Day One is over and Day two has begun!

Day one went well. Blessed travel, good lodging, adequate showers. Worship went good. Our speaker shared that his wife was just diagnosed with her fourth cancer battle. Doctors give her another 12 months. I found myself struggling with the thoughts of his struggle and the fear that Kelly could have the same thing happen to her. We finished the day with a good church group time, we were joined by a local Navajo pastor and his son.

Today is Sunday. Sunday is the day we get to meet our crews. My crew is the toenails. I have Richard Magallenes as my crew chief and Bekka Berryhill as my encourager. I also get to serve with Taylor Burks and Kayleigh Steward. I am very very excited about my crew.

More to come...

During our journey to Gallup today we received heartbreaking news, Calvary had lost a dear dear friend and Christ servant. Paul Trotter had passed away. A stunned silence came over our van as the 9 of us tried to come to grips with what we had just heard. The overwhelming sentiment was "I just cant believe it". As we slowly absorbed our new reality, silence gave way to reminiscing. Memories of Paul in the nursery and working with the children in VBS, Sunday school and many other times. My memory leaned more towards his selfless servant heart as he spent so many hours cleaning our worship center and many other areas of the building. Paul never complained, he just served. It was his ministry, it was his heart. Calvary has truly lost a part of its body today. One that could never be replaced. Our loss is Heaven's gain. Surely God's plan was fulfilled in Paul's life today. We could never fathom His "timing"all we can do is trust that Paul's time was complete. With his mission on this earth through he was welcomed by his Saviour with those words I oh, so long to hear someday "well done good and faithful servant". Until we see you again my brother in Christ, Calvary thanks you and I thank you for showing us all what it looks like to live as Christ.

Cory

Greatness

So yesterday was my "big day." I have to be honest though I feel kind of bad for Cory. My frame that hold my license is way bigger than his. He seems to be okay with it so I guess that's good.

Once again thanks to all who have supported me and continue to support me as well as the rest of our staff at Calvary. We really do appreciate you all so much!

After receiving my license I began to wonder if it really made me any different. After a long day of thinking about it I came to a conclusion...No. It doesn't make me any different. I am thankful that it happened but whether I have a license or not me living out my life for Christ will never end no matter what. Often times many of us think we aren't capable of such servanthood or maybe feel we are not worthy because we aren't called to vocational ministry. But I know that we are all called to be ministers to the world! 

Yes believe it or not we all have special gifts given to us from God! I love in when Paul is writing to the church in Corinth telling them how this is true and compares them to the human body. Yes some may be the arm and strong but some may be small like a little pinky toe but a human cannot balance themselves without that little toe! It is such a great way to describe the true body of Christ and I also like that the very next thing he addresses right after that is how faith, hope, and love will endure forever. Such a beautiful thing!

To sum it all up we are all called to greatness. I am not talking of the "Americanese" wealth and fame rather I am speaking of a Godly plan for our lives that is beyond what we can even imagine in our life right now. 

Dream big. Live large. Most of all love God. "...and the greatest of these is love." - 1 Corinthians 13:13

Hoosiers

I've been watching Hoosiers this afternoon. I'm not sure how many times I've seen the movie, but I know everytime it is on, I seem to be watching it. It drives Kenna nuts sometimes...

There's a lot to like about the movie; Gene Hackman for one. He plays a talented coach who is trying to escape his past. He moves to a small Indiana town as his last chance to coach basketball. Throughout the movie, strives to fit in with the small town life, struggles against his old nature, and does his best to be true to his calling. To me, it looks a lot like ministry. Maybe the best example I've seen outside of the Bible.

There is a lot of basketball played. That, after all, is why he was hired. There is the one class he has to teach as a part of his teacherly duties. There are all the things expected of a basketball coach in a small town. Then there are the other things.

He begins to get involved in the lives of his students. He's interested in their studies. He is looking towards their futures. He cares for their families. One young man's father is dealing with alcoholism. Hackman's character works towards helping him get cleaned up. He brings him on as an assistant coach. He gives him responsibility. He disciples him.

