Washing Windows

I officially started the window washing.  I had fun and will go to bed a tired man having worked a good day.  God is good!

Nouwen, Priority Shifts and the Crucifixion of the North American Christian Leader Myth.

"I am telling you all this because I am deeply convinced that the Christian leader of the future is called to be completely irrelevant and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but his or her own vulnerable self."  Henri J.M. Nouwen In the Name of Jesus (pg.17)

For almost a year I have wrestled with the feelings and thoughts of how to be Biblically sound and culturally relevant in the spheres of influence that God has entrusted to me.  In this year, my father took His own life, I was asked to resign from the church I served by the senior pastor, and my marriage and family has been attacked ruthlessly by the enemy.  Many things have come "unhinged" only to reveal my vulnerable self.

In this process, a massive shifting has occurred.   My authentic self identity in Jesus has emerged more and more.  Any desire for greatness in the Kingdom has been replaced by desire for His renown to be broadcast out of my vulnerable life.  I serve more, pray more, and seek Him more.  I am a man undone and He is doing mighty things in me.  I have decreased and He has increased in me.

I am now ready to offer this vulnerable self first to the Lord.  Secondly, to my highly undervalued wife who needs for me to be the man Jesus intended so she can rise to the realization of her rightful place of identity and destiny in the Kingdom .  Thirdly, to my precious children who need me to be fully and completely engaged in the intimate details of their lives to help shape them into the people that God intends for them to become.  Lastly, all others will be blessed because of our example.

For those of you who think I have it all together, please look to Jesus not me.  For those who know I don't have it all together, thank you for your prayers and continued relationship.  For those who are uncomfortable with my self-disclosure, please look for the log in your own eye before you come to rescue me from the speck in mine. 

Paul encouraged us in Philippians 2, "Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others.  Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself."  This is the way of the would-be Christian leader.  Walk in it. 

The Lord - Provider and Friend

Our Jesus (if you share Him with me) has done it again!  Last night some friends in our Southern Baptist family decided to support Valerie and I for 6 months with a substantial part of what we need.  It allows for us to take a deep breath of God's faithfulness.  Also, our realtor called tonight and said we had an offer from some buyers on the home and it was what we needed.  So, hopefully our house will be sold soon.  What have we to fear with such a grace-filled, love-consumed God on our side?  The battle is real, and God is too. 

Work Found

For those reading who are praying for the job situation...I found a job washing windows.  It is not a job I want to do forever, but will help us keep the wolves away until God opens the door on what He wants us to do.  For those of you who read this but aren't praying...I love you anyway (smiles). 

3 Days, No Work, Need Help, Gargle, Gargle, Glub, Glub.

For the curious, the words in the above title lines are the sounds of man seeking employment who is drowning.  That man is none other than, well, um, er...ME!  I went and signed up for temp work at a temp service.  It is first come first served.  So, I have arrived at 5:00am, when they open, to find 6-8 desperados such as my self already there each time.  The first 2 or 3 guys get sent out to sweep, load trash, wash windows, etc... and then they have no more temp jobs available for the day.  Arggghh!  The main highlight is the "stimulating" conversation (smiles). 

I know God is up to something.  If I wasn't sure of that I'd probably do something insane like pray, fast, or cry out to God for His intervention.  Oh wait, I do those things everyday (smiles again).  Therefore, I am all the more sure He is up to something.