Wednesday, May 12, 2010

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

Thursday, May 06, 2010

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?