Discovering God's Truth

Overcoming the Dark Side

2011-05-17T10:26:00.000-07:00

One of the books I'm reading right now is titled, "The Dark Side of Leadership." It is a very thought provoking book. Basically, it works on the premise that all of us have a dark side to us. Past experiences, our childhood, the way we were raised by our parents, and our inherit personality all contribute to this darker side of our personality. After reading several chapters I thought to myself, "I'm one messed up individual." It's enough to send someone straight to therapy!

After coming in off the ledge (just kidding), I realized how true it is. All of us do have a darker side. Now, I don't mean we are Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde type people. However, if we are honest with ourselves, we have a side to us we don't want most people to see. It's the side of us perhaps only our kids and spouse see. The side we would be embarrassed and ashamed of if people caught a glimpse of it.

The good news is our dark sides can be redeemed. The way we do this is by bringing those dark components of our personality into the light of Jesus so they can be healed, restored, and redeemed. This leads to a healthy, whole individually instead of a fragmented one.

Jesus Himself said essentially the same thing in John 3:19-21:

"This, then is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who practices wicked things hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God."

So, bring yourself into the light of Christ and allow Him to expose those things in your heart and mind that need to be healed and redeemed. Don't allow yourself to be divided anymore. Let Christ make you whole.

Expecting Great Things,
Bryan

Pain Versus Discomfort

2011-05-16T13:08:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a great day at New Hope. We had one person come over from death to life and recieve Jesus Christ as thier Savior! That never gets old.

I said last night that what happened Sunday morning should be the norm in the church and not the exception!

If we really believe Jesus is coming back for His Church then we should be telling everybody we can about Jesus!

Sometimes we can fall into the trap of not expecting anything to happen in our services. We can get lulled into a sense of "normalcy" and complancecy. We live with the pain of not seeing God move for so long we get numb to it.

Let me illustrate this. I had been having neck pain for quite some time. I had learned to live with that pain and the limitations that it placed on me. It wasn't until I got tired of living with the pain that I decided to take the step and see a doctor. After a series of examinations, the doctor saw the problem-my neck was jacked up! He said, "Bryan, if we don't get this fixed, you won't have funcitonal movement in your neck in a few years." Talk about scaring me straight!

Well, I have been going to the doctor three times a week for the past few weeks getting adjustments and phyiscal therpay on my neck and back. I'm not going to lie-the first few times it hurt! I thought, "If this is what its going to be, forget this!" But, the doctor told me something that has stuck with me. He said, "Bryan, your neck has been messed up for so long that when I put the bones back where they should be it is going to cause discomfort. Discomfort is part of the healing process."

When the prospect of pain is greater than the discomfort of healing transformation takes place.

God wants more for us and the church than we can ever imagine! Read Acts chapter 2. God wants to use His church to expand the kingdom. Let's be a part of it!

Expecting Great Things,
Pastor Bryan

2011-04-07T12:35:00.000-07:00

I love to eat. There, I have confessed it. That's why I love to workout so much-it gives me an excuse to eat. One of my favorite places to eat is Chic-Fil-A. The food is awesome. Whether it is chicken nuggets and waffle fries, or a chicken salad sandwich with carrot & raisin salad, I'm all in when it comes to the cow. However, something else that stands out about Chic-Fil-A is there attitude towards service. Although it is a fast food restaurant, they give service like a fine dining establishment. I rarely have to get refills on my drink-someone almost always comes by and says, "Can I get you a refill?" They always have a smile on their face. Sub-consciously, it makes me want to come back. The more I think about it, the church should have that same kind of attitude towards people. We should create an atmosphere where people are overwhelmed by the kindness and joy over seeing them in our churches. It should make them hunger to come back next week. So let me ask you: What can you do to make your church a more welcoming place to outsiders? You don't have to serve chicken and waffle fries. Just give them the bread of life. I promise you they will want to come back again. I suddenly have a craving for some chicken. Expecting Great Things, Bryan

Coming Home

2011-03-21T07:53:00.000-07:00

You have heard the old adage, "There's no place like home." I always knew intellectually that statement was true. However, you have to experience being away from home to know what it truly means.

