Time Well Spent

“Nobody, no matter how wealthy or influential, gets more minutes in his or her day. Each and every one of us has the same 1,440 minutes each and every day. Once those minutes have passed, that’s it. You can’t retrieve them. You can’t borrow against them, and you certainly can’t save some of them for another day. Time is non-renewable; not one minute of our lives can be placed in abeyance or lived more than once.”

This quote comes from a great book entitled ‘your time-starved marriage’ written by relationship gurus/couple in love, Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott. My sweetheart and I have been reading this lately due to our seeming lack of time together recently. We never see each other anymore. And the quote above mentions the problem with time together. We can’t stop it, save it or store it.

But this quote applies to something more. Take it out of the context of a husband or wife placing a premium on time spent cultivating and nurturing a relationship with their spouse. What about time spent in building a relationship with your Creator? How do we spend our time in pursuit of a deeper relationship with Him?

We should have such a deep desire for a relationship with God that our time is spent more on Him than any other person or thing. We need a Holy Hunger! A.W. Tozer wrote this:

“I want deliberately to encourage this mighty longing after God. The lack of it has brought us to our present low estate. The stiff and wooden quality of our religious lives is a result of our lack of holy desire. Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to his people. He waits to be wanted. Too bad that with many of us He waits so long, so very long, in vain.”

The shepherd king David spent much time writing about how we should wisely carve out time in the sole purpose of seeking a stronger relationship with the Holy God.

Look at Psalm 63:1-8:

“O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.

Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.

I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.

My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.

Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.”

So that brings me to the question: What are you doing with your time? How are you spending it?

Buffalo Hot Wings

Tonight, I, along with Ed & Karen B, treated the 7-9 grade Meat Eater group with a trek to Hot Springs for some Buffalo Hot Wings! We stuffed our guts, had some great laughs and fellowship, and even got to pull out a chocolate Community Bakery cake to celebrate Heather B's Birthday a night early. The whole crew packed into the van and were subjected to the eclectic, if not eccentric, sounds of Jimmy's iPod! I know I loved it! It was a great night!

Aftermath

There was a family in our congregation that was affected by the recent violent weather. Lonnie and Patricia Hunnicut had eleven trees fall during the wind/tornado and 3 of them fell on their house, leaving them with some pretty bad damage on the front and other damage due to flooding. So, Richard Wallace (a true servant in the Kingdom) called up a task force this morning beginning at 8 and rounded up a great number of men to help move furniture and other items into another house just up the street.

Man was I proud of the show of helping hands from the Northside family. Richard W, Terry H, Randy M, Gary C, Barry, Kaylon and Greg B, Ed and Davis B, Carlton and Devin N, Kelly G, Jeff H, Corky C, and possibly some others that I missed showed up ready to rock out hard! What a great service to those in need. Cameron C called ready to head over but was told there were more than enough already.

The youth even got a lot of great Nintendo and Sega games in the deal! That's a plus!!

The only downside of the day was that my new Jeep was backed into by a big ole truck and now I have to get in on the passenger side and watch my turning very carefully until it's fixed.

Violent Weather

It has been quite a tumultuous time here in Central AR. Last night at around 8:40, the sirens started to go off in Benton and the surrounding areas. A hook echo (an indicator of possible tornadic activity) was seen on the radar near Lake Hamilton. We were alerted that it was headed our way at a clip of 45-50 miles per hour. A worn out Elizabeth, a rudely awakened Jenniva and I sat in the Master Closet until around 11:30. Nothing ever came our way, but something hit very close.

The Target just down the street was damaged.

Hurricane Lake trailer park was damaged.

There has been flooding on I-30.

North Little Rock has seen the second highest wind since 1976. Around 72 miles an hour!

The Airport has several destroyed hangars and some overturned airplanes.

Many schools have let out today due to damage or flooding.

Elizabeth was called early this morning by the school saying that they had flooded and would be closed for the day. So I let her go to bed and got up with the little girl. El needed the rest and I was okay with spending some more time with baby girl.

We have had some hail, very strong winds and more than enough rain.

