I’m up way past my bedtime… and I’ve got a few things rolling around my mind…
- I just watched The Prestige for the second time… dang I still don’t get it!
- This weekend’s gonna be BIG! We’re talking about “Risk” at church!
- On Monday “The Ladies” and I are taking off for Lancaster, PA for MINE (Minister’s Institute of the Northeast). This is a retreat and teaching time for pastors and their families. This year Jim Henderson is going to be speaking.
- I hung out with one of my buddies today and we climbed his chimney! Seriously, he’s got his chimney built like a climbing wall! We’re working on our climbing skills for the BIG climb this summer… a 600 foot climb! I can’t wait!
- I’m pretty pumped to have made Nathan Rice‘s Friday Favorites – Pastor’s Edition list!
- I can’t believe all the action that this post is getting!
- It’s 12:10 a.m. this is about 2 hours later than my latest bedtime! So… see ya!
Filed under: My life
can’t wait to hear your service this weekend….I have a good giggle when I read what some people have to say back to you….I’m an old timer too but some people are soooo funny at what they get upset over…life is tooo short…..keep the GOOD servies…..change is good…..deb
I’ll be praying for your safe and comfortable travels (and no puking from the little ones)…also that you and the family will return safely refreshed, taught by the Lord and ready to follow Him some more.
Welcome to the world of late-night thinkers!! I do some of my best thinking between 11:00 pm and 1:00 am. I’m definitely not a morning person like others.
I loved the movie “The Prestige”! I admit I was a little confused at the end, but that’s not a bad thing. Good movies can do that sometimes. Maybe I’ll try watching it again to see if I get any more clues.
Wow, you and “the ladies” must be getting tired of traveling!! How many days have you actually been home within the past month? Sounds like it’s time for you to relax. Hopefully Sherri will get a chance to see her parents while in Lancaster and the girls their grandparents! Have a great time!
You’re right, your post is getting a lot of comments! Sounds like you’re having to deal with a lot of hurting people (saved and unsaved). My comments have not been meant to hurt you, but to help you (as a member of the congregation who can see things from some of the others points of view) to see where some of the hurt might be coming from. To be honest with you, I hope these comments and concerns are not falling on deaf ears and I hope you’re not pushing them aside and not dealing with them. The feelings of these people are VERY RELEVANT and should be dealt with! Could they possibly be right about some of the changes you’ve made? Would you be humble enough to admit it? Would it be admitting defeat to change some things back? Just thinking out loud and being truthful with you, as you’ve asked people to be!
Looking forward, with some apprehension, to this weekend!
I just got out the 6:00 service and I am NOT GIGGLING…I came home and cried my eyes out……WOW talk about change this is a hard one…..You Sherrie and the little ladies are going to be missed soooooo much
I’ve been following your blog for a few weeks and have many thoughts. Mostly, how much I enjoy the church and look forward to each sermon. Each week God touches me and I leave with new resolve and purpose. Either I am a huge work in progress or no one else is getting it! Just kidding…Tonight my mother called and shared news. I am very sad and wish I could sleep. We’ve only been at the church a little over a year and we are just starting to feel at home. I for one welcome change because it changes me. I’m not looking forward to this one though. The best part of Northgate for us is you Paul. Thank you for your vision to reach the lost and your willingness to preach God’s word no matter what the cost or outcome. To quote Jack Nicholson from the movie As Good As It Gets, “you make me want to be a better person”. Your sense of humor isn’t bad either…My best to you, Sherry and the ladies.
Did we drive you away or did God call you away?
The answer to this makes a great deal of difference to me. If it is the first one, then we as a congregation need to do some serious soul searching before the Lord. If it is the second, then we need to pray the way clear ahead of you.
I love you, man! You’ve been like a big brother to me and I’m going to miss you and the ladies so much. I know how it is to be part of a pastor’s family and move from place to place, but I can tell you are definitely heeding God’s calling. Thank God for the internet as a way to keep in touch.
Lori’s comment–”Did we drive you away or did God call you away?
The answer to this makes a great deal of difference to me. If it is the first one, then we as a congregation need to do some serious soul searching before the Lord. If it is the second, then we need to pray the way clear ahead of you.”
Shouldn’t each of us be doing both regardless of the answer? We as Christians should be soul searching with each and every thing we do. It’s not about a pastor, or a congregation, or a building…those are guaranteed to change. The only constant is Jesus…and if we are to become more like Him, then we should be evaluating all we say and do, to each and every person, every single day. I’m very bothered by some things that have been said both because there have been personal attacks on a very good friend and because a few of these comments have been made by people who call me friend. By their actions, how do I know they wouldn’t turn on me also? If anyone has to even ask and wonder whether they drove someone away, then there is a problem and they need to search and take it to God. I think we all have to ask ourselves if we are doing all we can to build up everyone we come in contact with and if we are growing like Jesus. We have to take individual responsibility for that one ourselves with Christ leading.
We should be praying for Paul, Sherri and the girls as they set off to write a new chapter in their lives. I have seen the passion, the surrendering, and the heart of someone willing to give up all for Jesus. We should be praying that God will continue to work through someone willing to trust going from safe (even if tough at times) to something incredibly more difficult and unknown. He has humbled himself to know that he is just an ordinary guy that God is able to use because he is willing to allow God to take control.
I witnessed hundreds of people between last night and today who have been touched by this man and his family. If you or I left our jobs, would we get the same reactions? If you or I left this church, would anyone notice? It’s time we all do a lot of searching, praying, risking, and most of all surrendering. It’s time we get off our butts and get motivated to listen and follow and to take the planks out of our own eyes. It’s time we start stepping out of our comfort zones, start moving out of the status quo and start listening to a God who can and will use all of us…if we let Him.
Thank you Paul.