Well,
I spent the whole first morning in Chicago at the Willow Creek conference distracted.
Because I could not stop thinking about our experience on Tuesday.
A room full of pastors from Methodist churches, some that are growing, some that are shrinking, some that are 6 months old, some that are 100 years old . . . .
A room full of new deacons, new pastors, and new lay leaders.
A room full of ready to retire deacons, pastors and lay leaders.
A room full of people who had been to 25 annual conferences, and some for whom this was the first.
A room full open and closed minds
A room full of people . .. Some fully surrendered, some partially surrendered.
All coming together to do the work of the denomination . .. And believe me, it was denomination driven work.
And for two brief moments, that work stopped and worship bgan.
I know looking out and seeing tears, raised hands, blank stares,smiling faces, bowed heads, open mouths . . . That room full of people praised God as one body of believers.
And God saw it fit to put us there to lead it, to participate in it, to plan it, to serve Him by serving those people in that room. Thank You God for that honor and blessing. Thank You for allowing us to serve You in this way.
Thanks to all who served. It was a blast to hang out with you all.
The God moments for me were:
The story of the girl and the mosquito bite
The offering being tossed into the net onstage, and John Wagner throwing in the first dollar
The song THE STAND – looking out and seeing a room full of pastors and lay people standing with arms raised and hearts abandoned.
Yes, you can play the grand piano (may be a self centered God moment, but I was so thrilled)
Keison playing basketball with the kids
Standing on the dock looking at the water
The time in the cabin with the group – maybe the conversation was not God focused all the time, but the fellowship was spiritual.
We are starting the planning for an extended tour either in late 08 or early 09. We have to do it.
Thanks again.
Peace
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
SO far . . .
We started at at 5:00 for the WEST OHIO ANNUAL CONFERENCE. All was going well on the hottest day of the year so far.
We started out with WAY TOO MANY vehicles, but in the end it worked out great. The heat on the bus drove 4 people out.
Then we started to see the storm in the distance. While our hunger grew, the storm clouds grew.
When it was time to pull over into McDonalds all H E DOUBLETOOTHPICKS broke loose.
Anthony' bus saw lighting strike and restaurant sign, then they saw a chunk of that hit the bus.
My van pulled into the closest parking spot and we ran for the door, into a powerless McDonald's.
STAY AWAY FROM THE WINDOWS is how they greeted us.
NEEDLESS to say, we got a bit behind in our driving, but that was OK because we got a call from the Annual Conference saying that they were going to evacuate the facility there due to a tornado warning . . .
Our final events of the day were:
NO SOUND CHECK in the evening or in the morning
NO POWER CORD FOR THE KEYBOARD - which by the way Donnie incredibly whittled one out of a boombox power cord . . .. seriously
HOTEL 40 minutes away
FRENCH FRIES at midnight
EARLY CALL TUE morning.
GOD - You are amazing. Even with small obstacles in our way, it is our passion to serve YOU that drives us today. To see a room full of pastors and lay leaders worshiping - shouting praises to YOU - makes any storm seem minuscule. Let us keep the focus on YOU . . . as we love our our Lord with all of our hearts, soul, mind and strength.
Amen
Peace
Paul
We started at at 5:00 for the WEST OHIO ANNUAL CONFERENCE. All was going well on the hottest day of the year so far.
We started out with WAY TOO MANY vehicles, but in the end it worked out great. The heat on the bus drove 4 people out.
Then we started to see the storm in the distance. While our hunger grew, the storm clouds grew.
When it was time to pull over into McDonalds all H E DOUBLETOOTHPICKS broke loose.
Anthony' bus saw lighting strike and restaurant sign, then they saw a chunk of that hit the bus.
My van pulled into the closest parking spot and we ran for the door, into a powerless McDonald's.
STAY AWAY FROM THE WINDOWS is how they greeted us.
NEEDLESS to say, we got a bit behind in our driving, but that was OK because we got a call from the Annual Conference saying that they were going to evacuate the facility there due to a tornado warning . . .
Our final events of the day were:
NO SOUND CHECK in the evening or in the morning
NO POWER CORD FOR THE KEYBOARD - which by the way Donnie incredibly whittled one out of a boombox power cord . . .. seriously
HOTEL 40 minutes away
FRENCH FRIES at midnight
EARLY CALL TUE morning.
GOD - You are amazing. Even with small obstacles in our way, it is our passion to serve YOU that drives us today. To see a room full of pastors and lay leaders worshiping - shouting praises to YOU - makes any storm seem minuscule. Let us keep the focus on YOU . . . as we love our our Lord with all of our hearts, soul, mind and strength.
Amen
Peace
Paul
Monday, June 9, 2008
Before you leave on a trip
It takes more energy to try and remember not to forget anything, than it does to turn the car around . . . .
Sunday, June 8, 2008
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Getting ready for my first road trip with the Ginghamsburg Music Ministry. My hopes:
1 - we don't get lost
2 - we find a place to eat
3 - we remain focused
4 - we don't forget any equipment
5 -God uses us to ignite cooled hearts for Christ
1 - we don't get lost
2 - we find a place to eat
3 - we remain focused
4 - we don't forget any equipment
5 -God uses us to ignite cooled hearts for Christ
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