The Best is Yet to Come

Today I took another step towards 40. I spent the with my wife and had a wonderful time just hanging out together, doing a little shopping and lunch in Southcenter. Later we got the kids from school and went to Jaiden's softball game. It was raining but I actually didn't mind. In all it was a wonderful day!

During my time with Angie, we briefly reflected on 37 years of life... God has been so good to me and has blessed my life. His faithfulness has been overwhelming, but I'm convinced that the best is yet to come!

Being married to Angie has been such an amazing journey: fun, full of life, and has caused me to grow in so many ways.I love her so much and know... the best is yet to come!

My daughters have captured my heart! I'm proud of them, and see God at work in their life. I love being with them, being their father, hearing them call ME dad... wow! It's been so much more than I could of ever imagined; but I know that the best is yet to come!

God's call in my life to be a pastor is still unbelievable. Seeing the power of God changing lives through the teaching of God's Word and ministering His grace is humbling. There's no way to measure the results of all that I believe God has done; but I believe that the best is yet to come!

My life hasn't been without pain, heartache or failure. I'm fortunate enough to have experienced joy, love and breakthroughs. Although I can say I'm blessed and content with what my life has experienced; I believe that God has greater things in store for me in all areas of my life!

So here's my birthday prayer: "God, thank you for a blessed life: for Your faithfulness and goodness to the plans You have had for me. Give me the wisdom and strength to continue living life according to Your desire. I believe and declare that with You, the best is yet to come!"

I'm an Ox

Today was an incredible day! I had the chance to listen to Christine Caine from Hillsong Church in Sydney Australia. Her love for Jesus Christ consumes her and she is passionate about the Kingdom of God and the local church. Some say "the church is the hope of the world", but she embodies this vision and is committed to raising the bar of what it means to be a Christian and serving the Church, for whom Jesus Christ died for.

He is MY Shepherd

My wife and I have been at Faith Family Church for 15 amazing years. We've seen God do incredible things and are honored to share in the ministry that God desires to accomplish here: seeing lives changed by the love of God through Jesus Christ. Loving people the way He does is a challenging task, but it's the joy of my life!.

I'm in just a few days into our 9week sabbatical, and so far it has been restful. We have some specific things planned: spending some quality time with the family, visiting strategic churches, and getting alone with God to seek direction for another 15+ years of pastoral ministry.

I'm going to be meditating on Psalm 23 over the next few weeks. I've read it several dozen times before, even preached a few series from it, but I believe this is a key passage that God is wanting for me to meditate on.

He is MY Shepherd... in all areas of my life: fitness, family, finances, faith, relationships and His church. I'm excited for the days ahead!

Mother's Day in Heaven?

Today was mother's day, and I really enjoyed the day! We kicked it off with our church family; worship was amazing, honored mothers/women, and built up our faith by looking at Matthew 15. It was a great way to start the day!

Afterwards we went to the in-laws. Did some BBQ and played baseball for a few hours outside with the whole family. Lot's of laughs, not to mention good exercise.

This was the first Mother's Day without my mom since she died back in August. I really miss her... My heart was flooded with memories: her laugh, phrases she would say, her unique way of dressing... the way she would pick up my hand and squeeze it; as if to say so much more than she could ever express.

I know it sounds funny, but I even dressed up, wearing a suit and tie today. She always said (in her broken English): "Son, you are pastor now. No more jean... more classy. Wear suit... you know, more classy."

We picked up some flowers and stopped by the grave-site to drop off some flowers and a letter my daughter Mikayla wrote. Standing there still seemed like it was unreal.

I wonder if God has a dedicated Mother's Day? I wonder what it would be like? Does He give out chocolates? Picnic on the clouds, or Juniper? Maybe He allows them to see the intersections of impact and influence that they made in our lives while they were still here? Or maybe some sneak peaks of the blessings He has in store for the days ahead of us?

I'm sure it's more beautiful than I can imagine. I hope you were honored today mom... not just by me, but by the Creator Himself.