I Still Believe . . .

All things work together ...

2012-01-12T14:46:00.000-06:00

Romans 8:28 says this:
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Jeremiah 29:11 says this:
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

At PCC, this Sunday will be week 2 of a message series through the book of Esther ... and this Sunday we'll introduce a new song in Worship, one by Jesus Culture entitled YOUR LOVE NEVER FAILS - very relative to the message Ron is currently preaching. (You can click on title & follow link to song.) I find the song's message to be very true ... here are some of its lyrics:

Nothing can separate, even if I ran away ... Your love never fails
I know I still make mistakes, but You have new mercy for me everyday ... Your love never fails
You stay the same through the ages, Your love never changes
There may be pain in the night, but joy comes in the morning
And when the oceans rage I don't have to be afraid
Because I know that You love me ... Your love never fails

How often I have been reminded that God is assuredly working things TOGETHER for my good ... I mean, we are after all His children, and He loves us just as we love our own children.... even in a greater way though.

I find myself thankful for every season of my life, for the good times and yes also the bad times ... for every friend who has ever been close to me, even those who no longer are, for they served a purpose in God's plan for my life - probably for theirs too. I learn and I grow from every season, every relationship, every event in my life ... and I feel confident, because I know He is the great navigator and I am not the one in control ... and that my friend is a VERY good thing.

It happened again, and indeed I do .. "Stay Amazed"

2012-01-08T03:44:00.000-06:00

It is 2:30 a.m. January 8th, in the dark hours between Saturday night and Sunday morning as I begin to write this. I do so with tears streaming down my face, and even at this moment I have to pause as the knowledge of what I just experienced settles deeper into my heart.
I have to write this - now - so I don’t lose, nor forget with time, this “God moment.”

I awakened an hour ago, and at 2:00 came and sat in my living room … first in the near darkness, the only light coming from a distance, from above the kitchen sink. I want to pray …. I begin by thanking God for that which my heart was swollen with. As I tell God “thank you” for the blessings and gifts in my life, naming them one-by-one til they become too numerous to count, I begin to have an even greater appreciation for each of them. With a heart full of gratitude, I then begin praying for people I know who are heavy on my heart, starting first with a man - a former relative – for whom I have felt very burdened since Christmas. (I called him yesterday … and tonight I) pray for him and for his family, not even knowing why other than because I have felt in my spirit that I should cover them in prayer at this time.

I then move my prayers to others. I pray for my family specifically calling each one, and what I feel in my heart is the greatest need or greatest (spiritual) hindrance of each one of them, by name, and then ask God to let THIS be the year, let THIS be the time, that I be everything He created me to be, and that I realize some dreams I have, dreams He has created me to dream. I call another friend’s name in prayer, someone who lost a father this week and ask God to comfort her. My prayer then moves toward another member of my family whose heart is heavy with her children's needs, then on to my church family and the church service we are now only 6 hours away from. I ask God to be present, and ask that He be honored in our worship … in every aspect of it.

THEN …. I switch the lamp on and open my bible and begin to read. I will share in a moment what *scripture I read, but what I really want to say here is that as I began to read, tears filled my eyes - for it was as if the chapter whose pages fell open as I turned on my lamp were intended just for me - just for this moment, me sitting here in my living room at 2:30 in the morning. As I finished reading, I was overwhelmed at how precisely this passage spoke to me, how very specific it even spoke to those things about which I had just prayed, and within this scripture I even for a moment thought - at one particular block of scripture - this writer is like me - a little A.D.D., appearing distracted in these few verses.
THEN it happened … that “God moment”. I flip the page back to read the chapter again and I see what I somehow did not see before - how did I miss it at the very top of the passage? The lead-in to the scripture - it read this:
For the director of music ... THEN I know … it truly WAS for me, and still as I write this I am overwhelmed … at how God proves Himself to me, sitting here in the quiet, dimly lit corner of my living room.

See, every single circumstance about which I have just prayed, every heart-felt word I spoke for every individual, has just been affirmed and responded to in this chapter of God’s word, God’s living word. I am in awe ...

And I am thankful … so I write, desiring to share this with you, and also so it will forever be recorded, that Satan never be able to take this from me through a memory that has seen better days. THIS will be remembered … now I cannot forget.

Thank you for taking the time to let me share this with you.
(*Psalm 139)

I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me … for us.

Sweet Beulah Land ...

2012-01-04T12:10:00.000-06:00

Next Monday, January 9th, would have been my sweet father-in-law's birthday. We lost him to cancer nearly 7 years ago. "Hoss", as he was known to everyone, was one of the most remarkable men I knew ... he welcomed me into his family as if I were his own daughter and we shared a very special relationship over the course of the 25 years that I knew and loved him. He touched MANY lives with his generosity, his quick-witted humor, his insanely surprising out-of-the-blue one-liners, and his BIG heart ... especially mine. (You could never one-up him in a match of wits ... it was MISSION IMPOSSIBLE. Well, almost never ... I just remembered the ONE time my great friend Donna Adkins trumped him in a match of wits ... the ONLY time in 25 years I ewer saw him speechless ... lol)

This song reminds me of Dad. And I am reminded as I look ahead to January 9th that I will be reunited with him one day in a better place than here. For we are all only passing through on a journey to our eternal home. Our triumphs, and our trials, they are all only temporary as we are passing through this life. Don't put too much stock in your success, nor give undue attention to your sorrows. Enjoy, and also learn from, every moment and every season of your life and the seasons you have shared with others. But remember this ... this life is only but for a moment, this place here is only our temporary home. May we all be storing up treasures in a better place.

I look forward to a sweet reunion one day ....

Random thoughts ...

2011-12-30T20:56:00.000-06:00

Today, and in fact this week, was an AMAZING work day at PCC. PCC volunteers showed up throughout the week to work, strategize, brain-storm, clean, hang new BIG stuff on BIG walls, and create new synergetic environments for the start of the new year. And our "clean team" ... this is a group of people who come to the church every Friday morning and thoroughly clean the entire building in anticipation of Sunday. Now THAT is service, that is sacrifice. And this week, this entire team amped it up, staying longer and working harder to be sure everything planned for this weekend could roll out successfully. We've done an "image upgrade" throughout the building. TEAMS of people showed up and invested in their church all week long ... I LOVE working with and serving people who also serve w/that kind of passion and commitment.

So ... if you are one who shows up on Sunday mornings without thinking of your church much throughout the week ... I hope this week you will stop and notice all that was done by the volunteers who came and worked so hard this week. Take JOY in what you see, say GOOD things about it ... and most importantly, appreciate that someone (many someones) took time from their week to make your church a more attractive, welcoming place not only this week, but every week. They are the unsung heroes of PCC.

And on a side note .... my DREAM is to open a small cafe, a "gathering place", in Pace where I, along with some faithful friends who often are working and serving beside me in the PCC kitchen, will serve up delicious meals that will not only be GOOD, but also good for you. I'm gonna do that SOME DAY ... I don't want to pass through this life having NEVER fulfilled this one, long-standing dream of mine. Anyone want to help put together the capital for such a venture, just let me know ... :)

Now, as a friend of mine said earlier today ... peace out.

2011-12-27T12:07:00.000-06:00

I instantly loved this song the first time I heard it ... evokes worship within me.
May we never cease to be AMAZED by God.
I couldn't imagine my life without Him ...

a FB post ...

2011-12-21T13:18:00.001-06:00

The following is a quote from a FB post today ... I will NOT say who posted it, but I can tell you that:
1) I'm pleasantly surprised to see my "name" on the list, and
2) The person that did post it on FB is catching some (good-natured) HEAT/ribbing from people who did NOT make his list.
I am re-posting the FB post here because I suspect it may come down from FB after enough of the poster's friends (& family) have their say about it. And for the record, I thought he was pretty ingenuous when it came to the "skills" he was trying to pull together, even if some thought the names might have been different ... lol
(P.S. I'm easily entertained, as is evidenced by this blog post :)

People I want in my post apocalypse camp...
1. Jamie- repopulate the earth
2. Alan- supreme hunter and gatherer
3. Mom- head tribe chef
4. Dad- to save the hethan world
5. Carter- to get the world wide web back up and running
6. Mary- camp security and law enforcement
7. Uncle Rick- hut builder
8. Nathan- general ingenuity and panhandling
9. Justin- my right hand man and backup
10. Courtney- jamie's backup

Making others smile ....

2011-12-21T11:41:00.000-06:00

Sandra Brooks, Renee Jones, Nan Looney (Renee's mom), and I have done a little caroling this week ... started Saturday night at Alyssa's Antique Depot ... what a charming environment to be in amidst all the Christmas lights inside the store. Special thanks to Alyssa for inviting us in.

Then Sunday morning we sat next to the fireplace in the atrium of PCC and sang carols before service. Two little girls crawled up on our laps and joined in singing .... Reese Brooks and Macy Schepper. What a special delight they were. After service, little Macy brought her mom to me and asked if she could sing with us again ... she told her mom "we have to stay for 2nd service so I can sing with the big girls again" ... then she promptly took my hand and lead me back to the stools in front of the fireplace ... too cute. Here is a picture of Macy just so you can see this little angel....

Later that day, after our Worship Band Christmas lunch, Renee, Nan, Sandra, and I took off to Pensacola to sing carols at West FL Hospital and then on to Northpoint Retirement community to do the same, and along the way we picked up Macy, She was very well behaved at W FL Hospital, and absolutely stole the show at the retirement community. The residents ADORED her, and even took a little liking to us. The special treat that day for those residents, and for us, was the time we spent dancing with them ... oh my, how they loved that! It truly was a memorable day for us all ... and we capped it off with a sweet treat at Dairy Queen before heading back to Pace and taking Macy home.

Funny thing is ... I had planned all week to spend the afternoon sitting in my living room, relaxing and watching a football game, but in the end I was certain the day turned out far better than I had planned.

I hope you will take the time this week to just make someone's day a little brighter ... we all have that ability, that gift we can give to another. So go ahead, make someone's day sometime this week ... you'll be even more blessed than they will be.

Recipe

2011-12-12T03:29:00.002-06:00

Just posted a simple FRIED RICE recipe ... find it under the tab IN THE KITCHEN.
I enjoyed making this for the Leaders Banquet at PCC tonight.
I hope that you enjoy it as well ....

(P.S. and what was the menu for the banquet?
APPETIZER / Meet-and-Greet Time:
Candy jar table
Wassail
Flavored Coffees

DINNER:

Bang-Bang Shrimp
Orange-Glazed Chicken
Fried Rice
Oven-roasted Green Beans
Asian Salad
Sandra's Gourmet Salad
Desserts to DIE for
and of course, all the trimmings to finish out the meal

THANK YOU to Courtney Brooks and Samantha Webster who did such a beautiful job decorating the Atrium with just-the-right-touch for a holiday dinner event.
Special THANK YOU also to Sandra Brooks and Wade Hall for helping prepare the meal, and also to the "all-hands-on-deck" people who jumped in to lend a hand in the kitchen as the clock was ticking down toward dinner. What an AMAZING group of people I serve with ...

Indifferent to the needs of others ... don't let that be you

2011-11-27T03:14:00.001-06:00

Today I made a quick dash over to Best Buy at Cordova Mall, around 11:00. As I entered the mall parking lot I saw an elderly lady (72, but she was spunky :-) whose vehicle was stalled at a 4-way stop in the main entrance in front of World Market. She was standing outside her vehicle, her driver's door wide open, waving traffic around her as she appeared frantic on her cell phone. I pulled up next to her and offered to help ... she said she thought she might have run out of gas (Her gas gauge didn't work and she had been clocking her miles, apparently losing track of how close to empty she was ... I've been there before so I completely understood her plight; that's about a $300 repair so you limp by the best you can til you can afford to fix it ... she'd been clocking mileage for about a year because of her failed fuel gauge ... I also did that, for about a year.) I was saddened at how MANY people just drove around her, completely ignoring her need for help.
Well ... to make a long story short, I did help her. Long story, but I'll spare the details and say that in the end she thanked me, and we parted ... both of us feeling the joy of helping and being helped.

It really did grieve me how many people just ignored her ... were completely indifferent to her obvious need for help. How many times I have seen that.

I am wired to respond to the needs of others ... not every need all the time, but when I can do something I try to ... and many of my closest friends are wired just like that too. They are people you can count on not only to help you but will also not miss opportunities to help others. Those are my favorite kind of people. (In fact, the first couple that Ron and I met when we moved here nearly 14 years ago, are people like that ... Kevin & Kim Robbins .. still our very good friends today.)

Don't be indifferent to the needs of others. Lend a helping hand ... give someone a hand up when you have the ability or means to do so... and don't be afraid to reach out to others at this busy holiday season. Go ahead .... be kind to a stranger ... your simple response or act of kindness may actually meet their deepest need ... the need to feel like they matter to someone else.

(P.S. Before you make any assumptions about the lady entering the mall parking lot, I should tell you that she was going to pay her cell phone bill ... not shopping .. she had her bill in her hand as I approached her to help. She told me that she was going to pay her phone bill then head to the gas station. She also told me she was turning 72 next week. I hope she has a happy birthday, and I hope she knows that she matters ...)

2011-11-17T12:04:00.000-06:00

A new release by SIDEWALK PROPHETS .. been listening to it this week, and HIGHLY RECOMMEND it to you ... it feels like WORSHIP to me, maybe for you too. Includes these songs:

JUST MIGHT CHANGE YOUR LIFE
SHOW ME HOW TO LOVE
YOU CAN HAVE ME
THE WORDS I WOULD SAY
MOVING ALL THE WHILE
FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH
YOU LOVE ME ANYWAY
ALL THINGS NEW
YOU WILL NEVER LEAVE ME
GIVE IT ALL AWAY
LAY DOWN MY LIFE
KNOW THAT YOU ARE LOVED

New Recipe for you ...

2011-11-17T10:08:00.000-06:00

ITALIAN CREME CAKE - just loaded on the In The Kitchen page
Make it a layered cake, as pictured here,
or as a large pound cake (need a 12-cup ring mold pan)

Creating a Climate of Worship

2011-11-16T10:38:00.000-06:00

The Worship service - a community of people worshiping together.

What constitutes a GOOD Worship service?
First ... a good worship service doesn't just "happen" .... every worship service is carefully planned. That is the first thing you need to know.
Now, moving on ... Worship services are designed to be vehicles for personal and communal change. If a participant leaves the service unaffected, unchanged, she/he has not truly experienced worship. Worship services create a climate that increases the likelihood that participants will be moved to worship ... but ... participants must open themselves up to the worship experience. Worship is not something that can be "done to" a person. We must each bring our own receptivity to the worship service.

What is the desired OUTCOME of a worship service?
A successful worship service is one that pushes the boundaries of our individual experiences and awareness, putting us in touch - together - with the source of our power and life ... GOD. It is intended to move participants beyond "convincement" to conversion .. that is the ultimate goal.

We all hunger for the outcomes of effective worship services:

The shared experience
Expressing our gratitude
Stretching our awareness of God
Honoring God w/our praise
Finding comfort, hope, strength, healing
Being filled with gratitude, with awe ...
Becoming a better person (more: centered, clear, connected, whole, loving, careful, peace-filled, hope-filled, wise, committed, grateful, faith-filled ... and the list goes on)
Determining new directions for living

Ultimately, a good worship service provides opportunities to:

be spiritually nourished
express gratitude for the many gifts of life
find direction and meaning
feel connected to our faith community, i.e., our church family
feel connected to God ... the source of our strength and hope
be strengthened in our faith
and ... depart, more able to embrace the joys and endure the difficulties of our daily lives

Are you ready to WORSHIP this weekend?
Are you ready to worship in your own personal daily life? It starts there ... then, when we arrive at our house of worship, PCC, this Sunday morning, TOGETHER we will be prepared, ready to experience worship. Are you ALL IN? I am ....

God is AMAZING ....

2011-11-03T11:11:00.000-05:00

I never cease to be amazed at how God shows up ... at how He shows Himself to us in ways and at times that we most need reassurance from Him. Today was such a day.

