I Can't

As I look ahead to this Thursday nights' ordination service, I find myself thinking about when I first began to feel the call of ministry on my life sometime during the latter part of 2000.  I've been thinking about how I felt about not being saved too long, not growing up in a church, not knowing all the worship songs, not having any public speaking experience, no post high school education, etc.  Needless to say, I had a ton of excuses and it never really hit me until the fall of 2005 when my pastor at the time at New Hope Assembly of God in Lancaster, asked me to consider coming on as youth pastor.  My first thought was "I Can't" and  those thoughts from 5 years earlier started to re-surface and it wasn't long after that God was telling me, "Good, then you will let me do it through you".  Those similar thoughts came as I saw things begin to fall in place for me at Velocity Church.  How can I be lead pastor, I've never put a church budget together, I've never been in a board meeting (except to inform them I was leaving Tiffin), I am only used to preaching on a Sunday morning once a month, etc.  You know, those thoughts weren't around too long as I remembered that what God told me in 2005, is still true in 2011 and for the rest of my life.  So when you find yourself in a situation like this, remember, God will do it through you.


2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT) Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

Settling In

It has been a little more than a week since my last blog.  That tells me, I have been extremely busy.  It has been quite the transition from associate pastor to lead pastor.  I am beginning to realize the responsibility that God has given me more and more each day as I walk in the role of lead pastor.  However, I must say, I am doing my best to enjoy every moment of it.  My hope is that as I continue "Settling In", that I would grow more and more each day and realize that it is about Him and not me.


Proverbs 3:5 (NLT) Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

My Wife

Today, I can't help but think about Amy, and as I do, I can't help but think great things.  She and I married only 11 months after our first date.  Some people thought it was too soon, we knew it was God's plan for the both of us.  Of course, we didn't know that we would some day live the crazy, yet rewarding life of full time ministry.  Amy has never once mentioned wanting to leave the ministry or walk away from a church, she is committed to the core.  She has encouraged me time and time again when I felt things were getting too crazy or when I couldn't see the point in doing something.  She is the love of my life, for my whole life.  I am who I am today, in part, because of the woman I married on April 6, 2002.    If I had to do it all over again, I would...over and over again.  "My Wife" truly is a good gift from God.

Proverbs 31:12 (NLT) She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

First Sunday

Well, I am at home putting the final touches on tomorrow's message.  It will be a message about my vision for a two week emphasis called "just One". We will kick this off on Easter Sunday and come back to part two on May 1.  I am very excited about leading the people in to what will double up as not only an Easter outreach opportunity, but the launch service for Velocity Church.  God is laying some things on my heart that I pray come across to the people and they share in the excitement.  Tomorrow, being my "First Sunday" as lead pastor, is the start of something great for me and the amazing congregation of Velocity Church.

Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.