Pray for Central Arkansas right now!!

Thank You

I got the word last night that my mom is now doing better. They put her on a Z Pack and also something else with a name that I have forgotten. Anyway, it is very powerful and will help her to recover. Thank you so much for your prayers and calls.

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I have a request of those of you ministers out there who read this blog. It doesn't matter if you specialize in youth, preaching, family, senior care, evangelism, involvement, spiritual formation, worship or anything else. I just need some help from you out there. I am looking for some great resources in the field of ministering to the needs of people. If you have read a book, seen a video or know of something that is a valuable help, please make a comment or email me with a list of these items. If you are anything like me, you use all the help you can lay your hands on. Just let me know of anything you consider outstanding.

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Oh, and by the way, I still have a full head of hair. No mohawk this time. We were 15 shy of the desired number last Sunday.

Please Pray

I am taking a break from blogging today just to ask that you please pray for my mom, Jean Mitchell. She has a fever of 104 right now and dad is trying to cool her down. If that doesn't work they will leave for the emergency room tonight. She is a cancer survivor, but it left her with lymphedema in her right arm and barely any immune system. Because of that, she catches everything that goes around and has a continual cough. Her health is not as good as it should be and the family is worried about her constantly. Please lift her up to the throne room of God as soon as you read this blog.

Who I Want To Be

I read this from a link on a friend's blog and cannot resist placing it here for you to read. It says what I have felt for a long time about being a true minister of God. Barry J. Maxwell aptly blogs about the frustrations that besiege today's full time preachers and teachers. Let me know what you think about it.

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

I have a love/hate relationship with the pastoral office. There, I've said it. I love what the office should be. I hate what it's become. I love the idea of the biblical pastor. I hate the idea of the 21st-century American pastor. I love what I could be, by God's grace. I hate what I'm pressured to be, by man's expectations. I love seeing the flock eat week-in, week-out. I hate the ecclesiastical steroids that tempt them between meals. I love what churches need to be biblical. I hate what churches expect to be successful. I love the institution. I hate institutionalism. I love that Jesus doesn't need me to adorn his bride. I hate that he doesn't need me to adorn his bride.

Like many pastors I've struggled to reconcile what I should be with what "they" say I should be. The tri-fold glossy pamphlets I receive peddle a pastor who is marketable, administratively brilliant, motivational, highly-starched and sharply-creased. A baptized Tony Robbins. A sanctified Gap model. A glorified spiritual guru.

Frankly, I have absolutely no desire to be any of those things. Well, I do like a starched shirt from time to time. It's the Arthur Andersen in me. But, I'm neither wired nor care to be a marketing genius who cleverly packages the gospel at discount rates. I simply can't stomach the Hollywoodization of the church in the name of cultural relevance. Why has "church" gotten so complicated? Where is the simplicity of biblical community? The elephant has drown in an inch of water.

Maybe I'm dead wrong and prideful, but I've felt (very, very) guilty for a long time that I'm not, nor care to be, that guy. I feared that maybe I don't really love the lost or the church. Who is that guy? Joe Smiley with a PhD, MBA and PsyD who dazzles the masses with his organizational and rhetorical wizardry. He's an entrepreneurial team player who offends no one while defending everyone.

I just want to be pastor.

• A guy who prepares consistent biblical truth because it prepares him to kill sin and love Jesus.
  
• A guy who regularly prays with and for the people rather than "strategizes" about prayer.
  
• A guy who 'd rather help a brother/sister over coffee than attend some executive meeting that caters to our inner pope.
  
• A guy who doesn't want to sell appearances to sexy Christians, but invites the broke, lame and outcast to the head table of God's grace.
  
• A guy more concerned about becoming like Christ than doing tricks for him.
  
• A guy who doesn't have to be someone he's not.
  
• A guy who has little figured out, but wants to lead the band of the ignorant to the surpassing knowledge of Christ.
  
• A guy who doesn't preach for a living, but lives to preach.
  
• A guy who doesn't need to finish first, just finish together. The village idiot may be an idiot, but at least he still has the village.

