It's official; we are homeless. We've been living with friends and family since last Friday. Needless to say I am ready to get settled into my new house. Unfortunately, we don't leave VA until January 12th.
To say that I am worn out would be an understatement. Can I tell you what a pain it is to pack up your entire house and fit it into an 18ft space? Our stuff is waiting in storage for us in Las Vegas. In the meantime we're living out of our minivan.
I can't help but think about Mary at this time of year. She made a huge journey on the back of a donkey while being pregnant. She ends up giving birth in a stable, surrounded by gross animals. Makes my pity party look pretty lame.
If it weren't for God, I would not have chosen to move. If it weren't for God, I wouldn't start another church again. If it weren't for God, Mary never would have given birth to Jesus.
Following God and doing what He wants, even if it's a huge pain in the butt, is always the best thing to do. Rationally it might not make sense, but in God's eyes and from His perspective there's nothing better we can do. I guess it comes down to trust on our part. Do we trust that God will take care of us? Do we believe that God will use us? Do we think His plans are better than ours?
I'm so thankful that Mary and Joseph trusted God and followed Him into the unknown, uncomfortable, embarrassing, and exhausting. Take a minute and think about what would have happened if they didn't follow God. Then take another minute and ask God to lead you where He wants you to go. And pray for the courage to follow.
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Friday, December 26, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Five Minutes
Five minutes is all it took to miss my plane. Unbeknownst to me you have to check your bags into the Vegas airport 45 minutes before your flight takes off. I got there at 9:20pm and was told that I couldn’t board the plane (even without my bags, which I suggested as an alternative). Bad news followed when I learned that I had to wait 3 ½ hours to catch a flight to Houston. More bad news followed when I found out that I would arrive in Houston at 5:30am and my flight to Norfolk wouldn’t leave until 12:35pm. I take back everything I said about flying in my last post!!!!!
I spent a lot of time in Continental Airline’s Presidents Club. I didn’t even know that such a thing existed. It’s for the frequent fliers, upper class, and those who pay $45 like I did. Did you know that you can shower at the airport? They give you complimentary food and internet access, and you can make photocopies, watch movies, and sit in nice leather chairs. I opted for the floor where I spent the majority of my time sound asleep, using my bag as a pillow and my jacket as a blanket. I’m sure everyone wondered why they let me in; I mean who goes to a swanky club and sleeps on the floor?!
I mentioned before that I read the book, No Other Gods, by Kelly Minter. I enjoyed it so much that I bought the workbook. I have an assignment for you. Read the following excerpt and spend five minutes thinking about how this applies to your life.
“I think, ultimately, our dependence on our functional gods is primarily a matter of trust; we don’t trust God, while we do trust our idols to bring us what we want and need. I’m in the middle of a potentially life-changing trust issue now. I’ve unexpectedly hit a fork in my otherwise smooth road, and am faced with an opportunity that could move me hundreds of miles away from my home - the home that I love, the home that’s surrounded by deep friendships, the home in which I’ve finally begun to settle…
Through the cacophony of a little panic and a lot of angst, I keep hearing the word trust. Not the word surrender because, to the best of my ability I have surrendered. I will go where the Lord wants me to go. But I’m finding that trust can be entirely different, though the two often overlap. One of my friends recently said surrender is about the will; trust is about the heart. I am having a hard time trusting God as I explore something that would mean giving up so much of what I deeply love and depend on…
I believe God wants my trust, since trust speaks deeply of relationship. It is a rare moment we trust someone on a heart level with whom we’re not in relationship. So that’s where I am - working through yet another layer in my relationship with God, prayerful that I will come out on the other side as one who trusts Him more deeply.
Do you obey God while not relating to Him? Have you surrendered to Him while not trusting Him? Do you feel especially intimate with Him?”
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I spent a lot of time in Continental Airline’s Presidents Club. I didn’t even know that such a thing existed. It’s for the frequent fliers, upper class, and those who pay $45 like I did. Did you know that you can shower at the airport? They give you complimentary food and internet access, and you can make photocopies, watch movies, and sit in nice leather chairs. I opted for the floor where I spent the majority of my time sound asleep, using my bag as a pillow and my jacket as a blanket. I’m sure everyone wondered why they let me in; I mean who goes to a swanky club and sleeps on the floor?!
