Hi Friends,
It has been so long that I've blogged that I had to do the "long" sign-in process. As many of you are aware, I've been getting ready for a missions trip to Africa. I will be taking an extended hiatus from this blog through the end of the summer. I know that this kind of tact is a "blog" killer, but that is how things are right now.
I'm running pretty hard these days, figuratively and literally.
There are also some changes on the horizon with this place I've called home on the Internet the last couple of years. You'll know when I know about those changes - for the better - when they happen. Thanks so much for reading over my thoughts about life during this time, and I look forward in September to sharing with you about my latest escapades on the Faith Journey Adventure!
Blessings,
Pastor Mike Johnson
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Plan the Work and Work the Plan
It was the last day of school for my kids today. Now I'm thinking that the "real" education begins - summer as a teenager! I'm trying to figure out who is going to get the knowledge, the kids or the parents...
I've been scrambling to get details done for my up coming trip to Burundi and Kenya where I'll be teaching in a couple pastor's conferences and one with the equivalent of our "Fortune 500" for business leaders in Kenya. I'm getting pretty excited about the impact this time will have not only in the lives of the pastors we'll serve, but on the congregations that they lead. In every sense it is "nation building." Myself and my cohorts will have opportunity to help move the body of Christ ahead for a nation.
What an utterly humbling privilege...
In the midst of the planning and running around (yesterday was my visa disaster - I had forgotten to get the process going with the Burundian Embassy), I'm also chasing after our two son's sports. Our oldest is in two football combine/camps this weekend in the Willamette Valley, and the youngest is playing junior golf. He played today and beat his youth pastor...OUCH! Kyle has his first tournament on Monday and seems to be taking to the sport like a fish to water.
On top of this schedule, I'm still putting my Africa sessions together and preaching/teaching a series at Faith on last days Bible prophecy. Yes my head is spinning a little bit.
I'm reminding myself again that if I don't take time to spiritually replenish my batteries that none of this great activity will matter in the end as I will have missed the point of it all. I'm reminded of Bill Hybels, pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois. I heard him speak at a conference in about 1990 where I talked about running his life at such high RPM's that he was flaming out. He was running all over the country talking about the great things that he was doing at his church that he literally caught himself burning the candle at both ends.
Yup, that candle eventually meets in the middle...and then you're toast...
It seems to me that the only thing that should get toasted in this life are the marshmallows we put on the end of a stick and hold over the proverbial flame because we've got our feet up and relaxing. I've discovered along the Faith Journey that I've spent too many days working when I should have been playing more...with my wife and kids. I'm working at the whole balance thing in my life, something I'm certain will always be a struggle in some form or another. But right now I am in one of those cycles and I feel the squeeze is on. I can make all kinds of promises that things will be different after this trip is over, but frankly that just won't do. We need to plan the work and then work the plan.
If only we all did this more...
I've been scrambling to get details done for my up coming trip to Burundi and Kenya where I'll be teaching in a couple pastor's conferences and one with the equivalent of our "Fortune 500" for business leaders in Kenya. I'm getting pretty excited about the impact this time will have not only in the lives of the pastors we'll serve, but on the congregations that they lead. In every sense it is "nation building." Myself and my cohorts will have opportunity to help move the body of Christ ahead for a nation.
What an utterly humbling privilege...
In the midst of the planning and running around (yesterday was my visa disaster - I had forgotten to get the process going with the Burundian Embassy), I'm also chasing after our two son's sports. Our oldest is in two football combine/camps this weekend in the Willamette Valley, and the youngest is playing junior golf. He played today and beat his youth pastor...OUCH! Kyle has his first tournament on Monday and seems to be taking to the sport like a fish to water.
On top of this schedule, I'm still putting my Africa sessions together and preaching/teaching a series at Faith on last days Bible prophecy. Yes my head is spinning a little bit.
I'm reminding myself again that if I don't take time to spiritually replenish my batteries that none of this great activity will matter in the end as I will have missed the point of it all. I'm reminded of Bill Hybels, pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois. I heard him speak at a conference in about 1990 where I talked about running his life at such high RPM's that he was flaming out. He was running all over the country talking about the great things that he was doing at his church that he literally caught himself burning the candle at both ends.
Yup, that candle eventually meets in the middle...and then you're toast...
