Life Changes Fast

It's been a while. Seems fitting that the last post was on preventative maintenance... today I'm doing a little. My Son has made his grand entrance to this world. Josiah is amazing, My wife is amazing, it is such a miracle how God expands our ability to love. I have been so blessed with an amazing family.

I often wonder what my children will go on to do. It can put pressure on me at times, but truthfully it shouldn't. I am called to give direction and guidance and love them through life. What God puts in them through me, I am confident will bear great fruit. Even if it gets sticky at times.

Deep Thought: Parents are like diapers... they are there to catch all the poo so you don't make a bigger mess and help you learn to live clean in life. And to teach you how to avoid the accidents in the future.

Preventative Maintenance

I took the church van for an oil change... while waiting for them to finish this basic preventative maintenance (later referred to as P.M.) on this van, my head was spinning with things I needed to do, things I couldn't do, things I could control, things I can't. I was overwhelmed with answering seemingly simple questions made complicated by life. A huge revelation hit me... I am a few thousand miles over on some P.M. What is that you might ask? My father has told me for years to learn how to relax. Easier said than done, but necessary P.M. Planning ahead, saving, forcing vacations... P.M. Being more clear about your emotional state to those you love and who love you... P.M. The list could go on and on... I realized I need an oil change... but the thought of making it happen stresses me... that's when you know you've let yourself slide. But at least I know what I must do... and Knowing is half the battle... G.I. Joe!!!

Deep Thought: If I let my car go without an oil change, is it the manufacturer's fault when it leaves me on the side of the road? Is it God's fault when we forget that there was the command of a sabbath rest? "For the church" or not... break from work must come and it will by choice... or by your body shutting down.

Good days

Ever notice how amazing pictures of nature are... or how the drawn out description of emotions for something creates a great poem. It's because stopping and taking the time to take something in brings out the beauty and greatness of that moment. Too many times we are put out and overwhelmed because of how life seems to be going, but beautiful things are happening and waiting to be noticed. Unless we take them in all we can see is the next task, the next demand for our time, the schedule next week, the bills coming, but all around you are things like, a beautiful day full of possibilities where the birds are singing, breeze is blowing, trees slow dance in the background. You have people who love you longing for another moment with you. There are people silently or openly cheering you on wishing you the best. God above has a perfect plan, a road map that surely has some obstacles but it will accomplish amazing things for your life and the kingdom. He looks down and says "This is my child, who I am proud of, and whom I am well pleased" Good things are there.

This is the situation for most of us and there is so much more to be noticed. Forget just smelling the flowers consume the beauty of your day!!

Deep Thought: If good is always waiting to be taken in, and the bad is more obvious when we go too fast, then do we really have bad days, or just fast days.

I'm Amazed

When God speaks things it's amazing how specific He can be and how timely. The majority of the time if a word is not clear for a situation it's because I wasn't willing to speak and by speaking reveal the truth and know it fit. Sunday God spoke things to me different from what I was praying for someone and by speaking at that moment it revealed the truth that God had just spoken the same to this person. My faith is built his faith is built and by this God was able to do a work that might have been delayed. Am I special?? Certainly not in myself but in the new creation I've been made to be. Today words were confirmed wisdom given and I'm amazed at how detailed and faithful His words are. I shouldn't be but that proves to me the growth that is coming. Wow what will happen when I really get this.

Deep Thought: Most difficult question you'll ever answer "What is the one thing you don't want me to ask?"

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Perspectives

In light of all that will happen in the next few days the range of emotions is understandable. Tomorrow by brother will be getting married (Excitement, congrats), I will be performing the wedding (Anxious, once in a lifetime deal), Sunday i will be preaching on Sexual Secrets (Empowered, passionate), Invited friends to hear me preach for the first time (What was I thinking this is on sexual secrets, excited glad their coming)... Exactly full range of emotions.

But I must say life gives us plenty of opportunities to experience a full range of emotions but the tricky thing is that no matter what emotions we experience our attitude and response is always a personal choice. So with smiles, grace, and mercy I face the weekend. I'm loving who I am and more who I'm becoming. That is a lot for me and gives me great hope of what God will be able to do with that for my family and "The Church".

For those old school readers of my posts... A Deep Thought: If pointing up is the same direction as someone pointing down on the other side of the Earth, and the Earth is spinning and orbiting so if we pointed up long enough we would point in all different directions, then what is direction. Not an absolute but simply perspective. When I ask God for direction I'm reminded it is always in perspective not absolutes.