I took my 3 Jacks for a nice long 1-hour walk this morning and opted not to take my ipod with me because as I sat on my front porch lacing up my shoes I knew I wanted to talk to God about something on the walk, so it would be a prayer walk this morning. I grabbed the dogs and took off and had a passionate conversation with God (okay, well I was talking and He was listening, so that qualifies as a conversation) ... no doubt, people driving past wondered about this lady w/three dogs carrying on a full-blown conversation with herself ... they just had no clue. I was doing BATTLE for someone, claiming victory for them, telling God I had questions and desired answers but more than that I desired RESULTS for the individual for whom I was praying. For an hour I gave voice to my hopes, my fears, my concerns, my dreams ... for that individual. And yes, I gave Satan HECK too ... pleading the blood of Jesus over the subject of my prayer, advising Satan he had NO CLAIM on that individual and that I stand in direct OFFENSE to all that Satan was trying to do. Sometimes I believe we just have to GO TO THE MAT with the enemy of our soul ... and trust me when I say I was THERE this morning. I will WRESTLE for that which my heart desires with FULL ASSURANCE that God is on my side.

Okay ... so you get the picture of the prayer walk this morning :-) .... now let me tell you how God SHOWED UP. As I headed to work my sister called to check in with me and to check on - yes, the subject of my prayer - and as she begins talking with me she is repeating almost verbatim the things I said in my prayer walk ... the things I said to God and also the things I said to Satan. She told me she had been praying for the individual I had been praying for ... and her prayers were completely in alignment with mine.

Then ... an hour after I'm at work I get another phone call, from an individual I do NOT EVEN PERSONALLY KNOW ... who engaged me in a 30-minute conversation about guess what ... EXACTLY the thing I was praying about on my walk. Turns out her "story" almost identically parallels mine. She provided me with valuable information that I didn't tell her I needed but that I had been seeking answers for. Things that I had wondered about and had questions about but didn't know who to ask ... she answered all those questions for me, and I didn't even have to ask. I know that I know that GOD put her on to me ... I'm blown away as I think about it.

So this morning ... through the obedience of 2 of His children, God talked back to me, and now I was the one listening. We were concluding the conversation that started on that 3-dog/prayer walk this morning. And once again ... I stand amazed .. that God cares THAT MUCH. I NEVER grow tired of God "showing up" .. my heart ALWAYS swells with joy and thanksgiving every time it happens.

Be encouraged today ... to talk to God ..... and be ready to listen when He talks to you because He will respond to your prayers, to your heart's cry ... you can count on it. He is faithful ...

Sunday snippet ...

2011-10-30T21:32:00.000-05:00

What an enjoyable day. The Worship Team (admittedly) struggled BIG TIME in early morning rehearsal today, but we made it through both services by the grace of God, and Ron's message was dead-on for those desiring a place to belong ... a place to do every season of life ... a safe harbor in the storms of life. PCC truly is such a place.
After church I got to spend some time with my Nathan before heading up to the PCC Fall Fest & Chili Cook-Off (i.e., Smack-Down). There were HUNDREDS of people there ... familiar and unfamiliar, family and friends - old & new ... if you missed that event at PCC you missed a JOYOUS time ... it felt like a HUGE family reunion where everybody actually got along and enjoyed each other's company.
Congratulations to BUTCH HOUSER who won the Chili Cook-off, but as Robert H. said, there's always next year. GREAT JOB & HIGH-FIVES to everyone who planned & pulled this event off so successfully.
One closing thought:
Regarding DISCIPLINE ... into every life discipline must come ... it may come:

thru the chastisement of God because of your disobedience to His word, His plan
thru institutions, or
SELF-DISCIPLINE, the personal choices you make day-in and day-out ... to be stronger, better, focused, obedient to God's word & His will for your life and yes, obedient to man-made laws

DISCIPLINE .. it comes to every life ... you have the power to choose which form you prefer. Me? I'm choosing option #3.

Have a BLESSED week ... and a heightened awareness of God's working in your life.
And oh yeah, practice self-discipline ... its rewards are great.

At The Foot of The Cross ... THE PCC WORSHIP BAND

2011-10-27T10:04:00.004-05:00

AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS ... first heard this song at a Willow Creek conference some years back. The song is written by Greg Ferguson who, together with a dynamic worship team, performed it at that W.C. conference. To be a simple 5-chord song, it packs a punch because its message, while simple, is very true AND reassuring.
Special shout-out to our own Mike Collins who turned this song up a notch with some fun guitar work, and thanks to his wife Christa who often records our music live (and yes, raw) for us.

(Any worship leader who would like the chord chart for this song ... I'll be happy to share it with you ... just drop me a comment w/your e-mail address {it will be kept private} and I'll send you the .pdf file for the chord chart)

This is Our God .. the Pace Community Church Worship Band

2011-10-24T12:03:00.000-05:00

This is a live recording of a song we recently used in Worship at Pace Community Church. It's not a professional recording by any means, but I do love this song .. thanks to Christa for continuing to video and post these songs for us.
Featured soloist is Renee Jones ... a gifted and inspiring worshipper ... we're glad to have her on our team at PCC. She is a joy and blessing to serve with every week.
I hope you enjoy the song ...

Instinct ...

2011-10-21T12:58:00.003-05:00

.... "behavior that is mediated by reactions below the conscious level"
In other words, what your GUT is telling you based on your life experiences, or that "natural instinct" that is just present without your ever having been "taught" it ... it's just THERE.

I've been thinking about INSTINCT this week since our young Jack Russell (Sadie) just gave birth to a litter of six pups. I've been observing her as her motherly instincts have kicked in giving her all she needs to care for these 6 nursing pups. I've been truly amazed at how beautifully she is caring for them and protecting them every single minute of every day. She wasn't taught how to care for them, she has only her INSTINCT to go with ... and it is serving her well. She's being a GREAT mother to her six little ones.

Funny how instinct is such a tease on a human level though. There are 3 levels of instinct for me personally:

FALSE instinct ... like when my gut is telling me which direction to turn when I'm traveling ... and it's WRONG 99% of the time. For example, being in a corn maze would be my worst NIGHTMARE (yes, lost - that is assumed if you know me). And if you're ever traveling with me, you can be assured we'll always be taking the "scenic route." ... FALSE instinct.
NO instinct ... when I really have NO EARTHLY idea what the correct response or reaction should be... I really just have no idea what to do.
TRUE instinct ... when you know with near certainty that it is CORRECT to trust what your gut is telling you. Most often I don't want to hear or believe what this instinct is telling me, but I've learned thru the years that it is 99% accurate, even when I don't want to believe it.

I vividly remember the night at a youth camp the summer of 1982 that my own Mother woke up in the middle of the night with an overwhelming instinct that one of her boys was gonna get hurt ... she sobbed uncontrollably for several hours in that big dorm room surrounded by 60+ female students and camp counselors ... me, included. And then ... at precisely 7:45 the next morning in the middle of chapel the call came ... the phone call from our Pastor back home telling us that my brother, Mother's youngest son, had just been in a terrible motorcycle wreck and was not expected to live to make it to the hospital. We were told that he in fact had died at the scene with a massive head & brain injury but that an E.M.T. responder resuscitated him ... but without much hope that he would be alive by the time he reached the hospital. That was INSTINCT, or mother's intuition if you will. I will NEVER forget that night or that phone call for as long as I live.

If you are facing any uncertainty today, know that you are not the only one. Nearly every person I know is facing something difficult or uncertain right now - me, too. If you don't know what to do ... just do this ... trust your TRUE instinct, and MOVE FORWARD. That's a good place to START. You do what you can to move forward, and THEN if you hit a wall ...know that God will CARRY YOU ... but YOU have to decide to start moving FORWARD, YOU have to take the first steps that direction. You have to do what YOU CAN, what God HIMSELF has given you the gifts and the abilities, the life experiences, and yes - the INSTINCT - to do ... and then you can safely and confidently leave what you CAN NOT do to Him... He's got you covered.

Are you an "Enabler?"

2011-10-10T23:33:00.000-05:00

So you wake up one day and ask yourself, did I really "enable" somebody to do or some situation to become something so radically different than what I had hoped for or envisioned ... so different than what I thought I was modeling and teaching and striving for with the best of intentions? And if after much soul-searching the answer to that question is "yes" in any degree, you then ask yourself the next, even harder question ... "How do I STOP?" And trust me when I say that figuring out the answer to EITHER of those questions is perhaps one of the hardest things you might ever have to do. Where do you even begin? You can look back at some things and immediately see in hind-sight what happened, where "stuff" began, but in other things you STILL cannot see what happened or how "stuff" began though you have searched your heart as deeply and as thoroughly as you know how to.

I'm not talking exclusively about parenting, though that is probably the first thing that comes to mind, but I'm talking about ANY relationship you have with someone ... have you enabled a behavior that hurts others or hurts you? And if you have, what are you going to do about it? More importantly, WHEN are you going to start doing something about it?

My goodness, where in the world do I/we BEGIN .. in order to bring healing to those relationships, healing to ourselves, and ultimately - healing to the ones we love? We've got our work cut out for us, don't we?

"Helping" is doing something for someone that he/she is not capable of doing for him/her self.
"Enabling" is doing for someone that he/she could and should be doing for him/her self.

You Never Let Go ...

2011-09-28T10:58:00.001-05:00

This song really ministered to me this morning ... hope it does you too.
I am reminded so many times that God is ever-present with us, that He NEVER lets go ... and yet another reminder deeply penetrates my heart again today ... these kind of God-moments never grow old on me.
We are blessed and RICH in joy and HOPE because of His FAITHFULNESS to us... today and EVERY day.

I Shall Believe ...

2011-09-23T14:28:00.001-05:00

PCC isn't for everyone ...

2011-09-08T14:19:00.000-05:00

I'm sitting in my office flipping through recent registration cards and come across this very encouraging note written a few weeks ago by a sweet couple who have been attending here since December 2008:
Just wanted to share:
We invited some friends to Drew's dedication, who in turn invited their friends (new to town), looking for a church home. They haven't missed a Sunday here since! We're thrilled to share what we've found here at PCC! :-) ----Trier & Andrew Kissell

You know what I LOVE about this? This is a couple who came to PCC looking for a place to continue their spiritual journey, a place to plug in, a place to do life with other believers ... nearly three years ago ... and they found JUST what they were looking for. This military couple has served in multiple ministry areas, has volunteered their time and talents, has also participated in multiple small groups for the purpose of discipleship and community, AND they have two young children who are also growing in Christ and being nurtured here at PCC.

This is in stark contrast to an individual I spoke to on the phone today ... someone who began attending here just 6-8 weeks ago who showed up looking for a place to "serve". This individual seemed to desire to move in very quickly. In fact, the first Sunday this individual came and dropped something in the offering he/she made it a point to write me and let me know that (BTW - that didn't settle well with me - their need for me to immediately know that). This individual indicated a keen interest in singing on the Worship Team and spoke to me about it very quickly after arriving here. As is my habit now, I acknowledged that individual's "gifts" and advised him/her that before anyone is added new to the Worship Team they must make their way through the Membership Class and they have to just be part of the church for a little while, part of the congregation, and become known to us ... I don't get to pick "perfect" people for the platform - there are none here - BUT, I am not about to put ANYONE brand new on the platform before I get to know that person enough to know what their testimony is like. The word of God clearly tells us to "know those who labor among you" (I Thessalonians 5:11-13) ... I mean, clear as day ... God's word says to KNOW those people who "labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you" ... and it takes TIME to get to know someone.

This individual told me today that he/she was unable to plug in here ... and after ONE visit to another church this past Sunday found out they could plug in there. Let me ask you this. How can you know after one 1-hour visit to a church that you can "plug in" there? ANY church leader who promises to plug anyone into "service" after that individual shows up to their church for ONE Sunday is probably not using much wisdom... at least not in my opinion... ESPECIALLY if that place of service is anywhere on the platform leading others ... that's just not wise.

Now ... contrast that yet again with another lady who I just minutes ago got off the phone with. She visited here for the first time 2 weeks ago ... she was very friendly as we spoke and said that she was so glad she found PCC. She is alone, and indicated that she "loved, loved, loved" what we were doing here, and couldn't wait to be back in church on Sunday. (Man, did that phone call ever bless & encourage me today). I asked her to search me out on Sunday and introduce herself to me and told her I'd like to meet her and would introduce her to my parents who also live on her street. She seemed very appreciative for the phone call and the opportunity to get to know someone else in her neighborhood as she meets my parents this Sunday.

So, NO ... PCC is not for everyone. BUT, PCC is for anyone and everyone who is seeking to find out something about God, it is for the un-churched, for anyone seeking to make a spiritual journey at a pace that the Holy Spirit can work in them. PCC will not push you to grow faster than you are able ... only God working in you can conform you to Himself, and we don't get to pre-determine the rate at which that must happen. PCC is for those who are trying to find their way, and for those who at some point have lost their way ... and it is for those who have hearts to help people like that. There is not a SINGLE perfect person here .. but PCC is a wonderful family to belong to ... a family that does life together, a family that is patient with one another, that loves one another through every victory and every bitter failure or defeat ... AND PCC has PLENTY of opportunities for maturing believers or Christ-followers to serve ... but it doesn't happen in an instant .... it takes TIME... time for you to get to know us, and time for us to get to know you.

How blessed it is to have people like the Kissells here, and so many others like them - serving, and loving God and people. They are a beautiful addition to this church family.
And what a JOY it was to talk with Carol today on the phone ... I look forward to meeting her Sunday.

WHEN the Rain Comes ... (we all know it's not a matter of IF, but a matter of WHEN)

2011-09-06T15:33:00.002-05:00

The changing faces of Worship at PCC

2011-09-06T09:35:00.004-05:00

As a full-time staff member of PCC and director of the Music/Worship Ministry I am keenly aware that I and everyone who serves with me does so in a HIGHLY visible role… I mean we’re on the platform, up front, in front of everyone week in and week out. I am keenly aware that, regardless to what is going on in my personal life or in the personal lives of everybody on the platform, we are called to be the face of FAITH, the face of COURAGE, the face of STEADFASTNESS in the storm, the face of WORSHIP every week ... even when we're having a bad week, and as you can imagine sometimes that's a tough job... just like so many of you at work, especially if you are in a leadership role - you are expected to be the FACE of something - something GOOD, something ENCOURAGING, something that will give others confidence in you to follow your lead. (Leadership is a BIG responsibility, whether it is in the ministry or in the secular workplace where you are.) I also am keenly aware that when someone comes up “missing” from the platform there are likely questions in people’s minds about where they are, or why they are no longer on the platform.

Sometimes people who serve in these roles just simply ask for a break … they need it, they ask for it, and it is granted.

Sometimes someone who ordinarily serves just needs time off the platform … it is a decision sometimes initiated by me, sometimes by them … either way, it is a decision that occurs after a conversation between me and that individual takes place.. There might be stuff going on in their lives that just makes it too difficult for them to be up front.

And yes, sometimes people just disappear … and I don’t know why. That is the spot I least like finding myself in … trying to explain why someone is gone when I myself do not know.

There is also an intentional inter-changing of people on our Worship Teams. By moving people in and out routinely it gives new people the opportunity to serve and to be mentored by others who have served long enough to know what it really takes to lead the congregation in worship.

A high level of commitment and significant sacrifice of one’s time is required in serving on the Worship Team, whether as a vocalist or in the band. We have regular rehearsals, planning sessions, “family conferences” from time-to-time when we just have to talk some things out … and we also just do life together week in and week out, not just on the platform on Sundays. It’s more than just showing up at 9:00 on Sunday morning to sing or play. The Worship Team is here every Wednesday night rehearsing, and they show up at 7:30 every Sunday morning to prepare for service. AND … every member of the team is asked to move around, to be flexible in how they serve, and to do things that maybe they wouldn’t prefer to do, but because it is for the good for the team as a whole, they do it.

The people who serve with me … they are my extended family … and we do life together. They are people of high integrity, and yes, also people with struggles in their lives. I mean … they are ORDINARY PEOPLE with ORDINARY TROUBLES (me too) ... but also with EXTRAORDINARY commitments to their call to Worship. I love this extended family of mine, and consider it a blessing to serve with each of them.

A re-post

2011-09-02T13:02:00.000-05:00

The Prodigal Son
Follow this link to view this video I posted on my blog many months ago. It is a dramatic telling of The Prodigal Son. It is very well done and I think you'll enjoy it ...

I am re-posting it with a purpose. I love this account/true story in God's word. I think of how MUCH we love our own sons - Jonathan and Nathan - and I take comfort in knowing that as much as we love them, God loves them even more.
And even when our sons and daughters are out of OUR reach, they are NEVER out of God's reach. HE awaits the return of EVERY prodigal, even as every mother and father does ...

