High School Reunion...

Well, what can I say? I spent last night and early this morning with other graduates from my high school class. Class of 1988! Man am I old!!

It was quite the experience. I am trying to decide how to describe what it was like. Maybe someone can relate to this. You always have opinions on how people are going to turn out later in life. There are some classmates that you predict perfectly. They turn out exactly like you had imagined. Well, this reunion had some of those feelings, however, had just as many feelings of being completely wrong. Some I imagined would conquer the world and for what ever reason found value in a much simpler, yet wonderful, life. While others, you thought would just stay home and work an ordinary job (nothing wrong with that) and you find that they have been all over the world jumping out of helicopters to ski down a hill. It just goes to show that no matter how often we feel like we have all figured out, most of the time we don't.

I was also one of those statistics. Absolutely no one would have thought that I would have become a pastor. I'm not sure if that is good or bad. =0) Any how, I pray I keep MY perspectives in place. That I don't stereotype people and believe the best for each and every one of them; whatever that looks like to them. I also pray that I don't miss anything the Lord has for me. That in my pursuit of life, that I don't forget to stop and make sure I'm running in the direction that God created me to run.

I certainly had a great time seeing and reconnecting with those from my graduating class! I pray they receive God's best too!!

Comedy Sportz...

Tonight was filled with laughter!

Over 50 of our leaders went down town Chicago to watch an interactive improv comedy show. It's been funnier in the past, but still had everyone rolling.

It's almost over. =0(

That's okay, it just reminds us to spend more time with the people you love and enjoy!!

Golf...

I am going to keep this real short, I have supposed to be unplugged!

Fantastic morning of chasing a little white ball all of a green field. What a blast, playing golf with friends!

Two of my favorite things: hanging with friends and playing golf!

I know, rough life...=0)

Hangin' with friends...

Today was the beginning of Recess!! I time I get to share with other youth pastors and just relax!

Tonight we went to play Whirlyball...a mix between bumper cars, basketball, and lacrosse. It was so much fun.

I was also able to reconnect with an old friend who was living in the area. It was a great night!!

Numbers...

I realize that I have lost a little consistency will the blog, however, numbers continue to swim in my head. It's budget time in my world and I have been working on submitting a workable budget for our office. Some of you know exactly what that means, meetings, meetings, and even more meetings!!

I'm glad that this season will be over in the next few weeks. It's always nice to have this behind you.

Tonight I look forward to speaking in Springfield, IL on what it takes to move from ordinary to extraordinary. God can certainly do more than we could ask or imagine if we just slow down long enough to give Him the chance.

Renew them in our day...

Over and over during these last several months I have been challenged in my expectations of what God desires to accomplish in our lives, ministries, and communities. I was skimming through the book of Habakkuk one day during my personal time and reading this conversation between the author and God. In chapter three, the writer puts ink to paper and says this, "Lord, I have heard of you fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day". It was like God himself was breathing new life into me. I found myself asking this question, if God would choose to demonstrate His love and power then, then why not now? Since that day, I have seen multiple pastors and others use this verse as a slogan for what they are believing God for. Now, I do my best to always use good judgment in what I write. I don't ever want to come across as super spiritual or religious. With all that in mind, as we prepare for our fall convention, I find myself praying for God to renew himself in today's generation. That God would breathe life into us and we would not just hear of His greatest, but experience it first hand. I believe this generation will experience more than we have ever read or heard about. So, despite sounding religious, Lord, renew them in our day!!!!

Blitz of meetings...

Wow, what a day filled with hanging out with friends, but also building new relationships. Today was pretty simple. I had three great appointments with other youth pastors. Some would say that it's part of my job, which is true. However, I have to admit, I get the most fulfillment from my JOB through spending time with people. It's too bad that many equate work relationships as just that, work relationships. I find my work relationships to be some of the best friendships I could ask for. Besides, I was able to do it in Chi-town!!

Valuable Time...

There have been so many times that I think about the value I place on what I have accomplished or spent my time doing on any given day. There have been tons of times when I feel like I have done well, however, there have been just as many times I have felt I wasted my day away. There is one type of day that I always find value in. It's a day filled with family and friends!!

Starbucks has done an incredible job marketing itself as a place of community. I had a fantastic time meeting with a friend at the Normal, IL Starbucks. I truly feel like community is a quality that we all long for. We just have to make sure it's a priority. Can you imagine a life without relationships? I thank God He has given me family and friends to walk through life with!

Early Morning Irritations...

Maybe I should start today’s blog with a little background. Last evening I went to our local dry cleaners to drop off some clothes, only to find that they had closed an hour early. Or so I thought! I then went back this morning (because in small towns there is only ONE dry cleaner!) to find that they were still not opened. There was a crew of men inside working, so I inquired what was going on. Well, the owner was standing there talking to the workers. When I asked about dropping off my clothes, he simply responded “we’re closed til Monday”. Today is Tuesday!! So I had mentioned that maybe a sign would help communicate that. Never the less, he wasn’t amused. He had this deer in the headlights look like he never would have thought of that. Anyway, now I can laugh, but I have to admit I wasn’t the happiest guy on the planet at that point. I have always heard of joy suckers, today I met one. I say that with a smile on my face. My irritation has truly turned to laughter. The idiosyncrasies of small towns!! Maybe, just maybe, next time there will be a sign. =0)