Yesterday morning our Church worshipped together. We came together as a group of people to sing God’s praises, pray together, share in the Lord’s supper and listen to instruction from the word of God. Interestingly enough, most of those things we can do by ourselves. You can now listen to the best worship music in the world on your phone. You can spend time alone in prayer with God. You can take communion with a simple piece of bread and a cup of juice. Not only that, the internet is full of sermons by the best preachers in the world, and you can even listen to me anytime you like through our Church website.

There is one thing that happened yesterday that you cannot get alone. You cannot have fellowship with other believers.

The Church is not just people who worship God; it is a group of people who come together. We are a community of faith. We care about one another. We speak kindly and encourage one another. The Church is composed of people connected in their faith.

Yesterday as we came together, I had fourteen meaningful conversations. I spoke with dozens of other people where I exchanged “Good morning” and “How are you today?” But fourteen times I talked for several minutes about aging, health struggles, my children, the future, football, deer hunting, prayer needs, and spiritual issues. These interactions occurred before, during and after worship. They all were unique, unplanned and uplifting.

Yesterday I was blessed by the people with whom I worship. In a society where it is easy to see faith as a personal project we do alone, don’t forget the conversations you miss when you are not present.

Every time that I take a short break from blogging, I have this internal discussion about whether I should return to it. It takes about an hour every day to come up with an idea, type it, proofread it and publish it. Most days only about 60 people read what I write, so is it worth the time?

Here is why I returned this time and will keep doing so in the future.

1. I Enjoy Writing. If I could make a living as a writer, I would do it. I enjoy capturing thoughts and thinking of phrases. My creative writing teachers in high school and college would probably not believe this to be true since I was such a terrible student back then. Now I enjoy spending the time writing, even if I am not the best at it.

2. It Truly is Like a Journal. When I wrote my first blog years ago, I started to tell people about it, and the most common response was, “I don’t want to read your journal.” A few were nastier in their attitude and stated, “I don’t care about your diary.” I tried to explain blogging to them, and they were hostile no matter how much further explanation I provided. Now, as I look back over the years, I can see that in many ways this has been a journal or diary of sorts. It has been a way to record my thoughts at the time, to preserve experiences and to work out my thinking. Many of these posts gave way to sermons, series, and lessons.

3. It is Timeless. Every year the posts that attract the most attention are ones I wrote long ago. I wrote one about a family in Alaska and one about a pastor’s Christmas card that is viewed hundreds of time each year. They were momentary reflections that have been viewed and used over and over.

4. I Hope to Help People. I live with the dream that one of my posts will prove truly helpful to at least one person. I hope that my writing can impact one life for the kingdom of God. If that happens, then I will be satisfied. A blog is free, and my only investment is time. I want to use this incredible resource to help people in my congregation and Christians all over the world.

Finally, I want to say, “Thank You” for reading. This is the sixth year of my blog, and by Thanksgiving, this will be my best year ever. Every year I have had more visitors than the year before as I keep posting whatever God lies on my heart. Thanks for reading, and even if you quit, I will probably keep writing.

I am the father of four boys. My youngest just turned 16 and my oldest is almost 21. I have spent the last two decades of my life as a parent, and I have learned a few things along the way. Here are some of the most significant rules that my wife and I decide would govern our parenting, and I thought you might find them helpful.

1. We Will Raise Our Children. Before our children were even born, we had a clear idea that when we had children, they would be ours to raise. If possible, we would never send them to a daycare, a grandparent or babysitter to be raised. Those people and groups have their place, but the primary responsibility would fall on us.

2. Church and Christian Service are Not Optional. My children were all in Church from the first Sunday of their life until the day they left for college. They did not miss for sports or school unless it was totally unavoidable which happened about ten times in their lives. Not only did they attend worship with us, but they also were required to serve in some way. They helped with set up and tear down when we lead a new Church. They have run computers and lead worship as teenagers. The people of God are a priority in my family.

3. Love is spelled T-I-M-E. Gifts, vacations, and electronics are great but true love is spelled TIME. Children of all ages want attention more than anything else. Sure they may act like they do not want you around in those teenage years, but it is just a façade. Save your money and clear your calendar if you want a deep connection with your kids.

4. Teenagers Need As Much Attention as Toddlers. Somewhere along the way, parents started believing the lie that teens do not really need their parents. You can drop them off at the mall or with their friends, and they will be happy. I have found that your impact is just as significant with teenagers as when they are younger.

5. Love Your Children, But Don’t Trust Them. We understand this concept when they are little. They are playing in the next room, and it gets quiet. You know something mischievous is happening. You ask, and they act like you are crazy about your inquiry. A few more questions and the truth comes out. Then they become teenagers, and you ask them what is happening, and you are greeted with silence. You can believe that or do some investigating. The truth is often only obtained with thoughtful questions and solid inquiring.

These are five of the biggest rules that have guided my parenting. Other factors have impacted what we do, but these are the big ones. My wife and I have not been perfect parents but in spite of that God has allowed us to have some great kids. Truthfully, they became that way through hard work, time and the grace of God.