Conclusion - I Saw God Today ...

2011-09-01T13:47:00.001-05:00

I've been delayed in concluding my father's story. Just last week (Saturday night) I returned from yet another 4-day trip to Gainesville with him. Some sweet friends allowed us to stay at a river house they own on the Suwannee River ... it's 45 minutes from Shand's Hospital/Gainesville. I took my father and his wife a day early to enjoy some downtime before he went in for phase 2 of his procedure (deep brain stimulation to treat Parkinson's symptoms). We really appreciated use of the river house - it helped minimize our expenses (gas alone was nearly $300, a need which God had already provided for through some good Christian friends - what a blessing their generosity was)

Back to my previous posting ... We did finally leave the hospital ... the morning after the very tender night "reunion" I spoke of. Amazing how things turned around so quickly ... I am still blown away as I think of that. Okay ... so we get on the I-75 leaving Gainesville and decide to make a stop at Wendy's in Lake City, 30 minutes away, to get a bite to eat. I walked in and ordered a small hamburger for each of us (and oh yeah, a milkshake for my dad) and we get back on the interstate. About 20 miles down the interstate I discover that I cannot find an envelope of cash I had - it contained $220, the remainder of my paycheck - intended to pay my bills with when I got home.

What did I do? Well, at first it was like .. I CAN'T believe this ... after all we've been thru already. Then my next immediate thought was ... God has protected us every step of the way and in my gut I somehow knew that He had this too. So, I called back to Wendy's to see if an envelope had been turned in by anybody (this was a full 30 minutes after we left the restaurant). The lady who answered the phone said yes, an envelope was found by another customer and that customer took the envelope with her, left her phone number so she could be called, and told the Wendy's employee she and her travel partners would remain in Lake City for 30-45 minutes to see if they would get a call from the owner of the envelope.

First .. I was SO thankful the finder did not leave the money at Wendy's, and Second, I was very grateful she left her phone number for me to call. So ... I called her and arranged to return to Lake City to meet her and pick up the envelope. It was STORMING by now and my travel back took well over 45 minutes. I was thinking she might give up on me and just leave. Well, I finally hook up with her - a large, friendly, black lady ... find her in a compact Kia waiting at a gas station near Wendy's. She and 3 other individuals are CRAMMED TIGHT into this tiny Kia. They all greet me very warmly ... like they knew me ... and she hands me the envelope. I pulled some cash out (without looking to see if it was all there) and attempted to give her $40 for her kindness. She/they refused to accept it. The lady said she was a Christian and that God told her that morning that she would be a blessing to someone today. (pause, and think about that a minute) I fought back tears as I realized how God had once again showed up ... He knew BEFORE I lost the envelope that I was going to lose it. I didn't deserve any favors from God. I mean .. I LOST the money ... it was nobody's fault but my own ... I was just so rattled from all the events of the week ... and yet I had to completely own the fact that I was responsible for losing it. The car-full of 4 adults were joy-filled believers, my brothers & sisters in Christ, who were returning home from a church conference - they had had quite a long trip, and they were SQUISHED inside this tiny vehicle ... funny how that made such an impression on me... I still can picture it in my mind.

I thanked them from the bottom of my heart .. I was SO grateful ... and we actually hugged each other goodbye ... that big woman hugged me like she was my Mama! It made me feel very loved.... and she said they would be praying for us as we traveled on home because of the severe weather we were traveling through. When I got back in my truck I looked into the envelope with 100% certainty that all the money would be there ... and it was, exactly $220... exactly enough to keep me on track with my weekly budget.

And would you believe ... God's blessings didn't end there. He had still yet another one waiting ... He was already making travel provisions for the return trip to Gainesville that I made last week with my dad/Yvonne.

And to really conclude the story this time ... Dad and Yvonne returned to Gainesville again yesterday; in fact, even as I write this today he is at the doctor's office there having the transmitter calibrated to send exactly the right signals to his brain to help his Parkinson's condition (there are 56,000 different possible calibrations ... how in the world they figure out which is exactly the right one for Daddy is beyond me). Dad is improving daily ... and every day I SEE God's blessings ... He's been with us every step of the way, and His miracles will NEVER be lost on me.

God is good ... all the time... and yes, even TODAY.

I Saw God Today ... Part 2

2011-08-09T22:28:00.000-05:00

Wow ... where do I begin? I'll start w/Saturday, July 30th ... AFTER the new hotel room was secured through God's provision. I stopped to gas up shortly after leaving Gainesville, and to save money I tried to use a $50 gift card that my sisters gave me for my birthday. Unfortunately, the gas station didn't accept the card and I found that out AFTER I put $50 of gas in my truck, so I swiped my debit card though I really needed to hang on to that in my checking account to get me through the weekend. Shortly afterward I was talking w/Nathan (my son) on the phone and he asked me about my gas expense. I told him I just put $50 in gas and it would take another $150 to get back & forth to Gainesville again (I knew I'd be returning to Gainesville again the next day). He commented on how much it was costing me in gas (had already spent $150 on gas, just put in another $50, and would be putting another $150 for the next trip). So Nathan asked me how I was gonna do that and stick to my regular weekly budget plan (as you can imagine, $350 in gas was not factored into my normal weekly budget). I told him I really didn't know, but that I was praying and asking God to show me how to take care of everything that needed to be taken care of, including the gas. I said to Nathan "I don't know how I'll do it, but I know God will help me figure it out."

Okay ... well, God didn't help me figure it out .. He PROVIDED it ... EXACTLY the $200 I needed for gas ($50 to cover what I just dipped into my normal budget for + the $150 next-trip gas). I was TOTALLY BLOWN AWAY ... still am as I think about it (and still VERY grateful).

So ... I head for Gainesville Sunday afternoon, and I'm just PRAISING GOD on the interstate, and praying for God to do something miraculous for my dad ... and the last hour of my trip back to Gainesville it is raining. Just as I am entering Gainesville via I-75, I'm asking God again to show Himself mighty .. to BE THERE with my Dad's situation ... and in that exact moment a big beautiful rainbow burst out of nowhere immediately in front/left of me. All I could think was ... okay, God ... you have GOT my attention ... I know you are present and are working all things TOGETHER for our good. Again, I was BLOWN AWAY.

I drop some things by our hotel and head on to the hospital to relieve my sister who pulled the Saturday night shift w/my Dad and who also had been at the hospital all day.   By 8:00 I'm in the room with my Dad and the new "sitter" who is on duty with my dad for the night. My dad had been VERY agitated and VERY combative since his surgery .... actually, he had interval periods of his "normal" personality and also uncharacteristic combativeness AND aggression, and this is on top of the fact that he can no longer TALK ... his speech is all totally and completely garbled. We can't understand ANYTHING he is trying to say. We all had some really challenging days & nights there with him.
I began to talk with my Dad, as I had done on Friday night when I pulled the night shift (he was easily engaged Friday night .. we took a stroll down memory lane for quite some time and he laughed with me and made funny faces at me as I recounted childhood memories), and he is engaging with me for a short time this time as well. He then begins to get upset and ill-tempered, and gets rather physical in the bed ... and I said to him "Daddy, I know you're anxious to go home ... we are anxious to get you home ... but try to understand that if you continue to be combative and aggressive the doctors will not release you to us (that's not normal behavior for him). Daddy, PLEASE ... try not to get upset, and PLEASE try to have a good night, because IF you do, you'll be that much closer to getting better and getting to go home."

Well ... around 11:00, he begins to say ONE word, a word I can FINALLY understand ... "Yvonne" (his wife). He then goes on to say (through VERY strained words) "I want Yvonne here with me". He repeats this, with GREAT effort, emphatically for the next 15 minutes. I try to tell him that she has been there with him all day and she was back at the hotel now where she needed to rest. He was NOT happy with that little piece of information from me. I continued to try to convince him that it was better she not be there tonight so she could rest.

THEN ... he pulled out the big guns ... he began to cry, even as he tried to fight back the tears ... and as if THAT didn't break my heart enough, he then pulls the blanket up over his head and hides his face from me. THAT was it ... I totally caved ... and told him "Please don't cry ... I'll call the hotel and see if Yvonne is still awake." I walk out of his hospital room, call the hotel and tell my sister (who answers the phone) that Daddy is asking for Yvonne and that he is insistent that he wants her there with him. I walk back into Daddy's room and say to him (while he is still crying and hiding under the blanket) that Charlene would call me back in a few minutes and let me know if Yvonne is able to return to the hospital.

The call comes 10 minutes later ... Charlene tells me that she is bringing Yvonne back to the hospital. I tell Daddy ... and after about 10 minutes he starts to pull the blanket down from over his head and starts intermittently looking toward the door of his hospital room. He does this for 15 minutes ... gazes straight ahead, then looks at the entrance of his room ... his gaze lingering longer on the door w/each glance. He looks away from the door again, and I see Charlene and Yvonne in the doorway. I said to Daddy ... "Hey, look who's here" ... and you have NEVER seen or heard a man so happy ... Daddy BURST into crying and laughing both at the same time, OVERJOYED at her arrival/return ... Yvonne can't get into the room fast enough and nearly shouts ... "now THAT'S what I've been waiting for!" I start crying, my sister starts crying, and the sitter starts crying ... and then Yvonne tries to lower the bed rails to get closer to daddy because he's reaching for her and trying SO HARD to draw her close to him. The bed rails refuse to lower ... NO PROBLEM. We all watch Yvonne nearly JUMP up over the bedrails and curl up in Daddy's arms ... they are both crying, and they start kissing like NOBODY'S business.    To say it was a MOMENT TO REMEMBER, well that would be an understatement ... to say it was TENDER would also be another HUGE understatement.   Hospital staff begin to gather just outside the door to witness this tender reunion.   I know that the longest day I live I will NEVER forget that moment ... and I'm SO THANKFUL I was there to witness it.    In an INSTANT my Dad's combativeness stopped and we knew he had just "rounded the corner" in his recovery.

My sister and I (and the sitter) all quietly excused ourselves from the room as Daddy & Yvonne just kept kissing and laughing together. (We fought back the urge to say "Hey! Get a hotel room!" - lol - they were like 2 teenagers making out). Eventually the sitter re-entered the room, and Charlene and I left ... Daddy & Yvonne had fallen asleep in his hospital bed, locked arm-in-arm... (and oh yeah, he was no longer hiding under the covers)   :-)

I know you're thinking by now ... well, God's just good ... he did a wonderful thing for your dad.
BUT .... it doesn't stop there! There's MORE to tell ... God showed up again.

Please check back in again in a few days ... I'll tell you more of the BEAUTIFUL STORY of God's AMAZING GRACE in my father's journey ... in our journey together. If you think it can't get any better ... well, you may just be surprised ...

(Footnote: I know there are some who will be uncomfortable with my being so transparent about my gas situation/need. If it offends you, please forgive me ... but I believe God would have me be transparent in telling of His MIRACLES ... it's not bragging because it's not about me - it's about how good God is... and this was just ONE way God was good to me.    We should - more of us - perhaps be excited enough about what God is doing in our lives to share the good news of His blessings)

I've Seen Miracles Just Happen ... or, I Saw God Today

2011-08-05T12:45:00.006-05:00

This past Monday evening I returned from a nine-day trip from Gainesville, FL, where my siblings and I were at my Father's side as he underwent surgery at Shand's Hospital. The surgery was supposed to be "routine", in-and-out of the hospital in 24 hours. It didn't play out that way at all, though. My father faced unexpected challenges after the surgery (it was surgery to help treat Parkinson's symptoms ... my dad has Parkinson's Disease).

I returned to Pace last Saturday night (July 30th - my birthday) at 6:00 p.m. to be here for church on Sunday morning (left after Sunday service heading to Gainesville again). I shared a testimony w/my church family very briefly that Sunday morning about God providing EXACTLY what we needed for the unexpected additional/extended hotel stay ... and I shared how God provided it at EXACTLY the moment my sisters and I were discussing how we were gonna pay for the additional 4-night stay. To say that GOD SHOWED UP ... well, that's about the best way I can describe what happened. A phone call came from 350 miles away at exactly the time we were standing at the hotel desk trying to secure a new 4-day room. The caller said they were going to deposit a certain amount into our checking acct. to help with the new expenses ... the dollar amount they said they were gonna deposit? EXACTLY the amount of the next 4-day stay...and that WITHOUT us telling them what the cost was. Tell me God isn't faithful? I tell you He is ... and He's always RIGHT ON TIME. We all rejoiced and stood in awe of the timing of that call. In fact, that call actually was received by my father's wife (Yvonne) at the hospital while my sisters and I were at the hotel trying to secure a new room. The caller told Yvonne that she (Yvonne) needed to call us right away and let us know that she was depositing money. She said ... call them right now and let them know. I SOoooo know that was God because HE KNEW that we needed to know at exactly that moment that the provision was on its way. Wow ... is all I can say to that.

And the miracle didn't stop there ... Sunday brought yet another provision/another blessing, and another "message from God" that He had this, AND then another message/a miracle ...a late-night miracle w/my Dad. And as if THAT was not all enough to know that GOD SHOWED UP, Monday on the drive home, as I was driving through Lake City with my Dad & Yvonne ... ANOTHER MIRACLE .. you just almost wouldn't believe it ... I will share it soon here on this blog. And it didn't stop there!! God saw us through this journey all the way through to my getting Daddy & Yvonne safely to their home in Gulf Breeze AND to the point that I was pulling up in my own neighborhood here in Pace - exhausted - late Monday night. Even at the last mile of the trip ... God was UNDENIABLY very near.

In the end, my father is doing better, AND every need my family and I had was met, IN VERY UNEXPECTED WAYS. GOD PROVIDED ... even without us asking for His provision. We only said each step of the way that we knew God would show us how to make things work so we could all bear the expenses as they began to increase w/the longer hospital stay, AND so my dad would begin to recover as initially expected. We didn't know how God was gonna work everything out, we only knew that He would.

I vividly remember praying on the way from the hotel to the hospital where my father was not doing so well ... "God, You showed yourself MIGHTY to me and to my sisters Friday morning standing at the hotel front desk ... please now show yourself mighty in my dad's healing and recovery. Just show yourself mighty in him ... raise him UP so that YOUR NAME will be glorified" ... and that is EXACTLY what happened.

Okay ... I'll stop here for now, but will fill-in-the-blanks soon. So please tune in again in the next few days ... I will share the miracles that happened along the way in this "unexpected journey". Just know this ... God is good, ALL THE TIME ... and all the time, GOD IS GOOD.

In This House ...

2011-07-26T14:53:00.000-05:00

In this house ...

We do second chances
We do grace
We do real
We do mistakes
We do "I'm sorry"
We do loud really well
We do hugs
We do family
We do love

That pretty much describes my church, PACE COMMUNITY CHURCH, if you ask me ... and it also very well describes how we do home and family life, too. THANK GOD for every NEW day to keep doing life together. Life ain't perfect, but God is God through it all, and families SURVIVE every season together, by the grace of God ...

(Credit to my friend Terri who posted this "sign" on her FB wall this morning)

Meltdown? and God still there ...

2011-07-16T17:20:00.004-05:00

I have this friend ... and she could tell you (except she doesn't tell what she knows is private ... I love that about her ... the ability to know stuff, to be a confidante, and to keep it to herself) .... that I had a near meltdown yesterday. (Thankfully, I'm betting she deleted the text reply I sent her late yesterday afternoon ... again, LOVE that girl :-)

Why the meltdown? Well, that's not important. What IS important is what happened this morning. After finally getting home last night and a poor night's sleep, I woke up this morning thinking "God I know that You know exactly where I'm at ... You know it ALL." Shortly after rolling out of bed and wandering around the house for a little while like I was lost, I decided to grab a few books I've been reading and head out to the front porch ... that's my place of solice, my quiet place, where I can think my thoughts in quiet and can just breathe, slow and steady. One of the books is an Andy Stanley book I've been reading ... I absolutely LOVE the way Andy Stanley communicates. (I guess because I've heard him speak in person I can kind of "hear" him talk as I read his books .... he is definitely a gifted, down-to-earth communicator). The other book is one loaned to me by a sweet friend last week (turned out I had my own copy of that book ... so I dug mine out after my friend shared hers with me ... good thing, because I've done A LOT of highlighting as I've been reading through it... Max Lucado's FEARLESS.

