Pastor Greg wrote a great blog today! Check it out here http://gregoraham.blogspot.com/2008/03/lessons-ive-learned-over-last-10-years.html
I have been at Foothills for 9 of it's 10 years and Greg's unfailing focus to the vision that God gave to him and Liz has been awesome to observe and to be a part of. At Foothills, as Greg mentioned, the vision is cast over and over again....but for me what is so cool is that the vision of the Church is the measuring stick in the decision making process. There have been many times when there was an idea that felt good to staff or volunteers, but when measured against the vision, just didn't work....and those ideas were scrapped. That is often hard for people to deal with if they have attached themselves to an idea more than they have attached themselves to the vision. But when the vision is your primary focus you realize that your personal feelings are not what is really important. We should each constantly revisit the vision to make sure we "get it" and use it as the measure in everything we do in our area of ministry.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
I love my wife!
I love my wife! She is laid up in the hospital this week after having surgery yesterday and it is my privilege to be able to take care of her. I really don't realize all she does for me and our family and it really shows when she is out of commision.
What it really shows me is how great we work as a team. She counts on me for thing and I count on her for other things and between the two of us we really do accomplish an incredible amount of stuff during any given week. This week I am trying to cover both our halves and honestly I am probably not going to do as good a job as she would have.
In a nutshell, she means so much to me. She is my biggest fan. My best supporter. The one who picks me up when I fall and the one who encourages me to constantly strive to be a better husband, father, and Christ follower.
What it really shows me is how great we work as a team. She counts on me for thing and I count on her for other things and between the two of us we really do accomplish an incredible amount of stuff during any given week. This week I am trying to cover both our halves and honestly I am probably not going to do as good a job as she would have.
In a nutshell, she means so much to me. She is my biggest fan. My best supporter. The one who picks me up when I fall and the one who encourages me to constantly strive to be a better husband, father, and Christ follower.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
At the hospital
I am blogging today from the hospital. My wife was just delivered from recovery to her room about a half hour ago. The doctor said that the surgery went really well. Praise God! Thanks to all who were praying.
I really don't like hospitals....but having wireless internet helps!
Being at the hospital reminds me of Christ's mission....and ours as well! Jesus was known for hanging out with the "notorious sinners" of his time. The pharisees didn't like this at all or understand it. But in Matthew, Jesus explains it pretty well.
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice. 'For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Matthew 9:11-13NIV
I think it is interesting that the Pharisees asked the disciples why Jesus hung out with these people and didn't ask Jesus directly. I think we would classify this behavior today as "passive aggressive" for sure! But I think that the Pharisees were cowards! Jesus had put them in their place before so I believe they thought they would pick on the weaker disciples....thinking for sure that he would confuse them and cause them to question the authority of their Savior. Of course we don't know what would have happened if the disciples had answered, because Jesus beat them to it.
We have got to remember this passage! This verse for me, really defines my mission and maybe yours too. Churches today are filled with "righteous" people ministering to "righteous" people, calling other "righteous" people. A big holy huddle that is doing nothing to further the Kingdom of God.....it is so inward focused it makes me sick! I am so blessed that I found a Church with a heart for the lost....because it is not healthy people that need a doctor....it is sick people. And it isn't righteous people who need a Savior, it's sinners like me and you!
I really don't like hospitals....but having wireless internet helps!
Being at the hospital reminds me of Christ's mission....and ours as well! Jesus was known for hanging out with the "notorious sinners" of his time. The pharisees didn't like this at all or understand it. But in Matthew, Jesus explains it pretty well.
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice. 'For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Matthew 9:11-13NIV
I think it is interesting that the Pharisees asked the disciples why Jesus hung out with these people and didn't ask Jesus directly. I think we would classify this behavior today as "passive aggressive" for sure! But I think that the Pharisees were cowards! Jesus had put them in their place before so I believe they thought they would pick on the weaker disciples....thinking for sure that he would confuse them and cause them to question the authority of their Savior. Of course we don't know what would have happened if the disciples had answered, because Jesus beat them to it.
