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The last few weeks have been the most frustrating weeks of our journey in Columbia. Lots of second-guessing, questions, confusion, impatience, and sleepless nights. When you sign up for leading in new directions, seasons like this are inevitable - Seth Godin calls it the dip.
But, it still stinks when you hit one.
I've never done or been a part of a work similar to what God has called us to do here. Most decisions that I make are, at best, educated guesses. Consequently, my prayer life has never been more important or stronger, I think! I'm learning more everyday what Paul meant when challenged the church at Thessalonica to "pray without ceasing."
If I'm honest, I have to say that my patience has been stretched to the max throughout this journey. Sometimes, it gets stretched so far that I wonder if God is even there or if we've just completely screwed something up.
Then, last Wednesday, we gathered with the people that God is assembling together to launch this movement. We shared our hearts, we wrestled openly with what God is up to in and around us, and we prayed. One person shared this passage of Scripture and it rocked my world:
And the LORD answered me: "Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. "Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith. - Habakkuk 2:2-4 (ESV)
Too often, I am the guy who's soul is puffed up and not upright within me. When that happens, I question God's timing, work, calling, and presence in and around me. I live like everything is up to me.
But, God knows exactly what He's doing (surprise, surprise). He calls me to wait. He's not dragging His feet. He's preparing me for what He's going to drop. He's preparing our people for what He is going to drop.
The vision is coming. It will not delay. It will not be late. It will be right on time. When it comes, it will be clear. When it comes, I have to make sure it's clear to those who will work it. It needs to be clear so they can run unhindered in the right direction.
My call is to live by faith. My faith is not in what I can see, it's in what I cannot see. My faith is not in what I know, it's in Who I know.
I went to bed Tuesday night frustrated. I went to bed Wednesday night encouraged. I woke up Thursday morning and felt like a pastor again, not just a dreamer/visionary. The vision is coming...we're living by faith and waiting.
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Is it Friday already...
1. I'm speaking at Lake Murray Baptist Church in Lexington the next four Sundays. Could use your prayers and so could they. They're still healing from their former pastor's moral failure. I want to be a voice of encouragement for them.
2. Very excited about Whiteboard next week. The most exciting part for me is that Lara Beth is able to go. We'll arrive in Reston sometime on Wednesday afternoon. I think there are still a few spots left for the conference, so if you want to go last minute, let me know...I can help with that.
3. Next week, I'll introduce you to Sam Frye. Sam and I met about three years ago and have kept in close contact ever since. He's currently in seminary at Liberty focusing on church planting. He offered to come spend the summer with us in Columbia and he'll be here next week! Can't wait to have him...you'll love him! One problem...we're still looking for a place for Sam to live for the summer. If you have a room or know of someone who does, let me know.
4. Had an incredible gathering on Wednesday with the people God has brought together to launch a movement in Northeast Columbia. I haven't been that encouraged in a long time...more on all this next week.
5. I'm pretty much scared to death of this new drink at Starbucks. But curiosity is killing me, so at some point I have to try it. Anyone tried it yet?
Have a great weekend!
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I had a first time experience this past weekend that had way more impact on me than I ever thought it would. I guess every pastor with daughters experiences it at some point, but even knowing it's coming eventually doesn't lighten the blow.
One of our former students from our ministry in Kentucky got married on Hilton Head Island and invited me to officiate the wedding. It was beautiful...a great couple, on the beach, at sunset, on Hilton Head, with family and close friends pretty much defines beautiful. I even wore a seersucker suit. :-)
As the wedding began, I looked over the groom's shoulder and there sat our 4 year old, Molly. She and Ellie, our almost 2 year old, both wore these cute, white summer dresses. They were gorgeous! Lara Beth, who was gorgeous too, was walking around with Ellie to keep her calm, so that left Molly sitting next to my best friend Lee on the back row.
When I looked at her, I caught her eye and she caught mine. Time stopped.
And then she gave me her classic, blushing, radiant smile and my heart melted. It was all I could do to stay focused on getting Anna and Chris married.
After the ceremony, she ran up to me, threw her arms around me, and said, "Daddy, you did a great job on Ms. Anna's wedding. I want you to do my wedding, too."
No way I was holding back the tears at that point. And then the weight of what she said hit me...and I told her..."Uhh...of course I will, but not before 2058, babe!"
It blows me away how fast these girls are growing up. One day, I will give her hand to a young man who has been called by God to love and lead her. Between now and then, my highest calling is to lead her to love, follow, and serve Jesus. Everyday counts.
What a moment!
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1. New bloggers :: Welcome Chris Ruppe and Bryan Plyler to the blogosphere! I had the "opportunity" to ride to Exponential with Chris and Bryan a couple of weeks ago...the scars are healing nicely. Love these guys and the important work they are doing in Rock Hill and Lugoff/Camden respectively.
2. Comment King :: Pete Wilson can post a picture of someone sweeping a floor and ask "What's your favorite broom?" and 600 people will comment. :-) The best example this week was his hold your breath contest. Pete's blog has become one of my favorites because you just never know what's next!
3. WiBo :: Yes, there's still time to get on on the epic that is The Whiteboard Sessions. Ben has been posting the "why's behind the speakers" over on his blog...check 'em out and then get signed up. If you need help signing up, email me. Hey, Chris Elrod is going...how can you resist now?
4. Prayers :: Pray today for the family of Michael Colwell and the North Point family. Michael was a passionate follower of Jesus who went home to Jesus Sunday night after battling cancer for 2 years. He was 32 and left an incredible wife and 2 beautiful boys...and who knows how many people who were impacted by his life and leadership. The memorial service is today at North Point.
5. Hilton Head :: LB, the girls, and I are heading to Hilton Head for the weekend. One of our former students is getting married and I am doing the wedding...it's on the beach and everything! Should be a great couple of days with some great friends.
See you next week!
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I'm a sucker for the next big idea. I admit it.
I crave the edge. I hate status quo.
I've seen this work for good. In our journey to discover what God is up to in Columbia and to join Him in that work, it has been good. We had to leave behind a lifestyle and a ministry style that was quite comfortable and embrace an entirely new posture.
But, this passion can also work against me.
When I constantly chase the out of the box idea, I feel like I am running 1000 miles per hour with my feet one inch off the ground. Lots of great thoughts, ideas, conversations, but no real progress.
What if, by defining or accepting a box, my ability to innovate, create, and see forward movement increased?
After a few months living in Columbia, we had met interested people that live all over Metro Columbia and discovered needs and opportunities all over the city. The problem was prioritizing and focusing...I simply couldn't.
God clearly showed me that our initial box is in Northeast Columbia - it's where Lara Beth and I grew up, it's where we have the most street cred, it's where our best relationships are, it's where we know needs and opportunities and have the connections to do something about it. I can ignore it or accept it. To ignore it is to accept little or no progress and tons of big ideas. To accept it is to put the rubber on the road and get something done...with the big ideas all still attainable.
Out of the box thinking is great until it paralyzes you. When you feel paralysis setting in, look for a box and accept it. Once you accept your box, leverage, innovate, and create within it like crazy.
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