Yesterday was quite a day. It began about 3 am when I got out of bed and into the van. I drove to West Michigan and was there to enjoy the morning sun on the pier. I miss walking the boardwalk and enjoying the sights and smells of the big lake.
After some great time alone, I popped in on my folks. Startled the shriek right out of my mother...that was fun! Enjoyed touching base with them.
Then I got to have lunch with Branda and Larry, who have been mentors and friends for about 20 years. They have walked with me through so much. It was great to connect, even if it was brief.
Spent some more time with my folks.
Then spent the rest of the evening with Denny, another mentor for the better part of 25 years.
Then I drove home and got into bed again about 2am today.
Why would I do that? It seems sort of crazy.
I did it because of the vital importance that Brenda, Larry, and Denny play in my life (Note: my parents do, too, but I've had the chance to interact with them a few times since moving closer). They love me. They encourage me. They pray for me. And out of that kind of relationship, they speak truth to me...sometimes hard truth. Everyone needs people like this in their life.
After spending a few hours with these people, I had much to chew on and think about. They put their fingers on some areas in my life that I needed them to touch. God speaks through them to bring about his transformation in my life. God also uses his Spirit and my wife and other people. But these people are unique. They are a gift.
It was a day that was 22 hours long. But it was 22 hours that God used to speak into my soul. It could prove to be 22 hours that changed my life.
That's the gift of a mentor. It's not the same gift as a friend, parent, or spouse.
Thank you, God, for Brenda, Larry, and Denny.
M@
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Sunday, June 26, 2005
quick update...
Here's a brief run-down of what's been going on...
- kitchen floor still a mess. I'm pretty sure we're going to pass on the home insurance thing and just put some more wood flooring down and hope it blends pretty well.
- new fridge...yup...it's not safe to be an appliance in the Furr house. The old one was cranked all the way (using a tone of energy) and only chilling things, not keeping anything cold. That's convenient for scooping ice cream, but not for storing food. Nice, modest new fridge. The stove better stay in line!
- Finished up the second of two weekends in which couples came in as a part of the interview process for the Worshi Arts Pastor position. I'm encouraged and think the process did what I hoped and prayed it would. Should be able to pull the trigger on a decision this week.
- Heidi is a great hostess! She put out a great spread for our guests both weekends. I'm grateful for her.
- Izak has initiate potty training. Frankly, diapers are pretty darn convenient...so I'm not sure Mom and Dad are ready for this. I walked in on him in the bathroom taking his diaper off and trying to stand/pee in the toilet. With a little coaching, he did the business and was quite pleased with himself. I confess that I was sort of proud, too. Amazing how much importance bodily functions have for parents.
- Kevin and I just had a meeting of the Jedi's of the green table. We shot some pool. It was a good time hanging out and talking about the interview process. I actually shot well tonight, which is fun. I topped the evening off by winning 9-ball on the break! I love to win!
- Monday is family day...should be low key.
- Tuesday, I head to Michigan for a day trip. Touching base with my parent, spending time with a mentor, and picking up bunk beds for Izak.
- Thursday, we have a friend from Buffalo coming in for a visit until Sunday.
- Saturday, we have another friend from Buffalo visiting for a week. Some overlap...should be fun.
- Monday, I leave for a golf trip with my friend from Buffalo.
That's the news from Lake Wobegon...
M@
- kitchen floor still a mess. I'm pretty sure we're going to pass on the home insurance thing and just put some more wood flooring down and hope it blends pretty well.
- new fridge...yup...it's not safe to be an appliance in the Furr house. The old one was cranked all the way (using a tone of energy) and only chilling things, not keeping anything cold. That's convenient for scooping ice cream, but not for storing food. Nice, modest new fridge. The stove better stay in line!
- Finished up the second of two weekends in which couples came in as a part of the interview process for the Worshi Arts Pastor position. I'm encouraged and think the process did what I hoped and prayed it would. Should be able to pull the trigger on a decision this week.
- Heidi is a great hostess! She put out a great spread for our guests both weekends. I'm grateful for her.
