Deurty

This month I am stepping away from Facebook. What used to keep me connected to people has actually had the reverse effect. So, I'm pausing and retreating for a month. I've been challenged by John 15 and the teaching of Jesus. In John 15 Jesus points out that fruitfulness comes from abiding/remaining in Him. So often I try to force fruitfulness and skip abiding because I like to control the pace and make things happen.  Jesus challenges us to find more effectiveness and fruitfulness by doing the counter-intuitive thing, and abide.  Mike Breen encourages people to work from the position of rest, rather than resting from work. I do unplug, but instead of abiding I can find myself avoiding...avoiding issues, problems, pain, responsibility, etc...  Also, instead of remaining, I can quickly remove myself.  I don't think abiding and remaining in Christ is an escape. Rather, it is bringing all the stuff, anxieties, worries, and responsibilities and again placing them fi...

The kids wrapped up their final day of school today. Summer officially begins at this moment. I wondered if it was ever going to get here. This Winter was relentless and long. With the Summer comes the pressure to seize it and squeeze out every last drop of Summer-fun out of it! My wife and I are trying to put together some Summer goals... like a bucket list of things we want to seize this Summer. We will never be able to top last Summer. Last Summer was my sabbatical and we had an amazing family trip out West. Some ideas so far... Camping Big neighborhood party Baseball games (Minor League and Major League) Lots of beach nights Trip to Chicago Trip to Mackinaw Island Michigan's Adventure Build a fort Play lots of whiffle ball Anyways, should be good. Summer is often a time of personal and spiritual renewal for me as well. My desire is to learn to "abide" with Jesus in increasing ways this Summer. Jesus says in John 15:5 that if we remain/abide/live in ...

It has been eleven years since I left my position at Spring Lake Wesleyan Church (now All Shores Wesleyan) to embark on planting Watermark Church. I spent some time and looked back through the posts from that first Summer.  Good memories, but also a lot of fear and insecurity. I don't think those things ever really go away. I remember walking around the downtown area of Grand Haven that Summer of 2003. I spent time walking around town, praying, meeting people, writing down notes and reading. That was a good Summer filled with a lot of new relationships and risks. I'd like to  revisit the intentional missional posture that I tried to live out. Perhaps this Summer will be a time of adventure and seeking to discover where God is already doing His stuff...and seeking to humbly join in. God, reveal what you are up to.  Deepen our relationship and give me courage to respond to Your moves.  Amen.