Okay ... on to what happened this morning that was important ... it's about reading, so I really wasn't drifting too far off point in the above paragraph (my friends who know I'm A.D.D. get it ... and yes, I guess I'm doing it again ... welcome to my world). I started out with the Andy Stanley book ... read so much that ministered to me ... and THEN I picked up the Lucado book. I was enjoying that read, and after a bit thought "well, that's enough for now" ... so I put the book down. As soon as I put it down I felt a nudging to pick it back up... to open its pages one more time ... and so I did. Opened to where I had just bookmarked it ... turned one more page ... and you wouldn't believe what the TITLE of the next chapter was ... it was the title of my afternoon yesterday.... a dead ringer. Five words PLAIN AS DAY ... EXACTLY giving definition to that which I feared/wrestled with ... had a NEAR meltdown over ... the day before. Can I just tell you that I NEVER cease to be AMAZED at how God communicates to me in the lowest of times that He DOES indeed know EXACTLY where I'm at and EXACTLY the fears that sometimes nearly overwhelm me. I can not, for the life of me, know WHY I matter to God THAT MUCH ... why anyone matters that much ... but this morning, I MATTERED and I KNEW IT.

I've spent most of the day just resting ... it's been rainy, so rest has come easily. I'm about to go pick up the book again and begin reading THAT chapter ... and I just wanted to say before I did that that I'm SO THANKFUL that God spoke to me this morning ... in the chapter page of that book. I'm so thankful He cares about me THAT MUCH ... He definitely has my FULL attention today...
(and thankful also for my friend who shared that book with me last week ... good Godly friends are priceless)

More 411 ... WARNING: it's lengthy, and RAW

2011-07-15T11:26:00.004-05:00

The first-time visitor that Ron blogged about this week ... I myself am always personally surprised when someone who visits our church for the very first time signs up right on the spot for stuff when they know nothing about our church yet ... especially when they found our church online, not through a personal invitation of someone already attending here. That has always seemed premature, or hasty, to me. And I'll also be transparent and say I was hacked off to hear the way the caller responded to Denise when Denise called to say hello and talk to her about the things she signed up for (again, on her FIRST visit). I cannot imagine any reasonable person visiting a church ONE time and then speaking with such an unbridled tongue when someone from that church (any church) makes contact with them to say hello. What happened from the time that visitor arrived and signed up for 2 events and one week later when Denise called? Seriously ... before you sign up to jump in on things ... take the time to get to know the church AND to make yourself known (and FRIENDLY) to the church you're "checking out" ... maybe the church needs to check you out too. Okay, that was candid and raw, but that's my take on it.
Another 411: Ron has done 2 funerals this week ... one family connected to our church and we, as well as others at PCC, were ALL IN on ministering to this family, one of our own, at this time of sad loss.. that's what church families should do ... be there for one another in such times. The second funeral was a call that came out of the blue later in the week, from someone 30 years back in Ron's past. Some FYI - Ron almost NEVER accepts money when he does a funeral. The funeral homes do not pay him ... just so you know. (I often wonder if the funeral homes include that in the price of what they charge the family ... don't know about that, but I do know that Ron/I never get paid by a funeral home to preach OR sing at a funeral.) It is considered courteous for a family to offer something, a "stipend", for services performed by a Pastor or Chaplain ... though the Pastor/Chaplain will likely decline the offer; however that stipend is best offered in private, not in the presence of others, so the Pastor can accept or decline without being observed by gazers/onlookers. If you want to say "thank you" to any Pastor who does a funeral, drop a card in the mail to express your appreciation... but please don't shove money in his hand in the obvious presence of others ... that's just really awkward for him/her. Really, your Pastor is happy to provide his services at NO COST because if you are part of the church family that is a service he provides ... but also it is courteous to acknowledge that he/she took time to be with your family and to offer a simple "thank you".
Some more 411: I still feel VERY burned by the departure of a friend in late May. But GOD IS STILL FIGHTING OUR BATTLES FOR US.

We're not GIVING UP, or GIVING IN. We WILL continue to fight the good fight, to be FAITHFUL to the call of the ministry, to absorb whatever hardships or losses come our way. I have felt "down", but not DONE ...DON'T COUNT ME OUT. I CHOOSE to KEEP DOING THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY ... until such a time as GOD releases me from it.

I'm back ... will be blogging more as I continue to grow stronger every day.

Laura Story ... GRACE

2011-06-16T14:45:00.002-05:00

Only by God's GRACE ...
I may not know it all, and I may not have everything it takes, but I have HIM, and HE is everything I need ...

Worship with us at PACE COMMUNITY CHURCH this Sunday

2011-06-10T12:03:00.003-05:00

You may have noticed I've gone quiet on my blog for a few weeks. Been through a loss that has had me stumped. It's been a challenging few weeks.
On the heels of this most recent hurdle, though, I can tell you that we have some GREAT music lined out for worship at PCC this weekend. Visit our website www.pacecommunitychurch.com to listen to what we'll be using in worship Sunday, then come be with us and enjoy a great break from the chaos of the work-week.

I don't know about you, but I NEED some good worship this weekend .... we hope to see you at PCC on Sunday, 9:00 or 10:30 ..... 2 great services with a GREAT church family.

If you don't have a good church home, come be a part of ours.
If you once were a part of our church family but haven't been in a while, we welcome you back ... come be among us again. "Home" is where the heart is ...

Where I am today ...

2011-05-25T15:59:00.000-05:00

Truly ... I am completely stumped ... not once, but twice.
Lord help me (truly I need YOUR HELP for I cannot do it on my own):
1) figure out what I MUST figure out, and
2) dismiss that which I can not possibly understand

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change
courage to change the things I can
and wisdom to know the difference.
...Living one day at a time
Enjoying one moment at a time
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it
Trusting that He will make all things right,
if I surrender to His will,
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him forever in the next
... Amen

Leaders ..

2011-05-18T13:53:00.003-05:00

Leaders in kingdom work (taken from Heart of a Leader ):

meet God
shape a community of people
reach a city or target group
grow personally

And when leaders put together teams, remember:

When it comes specifically to personality and skill, personality trumps skill ... you can teach almost anybody to do almost anything, but you can not change a person's personality ... so ask yourself whose personality fits your team? (Unless they're flying solo they need to genuinely be a good team fit)
NEVER add a team member without considering members already there ... especially if you want those current members to stay on your team (And yes, I've made that mistake a time or two ... and ALWAYS have to go back and fix my mistake, which is harder than having used more wisdom at the outset)

If you've been in a leadership arena anywhere you're very familiar with these 4 requirements for how to develop your team - commonly known as "The 4 Cs":

Chemistry
Character
Commitment
Competence

As a leader I recognize that EVERY ONE of my team members is flawed ... so am I. Yet I make decisions that these people, though flawed, are my friends. In other words I've made a conscious decision that I want to do life with them, flaws and all - they have become my friends and I've made a conscious decision that I want to invest in them.

All teams, ideally, should be S H A R P :

S - recognize that you can only work on your self - everyone individually responsible
H - be humble
A - assume the best about one another
R - remember that we all have bad days sometimes
P - passion & professionalism - a balance of both is required

So today ... if you're facing a TEAM situation, or if you're trying to form a new team, take a moment and give thought to the principles outlined here ...

The Light in Me ...

2011-05-12T10:15:00.000-05:00

Brandon Heath - THE LIGHT IN ME
Click on this link to hear and see this beautifully presented song.

May we all guard our hearts so that the light within us doesn't grow dim ...

The Principle of the Path --- and The Great DISCONNECT

2011-05-09T11:09:00.000-05:00

Haven't posted on the devotional page in a while, but am back at it again. Please take a minute and click on the DEVOTIONAL page above and give it a read. It is a continuation of the devotional plan I began several months back ... a study through the Andy Stanley book THE PRINCIPLE OF THE PATH.
Today's devotional leads to this thought:
EVERY DAY we choose PATHS .... and those paths lead where they lead. You KNOW where they lead ... so will you really CHOOSE that path? or will you choose the path of integrity, the path that leads to the FUTURE you desire?

New website up and running

2011-04-29T17:08:00.000-05:00

Very happy to share with you that the new website for our church launched today. It's a HUGE upgrade from our previous site. Gene Tharp has worked very hard to get it up and running ... and it represents many many hours, weeks even, of lots of hard work. I think he's done a great job and am looking forward to seeing this new website evolve even more in the coming weeks.

If you want to stay "in the know" with what's happening around PCC, this is the NEW place to do it. Updates will be posted regularly on the CALENDAR and SERMONS will be uploaded weekly. You can listen to the current Joseph series on the site now... it's been a GREAT series and we've been hearing lots of good feedback about these messages.

We also look forward to recording more of our Worship Music and, with the help of Paul W., mixing it and uploading good quality recordings of our music to the site.

So check it out... it puts the happenings & heartbeat of Pace Community Church right at your fingertips. Click HERE to visit the site now.

Too busy?

2011-04-28T10:08:00.000-05:00

Had a phone call early this morning from a long-lost friend. Haven't heard from this man in many years, but he called as I was on my way home from the gym. Had a nice chat with him. He talked of how busy he & his wife had been ... 3 kids - a junior in HS, another graduating from UF this weekend, and another living in Ohio and about to come visit them. He said that he feels like he's meeting himself coming and going, and that he feels grieved in His spirit because he knows God doesn't want him THAT busy.
I totally related to that. I shared with him that we chose simplification this past Easter weekend at church. We didn't do the normal big weekend push with 3 days of activities and special services like we have done so many times in the past ... and you know what? I think it was a good thing. We celebrated Easter without wearing anyone out. And the end result was that every participant and volunteer at PCC truly, for once, got to really just relax and soak up the Easter weekend and particularly the Easter worship service. On big weekends I often feel like a wet sponge being wrung out til there's not a drop of refreshing left in me ... but not this time ... this time I felt like a sponge slowly soaking up the water of refreshing as Easter day evolved. In fact, I can say with all sincerity that I have never felt more REFRESHED after an Easter service as I felt this past Sunday... and I was very grateful for it.

I agree that too many times we try to squeeze in so much that we miss "the moment" of the things we ARE doing. It's like ... okay lets finish this so we can move on to the next scheduled thing. AND ... I'm really glad we didn't over-schedule ourselves this weekend. It was good to attend a great church service with great music & a great message that stirred hearts. It was truly a blessing ... to me, and to my family ... and I believe to the church at large.

A picture is worth a thousand words ...

2011-04-24T20:39:00.000-05:00

Really, it is. This is a picture of my neighbors Blaire & Melissa (& Amelia), and their family. Parents, grandparents, and brothers all present in the pic. Sitting with this family in church I knew what it meant to Melissa especially that her family was in church with her. My heart was truly filled with joy as I saw a whole row occupied by this family... most Sundays I sit with Blaire & Melissa, just the 3 of us ... but not today ... today it was her family there with us and I couldn't have been happier for them. Melissa was so excited last night when she called to say "don't just save 2 seats Sunday ... save 5 ... we have guests coming!" Then this morning she called to tell me to save one more ... another family member was coming. One of the greatest joys in ministry is to see a family find their place in the family of God through a local church, and I'm especially delighted to see the many families that describes at PCC.

This picture could be re-posted with different faces, different families, many times over. There are so many "stories" at PCC of families reconciled to God through the ministry of the local church. It fills my heart with joy when I think about the wonderful things I know God has done in the lives of many of our church family. I've seen God do mighty things ... and it never grows old on me.

Today was a beautiful day at Pace Community Church. So many had their families with them today .. the church was PACKED. And people were visibly moved by the music and the message alike. I love it when God's house is full, and people respond to what the Holy Spirit is doing in the midst of a worship gathering. Seeing that refreshes me like nothing else. And today ... I was refreshed. I hope you were too .. whether at PCC or some other house of worship.

Our God is GREAT, and greatly to be praised.
Our Lord is RISEN ... death could not stop him, and the grave could not keep him. He's ALIVE .... and FOREVER we are changed!

Passings ...

2011-04-19T12:32:00.000-05:00

One week ... three funerals ... three families gripped by loss and sadness (it is said in ministry that these events often come in threes ... however remarkable it may seem, we often find it to happen just like that ... in threes).
Life as these three families have known it ... has just ended. Every day will now be different for them ... someone will be missing from their dinner tables, their family gatherings, and their celebrations.
What about you? Easter is approaching ... indeed a day of celebration. How will YOU spend it ... who will YOU spend it with? I'd like to encourage you to think ahead about this weekend ... CHERISH the celebration, CHERISH the day, SHARE it with friends and family, and especially do so starting in the house of the Lord .. be at your church Sunday, whatever church that might be ... and take as many of your family members there with you as you can. It'll be a great way to celebrate EASTER, and LIFE. Not everyone will have that opportunity this weekend, but YOU will, so make the most of it.

By special mention, I'd like to say how very saddened I am especially today at the passing of my dear friend RAY LOWERY. Ray and I shared a special bond, and from that bond came many morning breakfasts shared with him and his wife Nola, and many "coffee breaks" sitting in the barn at his family's compound. Ray was a good man, a loving father/husband, and the kind of grandfather that every kid would love to have .. he will be deeply missed ... but more than that, he will be long remembered....

"The Power of Praying For Your Adult Children"

2011-04-19T12:11:00.000-05:00

About a year ago I began reading this book by Stormie Omartian.   Today, in response to something simmering in my spirit, I picked the book back up and began reading where I had previously left off ... Chapter 4.

As I am now reading through the pages of this chapter, I am again reminded of how God is always on time when He speaks to us about stuff going on in our lives... IF we will only but listen, and respond to the promptings in our heart.

Seven weeks ago, February 28th, I prayed out loud with hundreds of others doing the same thing in a Worship Concert in Atlanta. I prayed aloud and unashamedly for both my sons, very specific things I was asking God to do in their lives. I literally cried out to God for what was heavy on my heart for each of them. As a matter of testimony, I have to say here that when I arrived home the next day it was apparent that God had already begun to answer my prayer for one son, and within a month of returning home news came (on March 24th) - the prayer for my other son was also answered, SPECIFICALLY what I had asked God for. (In fact, let me be very transparent here and say that the BEGINNING of the ANSWER for this son was already being FORMED right around the night of the concert ... talk about MIRACLES ... 10 long months of waiting, and SUDDENLY the answer came)   WOW! is all I can say to BOTH answered prayers. WOW! to the POWER of prayer and to the POWER of God to hear and ANSWER our prayers. WOW! to a God who knows us so intimately and responds to our cries so lovingly.

Well, this week I begin praying yet another specific prayer for a son, and opening this book today to begin preparing my heart for what I want to ask God for ... well, the book is speaking directly to what is now on my heart.   As I write this post today sitting at my desk in my office, I push back tears, knowing again that God's love never fails me. I am again asking God for BIG stuff, and I KNOW that in due season I will SEE what now my heart only HOPES for. AND I sit here at my desk with a grateful heart that I listened to the promptings in my heart and picked the book back up ... for within its pages today I found specific instructions and Godly wisdom for what I am now praying for. That's not just a coincidence .... I see it as I always see such things ... as a "divine appointment" in the life of a believer.

Do you have a NEED in your life? something you desire for God to do, to show Himself mighty to you?   Let me encourage you today to begin asking Him for it, specifically call that need out in prayer ... and be FAITHFUL to Him as you WAIT ... because I've seen miracles just happen ... you can too.

2011-04-05T11:18:00.000-05:00

The message of this song truly is a reflection of what feels like the "normal" function of my heart. I don't want to spend my life sitting back doing nothing when there are things I CAN do and people I CAN make a difference for. May I never pass up the opportunity to bless or encourage another...

(I apologize for the video display being too large for my page ... didn't know how to fix that, but still wanted to share this post today)

"Hoss" ... our lives were truly blessed by him

2011-03-31T10:22:00.000-05:00

Today marks the 7th anniversary of the death of Ron's father "Hoss." We lost him to cancer on March 31st, 2004.

Hoss was loved by everyone who knew him ... and he and I had a very special bond. He also had a very special relationship with Jonathan & Nathan ... "Hoss" was the kind of granddad every kid would dream of having. (Maybe that had something to do with Dad letting them have Twinkies for breakfast, if that's what they wanted ... or maybe it was that he would drive 5 hours one way just to see them play a few ball games.)

