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The In-between

One of my favorite songs right now says "we'll never be the in-between."  While I know what he's saying and agree for the most part, I can't help but feel as though that's exactly where I am.

For the last few months I've been wrestling.....maybe that's not the right term.  There's an unsettled feeling in me that I can't exactly put into words.  I've never been an unsettled person.  As a matter of fact, I've never been in the in-between.  

As a boy I knew what I wanted in life: wife and children.  Check.  As a young teenager I knew what I wanted to be: teacher. Sort of check.  As an older teenager and young adult (sad that I can't call myself that anymore) I came to the realization that God had different plans in store and so I knew I was to follow Him and begin full-time vocational Student Ministry. Check. 

Now, as I creep closer and closer to my thrity-second birthday I'm forced to admit that....I'm not so sure right now.  I'm sure I love my wife and children, my job, my friends.  What I'm not sure of is what the next five to ten years will bring.  This may sound silly but for a guy who for the first thrity-one years of his life has practically known each step, the in-between is a scary place.

My good friend and mentor Curt Bradford put it this way "You know who you were and you know who you want to be but you're neither of those people right now."  Don't you love it when someone can put words to your feelings?  Even tonight as one of my former students and now close friend asked "Do you feel like you're a grown up?" I find myself searching for an honest answer.

I feel like a grown up at the doctor with my kids or making sure the bills get paid or any time I have to go to the DMV.  But when I'm lying in my bed alone with my thoughts; when I wake up in the morning and refuse to crawl out of the covers; when I'm up till some ridiculous hour playing on the Wii or laughing and joking with my friends....I very much feel like that kid in college waiting to start "real life."  This is the land of the in-between.  This is where I am and this is what I believe will be the crossroads of a major life change for me.

What I've decided is to follow the wise counsel God has surrounded me with and continue doing the last thing I know for certain God told me to do.  Until He "directs my paths" otherwise, I will soak up His Word and devote myself to opportunities He has entrusted to me.  While I don't know exactly what I will be "doing" in ten years I do know what I will be doing in ten hours (assuming of course God grants me another morning to wake up). 

The in-between is a frustrating, difficult and gut-checking place to be.  However, it can also be the very place God works most effectively in your heart and life.  The in-between can be the bridge to blessing and fruitfulness.  Of course there is a chance that the in-between could be a place of rest before great suffering or even your final destination.  What we have to focus on isn't our circumstances or the failure or realization of our dreams.  We must be insistent on being in step with Christ through repentance and service.  

Maybe we'll get to have a story like Joseph, Jacob, Job or any other hero of the Old Testament.  If we're really in God's favor we'll be counted worthy enough for a life like His Apostles (all of which probably felt as though they never saw the other side of the in-between while on Earth).  The truth is, if you call yourself a believer; if you are indeed one who has been redeemed; you are in the in-between.  For we are not of this world but of His kingdom.  But there is much do be done in the meantime.  There is much to be accomplished here in the in-between.

MOBILIZE for HAITI

 This week at The ELEMENT (7:14PM @ NORTHWOOD CHURCH) we will be having a special night to lift up the people of Haiti to God.  We all know the devastation that has occurred and now it's time for NSM to do something about it.  

Here are the details:

Wednesday night at 7:14pm

Northwood Church

We will be accepting donations of LIGHTLY used or brand new shoes and clothing.  These items along with the offering for the evening will be donated to the people of Haiti.

Please be in prayer and consider how God might lead you to MOBILIZE for HAITI.  

This is going to be a powerful night of worship and intercessory.  

Lessons Learned From Mac (Part 1 of 3)

 I don't know why I've never noticed this before but Mac (my 2 month old son) taught me something today about my relationship with God.

Mac is a really easy baby at this point.  I'm sure his days will come but for now, he's great.  There are only three reasons he cries. 

1. He's tired.  I'm convinced he loves to be a part of what's going on in our family so when he feels his body drifting on him he gets irritated.

2. He has a dirty diaper.  He doesn't enjoy sitting in his....well, mess.  It's uncomfortable and can cause further pain if not dealt with.