I spent 8 days in Ecuador doing pre-planning for a mission trip in June. It was a wonderful experience. God moved in amazing ways. I went none stop all week. Needless to say, I got little sleep. In the midst of it all, God revealed to me how precious certain things are that I take for granted. Like drinkable water, air conditioning, ESPN (just thought I would throw that in for fun) and most of all-my family.

Now, don't think that I didn't appreciate my family before I left. Anybody who knows me can tell you my family is priority number one. However, God gave me a new sense of appreciation for my wife and kids. Being away from them increased my love, affection, and appreciation for them. It did the same thing for them.

What I want to say to you is this: don't wait to go to a different continent to tell your family how much they mean to you. Tell them today. Send a text. Make a phone call. One day you won't have the chance. Make the most of your opportunities. Then you can look back on your life with no regrets.

Expecting Great Things,
Bryan

Coming Into the Kingdom

2011-03-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

In my devotional reading today I was in Mark 10:13-31. Little kids were clamoring around Jesus. I can't blame them. I bet Jesus was a really fun guy to be around. We adults tend to think of Jesus as a serious minded Messiah, with a scowl on His face perpetually. But while Jesus was indeed serious at times, He also had a softer side-one which was a magnet to kids.

These kids were getting on the disciples nerves. I bet they probably said something like, "Hey you little monsters, get out of here! Don't you know Jesus has more important things to do than play with you bunch of snotty nosed kids!"

Jesus however, had a different plan. The scriptures said He was "indignant" at the disciples. That is a fancy term for saying Jesus was ticked off at them. He then gathered the children around and gave a very important faith lesson.

In v.15 Jesus said, "If anyone does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child they will never enter into it." Wow. That is deep. Jesus is talking about child-like faith. I believe that is why Jesus liked being around kids so much. Because they exhibited the kind of simple trust that is often lacking in adults. I am amazed at my own kids who are seven and three. Sometimes I think they are more spiritual than I am.

Let me give you an assignment if you are feeling a little too grown up. Go to a playground and watch some kids. If you're a grandparent, take your grandchildren out for an afternoon. If you have small kids at home still, just sit and observe them. Watch how they just believe and dream. How they simply trust and don't need proof. How they live each moment to the fullest. And ask God to rekindle that childlike faith in you.

Expecting Great Things,
Bryan

Give Thanks

2011-02-01T11:49:00.000-08:00

Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances might be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].
-1 Thess. 5:18

The past ten days have been rough on my family. My daughter Abigail started it off with a stomach virus. Then my son Zachary got the flu. Then this past Friday Abigail got the flu. Then Zachary had a relapse over the weekend and had to go the ER. My wife Deana just got back from the doctor-upper respirtory infection. Can anyone say, "Calgon, take me away-preferably to the other side of the globe?"

That's why I love 1 Thessalonians 5:18. It reminds us that God wants us to have an attitude of thanksgiving in the toughest of times-sick kids and a weekend of waking up at 3am to clean up vomit.

I believe God allows these things in our lives to make us appreciate all the good times we have. My family has been blessed with great health-even though right now its hard to believe! God is still in control and never forsakes us-even when we may think otherwise.

So, no matter what your situation may be today-give thanks to God. If it is a bad day, hang on. Tomorrow will be better.

Expecting Great Things,
Bryan

2011-01-24T12:11:00.000-08:00

Continuing our theme of "the power of love"...

We must act as love acts.

This means...

1. Love is alive when it has patience, dying when it is hurried, dead when it cannot wait.

1 Cor. 13:4, "Love is patient..."

2. Love is alive when it cares, dying when it forgets, dead when it is ignored.

"love is kind..." 1 Cor. 13:4

Kindness is the ability to care for each other in the practical details of life.

Until next time...

Expecting Great Things,
Pastor Bryan

What Love Is

2011-01-19T11:41:00.000-08:00

Let's pick up from the last post and begin to put some flesh on what true, biblical love is.

Love is a matter of choice.