Lessons From Playing

Playing with Jacey this morning I realized how true the challenge to have faith like a child is. We made an ellaborate escape game out of hiding under the covers, I saved her from certain peril by pulling her back up on the couch as she joyfully fell back off again , we drew a big ocean scene on the driveway (see picture) she could see it and then would tell me what to draw.

I know our heavenly father longs to spend this imagination filled time with us believing and seeing the things of God happening in our lives even before they do.

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Well Spent Morning With Jacey

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The Crew

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Woship

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Need A Boy

This is one of the reasons I am glad were having a little boy.

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Youth Tonight

I haven't spoke in a youth service in a few years now. I was excited and nervous all over again. We talked about OMG! Really about making God "my" God. Good times. Keynote looked like an iPhone chat and everyone seemed to be into it. I know there were lives changed in their own OMG moment with their savior.

God is amazing.

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Band Practice

Even the best musicians are at the talent of this guy. (see picture)

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Band Practice

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Making It Happen

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Why Week 3 Mother's Day

Taking another Sunday to ask the tough questions ... Why?

Why don't my prayers get answered? Good question. Better question is will you continue to believe He can. Believe He Will and Believe even if he doesn't answer like you want?

1john 5:14-15 this Is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him.

He is God none the less. No matter what a think He should do.

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The Shower

Travis is getting married. I'm hanging out at their shower. I'm excited for them.

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Travis And Steph's Shower

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Maximum Impact

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Maximum Impact

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Maximum Impact

Taking in leadership truth at Maximum Impact Simulcast hosted by Life Church. Good times.

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Pool League

Playing pool. Won in 8 ball. 9 ball coming up. Tomorrow is putting the stage together for the last time for a while I hope. Two more days until Maximum Impact then a stress break. I'm looking forward to my fast starting Monday I believe some huge strongholds will be broken.

And that's what it's about. I'm also praying for wisdom byond my years and experience over the next month. God is faithful.

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Pool

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Everything Cam Be A Game

Jacey made a game out of all of us drinking water at the same time. It was a 10 min game. It ends when the water is gone. Seems boring but anything for a smile on Jacey's face.

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Everything Can Be A Game

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It's A Boy

Well it's official he openly spread his proof to the camera... Josiah Benjamin Murray is on his way.

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It's A Boy

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Getting Closer

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Heading Down South

We're on our way to the other state that is South Louisiana. Shiela's mom passed away so as a staff we are going to support her, pastor Gary and Hannah. We love them.

The road trips are always interesting. Especially when Justin is in the van. But something good always seems to come from this time. Jess got to come this time which has been great. Though Jacey being gone makes this possible we still miss her so much.

Well there we go for now. This day started at 3:45 am so there might be another post before the date changes.

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Heading Down South

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Why Week 1

Pastor Scott and Justin answering the difficult questions. Nice change. Notice the stage that is what has been takin my time this week and promises to take more time. Bare wood and exposed walls forshadows work everytime. So far so good.
Why does it seem like God forgets us?
How do I connect to God?
How do I stay free?
Good questions.

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Wednesday Night

Last night was something amazing God really did something. I pray that the lives of those who were touched will bear great fruit for the vision of God for Life Church. Connect the lost to God. Engage in the cause. Impact your world. Simply Real.

When God puts a word to pray for people you don't always know what to expect. I didn't expect all that happened. But I'm not surprised. God is that amazing.

Today it was back to the drastic stage remodel. We're getting close.

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District Council

Hanging out with the staff all together wives and all. That doesn't get to happen often. Good times good times.

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District Council Missions Banquet

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Sunday Altar

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More Dots

Sorry the other post is from last Sunday. I just uploaded it. Sorry for those who were waiting in desperation to know my latest thoughts.

Anyway, another great day at church. This series has been challenging and encouraging. The devotional has been great to share with so many. Today we learned about God using the unnatural to bring about the super natural. Possible actions lead to God's impossible results. Things seemed to flow well and we even got justin to put someone on his shoulders and walk off stage... Fun stuff.

Here is another pic of the altar.

Deep Thought: what is impossible that you and God can prove is possible.

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Pastor Preaching From My View

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Church

Today was a great day at Life Church. I'm excited about this series "connect the dots". This is a great time to rethink so many things in life and I like so many others have great goals for this year. I will keep them to myself at this point but plan to share the victories. Anyway, I'm glad to be through the holidays and glad to be in a place I love, doing what I love.

Big thought for the day is that The Word must affect My words which must affect My Actions affecting the results of my life.

Deep Thought: The meaning of life is a profound thought to try to grasp for any person but it's often the ones who don't comprehend it who accomplish it. So quit trying to figure it out and live a life of meaning. Cows do... without philosophy.

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