Wednesday, August 31, 2011
SPEAK
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
MAXIMIZED
Monday, August 29, 2011
FANTASY FOOTBALL
Sunday, August 28, 2011
KERBY
Saturday, August 27, 2011
BREAKFAST
Friday, August 26, 2011
EDITABILITY
Thursday, August 25, 2011
ETERNITY
God wants to spend eternity with you and me. There aren't 'Seven Principles' or 'Five Laws' that get you there. You need Jesus and the dynamic power released thru Godly relationships.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
JOURNEYS
Journeys. We're all on one - or several.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
INNER
Monday, August 22, 2011
PAR
Sunday, August 21, 2011
FAIL
Maybe it’s just me, but I find it extremely difficult to develop deep friendships with people who have never failed, or won’t admit that they have at some point in their lives.
'The truth is, everyone has failed in some big or small way.'
When people come across as being someone who has ‘never failed,’ it strains the relationship automatically. It starts to feel like a game of one-upmanship instead of a real friendship. It seems as if the ‘never-faileds’ are trying to be superior, or at least trying to make others feel slightly inferior. In that climate, genuine relationships seldom flourish.
The truth is, everyone has failed in some big or small way - usually the former. People who own their failures are infinitely more genuine, and that authenticity in a relationship is incredibly magnetic. People desperately want to be around other people who are real. They want to build relationships with people who admit they have failed and will allow others to do the same.
And be blessed.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
DOWNHILL
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
SOAK
It was awesome to lead the chapel for our JMC - Journey Ministry College (www.journeycollege.com) students today. I loved the passion and heart that each of them spoke with - and as a guy who is probably older than most of their own dads, I felt tremendously re-energized when we were done.
Soak that in for a minute. You aren’t here just to get through life. You’re not even here to succeed with your own life plans. You’re here to fulfill what God has intended for you.
That changes things, doesn’t it?
When you get that, you start looking at every moment and opportunity differently. Life isn’t about 'what I am in the mood for' or 'what I can fit into my day.' Life is about being open to hearing God and what He may want and need from you and what He has intended for you to notice. I’m here to keep my eyes and heart open enough to be aware of the moments in which He intends me to act.
That’s why part of what we’ll do this year in our JMC chapels is just learn to hear from God together.
It’s one of the greatest skills you’ll ever need in the ministry - or anywhere.
And be blessed.
Monday, August 15, 2011
ELBOW
Sometimes I think people believe church work - pastoring - is easy.
Every now and then I get a sharp elbow in my ribs by someone who suggests:
‘You guys have it so easy. You only really work one day a week (Sunday).’
‘What do you do all day long?’
‘Do you just pray and read the Bible all day until your phone rings?’
Stuff like that.
I admit those kinds of comments make me want to hurt somebody bad. Just kidding - kind of - not really.
Truth is, church work can be as grueling as any job anywhere. But I wouldn’t be doing it if that’s all it was. It’s also fun and rewarding.
But just for the record, here is a partial list of the not-so-fun-stuff:
#1 – Teaching a message on tithing with a bunch of first-time guests in the house - like this past Sunday.
#2 – Counseling a couple when one of them doesn’t want to be there.
#3 – Dealing with church people who don’t get it or refuse to get it.
#4 – Having to say ‘no.’
#5 – Feeling forced to say ‘yes.‘
#6 – Feeling you have to be ‘on’ all the time - at a party, at the grocery store, at the gym ...
#7 – Staff conflict.
#8 – Feeling like you have to top last weekend’s message the following weekend.
#9 – Stress on the entire family.
#10 – People’s expectations.
That said - it’s the best job in the world.
And be blessed.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
JMC
It was with great excitement that we presented this morning at KFA (www.kenoshafirst.com) fourteen students who will begin their studies tomorrow morning as part of the first class of Journey Ministry College (www.journeycollege.com) - a cohort of the School of Urban Missions (www.sum.edu).
Saturday, August 13, 2011
THINKING
Friday, August 12, 2011
PURPOSE
At left is a picture of a flower garden in my yard. I took the picture this morning. (You can click on it to see it better.) I love seeing this patch of color when I come in and out of my driveway. Something about it makes me smile.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
CAFE
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
CALEB
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
DEEDS
Good news and good deeds can't and shouldn't be separated. The good news explains the 'why' of the good deeds.
Monday, August 8, 2011
HARDEST
I wonder what the hardest part of your job is. For pastors, there would be several answers to that question.
Some pastors would say selecting staff is the hardest part of their job.
Others would say it’s the fishbowl they live in - where everything you say is evaluated and everything you do is judged.
Still others would say it’s the preparation needed to teach every weekend.
For me, the hardest part might be saying ‘NO.’
Contrary to what some believe, I don’t enjoy saying “NO.” Not at all. For instance, when someone wants to start a new ministry, as good as it is, sometimes it isn’t within the vision and focus of what God has called us to do in our city - even though it’s an amazing ministry. Or, sometimes a person wants to meet with me for counseling and I end up referring him or her to someone else - a staff person or a professional counselor. Saying “NO” to that kind of thing is one of the things that kills me because I don’t want them to feel unloved or not cared for.
But I know God has brought some amazing people into relationship with us and into our own organization who have far more wisdom than I. Saying “NO” in some of those situations also frees me to do what God has called me to at KFA. That way we can both use our gifts to the fullest.
That said, it’s still difficult - especially when someone says, “I feel like I relate to you best, PK.” But I think that might be because they listen to me talk for 40 minutes (OK, sometimes longer) on weekends. So when I say ‘This person can help you better,’ there’s part of me that feels I’ve let them down. I know that isn’t really the case because the person I’ve referred them to is way better at meeting the need than I am. That’s why God placed them in the body of Christ to begin with. Only a selfish pastor hogs all the ministry opportunities for Himself. Only a pastor with a serious ego issue believes only he can meet the needs of the congregation.
I know God has called Kevin Taylor to do two things at KFA: lead and feed. I’m called to lead the church where God is calling us and to feed the people His Word. If I deter from that focus, it’s over for me.
So now I’m saying “NO” a little more. And the result is that more people are receiving ministry ... the church is moving forward where God wants us to go ... I’m more prepared to share the Word ... we’re reaching more people than ever ... and our staff is experiencing the joy of being an instrument in God’s hand.
What’s the hardest part of your job?
And be blessed.