We have got to remember this passage! This verse for me, really defines my mission and maybe yours too. Churches today are filled with "righteous" people ministering to "righteous" people, calling other "righteous" people. A big holy huddle that is doing nothing to further the Kingdom of God.....it is so inward focused it makes me sick! I am so blessed that I found a Church with a heart for the lost....because it is not healthy people that need a doctor....it is sick people. And it isn't righteous people who need a Savior, it's sinners like me and you!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Busy week ahead
Hey everyone....tomorrow my beautiful wife is going be having surgery. Unfortunately she will have to be in the hospital until Friday. Please keep her in your prayers that all goes well. She will have 2-3 weeks of bed rest and recovery after she gets home as well. If any of you know Amy, you know that will probably be the most difficult part of the whole experience.....she doesn't sit still well for long periods of time!
Please keep me in your prayers too. The weeks ahead will probably be rather trying at times.
Please keep me in your prayers too. The weeks ahead will probably be rather trying at times.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Does anybody see her?
First of all....let me set the record state, CJ. I have never actually wet my shorts while playing basketball or any other sport! I just looked like I could any moment.
Second.....I still suck at basketball and therefore, don't play. I can lay the smack down on a volleyball court though.
Some of you may know that there is a Casting Crowns concert this Friday night at the Bilo Center. I am not going...but I really like their music. Actually I really like their lyrics, the music is a little on the pop radio side for me, but I love the message.
I love the heart of Casting Crowns. I truly believe that they have an incredible heart for lost people, but also know that the Church is not doing what it should be doing. Please understand that when I say "the Church" I am not talking about an organization or a building or a staff of paid ministers. I am talking about you and I. WE are the Church. Read these lyrics from the chorus of this song.
Does anybody hear her?
Can anybody see?
Or does anybody even knows she's going down today
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her?
Can anybody see?
She is right there! Right under our noses! We pass her everyday in the grocery store, at the soccer field, at work, maybe even in our own churches and we don't even know that she is dying inside. And here is the really hard to swallow part....she's "searching for the HOPE that's tucked away in you and me."
Instead of tucking it away only to pull it out on Sunday mornings to wear as some kind of fashion statement, if we had the hope of Jesus on display in our everyday lives, she wouldn't have to search for it. We would see her and she would see Jesus.
Second.....I still suck at basketball and therefore, don't play. I can lay the smack down on a volleyball court though.
Some of you may know that there is a Casting Crowns concert this Friday night at the Bilo Center. I am not going...but I really like their music. Actually I really like their lyrics, the music is a little on the pop radio side for me, but I love the message.
I love the heart of Casting Crowns. I truly believe that they have an incredible heart for lost people, but also know that the Church is not doing what it should be doing. Please understand that when I say "the Church" I am not talking about an organization or a building or a staff of paid ministers. I am talking about you and I. WE are the Church. Read these lyrics from the chorus of this song.
Does anybody hear her?
Can anybody see?
Or does anybody even knows she's going down today
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her?
Can anybody see?
She is right there! Right under our noses! We pass her everyday in the grocery store, at the soccer field, at work, maybe even in our own churches and we don't even know that she is dying inside. And here is the really hard to swallow part....she's "searching for the HOPE that's tucked away in you and me."
Instead of tucking it away only to pull it out on Sunday mornings to wear as some kind of fashion statement, if we had the hope of Jesus on display in our everyday lives, she wouldn't have to search for it. We would see her and she would see Jesus.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Pee Wee Basketball
I was in 7th grade, living in a little town in Missouri called Belton, when I decided to play basketball in our local rec league. It was mostly out of peer pressure if I remember right.
I had a few friends that lived a couple of blocks away and on most days after school, I would end up in one friend, John's, driveway playing two on two basketball or horse or pig or around the world. I wasn't particularly good at basketball in any of its forms....but your perceived basketball abilities are somehow skewed if you can occasionally hit a 20 footer with your back to the goal or one-handed granny shot while standing on one foot singing "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugarhill Gang. Therefore, when my friend John Blazek told me that his dad was going to coach a basketball team and he was going to make sure I was on his team, I was honored AND petrified at the same time. I mean, I had made some great shots in my day.....but I had never really played a real game on a real court with a real team. I would get so nervous before games that I would get sick! My coach would comment that when I was playing I looked so nervous that he thought I would wet my shorts!