Dad/"Hoss" was always quick-witted and was never lacking for a comical comeback ... seriously, you could never one-up him on wit... he always had the last word and 9 out of 10 times it would leave you either speechless or laughing hysterically ... and wondering "where the heck does he come up with stuff like that?"

So today, on the 7th anniversary of his death ... I just would like to share with my readers that I miss our remarkable "Hoss" ... he helped us start PCC and shared every aspect of our lives with us. I wish so very much that he were still here to enjoy the granddaughter born to his fourth grandchild 2 years ago, and now the grandchild soon to be born to his first grandson/our son Jonathan in Nov/Dec of this year. He would have been an incredible great-grandpa and these babies would have adored him, just as his grandchildren and children did.

"Hoss" was a "character" in the best kind of way... he will never be forgotten. And I know also that Jewel is thinking of him today and missing him equally as much.

Sunday Snafu ... or a Sunday Snapshot

2011-03-29T09:42:00.000-05:00

Sunday morning was ... well, a bit rough. A few things went "wrong" ... yes, that's right. In spite of the most well-laid plans, sometimes things don't go as planned... that's just life, isn't it?

We had a GREAT attendance, a GREAT service, and enjoyed a GREAT message (lots of people are commenting how they're enjoying this "Joseph" series ... there's so much to be learned from Joseph's life, and I for one am especially enjoying this study ... really good preaching, Ron), and God was honored in worship.

We did hit a snag in the song set though ... blatantly obvious to nearly everyone I'm sure, but we did the best we could to recover and to shut down Satan's attempt to hinder what God would do. Trust me when I say that we on the Worship Team, ALL of us, felt very much on the spot. And trust me also when I say I wasn't about to let Satan have the victory. Funny thing ... in rehearsal Wednesday night and again Sunday morning at 8:00, everything went beautifully smooth and we were fully prepared for a GREAT song set ... but then we hit a snag (I almost panicked) but you know what, hitting the snag ... that was okay ... we don't always get it 100% right in spite of our BEST efforts ... we did, however, do the best we could to re-group. And ... to YOUR credit you graciously just let us find our way through the little "blooper" ... I'm so thankful for GRACIOUS people like so many of you, and I'm thankful to the band and worship team for trusting me enough to try to get it back on track ... and thank you also to each one who spoke an encouraging word to me after service.

When you reflect back on Sunday's service, I hope you will remember the God-honoring songs ... good music to worship God through ...and reflect on the great sermon that Ron shared with us - so much good stuff from the life of Joseph Sunday. When he was in a tough spot he remained sweet in his spirit as he followed what God was calling him to ... (and I trust you recognize that that also was what we tried to do when we found ourselves in a "tough spot" Sunday). Satan would love nothing more than to try to steal the word of God from our hearts ... don't permit that. FEAST instead on God's word, and roll with the punches when things don't go as planned.

Everyone have a GREAT week ... I certainly plan to. Honor the Lord in all that you do, and He will rain down blessings on you just as with Joseph.

Chocolate Mousse

2011-03-17T10:38:00.000-05:00

New recipe just posted for a cool, refeshing, LIGHT chocolate dessert on my page IN THE KITCHEN - click tab you see at the top of this blog.

E-mail from Japan ....

2011-03-14T08:25:00.000-05:00

My niece, Christina Gauvin, and her husband are in Japan, serving in our military. Christina, DJ's daughter, sent this e-mail to us yesterday, and I wanted to share it here, particularly as I have seen the same calm on the reports coming in over tv as Christina talked about in her e-mail. Please do continue to pray for the people of Japan, and for all the Americans also over there:

Hey. I am doing okay, still a little unsettled and absolutely heart broken for our Japanese host nation. We feel so helpless and wish we could do more than donate clothes and food, but it is the best we can do. We are now experiencing blackouts. They are trying to conserve power so they are shutting all the cities power for approximately six hours each day up to next month.
Our base has started preparing cots for more shelter space. Not sure if or when we will start sheltering people. This is so tragic and the people here are so calm and orderly. There is one article I read where an elderly woman was crushed under a bookshelf and she kept apologizing to the rescue workers that she was trapped and wasting there time. She kept telling them to come back for her later, that surely there were people more in need of there services than her.
As much as this country has it's quirks, they have humanity down and you have to respect the heck out of them that there is no looting, shooting, riots, stealing, etc. It's an amazing thing to see first-hand.
If you can, please contact your local red cross and see if they are accepting any kind of donations. The people here really need clothes and food (pets too) and all the daily living products.
And keep the prayers coming!
If you can't reach me for a couple of hours, it's due to the power outages.
I love you all and appreciate your concerns...

Blessings in disguise ....

2011-03-09T11:26:00.003-06:00

Love this song by Laura Story ... BLESSINGS ... heard it for the first time on the radio traveling home from Atlanta this week... it captured my heart in a moment.
I think of a friend today who a little over a year ago lost someone she loves very much. I think of a son today who 5 years ago also lost someone he loved very much ... and then 2 years ago also lost the dream career he had worked so hard to achieve. I think of another friend today who lost a precious daughter 7-8 years back, very unexpectedly. In fact, I am reflecting on a number of precious other people who experienced the loss of loved ones so unexpectedly in recent years. And I think of friendships that have been lost in the last 5 years ... people who walked away from friendships that we were certain would endure through every season of life and through every season of ministry.

The song above asks this question: "What if the troubles of this life are God's mercies in disguise?"

I know that for the son who lost someone he loved and then lost that coveted career ... he already understands the "mercy in disguise", for he is now living in the blessing God had for him ... something much, much better for him than what was lost.
The others ... I'm pretty certain they have not yet seen how those troubles were actually God's mercies ... and today I am praying for them, am thinking of them, and asking God to reveal to them how those troubles, those losses, actually were God's mercies in disguise.

If you know of someone who needs God to reveal these mysteries to them ... would you join me in truly covering them in your prayers today, and in the days ahead, so that they will not be lost, so that they will find God's faithfulness like a beacon on a stormy shore. He would not have any of His children lost ...

Jeremiah 29:11-13¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Hell week?

2011-03-02T19:23:00.000-06:00

Okay ... well maybe not, but it HAS been quite a week around the Christian house. Ron was sick most of last week, culminating with him being too sick to do anything but stay in the bed Saturday and Monday. By Sunday evening after the Membership Class I apparently caught whatever he had AND had the added bonus of two other afflictions (AND an ongoing health situation since December - FINALLY today that chapter seems to have closed). We both were laid up Monday and part of Tuesday, and I'm home from band practice tonight sick, and SORE.

Add to that the doggie drama that has been going on for 4 weeks, culminating in an unplanned, unprotected mating situation (which we've been working HARD to avoid for nearly 18 days) ... turned our backs for 2 minutes and WHAM! (It's important to note here that my friend Sidney was rooting for it all along - lol). On TOP of that the other dog had a serious male crisis yesterday which required veterinary intervention. On TOP of that, one of the dogs nearly got his eye put out because of a fight he had with one of our other dogs (oh yeah, that was a veterinary visit too - we're vet poor now - could have put new carpet in our house for all the doggie doc visits). Seriously ... I'm beginning to think that no sane person should own 3 Jack Russells all at one time. Normally they're no problem, but then came "hell week", excuse the expression.

And as of THAT was not enough drama ... there was more drama, which I will not go into. Suffice it to say the pressure and turmoil has been on a RELENTLESS streak these days, especially in the last 7-10 days.

Well ... I am NOW READY for some NORMALCY back in the Christian house (or at least some uneventful days). Gotta get well by the weekend. The one bonus about being down and sick this week is the extra reading time I've gotten, which I've taken advantage of by reading through the Psalms and also continuing through a short novel my friend loaned me several months back. In fact, I'm about to pile back up on the couch with reading material in hand while the house is empty and quiet. Gonna go to bed early in hope of feeling remarkably better in the morning.

NOTE: Special thanks to my 2 FABULOUS neighbors who helped me out in really practical ways as I've been sick this week ... thank you to the 2 Melissas for taking special care of me during this rare period of not being able to get up and go. AND thanks also to Jodi and Gene who have been especially understanding and helpful at the office as I've not been able to put in any full days this week. Hope to be back on my feet very soon.

Time to graduate ...

2011-02-27T12:24:00.000-06:00

As I was lying in bed last night, just finishing up reading through some of the Psalms, my mind wandered to the many people who have been in difficult seasons of life for some time. We know about these difficult seasons.... we experience them too ... yes, even in the Pastor's home and family.
As I lay there thinking about these difficult seasons, I felt like the Holy Spirit whispered to me:
"Make the decision to GRADUATE from the school of hard knocks ... and move on with the next/best chapter of your life." and I felt a strong impression that I should share that here today.

Often times, trouble comes into our lives thru no fault of our own, at least through no IMMEDIATE fault of our own (maybe it is a carryover from some previous junk we invited into our lives and we are now reaping the bitter fruit of that former harvest season) ... but more often trouble comes into our lives because we DO invite it in .. because we willingly and knowingly make choices that we KNOW are gonna put stumbling-blocks before us AND impede the realization of God's plan for our lives.. We reach the place where we LOVE the drama and we actually find ourselves CLINGING to it as if it were a good friend we didn't want to part with.

But I have to ask ... Aren't you really tired of the drama? Isn't it time to give yourself permission to GRADUATE from that season ... and move on to the next, more fulfilling season of life?

If this describes you, I hope that you will draw a line in the sand today and NOT look back to yesterday ... go ahead, GRADUATE ... and enjoy the life God intended you to have.

I would love...

2011-02-20T19:09:00.000-06:00

to open my own cafe. It would be a dream come true.

I love to cook, and even more... I love to share what I've cooked with people that I like. I'm just wired like that.

And you know what else? I don't mind washing dishes (yes, by hand) and I actually enjoy doing laundry. It finally occurred to me the other day ... this oddity about enjoying those things. They're the ONLY things in life that I can actually clean up by my actions alone ... things get washed, stacked, dried, folded, put away ... everything's clean, neat, and orderly. Then they get dirtied up by the normal, productive forces of living, and back through the cycle they go. Can't say that about any other arena of life... nothing else is that easy. Lord knows people don't clean up that easy ... but clothes, and dishes, well ... they do.

Now, on another note ... a good friend said to me the other day .. you haven't called and talked to me about what's going on ... I've been worried about you."
Down through the years, well particularly in recent years, I have developed the habit of going quiet when my heart or mind is troubled about something.. I fly "under the radar." I find that I fair better when I talk less and pray more. (I especially find the Psalms very comforting and very encouraging when the battle heats up.)
Don't get me wrong ... there does come a time when I'm ready and needing to talk, but my first choice is silence ... it really is golden, at least for me. And when I'm ready to talk to a friend about it, well there are 4-5 great options for me ... trusted friends & confidantes who have the capacity to weather anything with me... and I love them for it. They have done life with me for many years now, and I trust them implicitly. And I have a wonderful counselor and friend in my husband who listens to me, lets me cry even when my sobbing is body-wracking and he doesn't know what to do ... then he just holds me and offers me comfort in the best way he knows how. I'm thankful for him ... and for the way he holds me up when I feel like I'm falling.

There's been a lot going on in our world for some time now ... it seems to never end ... but today I am thankful for TODAY ... and for the amazing people God is allowing me to share life with.

The faithfulness of God, and His blessings ... they sustain me.

Broccoli Slaw

2011-02-18T17:07:00.000-06:00

New recipe posted today ...click on IN THE KITCHEN ... tabbed above.

More posts on this home page soon ... stay tuned.
Been a busy, chaotic, challenging week on many, many levels.

Spending time today listening and learning ... Office door shut ... Simulcast in progress

2011-02-10T12:58:00.000-06:00

Quotes from the Leadership simulcast (and book) by Dr. Henry Cloud NECESSARY ENDINGS (many tools in this simulcast for management/leadership helps and also for personal life stuff .. special thanks to "Mrs. Mary" for hooking me up with it.)
--I highly recommend the book, and if you want to view the simulcast online, here's... a link: http://www.necessaryendingssimulcast.com/viewnow

Normalize the idea that everything has a season, and a life-cycle to it
Today may be the biggest enemy of your tomorrow
What is in your life today that is not in alignment with what you want tomorrow?‎
Life is about 'winning' ... not about living to make it another day.
Ask yourself this: What is it in here (your heart/your gut) do you feel that energy drain or heaviness about? That is a clue about what you may have to execute on.... a 'necessary ending'
Sometimes leaders fail to act because they don't want to hurt others ... there is a difference between "hurt" and "harm" ... know the difference.
You may wound someone with a decision you have to make and it may "hurt" them, but it won't "harm" them ... it likely will help them acknowledge what they already know down in their gut, and releasing them may propel them toward exercising their TRUE talents and skills in an arena better suited to their gifts and talents ... and in the end they will be better for it ...so also may be you or your team.
Our life experiences form and shape us UNTIL we PROACTIVELY have new experiences to form and shape our character in a different way
It is important to know the difference between HOPE and merely a WISH
Hope = an objective reason to believe
Wish = something I merely "desire"
Hope spends time...

Endings are good ... if endings weren't good you'd be married to your prom date."
(*NOTE: I could almost laugh at that one except that I AM married to my prom date - lol)

The Prodigal Son ...

2011-02-04T11:37:00.002-06:00

http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/mini-movies/20179/The-Prodigal
Follow this link to view the video I tried to post last week. It is a dramatic telling of The Prodigal Son. It is very well done and I think you'll enjoy it ...

I love this story in God's word ... always have, always will.
We have two wonderful sons ...not perfect, but wonderful nonetheless ... and we will NEVER give up on either one of them. Both have had some hard knocks in the last 5 years particularly, and both have sought their way through those hard knocks to find their way "home" ... home to what their heart knows is true. One son has mastered the art of finding his way "home" ... the other, well he's still working on it.
We love our sons more than anything in THIS world. And what peace I have in knowing that as much as we love them, God loves them even more.

Our heavenly Father awaits the return of EVERY prodigal ... He stands ready to receive you with arms open wide ...

I promise ...

2011-02-03T20:50:00.000-06:00

Office dialogue this morning ....
Renae to Ron: Don't even THINK about blogging about that ... If you promise not to blog it, I promise not to Facebook it.
----(to which everyone in the office erupts into laughter, and shouts DEAL!!)

You would have to have been there to fully appreciate the humor in it. It WAS pretty funny and the laughter started the day off right for everyone. Set a good mood for the entire day in the office.

P.S. Denise & Terri -- I really enjoyed lunch with you girls today -- GF time is good ANYTIME!

In the Kitchen ...

2011-02-01T20:49:00.001-06:00

Just posted a new recipe under the IN THE KITCHEN tab ... it's a recipe for Bagelhead's Slaw. Ron and I stopped in to Bagelheads Friday night after a movie and he especially enjoyed the slaw so I did a search for the recipe online and thought I'd share it with my readers. I made a batch at home tonight and the recipe was a Grand Slam winner! (a perfect side dish w/the baked sweet potato & small steak we shared for dinner)

Now to master the recipe for the Italian Wedding Soup they also serve up at Bagelheads. Mmmmm.......

A fool ...

2011-01-28T20:48:00.000-06:00

"
... is the person who tries to adjust the truth so he doesn't have to adjust himself to the truth."

--from Henry Cloud's Book Necessary Endings

Psalm 103...

2011-01-27T09:39:00.002-06:00

¹ Praise the LORD, my soul;

all my inmost being,

praise his holy name.

² Praise the LORD, my soul,

and forget not

all his benefits—

³ who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

⁴ who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

⁶ The LORD works righteousness

and justice for all the oppressed.

⁷ He made known his ways to Moses,

his deeds to the people of Israel:

⁸ The LORD is compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger, abounding in love.

⁹ He will not always accuse,

nor will he harbor his anger forever;

¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve

or repay us according to our iniquities.

¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his love for those who fear him;

¹² as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

¹³ As a father has compassion on his children,

so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

¹⁴ for he knows how we are formed,

he remembers that we are dust.

¹⁵ The life of mortals is like grass,

they flourish like a flower of the field;

¹⁶ the wind blows over it and it is gone,

and its place remembers it no more.

¹⁷ But from everlasting to everlasting

the LORD’s love is with those who fear him,

and his righteousness with their children’s children—

¹⁸ with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.

