.....But it does keep you from keeping up with your blog.
Ok, my last blog had captain Phil in it. I have to admit, watching Deadliest Catch the last two weeks, knowing that Phil dies before the end of the season, is sad. But that aside, ever wonder what life would be like if you knew the end of every circumstance before the end. I am really thankful I don't. I'm afraid I'd miss too much of the journey simply because things don't always end like I expect.
I know for a fact that I have made decisions that if I'd known the end, the price, the pain, the stretching me; I would have probably said no way! But alas, I had no conscious reality of the implications of the journey, therefore I decided. Am I sorry? Absolutely not! I am so very thankful that I made the choice, even if the journey from that choice was difficult!
I do know that one huge result of making a decision to follow our heart is the satisfaction of knowing you went for it all! Any of us can stay in the doldrums of complacency! Any of us can sell our dreams to the lowest bidder of peer pressure and desire to fit in! Any of us can continue going with the flow because we are afraid of the response from family and friends when we swim away upstream! Any of us can care more about pleasing people than pleasing God or even our own passionate pursuit of destiny!
I am busy! Working the plan! Getting a masters degree! Pushing for revival in our church, youth, and children! Meeting new people! Listening to new ideas! Thinking! Loving!! Helping feed the hungry!! I am busy in pursuit of something better for myself, my wife, my boys, and my church! Busy is not always bad....as long as you are not busy doing nothing!
Until next time....
PR
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Longing for the Chair
OK...call me strange, or melancholy, but I must give you a slight peek into my thought life. Today my mind strayed--while driving in the fog--to a recent development in the lives of my "TV" friends on the Discovery Channel reality show, The Deadliest Catch. Now, for those of you who do not know what this show is--either you think TV is a sin or you can't stand a man show--I will give yo the short version.
The Deadliest Catch is about Alaskan Crab Fishermen who fish during winter on the Bering Sea. It is a brutal job. I don't know any of these people personally, but after several years of faithfully watching the show I feel that we are close friends. This brings me to my fog thoughts. Today I remembered the death of Captain Phil Harris of the Cornelia Marie, who passed away while filming this years season on Feb. 9th.
Captain Phil was near death with blood clots two seasons ago. He spent time in the hospital during filming and was doubtful in coming back for 2009. Matter of fact, he was told that getting back in the captains chair was a death sentence. Blood clots are nothing to play with and the extremely long hours in that chair didn't bode well! But Phil couldn't stay away! The chair called him every day with a deafening roar! He had to go back--his destiny was set--he'd die in that chair! He didn't actually die in the chair--but he was on the boat when the final blow (a massive stroke) took its toll. Phil decided that the experience in the chair was worth the price---he was only 53!
Do you feel that strongly about anything? Is there anything calling for you? Something that no matter what the price is for the experience, you're willing to pay it. You know, those dreams that people will despise you for reaching after! Those God ideas that test the metal of your faith because many don't understand the why! I made my first mad dash for the chair in my life several years ago. I had people saying, "Don't get in that chair or you'll lose everything!" I, like Captain Phil, realized that NOT getting in that chair was losing everything! I realized that if I didn't follow my heart, if I didn't make some drastic changes, if I didn't pursue the dream, that I would not experience everything God had for me!
Boy, am I ever glad that I made that choice! My life is blessed and I am enjoying the chair!
The Deadliest Catch is about Alaskan Crab Fishermen who fish during winter on the Bering Sea. It is a brutal job. I don't know any of these people personally, but after several years of faithfully watching the show I feel that we are close friends. This brings me to my fog thoughts. Today I remembered the death of Captain Phil Harris of the Cornelia Marie, who passed away while filming this years season on Feb. 9th.
Captain Phil was near death with blood clots two seasons ago. He spent time in the hospital during filming and was doubtful in coming back for 2009. Matter of fact, he was told that getting back in the captains chair was a death sentence. Blood clots are nothing to play with and the extremely long hours in that chair didn't bode well! But Phil couldn't stay away! The chair called him every day with a deafening roar! He had to go back--his destiny was set--he'd die in that chair! He didn't actually die in the chair--but he was on the boat when the final blow (a massive stroke) took its toll. Phil decided that the experience in the chair was worth the price---he was only 53!
