804 days ago I wrote the post below. It still rings true today as it did over two years ago. My calling is to be faithful. To preach. So honored to be able to do this. My joy comes from God alone. The bonus is I get to be around when life change takes place in others. Ministry has ups and downs, but I still cannot imagine myself doing anything else. It’s good to revisit the past and see where we’ve been, it lets us know how far we’ve come.

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I am not a CEO.
I don’t do business on the golf course.
I refrain from dropping names if at all possible.
I dream, but not about super-mega-buildings, campuses, or spread sheets.
I don’t have a ten year plan.
I love God & His church, but struggle with living it sometimes.
I have heard people say when it comes to the church, “It’s not personal…”
I have been doing this for long enough to know, “It’s almost always personal.”
I hear voices & leaders all over telling me what I should be.
I wonder if I listen to all those things, I’ll never be what I need to be.
I act like it doesn’t phase me when people don’t like me.
I actually don’t handle it well at all and it eats at me.
I want to run from God weekly like Jonah.
I am reminded that He calls me to stay.
I want to yell at Him like Job.
I do sometimes.
I want to feel the feeling of walking on water.
I have spent many times looking away at the waves instead of at Jesus.
I know I need to be a great dad & husband.
I am told daily they love me for me.

I pass by other jobs and wonder what life would be like if…
I know above all else, God’s laid it on my heart to preach.

Preach without apology.
Teach with passion.
Lead in His love & truth above all else.
As a leader, teacher, pastor… my job is to preach.

14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:14-15

I am so grateful that God laid it on my heart to preach & teach.
At the same time, it scares me to death.
The weight is so heavy.
Hundreds of lives.
Eternity at stake.
He’s asked me to lead the charge.

My prayer: Who will join?
Will you be the person who selflessly gives your all to impact others?
Will you put the brokenness of others before your busy schedule?
Will you commit to a life of loving God and loving people?
Will you be a leader people can count on?

Don’t sit on the sidelines.
You are needed.
Today is the day where you don’t look back.
It’s time to engage God like never before.