I was recently talking to a man who knows my love of second chances. He told me that he thinks I a limiting grace too much. He though it might be better to say we serve a God who “gives us another chance.” He told how he thought God had given him way more than two chances. He felt like it might be better if my blog were called something like “Give me another chance” pastor.
Maybe he is right.

On New Year’s day I turned on the TV for a few minutes to see what was on. The station that appeared was already showing a football game with the University of Central Florida, so I stopped to watch. It was near the end of the game and the announcers were talking about the coach George O’Leary.
You may not remember his name, but it is burned into my mind. You see, I am a fan of the Notre Dame football program and in 2001 they hired George O’Leary from Georgia Tech. As he ascended into the public eye on a more national level the press started to write articles about him and his past. Well, upon research it was discovered that the had lied about playing football in college and he had lied about a master’s degree he had received from a fictitious university. Both of these inaccuracies had been on his resume for years and apparently helped him get a job early on in his career. Neither were of significance for the Notre Dame job, but his integrity was shot and within weeks he resigned before coaching his first game.
Now the rest of the story. George knocked around through a couple of professional coaching jobs as an assistant until he finally accepted the job with Central Florida. Within a few years he has turned around the program and produced a bowl winning team.
When I turned on the game it was about over it was clear that Central Florida was going to win. The announcers were talking about George’s checkered past. They roughly quoted Mr. O’Leary as saying something like this, “I can only put the past behind me and do my best with the chances that lies ahead.”
In my eyes, George O’Leary was given a second chance and he is making the most of it. And for that George O’Leary – I salute you!

I love this time of year. It is not just the holidays and all the time I get to spend with my family. I love the fact that every year we get to take those old calendars down and throw them out. I love that we get a new year with new possibilities all lying ahead of us.
Last year is past, this year is ahead of us and it is completely unwritten.
This week, each of us get another year and another chance to live better and more fully. Happy New Year.

The week that the Church celebrates the incarnation of Christ is a two-fold experience. First it is exhausting as we are a part of numerous events and special programs. It is also exhilarating as we celebrate the coming of Christ into the world, as we spend time with family and as we get a little break. For me, I have taken the Sunday off after Christmas since I can remember. I finally get some quiet time to enjoy with my family during this holiday season.

With that said – First let me wish you a very merry Incarnation Day and a Happy New Year.

Second – I will being writing again after the new year. I have lots of thoughts to share from my experiences with basketball, teaching at Alaska Bible Institute and a host of other experiences. I pray you will stop by to read more in 2014.

Lord Bless

One year ago I decided to start blogging again. I came up with a title, which took a while. Then I developed a few ideas for posts. Finally I started working on the format. Well, I am now on my 200th post.

I believe that if you had told me I was going to write 200 posts just one year ago I would have thought it was impossible. But when you take it one day at a time, one blog at a time, or one of anything at a time, it really adds up quick.

So what am I going to start next year? What are you?

Last week I wrote a post about making connections in the Church over HERE . I had hoped to write a lot more, but I have busy. So today I want to follow-up with some more thoughts on making connections with other believers.

1. Don’t Eat Alone – Each one of us has to eat everyday. What if we used that time for making connections? Invite someone over to eat with your family at night or on the weekends. Take someone out to lunch and spend some time visiting together. Use this everyday opportunity to make a connection with another person or family.

2. Start Somewhere – The greatest relationships in my life were started over a conversation about math, small talk over a meal and a conversation about moving to Alaska.

3. You will have to take the initiative – Every relationship runs two ways. Your phone will call them. Your email will go to them. Your vehicle will drive across town. If you wait for people to come to you, you will rarely form deep relationships.

4. Allow yourself enough time – Through the years a number of people have walked through the Church doors and left within a year because they didn’t have any relationships. I usually tell them that they do have relationships but they simply are not “deep” yet because they haven’t had enough time. Think about it, “How long have you known your best friend?” I bet it has been a long time.

These are some of my thoughts on making connections in the Church. I hope they will help you as you think about your relationships.

I have read dozens and dozens of blog posts about the holidays

THIS ONE over at “Stuff Christians Like” is by far my favorite. Read and Enjoy.

I just ran across another great commercial. Great stuff

In every Church that I have served as leader I have heard a common complaint. It is that “I just don’t feel connected to other people.” Often it is stated by people leaving the Church as “We don’t feel connected to other people.” I recently heard this kind of a statement again and so it has me thinking a great deal about the connections that we make in Church. So, over the next few posts I am going to be sharing a few thoughts on getting connected at Church (or anywhere for that matter.

First lesson – Most connections begin in the margins.

I wish that I could say that there was a specific event or activity that would bring people together, but there is no such thing. Small groups can help people get connected. Fun activities and special events can help you get connected. But being involved in either of those does not guarantee you will develop relationships with other people.

Instead, what I have found to be true is that the best connections begin around the edges of my programs and activities. What I mean by that is simple. The people who show up early and talk to others, will get connected faster. The people who stay late and talk to other people will get connected faster. The people who linger in the lobby for a time are more likely to meet people they will connect too.

Almost without fail, the people who complain about not being connected to other people in the congregation are those who arrive late or leave early (or both.) I firmly believe that if you want to get connected then you need to plan a few more minutes with every program than you need. It will be the first step toward the connections you are looking for.