Well, I’ve been in Chicago for 3 days now. I’m sitting in a Starbucks in Aurora just collecting my thoughts getting ready to go look at neighborhoods and rental properties. Here are a few things on my mind…
- I’ve really sucked at spending good quality time with God. There. I said it. I know you never struggle with that but I have this week. I have my journal and bible and prayer book but haven’t used them much. I’ve let the hectic-ness of my week steal my time with Him. I’m clearing my mind and going to have some serious time with my Father today and I’m really excited about it.
- I really miss my wife. She is my partner, lover, best friend, confidant, the smartest person I know, and the one I’d rather spend time with than anyone else. I’ve experienced some pretty amazing things the last few days and I wish she was here with me to experience them too. She patiently listened this morning as I called her and told her all about yesterday. She is one amazing person!
- I really miss my boys. I have 2 absolutely incredible kids, and I just cannot believe I get to be their daddy. I pray they both grow up loving God completely and loving others completely and using their lives to bless others in radical ways. I want to hear them laugh and see their face and tickle them and get on to them for being too loud
and just tell them all about this new place they will be moving to. I’ll be there when you wake up Tuesday morning boys!! - I love the weather here!
- Sometimes I feel like I’m a crappy dad. Yeah, I said that too. One thing that was ringing loudly in my ears yesterday was this statement by Craig Groeschel: “I’m not going to build an amazing church and lose my family.” I want to spend more time with my wife and kids. I want to learn to “turn it off (ministry stuff)” and give them my undivided attention. I want my kids to think I’m the coolest, most-fun, understanding, patient, adventurous dad in the world, and I need to work harder at that… pray for me that I get my stuff together and be SO intentional with my boys. I read this book and it convicted me while I read it and then I put it away and forgot about it. Do you struggle with translating information into action like I do sometimes?
- Craig Groeschel is the real deal! He is one of the most humble, approachable, passionate people I’ve ever met.
- I really want one of these. Those of you who know me know I’m an avid reader. If anyone feels led to buy me one of these that would be great!
- I got to meet Andy Stanley yesterday! He is someone I REALLY respect and yes, I felt like a buffoon…
- I am SO blessed that I got to work with Dennis and the team at SBC for the last several years. It’s been awesome in talking to people about our story and explaining that I’m leaving a GREAT church and a GREAT situation- I’m so excited about hearing what God continues to do through that body. I miss you guys already! Thanks for giving me a place to be real!
- I’m SO excited about the Orchard! The people have been incredible and they are so excited about leveraging their lives for missional living in this community and around the world. Scott is an incredible vision-caster (I think that’s one of his strongest giftings) and I just can’t wait to see what God will do through this group of self-less people!
- I got to meet Andy Stanley yesterday!
- This Sunday Scott is continuing in the INKED series with a pretty frank discussion about something most churches don’t talk about. Come Saturday night or Sunday morning if you’re in the area- you DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS!! And, there’s gonna be a teaser for something that will leave you ready to come back the next week, I guarantee it!!
- I don’t know how to put a section on my blog that shows my twitter updates, so if you know how, please tell me!
- Did I mention that I got to meet Andy Stanley yesterday? Just thought I’d let you know! Hope to chat with him again and not be a buffoon.
Okay, enough rambling. I need to go look at houses. I’m blessed. I’m a wreck. I’m loved by God. I love by my family. I’m excited to be in a scary journey following God. Thanks for journeying with me!
