Vacation's Journey

Well, we’re about to head out to Disney World. The blossoming excitement of our kids has also taken root within me. You see…the majesty of Disney World often leaves me speechless. After all, it’s a pretty magical place (no pun intended). So, just think of the majesty of God. One word. Wow and inconceivable! Oops…that was two words.

We’ve decided to drive the 2,400 miles over a 4 day period…walled within our white minivan. Believe it or not, I’m looking forward to this drive as much as Disney World itself. I love a good road trip. The frustrations, laughs, miles, plans, tears, and thoughts. What will we eat? What will we come across? When will we get there? Where will we stay? The questions that will soon become answers.

The journey will be long. The journey will be fun and at times not so much. Regardless, the journey remains and currently remains untraveled. The bags are ready. The kids are ready. The iPod is ready. The minivan is ready. Am I? Such is life. A journey through some beauty and also through some mundane. Life at mile marker 10 or 10,000 may remain unknown…but, God knows and He is with me every step of the way. You bet I’m ready! Time to jump in, buckle up, and allow God to navigate my life. I’d hate to miss the journey that God has for me. How about you? Until next time. Jed.

My Return On Ministry

Ministry and effort. As followers of Christ, we are called to ministry. This ministry requires effort. This effort requires energy. And, this energy requires time. Whew. I’m exhausted already. So, are you ready for the big question with the ever changing and evolving answer?

What combination of effort, energy, and time yields the greatest return on ministry? Don’t stop there. Let’s dig a few shovels more. What is this return on ministry and how do you define it? Can you define it? Is it cars in your lots or bodies in your pews? Perhaps it’s dollars in your offering or talents on your stage? Kids in the hall or teens at the camp? Number of baptisms or dedications? These questions quickly unravel with the trail left to the interpreter. I’ve always believed you can create or find statistics to back just about any viewpoint. If not, we’d never have any debates. How boring!

So, back to my point. How many pastors, ministers, or leaders does it take to address these questions? One. Yep…you guessed it. His name is Jesus Christ.

Perhaps I’m oversimplifying a whole bunch of concepts or issues. But, that’s ok. We must first apply and grasp this simple truth before unpacking any concepts or issues. So, let’s not get distracted with a self defined return on ministry. Keep not only your eyes on the cross but your ears as well. Listening to the compelling call of Christ for your congregation and life. It may be touching thousands or transforming one. Regardless, it must be this compelling call? This compelling call is your return on ministry. So, how do you measure?

We’ll discuss this compelling call within the weeks ahead. Until next time. Jed.

When Will The Fog Lift

Well…week three at the new digs is nearly under belt. It’s been fulfilling and fun. Also, the robins are singing, the sun is shining, and the trees are popping. Spring is here! Although you never thought it would arrive…it has. Funny how that goes. Longing and waiting for a season that comes ever so slowly and goes ever so quickly.

This coming and going transcends life. You often don’t even realize that you’re out of one before being engrossed into another. Perhaps you’re shaking hands with stress and strife. Or, you may be sitting in the midst of uncertainty with doubt and fear hammering away. You wonder…how did I arrive? How can I get out? Or, more importantly, when will I get out? I need clarity. Now!

Sorry. But, there’s no magic cure or three step program for success. My advice is to never forget that God has not forgotten. God has heard your cries, pleas, and prayers and He has not forgotten a single one.

Sitting here today…I’m blessed. For years…I’ve chased, hunted, and pursued the present day. Fog often plagued my path. However, this path was paved by God. He did not forget! So, despite your current circumstances, a clearing will come. I’m proof! Until then…stay the course, stay the course, stay the course, and stay the course. God has not forgotten a single one.

Now, is it time to take the land or perhaps send some spies first? A discussion for another day. Until next time. Jed.

Still Here

Blog? What blog? Man…it has been weeks since any post which has completely derailed all nurtured and constructed momentum. What happened? I’m unsure how to answer this question or if an answer even exists.

God has remained faithful…a promise that will thankfully never change. Cool news - I changed careers. Not just a lateral transition…but, a whole new venue. Not just additional opportunities…but, a melding of the passions God has placed upon my life. Not just happenstances…but, truly molded and prepared by the hand of God. Blessed does not even begin to express my gratitude to my Lord and Savior. I’m amazed and stand in awe…honored and humbled.

I’ve basically felt like a sponge the past week or so. I’m saturated and need a good ringing to continue absorbing. Praise God!