I mentioned before that I read the book, No Other Gods, by Kelly Minter. I enjoyed it so much that I bought the workbook. I have an assignment for you. Read the following excerpt and spend five minutes thinking about how this applies to your life.
“I think, ultimately, our dependence on our functional gods is primarily a matter of trust; we don’t trust God, while we do trust our idols to bring us what we want and need. I’m in the middle of a potentially life-changing trust issue now. I’ve unexpectedly hit a fork in my otherwise smooth road, and am faced with an opportunity that could move me hundreds of miles away from my home - the home that I love, the home that’s surrounded by deep friendships, the home in which I’ve finally begun to settle…
Through the cacophony of a little panic and a lot of angst, I keep hearing the word trust. Not the word surrender because, to the best of my ability I have surrendered. I will go where the Lord wants me to go. But I’m finding that trust can be entirely different, though the two often overlap. One of my friends recently said surrender is about the will; trust is about the heart. I am having a hard time trusting God as I explore something that would mean giving up so much of what I deeply love and depend on…
I believe God wants my trust, since trust speaks deeply of relationship. It is a rare moment we trust someone on a heart level with whom we’re not in relationship. So that’s where I am - working through yet another layer in my relationship with God, prayerful that I will come out on the other side as one who trusts Him more deeply.
Do you obey God while not relating to Him? Have you surrendered to Him while not trusting Him? Do you feel especially intimate with Him?”
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Thursday, December 11, 2008
Sunsets and Pepperoni
I flew into Las Vegas on Sunday night. My Dad and I are meeting to do some projects on the new house. I’m one of those weird people who loves to fly. Let me rephrase that: I love to be up in the sky, I don’t like the hassle of the airport. You should have seen me checking in my baggage. I had to switch items from one suitcase to the other because one of my suitcases was over 50 pounds. Once I picked my underwear off the airport floor I headed to security where I had to have my stomach patted down (How weird is that? That’s all she did; just patted my stomach! I’m not sure if she was checking to see if I was pregnant or hoping that I didn’t have a weapon, but either way it was weird!).
There are two places where I feel closest to God. One is at the ocean and the other is in the air. I love to look down on the world and wonder how God knows how many hairs are on my head. I think about how small buildings and cars look from so high up and try to fathom how God can hear my puny little prayers and act on my behalf. I guess flying makes me see His awesomeness and get a glimpse of His glory. I love it!
Sunday night was no exception. The sunset was amazing. I swear I saw hot pink and royal blue colors in the sky, but it might just have been the reflection off my window. Either way, I praised God for His beauty.
A few months ago I found a great new Christian artist and quickly downloaded her CD. Her name is Meredith Andrews and she’s amazing. Listening to her worship music while staring at the sunset from above made me eager to get to heaven. If this kind of beauty is on earth I can’t imagine what heaven is going to be like!
Right in the middle of this awesome moment the flight attendant passed me some pepperoni. How weird is that? Of all the snacks to provide on an airplane they chose pepperoni. There were some other snacks in the tray, but the pepperoni really stuck out to me. How many people really like to eat plain pepperoni? On top of pizza is one thing, but by itself is quite another. Obviously I’m not a huge pepperoni fan, but I ate half the package anyway.
My life has been crazy the past few weeks. Between packing and preparing to move my days are spinning. I barely have time to breathe, let alone spend time with God. Under normal circumstances I love praying and reading the Bible. But when I’m stressed and feeling out of control, I view my time with God kind of like how I viewed the flight attendant with the pepperoni. I see it as an interruption.
How messed up is that? Spending time with God and developing a relationship with Him is the most important thing I can do and somehow I allow my priorities to get totally screwed up. Unfortunately I don’t think I’m alone in this struggle. Whether it’s the kids or church, work or family we are all pulled in a million directions. All too often God gets the short end of the stick.
With Christmas only a few weeks away (and my moving truck coming next week) let’s make a commitment to make God the priority of each day.