- Izak has initiate potty training. Frankly, diapers are pretty darn convenient...so I'm not sure Mom and Dad are ready for this. I walked in on him in the bathroom taking his diaper off and trying to stand/pee in the toilet. With a little coaching, he did the business and was quite pleased with himself. I confess that I was sort of proud, too. Amazing how much importance bodily functions have for parents.
- Kevin and I just had a meeting of the Jedi's of the green table. We shot some pool. It was a good time hanging out and talking about the interview process. I actually shot well tonight, which is fun. I topped the evening off by winning 9-ball on the break! I love to win!
- Monday is family day...should be low key.
- Tuesday, I head to Michigan for a day trip. Touching base with my parent, spending time with a mentor, and picking up bunk beds for Izak.
- Thursday, we have a friend from Buffalo coming in for a visit until Sunday.
- Saturday, we have another friend from Buffalo visiting for a week. Some overlap...should be fun.
- Monday, I leave for a golf trip with my friend from Buffalo.
That's the news from Lake Wobegon...
M@
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
harassed...
My wife was giving me the business about not blogging...she said my blog is starting to look like Kevin Parido's!!! So here's a little update on things...
Last week wasn't what I hoped it would be. That has more to do with my high expectations rather than anything that didn't go right. I expected to get about 2 week's worth of study and preparation work done, while getting in about a week and a half of prayer and listening to God...all in about 3 days, while getting ready for a big interview of potential staff on the weekend. Ok, so i'm a little optimistic...sue me!
But all in all, it was a good week. the change of pace was helpful. Jon and Anders, a dad and son at Northwest, did the message on Sunday morning...it went really well. I'm back on tap this weekend.
I'm going to save my reflections on the staff interview until after a decision is made because we have another candidate for the same position coming into town this weekend. I'm excited to meet the couple and get to know them better. It's pretty cool that God would see fit to bring two great couples across the path of a little church in Mundelein, IL.
One of the things I've been spending a lot of mental energy on these days is what I'll call a spiritual formation process. God works in people's lives. As a church, our role is to help people optimize that work. However, most models that I've observed in churches tend to be mechanical in nature. But people aren't machines, we are growing beings. So I (in partnership with others) have been trying to explore a more "organic" model of ministry in the church. Organic ministry appreciates the dynamic relationship between people and their environments. I can't control people or the decisions they make. But as a leader of a faith community, I can control the environments in which people interact with each other and with God. So how do we, as leaders, cultivate environments that more effectively help people experience life transformation, becoming more like Jesus.
I like a life of purpose. But there's just something about rounding 4 bases that doesn't do it for me (if you don't know what I'm talking about...don't worry about it...it's something to do with a book that's supposed to help church leaders put people through the sausage-machine of the church more efficiently). It's not a static venture we in...the class that impacted people this year, may not do it next year. What happens when everyone goes through all the classes? Do they start again, thinking they may learn something new?
So what's the goal? To get through a series of classes? To acquire a specific knowledge base? How do we know if we win?
I think a great phrase that describes the goal (which I borrowed from Erwin McManus at Mosaic in LA) is:
To become a community that is known by love, walks by faith, and serves as a voice of hope in the world.
Sounds a bit like Jesus, if you ask me. What have you experienced as helpful or not-so-much in your church setting? If you're not in a church setting, what might seem relevant to you as you explore faith in Jesus? Let me know what you think...
M@
Last week wasn't what I hoped it would be. That has more to do with my high expectations rather than anything that didn't go right. I expected to get about 2 week's worth of study and preparation work done, while getting in about a week and a half of prayer and listening to God...all in about 3 days, while getting ready for a big interview of potential staff on the weekend. Ok, so i'm a little optimistic...sue me!
But all in all, it was a good week. the change of pace was helpful. Jon and Anders, a dad and son at Northwest, did the message on Sunday morning...it went really well. I'm back on tap this weekend.
I'm going to save my reflections on the staff interview until after a decision is made because we have another candidate for the same position coming into town this weekend. I'm excited to meet the couple and get to know them better. It's pretty cool that God would see fit to bring two great couples across the path of a little church in Mundelein, IL.