The timing although questioned by me throughout the past few years was perfect down to the day…down to the hour. And I chuckle as if this timing was ironic. God was closing and wrapping one chapter while another was and is being paved. I’d love to share the specifics with any and all. Just get in touch with me as the story truly is a cool one.

More than anything, the essence of the ordinary seems to ring loud. I’m a pretty ordinary guy and that’s ok. There are others with the same gifts and talents. Others with similar issues, praises, and questions. Others with similar stories. There are simply others. God makes me unique. An extraordinary God.

Lay aside the preconceived notions of self. Stop looking inward. Remember…there are simply others. Others looking, seeking, and searching for truth. On a global scale…we as followers of Christ need to transform from inward to outward. While programs for self may be noteworthy, they likely miss these others. If we miss…let’s not travel down this if as the corresponding then is quite sad.

Button those shirts. Lace those shoes. Cloth the ordinary and let loose. The extraordinary God from within will overflow and use the ordinary to do the extraordinary. What an honor to be a child and friend of God. All to His glory. Until next time. Jed.

How Would You Respond

A battered and intoxicated man stumbling and wandering around your church’s parking lot. How would you respond? The classic duck and weave and through the front doors as if you hadn’t noticed. Or…perhaps with some good old fashioned compassion. Well…Pastor Tommy Jackson had the same question and decided to play the part. He stumbled and wandered while being disguised as battered and intoxicated. And he played the part well. Well enough that no one recongnized him. He even went as far as having the cops called in. How did his congregation respond? A local news cast has the footage. Check it out here and let me know your thoughts. A pretty wild idea. I like it. Until next time. Jed.

Jesus Between Our If Then

Do you remember the if followed by a then? But, as noted, Jesus must come between our if then. If Jesus, then…

Today, I seem to be nostalgic. You see…I’m on the move. Off to a new career. A career that has been rooted within my heart and soul for nearly a decade. A career where the past roads have paved the way. And who paved these past roads? God and God alone. Without doubt or question. Although I had doubts and questions more often than not. God still paved. God is and was faithful.

I look around and then turn inward. Who am I? A wretch. A sinner. Deserving unto death. But…don’t forget that Jesus falls between my if then. As the Psalmist notes, “What is man that you are mindful of him?” I know. Do you? Simply put…we’re blessed and loved. John 15:15 notes, “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends.” Wow! Don’t you feel blessed and loved to be known as a friend of God!

Life will be life. Hurdles and trails will come. Doubts and questions will follow. But, God will still pave. God will still be faithful. Put your life and your trust in Him…into His hands…the author and perfecter of our faith.

I hate to burst the bubble. But, we’re ordinary. Me and you. However, place Jesus between our if then and we remain ordinary with an extraordinary God in tow…as our friend. How cool is that! Until next time. Jed.

The Grand Curtain

There is a time for everything as Solomon says. A time to build, dance, heal, laugh, mend, speak, refrain, and so on. But…what would these words look like today? A time to blog, email, message, post, surf, text, tweet, and twit. We’re flooded with information and often driven by technology. Last night, I had to chuckle and somewhat frown all at the same time. I walked through the door and waited for my running hugs. You know…the ones that all fathers cherish. Instead, my five year old asked for my phone. Why? She wanted to play a game (Super Monkey Ball). Little red parent flags started to waive and she is now fasting from my phone. Fortunately, my two year old did not let me down. Man…I love those hugs.

Time is given to all. Employees, families, friends, kids, parents, spouses…me and you. So, are we present in the present or propelled by the if only? Ever play the if only game? It’s a fun little game. Let’s give it a shot…

- If only my car was way cooler.
- If only my commute was a little closer.
- If only my knowledge was somewhat sharper.
- If only my house was a little bigger.
- If only my muscles were a tad larger.
- If only my office was a few floors higher.

Now, what follows the if only? The then. You fill in the blank. Then…I’ll be better, happier, healthier, and/or wealthier. Conquer one if only and guess what’s waiting around the next corner. Yep. Another if only. Corner after corner. If only after if only.

Ready for the grand curtain? If only I knew Jesus, then I’ll be blessed. Present in the present and trusting in the Lord. We’ll dig deeper within upcoming posts. Until next time. Jed.

By the way…my sister-in-law has started a blog and it’s great. I’m proud of her. Check it out here.