Attempting Resolution

Have you ever had "that friend"? You know the one I'm talking about. That friend is someone who wants you around only when they need you. You want to be better friends with them, you want to be a good friend to them, you want them to be a good friend to you, but it never seems to work out that way. You try to have a meaningful conversation with them, but they always seem to be distracted, thinking about something else or someone else. Sometimes it seems like even though they are 'there', they're not really there. And you know how it feels, I know how it feels. I don't like it and I know you probably don't like it either.

This is a time of year when we all look ourselves and think "I've got to change myself". We start thinking of ways that we can improve our lives and sort of protect our hearts better. We don't want to be hurt anymore. We're tired of being taken for granted. We get tired of being overlooked. And yet we still tend to find ourselves putting ourselves back into situations like that over and over again. Why?

Being a Christian does not mean that we let people walk all over us. We are God's children and God does not like us to be "used". God intends for us to enjoy life to its fullest. Read your Bible, it tells you that very clearly. He wants us to have life more abundantly. All that means is, have a good time in life. It does not mean to go out and party. But it does mean to stop living life in a rut. Stop complaining, stop whining, stop cowering, stop letting people use you and abuse you… Just stop it!

So, got your resolutions ready to go? Are you ready to make promises again, like you did last year? You going to try to do that all by yourself, again? Why? Why try again what didn't work the first time? Do you think it's going to be different? I'm tired of hurting, both by myself and others.

Ok, so you do want to change, what are you going to do about it? All I can say is do not try to do this on your own. Surround yourself with people who REALLY care about you. No more of this trying to be included in a group that is not good for you. Be the good person that people really need you to be. Be who you really are meant to be…a child of God...and live life more abundantly!

NASA

I love watching the NASA channel when the Space Shuttle launches, or is in orbit, or returns to Earth. I find the NASA 'chatter' fascinating. It's all so precise, and serious, and professional. It's so awesome watching the launch and the time in space and the return. It's mind-boggling how all this works together. Can you imagine how all that happens? I can't either!

So as you've noticed, NASA has been having a hard time launching Atlantis. Something about a faulty fuel valve something or other. NASA wants to make sure it's ready to go...which it's not, so they've decided to postpone until January. So, NASA engineers are working hard on fixing the problem. You'd want everything to be ready before you blasted off in a shuttle, wouldn't you?

In life people want things to be ready for various things as well. Things like parties, trips, moves, school, vacation, and so much more. And we often find ourselves rushing around and working hard at making sure everything is "ready". But I ask myself often, are people really ready? Are they? To meet God? To see Him? To answer for themselves? For Life after Death?

Through the Blood of Christ we are ready. When a person accepts that gift of salvation paid for with the Blood of Christ, they are made ready!

But family, I have to ask you...do 'they' know? Who are 'they'? 'They' are people. People who live around you, work around, go to class around you, walk around you, shop around you...'they' are everywhere. Do they? Do they know that Jesus Saves? Are they ready for life after death? If you don't ask them, tell them, invite them...who will? They may not have the luxury of waiting until next month like NASA to get the Shuttle ready.

Let's help get people ready.

The Other Side

So I've been having these thoughts in my head...I know, thoughts in my head may seem like a miraculous event to some of you! This week is an interesting week. It is a week where most people have short work weeks and most students are out of school. This happens of course in respect of Thanksgiving, which happens on the fourth Thursday of November. This is a time where we give thanks for everything that we are blessed with...family, friends, jobs, health, freedom, stuff, etc. I think we as a country and society do that quite well by celebrating with lots and lots of eating!
We have so many people to thank for these blessings. Our military, our families, friends, and of course first and foremost, our Father. Thank you Lord for all these blessings. And this particular week, I have a new found (or at least a rekindled) appreciation of the things that are important to me.
As most of you know, Darla (my wife) had surgery this week. It was major surgery; the kind of surgery that 'women' have. Enough said about that. She is doing great...kind of slow, but completely understandable. I am so proud of her. She has been brave, even in the face of fear, she stood strong. And she is showing me stamina and strength that makes me smile and be proud again for her and of her. I am also very proud of Darla's mom, Ernestine, and our kids. They have all stepped up so much to help out.
In my line of work, I am the one who always is rendering aid to people in times of need. That's what I do. That's who I am. That's what I'm good at. This time however, the people in need are us. In times of sickness and surgeries and injuries, people rally around the affected family and bring food and support for that family. Well, 'that' family is mine this time. And I am on 'The Other Side'. And it's making me uncomfortable. I am supposed to be strong and take care of things. But sometimes in life, things are beyond our ability to take care of them right, or completely. So, I have this constant parade of food coming to my door. There is a continual knock on the door of people wanting to say hello, and to see what they can do to help. There is a deeply meaningful and spiritual word that describes this...the effort and love and commitment that God's people have for each other. It is a very complex word with deep meaning that I know you will get right away. Get out your paper...etch it in your heart...because next time, it could be you and your family.
The word? What word is it that describes being on 'The Other Side' and be taken care of? The only word is this one...WOW!