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There are two places where I feel closest to God. One is at the ocean and the other is in the air. I love to look down on the world and wonder how God knows how many hairs are on my head. I think about how small buildings and cars look from so high up and try to fathom how God can hear my puny little prayers and act on my behalf. I guess flying makes me see His awesomeness and get a glimpse of His glory. I love it!
Sunday night was no exception. The sunset was amazing. I swear I saw hot pink and royal blue colors in the sky, but it might just have been the reflection off my window. Either way, I praised God for His beauty.
A few months ago I found a great new Christian artist and quickly downloaded her CD. Her name is Meredith Andrews and she’s amazing. Listening to her worship music while staring at the sunset from above made me eager to get to heaven. If this kind of beauty is on earth I can’t imagine what heaven is going to be like!
Right in the middle of this awesome moment the flight attendant passed me some pepperoni. How weird is that? Of all the snacks to provide on an airplane they chose pepperoni. There were some other snacks in the tray, but the pepperoni really stuck out to me. How many people really like to eat plain pepperoni? On top of pizza is one thing, but by itself is quite another. Obviously I’m not a huge pepperoni fan, but I ate half the package anyway.
My life has been crazy the past few weeks. Between packing and preparing to move my days are spinning. I barely have time to breathe, let alone spend time with God. Under normal circumstances I love praying and reading the Bible. But when I’m stressed and feeling out of control, I view my time with God kind of like how I viewed the flight attendant with the pepperoni. I see it as an interruption.
How messed up is that? Spending time with God and developing a relationship with Him is the most important thing I can do and somehow I allow my priorities to get totally screwed up. Unfortunately I don’t think I’m alone in this struggle. Whether it’s the kids or church, work or family we are all pulled in a million directions. All too often God gets the short end of the stick.
With Christmas only a few weeks away (and my moving truck coming next week) let’s make a commitment to make God the priority of each day.
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Monday, December 8, 2008
Ugh…Not Again!
I recently ordered carpet for my new house in Vegas. It was a painstaking process that took me many phone calls and trips to the carpet store. I spoke to Christine many different times. She lives in Vegas and works at the carpet store that my installer wanted me to order from. She seemed really nice. After many hours of phone tag, messages and talking I chose the carpet and completed my order.
It was at this point that our relationship got really weird. She wished me good luck in my move and then finally asked why I was moving to Vegas. I told her that my husband and I were moving to start a new church on the Strip. Stunned silence followed for about 30 seconds. “You’re doing what?” “We’re starting a new church for people who work on and live near the Strip.” “Oh?” (awkwardly, like in the form of a question). “What kind of church are you starting? Is it Buddist or Hindu or something else?” “It’s a non-denominational Christian Church. We’re hoping to meet in a movie theater.” “What’s it like?” “It’s fun and contemporary; a mix of Saturday Night Live and Conan O’Brian with rock music.” “Ok, well, good luck.” She started to say that she would like me to stop in when I get settled to say, “Hi”, but quickly recovered and said, “If you’re ever near our store you should stop in so we can welcome you to the area? (Yes, I meant to end that with a question mark. AWKWARD!).”
Let the awkwardness of the new church plant begin!!!!
I’ve been spoiled because Forefront is an established church. I do get questions about who we are and what we believe, but it’s all centered around the fact that we’re an established church. We have a name, bank account, office space, etc. It’s a legitimate church!
The problem with new churches is that they seem so strange to non-Christians. The whole concept is freaky. “You’re doing what? You moved all the way from there to here for what? How are you getting paid? What’s your church’s name? Does your husband have a job? Where’s your building? You don’t have a building? Are you a cult?” And on and on…
I dealt with all these questions 11 years ago when we moved to Virginia Beach. Now I have to answer them all over again and this time we’re going to live there for a year before we even have Sunday morning services. What are they going to think this time?!
If I’m not careful I’ll start to get annoyed by all these conversations. If I’m not careful I’ll forget the reason why we’re doing this…to bring people to God who are far from Him.
