Question #1

I'm finally getting around to my posts of questions I've come across (see here). Here's the first one. These will be in no particular order, but here goes.  

Are you leaving to work at another church?
No.

Thanks for tuning in!

I'm kidding.  I am leaving my awesome church family at Plymouth Church of Christ to plant a local church that does not exist yet. There is no building, no staff, no core group, except me and my family. We will however, be going to train for a year with LifePointe Church in Raleigh, to learn the nuts and bolts of church planting. It's quite different from serving an established church where things have been running rather smoothly for quite some time.

See, that wasn't so bad. Stay tuned for more!

Prayer Movement Tip #1:  Pray that my kids make good friends quickly to help them adjust!

Trains and Dinosaurs. Deep thoughts

As I sit here in front of the computer, I can hear the sound of a little town being destroyed by a dinosaur.  Those kind of things happen when two of a little boy's loves collide.  Trains and Dinosaurs. My son really knows how to find time for it all.  He can weave a classic tale with Spiderman, Lions, Thomas the Train and Sharp tooth, the green dinosaur.  And all is well in his little world.  But in my little world, I can seldom seem to balance all of my favorite things.  If I am being super dad, maybe I am not working hard enough, or I am working long hours, maybe my spiritual life suffers (imagine that in my line of work).  Or yet still,sometimes I forget to show my wife how much she means to me. Why can't I get it all together?  I guess that I forget what my son usually remembers.  When Dad is near by, everything else falls into place.  I don't mean to brag, but I am one of my little boy's favorite people.  Somewhere at the top with Mommy and Spiderman.  We won't discuss order.  And for some reason, when he knows that I am close by, he can just go about his business and not worry at all.  He checks in and ask me to watch him sometimes and at just the right time he tells me he loves me or invites me to play with him.  I wish I could get my act together like my three year old.  I forget to focus on my Father in heaven and stay close by.  So when things get a little busy I lose control from time to time. Every now and again (frequently) I need to stop and tell my Father that I love him and spend a little time with him.  And always, always, stay close by.   

I need a Football helmet.

Oh, the mind of a toddler! I am amazed and puzzled by watching my youngest son. Everything he experiences is new and fresh and full of possibilities. Simple things can be so difficult and yet things that perplex us can be plain and simple for him. A set of steps is a virtual Mt. Everest waiting to be conquered and yet an awkward moment when someone is crying is crystal clear. If they are sad, they need a hug/tackle and a sloppy (open mouth) slobbery kiss.
Sometimes I find myself thinking him silly when he refuses help on a difficult task. I laugh or grow frustrated as he struggles to complete something that seems so easy for me. It's common for me to think how childish and short-sighted he can be. But am I different?
How many times have I struggled through life, refusing assistance from the God who made me and saved me. What was excruciatingly troublesome for me was unbelievably simple for Him. Yet there I was, banging my head against that spiritual wall while my God was there all along trying to help lift me over it.
He is able to see through, over or around any obstacle that comes my way. If only I would just grow up and recognize it. But maybe that's the problem. Maybe I'm too "grown up". Maybe I need that "faith like a child." Because, now that I think about it, my little one is the first to hold up his arms for Daddy to carry him when the journey gets too tough. Hold me Jesus.