bomb threat

Yesterday, there was a bomb threat at Pickerington Central HS. It's crazy to think that stuff like this could happen in our growing little suburb. Thank God nothing came of it, but I had to ask myself, would we as a church have been ready to respond? The answer is most likely "Not as effectively as we would have liked." The Word says, we must be ready "in season and out of season." Anyway, it really got me thinking about C3 as a church, being ready to respond to our community in times of tragedy or emergency.

Well, I'm going outside to play with my kids and we got a baseball game for Kaden.

God at the movies

For the next 3 weeks we are doing a series called "God at the movies." We are taking a look at Ironman, Prince Caspian, and the new Indiana Jones flick. The heart is engage our culture and pull out some truths that point to Christ. We can use movies as a bridge to share the life changing message of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul was amazing at this. He used one of Athens idols to an unknown god, quoted their poets and songs in order to reveal who Jesus was. If Paul engaged the culture instead of running away from it, maybe we should give it a shot.

16 No's

Yesterday, I was ratified at the District Council as the Central Section Presbyter. Ratifying is really just a token vote where the whole voting body (several hundred) votes "yes" or "no" on the decision the individual section has made. All of the 6 names received at least one "no", but mine was slightly the highest with 16. So I am a WINNER! Anyway, could it have been because I am the youngest, or just beginning as a new lead pastor? Could it be that I have made someone mad or perhaps it was someone playing a joke? I can say, that in the past it would have bothered me probably more than it should have. Today though, I can honestly say, I have grown out of much of my "approval addiction." The only approval I need is God's, and when I'm doing my best to hear HIS voice and follow it, I must run the course regardless of what others say or think. Who's approval are you seeking?

continual sharpening

Personally, I have found that I continue to grow as I surround myself with sharp people. They challenge my thinking, dreaming and praying. This morning I met with a mentor Stan Tharp who has been gracious to take some time with me every couple months to coach me and share his failures and victories. I listen not only for the "what" but the "why." I try to figure out "how" they think. These kind of leaders sharpen me. Who is sharpening you? Begin to chase mentors, because they almost never chase you.

District Council

Sitting in the back row in a meeting that will decide the new leader of the Ohio Assemblies of God. I along with others, are praying for God to lead us in the voting. Time will tell. I'm so glad that God is in control of the outcome. Just like in the New Testament, where Godly leaders would pray for the direction of leadership, so do we today.

Sunday

Becky Medina did a great job today speaking on mothers day. She had all of our kids the week before, draw pictures and write how much their mom's love them. Then we scanned the pics and had them on the scrolling slides pre-service and on our bulletin. Also, today the kids all got little pots with dirt and the moms in the big service got seeds to plant in them. Becky's message title was "I'm my mothers garden", which dealt with how mothers plant and invest seeds in their kids lives. Mom's invest, what they are living. We are honored to have Becky on our team. The podcast of her message should be up on www.myC3church.com shortly.

hide and seek

Yesterday, I took a half day to be home and play with my kids. I introduced them to "hide and seek" and they are loving it. I count, they all hide, they count and I hide. You can probably say I get into it too much, especially if you would have seen me on top of the reridgerator.....literally. Anyway, it's funny to watch my 2 year old Kali try to hide. Once she was laying in the middle of the floor, face down, covering her eyes and squeeling with glee the whole time. Can you say "priceless?" For my younger two, it's really not hard at all to find them, although my oldest is getting pretty good. The point though, is that even when they give it their best, they still have so far to go. For me, even in areas of my perceived strength, I'm really weak in comparison to God's power. Thank goodness His Grace covers me. He doesn't look at my talent or gifting as much as He looks at my heart. And my heart, is in my control to keep pure and humble.