¹⁹ The LORD has established his throne in heaven,

and his kingdom rules over all.

²⁰ Praise the LORD, you his angels,

you mighty ones who do his bidding,

who obey his word.

²¹ Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,

you his servants who do his will.

²² Praise the LORD, all his works

everywhere in his dominion.

   Praise the LORD, my soul.
___________________________

I have found great comfort in this passage this week.
I especially love, and am encouraged by, Verse 5.

YOUTH is the age of error for many young people ... it is the season of life where you feel invincible and where you perhaps make the biggest blunders, possibly even sabotaging or putting at risk a future that should be bright and very promising.   Many young people, in fact, should be enjoying this season like "smooth sailing" - because you've had every benefit and advantage in your youth as compared to others. You've had a good home, a good church, good health, a strong mind, and opportunities to excel in many things in life. Really, you've had it made.
But instead of reaping all those benefits, young people (high school thru the college years) often just screw things up, to put it bluntly. BUT, per the promise of Verse 5, EVERY PERSON WHO HAS EVER MESSED UP can have the joys they should have known in their youth restored to them.
I am leaning on that promise ... in fact, I will go one step farther and say I am counting on that promise and speaking it aloud for every young person who deviated from God's plan for his or her life and now finds himself/herself in a place or situation of reaping what they sowed. The place they are at ... they are responsible for ... but God's grace & mercy extends even to the place of regret.
So hold on to the promise of God ... He will empower you to turn things around IF you desire to do that.   He IS the God of second chances ...

Can you tell ....

2011-01-25T19:49:00.002-06:00

that it's been a difficult week for me and Ron?

Yes, we've sounded off a bit on our blogs... they've been very raw postings.

And worse yet ... I'm breaking out with an army of pimples all over my face ... and on a 7-day streak of a messed-up stomach (that's the polite way of saying it). I, for one, am emotionally wrung out, but NOT giving up the fight ... still walking in faith in spite of the physical manifestations of stress, and dealing with "it."

We can never be all things to all people ... and for now we may not even be able to be what we ordinarily could be or ordinarily would want to be. Just not happening this week. Probably better next week.

Bear with us, and we'll bear with all of you ... we'll get our footing again very soon ... and will tell of victory when all is said and done.

I wasn't taken care of ...

2011-01-25T14:06:00.000-06:00

I bumped into a lady in Walmart yesterday as Ron and I were headed to Navarre to take care of some important family business. She is a very pretty lady whom I always enjoy chatting with in the Children's hallway of PCC. I told her I had missed her the last several weeks, and she shared with me why they had come up "missing" and what was going on with her health and family.

I was reminded in my own heart and mind, as she talked, that it is impossible for 2-3 senior staffers to keep eyes on nearly 500 people ... not only is that just numerically impossible, but those 2-3 senior staffers and 2-3 part-time staffers also at times have crises going on in their own lives, their health or their families, that require their full attention and quite honestly, that drains them of their energy & alertness. Sometimes people on church staff are in "crunch time" in their own personal lives/health and in their own families ... and God calls us to take care of our homes & families too. And also I thought this: Do you want to get well, or do you want to keep hugging the pain? At some point in everyone's life we have to decide if we are going to recover from past hurts and difficulties ... to move on with our lives, or are we gonna remain on the treadmill of "hugging the pain", ever "treading" or struggling but going nowhere. People can listen to you or talk to you or even pray with you over and over again, but in the end it is you who must decide if you want to be made whole ... because until you reach the place that you really do want that, all the care & concern in the world from others, even from top church staff, will not be enough. YOU have to take care of yourself even more than others take care of you. In other words, you have to own the decisions you've made with your life, and even when hardship comes that you didn't open the door for, it is ultimately you who has to square your shoulders back, stand tall, and deal with it, as hard as it might be.

Having said that, though, let me issue this challenge to ALL PCC-ers ... take CARE of one another ... look around you and open your eyes and your hearts to each other's needs, and also to each other's victories. Don't shy away from doing life with one another ... there are things to be celebrated together, and there are also difficult seasons to support each other through, as a family, and as the family of God, and we are a LARGE family with LOTS of people to care for one another ... and to celebrate life's special/joyful moments with.

And let me also challenge all PCC-ers in this way ... don't think that good care only comes from the senior staff. Understand that there may be times when they are not able to respond, and allow others to minister to you or care for you during those times. You never know what might be going on in the life of a senior staff member that may hinder their ability to be a first-responder to your need or situation... they might be having to be a first-responder to needs or situations in their own homes or families.

Now ... one closing challenge to the PCC family:

Have you been missing someone lately ... or have you felt like you just wanted to check in on someone? Why not call and check on them today ... see if you can be a blessing or encouragement to them. You might find yourself serendipitously blessed simply by taking the time to reach out and care for others ...and remember in doing that to also take care of yourself.

Blessings to you on this Tuesday ...

How do you keep going ...

2011-01-20T15:06:00.000-06:00

You understand that life is hard for ALOT of people, REALLY hard ... and you just keep going ... that's what you do. AND you acknowledge that while your situation may seem hard, if you seriously look around you you will likely see that it may pale if held up to the hardship others face.

Someone is always doing "hard" ... and surviving, even overcoming. Jesus himself did "hard" ....

Understand this ...

Just because life gets hard, it doesn't mean that God is not working in your behalf. He IS... and you have to trust that ... IF He has captured your heart, you can be ASSURED that He's got your back... in fact, the word of God tells us that He goes BEFORE us.
Just because life gets hard doesn't mean that God has lifted His calling from your life. You've been called to ministry? You KEEP doing ministry ... even when life is HARD.
When life gets hard ... you keep walking in FAITH and you be an example of the power of God to overcome adversity. You live out what you say you believe. Here is where you are tested, and you can and WILL pass the test if you just keep trusting in Him.

Today ... life may feel "hard" ... but God is STILL present ... NOTHING has caught Him by surprise. If you are HIS child, He is working all things TOGETHER for your good. Keep honoring Him, and let Him work in you, for you, and THROUGH you. Let your light continue to shine, even in the valley, for it is there in the deep valley that your light, ANY light, will illuminate most brightly.

Chris Tomlin

2011-01-18T16:34:00.000-06:00

I highly recommend Chris Tomlin's latest CD
AND IF OUR GOD IS FOR US.
In fact, I would go one step farther and say you'll likely be hearing several songs off that CD in PCC worship soon ... so definitely check it out!

Travel talk ...

2011-01-18T10:39:00.001-06:00

Received a comment this morning to a previous posting "Lead, follow, or get out of the way." So, someone else understands what I'm trying to say. (To the commenter ... your remarks blessed me today ... thank you for taking the time to write.)

Made a road trip Sunday/Monday with a couple of women, one of whom serves on the worship team here at PCC. We had extended conversations about how we do things with the worship team and the reasons we do what we do. (As I said in an earlier post, I'm always evaluating our strategy and always asking myself "can we do it better, or more effectively?") This particular team member, I would say, is one of the TOP female vocalists anywhere in or around our tri-county area... and she's a solid Christian, a woman of faith. It was good to hear her insights into Worship Team stuff, and I listened as she offered me some of her thoughts on worship and on why we do what we do. The conversation was encouraging and stimulating ... made me feel like YES we can do even better.

I LOVE doing life & ministry with people who truly understand our objective ... effectively leading people into a worship experience, whereby the Spirit of God can do its work in their hearts & lives. IF we do that each week, then we are SUCCESSFUL. If we don't, we have FAILED.

Special thanks to my teammate who encouraged and challenged me on the road trip .. now THAT was time well spent ...
(NOTE: If I ever reach the place where I, as a leader, stop listening to my people in the process of change, and don't give appropriate consideration to their perspectives, then I will have ceased to be a good leader. Good leaders LISTEN first, then act ...)

P.S. For those "inquiring minds" who want to know ... Ronnie's expression in his Sunday Mind Dump "Talla--Vegas--hassee" was in reference to the comic remarks of my travel partners before leaving for our road trip ... "what happens in Tally stays in Tally".
Funny guy, that Ron ...

Worship Teams

2011-01-15T18:10:00.000-06:00

..at PCC are firing on all cylinders right now. There seems to be a very good chemistry among the members of all three teams. The musicians are all also doing a great job and everyone seems to genuinely enjoy serving together right now.

I love these kinds of seasons in ministry ....

The Three Jacks ...

2011-01-13T10:52:00.000-06:00

Enjoyed a brisk walk w/my three Jack Russells this morning around 7:30 this morning. Got in about 2.5 miles ... they enjoyed it immensely, and so did I. You might think it was too cold to walk, but I stayed completely warm in my sweats, sweatshirt, & wool hoodie (okay, so I looked like a vagabond... so what? lol). We alternately walked & ran ... felt GREAT.

I always have way more energy for the day when I discipline myself to get that morning walk in. Rainy days may stop me ... but the cold itself definitely is not.

Now to spend a day of ORGANIZING in my office. All ready w/music for this weekend, have already projected out music for the remainder of the month, AND remarkably also have music projected out for most of February as well. It feels SO GOOD to be ahead of schedule this week. Now to de-clutter my workspace and make some important phone calls ...

Why Bad Things Happen to Smart People

2011-01-12T10:01:00.000-06:00

I invite you to read today's devotion ... simply click on the Devotional Reflections tab above. There you will find Chapter 2, part 2, of the walk thru Andy Stanley's book The Principle of the Path. I pray you will allow yourself to be challenged as you ask the ever-important question... What direction am I going?

Blessings to my readers on this beautiful, cold, January day ....

On the ligher side ...

2011-01-11T20:57:00.000-06:00

So I picked up this book tonight that I started reading some weeks back (but had put down over the holidays)...a friend loaned it to me during Christmas..
Alot of stuff was jumping off the pages to entertain me and I wanted to flag the pages but was hesitant to do so because my friend who loaned it is definitely a Type A personality (but I love her anyway) ... so I did the respectable thing & called her to ask her permission to dog-ear just a few pages so I wouldn't have to get out from under my warm bed covers to go get pieces of paper to mark the pages with. She reluctantly, but graciously, gave permission so I could remain warm & cozy in bed.
Here are our text exchanges that followed shortly thereafter (and remember, it's text-speak so don't go mailing me any anonymous "i hate your blog" letters again telling me how many words I "misspelled" - seriously, stop reading if you can't stand it):
Me: You'll be happy to know i"m unfolding the page corners and getting up to use sticky notes instead ... too much good stuff in the book to keep dog-earing...don't you just love me?
Melissa: Yes, yes I do. Great book, huh?
Me: right up my alley...i could very easily be her ... in fact she's rapidly looking alot like my alter ego. lol
Melissa: Funny ... mine too. Book is much better than the movie, huh?
Me: Agreed ... but I' gonna want to watch the movie again when i finish the bk
Melissa: You should... I think I have 1 u can borrow :-)
Me: (laughing ... because of course the movie to which she refers was a Christmas give I gave her) ...was hoping you'd say that.. xo

I do enjoy the simple humor shared among girlfriends. Made me smile tonight ... (I know, it's silly, but needed the little lighter side tonight)
:-)

Lead, follow, or get out of the way...

2011-01-11T13:51:00.002-06:00

As you know, everything is on the drawing board at PCC right now. As we do every year, we are asking ourselves why we do what we do and HOW are we doing those things ... are we doing them the best way that we can, or is there a better way to do what we do in fulfilling this church's mission. Are we using the right people to get the job done? Are we employing the right strategies to achieve God-honoring goals? In other words, EVERYTHING is on the table.

I recently let go of Youth Ministry and promoted someone else on my "dream team" to the place of leadership. Why did I do that? Certainly not because I wasn't enjoying it because YG was the MOST fulfilling and enjoyable thing I was doing... I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED IT! Heck ... I was having the TIME OF MY LIFE with them! However, I had to acknowledge that I probably had taken Youth Group as far as I could, and someone else else could now better achieve some things that maybe I would not be able to; in other words, I felt like I had led the YG to a good place and had a VERY GOOD season with them having accomplished so much, but it was now a time for change ... yes, "change". So I stepped down and threw my full support behind "the new guy.". I had no problem changing my role to servant rather than leader as the transition occurred ... I mean, I can sit in the backseat with as much joy as when I was sitting in the driver's seat... I'm just happy to serve in any way with these incredible students & workers in Youth Group.

Additionally ... I approached Gene & Ron early last week after a self-evaluation and advised them that I am willing for my role to change in whatever way necessary to strengthen PCC ... the bottom line of PCC AND the goals/objectives of PCC as we enter this new, leaner year. We are still in discussion about that in fact.

Now ... in my ministry areas ... in the last 2 weeks I've made some decisions, some changes, that will better serve PCC. Those decisions were not arrived at easily, and in fact for too long I postponed making those decisions because I knew that those decisions represented changes/improvements that would not settle well with everyone ... so I hesitated to act... I hesitated for longer than I should have in fact ... but no more ... I have finally "pulled the trigger" on my action plan.

The cold hard fact is that you will never please everybody when you have tough decisions to make, but you can't let that paralyze you... it is your responsibility to lead -- so lead, you must. If as a staff member ANYWHERE you don't LEAD I would say it's very possible you might be dead weight and should probably not be serving in a "paid" leadership role. I mean, if you're a paid staff member you are paid, and expected, to make tough decisions all the time...even when it's not easy.

Regarding the tough decisions I've made ... in the end, everyone who desires to serve, and is able to, continues to have that opportunity. The time may come when I am compelled to say "no" to someone because they're just not the right fit for the task at hand or maybe because a prevailing negative attitude disqualifies him/her from serving, but for now there are no "no's", only "yes's" but with a greater awareness of the bigger picture. It's about the overall health of all the teams and about the overall health of PCC ... we want to be doing ALL ministries better and stronger this year even in the face of a potentially leaner budget.

As Ron said in his sermon Sunday ... "While your feelings about something may be strong, be careful not to "enthrone your feelings". It's not about you ... it's about doing God's work in the best way possible.

It can only be a God-thing

2011-01-09T19:37:00.000-06:00

I never cease to be in awe of how God moves in on a situation at exactly the right time. He did that again today for me .... not once, but TWICE.

I found myself with a couple of losses on Friday that initially bummed me out ... one of the losses was particularly uncomfortable because it felt like a personal attack. At the end of the day, however, I knew I had acted in exactly the way that I believed God was directing and that I had made the right choices. Then I thought ... God, You will provide where there might otherwise be a gap ... and UNTIIL then I will move forward with what You have already provided.

Well .. within 15 minutes of me walking thru the door at church this morning I was approached by someone who offered their support in the exact area which I just had a loss. And if that were not enough, before the 11:00 service I was approached by yet another (experienced) individual offering their support. Both individuals approached me with "If there is help needed, I will serve in whatever way that is needed... however much or however little ... I'm here to bless my church." And you know what? Neither had ANY IDEA of the losses I was hit with on Friday, and one of those individuals had never before offered their assistance in the way they had today ....NEVER before in this person's 10-year history with me, UNTIL today ... you know, TODAY ... two days after a gap was created (not by me). All I could do was just smile, again in AWE of how God provides.

Another God-thing: Last night I lay awake pondering how to handle something in particular, uncertain if I had placed the right people in exactly the right place to ensure strength for every team that serves with me ... I laid in bed wide awake asking God for clear direction about something VERY specific. Well, true to the character of God, right in the middle of our pre-service rehearsal with the Worship Team the answer came LOUD & CLEAR ... in a CHORUS of voices. And it was EXACTLY the answer to the question I laid awake asking last night. Isn't God good? I mean .. man, He's GREAT!!!!

I just want to say this ...
IF I never try to do what I know I must, out of fear of failure or fear of man, I can NEVER expect God to honor anything that I do. Either I'm ALL IN or I'm not... and His blessings will rest upon my leadership accordingly.
And I know this also .... IF I do try, with all sincerity and integrity, to do what I believe I should, God will ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS honor that. He will NEVER lead me where He won't EQUIP me.. and He will NEVER allow His work - kingdom work - to suffer... not EVER.

My faith is pretty fierce right now... I feel like I could fight a lion with my own bare hands.
And I absolutely CAN NOT WAIT to see how God continues to rain blessings on the ministry teams with whom I am honored to serve. It's gonna be a GREAT year at PCC!!

Why not leave things alone?

