Tomorrow marks three weeks since the day I pledged my heart to the girl I love! It has been absolutely AMAZING so far.
After a beautiful ceremony and reception spent with all the people that we love the most – much thanks to Katie’s parents for all that – we headed out on a two week honeymoon. I am so glad for this restful and exciting time to get to recover from the intensity of the months of planning and preparation amid our already busy lives.
Katie is all that I ever could have hoped for in a wife. I am so glad that God has joined us together, and I am absolutely LOVING being married to her. She is sweet and kind, intelligent, funny and considerate. I praise God for bringing such an amazing partner to me. Together we will experience all of life’s joys and sorrows.
I see so clearly now the importance of the foundations God laid in my life as a single man. The years of character building are worth their weight in gold.
In many ways, I really liked being single, pursuing God and advancing His Kingdom. That season was great while it was the center of God’s will for my life, but now I’m in a new season. Still passionately pursuing Jesus, but now with a spouse.
I love Katie, and I love being married. Praise God who gives all good gifts. This is certainly the most valuable gift he has ever given me outside of the gift of Himself.
What are you most thankful for at this stage of your life?
A New Strategy for Ministry Growth
September 17th, 2009I love strategic thinking and I love creativity. God made us creative beings and He gave us minds to to reason with. However, while I think we should think strategically and we should use our creativity to the glory of God, I think many 21st century Christians have a really inflated view about the importance of these things within church life and ministry.
Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know you are my disciples.” (John 13:34-35)
He didn’t say everyone will absolutely flock to your church if you have the most cool environment. He didn’t say that if your graphic design is really provocative people will recognize your faith is superior. He said “love one another”, in the way that He loved us. “By this all men will know.”
If you’re rude, sarcastic, mean spirited and unkind to people around you, unbelievers who who see or experience such attitudes and behavior could care less about any of your other attempts to be relevant or your creative ideas to win them over.
So I ask you, are you loving those in your campus ministry and in your church the way that Jesus loves you? His love is expansive. (Ephesians 1) And His love isn’t rude or unkind; it never fails. (I Cor. 13)
In the midst of the craziness of life and ministry efforts let’s make sure we are getting that part right. Let’s not major on the minors while abandoning the essentials.
Obedience to Jesus may not be particularly creative or new, but it is definitely the most strategic thing you will ever do.
Love one another!
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Posted in Cultural Commentary, Theology
Tags: Leadership love ministry strategy