One of the things I've been spending a lot of mental energy on these days is what I'll call a spiritual formation process. God works in people's lives. As a church, our role is to help people optimize that work. However, most models that I've observed in churches tend to be mechanical in nature. But people aren't machines, we are growing beings. So I (in partnership with others) have been trying to explore a more "organic" model of ministry in the church. Organic ministry appreciates the dynamic relationship between people and their environments. I can't control people or the decisions they make. But as a leader of a faith community, I can control the environments in which people interact with each other and with God. So how do we, as leaders, cultivate environments that more effectively help people experience life transformation, becoming more like Jesus.
I like a life of purpose. But there's just something about rounding 4 bases that doesn't do it for me (if you don't know what I'm talking about...don't worry about it...it's something to do with a book that's supposed to help church leaders put people through the sausage-machine of the church more efficiently). It's not a static venture we in...the class that impacted people this year, may not do it next year. What happens when everyone goes through all the classes? Do they start again, thinking they may learn something new?
So what's the goal? To get through a series of classes? To acquire a specific knowledge base? How do we know if we win?
I think a great phrase that describes the goal (which I borrowed from Erwin McManus at Mosaic in LA) is:
To become a community that is known by love, walks by faith, and serves as a voice of hope in the world.
Sounds a bit like Jesus, if you ask me. What have you experienced as helpful or not-so-much in your church setting? If you're not in a church setting, what might seem relevant to you as you explore faith in Jesus? Let me know what you think...
M@
Sunday, June 12, 2005
change of pace...
It's been quite some time since I had a vacation. Though I probably needed one in February, it's not really possible to step into a new ministry position and then take off for a week. Well...I'm not taking a vacation yet (that will come in July when I do some golfing with Rick), but I am changing things up a bit this week...and I'm excited about it. This week is a reading/study/prayer week. I won't be tackling the administrative stuff at Northwest...it's doing to have to wait until next week. I'm probably not even going to be around the office much. I will go where I can read, pray, listen to God, and write...and being new to the area, I'm not even sure where that will be.
My goals for the week are:
- refresh my spirit
- nail down the conversation series for the next year.
- plan support ministries that tie into the main direction of the conversations
- write a couple of messages in the next series on prayer
- read a fiction book
- read a few other leadership books
No...no vacation here. But the change of pace will be crucial.
Tomorrow is family day!! I love the time with my wife and kids.
I also need to plan this week for the first of two candidates for the position of Worship Arts Pastor at Northwest. Dan and his wife, Anjee, will be flying in on Friday. I've enjoyed my conversations with him and look forward to meeting him and taking this next step in the process. It's my first hire as lead pastor at Northwest, but I'm not nervous. I trust God's guidance during the process and know that we'll make the right decision. I enjoy leading with that kind of confidence...the kind that comes from trusting God's leadership and knowing that I'm tuning in enough to be lead by Him.
Peace,
Matt
My goals for the week are:
- refresh my spirit
- nail down the conversation series for the next year.
- plan support ministries that tie into the main direction of the conversations
- write a couple of messages in the next series on prayer
- read a fiction book
- read a few other leadership books
No...no vacation here. But the change of pace will be crucial.
Tomorrow is family day!! I love the time with my wife and kids.
I also need to plan this week for the first of two candidates for the position of Worship Arts Pastor at Northwest. Dan and his wife, Anjee, will be flying in on Friday. I've enjoyed my conversations with him and look forward to meeting him and taking this next step in the process. It's my first hire as lead pastor at Northwest, but I'm not nervous. I trust God's guidance during the process and know that we'll make the right decision. I enjoy leading with that kind of confidence...the kind that comes from trusting God's leadership and knowing that I'm tuning in enough to be lead by Him.
Peace,
Matt
Saturday, June 11, 2005
24 horus...
Keiffer has his pretty intense 24 hours on Fox. We had a family visit. My family from Michigan came to town to celebrate Libby's one-year birthday with us. It was special of them to make that trip for such a short time. Thanks, Fam!
Plans were going along smoothly until I got a call from my sister that the van had broken down just north of the city. It's been living on borrowed time for the past few months...timing is everything. So my two sisters, 2 nephews, and 1 niece chilled out at a Shell station while my dad and I went down to the rescue.
But God already had things under control. My dad and I drove through a huge rain storm...it was really, really huge. That was sort of funny, because I had just said something like, "At least it isn't raining." Honestly, when I said it, the skies were looking good. Then out of nowhere...bammo.