"And over all other virtues, put on love, which binds them all together." (Colossians 3:14)

Love is not something we are a victim of, it's something we choose. To truly love someone you must make a conscious decision each day that you are going to do it, regardless of emotions.

Love is a matter of conduct.

"Let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and truth." (1 John 3:18)

Love is more than what we say, it's a behavior. John was telling us to back up our words with concrete actions that demonstrate our love for one another.

Let me issue a challenge to you this week. Write down three tangible ways you can demonstrate your love for someone this week. And do them! You might be surprised at how much your relationship will improve.

Expecting Great Things,
Bryan

True Love

2011-01-17T13:45:00.000-08:00

It is only a few weeks until Valentine's Day. So guys, please make sure to get that special lady in your life some flowers and a nice gift. I preached on "The Power of Love" last night. I know that is a Huey Lewis and the News hit song from the 80's, but there is truth in that statement. There is power in love-Biblical love that is.

We have devalued love in our culture. We say, "I love chocolate cake." Or, "I love Carolina, Clemson, Georgia..."-fill in the blank with whatever team you want. The point is, we have watered down love to the point where it doesn't hold significance anymore.

Over the next few days, I want to unpack what true, biblical love is. I want us to really know what the Bible says on this topic. Hopefully, at the end of our discussion we can all love the people in our lives in a way that will honor them and God.

Oh, by the way, my favorite Huey Lewis and the News song? "It's Hip to Be Square." Just so you know.

Expecting Great Things,
Pastor Bryan

Laboring in the Harvest

2011-01-13T08:45:00.000-08:00

In my devotional reading today, I was in Matthew 9:18-38. I encourage you to go and read that section of scripture because it is very encouraging and also convicting. Jesus is basically going on a healing circuit.

He begins in v.18 by going with a religious leader to heal his daughter when a woman who had suffered from bleeding for 12 years comes up behind him to touch the tassels of His robe to be healed. He goes to the religious leader's home and heals his daughter.

In v.27, two blind men come up to him and beg him to heal them. He does and asks them not tell anyone. They cannot help but proclaim thier healing. A demon possessed man in v.32 is brought to Him and Jesus casts the demon out.

Then in v.35 it says, "Then Jesus went to all the towns and villages, teaching in thier synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness."

Sounds like a full day doesn't it?

In v. 36 Jesus sees the crowd and "has compassion for them because they were weary and worn out like sheep without a shepherd."

This is where it gets interesting. Instead of burning Himself out, (remember that Jesus is as much human as divine), He makes an interesting statement to His disciples.

Verses 37-38 says, "The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest."

Notice a couple of things here with me. The problem is not with the harvest. Jesus plainly states it "is abundant." That means there are people everywhere who are just like the crowd Jesus saw-weary and worn out, looking for meaning in life. The issue lies in the fact there are so few people willing to go out among the harvest and reap souls for God's kingdom.

What would happen in churches all across the country if people were willing to go out into the harvest? Sanctuaries would be full and communites would be transformed. I believe the most important prayer church leaders and lay leaders across the country could pray is the challenge Jesus issued: "pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest."

If we cured that problem, all the other problems in the church would be solved as well. Make that your prayer today.

Expecting Great Things,
Pastor Bryan

Snow Storm 2011

2011-01-12T11:47:00.001-08:00

I despise cold weather. Did I mention I despise cold weather? So, it's safe to say that if I dislike cold weather, I will really dislike a snow storm. Yes, I know. It's beautiful when it is falling, but it's miserable trying to deal with it afterwards.

A snow storm is a great deal like sin in our lives. When we are caught up in our sin it seems like a beautiful thing-like snow falling. However, when we have to deal with the aftermath of sin in our lives, it is like the day after a snow storm. You feel trapped, desperate to get out, and trying hard not to get stranded on the side of the road.