I feel that way today. I am nervous and scared about what is ahead. Perry talked about insecurities during the second session at Unleash last week.....I've got some too! Way too often I think I have gotten off a couple of lucky granny shots and everyone thinks I can play ball...but I am not always so sure.
I had a few friends that lived a couple of blocks away and on most days after school, I would end up in one friend, John's, driveway playing two on two basketball or horse or pig or around the world. I wasn't particularly good at basketball in any of its forms....but your perceived basketball abilities are somehow skewed if you can occasionally hit a 20 footer with your back to the goal or one-handed granny shot while standing on one foot singing "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugarhill Gang. Therefore, when my friend John Blazek told me that his dad was going to coach a basketball team and he was going to make sure I was on his team, I was honored AND petrified at the same time. I mean, I had made some great shots in my day.....but I had never really played a real game on a real court with a real team. I would get so nervous before games that I would get sick! My coach would comment that when I was playing I looked so nervous that he thought I would wet my shorts!
I feel that way today. I am nervous and scared about what is ahead. Perry talked about insecurities during the second session at Unleash last week.....I've got some too! Way too often I think I have gotten off a couple of lucky granny shots and everyone thinks I can play ball...but I am not always so sure.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
You saw right...
Yep....if you were at FCC today and you thought my hair looked different....
Your eyes were not deceiving you! Yes! My hair is now orange!
It wasn't really planned that way, but that is the way it turned out. I actually kind of
like it...but I like to be a little different. I have had long hair (this picture is awesome! Nothing is better than rockin hard and getting all sweaty when you have long hair!), short hair, mullet (in the eighties of course...not like last year), spiked hair, highlights, blonde...you name it, but I have never had orange! This is new for me....and I'm just gonna go with it for a while.
FCC was great today! The message was awesome. Greg talked about coming out of our "caves." The things in our past that we just can't let go of...whether it is guilt, or anger, or jealousy, or hurt, or whatever it is that is closing in on us and not allowing us to to experience the freedom that is in Christ. There are people all over this county dying in their personal caves...I wish they could have all heard this message.
Your eyes were not deceiving you! Yes! My hair is now orange!
It wasn't really planned that way, but that is the way it turned out. I actually kind of
like it...but I like to be a little different. I have had long hair (this picture is awesome! Nothing is better than rockin hard and getting all sweaty when you have long hair!), short hair, mullet (in the eighties of course...not like last year), spiked hair, highlights, blonde...you name it, but I have never had orange! This is new for me....and I'm just gonna go with it for a while.
FCC was great today! The message was awesome. Greg talked about coming out of our "caves." The things in our past that we just can't let go of...whether it is guilt, or anger, or jealousy, or hurt, or whatever it is that is closing in on us and not allowing us to to experience the freedom that is in Christ. There are people all over this county dying in their personal caves...I wish they could have all heard this message.
The praise team was rockin' today! It is such an incredible privilege to play music with Eric and the others in the team. Everyone has such a heart for God and a vision for why were do what we do.....and on top of it all, we all get along so well. It's a LOT of work to put in the practice, etc and then play 4 services on Sunday.....but man is it fun!
I had a friend mention how much Pastor Paul's blog touched her and I have to agree that he has some great insights into life and God.....here it is if you would like to check it out.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Find your "bomp."
Today I am going to pose the age old question.....
Who put the bomp in the bomp-a-bomp-a-bomp?
Who put the ram in the ram-a-lam-a-ding-dong?
Who put the bop in the bop sh-bop sh-bop?
Who put the dip in the dip da dip da dip?