3. He's hungry.  When this giant boy of mine needs food he lets you know.

Each of these reasons for crying has challenged me in my walk with God.  We'll start with being tired.  Last year our staff read a book by C.J. Mahaney entitled "Humility."  In the later part of the book he speaks on the importance of rest and sleep.  God created us with a need for sleep but so many of us neglect this gift.  Unlike Mac, I don't cry when I get sleepy but I fight it with caffeine, television and the internet.  

We convince ourselves that we're missing out on fun or life by going to bed.  In reality we're shortening our life and lessing the experience of our days by mistreating our bodies.  I've found, like many others I'm sure, the later I stay up the more trouble I'm likely to get into.  Whether that's physical activity that I shouldn't be engaged in or watching television shows I have no business viewing.  

So is it wrong to have fun late at night with friends?  No, that's not it at all.  I've had some great memories with friends in the "wee small hours of the evening."  What I do believe is that we need to have regular habits that are healthy.  In the same way it's detrimental to abuse our bodies with food, alcohol or drugs, refusing to give our bodies the rest they were designed for is to neglect the temple of God.  

Just some food for thought courtesy of my son Mac.  He's a wise man in the making.

It's Baaaaaack

It's been quite a while but it's time for another installment of.....

"Phillip's Not Creative!"

A week or two ago I was introduced to a beautiful little distraction in the form of a website.  Today's Big Thing brings interesting things from all over the globe.  For warning though, I have not done an exhaustive search of this site so there may be material that you don't like.  From what I've seen though, it's mostly comic gold.  

Occasionally there will be something like what you're about to see and I'm quickly reminded that at my greatest hight of creative genius, there is always someone far more talented and innovative.

Enjoy!!!

BTW, what can we learn from this and apply to the spreading of the Gospel?

See more funny videos and TBT Videos at Today's Big Thing.

The "Little" Things

It's day one of our Seniors Only Ski Trip.  We loaded up in Charleston, SC and drove to West Virginia today.  After picking up our gear and checking into our hotel I gathered everyone in our room to go over some details for the weekend and to give some perspective.

We're on a ski trip.  That is an unbelievably huge privilege.  As I prayed with our group tonight I was suddenly reminded of the fact that there are tens of thousands of people in one country alone hurting, starving and even dying.  What's happened in Haiti this week is a perspective bringing tragedy.  As we slide down mountains of snow for pleasure, there are men and women searching through mountains of rubble looking for family and friends.

Tonight I don't want to take anything for granted.  We arrived at our destination safely.  We ate well.  We have a place to lay our heads.  We have clothes to keep us warm.  My children are safe tonight.  My loved ones are only a phone call away.

As I sit here tonight I'm wishing I could do more.  More to help those in need.  More to fix the bruised and broken relationships in my life.  More to strengthen and encourage those that I love most dearly.  More to honor my God.  Most of the time I feel as though I'm squandering 90% of the opportunities He gives me to love the people in my life. 

What is God weighing on your heart these days?  Are you grateful for the "little" things?  

Those Moments

I've been at Northwood Church for a little over a year and a half.  In that time we've seen a lot of change, growth and challenge.  The weird thing about the second year of ministry in a church is comparison.  It's natural of course but it can be a hinderance to what's happening now.  

I suppose you'll find that in most areas of life.  Here's why I'm writing about this.  Today we started our major planning for our summer camp VELOCITY and tomorrow I leave with a group of our senior high school students for our annual ski trip.  These two events were incredible last year in terms of relationship and effectiveness.  

When we plan events the tendency is to either make things "as good as last year" or to top what you did last year.  I'm trying to approach these events with a different mind set.  What will this year bring?  What does this group of students need?  More importantly, what does God want to accomplish this year?  

As incredible as both of these events were last year, it would be unfair and foolish to  expect the same results.  Of course the hope is that meaningful moments will occur and memories will be made; those moments that leave a lasting impact on your life; those moments that when recalled cause you to laugh as though you were back in time.  

All that to say that last year was incredible.  I'm blessed to have lived that life.  This year however, will bring its own memories, laughs, challenges, difficulties and joys.  I'm not going to miss out on what's in front of me because my head is turned around looking behind. 