So, what's the answer. Move to Miami, Fl or Arizona. Just kidding-although that sounds pretty good right at the moment. The answer is to keep our eyes on Christ, stay in His Word, and keep our connection to Him through prayer. So while you're stranded inside your house, turn off the TV, quit watching the Weather Channel, and open up your Bible. Ask God to speak to you. Then, talk to Him about the things going on in your life. Who knows? I might even enjoy this weather a little bit. Nah, who am I kidding?

Expecting Great Things,
Pastor Bryan

The Danger of "Being Real"

2009-10-13T07:37:00.000-07:00

I have a great friend in ministry who always ends his conversations with "be real." What he is trying to convey is be true to who God made you to be and not try to be someone you're not. That is good advice. We get caught up in the latest "fads" and oftentimes the "real" us gets lost in the process. However, for leaders in ministry, "being real" can be a catch 22.

A leader has to walk a fine line in "being real" or authentic. On one hand, the people you serve with and lead need to see you for the person God made you to be. In other words, don't try to copy another ministry leaders dress, style, or persona. People will see it for what it is a mile a way. You have to be comfortable with yourself.

On the flip side of this, some will see your "being real" as a liability. If you express a natural human emotion such as anger, frustration, or discouragement some will say you aren't "spiritually mature." Never mind that Moses got angry, Elijah got discouraged, David got depressed, and Peter dealt with all three of these things. A leader has to be careful and by God's help try to keep their emotions in check or it could come back to haunt them.

This is something I am working on. I am the type of person who wears their emotions on their sleeve. It is not difficult to discern what I am feeling at times. This can be good and bad. The challenge is by God's Word and the Holy Spirit to walk an even keel and not drift to the right and left.

What am I saying? Be who you are, but don't let your emotions control you. Let people see the human side of you, but be careful and not wear your emotions on your sleeve. In the words of my good friend, "be real."

Bryan

Finding Your Outlets-Part IV

2009-10-01T13:04:00.000-07:00

Man, it's been awhile since my last post. Let me wrap up my acrostic EPIC for you.

C-stands for creativity. You've got to have a creative outlet in your life. For me, I enjoy to paint pictures and write. For others, it may be woodworking, doing scrap books, photography or something entirely different. The point is, you must have something in your life that gets the "creative juices" flowing. Without creativity, our minds and imaginations go stale. If you don't currently do anything creatively, try a few different things. When you find something you enjoy, run with it!

Expecting Great Things,
Bryan

Finding Your Outlets-Part III

2009-09-03T10:26:00.000-07:00

As we move on in the acronym E.P.I.C., we have talked about emotional outlets and physical outlets. Now, let's discuss the letter I.

I stands for intellectual outlets. Most people when they graduate high school or college think that their learning days are over. That could not be any farther from the truth. The reality is, if you are not constantly learning, then you become stagnant in your life. Your brain is just like your muscles-if you do not exercise it on a regular basis, then it will get weak and flabby!

I am constantly reading books on a variety of subjects. Let me encourage you to set a goal for reading one book per month. That is not hard to do. If the book is 300 pages, with an average of 30 days per month, that only equals out to 10 pages per day. Don't go out a pick up a systematic theology book for your nighttime reading. Not unless you are having trouble falling asleep! What you need to do is find subjects that interest you, whether it be history, sports, biographies, or even systematic theology if that floats your boat.

I recommend Christian living books as well. These will help you in the practical areas of your life. LifeWay has the best selection. I have books by Charles Swindoll, David Jeremiah, Adrian Rodgers and many others. They have helped me tremendously in my walk with the Lord. Remember, if you are not learning, you are not growing. So, go out, pick up a book, and start learning today.

Expecting Great Things,
Bryan

Finding Your Outlets-Part II

2009-09-02T11:49:00.001-07:00

Let me continue this series of posts on finding your outlets with the acronym E.P.I.C. Yesterday I dissected the letter E for emotional outlets. Today, let's look at the letter P.

P-stands for physical outlets. If you don't have some sort of physical outlet in your life you are cheating yourself and your body. I workout Monday thru Friday with Saturday being a light workout. I don't apologize for it and neither should you. Whether you go to a gym like I do or have a stationary bike or treadmill at home, you need to exert yourself physically for your own mental, emotional, and physical well being.