If you don't recognize those lyrics, they are from a 50's era song by the Viscounts. Silly lyrics for sure, but for the last week or so there is a new "bomp" in my "bomp-a-bomp-a-bomp!" I know you thinking that "Shannon has really lost it this time." But just stay with me.... I am talking about "Passion." There has got to be something that gets your blood pumping, that gets your juices flowing, that moves you. I am not going to get into any details right now, but I am considering some changes that have me fired up! Amy and I had lunch with Greg and Liz Oraham yesterday and it was awesome. They shared their passions with us about where Foothills Community Church has come and where it is going....and let me tell you, these people are PASSIONATE about reaching people for Christ. They just light up when they start talking about it.
I guess the whole point of todays blog is to find your "bomp." Figure out what your passion is and use that passion to serve God. You see, HE is the one who can put the bomp in your bomp-a-bomp-a-bomp, or the ram in your ram-a-lam-a-ding dong. Serving God passionately changes your life. Everything is better, you love your spouse better, you love your children better, you love your neighbors better, you have a clearer perspective, you look forward to everyday AND you can weather the storms better.
Shannon
Who put the bomp in the bomp-a-bomp-a-bomp?
Who put the ram in the ram-a-lam-a-ding-dong?
Who put the bop in the bop sh-bop sh-bop?
Who put the dip in the dip da dip da dip?
If you don't recognize those lyrics, they are from a 50's era song by the Viscounts. Silly lyrics for sure, but for the last week or so there is a new "bomp" in my "bomp-a-bomp-a-bomp!" I know you thinking that "Shannon has really lost it this time." But just stay with me.... I am talking about "Passion." There has got to be something that gets your blood pumping, that gets your juices flowing, that moves you. I am not going to get into any details right now, but I am considering some changes that have me fired up! Amy and I had lunch with Greg and Liz Oraham yesterday and it was awesome. They shared their passions with us about where Foothills Community Church has come and where it is going....and let me tell you, these people are PASSIONATE about reaching people for Christ. They just light up when they start talking about it.
I guess the whole point of todays blog is to find your "bomp." Figure out what your passion is and use that passion to serve God. You see, HE is the one who can put the bomp in your bomp-a-bomp-a-bomp, or the ram in your ram-a-lam-a-ding dong. Serving God passionately changes your life. Everything is better, you love your spouse better, you love your children better, you love your neighbors better, you have a clearer perspective, you look forward to everyday AND you can weather the storms better.
Shannon
Monday, March 10, 2008
Motivation
Being a Monday morning after the change to daylight savings time, I am faced with the issue of "motivation."
motivation
noun
1.
the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
That's a pretty interesting definition I think that leads me to the question of what motivates me and what motivates you. What is it that arouses me towards action? What gives you purpose and direction to your behavior? Advertisers understand this concept perhaps better than anyone. I mean, they live their lives developing campaigns to provoke motivation....and that motivation is to buy the product that they are selling. Advertisers direct our purpose and direction with promises of beauty, or wealth, or power, or prestige, or health, or success. But when I wake up on a Monday morning, press my snooze alarm three or four times, rush my kids to school, arrive late to work only to be assaulted by a ringing phone and a list of emails my motivation better rely in something more than the refreshing scent of my Irish Spring! My motivation has got to come from an unfailing belief that I am where God wants me to be, doing what God wants me to do. Today God has me at a desk, in front of a computer, quoting industrial control equipment for wastewater treatment plants. As glamorous as that sounds....it is sometimes hard to find motivation. But I am certain that God has a purpose and that is motivation enough for me.
motivation
noun
1.