It seems to me that the only thing that should get toasted in this life are the marshmallows we put on the end of a stick and hold over the proverbial flame because we've got our feet up and relaxing. I've discovered along the Faith Journey that I've spent too many days working when I should have been playing more...with my wife and kids. I'm working at the whole balance thing in my life, something I'm certain will always be a struggle in some form or another. But right now I am in one of those cycles and I feel the squeeze is on. I can make all kinds of promises that things will be different after this trip is over, but frankly that just won't do. We need to plan the work and then work the plan.
If only we all did this more...
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Position
Hi Friends,
I've had trouble with internet access and work schedule. The post following this one is from last night.
I have an update for those who follow this blog. After one week of practice, my son Kyle made the cut to join the Central Oregon Junior Golf Association. He's pretty excited and so are we. He's doing something that he's clearly better at than his brother.
No more shadow...
In the five hole qualifier, he hit the green three times off the tee. His only problem was that he couldn't putt to save his life, making his score incredibly close to not making it. It makes sense though. He had a total of 20 minutes time learning how to put exactly two days before the qualifier. Watching him that evening I knew it clearly wasn't enough time.
We can fix the putting thing. What doesn't need to be fixed is the smile on his face. I can already feel the joy he's going to have when he gets his older brother out on the course this summer. He's going to give him a beating that the older brother will long remember.
Yes, the older boy is THAT bad at golf...
I have good news and great news about our oldest son as well, a junior in high school. Zach was selected second team all-league at second base. That's the good news. The great news is that he doesn't play second base. In essence, he's a utility player. He can pretty much play anywhere on the field with excellence. A great baseball player, they started moving him around like this during his freshman year. It has been frustrating to never have a position. That's why he wants to play football in college.
And probably will...
Thinking about having position, our position in Christ does not change unless WE want it too. He loved us first, with arms spread wide on a cross 2,000 years ago. It's my decision whether or not I want to be on His team - not anyone else's. It is a marvelous thought to have position in His kingdom! My function on His team is all about how He has made me. Christ needs for me to be the best "me" I can be - with His help.
I'm so glad God calls us to play a position that we were "made" for...
I've had trouble with internet access and work schedule. The post following this one is from last night.
I have an update for those who follow this blog. After one week of practice, my son Kyle made the cut to join the Central Oregon Junior Golf Association. He's pretty excited and so are we. He's doing something that he's clearly better at than his brother.
No more shadow...
In the five hole qualifier, he hit the green three times off the tee. His only problem was that he couldn't putt to save his life, making his score incredibly close to not making it. It makes sense though. He had a total of 20 minutes time learning how to put exactly two days before the qualifier. Watching him that evening I knew it clearly wasn't enough time.
We can fix the putting thing. What doesn't need to be fixed is the smile on his face. I can already feel the joy he's going to have when he gets his older brother out on the course this summer. He's going to give him a beating that the older brother will long remember.
Yes, the older boy is THAT bad at golf...
I have good news and great news about our oldest son as well, a junior in high school. Zach was selected second team all-league at second base. That's the good news. The great news is that he doesn't play second base. In essence, he's a utility player. He can pretty much play anywhere on the field with excellence. A great baseball player, they started moving him around like this during his freshman year. It has been frustrating to never have a position. That's why he wants to play football in college.
And probably will...
Thinking about having position, our position in Christ does not change unless WE want it too. He loved us first, with arms spread wide on a cross 2,000 years ago. It's my decision whether or not I want to be on His team - not anyone else's. It is a marvelous thought to have position in His kingdom! My function on His team is all about how He has made me. Christ needs for me to be the best "me" I can be - with His help.
I'm so glad God calls us to play a position that we were "made" for...
Commodities
Tami and I went to a barbeque for the varsity baseball team at my kid’s high school. It rained like I was living back in the Seattle area, where I grew up. We only get about 15 inches a year, max. Sunshine is the great commodity of Central Oregon – that’s why we live here.
Grace and mercy are among the valuable commodities of the Kingdom of Heaven. Just for one of those reasons it is worth serving Christ. The great news is, the Kingdom of Heaven has many more wonderful commodities for life. It’s like winning the lottery without buying a ticket…
He paid it all…for all who’ll believe.
Grace and mercy are among the valuable commodities of the Kingdom of Heaven. Just for one of those reasons it is worth serving Christ. The great news is, the Kingdom of Heaven has many more wonderful commodities for life. It’s like winning the lottery without buying a ticket…
He paid it all…for all who’ll believe.
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