Maybe their relationship with God will begin with one of these questions. Maybe their confusion about the whole thing will lead them to find out what we’re all about. Maybe my conversation with someone will lead to a relationship. It’s a good conversation starter; you wouldn’t believe the amount of random people that I’ve gotten to tell about this church plant. People think we’re crazy!
I guess my point is this: Even though it’s uncomfortable, it’s totally worth it to invest in conversations with people. Even if you can’t answer all their questions and you fear that you sound like an idiot, it’s still worth it. So go ahead and tell them that even though your husband is working from home or at Panera Bread, he is actually working. And that you’re not a cult!
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It was at this point that our relationship got really weird. She wished me good luck in my move and then finally asked why I was moving to Vegas. I told her that my husband and I were moving to start a new church on the Strip. Stunned silence followed for about 30 seconds. “You’re doing what?” “We’re starting a new church for people who work on and live near the Strip.” “Oh?” (awkwardly, like in the form of a question). “What kind of church are you starting? Is it Buddist or Hindu or something else?” “It’s a non-denominational Christian Church. We’re hoping to meet in a movie theater.” “What’s it like?” “It’s fun and contemporary; a mix of Saturday Night Live and Conan O’Brian with rock music.” “Ok, well, good luck.” She started to say that she would like me to stop in when I get settled to say, “Hi”, but quickly recovered and said, “If you’re ever near our store you should stop in so we can welcome you to the area? (Yes, I meant to end that with a question mark. AWKWARD!).”
Let the awkwardness of the new church plant begin!!!!
I’ve been spoiled because Forefront is an established church. I do get questions about who we are and what we believe, but it’s all centered around the fact that we’re an established church. We have a name, bank account, office space, etc. It’s a legitimate church!
The problem with new churches is that they seem so strange to non-Christians. The whole concept is freaky. “You’re doing what? You moved all the way from there to here for what? How are you getting paid? What’s your church’s name? Does your husband have a job? Where’s your building? You don’t have a building? Are you a cult?” And on and on…
I dealt with all these questions 11 years ago when we moved to Virginia Beach. Now I have to answer them all over again and this time we’re going to live there for a year before we even have Sunday morning services. What are they going to think this time?!
If I’m not careful I’ll start to get annoyed by all these conversations. If I’m not careful I’ll forget the reason why we’re doing this…to bring people to God who are far from Him.
Maybe their relationship with God will begin with one of these questions. Maybe their confusion about the whole thing will lead them to find out what we’re all about. Maybe my conversation with someone will lead to a relationship. It’s a good conversation starter; you wouldn’t believe the amount of random people that I’ve gotten to tell about this church plant. People think we’re crazy!
I guess my point is this: Even though it’s uncomfortable, it’s totally worth it to invest in conversations with people. Even if you can’t answer all their questions and you fear that you sound like an idiot, it’s still worth it. So go ahead and tell them that even though your husband is working from home or at Panera Bread, he is actually working. And that you’re not a cult!
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Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Turn the World Upside Down, Part 3
I really want to change. I don't want my life and ministry to be comfortable and cushy. I regret some of the ways that I've done things here. I don't want to make the same mistakes again.
Some of you are new to church planting and you are wondering if I've been smoking crack. You can't imagine the words "cushy" and "ministry" going together. I pray that you never do. For others of you, you completely understand. Maybe you're not comfortable in ministry because of the length of time that you've been serving, but because you've never really been on board with the church plant. You take a back seat to ministry and serving and let your husband do all the work.
Here's my prayer for all of us: That God would transform us and make use into sold-out servants. That we would really put other people first and consider them more important than us. That we would volunteer to do all the worst jobs and not complain about it. That we would lead by example and inspire others to serve just by watching us. That our choices would bring glory to God. That our pride and selfishness would be destroyed. And that we would turn the world upside down because our lives have been turned upside down by God.
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Some of you are new to church planting and you are wondering if I've been smoking crack. You can't imagine the words "cushy" and "ministry" going together. I pray that you never do. For others of you, you completely understand. Maybe you're not comfortable in ministry because of the length of time that you've been serving, but because you've never really been on board with the church plant. You take a back seat to ministry and serving and let your husband do all the work.