2011-01-07T14:40:00.001-06:00

Change is sometimes painful ... but every living organism is changing ... so be willing to give "change", a try ... you might find that it actually produces better results, or heck, you may even actually like it after all. Everyone can look forward with great anticipation to the new year, to new ways to serve and be involved in the growing family of PCC.
________

P.S. Stop by the nursery Sunday and see the beautiful new wall-color, and if you see John Wise or Donnie Smith tell them "thanks" for painting it this week ... good job, guys!

On the subject of "Suffering"

2011-01-03T10:37:00.001-06:00

Human Suffering - Let me ask these questions about it:

Do individual happiness or the absence of human suffering really represent the supreme expressions of good?

Are things that cause us happiness as individuals always good for us?

Some of the most amazing people I know have "suffered"... some of those people have "suffered" their entire lives with medical conditions that would undo others, and yet those people lived their lives with more purpose and more true joy than many other perfectly healthy, wealthy people.

This past week a precious young man in this community died ... had a life-long condition requiring multiple transplants. I felt great compassion on this family whose son/brother/grandson unexpectedly lost a battle Dec. 27th that he had won so many times before. And yet as I look back on his life, I would say (and everyone who knew him would agree) he lived his life with more zeal, more expectation, more enthusiasm than just about any other person I know.

I wonder if "suffering" doesn't give some people a greater understanding of the VALUE of truly LIVING one's life. It's like they see every day as a gift ... which it is, but so many others never see that, or certainly don't live their lives as if they recognize that.

I will never fully understand human suffering (and truly none of us really know it as much of the world knows it ... just take a look at other countries where poverty and sickness truly debilitate people, even whole societies .. that's a true picture of human suffering) ... but this one thing I do know ... even Jesus Christ himself suffered... and yet he changed a world. Even Jesus himself knew pain, knew loneliness, knew disappointment, knew heartache, knew the loss of a best friend, knew what it was like to lay down His life...with MUCH suffering.

We are all shaped by our life experiences ... and the few people I personally know who have truly physically suffered thru much of their lives ... well, they are 2 of the most remarkable people EVER. Their lives, their attitudes, their personalities, the way they relate(d) to other people ... all a direct outflow of who they WERE/ARE... human suffering and all.

The lives they impact? COUNTLESS

The difference they have made in others? INNUMERABLE

The joy they brought to those around them in the way they shared their lives with them? PRICELESS

When someone you know passes, or you don't understand why they suffer ... just remember this - they are the person you've known them to be as a result of their human condition. Ask yourself how this person might be or might have been different if their "condition" was not a part of their lives. The time they shared with you, and the memories you have with them ... well it was all shaped by the very person that they were ... physical challenges and all. And they were and are VERY FINE people ... people that forever changed our lives.

So in your grieving, let your thoughts not linger on their death ... because are all just passing through this life on our way to a home which is eternal and we will ALL die ... but rather steer your thoughts toward their LIFE ... how they shared it with you ... and thank God that of all the people, all the families, all the places in the world that loved one could have spent his/her life ... God gave him/her to YOU, in fact actually ENTRUSTED them into your care while here on this earth ... that says alot not only about how God loves you but also about how He loved them .. he gave them to you to be a special blessing to you for a season and also so you could be a special blessing to them. And know that your sorrow will only last for a season if you choose to move toward celebrating their life. Commemorate every happy day shared with them, mark the day and the place, and thank God you had those special moments with them.

You will see your loved one again ... but until then, live your life as enthusiastically as your loved one did. Every day truly is a gift to be cherished, to be LIVED to the fullest ...

(In special memory of Heath, and in recognition of my dear friend "Russ")

2010-12-29T11:13:00.001-06:00

Blog Interrupted ....
New Year's Eve celebrations just a few days away now.
THINK about how many people you know who have been killed in alcohol-related accidents ... and think about the countless other people-family/friends- whose lives have irreversibly changed because of the loss of those loved ones. In the last 3-4 years alone, the Pace area has lost dozens of high school & college-age students to drunk driving... not to mention the countless adults whose lives have either been lost or totally shipwrecked by the deceitful allure of alcohol.

DON'T DRINK ...

but if you do, PLEASE ... DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE
Your life is TOO precious ...don't hurt the ones you love the most and leave them behind to mourn for the rest of their lives ...

Human Suffering

2010-12-27T21:05:00.003-06:00

I have some thoughts I'd like to "air" about this subject... Human Suffering. We see it everywhere ... and I have to admit that it has long perplexed me. Today I've thought about it alot ... the result of receiving the sad news that a precious young man in this community, a good man, slipped out of this life and into the next... and today in a strange way some things began to make sense to me about human suffering, or the human condition.

If you'd like to share your thoughts, please feel free to leave a comment.... and I invite you to stay tuned as I post some of my thoughts over the next few days.

"Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take." Amen...

A Thousand Miles ...

2010-12-22T12:27:00.000-06:00

I absolutely LOVE this song and tears sting my eyes every time I hear it ... GREAT message of hope & SHELTER that we find in Christ alone.
He NEVER gives up on us ... what a blessing to know this.

Andy Stanley's Church ... I-Band

2010-12-22T09:57:00.001-06:00

This is MY kind of Geek Squad.
Andy Stanley's church on the outskirts of Atlanta ... always on the cutting edge.
Treat yourself to viewing this video all the way through - 3 Christmas songs - very entertaining (well if you love music like I do).
I PROMISE it will make you smile -unless you're just not the smiling sort - :-)

(Special thanks to my friend Susan Smith who shared this with me)

CARDBOARD TESTIMONIES ... a snapshot from Sunday

2010-12-20T12:41:00.000-06:00

Yesterday truly was an INSPIRING, heart-felt day here at Pace Community Church. We heard from a couple, really neat people who happen to be personal friends of Ron - people he grew up with - whose son was in a critical motorcycle wreck this summer ... they were transparent and raw in the sharing of their story ... many people were deeply moved as they spoke.

Then came the Cardboard Testimonies ... the best way to share this with you today is to offer you a glimpse of the "before-and-after" messages on the cardboards of those who were a part of this presentation:

Lost in a life of despair ... New Life of Hope & Faith at PCC
Broken ... Found God's BLESSINGS in my Brokenness
Depressed with Nowhere to Go ... Happily Walking in the Light of God
In Chains to Drugs and a Sinful Lifestyle ... FREED By His Grace!
Wanted to Expand our Family / 3 Consecutive Miscarriages ... Realized the BLESSINGS God had given us (Ashley & Jordan) / Blessed Beyond Compare now with an Awesome YOUTH GROUP -- and NO DIAPERS!! :-)
Rocker ... Worshipper
Sinner ... SAVED by God's Grace
Didn't know I had it in me, but I did / Only had to ask Him to come in to my heart ... YES! Jesus Christ - THANK Y0U for the CROSS! - Saved - Tommy
Smoked Cigarettes for 40 Years - QUIT by the Grace of God
Born "Different" / 13 Surgeries in 17 Years ... Born for "PURPOSE" / Started a Support Group / 2000+ People Served over 20 Years / HE is the Potter, I am the Clay
A Sinner, Undeserving of God's Forgiveness ... Forgiven, SAVED by the Grace of God!!
Confused, Doubtful, Faithless ... Saved, FAITHFUL, Sanctified
Living for the World ... Living FOR GOD!
Left Behind / False Repentance ... now REDEEMED thru the Blood of Christ
Didn't Know Jesus - Xmas ... Merry CHRISTmas! My Savior is Born!
Shameful TAKER :-( ... Proud GIVER - I LOVE GOD!! :-)
Would work for Nothing ... Work for CHRIST
Satan's Test Pilot - Blasphemer - Living LOST ... Saved (2005), Baptized (2008), Living RENEWED in CHRIST - Change is GOOD!!
$ Worldly Family $ / Family in $ DEBT $ ... TITHING Family // Now a DEBTless Family!! :-) ... WE LOVE OUR CHURCH!!

These are the STORIES of Pace Community Church ... they are YOUR stories, they are OUR stories. We are not PERFECT people .. but we ARE people living for God on PURPOSE. What a JOY to know our Lord and Savior .. and what a JOY to do life together in this warm family we call PCC... we remain IN CHRIST, and TOGETHER thru it all ...

SMART Move ...

2010-12-14T12:01:00.003-06:00

I just have to say two things today:

I heard last night that my FAVORITE, AWESOME, ONE-OF-A-KIND minister who was my Youth Pastor growing up is back at Pace Assembly of God Church. STEVE ZEPP and his wife SANDRA were absolutely PIVOTAL PEOPLE for me when I was young and vulnerable and trying to find my way as an ugly, homely, simple, completely ordinary, SKINNY, scared teenager with THICK glasses (not your everyday thick ... EXTREMELY thick ... like something you'd expect to see on a Saturday Night Live sketch). Bro. Zepp's ministry to me kept me anchored in Christ during a critical season in my life. I'm absolutely THRILLED that he & Sandra are back in town and doing ministry again at PAoG ... SMART MOVE to Joey Rogers for bringing him back on board.
Knowing how critical this Youth Pastor was to me growing up, I also just have to say that as much as I've enjoyed leading Youth Ministry here at PCC these last 3 years ... it was a SMART MOVE to hand the reins over to DENISE YATES in November who will, over time, mean the same thing to our students as Bro. Zepp meant to me. The beauty of Denise's assignment here, though, is that she is also surrounded by a PHENOMENAL TEAM of workers who all have a heart for Youth like my former Youth Pastor did. If you have have a teenager, and they are not part of PCC's Youth Ministry under the direction of Denise and her team ... well, your kid is missing out on the opportunity of a lifetime. Teen years only come around once, and those years fly by so quickly ... give your kid EVERY POSSIBLE EDGE to keep him/her anchored in Christ and to get them grounded in their faith through the support and ministry of Denise and her Youth Crew ... they are truly AMAZING PEOPLE who WILL make a difference in the life of your son/daughter ... IF you give them the chance.

Okay ... that's my RAVE for today ...

(WELCOME HOME, BRO & SIS. ZEPP!!!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU GUYS! )

A Father's Testimony and the Strength of FAMILY

2010-12-12T12:49:00.003-06:00

This morning in our services, a man shared his family's personal testimony ... it's been a journey that took them through seasons of distance from God and seasons of closeness to God ... fortunately, and to their credit, they now find themselves in a season of closeness.

As I listened to this courageous father share his family's story I was deeply moved ... not only because I'm acutely aware of their whole story, but also because as he was telling it I knew that so many others, ourselves included, have also had very painful seasons in our lives with family.

You know what? In thinking about the Serenity Prayer which Ron reminded us of this morning, one of the things that we cannot control is the behavior or decision-making process of people that we love and care deeply about. Honestly, I teared up in service (well, truthfully, almost just completely lost it) as we read that prayer ... and I asked God to help me, and everyone else who's at that place, to find a way to truly let go of those things we cannot control.

I take comfort in knowing we can find PEACE in the midst of EVERY season of life ... yes, even in the most difficult seasons. And yet I also am very sad as I think about how choices that others make ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS suck others in, the very people who love them they most and who they, the offender, really love the most.

No man is an island ... you make decisions and those decisions have ripple effects for as far as the eye can see. Ask yourself ... Do I want to bring JOY to myself & to my family, or do I want to stubbornly and selfishly make choices that I know will bring heartache to myself and to the people I love?

You can't have it both ways ... you really can't live one leg in the church and one leg in the world. God will not be mocked... there will come a day of reckoning ... you can absolutely bank on it. So live the life you want ... and know that whatever comes your way as a result of the choices you make will also enter into the lives of those around you, whether for better or for worse. They won't invite trouble into their lives, but maybe you will bring it to them ... I pray not, especially knowing the story of the family I heard speak today and knowing our own story as well as the story of so many others. (Thankfully, God is the great Reconciler, and thankfully, families can and do usually weather nearly everything TOGETHER ... that's the beauty and strength of family .. but why put your family through hell unnecessarily ... it just doesn't make sense, especially when there is a better way AND you know that way)

My challenge to you today is this ... choose WISELY and with THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION of the ripple effect your choices have on those who mean the most to you. Don't play Russan Roulette w/the lives of the people you love.

THANK YOU, S.K.... for the brave sharing of your story today ... it took alot of courage, and it also took alot of trust in your church family to be that transparent. You are a blessing and an inspiration, friend. AND .. I'm SO thankful that through this whole painful process your son found His way "ALL IN" for Christ ... THAT is just one of the miracles of this story.

2010-12-09T11:57:00.000-06:00

If you need a reminder today of WHY Christ came to earth .. of WHY He lived among men and then DIED ... well, this should help.

We all ... need a Savior .. and He knew ... so He CAME to earth, and paid the highest price that we might know Him.

Sunday Summary ...

2010-12-07T10:06:00.000-06:00

Well, I just have to say that the new Worship Team hit it OUT OF THE BALLPARK! They did a great job ... and how exciting to identify & empower fresh new talent in a growing church. Don't get me wrong ... EVERYONE who ever has or currently does serve on any of the Worship Teams are incredible, faithful, fun people ... but there is something truly gratifying about giving others new opportunities to use their gifts and talents.

Okay, well having said that, let me share something else with you. This week a Leadership Audio Journal arrived in the mail from Willow Creek/Bill Hybels - "Uncommon Friends - 35 Years Together in Ministry. What it has done for me as I've been listening to it ... well it's just a God thing. I find myself at a crossroads in ministry where the roles of people around me are changing (the result of a growing church), and that is a difficult thing - for them and for me. Would you ever believe that the CD that came speaks DIRECTLY to that "season" in a church's ministry. What I heard on the CD was EXACTLY what I needed to validate that I'm moving in the right direction. It's reassuring to hear that churches everywhere find themselves dealing with the very same kinds of things we deal with here and they navigate their way through those things without ship-wrecking.

I'm blown away, yet again, by how God supernaturally speaks directly into a situation in which I find myself. I'm blown away that He cares that much ... about me, about those around me, and about the ministries of this church. I'll be sharing this CD very soon with others who might also benefit from hearing what I've heard.

I find myself completely ASSURED that God knows EXACTLY where I'm at today, this week, and more specifically as I find myself approaching a new season of ministry ... and it EXCITES me to know that.

Everyone have a SUPER-BLESSED day, and know that God is FOR you, WITH you, and that He LOVES you. Put your trust in Him ... He never fails.

Turning Talent Loose to Serve

2010-12-02T11:44:00.001-06:00

This weekend at PCC we'll have a new team serving on the Worship platform. Three of the five people on this Worship Team will be serving in this role for the very first time ... they are super-excited to be given the opportunity, and I am very happy to be able to offer them a place of service.

I have long striven to open doors to gifted people who desire to serve in Music Ministry or the ministry of leading Worship. It's been quite a challenge down through the years, though, for a number of reasons:

Not everyone who desires to serve is truly qualified to
It's also really hard, understandably, for some who serve to make room for others ... they're so used to serving - they love what they do & make themselves completely available to serve, which is a blessing - but then it's very hard to let go of something you love in order to let others also serve (trust me when I say that nearly everyone wrestles with letting go in some measure, including me), but it is something that we are all called to do .. it's about sharing the ministry and empowering other gifted people. No one was intended to serve forever or exclusively, not even me. Everyone has to navigate thru the difficult challenge of letting go a bit in order to make room for others in a growing church.
Not everyone who wants to serve can put in the time it takes to practice, practice, practice ... alot of (unseen) time is put into developing a good team (with good chemistry together) & into pulling off a good weekend service with good music ... it doesn't happen without a great deal of preparation and sacrifice from everyone on the team
At times in our church's history there has been only a thread of talent from which to pull ... we're way beyond that now, though, with lots of talent sitting in our congregation ... now the challenge is creating new opportunities for the growing number of skilled and gifted members

Having shared a little insight on that, let me add that there are 4 top qualifiers for serving almost anywhere at PCC, and they are the following:

CAPACITY to get the job done, i.e., Are they really gifted to do the job - will adding them to the team help take the team to a new level of excellence?
CHEMISTRY - Are they a good fit for the team on which they desire to serve ... will they work well w/the people they will be serving with?
CHARACTER - Their testimony & lifestyle, while no one's is perfect, must be one of victory & overcoming; they must be known in the community and in their workplace (and most especially among their own family) as a person of integrity & having strong Christian values. (And when they stumble, they are quick to repent & get back up again - maybe knocked down but not knocked out)
COMMUNITY - They must be "all-in" w/the vision & ministry objectives of PCC and must demonstrate a passion for getting things done, for taking the lead to help and work wherever and whenever needed; this also means they support the church thru their faithful tithes & offerings as a member of this organization

So ... this weekend we will introduce a new Worship Team:

Felicia
Gennifer
Shelby
Jay
Robert

I highly recommend them to you as high-caliber people who love God and who love this church. It truly has been a joy working with them to get them ready to serve in December ... I think you're gonna be surprised, and I KNOW you'll be blessed. Come ready to worship Sunday, and throw your full support behind this new team. Let them know you value what they do.

