2012
Lone Ranger
Do you tend to do everything yourself? I do. I blame it on the fact that I was a self-contained classroom teacher. "Do it yourself and it will get done" was my mantra. Yesterday, during Youth Group, I allowed two mid-highs to decorate signs that I made for an future sermon. They came out better than I could have done and two kids were blessed. - Pastor Mike
Coffee Shop
Recently I went with a friend to a funky coffee shop. We met to plan an upcoming worship and realized that God had really provided this opportunity for us to take time to re-connect. We live in a world that is jam packed with events that seek to put a squeeze on our relationships. Take time today to reach out to someone you haven't connected with in a while. - Pastor Mike
Morph
At Converge, a young adult told me that she thought that I originally had chosen the video/discussion instructor because I couldn't get anyone else to volunteer to teach. After seeing how much this young man had grown in confidence, she realized that it was the Holy Spirit who worked through Peter so that he could morph into exactly what God was calling him to do. - Pastor Mike
Pie Wrapper
On my walk today, I noticed a cat trying to get something out of a wrapper. The snow-covered cat quickly scampered away. I saw that the wrapper had a half-eaten pie that had been discarded. I opened the bag and placed the pie on the sidewalk. Think of the parable of scattering seeds. We do our part to "feed" others, and let God handle the rest! -Pastor Mike
Listening
Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." -John 10:10. Yesterday I met individually with 3 young adults who were seeking pastoral counseling. Silencing myself, I realized how important the gift of listening is to those searching for what God has planned for them. Today, try to not drown out what God is saying to others. -Pastor Mike
Challenge
Many of you students have had this week off. I challenge you to reach out to someone you know that many call a "fringe person"...someone who has few friends, someone who looks different than the norm, someone who is a loner. Reach out with the love of Christ by inviting them to go out for cocoa, go sledding, or to come with you to 4:12 or CREW this Sunday. - Pastor Mike
Growth
Growth involves passion. Passion to grow deeper in our relationship with God. Passion to go with God through uncharted waters. Passion to realize that stepping out of our comfort zone may be messy and full of mistakes, but that God is always with us. Be passionate about growing a little each day. - Pastor Mike
Why does God love the Irish?
Why does God love the Irish? The late Fulton Sheen use to say: God loves the Irish because they are full of blarney. I think that's true. God loves the soul of a person for whom the joy of the Lord is their strength. There is a time for laughter and making fun out of life. Jesus lived life to the fullest. He was fully man and experienced the fullness of life like a Godly poet.
Thanks for Being so Open to Change
Wow...Our church family is amazing. After my sermon entitled "Step Over the Line", I received numerous positive comments, emails, and even a hand-crafted card, encouraging me to allow the Holy Spirit to continue to speak through me without the confines of a manuscript or pulpit. -Pastor Mike
Why I Like Tebow
I like Tim Tebow. He is a stand up guy. At the end of games, he kneels down and gives thanks to God on the field. When small minded people try to put him down, he does not try to put them down or even argue with them. He does not worry about being politically incorrect, he simply seeks to be who he is. He is in a relationship with God and not ashamed of it.