In the fall of 1990, I moved to Joplin Missouri to attend Ozark Christian College. Just a few short minutes away in the city of Carthage there was a new attraction that had opened to the public called “The Precious Moments Chapel.” Since I was new to the area, I went over to see this chapel that was painted inside with murals by Samuel Butcher. My first trip included a tour that lasted over an hour with detailed descriptions and interesting facts. The site quickly became a place that everyone must visit when they were in the area. By my second year of college, they had added new buildings, expanded the parking lot and saw thousands of visitors. I took every person family member that visited me out to show them the chapel.

As my visits increased, there were noticeable changes at the chapel. The parking lot was expanded, and you could expect a long walk and often long waits for anything. The tours were dropped to 30 minutes or less, and people were moved quickly from place to place. I cannot tell you how many times I have visited with family and friends to see the chapel with its new paintings and peaceful setting. Then in 1996 I left the area and had not returned.

Then last week my wife and I were able to take two days away together. Without much time for travel or much extra money to spend I suggested we make a return visit to our college days including a stop by The Precious Moments Chapel. When we arrived, the parking lot was nearly empty. Granted, it was a Monday in the middle of October, but that had never slowed the crowds in the nineties. We walk through the facility where we noticed empty buildings, closed shops, and very few workers. There were three people in the gift shop, one in the chapel and one guy mowing. It was a shell of the place we had adored 20 years ago.

Always thinking about the Church and the Lord’s work I made a couple of mental notes for the local Church to consider.

1. Fads Come and Go Quickly. The Church needs to be careful with the passing interests of the time. Precious Moments figurines were a huge hit, but with recessions and the internet, things changed. It reminded me of Church bus ministries that flourished and then died, along with a host of other things that worked at one point in history. A Church walks this fine line of holding onto an ancient message while using modern methods. We must be wise in evaluating our approach to ministry and not keep offering programs that no longer work.

2. Lack of Leadership. The tour told us that the last time Mr. Butcher added anything new to the chapel was in 2009. He now lives in the Philippines and rarely visits. It seems he has no interest in what happens in Carthage any longer and it shows. Every thriving organization needs strong leaders who believe in what they are doing.

3. Lost Passion. The woman who gave us our tour could care less about her job. When she asked us if we wanted to hear the tour and we responded with a yes, she was clearly disappointed. She then proceeded to gives us less than 15 minutes of poorly rehearsed information that she had no enthusiasm to share. If you have no fire for the work of the Lord through the local Church, it is clear to everyone who knows you.

4. Survival Mode. It appeared that no one wants to shut down the chapel, so their solution is to do the bare minimum. They have very few staff which I am sure make near minimum wage. They have closed buildings and have “off seasons” when other areas are closed. I actually drove across the road to the parking lot they added in the nineties. It had limbs on it with leaves and untrimmed grass. I know Churches exactly like this in their approach. They do just enough to keep the doors open and wonder why no one comes to visit anymore.

My wife and I enjoyed our time at the Chapel. We took selfies and held hands. Together we walked down memory lane and marveled at what used to be a great attraction. I learned a little that day too. The Church must always be careful to serve God in the present and not survive on fond memories of the past. If we do, one day we will have eight people in attendance and wonder what happened.

This past week I took a vacation for only the second time in 52 weeks. It was a much-needed break for me from the duties of ministry. My wife was able to join me for two days, but the rest was just me away from the Church. I never want to glorify the paid role of a pastor over the volunteers who compose the Church, but I do want you to know a few things about my chosen profession.

1. Caring for Souls is Emotionally Demanding. As a pastor, I believe that my work involves things of eternal significance. Heaven and hell hang in the balance. I desperately want people to know Jesus as both their Savior and Lord. I want them to start strong in their faith and continue to grow in it. I want people to spend their lives in the will of God until we are welcomed in the arms of Jesus. Every person who walks away or drifts aimlessly tears a pastor’s soul apart.

2. Decision Making is Emotionally Draining. I once read an article saying the most draining mental activity to a person is decision-making. Anyone in a leadership position understands this concept. All decisions come with an amount of stress, especially in Church. The songs I choose will be scrutinized. The sermon will be dissected. Every decision will be analyzed in detail and I know I frequently make the final choice that will help bring the Church together or divide it.

3. Creative Thinking is Mentally Tiring. Every week I try to create the best sermon possible. Ultimately it is a work of the Holy Spirit, but I still desire to put together my best effort. On top of the sermon, I teach a Youth group lesson at least three times a month, and I blog five days a week. I am always working to create, and it gets exhausting.

4. The Forces of Evil Hate Christian Leaders. I just finished a series on the devil and his attacks on the heart and minds of believers. I often think the work is much more intense on the leaders of the people of God. Destroy the shepherd, and the sheep will scatter has been a theme repeated throughout the Bible, even into the life of Jesus. As a leader, I battle pride, temptation, anger, depression, loneliness and every kind of emotional high and low. There are days I want to quit and days I desire for people to sing my praises. I know that my life affects more than my own faith, and so does evil, and the struggles are hard.

5. Ministry Has No Boundaries. Every pastor dreams of a 9-5 job. In my week of vacation, I had emails and text from people needing and wanting help. There was even a guy who showed up on my doorstep asking for assistance. It can be very draining to be on call every day and all the time.

