Category: Uncategorized

This past weekend, I spent some time reflecting on my strengths and weaknesses and how they relate to ministry. I began to wonder how in the course of preparing to be a pastor, how do we receive honest assessment from others and assess ourselves if we have the necessary makeup to be a successful pastor? Being a pastor requires a set of skills that are very different than in any other field. Now I am not saying that skills from other fields cannot be translated into success in ministry because I know of people who have been able to move into ministry from another career field. What I am asking is does a 20 year old Bible College sophomore have enough insight into himself and has enough people around them to honestly asses whether they have the right combination of skills & gifts to be a successful pastor? In some cases I believe that they are, but in some other cases that just might not be the case.

In my case, I do not believe that I was self aware enough to really determine if I was going to be successful as a pastor when I was a college sophomore. I certainly did not people in my life who loved me and where honest enough with me to point out my strengths and weaknesses. I do not remember talking about my spiritual gifts and leadership ability until I was much older and had already invested some time into preparing for ministry. Did I make the wrong career choice? Was I prepared to make that choice? It is hard to say and at this point it is water under the bridge, but I think that is worth asking the questions.

My concern now shifts to our up and coming leaders who are in college right now. What are we doing to prepare them to make informed decisions about who they are and how God has made them? Have we set up and encouraged students to form relationships with mentors and friends who can be honest about their strengths and weaknesses and be frank and honest with them about their aspirations to become pastors?

I love the local church and I can think of nothing in the world then I would rather be doing than serving in full-time ministry. Ministry is a very demanding but extremely rewarding job and it takes people with the right skill set to do it very well. I believe that not all of us are gifted to be successful pastors but I believe that we can be made into successful pastors. Some people that I know in ministry are naturals and they were made to do what they do! Other have the desire but require coaching and training to be better.

What do you think…do we need to encourage people who are naturally gifted to become pastors and leaders in the church or can we train/equip people who are not natural leaders but have the desire?

Yesterday Melissa and I were at Walmart getting groceries and upon entering the store Melissa left me for a moment so that she could use the bathroom. As I sat there waiting for her I noticed two guys headed toward the exit and one of them had their hand down the front of his pants. I then saw an  a guy coming up quickly behind the hand down the pants guy on his cellphone. I immediately thought that I was about to witness something cool and I was right. Once dude got outside, security tried to stop him and he then tried to run (not to dude…don’t try and outrun security!) They grabbed the guy and took him down to the ground. After he was subdued he was escorted to the back. Melissa and I happen to be picking up something in the same area close to where they were holding the guy. We overheard his 19 year old sister tell the store manager, security, and the cops that he brother was 17 and was trying to steal a pair of boxer shorts (hint #2 don’t tell the cops that you knew what he was up to).  The police then told the sister that her brother was being taken to jail for attempted shoplifting, resisting arrest, and for having possession of the Chronic. As we were leaving the parking lots, the police where searching the car that they drove in.  I guess it goes to show that if you are going to try and steal at Walmart don’t draw attention to yourself by placing your hand down your shorts and don’t tell your “crew” what you are up to otherwise they will get busted too. One other piece of advice…don’t have weed on you is you intend to steal! If you get caught it will get you in more trouble.

Bad boys, bad boys what you gonna do?

In I Samuel 25 & 26 I have been reading about David and how on two different occasions, He obeyed God and did not take Saul’s life when he was presented the opportunity to do so. Often we believe that God has “delivered” an opportunity into our hands but when we step back we often realize that this is just not the case. At Catalyst a few years ago I heard Andy Stanley preach on this passage and he made the case that just because we are presented with an opportunity does not mean that we should take it! Following God requires obedience and wisdom and seeking the counsel of others. Being in relationships with others who can speak truth into your life are key when it comes to obeying God.

What relationships are you engaged in that speak truth into your life?

How do you discern if any opportunity real is from God?

I took my bike in on Monday to have some repairs done to it and yesterday I went to pick it up. As soon as I got home, I really wanted to test it out on the Silver Comet Trail. I had previously made plans to take our dog to the park so that she could get out of the house and play. I decided instead of taking Maggie to the park that I would take her riding with me on the trail. I hooked up her harness and attached her leash to the front of my bike and off we went! Maggie did pretty good at time and at other times she remembered that she was a hound dog and wanted to stop and smell things. We passed a guy walking his dog and he commented that I had a good idea for walking walking Maggie using the bike. I hope to get back on the trail a few days a week and ride. Maggie is hoping that I don’t get the idea to take her along again but I think it would be good exercise for her to get out and ride with me a few times a month. So, if you see us on the trail say hi!

Last night after using the bathroom, I looked over into the sink and   this is what I saw! Guess it was a good thing that I did not put my hands in the sink! Georgia apparently has two different kinds of scorpions and this is one kind. Their bite is not lethal but painful I am told. Well at least it was not a snake that I found!

Melissa, Maggie and I went to the Braves games this past Sunday! We had a great time and Maggie was very well behaved! Can’t wait to take my little girl to her first game!

My awesome tax guy Scott called me last week to tell me that Melissa and I are getting a LARGE refund this year. This was a huge answer to prayer as the money that we are getting back in taxes will help us to stay afloat for awhile longer. Melissa had a job interview on Friday and I have one this week. Please continue to pray for us and join us in thanking God for providing for our every need even before we ask it. God is seldom early but never late!

John 19:28-30

Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” ²⁹A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. ³⁰When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

This was the passage of scripture that Brian Boyle preached on this weekend for Easter at Westridge Church.

Melissa and I went on Saturday night to avoid the crowds. This morning we took the opportunity to sleep in a bit and make home made cinnamon rolls for breakfast.

I am thankful today and everyday that Jesus went to that cross and died for me and that his blood cover me.

Hello friends!

It has been several weeks since I last posted that Melissa had lost her job. In the weeks since she was let go we have come to grips with what happened and are moving forward. She has been in contact with another hospital in the area and is awaiting an interview.

As for me, this will be my last week of pay from Velocity and I have not yet received any offers yet and have found few leads. I am upbeat and hopeful that I will find something very soon.

We have found a church that we both like and have been attending regularly. West Ridge Church is near our home and has a great spirit about it. God is blessing this church and we are excited to be apart of what is happening there. We are looking into connecting with a small group and hope to attend one next week.

All in all things are good. Please continue to pray for us.

Melissa was just told by Wellstar today that they were letting her go. This stems from an incident with a patient and was not at all her fault. We are devistated and have no idea what to do now! Please pray for us!