How many times have you ignored a prompting from God? What would happen if we all slowed down a little and responded to that still small voice in our heads? Could we change the world? Perhaps we could make it a little better...

Grace&Peace

Social Networking

I joined Facebook a little earlier this month, but today I finally uploaded a picture and got to the task of making my profile something worth looking at. You can visit me here and add me to your "friends"!

As Melissa says, "welcome to the addiciton" - how appropriate MG, how appropriate.

Grace&Peace

Happy Turkey Day!

I want to send a special shout-out to my father-in-law because Thursday is his "special day" - Turkey Day!!

I'll be in SA for the weekend, so I'll be back with an update on Monday.

Grace&Peace

Explanation of Hiatus

Sorry that I have been absent from the blogosphere for a week or so...life got busy preparing for going out of town this week and since I don't have a laptop of my own, I must rely on the kindness of other clergy for the temporary use of theirs. Thanks Joe!

So I am currently finishing up Day 3 at the Institute for Church Planting Retreat up here on beautiful Lake Texoma at the Prothro Center. It has been a grueling 3 days and we still have 1 1/2 more to go. I am glad that I am here among friends, but I sure do miss my girls at home. I have talked to them each night, but it's just not the same as seeing them and kissing their faces as they drift off to sleep.

On a personal note (not that the previous paragraph wasn't) I would appreciate some prayers as I discern what God has called me to do in this crazy world of church planting. My personality does not immediately lend itself to a successful church plant, but there are many models to choose from and one might work for me. However, I have been intrigued by the concept of being groomed to be a follow-up pastor at a church that is transitioning out of leadership from their founding/planting pastor. Thanks!

Ok, I will now go and check some blogs that I am behind on and then read another chapter in a great book, then head for the pillow.

Grace&Peace

Share the Love

I have recently begun to listen to leadership tapes and CDs while I am in the car, but when I need a break from those, I listen to Power FM without fail. Last week they held their semi-annual "Share-a-thon" to help raise support from their listeners. Well, I was out of town for two of the days that it was going on, then I got busy the rest of the weekend, so I did not get a post up here in time for you guys to call in and support them during that special time. However, I wanted to link to them so that if you love listening to Christian rock music, please pray about supporting them via the web because you can give online anytime.

Grace&Peace

Catching Up?

Do you ever have that feeling like you are always running to catch up? Do you ever wonder if you can really relax on a vacation? I know I do. I feel so bad...Caitlyn's birthday was almost a month ago and I still have not posted her cake pictures like I promised. And it's not like I can just go and get one off the internet because the latest ones of her on her online photo album are from this summer! Yikes, I'm not so good at keeping photos updated.

Anyway, I will pray for all of you who feel behind the 8-ball and I hope that you will do the same for me.

Grace&Peace

Staff Retreat Day 2

Our retreat is now complete and I think there were many, many, many good ideas that came out of our breakout sessions and our group times. I am excited to be a part of a team that is looking forward to what God is going to do through us in 2007. I pray that we are capable and diligent in implementing these goals, strategies, objectives, and tactical activities.

The running joke of the retreat was that we all wanted things to be done by the end of first quarter 2007. Guess we will have a busy 3 months ahead of us!

BTW - our game time last night was a blast and the big winners were Jennifer and Holly (aka "the Bomb") - fun times!

Grace&Peace

Staff Retreat Day 1

This morning and afternoon have seen our staff begin to realign with the vision and values that make Trietsch such a unique place to serve the Lord. Jim spoke eloquently and pointedly about the need to live out the DNA of Trietsch on a daily basis. He said that if we don't intentionally seek to promote the DNA, we will be destroying that DNA with every action against it. Now, he didn't say it just like that, but you get my drift - this is important stuff!

I am looking forward to what this evening has to offer - hopefully some great thinking, planning, and strategizing, but most importantly - a whole lotta FUN! We have plans to play "Totally 80s Trivial Pursuit" tonight and I, for one, am like totally psyched, like for sure!

Grace&Peace

PS - thanks to Alan for letting me use his MacBook Pro to do this post!

Talking with a "Legend"

Yesterday I spent 23 minutes on the phone with a great American hero and he gave me a completely new outlook on what my goals should be in regards to the Hospitality Ministries here at Trietsch. Thanks Mark!

I don't know about you, but talking on the phone (or in person) with someone who has written a book is an intimidating thing for me. I feel so unimportant and unintelligent compared to someone who has had their thoughts and ideas printed by a major book publisher. I know most authors are just regular people but I really respect what Mark is doing for the kingdom of God up at Granger. So thanks again Mark, for making me feel important and intelligent when I was talking with you. And thanks for the "wow" moment - at least for me!

Grace&Peace