Frustrated

I'm frustrated about today's service

I'm frustrated that things didn't go like I had hoped

I'm frustrated that the response time was cut short by computer failure

I'm frustrated that I feel like I have to justify why the response time was cut short (see above) to people who left more concerned about the lack of an "invitation" than with a concern about what God wanted to say to them

I'm frustrated that our service seems to fall flat

I'm frustrated that all of this bothers me so much

I'm frustrated that I don't know what to do

Thought for the day

Here is a quote by a non-Christian from a book I'm reading.

"Religion always seemed too personal for me to take advice about it from people I don't know."

Think about it.

Violet Burning

When I was in high school, my friend Matt had a cd by the group Violet Burning, which had one of the greatest songs I have ever heard on it. The song was called "The Killing". Over the last several years, I have not been able to get a copy of the song or the cd, but I wanted to share the lyrics with you. It is very powerful to me and brings back a lot of memories of trying to follow Christ when I was a teenager.


Can you feel the pain he feels
As the nails go through his hands?
Driving them in deeper
Bloody red hands
A crown of thorns on his head
"Come down from there!" they cried.
"You saved others, can't you save yourself?"

Blindfolded, the soldiers demand prophecy
"Who is hitting you now?"
"Who is hitting you now?"
"Why don't you tell us? I thought you were the Son of God"
"Who is hitting you now?"
"Take him away!"

Oh they're killing my Lord
Oh oh they're killing my Lord
Like a lamb in the slaughter is sheared
So he never spoke a word
Oh oh they're killing my Lord

By the power of God
Day became as dark as night
The curtain torn in two
"It is finished!"
They spit on him and mock his name
Very much like the world today
Beat him, laugh at him
"Ha ha ha ha"

Oh they're killing my Lord
Oh oh they're killing my Lord
Like a lamb in the slaughter is sheared
So he never spoke a word
Oh oh they're killing my Lord

Can you feel the pain he feels
As the nails go through his hands?
Cause they're driving them in deeper
Deeper deeper deeper
Can you feel it?
Can you feel it?

Showers

I'm really starting to dread taking a shower every morning. It seems like every time I turn around it's time to get up and take another shower, and I don't know how much longer I can take it. I know that a shower doesn't seem like much and I do like to be clean. If I don't take a shower in the morning, I feel "cheesy" all day. It's not the shower its self I don't like, but the fact that it signifies a new day is beginning. Again, the start of a new day may on the surface seem like a good thing, but to me it just reminds me that I didn't accomplish much the day before and today doesn't hold many prospects either. It's the fact that the shower has become the anchor point of my day, not the small task I have to do to get on to the good stuff.

Days are flying by and the reason I know this is because it's always time for another shower. The fact that I'm even writing about showers, should tell you where my life is now. I'm just hoping that soon a shower will just be a shower, and not a point of philosophy in my life.

Another great story

Ray of Hope

October invite weekend

Don't forget this weekend is our Invite weekend for October, and we will be having a guest speaker at church on Sunday. So, invite someone to breakfast, to a game, to your home, to go look at motorcycles you'll never buy, to a concert, to go shoe shopping, to join you at a cake decorating class, to go camping, to watch 13 straight hours of college football, to pick up trash at the local park, to put away shopping carts a Wal-mart, to go to church, to write a novel, or what every else comes to mind. The point is, just invite someone to be apart of your life this weekend, so in turn you can be apart of theirs.

Good story

I just wanted to pass on this link about a story I think you will like.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=3059155#

Books

Here is a list of books that I would recommend. You've probably already read them or heard of them but I just thought I would pass along some of my favorites. I recommend them not just because they were a good read, but they challenge me to go back to God's word and look at it with new eyes.

Velvet Elvis--Rob Bell

Blue Like Jazz--Donald Miller
Searching for God Knows What--Donald Miller

Jim and Casper Go to Church--Jim and Casper

Under the Overpass--Mike Yankoski

Confessions of a Pastor--Craig Groeschel

Music recommendation: John Waller "The Blessing"

I'm thinking about a job

I'm thinking about getting another job. Now before you jump up and down and start screaming with delight, I'll still be pastor at Arch. (sorry to disappoint) But seriously, I'm considering looking for a part-time job that would allow me to get out in the "world" and be involved with people. Maybe 2-3 days a week, with no nights or weekends. I don't want to substitute teach, because basically your time is spent playing babysitter/cop for the day and that's not quite what I'm looking for. However, we are in Portales so jobs like I'm thinking of are hard to come by. I just want something that doesn't require to much brain power, but would allow me to work with customers and be around new people.

God has called us to be out among people, and for me this seems like a great way to do just that. So, if you know of any possibilities, please let me know. Also, if you have any ideas on how our church can be doing more ministry outside of our building, than I would love to hear them.