Here's my prayer for all of us: That God would transform us and make use into sold-out servants. That we would really put other people first and consider them more important than us. That we would volunteer to do all the worst jobs and not complain about it. That we would lead by example and inspire others to serve just by watching us. That our choices would bring glory to God. That our pride and selfishness would be destroyed. And that we would turn the world upside down because our lives have been turned upside down by God.
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Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Turn the World Upside Down, Part 2
I'm way too comfortable here.
And I'm completely disappointed in myself. When I think about starting a new church I think about serving and selflessness and sacrifice. If I'm being honest, I wouldn't really define my ministry in that way anymore. I'd define it as important and necessary and meaningful, but it's also pretty convenient for me. It's based around my schedule, my to-do list, my priorities, etc.
I need to be turned upside down before I can turn the world upside down.
Somewhere along the way I got screwed up. My desire for serving and really putting people first is still there, but it looks different now. It's way more selfish and thought-out, as opposed to before when I would do anything at any point for anyone. On some level as I've grown I've developed healthy boundaries, which is good. But that's not what I'm talking about here. I guess I'm talking about passion. Passion and love for people that makes you do crazy things, like serving in the children's ministry when you really don't want to, or coming in at 7am to set up the auditorium on Sunday morning.
In this way, I've become the opposite of who God wants me to be. I need to be turned upside down.
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And I'm completely disappointed in myself. When I think about starting a new church I think about serving and selflessness and sacrifice. If I'm being honest, I wouldn't really define my ministry in that way anymore. I'd define it as important and necessary and meaningful, but it's also pretty convenient for me. It's based around my schedule, my to-do list, my priorities, etc.
I need to be turned upside down before I can turn the world upside down.
Somewhere along the way I got screwed up. My desire for serving and really putting people first is still there, but it looks different now. It's way more selfish and thought-out, as opposed to before when I would do anything at any point for anyone. On some level as I've grown I've developed healthy boundaries, which is good. But that's not what I'm talking about here. I guess I'm talking about passion. Passion and love for people that makes you do crazy things, like serving in the children's ministry when you really don't want to, or coming in at 7am to set up the auditorium on Sunday morning.
In this way, I've become the opposite of who God wants me to be. I need to be turned upside down.
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Monday, December 1, 2008
Turn the World Upside Down
One of the things that we talk about at Forefront is the idea of turning the world upside down. It's about doing things for God that radically change our world and people's lives.
As I've been praying about and preparing for the move to Las Vegas I find myself struggling with this concept. In general I completely agree with it and try to live it out on a daily basis. But here's where I'm stuck: In order to turn the world upside down in Las Vegas, I need to be turned upside down before I get there.
We started Forefront 10 1/2 years ago. Starting a church is hard work; it takes enormous sacrifice and it's exhausting. It requires time and energy and prayer like nothing I've ever experienced. Once a church is established (like Forefront is) the "pressure" wears off a little bit. Not to say that you don't need to work hard, sacrifice, pray, etc. It just gets a little easier. You know people will show up and volunteer. You have a committed group of people who are on board with your vision and who are vested in your church. The stress doesn't go away, but it looks different than it did in the beginning.
So here's why I'm struggling: I've gotten comfortable.
More on this tomorrow....
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As I've been praying about and preparing for the move to Las Vegas I find myself struggling with this concept. In general I completely agree with it and try to live it out on a daily basis. But here's where I'm stuck: In order to turn the world upside down in Las Vegas, I need to be turned upside down before I get there.
We started Forefront 10 1/2 years ago. Starting a church is hard work; it takes enormous sacrifice and it's exhausting. It requires time and energy and prayer like nothing I've ever experienced. Once a church is established (like Forefront is) the "pressure" wears off a little bit. Not to say that you don't need to work hard, sacrifice, pray, etc. It just gets a little easier. You know people will show up and volunteer. You have a committed group of people who are on board with your vision and who are vested in your church. The stress doesn't go away, but it looks different than it did in the beginning.
So here's why I'm struggling: I've gotten comfortable.
More on this tomorrow....
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