Two particular resources have helped me recently peak out of the shadows. David Wells book No Place for Truth and particularly the chapter entitled "The New Disablers" freshened the breeze. Wells masterfully describes why I feel guilty about modern expectations; and why we've assumed these new expectations as normal pastoral work. I can't come close to summarizing Wells, but you'd do well to try yourself. For perhaps the first time I finally felt free to hate that guy and still have hope that I might one day be a good pastor. The square peg need not fit anywhere. Of course, now God must have mercy on my hate!

Also, Michael Horton wrote an article in the latest Touchstone Magazine, whose March theme is pastoral ministry. The article entitled "All Crossed Up" addresses the very issues raised in part by Wells. I close with several selections from Horton's article:

"Just as traditionalism is a parody of a living tradition, a ministry defined by the entrepreneurial, creative, and innovative capacities of today's 'super-apostles' should not be mistaken for genuine growth and outreach. Marking the remarkable missionary advances of the apostles, we meet repeatedly in the Book of Acts the phrase, 'the word of God spread.'"

"When churches abandon the ordinary ministry for extraordinary 'excitements sufficient to induce conversion [quoting Charles Finney], eventually the innovations become traditions and the insatiable craving for ever-new experiences of spontaneous expressivism, like a drug addiction, leads eventually to the spiritual equivalent of a heart attack. Tragically, the landscape of American religion is littered with successive waves of 'revival' (often patterned on American trends in salesmanship) followed inevitably by periods of spiritual fatigue and skepticism."

"Instead of focusing ecclesial faith and practice on marketing Jesus to the 'unchurched,' the apostolic pattern was to draw aimless drifters into the covenantal drama already in progress. To become a Christian was already to begin one's lifelong journey in the company of pilgrims under the care of the church. Discipleship was defined by churchmanship. Personal faith in Christ was never set over against the active membership in the visible body of Christ."

And finally,

"When pastors feel the burden of saving people, selling the gospel, or cornering the market through their own cleverness, methods, creativity, or charisma, they eventually burn out. So, too, do the sheep who are submitted to perpetual exhortations to imitate their restless 'authenticity.'"

Is that freedom I smell or just burn out?

Quote Of The Day

"Whatever the circumstances, couples who don't understand this fundamental fact inevitably utter the worn-out excuse: "We've grown apart." Truth is, couples don't grow apart. They simply grow, and they either choose to make space in this growth for each other or not. Individuals change, interests evolve, opportunities appear, or a crisis happens. The passage of time guarantees change. And you can't stop time." - Drs. Les & Leslie Parrott

Refreshingly Exhausting

For the past 2 days, 8 guys from the youth group have traveled with me to do some good ole manual labor! We worked in the yards of both Sybil Womack and Ray and Wilma Lunsford. Over raking, blowing, bagging, and picking up twigs, we spent some good time enjoying one another's company. It has been a blast to know that we are growing closer together as a family as we serve those that need help. Thanks Carlton, Cameron, Devon, Wayne, Logan, Leavon, Nick and Hayden for all of the great, sacrificial work. I look forward to more days like this!

Jesus' Song

I have to put this here. My friend, Brian Nicklaus, posted this interesting question on his blog. What do you think the answer would be?

What if Jesus dedicated a song to His Lovely Bride, the church, on a radio show? What would it be?

• “I’ve done everything for you, you’ve done nothing for me” by Rick Springfield
• “Heartbreaker” by the Rolling Stones
• “I will always love you” by Whitney Houston (or Dolly, if you prefer)
• Your choice Here

The Mohawk Challenge Redux

I have changed my mohawk challenge to the teens up a bit. I have told them that if they can bring enough friends for the 7-12 graders to total 65 on the morning of the 30th (this Sunday morning when my friend, Jim Gardner, will be speaking here) that I will shave my hair in the form of a mohawk and dye it hot pink. Originally, the deal was for each of them to bring 2 friends. Well, with a group that regularly numbers 30-35 on any given Sunday, I realized that this number could have been too high. So I changed the challenge to see if they will double the teens this Sunday. Wow! What do you think? Will it happen?!?

