I Just Don't Get It

I just read an article about some Hollywood stars going to Iran on a cultural exchange mission with "no political" agenda. Riiiiight. This kind of stuff bewilders me. I don't understand how someone who acts in movies becomes an expert in politics. They go to college and get a degree and play pretend professionally and get paid millions of dollars to do it. I love movies. My wife and I enjoy a good war movie or a suspense movie but when it comes to shaping my opinion of politics or how to vote, Hollywood is the last place I am looking. People seem to be easily swayed by popularity and will often lay down their convictions to follow the starstruck masses. What makes us think that someone who is a successful actor or actress knows whats best for our country or government? I wouldn't call an actor to come over when my car won't start or when my roof is leaking or if my kid is sick and I for sure wouldn't call one if I needed marriage counseling or financial advice. So why is our country impressed with a politician who surrounds themselves with them? Here is what I do: If someone in Washington is continually using celebrities to gain popular support, it's a good sign to me that I need to head in the other direction. Let's face it, most of Hollywood's elite are so far out of touch with reality they have no idea what it's like in the real world. To me the big problem is that we have strayed so far from the Truth that we can't even recognize a dangerous, destructive lie when we hear one anymore. Thought????

Off Days

Off days. Every pastor reading this knows exactly what I am talking about. Nobody knocks it out of the park every single Sunday, week in and week out. They can be caused by a number of things. Not connecting with the sermon, low attendance, worship being a little "off", sound issues, etc. There are several other reasons why we experience these days. We hate them, do our bests to avoid them and even blame them on the devil!!! I am the worlds worst at complaining about those "off days". My wife is the best at helping me focus on the positives of the day at not on all of the small things that didn't quite go as expected in my mind. This week I was thinking about "off days" and I have begun a practice that will help me get over it. I measure an "off day" to another "off day". Let me explain. I try to journal things that happen in my life whether good or bad. (Things that the Lord has spoken to me, a random thought, things that the kids did that day, the good and BAD things that happened at church) When i have an "off day", I get the journal out and I ask myself two simple questions, "Was today's off day better than last years off day? Better than last months off day?" Most of the time the answer is yes! That is a great way for me to measure progress, not just all of the good stuff we pastors like to celebrate. Anyone care to share some thoughts about "off days"?

Experiencing God

This week our church started an old familiar devotional called "Experiencing God". It is a 13 week study on how to know and do the will of God for your life. We will do the daily devotions and then on Sunday's we will unpack some of the major themes of the week. I really believe that God spoke to me during a fast that we were to do this as a church after a 21 day fast. I know that we are going to see some incredible growth in peoples lives as we take this journey together. I know that there are several out there who have done this study before. Can you share some personal stories about how it impacted your life or church?