Maybe for you its walking around your block or going to a nearby school to use their track. Or perhaps you enjoy playing tennis or golfing. The important thing is to find something you enjoy, plan it in your schedule, and decide in advance to do it. I would explode internally if I did not workout daily. It gives me time to think, allows me to stay in shape which results in a positive self-image, and relives stress. It will do the same for you.

Get your spouse or a friend involved. Accountability will motivate you to stay the course when you don't feel like it. Many people's sense of well-being would be greatly improved if they just took 30-45 minutes a day and exercised. Today is a great day to begin. Here's to your health.

Expecting Great Things,
Bryan

Finding Your Outlets-Part I

2009-09-01T12:28:00.000-07:00

The biggest problem I see with many people today is that they have no outlets. No, I am not talking about the receptacles in your home where you plug in your lamps, TV's, phones, etc. I am talking about those "release" points in your life that enable you to function at a higher level. Let me use the acronym E.P.I.C to illustrate the outlets everyone needs to have in their lives. Today's post will deal with the first letter E.

E-This stands for an emotional outlet. Every person walking out there needs one. Ideally, this would be a few people in your life that you could "spill your guts" to. What I mean by this is that there should be people in your life that you can share your raw emotions with without the fear of judgment, ridicule, or opinion. If you are married, your spouse is #1 on this list.

If you can't go to your spouse and openly share your feelings on a wide variety of issues, there is a serious communication problem that needs to be addressed. However, there are some things that your spouse cannot understand and you should seek to process your emotions with a trusted friend. Now, before you start telling me "you should tell your spouse everything," let me expand on this:

As a pastor, there are things I deal with and emotions that I go through that no matter how hard my wife may try to understand, there is a gap. She has not had those experiences to help me process those particular emotions I am going through. To process those parts of my emotions, I go to trusted friends that are in ministry. That is not to say I don't share other aspects of my ministry with my wife. We talk about many things going on and how I am feeling about certain issues. However, there are things that only someone who has walked the same paths that I have can help me with.

Most people are unwilling to have this outlet in their life because they are afraid of truly opening up. They wear their "masks" and hide who they really are. To experience true freedom, you must not fear being yourself. Be the person God made you to be. Find those in your life that can be your emotional outlet. It will give you freedom you never imagined.

Expecting Great Things,
Bryan

Painting Your Preferred Future

2009-08-17T10:32:00.000-07:00

We are making an agreement in writing; and on the sealed document are the names of our leaders, our Levites and our priests....The rest of the people...are joining with thier kismen, thier nobles...to keep and to observe all the commandments of GOD our Lord, and His ordinances and His statues (Nehemiah 9:38; 10:28-29).

What I am about to share is an axiom for life. Don't miss this lesson.

In the book of Nehemiah, the people gathered together and made a covenant to which all the nobles, elders, and leaders affixed their signatures. This covenant would establish their trajectory toward a God-oriented preferred future. This was done at a time when they had spent nearly a whole day before the Lord in praise, worship, and listening to His Word.

Then with clarity of mind, they set these covenant standards on paper and committed themselves to carrying them out. It was written down because they knew that when their emotions changed about how they were to live and conduct themselves, they could refer back and navigate by these standards. Even when they could not see, they would pilot their decisions by these markings.

Commitments to a preferred future do not come randomly. They are intentionally established at times when you are thinking clearly and are close to God. They are not made impetuously, nor when you are in a slump, discouraged, depressed, or in a physical setback. Neither are these course markers established when you are overly optimistic or in some idealistic mood.

In the clearest of times, when you are near to Christ and thinking with insight rather than ambiguity, imagine your ideal future. Write down that picture and how it can best be attained. You must write it down. Write down what your priority relationships will be that must remain healthy regardless of how you feel or what happens: your relationship with Christ and your relationship with spouse and family.

Answer these questions:

How do you want to be seen in ten years?
What do you want to be good at or known for?
What kind of personality do you want to have?
What do you want your family to look like?

The more clearly defined your target, the more apt you are to hit it!

