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We arrived home late Saturday evening after an eventful flight from Dallas to Portland, via an unscheduled stop in Denver. The flight from Louisville to Dallas was uneventful, but the next leg of our journey was, to be blunt, scary. About 2/3 of the way to Portland someone on the plane developed serious health issues. The flight attendants asked for a doctor (no, I did not offer my services- though my degree was near at hand so I could demonstrate that indeed I am a doctor...). The doctor who treated the passenger indicated that his/her condition was serious enough that we needed to land as soon as possible. That meant Denver. The descent into Denver was unlike anything I have ever experienced on an airplane. Imagine the most violent amusement park ride- a bumpy and jerky roller coaster - and you have some idea of what our descent felt like. Later the pilot called it a 'dive' into Denver. But, as you can see, we survived. I wish I could offer some profound spiritual insight- but I was too scared to do anything but pray and offer quiet strength to my lovely, frightened wife.
After coming home Sunday was a good day- capped by a graduation party which included many friends from far and near (thanks again to Don and Carol Reeves who drove down from Corvallis).
Monday at 4:00am I woke up feeling as though a freight train had hit me. A head cold-that lingers through even today (Wednesday, Dec 16) with little or no sign of improvement.
Again, I wish I had some significant spiritual insight---something that would warrant ooh's and aahh's from my fellow travelers along the life God has called us to. What I do have is a strong and powerful word of encouragement. God is faithful. God is good. God is at work. God is...there really is nothing more profound than the fact of His presence and power!
Merry Christmas!

Frustrations and Fumings

The past couple of Sunday's have been interesting. You won't find any audio of the messages- due to ongoing construction the computers have been down and not quite ready for Sunday's. I have been a little (no, scratch that, a lot)overwhelmed. And, to be quite honest, I've missed the sense of wonder and awe that needs to chracterize genuine worship. Now, the problem is not the church, it is a problem in me. But enough of that- -. A busy week. This evening I am in Vancouver, WA for a meeting tomorrow of new Exec Board members of the NWBC. Drive home tomorrow, take Cindy out for birthday dinner. then Tuesday, meet with some men in the church at 6:30am, pastor's for breakfast at 7:30am, then a day in the office, a full Commission on Children and Families meeting at 5:30pm. Then, Wednesday we leave early in the am for Louisville, KY where Josh will join us and I will graduate from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Doctor of Ministry degree. Then home on Saturday, and a very busy two weeks till Christmas.
Now, to my real challenge. First, I have to learn how to 'go with the flow' when things don't go according to schedule or plan. My flexibility is limited at best. Secondly, I have to find a way to reconnect with a sense of awe and wonder at who God is, what He is in Jesus, how the Spirit works, so that I can do more than lead worship, but so that I can worship. Second, as leader I need to look at structrual issues as to how our church can more effectively reach our community. Newcomers are rare- yet we live in a highlu unchurched community. We have the best gift- life in Christ- that has ever been given and yet, too often our church feels like an enclave for the saved, a place where we can be comfortable. There is value in that, but...sometimes I feel our comfort gets in the way of what our genuine function is. Third, I am trying to build accountablilty into my life- that I desperately need. As a single staff pastor I have grown far too accustomed to making sure everything gets taken care of...except me. I need to delegate- and give authority with the assignment. I need to focus on what our church's core values and dreams are all about.
That's a big agenda. So, let's aim for the prize, forgetting the past, letting go what was and learn to live focused on what God is doing- bringing us to completion and maturity in Christ.
Help me, hold me accountable. I'll help you...together we will be what God has called us to be!