These are some of the reasons I needed a break. In fact, I am planning a break every other month for the next year. I feel myself slipping into the cynicism that comes with burnout. I love my Lord Jesus, my job and the people I lead. I pray that an occasional break will keep me fresh and help me to minister long into the future.

Here is another great quote I found in my reading. Words to ponder.

-Carey Nieuwhof in “Didn’t See It Coming” page 84

The single greatest counseling video of all time. I can’t tell you how many times I have wanted to simply say “Stop It.”

It does not take courage to circumnavigate the globe, just time and money. You will need to be brave and have the strength of character to make the longest journey I know. That is the one that takes you out of your current location to the place where you can do the right thing.

It is a difficult walk from your desk to the boss to take responsibility for your failure.
It is a tough journey from your chair in the living room to the bedroom to say you are sorry.
It is a challenging move to leave the comfort of your home to help someone in need.

If you are like me, there is something you need to do to make things right in your life. Whenever you think about doing it you feel your knees go weak, your palms begin to sweat, and your heart starts to race. To do the will of God in your life not only takes faith, but it requires the courage to do the difficult thing.

God never calls us to comfort; instead, he asks us fearlessly do the right thing … today and every day.

This week the world lost a great pastor, writer, and thinker on Monday with the passing of Eugene Peterson. (You can read more HERE). That name may not mean much to you, but he was significant to me on my spiritual journey. A professor at school required us to read his book, “The Contemplative Pastor” as a class assignment. That book would help me to think more clearly about ministry and was a significant first step into the world of a pastor.

Over the years that followed, I would read many of the books he wrote, and one of them played a special role in my life. A group of students met with a local pastor to discuss books and knowing that I enjoyed Peterson’s material, they invited me to attend. Over the next several months I poured myself into the book, “Under the Unpredictable Plant” at the weekly gatherings. As the interest of the group waned, mine increased, and I asked that pastor to mentor me through other books for the next two years. Those weekly meetings with Kyle shaped my heart and mind in unique and wonderful ways.

In the years since college, I have collected more of Peterson’s books, but nothing has rivaled his paraphrase of the original Biblical languages into The Message. It has served as a blessing in my ministry and to help me think through the Bible in everyday language. Whenever I feel stuck in scripture reading, a quick turn to The Message has enabled me to understand the difficult texts. It has also challenged me to work at making the Bible understandable for others.

Peterson has stood as a giant on the religious landscape of the United States over the last 30 years, and his passing is mourned by many, including me. This week I have read all kinds of tributes and thoughts about his life and ministry. They have blessed me while serving as a reminder of the significance one life can have over another.

Today I read a post that asked the question, “Who will be the next Peterson?” While I appreciate the question and wonder who will rise to promote a Godly life rooted in the spiritual disciplines, I also think about the unknown ways God uses us. I never met Eugene Peterson, other than through his written words, and yet he touched my life. His work also served as a tool to open discussions with another minister that molded my ministry.

Your life, whether you like it or not, is making an impact for God. Your actions, your words, the things you post on the internet, your volunteer service along with everything you do for the Lord are sending a message. You have the potential to impact people you have never met. You have the power to mold and shape people in profound ways by using how God has gifted you. While I like the question, I am not really worried about who will be the next Peterson. What concerns me is more personal, “Whose life will feel my impact like the one I felt from Eugene Peterson?” Whose life will be shaped by you and me?

Jesus longest recorded teaching is called the Sermon on the Mount. There he teaches his followers how to live the life God desires for them. The material is found in the Gospel according to Matthew chapters five, six and seven.

Within this body of teaching Jesus addresses a topic that is as applicable today as it was in his time. Matthew chapter six starts with Jesus saying, “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”

Jesus is very clear in his words; you probably do not need a commentary or preacher to explain them. He warns his followers not to make their life a public spectacle of our own righteous behavior. In fact, showy goodness has no reward from God. Sure, it might impress friends and convince people of your genuine kindness, but it will not have any impact on eternity.

To drive the point home, Jesus gives us three examples of this type of behavior. First, “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others.” (Matthew 6:2) Second, “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others.” (Matthew 6:5) Finally, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting.” (Matthew 6:16)

Each one of these examples that Jesus addresses are not hypothetical. The so-called religious people of his day practiced these regularly as s sign of their devotion to God. In every case Jesus reminds us that God is not getting the glory, rather the person doing the action is getting the praise.

I go to these words again and again in 2018. I believe social media is the new street corner. This is the place where people announce their good deeds with trumpet blasts to be seen by them. Let me ask you a couple of questions. What would happen if the next time you went to do some good deed you put your cell phone away? What would happen if you did not post any pictures on social media of your children’s selfless behavior? What would the result be if no one ever knew about anything you did for God? Jesus answers all those questions by saying “your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

I know you are proud of the good deeds that you or someone you love is doing. I know you want to let your family and friends see the things they are missing. I know you want to post it on social media as a place to receive a pat on the back. Go ahead and post it, just know that the reward you receive in the form of praise will not be from God.