Monday... One last thought on Monday. I loved hanging with some of the brightest minds I know. I was able to ask some questions about High Point and get some Ideas. I love hanging with people smarter then me.
Tuesday... This was a gauntlet of a day.
- It started, after a tough night sleep in a strange bed, early. We went to the national headquarters of the Assemblies of God and started our day with chapel. It was the Christian honky-tonk version of Mannheim Steamroller. I know, Strange.
- We spent from 9 am until after 1:30 with Dr. Wood. He is an amazingly charismatic, intelligent and genuine man. We from our youthfully perspective were able to interpret our lay of the land for him and he in his wise and stately position was able to walk us through some very important steps he is planning to help the AG become more relevant for the next generation.
- I am more convinced that you can tell a lot about the stories a leader tells. Dr. Wood told some amazing Stories. He has an office full of paintings and pictures and an amazing piece made of sheep's wool. Each piece has a story behind it and many of the pieces speak to Gods amazing work behind the scenes of humanity. I love hearing stories about God's work in the supernatural.
- We talked about everything from who would be a good council speaker to how do we get more young ministers involved. We spoke passionately and he listened then asked more questions. It was a treat.
- We meet with GPH the printing and publishing arm of the AG. That was an interesting meeting. They are doing well fiscally but out of touch to the more contemporary new church like the five of our churches. I think they heard an honest assessment of what we were looking for and I am hopeful that they will begin to make some changes to resource us, the local church. It is a hard line between satisfying your bottom line and resourcing your churches. I think that there is a market that might take some time to build that will accomplish both more effectively.
- Dinner- Dr Wood brought us to his new home which was a fantastic place. He laughingly said, "I have always wanted a home with a view." It has that. We at together and laughed together for a long time we talked about Dr. Gene Scott and Dr Wood made this statement. "He knew about God enough to talk about him. But he know Who God was enough to not talk directly to him." (This Guy was a brilliant theologian that became wacky on a TV show and became a negative and loony example of a television preacher.) We talked about life in ministry and for us Young Bucks it was fun to hear the years of ministry experience come through. We were able to ask open and honest questions about beliefs, methodology, experience and life in ministry. He shared his life with us and we were so much the better for it.
- We prayed at the end of the night and I found it to be the most energizing time we had.
I walked into this day not knowing what to expect and what to think. I walked out Feeling a confirmation that we have the right leader in the right position. It was a truly spectacular day.
Wednesday- I flew home and felt like my little girl had grown another inch longer. We went to lunch and spent time together at the MOA. I love Tuchi Benuchi so we had a little chicken Parm. Later we watched the show "Life" it is a fun and interesting show.
Thursday- FULL Day! I started the day at the office cleaning up projects... then went to chapel at NCu to hear my uncle preach a great message about doing ministry in the rural setting. It isn't for me but it sounded good. Then I rushed down to meet my old Youth Pastor for lunch. He is coming to speak for us one of these weeks. I am so excited to share him with you. He was foundational in my life. I have so many stories about him and trips we went on and times we had. I will save them for another time. Then I went back to the office to clean up more work. The sermon I had been working On i felt I needed to change so Went back to the drawing board and then... Off to a fund raising dinner at "The Depot" down town for NCU.
I look forward to this every year. I get to see old friends and make new ones. It is a blast. E and I give every year. I thoroughly believe in education and one day will go on to get my masters degree...
Friday- Message day... Then Connection group...
I love my connection group. we have such good conversations. We talked about scripture. It was refreshing.
Then I watched "Transformers" truly more than meets the eye.
Saturday- I slept in a little this morning. I am trying to catch you up and get back to my message.
***Final Thoughts***
I am truly humbled at what God has given me. I Think about the church and the home and wife and child I have. Some days it is good just to think about all the beauty in your life.
Psalm 19 speaks of the heavens declaring the glory of God. I think about how my life declares the glory of God. I am truly not the cause of what is good in my life. It is truly God!
Comments