Do you feel that strongly about anything? Is there anything calling for you? Something that no matter what the price is for the experience, you're willing to pay it. You know, those dreams that people will despise you for reaching after! Those God ideas that test the metal of your faith because many don't understand the why! I made my first mad dash for the chair in my life several years ago. I had people saying, "Don't get in that chair or you'll lose everything!" I, like Captain Phil, realized that NOT getting in that chair was losing everything! I realized that if I didn't follow my heart, if I didn't make some drastic changes, if I didn't pursue the dream, that I would not experience everything God had for me!
Boy, am I ever glad that I made that choice! My life is blessed and I am enjoying the chair!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Philippine Thoughts
I just got back from a 10 day trip to the Philippines--Davao City at that! Wow! Go to http://www.harvesthouse.ph/ and click the January 2010 trip link for more info on the ministry and to watch a video of my experience!
God is certainly good to us! Going to a place like Davao Philippines opens your eyes to just how blessed we are in comparison to most in the world. I could not help but think, "Most of these wonderful people live in less space than my master bath!" My master bath! Not my master bedroom, or half of my house, or the kitchen and living room! We visited cell groups in homes that housed multiple people--adults, teens, and kids--that had less room than my master bath!! That is humbling for sure. But it also helps me understand that the blessing of God isn't in what you have materially--but what you have spiritually!
Their heart for God is amazing! So open, so receptive, and so hungry! The hunger for God is uninterrupted! People who show up more than an hour early for church to intercede in prayer! People who just give time to their walk with God, being willing to sacrifice in order to make it happen. People who worship without caring what others think! Young people fired up about God and church! I like that! I want that!
To my Filipino brothers and sisters, I will be back! But not only that, I will lead our church and others in supporting the work of Harvest House in the Philippines! I also make a commitment to honor the prayer you put towards me in seeking more of God and striving to stir more hunger than ever before on this side of the Pacific Ocean!
Yes, I'm jetlagging! But I am blessed!
Peace for now,
PR
God is certainly good to us! Going to a place like Davao Philippines opens your eyes to just how blessed we are in comparison to most in the world. I could not help but think, "Most of these wonderful people live in less space than my master bath!" My master bath! Not my master bedroom, or half of my house, or the kitchen and living room! We visited cell groups in homes that housed multiple people--adults, teens, and kids--that had less room than my master bath!! That is humbling for sure. But it also helps me understand that the blessing of God isn't in what you have materially--but what you have spiritually!
Their heart for God is amazing! So open, so receptive, and so hungry! The hunger for God is uninterrupted! People who show up more than an hour early for church to intercede in prayer! People who just give time to their walk with God, being willing to sacrifice in order to make it happen. People who worship without caring what others think! Young people fired up about God and church! I like that! I want that!
To my Filipino brothers and sisters, I will be back! But not only that, I will lead our church and others in supporting the work of Harvest House in the Philippines! I also make a commitment to honor the prayer you put towards me in seeking more of God and striving to stir more hunger than ever before on this side of the Pacific Ocean!
Yes, I'm jetlagging! But I am blessed!
Peace for now,
PR
Monday, December 7, 2009
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
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
Friday, November 20, 2009
Back in Action
Well, it has been a while since my last blog post so I thought it best to dive into something. Here it goes!
Dream. Change. Progress. Destiny.
That seems like the kind of progression that I want in my life! Destiny comes in stages! First, you dream of what might be. Then you begin to make changes that facilitate the dream. You then mark progress as you move toward that last item--DESTINY!
What about your destiny? Do you think about it? Do you pray about it? I can say that for most of us life has been more about "one day at a time" than it has been about what tomorrow could hold! I don't know about you, but for me--I don't want to be a just existing, wasting my life away "one day at a time", kind of guy! That's the wrong song!!! I want to dream, and change, and progress, to my destiny!
