Staying fresh

Now that I’m not a pastor in my daily life, I find that I’m feeling really unspiritual and dispassionate. I know that I’m in a season of rest and healing, but still, I don’t like feeling distant from my God. Now, I know that much of what I feel is influenced by the enemy, planting destructive ideas in my head. I don’t want to give in to discouragement, so I take captive these thoughts and drag them before God as much as I can.

Anyways, I have found some fresh things that I wish to share (now that I’m feeling more together… HA!). I guess I am suffering from transition. I no longer worship with a group of people as much as I did as a youth pastor. I no longer study the word as much, talk about spiritual things in conversation, pray with people, speak truth to people etc. And as with all relationships – the more you cultivate them – the more rewarding they are. So of course I will feel a little weird about my connection to God now that I’m out of church ministry for a time. But this is an opportunity to forge a kind of connection with God that is more removed from my job. I get to be even more personal with Him in my spiritual disciplines.

So prayer has become more moment by moment, sharing my thoughts with God. Study has become good reading material. Worship is now conversations with my wife about the wonders of God. My passion for the Word has led me to try reading “the Message” paraphrase of the bible alongside my NIV in daily time with God. Seriously – if your relationship with the Word is not fresh and needs a boost – INVEST. Pick up a New Living Translation, or a copy of the Message “…just to shake things up” (Frozone). Remember the Message is not a translation, but a paraphrase. It is meant to give you a new perspective on the things written in the Bible. Not to replace you copy of the living Word.

I love my daily experience of God. He enjoys a good cup of coffee, and he has some great ideas on lightsaber building.

May the fourth be with you

No it’s not a typo… in fact it’s a wonderfully special day celebrated by only a few throughout the world. It’s May 4th… the day you say to someone “May the 4th be with you”. MTFBWY was started by a guy I knew in college named Fred Middel, who took to writing it in people’s daytimers (this was before PDA’s). Since it’s humble beginning it has spread until now, it is celebrated by an estimated 10 – 20 people worldwide. Join in the celebration, and wish someone “May the 4th be with you”.