The Older I Get...The More I Wonder???

Recently I was given the senior's discount at Bob Evan's. I have to admit that I found it rather offensive, after all, I'm only 47 and the discount is for those who are 55 and older. I am a middle aged man doing my best to remain young, to act my age, and to look relevant. I wear jeans and my shirts untucked, I wear Ed Hardy tennis shoes, I'm open to all sorts of music and events, I'm not old and I refuse to think that way!

But I've noticed that the older I get the more I wonder about things. Each generation has it's own sounds and views, they create their own look and culture. I have no problem with that, in fact, I want to embrace it, realizing there will be places I won't fit, things I won't understand, and things I won't agree with...I have no issue with that either!

As a pastor I want to lead my people into new pastures, to feed them fresh food, to be cutting edge, walking and living in present truth, to be a part of what God is saying and doing right now. And this is where I wonder most, because as much as I love and embrace new music, new methods, new mannerisms, I also believe that the Gospel is simple, that Jesus is source of life, that the Word of God has the answers to all of life's questions, that the Holy Spirit able to direct and empower us, and that the church remains relevant in an ever changing society.

What is it that makes life so complicated? Why is it that people no longer accept the simple truth that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life? How do we reach this generation with the simple truth?

Just thinking out loud!

Neil

This Is It!

I was reading II Chronicles 2 this week and got inspired, the first verse says that Solomon was determined to build a house for the Lord, he asked God to allow him to do what his father David desired to do but couldn't. When God released him to move forward Solomon became determined to proceed.

It reminded me of those times in our lives when we have to make up our minds that this is it, I've moving forward regardless of what anyone else says or thinks. There has to be an inner tenacity that says, this is it, I've heard from God, I know what is in my spirit, and nothing is going to stop me!

Have you had a this is it moment?

It's Time To Turn Around

2010 has been an interesting year in my life to say the least. I started the year off by having a heart attack while preaching New Years day, was rushed to the hospital and had a stent put in only to find out that I would also need open heart surgery. To make matters worse we had no medical insurance so the hospital I was at would not allow me to come back for the surgery, instead they sent me home to rest and build up my heart and find someone to do my surgery. The Lord provided and on February 9th I had triple bypass at Mercy Hospital in Fairfield, OH. During this time I have found myself hiding, not depressed or feeling sorry for myself, just hiding, not allowing creativity to flow through me, I've quit writing, and simply hidden myself from things I have always valued. For me it's time to turn around, to get back on track and to follow the flow of direction that is in my heart. It's amazing how easily we get distracted, kind of like looking off to the side while driving, one minute the car is going straight down the road and the next your in the middle of the road with cars honking at you...you're still on the road, just not where you're supposed to be. Sometimes you have to turn around and get back on track...that's what I'm trying to do today, get back on track!