Good Change

I have been thinking today about where I am in the great scheme of things. I pastor a growing, lively, powerful, fun, family, friends, awesome band, great singers, anointed worship, awesome pastoral team, wonderful volunteers, kind of church. I have a fantastic wife and two awesome boys! I have great friends. I go to a great university..ORU. I am blessed.

Wow, that's already a bunch. But this kind of thinking makes me reflect on where I've come from. I am thankful God has lead me here! I am thankful that I was willing to make some hard choices concerning doctrine, denomination, and direction. I am glad to be out of a religious system where politics and legalistic control hold a prominent place in "pleasing God."

I am thankful I made the choice to leave all of that! And I am even more thankful that those in the denomination who said God would leave me if I left them were wrong! Those who still say God's anointing has lifted off of my life, my wife, and my ministry are wrong! I am thankful that although religion may pronounce judgment, God himself is the only real judge--and he judges me to be righteous through Christ! Where people string harsh words of condemnation, God speaks words of peace and joy. I have therefore now no condemnation! Why? Because the only one in this entire universe who holds the power to really condemn, is the one who sanctioned and called me to be where I am right now!

Now a word for those who have also dared--or are about to dare--to follow God in the face of all opposition. If religious people have spoken against you because you chose to follow God and forget their hoops to jump through; take heart, they don't have the say that counts. If religious people get all upset because you chose to follow in the steps of a God that knows how to upset the system and do the unusual, then so be it! They can't rain on God's parade being fleshed out in your life!

My life is really, really, really good...I am extremely glad to right where I am!

PR