Expecting Great Things,
Bryan

Dealing With Critics

2009-08-06T08:38:00.000-07:00

In my devotional studies, I am going back through the book of Nehemiah. Where leadership and vision casting are concerned, you will not find a better biblical model than Nehemiah. As I was reading chapter two, I was impressed by this fact: whenever God gives you a vision, Satan will always send someone to attack it.

God gave Nehemiah a vision to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and bring the people back to God. However, Satan sends Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem to bring opposition and ridicule to Nehemiah and the people. In v.19 of chapter two, Nehemiah says these men, "mocked and despised us..." Think about that for a moment and let it sink in. When God gives you a white hot vision to do something great for His kingdom be prepared. The Sanballats, Tobiahs, and Geshems are going to come out of the woodwork. They are going to try to discouraged you. They are going to mock you. They are even going to despise you. However, you must not let that prevent you from achieving the purpose God placed you here on this earth for.

I want you to notice Nehemiah's reply in v.20: "The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success." If you are obsessed with the critics, then you cannot be obsessed with Jesus! It is not up to us to silence the critics. God is the one who will grant us success when we completely and totally follow Him regardless of what others around us are saying. Don't listen to the critics, listen to God. Trust me, your life will be much better for it.

Expecting Great Things,
Bryan

The True Measure of a Life

2009-06-02T10:27:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday, I went to the funeral of my mentor and spiritual father. As I looked around the full sanctuary, the thought occurred to me "this is the true measure of a life." There were hundreds of people there to celebrate the life of a man who had touched their life in some special way.

In our society, we think the true measure of a life consists in the success of someone's chosen profession, or what their net worth is, or how much "stuff" they are able to accumulate during their life. Jesus said in Luke 12:15, "Watch out and be on guard against all greed because one's life is not in the abundance of his possessions."

The true measure of a life is how many people you impacted for the kingdom of God. As I look back on the life of my mentor and friend, he impacted countless lives for God. He selflessly poured himself into the hearts and lives of others without thinking of what he would receive in return.

It is so easy to get wrapped up in our own lives that we forget the opportunities that surround us to touch people for Jesus Christ. Whether it be our children, spouses, family members, friends, or a stranger, pour yourself into the lives of others. It will not make you wealthy. It will not make you "successful" by the world's standards. However, it will allow you to see the fruits of your labor for all eternity.

Expecting Great Things,
Bryan

Having an Eternal Impact

2009-05-18T12:44:00.000-07:00

My mentor and spiritual father is only days from passing from this earth. He has fought leukemia for over two years now. As I have began to process this, I am reminded of how much he has meant to me and so many others. I have admired his strength, integrity, and composure under difficult circumstances. Most of all, I have admired his faith.

It is not easy to tell someone you love good-bye. In fact, it has been one of the most heart-wrenching things I have ever been faced with. My consolation is that one day I will get to see him in heaven. That does not ease the pain. But it gives me something to look forward to.

I pray that I can have the same impact on people's lives that Pastor Dean has. If I can be half the man and pastor he is then I will have accomplished something worthwhile in this life.

2009-05-06T12:47:00.000-07:00

Well, I am back at it.

I took a hiatus from blogging, but now I believe the time is right to start again. This blog will allow me to share some things that I pray will benefit and encourage people.

An incident happened today that brought 1 Peter 3:15 to life for me. The whole idea of that verse is "to be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you."

I had the opportunity to encourage someone who was going through a very difficult time. It was at a moment that was totally unexpected. God used this event to impress upon me the huge responsibilities we have as believers in Jesus Christ.

Christ did not die for us so we could sit comfortably back and watch others struggling in this dark world we live in. We must actively engage others, even if it means we get uncomfortable in the process. Jesus did not pay the penalty for our sins so we can watch others drift in a sea of hopelessness and despair.

We have the answer. And His name is Jesus. My prayer is God will use me every day to reach out to others, even if I am not aware of it. Even if it makes me uncomfortable. Even if it is inconvenient. Christ deserves no less. We must give our all.

