What are you known for?

We had our 4th area-wide multi-church gathering for Pastors and their staffs last week in order to get to know one another better. We took time to eat together, to worship, pray and be inspired by one of the Pastors who gave a devotional. I was asked to lead the Prayer segment, I love to pray and lead out in prayer, I have learned much over the years reading about prayer and learning from others as I have listened to their prayers. A couple days after the event many of our staff complimented me on what a great time the prayer time was, and then someone said, "if Pastor Kevin is known for anything it's prayer."

Don't get me wrong, that is a wonderful thing to be known for, but I'd love to be remembered for more than that however. I hope people remember me for being a lover of God, truthful, relational, grace filled, a great teacher of the Word, a producing reproducer, a great husband, Dad and brother etc. What about you? If someone was going to sum you up in a singular statement what would they say? I believe the older we get the more focused we become and what people say about us is a by-product of how we spend our time, resources and invest all that we have and are.

The summer should be less hurried for most of us and so I encourage you to either answer the question yourself or even ask others around you what they would say about you. If you don't hear what you hope to than make whatever course corrections you need to be in order to become what you want.

When the Holy Spirit Shows Up - What do you do?

Last week I had one of those unforgettable moments, at least I hope I never forget it. I doubt I will, but just in case I do here goes;
A middle aged former Buddhist, now Christ follower had asked to see me and another person from our church. We knew that she no longer came to our church, but she was coming because we had earned her trust. We hadn't seen her in several months and she mentioned that Michelle and I both looked so young. I'll take that compliment any day. We just had said that God was doing amazing things in our own lives and here at church and so maybe that's why we looked younger. She said she no longer was hungry for God, His word and had felt like walking away. Her once healed shoulder was hurting, her marriage was on a thread, and God was far away.

That's when I told here that she can't keep doing the same things over and over and expect different results. "May I pray for you?" I asked. She said yes, I anointed her with oil, prayed a bold and Spirit led prayer and then the Spirit came. Forget about theology just for a moment. As we finished praying, she began mumbling, I looked up and saw her holding her mouth with both hands and fear covered her face. "What is happening?" she said. We kept praying. A second later she is saying something that sounds like Abba. "My face is hot, what is going on?" Michelle (the other person praying) said not to worry that the Holy Spirit was here and doing a work. I told her to put her hands down from her mouth and let whatever was happening to happen. The next thing you know she is saying "Abba, Abba, Abba..." and that her face was so hot, she started laughing hard, joy was overflowing! I went to get her a glass of cold water. When I came back we took a moment to thank God, as we are doing so, still laughing, she starts to pump her right arm in the air high, and says over and over "Thank you Jesus, Thank you Jesus." I looked at her and asked her about her shoulder, she said with an astonished look, "It must be healed, it doesn't hurt. Thank you Jesus!" We all laughed and praised God!!!

Without any prompting she tells us that she wants to start studying her Bible again, that she wants to love her husband and treat him better, that she wants to get pizza and share a piece with her husband and with Jesus. We get up to leave and walk her to the front door, the whole time she is skipping and laughing and now she looks 10 years younger. We stare in awe! Thank you God for miraculous healing of body and soul. Thank you for showing up in such an undeniable and unexplainable way. If we can figure God out and explain Him than we may have a pretty small God. I am so very glad for Him bringing awe and wonder into my life and others. When the Holy Spirit shows up, don't try to figure it out, let Him do His work.

Keep Focused or Find Trouble

I am a pretty free spirit, those who know me know this to be true, but, I have a very disciplined side that allows me to be the relational free spirit I am. Who I am is a personality thing (free spirited, relational), what I must do to thrive is practice disciplines. Disciplines are really protections - when I miss exercise and eat poorly I am not protecting my health. Bible reading, prayer, and listening to the Spirit are spiritual disciplines that keep me intimate with God and protect me from sinful tendencies. What disciplines do you consistently practice in order to maintain the kind of life you want? What are you passionate about that will make a a difference in other's lives, and make your life a legacy? I contend we must live balanced and disciplined lives in order to be all we are meant to be, and do all we can to make life worth living. The Bible says not to run around aimlessly but focus on the prize of Christ. I want my life to be a joyful experience that God is proud of and others are drawn to because of Him over-flowing from me. The same is true at work, I have a list of Non-Urgent/Highly Important tasks to stick to on a daily basis knowing that there will be appointments, interruptions, crisis, projects non-scheduled items and so on, but if I stay true to my list I thrive, and the ministry does as well. It's not always easy but disciplines are crucial!

The disciplines I practice consistently protect me from aimless living.But when I fail to practice them trouble finds me and I find frustration. How about you?