I am currently working on my Masters of Divinity degree at ORU. I am presently planning service additions, ministry expansions, and personal goal accomplishments in the next year. I am leaving some things behind--like Paul--and reaching for something new! This is where the most crucial part of the progress takes place.
That change part! Changing routines! Changing habits! Changing associations! Meeting new people! Doing new things! Those uncomfortable issues of change that are absolutly necessary if destiny is to ever be realized! It is through change that progress takes place! Not just going through another day, but siezing the day to thrust me into my future.
No one can stop that! Not the nay sayers from the past! Not the critics! Not those who heap praise and say its just fine like it is! I think I'll just keep in the change mode as destiny unfolds before my eyes and I think I'll go out singing a different song (with the Little River Band):
"Time for cool change. I know that it's time for a cool change. Now that my life, is so pre-arranged. I know that it's time for a cool change!"
Dream. Change. Progress. Destiny.
That seems like the kind of progression that I want in my life! Destiny comes in stages! First, you dream of what might be. Then you begin to make changes that facilitate the dream. You then mark progress as you move toward that last item--DESTINY!
What about your destiny? Do you think about it? Do you pray about it? I can say that for most of us life has been more about "one day at a time" than it has been about what tomorrow could hold! I don't know about you, but for me--I don't want to be a just existing, wasting my life away "one day at a time", kind of guy! That's the wrong song!!! I want to dream, and change, and progress, to my destiny!
I am currently working on my Masters of Divinity degree at ORU. I am presently planning service additions, ministry expansions, and personal goal accomplishments in the next year. I am leaving some things behind--like Paul--and reaching for something new! This is where the most crucial part of the progress takes place.
That change part! Changing routines! Changing habits! Changing associations! Meeting new people! Doing new things! Those uncomfortable issues of change that are absolutly necessary if destiny is to ever be realized! It is through change that progress takes place! Not just going through another day, but siezing the day to thrust me into my future.
No one can stop that! Not the nay sayers from the past! Not the critics! Not those who heap praise and say its just fine like it is! I think I'll just keep in the change mode as destiny unfolds before my eyes and I think I'll go out singing a different song (with the Little River Band):
"Time for cool change. I know that it's time for a cool change. Now that my life, is so pre-arranged. I know that it's time for a cool change!"
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
I Love the Church!!
I have come to a place in life where I see the value of the church! Yes, I have been hurt because of some people in the church...but I still love the church. I have been lied on and spied on...I have been told right to my face that the attack on me will not stop until I have lost everything by some of those church people, but I still love the church!
I have been hurt, but I still love the church. I have been bruised, but I still love the church! In the church, among God's people, I have found more joy than sorrow, more mercy than judgment, more kindness than intolerance, more love than hatred, more strength than weakness, more forgiveness than condemnation! I love the church.
I have had friends promoted into positions in the church that I felt I deserved...that didn't stop my love for the church. While they pastor their thousands I preach to my hundred with as much fervor and passion as them, because I love the church! I've been replaced and I've been overlooked, but I still love the church!
The pain inflicted has not stopped me from showing up multiple times a week to preach and to pray, to talk to and to walk with those "church people", because I love the church.
I have given untold hours of my life to church people--who once they have from me what they wanted--they walk away without even as much as a thank you or a goodbye. I do it again, and again, and again--because I love the church!
The church is God's special project. It is His attempt to bring diverse people together for the purpose of loving each other and promoting His Kingdom. Sometimes those people do wrong. Sometimes those people get their feelings hurt. Sometimes those people are more focused on their agenda and not the Kingdom agenda. Sometimes those people hurt me. But hey, it's the church and I love it!
I have been hurt, but I still love the church. I have been bruised, but I still love the church! In the church, among God's people, I have found more joy than sorrow, more mercy than judgment, more kindness than intolerance, more love than hatred, more strength than weakness, more forgiveness than condemnation! I love the church.