In His Grace,
Bryan

When Life Hands You Lemons, Make Lemonade

2008-06-04T09:49:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had those seasons in life where everything that could go wrong does? Of course you have. Everyone inevitably goes through times like these. I am in one of those seasons right now. The temptation when we are "handed lemons" in life is to become bitter by the sour taste that is left in our mouths by people, circumstances, and situations.

By God's sovereignty, I happen to be studying the book of Job. Now understand, I began this study before "the lemons" came pouring in. However, I believe God was preparing me beforehand by allowing me to see how another one of His servants handled adversity. Job was the most righteous person on earth. By Job's standards I would fall far short. Then God allowed Job to go through the most difficult season of his life. He lost his children, possessions, and health. The only thing Job was left with was a nagging wife! I was struck by chapter 1, verse 22 where it says, "Throughout all this Job did not sin or blame God for anything."

I am learning more each day, that the greatest times of spiritual growth are not when things are going great, but when everything seems to be falling apart. I am sure that when Job was going through these things growing spiritually was not on his mind. However, once he got on the other side of his trial, Job experienced God in ways he never had before when he was riding high in life.

What is the one thing that will sweeten a sour lemon? The answer of course is sugar (or Equal, Splenda, Sweet'N Low, etc.). Now when life hands you lemons through adversity, instead of growing bitter, grow better. Sprinkle in some prayer, study in God's Word, and specifically ask God, "What is it that you want me to learn in this trial?" When you do that, you will find the lemonade tastes especially sweet.

In His Grace,
Bryan

The More Things Change The More They Stay The Same

2008-05-08T12:37:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows that change is inevitable. However, when change comes our way, it is not always easy to adjust. Going from having one child to two has proved to be a challenge. Moving to a different county and a different town presents its own unique set of difficulties. We expect people to always be in positions and relationships we are comfortable with. The reality is, people come and go and we move on in our lives.

I found out today that one of my mentors is leaving his position. I was shocked at first. Now, after I have had some time to think about it, I am not surprised. One day I will probably change positions and addresses. Change is part of life. We either embrace change as part of what God is doing in our lives, or we resist it being content on enjoying the security and comfort of what we are familiar with. The disciples left everything that was familiar and comfortable to them to embark on a journey with no assurance of where it would lead them. They simply heeded the Master's call, and their lives were changed radically forever. Let us not miss out on the opportunities God has for us because we are content to live in the past. Imagine what your life could be surrendered totally to God and act on it. You will not be disappointed.

In His Grace,
Bryan

Kicking This Thing Off

2008-05-06T10:29:00.000-07:00

Well, I have finally done it. I have entered the blogging world. I guess it was time. I hope this blog will help some people. Maybe it will demystify some of the misconceptions people have of pastors, or "vocational ministers" of all stripes and sorts. I will be posting on all types of things-not just "church" stuff.

So, with that said-here are my first thoughts:

Some time ago, a church member e-mailed a short story to me called "Road Map to Holland." This was a very beautiful story making an analogy between having a child with autism and desiring to go to Italy but ending up in Holland. The point is that even though Holland is not where you intended or desired to go, it is still a beautiful place. You have to learn to appreciate the sites, sounds, and beauty you were not prepared for. In the same way, no one intends to have a child with autism. However, it can be a beautiful experience when you learn to appreciate the sites, sounds, and beauty you were not prepared to deal with.

I speak from experience, because my son Zachary is autistic. Although my wife and I did not intend to go on this journey, we have learned to appreciate the beauty of it. I will be talking a great deal more about Zachary, but let me make a spiritual application to this.

Often times, we do not find ourselves in life where we intended to be. Be it through poor decisions, circumstances beyond our control, or God's designs for our lives we sometimes arrive in Holland, when we wanted to go to Italy. If this is where you are at today, let me encourage you. I have been there. I know the frustrations of having dreams and desires, and not see them fulfilled. Take heart. Learn to appreciate the sites, sounds, and beauty of where you are at right now in life. Trust in God. Place your life in His hands. And soon you will find yourself exactly where you want to be.

In His Grace,
Bryan