the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
That's a pretty interesting definition I think that leads me to the question of what motivates me and what motivates you. What is it that arouses me towards action? What gives you purpose and direction to your behavior? Advertisers understand this concept perhaps better than anyone. I mean, they live their lives developing campaigns to provoke motivation....and that motivation is to buy the product that they are selling. Advertisers direct our purpose and direction with promises of beauty, or wealth, or power, or prestige, or health, or success. But when I wake up on a Monday morning, press my snooze alarm three or four times, rush my kids to school, arrive late to work only to be assaulted by a ringing phone and a list of emails my motivation better rely in something more than the refreshing scent of my Irish Spring! My motivation has got to come from an unfailing belief that I am where God wants me to be, doing what God wants me to do. Today God has me at a desk, in front of a computer, quoting industrial control equipment for wastewater treatment plants. As glamorous as that sounds....it is sometimes hard to find motivation. But I am certain that God has a purpose and that is motivation enough for me.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Remodeling
My wife and I recently bought a 4 unit apartment building. One of the units was vacant when we bought it so we decided to take the opportunity to remodel it before trying to find a tenant for it in hopes of getting a higher rent. So I have spent quite a bit of time over at the apartment working over the last couple of weeks. Today I was laying down new vinyl in the bathroom and doing some painting. I actually enjoy this sort of thing...it is really rewarding to see a space get totally transformed with a fresh new look.
The bathroom had some incredibly hideous blue and white adhesive vinyl tiles that didn't appear to have been installed with much care. I installed a new sheet vinyl that did not require adhesive...it "floats." It took a little while but when I was finished I was really pleased with what I saw. It got me thinking about how the Bible says that our sins are "covered" by the blood of Jesus. I had just covered the sins of some extremely offensive vinyl flooring with some much better looking flooring....but is this what God does? I don't think so. I think what God does is more like refinishing wood floors. God sands us down and puts a new finish on with a new layer of laquer. The floors look great...shiny and new, but if you look closely you can still see the dents and the dings and the scars from the hurts and falls and bumps and sin that had happened before. The consequence of sin isn't covered up....it will always be there. But God makes us new nonetheless....giving us a fresh new life so that we can share with others where we have been and what God has done for us through his Son, Jesus Christ.
The bathroom had some incredibly hideous blue and white adhesive vinyl tiles that didn't appear to have been installed with much care. I installed a new sheet vinyl that did not require adhesive...it "floats." It took a little while but when I was finished I was really pleased with what I saw. It got me thinking about how the Bible says that our sins are "covered" by the blood of Jesus. I had just covered the sins of some extremely offensive vinyl flooring with some much better looking flooring....but is this what God does? I don't think so. I think what God does is more like refinishing wood floors. God sands us down and puts a new finish on with a new layer of laquer. The floors look great...shiny and new, but if you look closely you can still see the dents and the dings and the scars from the hurts and falls and bumps and sin that had happened before. The consequence of sin isn't covered up....it will always be there. But God makes us new nonetheless....giving us a fresh new life so that we can share with others where we have been and what God has done for us through his Son, Jesus Christ.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Why blog?
I never actually thought that I would have a blog. I guess that I just don't get it. I really don't know why I would want to read anyone elses thoughts. And even scarier....I can't imagine why anyone would want to read mine. I mean it is a scary place inside this head sometimes! I have a a lot of friends at Foothills Community Church that would probably agree! I love my church and I was heavily involved in creative planning there for several years. During some of our brainstorming sessions the scary stuff would ooze out on occassion.....or rather shoot out all over the place like projectile vomit! Creativity isn't always pretty....but it sure can be fun! There were times during "creative team" meetings that I would be laughing so hard that I would be crying......literally some of the hardest laughing fits I have ever had.
Wow....I am doing it! I am blogging and you are reading it! (I feel like Sally Fields accepting an Oscar....."You like me, you really like me!")
Okay I think I am going to like this. I hope you like it too. I promise to not make it a blahhhg.
I anticipate future blogs talking about how I feel about creativity (especially in church), church growth, my relationship with God, my family, and things that I have learned along the way. I hope to make it interesting enough that you will want to check back often.
In Christ,
Shannon
Wow....I am doing it! I am blogging and you are reading it! (I feel like Sally Fields accepting an Oscar....."You like me, you really like me!")
Okay I think I am going to like this. I hope you like it too. I promise to not make it a blahhhg.
I anticipate future blogs talking about how I feel about creativity (especially in church), church growth, my relationship with God, my family, and things that I have learned along the way. I hope to make it interesting enough that you will want to check back often.
In Christ,
Shannon
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