simply put — they are incredible achievers.

We all know people who idolize the successes of others. One says, “I wish I could drive like Andretti.” Another comments, “I wish I could tickle the ivories like Liberace (but without all the jewelry).” Still another states, “I would give my right arm to be able to sing like Pavarotti.” And yet another, “I would love to be able to experience the rush of breaking world records and achieving world-wide fame like Phelps (or should I say “phame”).” The truth of the matter is that we all have people we admire like that.

The fact is that their successes did not come easy. These men had to be totally sold out to their missions. Whether they felt like it or not – whether there were other things they would rather be doing – their priority was to be the best at what they do. And they knew that the price attached to that success was great and would come with great sacrifice. However, they dared to risk all for the goal on the other side of the pain and sacrifice. And for each of them, they won the prize.

I am sure that if we took an honest self inventory, we would see that the reason we have not achieved what our “admirees” have, is largely because we prioritize other things as more important, or – for a variety of reasons – lack the motivation to make the necessary sacrifices that are needed to succeed in the same way. Maybe the spirit’s willing, but the flesh is weak.

I find it interesting that it is the same in the church at large. Many people in general desire to possess the joys and benefits that mighty men and women of God have achieved in their lives. We want the peace, prestige and power that they seem to experience daily. We want people to admire us in the same way we admire them. But yet, for some reason, we are experiencing less of the “blessing” of following God.

Paul, in Philippians 3:12-14, says this:

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Like the previously mentioned four men, Paul was an incredible achiever. He achieved great things for the Kingdom of God, more than perhaps any other individual in history (next to Christ). I suppose you could say that he was like a “spiritual version” of Michael Phelps. We would all do well to admire Paul. It would be beneficial for all of us to ask ourselves regularly if we have been pressing on to lay hold of that for which God has taken hold of us. This aspect of “pressing on” carries the implication of pushing against an opposing force with greater resistance than the opposing force is exerting. If we want to achieve God’s best, it is going to require pressing on with greater force against that which would keep us from achieving God’s best for our lives. Of course, we cannot forget that it is impossible to “press ON” unless we are first “pressing IN” — pressing in to Jesus and being totally sold out to relationship with Him. Are we doing all we can to grow in relationship with Him, to live life according to His purpose for which we were created? Yes, following God full-heartedly will require pain and sacrifice. But, trust me, the pain and sacrifice will be worth it in the end.

Paul says in 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” So I guess you could say he was also a “spiritual version” of Mario Andretti, too. When I get to heaven, I want to know that I have done all I can, so I can hear God speak that way of me. I refuse to leave how I live this life and finish the race up to chance. I will do all I can to win the prize, with the help of the Lord. I trust you will, too.

Until next time, be blessed.

Well, it’s that time of year again — time for Fall Cleaning when we go through our homes top to bottom, cleaning every nook and cranny, moving furniture that hasn’t been moves in 6 months, and wondering how all that dust, dirt and grime could accumulate so much since last spring. Our home has been no exception. If fact, our fall cleaning has been in process for a over a week now.

However, there is one difference this year as we have found a heartfelt need to not only clean, but to also simplify and declutter the house and our lives. “Things” just don’t seem as important anymore. Even my wife, who is even more sentimental about material things than I am (especially those things passed down through the generations), is finding it much easier to say “goodbye” to those items we have not used in a long time or no longer have need for. She just takes a picture of the item, scrapbooks it, and gives the item away. Of course, a few of the most expensive items find their way to E-Bay rather than the curbside.

Fall cleaning for our family this year is more than just cleaning the house in which we live, but it is also about cleaning house when it comes to our lives, ambitions, and activities. For a long time now, our lives have been cluttered —not necessarily with bad things — but actually with some pretty valuable things. Ministry, relationships, church life, and jobs have possessed a huge part of our lives. But over the last couple of years or so, they rose exponentially to the point where life became so cluttered with busyness doing worthwhile things, but not the things that we were necessarily called to do. There is nothing like a good “sabbath rest” (especially a 6 month long one) to help you slow down enough to examine your life to get things back in perspective.

I learned a long time ago that Satan is a liar, but he is also a master deceiver. Though these sound strikingly similar, they are vastly different. Lies can often be easy to spot, but deceit is much more subtle and catches more people in his snares than outright lies, because there is an element of truth in deceit — though it is perverted truth. Likewise, it is easy to spot the enemy when he tries to lead us down unproductive and unfruitful paths, but much harder to see his handiwork when he allows us and even gives us opportunity to be productive for God. Yes, I believe there are times he allows us and provides ways to be fruitful as long as it keeps us from living God’s best plan for our lives. You see, John 15:5&8 (NIV) says this:

“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…This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

These verses make it clear that God desires that we don’t just bear fruit, but that we bear MUCH fruit. In fact, if you go back to verse 2, it shares that he prunes the fruitful branch (us) so that we will bear even more fruit. The enemy desires that we be unfruitful. But if he can’t accomplish that, he will do what’s necessary to at least keep us from being all God intends, even if that means allowing us to be fruitful — but less fruitful than “much fruit” — in some other area. He is not so concerned with how far we miss the mark, just that we miss the mark.

There is an interesting thing about verse 2 where it says that God will “prune” us so we bear more fruit. The Greek word translated “prune” is also translated “to clean”. There comes a point in each of our lives that, if we are going to be productive for God, we must let him do more than just prune us. We must let him clean us. We must get pruned of the bad clutter in our lives, but also let God clean out some of that which seems to be “good” clutter.

