commitment, conviction, journey

This morning, as I was enjoying a little SportsCenter and a cup of ghetto coffee (made at home, plain black), a commercial for the NCAA winter championships came on.  I listened to it and then backed it up to hear it again. As I listened for a second time I could have sworn that I was listening to a definition of amazing ministry.  

Commitment, conviction and journey were highlighted.  The commercial mentioned frustrating times, bumps in the road, changing direction, etc. You're with me aren't you????  No where did I see or hear, give up, quit, or walk away.  Like I said, ministry!!

The last word they used was difference.  Are we not called to make a difference in this world by making Jesus famous by our commitment to Him?   

Here's what the commercial said; "The bump in the road.....frustrating times...testing our commitment, our resolve.....forcing us to change direction, to charge forward with conviction...blaze a new trail, a journey to the unknown...but it might be where you find...the difference." 

Okay, seriously, read it again.  It does something to you doesn't it? 

are these ever right?

I took the 43 Things Personality Quiz and found out I'm a Spiritual Self-Knowing Extrovert

the end

This past weekend my husband and daughter were out of town at a volleyball tournament. They visited a church and were challenged to think about the past year. My husband loved the message and when he got home decided to pay it forward to the team of salesmen he leads on a daily basis. The response has been amazing! Most of his team members do not attend church on a regular basis, what a great "ice breaker" for my husband to share his passion for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!!

I asked him what the questions were and he handed me the notes from the weekend. What a wonderful man I am married to! I took a little time and answered the questions. I was challenged, maybe you will be too.

Where have you been this year?
What do I want to celebrate about his year?
What do I need to grieve?
What was life-giving and energizing to me?
What was life-draining or deflating to me?
Where have I seen God at work in my life?
Where have I seen evidence of God's care?

Where am I today?
How would I describe my current relationship with God?
What is my body been telling me about my life and pace?
What are people noticing about me?
What is energizing or exciting to me right now?
What obstacles or challenges are in front of me?
What am I saying to myself about them?
How might God's perspective be different than mine?
What do I sense that God wants to say to me today?

Where do I want to go?
Where do I sense that God is calling me to invest my life?
What will my life look like if I follow God in this area?
What are the steps I need to take to move forward?
How do I need to relate differently to others in my community?

Yay for 2009 y'all!!

Not your usual church service

What an amazing day!

Today, as the Lord lead, Pastor Bil followed. It wasn't 3 songs, a message, and pray 'em out. Today it was a moving of the Spirit that left me in awe. Pastor Bil made it interesting by inviting the youth to join service. The youth lined the floor on the front of the stage as well as in the isles. As Bil challenged the big "C" church to believe in the next generation, he invited Jason and Lindsey Gerdes up on stage to thank them and to pray over them. It didn't stop there......

As the students, leaders and Pastor Jason & Lindsey returned to the youth area, they circled them and the prayer continued. It didn't stop there.......

Jason shared from his heart what he wants for each student that passes through the doors of Element Student Church, he wants them to pursue God with all they've got. Not get caught up in doing and saying the right thing, but purely chasing after God. Then Lindsey, through tears, begged each student not to leave that room without knowing Jesus as their Savior. It didn't stop there.....

Nicole and Emmi sat at a table holding hands with tears in their eyes. I saw them from the back of the room and sat down next to them. I asked if they were okay, they nodded but did not speak. I then asked the question, do you know Jesus? They both said no. I asked them if they would like to pray right now to receive the gift of eternal life. They both made the choice to follow Jesus. I told them after we prayed that there were angels rejoicing in Heaven. We all three cried.

The greatest part is, it doesn't stop here.

Tribes

"Tribes" by Seth Godin is a fantastic read. Short, sweet, to the point and filled with leadership inspiration!

"If you ignore this opportunity to lead, you risk turning into a "sheepwalker" -someone who fights to protect the status quo at all costs..."

"Some tribes are stuck. They embrace the status quo and drown out any tribe member who dares to question authority and the accepted order."

"A movement is thrilling. It's the work of many people, all connected, all seeking something better. The new highly leveraged tools of the Net make it easier than ever to create a movement, to make things happen, to get things done. All that's missing is leadership."

"Once you choose to lead, you'll be under huge pressure to reconsider your choice, to compromise, to dumb it down, or to give up. Of course you will. That's the world's job to get you to be quiet and follow."

"Leaders challenge the status quo. Leaders create a culture around their goal and involve others in that culture. Leaders have an extraordinary about of curiosity about the world they're trying to change. Leaders use charisma (in a variety of forms) to attract and motivate followers. Leaders communicate their vision of the future. Leaders commit to a vision and make decisions based on that commitment. Leaders connect their followers to one another."

No status quo......I choose to lead!!

Dave Wakerley hits the nail on the head

There are times when I read someone's blog that I get really fired up, this is one of those times. It doesn't seem like the most profound comment, but to someone who wants children to be the leaders God has called them to be....well, it just hits the nail on the head. Enjoy!!

www.davidwakerley.com

Dave writes;

I just read a short article in which Mark Batterson was talking about a book by Garry Kasparov titled “How Life Imitates Chess”.

Kasparov won his first world-championship chess match in 1985 and he dominated the chess qworld for several decades. In the book he shares some of the lessons he learned. Here is one of them: “A Grandmaster makes the best moves because they are based on what he wants the board to look like ten or twenty moves in the future.”

That is exactly why I serve children.

In their hands is the future - ten or twenty, or fifty years in the future.

Amen brother Dave!

Remington 11-87 wooden barrel interchangeable choke

Moving to Texas has allowed me and my family several new opportunities. We have become a surfing family, my dogs have embraced wave riding as well. Although this past week when we were at the beach I did have to become a "dog lifeguard" really fast when the rip tide started to take one of my dogs out into the wide open water!! I went from "dog lifeguard" to "gun buyer" within a day when I purchased my first shotgun. I have only shot a gun once. I didn't mean to, but I closed my eyes and missed the clay pigeon. So, why would I buy one? It was my husbands birthday! After attending a dove hunt, one of those new opportunities, I knew it would be the perfect present. So I called good friends who understand Texas life (and guns) and I was schooled in the gun buying ways. Did I want a classic wooden barrel or a synthetic barrel? Automatic? 12 gage? How much do you want to spend?

After answering all the questions, my friend helped me find the perfect gun match for my husband. Right before we hung up, my friend said; "Stacey Windover, you are buying a GUN!!" yep, we were both laughing!!

I know, I serve children, why am I writing about guns? It just doesn't seem to match up does it?? Stay with me....

My DNA is children's ministry. These new opportunities have opened my mind to doing life a different way, which has led me to rethink how ministry can be done in different ways. I am always thinking and praying about God's will for His ministry. You can learn so much from other people and other churches, but I am a strong believer that you need to know the culture of your church and community to fully understand what God wants from your leadership. We are told to spur one another on! To share our experiences with everyone, we are all on the same team serving the same God! As leaders though, we need to filter through the information to see the leadership nuggets, not try to copy what another church has done. One of the best places to start is with your own volunteers. Go to www.surveymonkey.com and create a free 10 question questionnaire. Ask simple questions like;

What is our vision?
What do we value?
What do you think we do well?
Where do you think we need to improve?
Do you feel that children are growing closer to God in our children's ministry?
Do we communicate well with parents?

Ask questions, read the answers and dream big dreams! When you open your mind and heart to what God wants to do, you just never know what will happen! Hello....I purchased a shotgun!!! By the way, it's a sweet gun and my husband loved it!!