Slowed down, but not stopped

2010-11-28T20:07:00.001-06:00

It really struck me today after I posted my earlier remarks that Satan is working overtime on me and Ron. I know without a doubt that he will not stop trying to knock us out of the boat .. that he will not stop trying to shipwreck our lives, our health, the people we love, and our ministry. He knows where we are most vulnerable and truly last week he launched an all-out assault.

Often times people see us, leading in ministry, and think ... wow, they musn't have any troubles ... they've got it made..what an ideal life they have. Well, trust me ... we have troubles like everyone else ... ministry is NOT immunity from hardship or heartache.

But let me be VERY CLEAR.... in the BEST of times and in the WORST of times ... we WILL serve the Lord ... we WILL be faithful to His calling on our lives. We will DIE doing that ... we will NOT sit down, back up, fold, put the brakes on, or CAVE.

Why? Because...
I STILL BELIEVE ... I STILL BELIEVE THAT YOUR WORD IS TRUE
I STILL BELIEVE ... that EVERY ROAD LEADS BACK TO YOU, and
I STILL BELIEVE that I can PLEAD THE BLOOD OF JESUS OVER MY HOME, MY FAMILY, AND OUR MINISTRY and God WILL provide the covering we need ...
I BELIEVE He will encamp angels round about us if that is what it takes. For I've NEVER seen the righteous forsaken, nor His seed begging for bread.

He is our STRENGTH, our STRONG TOWER, our FORTRESS, DELIVERER, and our REFUGE in the time of trouble...and whatever journey we find ourselves on, whether it brings celebration, or even takes us to the brink of despair, God is STILL with us... HIS WORK will NOT be stopped and WE WILL NOT BE KNOCKED OUT OF THE BOAT.

So THERE - that's all I have to say about that....

A Test .. a difficult week ... and JOY at the end

2010-11-28T12:44:00.000-06:00

After such a great weekend service last Sunday we never saw it coming ... as Ron said in his blog earlier in the week. We were completely blind-sided by news that could have been completely life-changing for our family. Monday had us reeling in worry & fear .. truly it seemed our world was crashing in. And here I was in the office trying to select songs for this weekend's service just as the epic drama was unfolding ... and all I could think, for a moment, was "God, how in the world am I supposed to choose songs of faith & exaltation when by Tuesday morning my whole world could be changed?" The only answer I got was this ... BELIEVE .. and choose songs of FAITH in spite of how things appear to be. So that's what I did... chose songs of faith and belief.
What else did we do? We PRAYED ... PRAYED ... and PRAYED SOME MORE. Then we went to bed Monday night having given it completely to God, saying "not our will, but Thine" ... just help us to cope with whatever the outcome may be. Needless to say, our sleep was restless at best ... in fact, Ron was up and down all night.
Then ... Tuesday morning, around 10:45 a.m. ... the storm passed as quickly as it had come ... and life as we knew it remained in tact.
I cannot adequately describe to you the THANKFULNESS and utter relief that rushed into our hearts. We spent all week sticking very close to one another, our whole family ... afraid to be apart for even a moment.
And today ... when I led worship ... I did so with my heart so full of gratitude, and yet also so broken at how close we came to life change.

My prayer is that this week and the weeks ahead will be filled with peace, with no storms, because honestly last week's storm almost undid me. I know God won't put more on us than we can bear, but I felt pushed to the edge last week.

Thank you for checking back in on my blog ... sorry I had a "time-out" ... but it was necessary.

Have a good week, and I'm going home now, to the safety of family.

Blogging break ... temporary

2010-11-23T19:48:00.000-06:00

It's been a while since I've blogged ... sorry about that ... will be blogging again by the end of the week and will start w/Part 3 of the devotion I began a few weeks ago. Alot has been happening to slow me down, but will be back on track very soon.

Just in time for your holiday baking

2010-11-17T16:51:00.000-06:00

New recipe posted today under the RECIPES/KITCHEN TIPS tab... something alot of people use as a key ingredient in lots of their holiday baking.

SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK

Use this as an equal substitute for the canned stuff ... you probably already have all the ingredients in your kitchen so it will cost you nothing to make ... now that's a GREAT way to cut your food budget as you begin your holiday baking.

*Here are the ingredients:

dry milk powder
sugar
margarine

(Yeap, it's just that easy.... and CHEAP)

Call on Jesus ... there is POWER in PRAYER

2010-11-17T11:38:00.000-06:00

Earlier this week I prayed a very specific prayer about a very specific thing, and I asked God for a very specific answer ... one that would be undeniably, unquestionably clear to me ... and then I went to sleep.

As I slept the Spirit of God began to drop something in my heart ... when I awoke I followed exactly where the Spirit of God was leading me ... and there I found the exact answer I needed ... an undeniable, unquestionable, clear grasp of the situation I was praying about.

I cannot tell you how MANY times I've experienced this ... I'm learning more & more that God has all the answers we need ... we just often fail to talk to Him about those things, or we fail to follow where He leads in order to find those answers.

So ... I have come to believe with my WHOLE HEART that there is ONE THING that is essential to living an overcoming Christian life and to having the answers that you need in life ... you can be doing everything right, you can be in the Word, you can surround yourself with Christian friends who sharpen you and hold you accountable, but you absolutely can not overcome or find the direction you need without this key ingredient ... what is it?
PRAYER ... You can not overcome your adversary, the enemy of your soul, without it.

If you're struggling in ANY area of your Christian life .. do this ... get on your knees and find the POWER you need to truly overcome.

Today I want to encourage you ... to remind you that there is POWER in PRAYER. And I want to share this video with you as you settle in your heart to find time TODAY to talk to God about the things that weigh heavy on your heart. Won't you take the time today to ... CALL ON JESUS

(there may be a 15-second commercial at beginning of video ... I apologize for that ... it was unavoidable as I loaded it here)

(**and PCC people ... you might want to acquaint yourself with this song because you'll definitely be hearing it soon in our Worship Service ... it especially has ministered to me today ... I swear I can't help but cry every time I hear it (it's a girl thing)

(chose this version of the song w/my friend Melissa W. in mind)

TWO for Tuesday

2010-11-16T16:52:00.000-06:00

Denial is the enemy of self-discovery ... you cannot deal with what you cannot acknowledge ... that is THE first step toward healing in ANY situation.

Note: I know you might think I quoted that ... but I actually thought of that all by myself
(Experience is a good teacher.)

One more thing for you to consider today::
2 people arguing
-1 person
= NO ARGUMENT
(If you don't want to argue & fight, just drop out of the conversation .... it's just that simple. If someone really riles you up and provokes you to argument all the time, WHAT IN THE WORLD are you doing still talking to them? DROP OUT of the conversations)

ZUPPA TUSCANA SOUP

2010-11-15T16:03:00.000-06:00

New soup recipe posted on RECIPES page.... rainy days demand tasty soups.
Here's your shopping list:

Italian sausage
Red potatoes (NOT Butter Reds)
Onion
Garlic
Bacon
Kale - 1 bunch (What is this? Fresh greens .. find them next to the fresh collards/turnips)
Chicken Base (or chicken stock)
Heavy Whipping Cream

Okay .. that's everything you'll need for this recipe.
Hope all my readers are having a GREAT day, and will be able to sit in your living rooms tonight w/a hot cup of soup & just relax ... you deserve it.

Boston Creme Pie

2010-11-14T19:11:00.002-06:00

New recipe posted on Recipes/Kitchen Tips page... give it a try

POTLUCK DINNER ... next Sunday at PCC

2010-11-12T14:27:00.002-06:00

Heads-Up PCC!

Pre-Thanksgiving
POTLUCK DINNER
Next Sunday morning, November 21
at 12:30, after the 11:00 service

Everyone bring a covered dish to share, invite your friends & family, and lets enjoy some great food and fellowship together after church services.

NOTE: PCC Newz went out again today .. be sure and look for it in your e-mail for all the latest news on what's happening at PCC in the days and weeks ahead! The weekly newsletter is your way to stay informed about anything and everything PCC.

Veteran's Day .. 1/2 day off

2010-11-11T12:00:00.000-06:00

The PCC offices will close early today in recognition of Veteran's Day.

Back in full operation Friday morning.

Sweet & Sour Meatballs

2010-11-09T15:07:00.002-06:00

New recipe posted on my Recipes page ... check it out

"Undy Sunday"

2010-11-09T10:15:00.000-06:00

UNDY SUNDAY was a HUGE success! Many of you donated to help a local mental health facility whose residents were desperately in need of socks, underwear, pajamas, t-shirts. Your donations abundantly met the need at this local facility... and the employees there were blown away by your generosity & caring. (In fact, I heard that some of the managers there actually decorated an Administrator's office from floor to ceiling with all the items you donated before sending those items out into the residence hall ... you just gotta love workplace humor!)

We so often take for granted the many things we have, without ever asking if others have their most basic needs met. You heard of the need, and you responded ... and I believe that God was well-pleased.
("If we are the body ...." -Casting Crowns)

Way to let your light shine, PCC! You truly were a TREMENDOUS blessing!!

Chris August .. STARRY NIGHT

2010-11-07T21:21:00.000-06:00

We did this song in Worship today at PCC, and it worked well for us. I had some anxiety about us learning & doing this song .. it was very challenging ... but in the end the Worship Team did a good job on it (Shelby sang the verses BEAUTIFULLY, way to go, Shelby!), and I believe it blessed many in worship today. Hope you enjoy it here... the music is set to pics taken with the Hubbell Telescope ... pretty amazing God's heavenly creation ....

PCC Newz

2010-11-05T08:33:00.000-05:00

Hey, PCC People! A couple of things to give you a heads-up on:

PCC NEWZ - check your e-mail today for a newsletter we'll be sending out. You'll find important information about upcoming events and what's happening at PCC this weekend, so be sure and check it out.
We have a unique opportunity to bless some people this weekend, people who are in a local mental health facility that is under-funded. These patients desperately need underwear/boxers, socks, pajamas, and t-shirts (men/women, size LARGE for all of these items is what is most needed). Would you help by bringing any of these items to church on Sunday. You will see a large box near the fireplace to drop your donations .. and please know, this will be a HUGE blessing to the people who will be receiving them.
TIME CHANGE THIS WEEKEND ... remember to set your clocks BACK one hour before going to bed Saturday night.
Invite someone to church with you Sunday ... come, BE a blessing, and you will BE blessed.

It's done ....

2010-11-04T10:29:00.003-05:00

Wednesday night of this week I handed off the baton of leadership in High School student ministry to another fearless leader, DENISE YATES. She's an incredible woman, strong in faith, and with the experience & background to lead well and will take Student Ministries to yet another level.

It's been a crazy good, remarkable 3 years with the students, and I was surrounded by an absolute DREAM TEAM of volunteers every step of the way ... I wouldn't have traded these years for ANYTHING in the world.

Yet another night at BASKIN ROBBINS

Students hosting a VALENTINE BANQUET for people who would otherwise have been alone on Valentine's Day ... they did a WONDERFUL JOB ... I was SO proud of them

Senior Night Out - Dinner & a Shopping Trip - a special graduation treat for these students who served in ministry in the PCC Worship Band ... pictured here are their shopping selections:
Alex - the skinny jeans
Shelby - a customized book bag
and Arielle - cool blue shoes
We had GREAT FUN together that night ..

Hamming it up in SIX FLAGS .. aren't these some GREAT-LOOKING young people?

Yeah! Lunch Break ... riding all those rides in Six Flags made us HUNGRY

with my buddy Arielle ... she plays a mean saxaphone!

Hanging out at the Bowling Alley

Mary & Ashley ... 2 SUPER-COOL people!

Again, at the Bowling Alley ... suffice it to say these young ladies had a BLAST!

Beverly (one of the Youth Crew) & J.R (a MHS graduate)... I love this picture of them!

Wade, "Gabby" and Ashley ... they ALWAYS are sporting such great smiles!

The "Cool" Table - Sharing a meal at STUDENT LIFE CAMP

The "Cool" Table #2 ... STUDENT LIFE CAMP

These ladies were FIERCE on the playground! LOVED watching them have SO much fun ... and oh, yeah, BRINGING IT ON like the boys! Go-get-em, girls!

Our girls & DJ were chosen from among A LOT of contestants for the STUDENT SHOWCASE at Student Life Camp ... they made us proud!!

Mary, Denise, Brian, & Rick - all 4 ALL IN for Youth Group ... I LOVE THIS CREW!

This kid got our vote for "coolest T-shirt" at STUDENT LIFE CAMP (we tried to buy it off of him, but he wouldn't hear of it - ha!)

This pretty much says it all ... smile

Middle Schoolers - an evening devotional in the PCC Park

RIVER DAY with these awesome students!

Brittany, Gabrielle, Kennedy, and my super-cool sister DJ ... aren't they just too pretty?

These guys had GREAT FUN together at camp .. is it okay to say they actually "bonded" that week? lol

The Fiersome Five - great young ladies!

If you're looking for fun, well these are the students to search out - they are beautiful on the inside and beautiful on the outside

DRUNK GOGGLES Night in Youth Group ... so many students there that night .. and they DEFINITELY got an education!

New Post on DEVOTIONAL page

2010-11-03T02:26:00.000-05:00

I just posted a new entry on my devotional page, so if you're following my devotional posts, be sure to check out that page today. It's a strong word ... but a good word that will get you heading in the right direction. I will post part 2 of the Chapter 2 devotional on Thursday or Friday so be sure to check back in again then.

One other thing ... I absolutely could not sleep tonight for all the things God is speaking to me about ... I feel alot of impressions in my spirit that I'll be FBing and blogging about this week.

Blessings...

2010-11-03T00:38:00.001-05:00

If we fail to give according to our blessings and expect God - the Giver of all blessings - not to be surprised, we need not be surprised when God blesses according to our giving.
Now there's something to think about.

Obedience always comes before the blessing ... this is true spiritually, relationally, academically, professionally, and financially. It is yet another example of "the principle of the path" (which I will continue blogging about on my devotional page later this week)

Always a problem to be solved, or a tension to be managed

2010-11-02T19:57:00.000-05:00

Strange how about the time you think you have all your ducks in a row and everything should run smoothly ... something else pops up that takes you back to the drawing board. I have a "situation" for which there is no solution that everyone will be happy or comfortable with ... at the recent Leadership Summit that was referred to as "a tension to be managed."
While I find myself again at a place that I really just don't know exactly what to do, I take confidence in knowing that God was not taken by surprise by recent developments. As I seek the right solution, the best solution, I will lean heavily on Him and trust Him to guide me.

Leadership is really tough some days ... today is such a day. I know many others of you in leadership know exactly what I'm talking about. I know my friend Ann does -- talked to her tonight and remarkably she finds herself in the very same place in leadership that I find myself in today, a place of discomfort that pushes us out of our comfort zone.

"God is doing something in me right now"

2010-11-01T21:29:00.000-05:00

This is what my son said when he walked through the door from his college classes tonight...
just wanted to share that with my readers tonight.

Bummer

2010-11-01T09:35:00.001-05:00

Okay, so now I'm bummed with blogspot. I was super-excited about adding the 2 new pages/tabs, but it seems you can only make a single post on those extra pages ... what's up with that? It's kind of pointless to add additional pages if you can't post to them like on the main page. Blogspot may not be the best host for my blog.
The only option I see is to post once-a-week on the 2 new pages but to do that would mean erasing/losing the previous post ... only one post per those pages. I guess I could do that but my readers would have to check those pages weekly in order to get the info from them. That's kind of a bummer ... not at all how I wanted those pages to function.

If anybody has any info on how to overcome this, please let me know. OR if you know of a good blogger site that DOES allow multiple pages AND multiple postings on those pages, please let me know.

One step forward, two steps back.
Argh.......