Well, our house cleaning is coming along well, but there is still so much to go. As hard as it has been to let some material possessions and sentimental items go, there is a sense of liberation, freedom and peace that has come with the process. Our shed is now free to house both the lawn mower AND the snowblower. We can now walk through the attic without stubbing our toes in the process, not to mention that we can now find what we have gone up there to look for without having to spend the whole day up there. It feels good to sit in rooms and not feel claustrophobic. Getting rid of many of the “things” has actually allowed us to enjoy and focus on what we still have to a greater extent.

I encourage you, as you do your Fall Cleaning this year, to allow God to do some “Fall Cleanup” in your life. Are there things in your life that are just taking up space? Things you are sentimental about, but that hold no value to the plans and purposes God has for you today? Yeah, the cleaning will be hard, it may even hurt — but take it from someone who has experienced this first hand lately, both physically and spiritually– you will find much more freedom and ability to focus on the things that will make your life more fruitful as God intended when you let them go.

Until next time … HAPPY CLEANING!!

Well, the Ministry Fair I was working on during the last blog has come and gone. It proved to be a beneficial experience. 70+ people from the congregation show up to participate as 21 church ministries were highlighted. Each ministry leader gave a 5 minute presentation and provided a ministry display table where people could get more information on the ministries. Numerous door prizes were given away and a wonderful lunch was provided. The ministry tables are still set up, as they will be for the rest of September. Things went so well, it looks like this will become a bi-annual event. In March, we will provide a lower key event, with the  huge extravaganza taking place in each September.

Check out the pictures by clicking the link below:

MINISTRY FAIR PHOTOS

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With the Ministry Fair out of the way, it is now time for me to turn my focus to the next event — the “Focused Living” Conference I will be presenting at the church on October 3rd and 4th. I have great expectations for this conference. It helped me fine tune what was God’s direction for my life, and I am sure it will do the same for those who participate this time. It looks like we are going to have about 25 people at this conference, which should allow for more individualized assistance during the “workshop” portions.

I am really looking forward to this conference for a number of reasons. But I suppose it is special to me because this will be my first endeavor stepping into a teaching/training ministry since I ceased being a senior pastor. This excitement of venturing out into new ministry also comes with its own share of doubts and fears, ones that I felt were overcome a long time ago. One thing I am re-learning again is something we can all benefit from. We each must remember that, as individuals, we must never allow such fears to cripple us from being what God has destined us to be — no matter if it is ministry in the church, in the workplace, in our communities, in our families, or in the world abroad. Don’t let the past dictate your future. Do what God has called you to. If you think you can’t do it, — GREAT! — Now God can use you!

I was feeling a little nostalgic today and found myself watching an old rerun of “Little House On The Prairie.” I used to like the show as a child, but frankly, it has not interested me at all since then, until recently. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older and sometimes just wish life was simpler like it was back then. But I think that it has more to do with where my life is at during these days.

As I mentioned near the end of my first blog, life has brought many changes in my life recently, with many more on the way. It has been a time of packing up the old life with its plans and moving to new uncharted territory. I was sent out by a church to plant another church 9 years ago. My wife and I poured our whole heart into birthing and growing the church these past number of years. But in December, God began to move on our hearts that our time of pastoring the church had come to a close and it was time to move on into the new chapter He had set before us.

So, in February of this year, I resigned as senior pastor of the church, not fully sure of the new direction the Lord was leading in (though I did have a vague idea). At that point, my family and I joined forces with our sister church 11 miles up the road, as I was appointed there as an assisting minister, under the pastoral leadership of David Grasso (a  man whom I greatly respect and admire, by the way — not to mention the rest of his family, ALL of whom are equally awesome!). As we started attending LIFE Fellowship in Charlestown NH, we knew it was to be a “sabbath rest” for us initially as God transitioned, healed, and refreshed us. That sabbath rest lasted for exactly 6 months until mid-August.

I am now fully engaged in the ministry there, and loving every minute of it. I have been involved in the Men’s Ministry, leading worship, greeting, preaching, and even some administrative duties (scary, I know). But yet, there is still a sense that there is something more to my call. Though not fully sure of what it all entails, I do know it will be a teaching and training ministry that, at least to some extent, crosses denominational barriers. I am still searching out to what extent it will be a conventional Christian teaching and training and to what extent it may be internet based, or some combination of the two. It may require partnering with other ministries that are already in existence that are already fulfilling these same functions. I am just trying hard not to get ahead of God and making sure that whatever direction this new ministry endeavor takes, It is God’s direction.

There may be much in my life that is still unknown, much like there was for early settlers, but my God is in control. I am just psyched that He chooses to use everyday vessels like me! In the words of an ’80′s song by First Call: “I may not know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.” Blazing new trails is very difficult and trying, but nothing is more rewarding. Especially when you can look back and see God’s handiwork through it all. One thing I can guarantee you, you can keep doing what you’ve always done even when God calls you to something else… but you will no longer be fulfilled until you begin to step into the newness God has for you. After all, it is partially for that newness that you were created. Dare to step out!

Well, I need to get back to finalizing the details on a Ministry Fairat church that takes place Saturday. Until next week’s blog, God bless you.

Welcome to my new blog. Blogging is a fairly new endeavor for me. I have often considered myself a “techie,” but I am finding that as I am getting older (a whopping 42 now), I am having greater difficulty keeping up with the cutting edge trends in the technology world. Only in the recent past have I found myself learning about weblogs and utilizing the social networking phenomena of Facebook. This is largely do to the influence of my teenage son on me (and I thought I was supposed to be the one influencing HIM). Anyway, I have found blogs to be an incredible tool for releasing information, networking, and keeping people “in the know.”

My goal with this blog is to keep y’all informed on a weekly basis of what is happening in my life in regards to self, family and ministry. This year has already been filled with many changes, and many more are in the works. I will reveal more about that in my next entry.  For now, thank you for visiting and don’t forget to return periodically to see what’s new.