A big vision

I was at a staff meeting yesterday at Praise Fellowship. We did a lot of things, and the one thing that stuck out to me is our ability to dream. Pastor Peter from Kenya was there and he encouraged us to have an impossible vision. A vision so big that there is no way that a human being could accomplish it. He quoted D.L. Moody who said, "If God is your partner, let your plans be big."

Let me encourage all of us to have big dreams. God is truly about big and He is encouraging us to join Him. So, have a big vision for your family, your job, your relationships, your future. And, keep trusting in the Lord.

LRS 2009

We attended the 18th annual LRS this past weekend. Now, you have probably never heard about the LRS, but for some (well 10) it's an annual event that we really look forward to. Sandie's sister Susie lives in Kentucky and their parents live in Pittsburgh. Each fall we gather for a weekend of camping. This event began in October of 1992. Sandie and I got married that summer as did Susie and Tim Stombaugh. Their family is pretty close and we realized that if we didn't intentionally make sacrifices to be together, the family could be reduced to just gathering on major holidays. So, we met and camped in Ohio, our central state. We had so much fun that we did it again in '93. That was great so we continued in '94 and '95 and every year since. (I think we have camped in every state park in the Columbus area.) This has since grown as we have added kids and the weekend has now been moved from October to Labor Day in order to take advantage of an extra day. (It's also a bit warmer) We have a great time as we usually bike, kayak, visit some cool sites, for some reason we always visit a dam, and we eat some amazing food. The weekend got is name LRS from the three last name. Sandie's parents last name is Long, we are of course Rohlins and the Kentucky people are Stombaughs.

There is a point to this post. I hear people complain about their family and how they never do anything special or that they have no traditions. Well, gather the family together and decide to do something. As you all enjoy it, it will be special. Do it again next year and it may be extra special. If you do it again it will become a tradition that will leave memories for a lifetime.

As you make traditions, I encourage you to do things to anticipate the event. Have some fun aspects that make it bigger that it actually is. (ex. have shirts made up, or have a website) Retell stories of the previous years. Give each person involved jobs. They can be anything and any age can be involved. Even make silly things traditions. Those things go a long way in making gatherings memorable.

So, gather the family together and make some traditions. Before you know it, you might just have 18 years of the LRS under your belt.

The first day of school

This week Zachary had his first day of first grade at Russell Elementary School. He was very excited and as you can see by the look on his face, it was a genuine anticipation for the coming school year. Many young people (not all) have that same sense of looking forward to school. They can't wait to see their friends. They love their teacher. Reading and math are fun. The school bus is amazing. And, of course, recess is the best.

So, when is it that we lose that sense of wonder? When do friends become old? When does learning become a bore? And when do we begin to think our teachers hate us?

Doesn't the same thing happen to us in our walk with Jesus. Following Jesus is a lot like going to school. In our early years we are all excited and we think everyone should go. Then as we follow Jesus for a long time it may become a ritual that we do because we have to.

My prayer for us is that once again the Holy Spirit gives us a fresh start in our walk with Christ. May this year be filled with the wonder that comes from following Jesus just like that First grader who is overjoyed to go to school.

A fresh beginning

Well, tonight Jim & Jess Baker began their ministry as youth pastor at PF. That means they are now officially running Higher Calling. I am so excited to be partnering with them as they have a genuine call on their lives and they have a fresh vision for the teenagers in our region. I have never been more convinced that Jesus is up to a great thing.

I was at the meeting tonight for the beginning and I introduced Jim and Jess to the kids. Shortly after that I had to leave because tomorrow is Zachary's first day of school. (A topic for another blog). But as I left I had a wonderful feeling. Now, keep in mind that I have been leading Higher Calling since 1994. For anyone who knows anything about youth ministry, that is a long time. But as I left my feeling was so good. This was a very natural thing to happen. It was the right thing to happen. It is all good. It's not even the proverbial "bittersweet" It's really just all good.

Maybe what I am trying to say is that when you know it's of God, You know it's of God and I am very confident that it is, and I am very confident that I needed to not be leading this anymore. Now, that is not to say that I don't love the kids. They mean the world to me and I really look forward to continuing the relationships that I have and to developing new ones.

So, let me encourage all of us to step into the will of God. He takes care of everything and He makes all things the best. And let me just say with complete confidence that the absolute best days for Higher Calling and the youth ministry for this region are not behind us. Indeed they are soon to come. And, oh yeah, welcome aboard Jim and Jess. You two are awesome!!!!

Taking It Outside!!!

What a great Sunday this will be!!!!! I am very excited about the gathering on the 30th. So, here are the details.

Sunday morning 10:00 a.m. We will have our worship service at Werner Park in Russell. This is where all the ball fields are on Rt. 62 just a half mile or so south of PF. (There is a map on our website worshipplace.org) Come early - there will be coffee and donuts before the service. Bring lawn chairs.

During the worship service there is much happening. We will glorify and declare the praises of King Jesus. We will hear some great reports of what God is up to in "the field" and we will hear testimonies and baptize people. The Heart of Praise Dance Team will be ministering as well. I just got a call today that Pastor Peter from Kenya will be joining us for the service. I have to smile at the way God orchestrates things. Also, Wes and Danielle Chapman from YWAM Tyler will be there as will Brendan Halbohm who will give a report on what he has seen God do this year through Kingdom Force ministry.

After the service we will have a good old fashion picnic. Make sure you remember to bring a large "dish to pass" as well as table settings for you and your family. Water, lemonade and iced tea will be provided.

There is much to do down there, so bring your toys, softball gloves, guitars or anything else you would like.

Those of you getting baptized, please note that you are getting baptized during the morning service before lunch. A trailer will be there for you to change in afterward or you can go up to PF and get changed there.

Please be praying for good weather. But if it is bad, we will just have everything at PF including the baptism and picnic (indoors in the cafe).

How will we get the word out about bad weather? We won't!!! If you are coming from the south and see everybody at Werner park then stop. And if you are coming from the North and no one is at the church then we are at Werner Park. You get the idea :-)

Please be praying for the unchurched and unsaved to come to this - let's believe God for the harvest.

Help Get the word out about the time and place of the service.

For those of you who are internet viewers, please make note that we are not able to broadcast from there. Sorry! If you do want to join via audio, we can always have cell phones sitting in front of the speakers. Give someone a call.

A little humor

Worship

John Piper in his book, Desiring God gives an exhortation on worship that is worth considering. On page 84 he writes this: "Don't let the childlike awe and wonder be choked out by unbiblical views of virtue. Don't let the scenery and poetry and music of your relationship with God shrivel up and die. You have capacities for joy which you can scarcely imagine. They were made for the enjoyment of God. He can awaken them no matter how long they have lain asleep. Pray for his quickening power. Open your eyes to his glory. It is all around you."