Celebrity Sighting

This is a picture of the guys that comprise the Christian singing group, 4Him. While eating at the Market Place here in Rogers, AR, yesterday with my buddy, Greg T, I looked up and saw Marty Magehee-the second guy from the left.

Now you need to understand, this is one of my favorite groups of all time, so it was cool when he walked over and talked to us for a while before going to his table to eat. He is now working with a congregation in Bentonville, AR.

I have seen them 2 times in concert and am sad that they have gone their separate ways to continue to work in ministry throughout the States. If you have not heard these guys, you need to go out and get a CD now! Great stuff!!

Just thought that I would share that with you.

Happy Easter to all!! May God bless you as you spend good, quality time with your families!

LTC 2008

We are here in Rogers, AR, with the annual Leadership Training for Christ. This is the first time that it is not held in Tulsa, OK. Kinda sad because those are my ole stomping grounds but kinda not because it is not that far for us and I hear the venue is much better here in the Embassy Suites.

We have a pretty good crew. About 60 of us Northsiders (that includes parents and teens) are here at LTC this year. It has been a blessing to work with such a great group of people!!

Ran into an old friend of mine from the Green Country Christian Academy days in Tulsa. That was cool playing catch-up!

Also had another celebrity sighting. I will blog more on that tomorrow!!

A Whole Mess of Crazy

OK, so maybe I have done myself in! I have placed myself in a precarious position while trying to motivate the students here at Northside.

We have a big day in the near future for our congregation here in Benton. Jim Gardner, a former colleague of mine from 2 states, is coming to speak in the pulpit this March 30th. It will be the first time in 12 years that he has spoken here. We will worship in one combined service. Friends and family have been asked to invite friends and family. It is going to be BIG!

And I threw out a challenge. I told the students that if they could bring a certain amount of friends that I would shave down to a mohawk and dye the remnant of hair hot pink.

I know! Mr. Rational has left the building. A whole mess of crazy. But if they do it, I will be so proud of them that it won't matter what I look like for a month or so!!

Awesome Students

I blogged yesterday about some of my awesome (former) students from Texas-Brian and Jasmine. Today I would like to share something about some other great servant-hearted students. Last night was our monthly Tuesday Night for the Master and I was overwhelmed by the response of 8 teens that came ready to roll up their sleeves and work at a moment's notice. Davis, Maddie, Kaylon, Greg, Parker, Carlton, Will and Devon-you guys are amazing. I just wish that your work and selflessness will rub off on all of us!!

Brian and Jasmine

Brian Jamar and Jasmine Nelson, 2 teenagers (a couple of lovebirds that will be getting married in early May) from my former youth group in Texas, are here at our house for a few days!!! El and I are so excited to have them if only for a little while. They were staples during my ministry in Marble Falls and we grew pretty close during our stay. They are 2 of the finest examples of young Christians that I have ever known or been privileged to work with!

I better go! We are getting ready to watch a movie and eat some cold pizza. Will tell you more tomorrow.

More Add Ons

The Youth Minister of my formative years, one Rich Dolan, has a blog. I would like to share his blog as another link on the list. He and his wife, Ronda, are working over in the same area of the world as one of my former shepherds from the Village Church of Christ, Rick Northen (along with his lovely wife, Gail) and the father and mother of the current Preaching Minister (Joel Lewis) with whom I work, Claude and Madge Lewis. It is indeed a very small world.

Quote Of The Day

"A Christian doesn't avoid the questions; a Christian embraces them. In fact, to truly pursue the living God, we have to see the need for questions.

Questions are not scary.

What is scary is when people don't have any.

What is tragic is faith that has no room for them." - Rob Bell

A Case of the Mondays

I was here and now I'm gone. It has been quite one of those days. I just kept thinking over and over about that line from the cult favorite movie "Office Space" - "Has someone got a case of the Mondays?!?" And today is Thursday!! What a day!

Quote Of The Day

"The Ministry of Prayer, if it be anything worthy of the Name, is a ministry of ardor, a ministry of unwearied and intense longing after God and His holiness." - E.M. Bounds