too free

This dude is unreal.

He does more than “Snowboard”…I’m beginning to believe that snow falls so that Shaun White will try a new trick.  If you’ve never seen him, you’re missing out.  He knows his sport…he loves his sport…he attacks his sport because it defines him.  He maintains a passion for bringing others along with him…so as to share the journey.

He makes me consider where my own passion has gone.  I entered ministry with a passion for lost people.  We each, supposedly, entered God’s family with a passion for making some kind of spiritual difference.  Where is that passion now?  What is it that makes us lose our passion for making a “God” change in this world?  Maybe we become too open to the “things” of the world…maybe we just haven’t figured out how to use “the world” to the benefit of “God’s Kingdom”.  I don’t know, but I do know that (at least in my life) it’s time for a change.

May our Spiritual passions be reignited each and every day.

“Alan Hirsch discussed doing church like a virus during Verge Conference’s 2nd session. Here is what he said:  Viruses can teach us a lot of things. You can be infected by an idea.  In 11 iterations of a U.S. Christian discipling 3 people then them doing the same, you’d pretty much cover all of America. What if each church committed to plant 3 churches in its lifetime?  If we want to reproduce, we need to have something that is reproducible. If it can’t be easily passed on to another, then you shouldn’t do it.  Big budgeted churches are clunky and not easily reproduced. Paul planted a church in 9 days. If your concept of leadership takes 7 years of seminary, it is too complicated.”

Is your church reproducible?  Yowza!

Up at 5:20.

Drove 40 miles to pick up 50 kids (all in 60 minutes).

Stopped at “Bubba’s” for a small bite to eat (very small…seeing how they couldn’t get the order right and I ended up eating an egg and drinking a Dr. Pepper).

Reading “In The Name of Jesus” by Nouwen.  I’m glad it’s an easy read…but not sure what I think so far.  I suppose I’ll wrap it up today and then re-read it tomorrow just to see how it applies.  After that I’ll begin “Leaders Who Last” by Margaret J. Marcuson.  This book is another one of those “Systems” books.  It seems to be written differently than Steinke and others but I’ve been told that it will be a blessing to this ministry.

Still trying to get out of a house that has mold (searching for a new home is easy…acquiring a mortgage in this new culture of “non-lenders” is crummy).  Pray that we see a positive end to this situation soon…the wife is losin’ it.

This is my journal for the day.  I promise to commit to you a day at a time.

JM

I had the opportunity to meet with some ministers yesterday (Jim, Ray, Charlie, Alan, Jordan).  We met all day.  They encouraged me.  They prayed with me.  I hope I was an encouragement to them as well.  I’m learning much these days.  Learning that my view of things is narrow and limp.  Learning that the beginning of things truly is in prayer.  Do you ever feel tested?  Do you figure God has such great plans for you that he requires you to go through varying circumstances just so you might be prepared for your eventual work?  We’ve been dwelling on the work of prayer over the last 4 weeks.  Did I mention I have a new steering wheel in my life???  Yeah, it’s called prayer.  I’m figuring out that prayer wasn’t designed to be the spare tire that I’ve made it out to be.

God, may I become the man you need me to become.  I know I may regret asking that, but as unprepared as I am, I think I’m finally ready to begin.  I finally understand that I have no control.  I get that I’m too “into me”.  I know that I lack much.  Lord, guide my way…may my attention be on you…and may the voids in me be filled with your love, mercy and grace.  Amen.

If you are an alumnus of MBC and were unable to attend the meeting, let me know and I’ll try to brief you with a brief synopsis.

You can email me at magbible@gmail.com and we’ll chat.

JM

I learned something today, last weekend, last year…

We really do need each other.

I need my wife (emotionally, spiritually, physically, psychologically) to be available, loving and real (and she is).

I need Allen Coker to be someone I can confide in…to be the wall I bounce ideas off of…to keep me honest.

I need my church family to tell me when my sermons stink…and to tell me when my sermons sink into their hearts.

I need my local donut shop lady to always have a blueberry donut at the ready.

I need my Jr. High kids on my bus route to keep me “cool” (don’t laugh).

I need you to read this and know that I love you…no matter who you are.

What do you need?

Just a note…

It is good to have friends you can brainstorm with…bounce ideas off of…and formulate thoughts with.  If you usually try to go it alone in your life, may I suggest you find one person you can spend time with on a weekly basis just to help yourself grow.  I’ve been given the opportunity to formulate a long-term series of lessons with a close friend and it is already looking to be something that will bless both of our church families.

Thanks, Allen.

There is an alumni meeting scheduled for Friday and Saturday, September 25-26.  It will be in Jackson, MS at the Hampton Inn (I believe).  For more info please contact Danny Jackson at 662-274-0233.

I will be unable to attend but hope to be able to Skype in on someone’s computer.

JM