Doctrine

Doctrine - a : something that is taught b : a principle or position or the body of principles in a branch of knowledge or system of belief.

I know what you're thinking....."Oh no.  Here we go."  In the words of Lee Corso, "Not so fast my friend!"

If you think that this is an area that doesn't need all that much attention, you're wrong.  Sorry, no way around this....

"Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers."

I grew up in  Southern Baptist churches.  I pretty much swallowed whatever I heard in terms of beliefs.  Not till I got to college was I forced to decide for myself what I believed about many of the negotiable and non-negotiable topics making up most people's doctrine.  

I've had the privilege of serving in several Southern Baptist churches along with two non-denominational churches.  My doctrine hasn't changed since those days in college.  My understanding of the deeper truths of Scripture have; but I believe God revealed His truth to me in those early days of ministry. 

The problem most of us face in determining sound doctrine is that we like to support our experiential beliefs/preferences with Scripture instead of conforming to the truth of the Bible whether it's easy or not.  

In NSM (Northwood Student Ministry) we are asking God to make 2010 a "dig down" year.  By that I mean that our direction is focused on seeing students grow in their depth of understanding and knowledge of God.  If we continue to grow numerically, or "spread out", that's fine but it's not our emphasis.  

We're walking through the ten commandments with our High School students for the first ten weeks of the year in a series called "X" or "Ten."   Our Middle School students are in a series that we know will last at least nine weeks called "Starting Point."  (Title credit to NPCC.  We're not using the Starting Point curriculum but it's too good a name to pass up.)  In this series we're walking through the non-negotiables of the Christian Faith.  

So how about you?  When did you discover your personal faith?  Are you firmly grounded not in your own understanding but on God's Word?  

Clarity

"I worry, I weigh three times my body 
I worry, I throw my fear around
But this morning, there's a calm I can't explain 
The rock candy's melted, only diamonds now remain"

I'm not sure if you're a John Mayer fan or not.  It really doesn't matter.  After an incredible talk yesterday with a great friend and mentor of mine I'm feeling a bit of clarity (song lyric from above).  You see, I'm in a funk.  I don't know how long it will last but I know that it won't continue forever.

There are some things going on in my head and my heart that have been causing a tremendous amount of worry, distraction and hurt.  This isn't God's plan for my life.  What is God's plan for my life may be changing but that's okay.  I can't exactly share everything that's going on but hopefully the knowledge that there is someone else out there that is sorting through this mess we call life will bring some comfort to one of you.  

The truth is God is changing me.  He's changing my perspective, my passions, my heart, my mind, my body and the list goes on.  As much as I enjoy the challenge of change and improvement, I've been very resistant to the change God is bringing in me.  God will never bring anything into our lives that we cannot survive without His provision.  He also won't withhold anything we need.  

Just some random thoughts to share today.  Hopefully you'll receive the clarity God is offering.  The catch is we have to be willing to see it and live it.  What are you waiting for?

Remember

Whatever is going on in your life right now be it good or bad; difficult or joyful; important or meaningless; stop and remember one simple truth.

You are God's child!!!

I was just reading back over some Scripture God has been using in my life and I was reminded of who I am.  

You are too.

You're His.

Not because of anything you have done or can do.

Because He has chosen you.

Live boldly in the knowledge of whose you are. 

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"

Worthy

My last post kind of gave birth to our latest series at The ELEMENT.  After writing the other night I was laying in bed thinking about some of the very things I had just discussed in the post.  Once I decided that the dark ceiling I'd been staring at wasn't going to offer any help or encouragement I got out my Bible and started reading.  

God spoke to me through 1 Peter 5:6-7.  And that I mean He brought me comfort.  I'm in somewhat of a funk these days but I'm trying to press forward knowing that God is still faithful and I'm still His child.  We all have some seasons marked by external or internal difficulty.  I believe God began healing some hurting people last night. 

Here is the series bumper.  How is God working in your heart so far in 2010?

Worthy Bumper from Phillip McCart on Vimeo.