He Didn't Look Past Me

Today is my last day in Louisville at the Southern Baptist Convention. Tomorrow, I get up at a the painful hour of 4:00 am to board a plane to go home to my family. I can't wait! Absence really does makes the heart grow fonder.

This was my 3rd convention, but it is the 1st time that I have stayed at the designated "convention hotel". It is the hotel that most of the high profile pastors stay at. Compared to most of the pastors here, I am a nobody. A young associate pastor from Colorado.

I am sure that you have experienced it. You meet someone who is in another league than you, and while they are talking to you they are scanning the room to see who else is there. That has happened to me a few times this week, but I completely understand it.

I had the honor and privilege of meeting Dr. Johnny Hunt, the pastor of FBC Woodstock. He is also the president of our convention, but to me that is a lesser role. He probably would say the same.

I don't usually get nervous, but I was nervous when I saw him in the lobby. I knew that if it was ever going to happen, it was probably going to have to be then. I timidly went over to him, extended my hand and introduced myself. His response was "Hi, Johnny Hunt". We then had a short conversation, a conversation that I don't really remember because I was so star-struck.

No looking past me for someone more important. No talking down to me. He folded his arms, and looked me in the eyes. He seemed to really care about me.

It meant so much to me! To me, he is the greatest pastor and preacher in the Southern Baptist Convention. He loves pastors, particularly young pastors. So, I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to Pastor Johnny for taking the time and making the investment.

I really believe that the "important" pastors need to stop looking around for other "important" pastors. They should be looking for the younger, less important pastors. They need to love us, include us and mentor us. If God ever chooses to exalt me and place me in the "important" category I will take the time to fold my arms and sincerely look the younger pastor in the eyes.

It made the 2009 convention for me!

"Lord, keep me humble and use me to be an encouragement to someone today."

A Searching Pastor

I am in Louisville, KY for the annual Southern Baptist Convention. I am a relatively new Southern Baptist, though I have been a Baptist my whole life. So, I am still learning about our Convention. There are times when I am proud to be a Southern Baptist and there are times when I am not so proud to be a Southern Baptist. The times that I am proud are when we are focused on and united around The Great Commission. Unfortunately, there are often distractions. I am proud of our President Johnny Hunt. He has a clear vision to make this a reality.

I heard a great message from a preacher that I had never heard on Monday morning of the pastors conference that precedes the convention. His name is Francis Chan. Francis pastors the Cornerstone church in California. I think that I was so encouraged and challenged by his message because he has been asking some of the questions that I have been asking. Why are the things that happened in Acts not happening in our churches today? As a pastor that concerns me! I, as a minister and preacher, need the power of God demonstrated. I long for signs, wonders and miracles.

Francis shared this thought. Imagine that you are on an island. You are isolated and know nothing of God and nothing of church. On that island you have a Bible. You read the Bible. You read the book of Acts. Then, you are rescued from that island of isolation. You then go to a church expecting to see what you read about on the isolated island.

Here is the question. Would what you see after reading of the church in Acts be what you saw in your first visit to a church? Probably not. Read the first chapters of Acts and you will see.

This is what has been messing me up for a while now. Why do we not see churches that resemble the book of Acts? I am not blaming anyone but myself. As a preacher, I need to have a fresh word from the Lord for His people. As a minister, I need to have the faith to pray over someone for healing. As a Christian, I need to be generous enough to give my possessions to someone in need. These are the things that are recorded in Acts regarding the early church.

To whoever reads this, I want to declare to you that God is the same! He has not changed. What He did then, He can do now. What He did then, He wants to do now. I refuse to make the excuse that those times are past. Signs, wonders and miracles were for the apostles. Don't accept that! Where in Scripture do we read that God no longer wants to supernaturally gift, supernaturally heal and supernaturally speak? It's not there!

I want to experience everything that God has to offer. I don't care what that looks like. I don't care if it fits my theology or not!

So, what do we do? Here's what I am doing. I am asking God if there is anything in my heart and mind that I need to change in order for Him to choose to work in me and through me. I am praying like I have never prayed before. I am searching the Scriptures like I have never searched them before. I am willing to do whatever. I completely surrendered and I am constantly checking my motives in doing all of this. Will you do the same?