I have had friends promoted into positions in the church that I felt I deserved...that didn't stop my love for the church. While they pastor their thousands I preach to my hundred with as much fervor and passion as them, because I love the church! I've been replaced and I've been overlooked, but I still love the church!
The pain inflicted has not stopped me from showing up multiple times a week to preach and to pray, to talk to and to walk with those "church people", because I love the church.
I have given untold hours of my life to church people--who once they have from me what they wanted--they walk away without even as much as a thank you or a goodbye. I do it again, and again, and again--because I love the church!
The church is God's special project. It is His attempt to bring diverse people together for the purpose of loving each other and promoting His Kingdom. Sometimes those people do wrong. Sometimes those people get their feelings hurt. Sometimes those people are more focused on their agenda and not the Kingdom agenda. Sometimes those people hurt me. But hey, it's the church and I love it!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Church Diversity
I stand amazed at how God puts things together! First though, let me take care of some shop biz. The Grand Opening event was a great success! Not only in numbers of participants and the new interest drawn to our church, but in the level of enthusiasm among the faithful Triumph members. Both days were awesome! But I am especially grateful for the move of the Holy Spirit during Sunday's worship. If you have never heard Jeff Chandler, you should!
This is the thought on my mind presently: Sunday's worship experience at Triumph was how it should be! Triumph is a fun church to pastor! Why? Because we are far less religious and much more relational than any church I have ever been a part of. During worship on Sunday there was a demonstration of the Holy Spirit in worship on multiple levels. The multiple levels are there because we are on multiple levels!
The band is a case in point! Jeff Chandler is like Four Square. The guitar player was something else--but has Assembly of God in his background. While the bass player and drummer are both deeply rooted in their Baptist church! Oh yes, and Raylene (raised in classical Pentecostalism but now more Charismatic) was serving as the background vocals! What a mix! Yet, all felt at home, none felt pressured to be something they are not, and the Holy Spirit moved in a miraculous way!
The fun part is that no one felt judged or pressured because of where their personal faith is at the moment! We are able to come together in the common bond of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and lay all of our personal religious connotations aside for the greater move of God! We Spirit filled tongue talkers don't judge those who are not while those who are not don't judge those of us who are! And in the middle of it all is God!
God ministers to all where we are! Having been raised in a church environment where every person was judged (as saved or lost, as good or bad, as righteous or unrighteous) by the measuring stick of religious dogma, creeds, and codes, I am thrilled to be experiencing church on this new level! And I have a fond appreciation for that assembled diverse group that was our praise band--which led us into the throne room of God in true worship!
PR
This is the thought on my mind presently: Sunday's worship experience at Triumph was how it should be! Triumph is a fun church to pastor! Why? Because we are far less religious and much more relational than any church I have ever been a part of. During worship on Sunday there was a demonstration of the Holy Spirit in worship on multiple levels. The multiple levels are there because we are on multiple levels!
The band is a case in point! Jeff Chandler is like Four Square. The guitar player was something else--but has Assembly of God in his background. While the bass player and drummer are both deeply rooted in their Baptist church! Oh yes, and Raylene (raised in classical Pentecostalism but now more Charismatic) was serving as the background vocals! What a mix! Yet, all felt at home, none felt pressured to be something they are not, and the Holy Spirit moved in a miraculous way!
The fun part is that no one felt judged or pressured because of where their personal faith is at the moment! We are able to come together in the common bond of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and lay all of our personal religious connotations aside for the greater move of God! We Spirit filled tongue talkers don't judge those who are not while those who are not don't judge those of us who are! And in the middle of it all is God!
God ministers to all where we are! Having been raised in a church environment where every person was judged (as saved or lost, as good or bad, as righteous or unrighteous) by the measuring stick of religious dogma, creeds, and codes, I am thrilled to be experiencing church on this new level! And I have a fond appreciation for that assembled diverse group that was our praise band--which led us into the throne room of God in true worship!
PR
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