I love you all!!!
Sherman

Construction

I was talking to a friend the other day about a couple of things...can't really remember what it was we were talking about, but after we got through talking about whatever that was, she asked how the church was doing. I told her that Christ Community Church was doing great, and that we are off to a great start! She was very excited for us and asked if we had our new signs up and I said yes and asked her why she didn't notice them. She said, "Oh I don't go down Paige Road because of all the construction." I said something back to her that was quite profound, if I do say so myself! But I do give full credit to the Holy Spirit for it, because honestly, I couldn't have come up with it on my own. I told her, "Well, sometimes you gotta go through the construction to get to the best things."
Ahhh construction on Paige! It really is a pain. But it's just an inconvenience. That's all. It will get better, just not fast enough. That's the way life is...under construction. It will be better when it gets done. We have some major inconveniences as we go through life, but it will be worth it. In the meantime, we have to live with it, deal with it, work with it, around it, avoid it, adjust with it...get the picture? But the end product will be worth it. When Paige is done, it will be a very nice six lane road. When life is done...it will actually just be starting...all the lanes will be open...and it will nice, smooth, and full of unending joy. In the meantime, I'll deal with the construction, because sometimes you gotta go through the construction to get to the best things.

The Extra Hour

Here I am, trying to settle in for my night's sleep (that obviously isn't quick enough in coming) and a memory came to my mind. It was when it dawned on me when I was a kid that we changed time a couple of times a year. It registered with me during the fall daylight savings time change. You know, it's the one where we 'fall back' an hour, as opposed to the 'spring ahead' one in the spring. With the 'fall back' time change comes an extra hour's worth of sleep tonight! Yes! When that concept registered with me as a kid, it was my mom who told me about it. But, I guess I didn't catch the whole explanation at first, because I thought the extra hour happened every night! Okay, now don't laugh too much at me. It takes a real man to admit something like that.
Sad thing is in this day and time, an extra hour doesn't make that much difference in our day, or time. We're too busy. We go too fast. We miss too much. And we're always too tired from trying to play catch up on it all.
I was at a nursing home many years ago, visiting one of our church members. It was obvious I didn't have much time (let alone an extra hour) because I kept looking at my watch. The older man I was visiting commented on how nice my watch was and asked to see it. I showed it to him and he asked me to take it off my wrist so he could look at it closer. I did. He took it, looked at it and then put it in his pocket. He then said "Follow me", which I reluctantly did (I'm in a hurry, remember?). We went out on the front porch to sit in the rockers, which I did, impatiently. He talked for a moment, then got quiet. I looked at my watch, and then I remembered that he took it, and so I started to ask for it back, and he shushed me! He asked me to sit real still and be quiet for a few moments and the hummingbirds would come up. I sat quietly, waiting for the hummingbirds (impatiently) in the warm afternoon sun. Next thing I knew, I was waking up! I looked up at the old man who was just grinning at me, holding my watch out to me. He leaned over to me and whispered as I took my watch back, "I love you Sherman...slow down." I had been 'out' for almost an hour.
Hey you...shhhhh...slow down...

A New Beginning

This week I am ordering temporary banners (until we get our new permanent ones) to go over our church's signs. We are changing our name. We will meet as a church family for the first time this next Sunday as Christ Community Church. This is a New Beginning! How many times in life do we get to have a new beginning? Well, a lot of us try at New Year, with resolutions. But we all know that sometimes, those resolutions fall short of our goal. The changing of a name on a church is also a type of resolution, but it is also so much more! We have chosen a new path for our family. It hurts in so many ways because change is often painful. But I want to be GREAT for Jesus and people.
One thing I really hate is mediocrity. Don't you? It's like being stuck, doing something the same way as before, hoping for a different result. I've also been told that's definition of insanity! I am tired of mediocrity, so let's become more. I want more. I want to be more. I expect more. More of me. More of my church family. More of God. God says seek Him first, and everything else will be taken care of. I think that sometimes we fall into seeking mediocrity (staying status quo) first, and the result is that nothing gets taken care of.
So, enough of status quo. I want more. I'm going to be more. I'm going to get more. Our church is going to be more...more than it ever has been! ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD!
Do you want more? Then get off your tail, and get it...and stop settling and living halfway. Live out loud!

Smoke and Mirrors

I am very new to the whole blogging scene, but I feel like I have so much on my heart that the Lord has laid there that I want to share it. I think that blogging is just another way the Lord can use me to touch people.

I got back late Monday night from San Diego. I attended the National Youth Worker's Convention held by Youth Specialties. In the Youth Pastor world, this is the big one. The one that has all the best exhibitors, the best speakers, bands, comedians, classes, and more. And this year was no different. I love going to this seminar. At my age, however, there's not a whole lot in the interest classes that 'interest' me. They are geared to the younger pastor who is looking for help in certain areas of their ministry. I am not saying that I know it all, just almost!

One of my favorite things to do at this conference is make myself available. I love to give a hand to whoever, wherever, however I can. I really like helping young pastors out. They are so receptive and gracious. One pastor in particular this past week looked very intently into my eyes after I told him that I had been in full time youth ministry for over 21 years...as he looked into my eyes he asked 'how'. I told him, 'I don't know. Only God knows.'

That young man made me stop, and look into the mirror. I took a look at myself and had to remember who I am, and whose I am. I am God's son...I'm his boy. I try my hardest to make Him proud, and to smile. I try so hard to follow His commands; Love God, and love people. I know that when I do that...He smiles. So, when I look into that mirror, I want to Jesus.

Yeah, it was crazy in San Diego with the fires and all. I smelled the smoke and saw it in the air. People were run out of their homes, with the possibility of losing everything; and so many did lose everything. Right now, wherever you are, stop and say a prayer for those people in California.

The smoke was pretty thick even where we were. But through the thickest smoke, I still want to be seen by Him as a child of God.