"Lord, I beg you to do a supernatural work in my heart, mind, family and ministry."

He Put Me Into Service, Even Though I...

"Even though". Those words are ringing in my ears this morning. I am reading in 1 Timothy today. 1:12-13 say, I thank Christ Jesus my Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, EVEN THOUGH I was formerly...

To be honest, I am amazed that God allows me to preach and teach His Word. It doesn't matter if it is to students or adults, I am still in awe that He has entrusted me (1:11) with this responsibility.

Here is what the Spirit is speaking to me this morning. The ministry that I have is not my ministry. It is His! They are His gifts, not mine! I am not where I am today doing what I am doing because of my own doing. It is His doing! He put me into service.

Now, here is where the conviction comes. The Scripture says that He put me into service because He considered me faithful. I am wondering in my mind where I would be and what I would be doing if I had been more faithful throughout the years. The more faithful we are the more open doors we will see.

Here is the cool part. It says that He puts us into service, even though. The even though has to do with who we are and what we have done. God always sees our potential. He sees who He can make us into. It says that Paul was a blasphemer, persecutor and violent aggressor. God did a work in Paul to show that He can do a work you. His grace is more than enough. He can take you from where you are and make you in a special servant of His.

Are you faithful? Your faithfulness, will determine your level of service!

"Lord, the best that I know how, I am going to be faithful in the things that you have called me to do. By your grace, would you take me to knew levels of influence so that I can make an impact for your kingdom and for your glory?"

Keepin the Fire Burning

On Friday Michelle and I will celebrate 10 years of marriage. I almost wrote 10 wonderful years. The problem with that is that they have not all been wonderful. As with every couple there have been good times and there have been bad times. We have always had a wonderful relationship, but there have been things that we have gone through that have not been wonderful. When things have gotten tough, we have gotten closer. I suppose that that is the good thing that comes from going through times in the wilderness together.

I am doing something this week that I have not done enough of. I am taking Michelle away over night without the boys. I have found that it is important for married couples to do this! When I kick my boys out of the house when they turn 18 I want to still be madly in love with Michelle. I want us to have something to talk about besides the boys. These times away keep the fire burning.

We have 2 rules when we go on dates or overnight getaways. First, we don't talk about the boys (sounds cruel doesn't it); and second, we don't talk about work. We focus on each other. We talk like we did when we were dating. We treat each other like we did when we were dating. This has been very healthy for us. I refuse to lose my wife when my boys move out! She is more important to me than my boys! I loved her long before I loved Dathan and Tate. It is good for my boys to see that Daddy loves Mommy.

We are facing a new problem. They wonder why mom and dad go to the bedroom to "talk" so often. I would say that is another reason our marriage is so healthy, but that would make everyone uncomfortable.

Husbands, love your wives! Date your wife! Show them that they are the most important person in your life.

Happy anniversary Michelle, I love you!

Focus & Discernment - The 2 Essentials of Leadership

As leaders, we must guard our time. It is easy to get distracted with something that is not that important, something that takes away from what is important. In Nehemiah 6:1-3 we read of Sanballat and Tobiah's attempt to pull Nehemiah away from the work that he was doing. They sent him letters requesting a meeting with him. Nehemiah, being a good leader, prioritized his life. His response in verse 3 was "I am doing a great work and cannot come down". A good leader will often have to say "no" to some things so that he can say "yes" to more important things.

Leader, be aware of the people and the things that will take your focus off of the more important.

As leaders, we must have discernment. In 6:10-14, we read of a man named Shemaiah who encouraged Nehemiah to hide out in the temple for his own safety. Nehemiah's response was "Should a man like me flee?" He was the leader! If he would have fled, the people would have fled as well! If he would have stopped working, the people would have stopped working! In his discernment, he realized that Shemaiah was not giving godly counsel. In fact, he was hired by Sanballat and Tobiah.

Leader, be careful of who you get advice from. Not everyone has your best interest in mind. Not everyone has the same vision as you.

"God, I ask that you would keep me focused; and grant me the discernment that I need to lead."