People Watching

For nearly 3 months now, my lovely wife, Amy, and I have been on a journey to create a healthier us.  We have changed the way we eat (not a diet per say, just eating less and not late) and going to the gym 4-5 days a week.  We have seen some amazing results and we praise God for those results.  As we have become healthier physically, we have become healthier emotionally as well.  As we are spending more time together at the gym or going for walks, combined with the fact that we keep each other accountable in our weight loss journey, we seem to have a new spark in our marriage.  Simply put...we just feel closer.  That in its self is awesome.  However, today while doing a workout on the seated leg press, I really began to observe the other people there working out, when a thought came to mind...Who is really committed to getting and staying healthy and who is just hanging out?  The cool part is that the Spirit began to share with me how others are observing believers.  As a believer you must realize that people who aren't saved are "People Watching" to see if you really are committed to the cause of Christ.  We are occasional example of God to others.  When they see you, do they know you are committed or do they think you are just hanging out?  Do you love the un-loveable, weep for the lost, help the helpless? Or, do you just go to church (the "gym") and hangout with other believers (committed "gym goers") hoping you may fit in.  Trust me...people know when you are committed and when you aren't because they will realize if you do what you do for God or for show.

Colossians 3:17 (NIV)  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Familiar Faces

This past Sunday (May 6), the family and I took a trip back to New Beginnings A/G in Tiffin.  A place where I no doubt learned the majority of what I know now and where I first served in full time ministry.  The four years of ministry in Tiffin was a tremendous time of learning and doing, often times taking on a task or role that I never thought I would be able to do.  This weekend was a special one for us.  As we walked in the church it was so great to see so many people that have impacted my life or the life of my entire family.  The kids saw friends they haven't seen in quite sometime and Amy and I enjoyed shaking hands and getting hugs from those that we were close to.  Even though time and distance keep us from seeing our New Beginnings family at times, I am excited for the day that I will spend eternity in Heaven with them and so many other "Familiar Faces."

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 (ESV)  ¹³ But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. ¹⁴ For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁵ For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Checking In

It has been a ridiculously long time since I have shared some thoughts on here.  Fitting I guess since the last post talked about shifting gears.  Guess I finally down shifted, haha. It has been a little over a year now since I have been serving Velocity Church as lead pastor.  It has by far been a fast, fun, enjoyable year.  There have been some tricky times here and there and some decisions to make that I didn't expect to face in the first year but all in all, I would do it all over again.  The family is doing very well and things at the church are going just as good.   I'm just glad that God doesn't forget about us and that he isn't about "Checking In" from time to time to see how we are but that he is always there.  In the last couple weeks, I have been really evaluating my time with God.  I have been trying to focus on him more throughout the day and not just try to get in my 15 minutes in the morning and then never look to or think about God again.  God is always there and as believers, we need to always be mindful of that.

Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV) The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”