By the end of the movie, the tears in my eyes aren't because of the last second win. Mine are for the power of redemption I see in those lives. The father/son relationship which is being restored. The coach who realizes his calling and is able to step out of the shadow of who he was and be who he was called to be. The boys who work together as a team and lift each other to new heights.

There is a model of ministry there: relationships. We are surrounded by them and blessed by them. God gives passion and heart to those who would ask for it. There is opportunity for ministry all around us. We just have to be awake enough to hear the call...

A Quick Thought

So right now I am sitting at home watching sportscenter with my brother and looking at my laptop battery life dwindle down. It just turned red. That is usually a pretty good indication that you should plug it in to recharge.

So I began thinking about our spiritual life. Is it dwindling down? Has it turned red? Of course only you can answer these questions for yourself but I suggest you really take time to think about it. Is it time for you to plug yourself back in?

I better go...I need to plug a few things back in.....

Drew

Home from Catalyst

Well we are home from a whirlwind trip to Dallas for the Catalyst One Day Conference. We heard Andy Stanley (http://www.northpoint.org/) and Craig Groeschel (http://www.lifechurch.tv/) speak about momentum in the church. Momentum in the church? That kinda seems like an oxymoron to me. An easier topic might be comfort in the church or "how to stay happy right where you are" or even better "Change in the church? Not on my watch". I have always struggled with the fact that anywhere else on this Earth or even in our Universe change is constant, unless we are talking about "the church". It is said that the only thing in life that is "constant" is change. Except, in the church, where the only thing constant about change is our constant fight to try to make sure change can't happen. Silly us, if its constant everywhere then it will also be constant in the church. So, what the heck am I blogging about? Well, I am not exactly sure except to maybe tell you that I have spent the last couple of years trying to not only embrace change but to jump on board its big comet tail and ride it through God's perfect kingdom. Maybe its to tell you to grab hold of this comet and join me, join Dr Rush, join Nathan, join Damon, and even our newest licensed dude Drew as we navigate God's ever changing work as it impacts our community, our state, this country and our world for His "Greater Good". Oh, and don't worry! Even with all of us on board there is still more than enough room for you and whoever else wants to take the ride of their life!

Is This Really Happening?

So I guess I will try this blog thing out second. Here I go!

The past few weeks of my life have been absolutely crazy. I just completed my second year as a college student a couple weeks ago and as of this past Sunday night I am a licensed minister. It kind of seems like I am in a dream really. I feel so undeserving of everything I have however I also feel extremely blessed by God who has given me everything I have now.

I became a christian at the age of 12.  I am now a "whopping" 19 year old. If you were to tell me back then that in 7 years I would be a licensed minister and be working along side one of the greatest church staffs God has ever put together I probably would have laughed in your face. WOW! What a journey this has been for me! I would just like to take some time and let the blog-nation know and read some words I have for some of my best friends a.k.a. the church staff.

Cory- I am still wondering how you were able to reach out to me. I was so quiet and now...not so much really. I have loved serving with you so much and really appreciate everything you have shown/taught me. I love that we share an office and get to laugh everyday with each other. There is no way I would be where I am at today without all of you help and guidance.

Damon- I know it has only been a couple of months of knowing each other but I also thank God for placing you in my life. I love how one minute we are throwing pens at each other or taping office doors shut then an instant later we are discussing some serious matters or problem solving little details of everyday church work. I am blessed to call you friend.

Nathan- Although you have only officially been on staff for a month I still feel close to you. I remember thinking you were God's gift to earth when I was 12 at our DNOW. Even though there were a few years between then and now where we never spoke or saw each other I love the fact that we really just picked up where we left off. Once again I am pinching myself wondering if this is really happening.

Richard- You already know that I like you the most (wink). But really you have been a blessing in all of our lives and I am truly thankful for that. You allowed me to be part of the church staff team and I am so grateful for that. You completely changed my view towards older generations(and yes I know you are not old). I thank God simply because you care about all of us. Thank you Pastor.

Well I hope everyone enjoyed my lil blurb on here. These truly are some great men that I get to work along side with. I love each and every one of them. Blog world if you run into them stop and tell them thank you and that you appreciate them. They deserve it!

Drew