Because of the rain, another guy got trapped at the Shell station...he was riding home from work on his motorcycle and couldn't believe how the sky just opened up. Do you know where he worked? At the Nissan garage down the street. Do you know what kind of van my sister was driving? Not a Nissan, but a Mercury Villager, which gets its engine from...Nissan. So the guy took a look at the van, diagnosed it (correctly we find out) and was able to help get it started again.
How cool is that? I'm not sure if God arranged the whole storm so that the mechanic would end up at the same gas station, but...He's done crazier things.
Van got fixed. Libby had a party. Izak played his brains out with the cousins. We all ate incredible lasagna that my mother made...yum. Good time had by all.
Then after the family pulled out of the driveway, we hopped in the van to the Norlin home to celebrate Kim's birthday and graduation and Jeff's birthday. It was a good time.
Now...ahhh...that wonderful place in the evening when all is quiet. Sweet quietness...
good night.
m@
Plans were going along smoothly until I got a call from my sister that the van had broken down just north of the city. It's been living on borrowed time for the past few months...timing is everything. So my two sisters, 2 nephews, and 1 niece chilled out at a Shell station while my dad and I went down to the rescue.
But God already had things under control. My dad and I drove through a huge rain storm...it was really, really huge. That was sort of funny, because I had just said something like, "At least it isn't raining." Honestly, when I said it, the skies were looking good. Then out of nowhere...bammo.
Because of the rain, another guy got trapped at the Shell station...he was riding home from work on his motorcycle and couldn't believe how the sky just opened up. Do you know where he worked? At the Nissan garage down the street. Do you know what kind of van my sister was driving? Not a Nissan, but a Mercury Villager, which gets its engine from...Nissan. So the guy took a look at the van, diagnosed it (correctly we find out) and was able to help get it started again.
How cool is that? I'm not sure if God arranged the whole storm so that the mechanic would end up at the same gas station, but...He's done crazier things.
Van got fixed. Libby had a party. Izak played his brains out with the cousins. We all ate incredible lasagna that my mother made...yum. Good time had by all.
Then after the family pulled out of the driveway, we hopped in the van to the Norlin home to celebrate Kim's birthday and graduation and Jeff's birthday. It was a good time.
Now...ahhh...that wonderful place in the evening when all is quiet. Sweet quietness...
good night.
m@
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Pitt wasn't first...
Heidi and I watched the Brad Pitt interview on ABC last night. No, it wasn't to find out the dish on his ended marriage or to hear about his new movie. We watched to see how a man with the media's attention turned the attention to a huge need in the world. I'm glad I watched.
But Brad Pitt isn't the first guy to leverage his popularity/celebrity/influence to the cause of justice. Check this out...
He has shown all you people what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8
I've included a banner ad for the One Campaign, which is a collection of organizations and people who are coming together to address issues of AIDS in Africa, extremem poverty, education, and justice. Check it out at the right.
Peace,
Matt
But Brad Pitt isn't the first guy to leverage his popularity/celebrity/influence to the cause of justice. Check this out...
He has shown all you people what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8
I've included a banner ad for the One Campaign, which is a collection of organizations and people who are coming together to address issues of AIDS in Africa, extremem poverty, education, and justice. Check it out at the right.
Peace,
Matt
A Year Ago...
A year ago today, I got a phone call during staff meeting. "This is it." My bride of 9 years, who had been experiencing labor for the past couple weeks knew that it was time to have a baby.
About four hours later, I met my baby girl for the first time. She came out like a shot, making her entrance into the world a pretty intense one. And she hasn't taken her foot off the gas yet!
She is a very happy little girl. When she is happy, she is very happy. She is intense emotionally. I love to see her little expressions. She's got the best boo-boo face ever! I love that little girl...
Happy Birthday, little one...
Daddy
About four hours later, I met my baby girl for the first time. She came out like a shot, making her entrance into the world a pretty intense one. And she hasn't taken her foot off the gas yet!
She is a very happy little girl. When she is happy, she is very happy. She is intense emotionally. I love to see her little expressions. She's got the best boo-boo face ever! I love that little girl...
Happy Birthday, little one...
Daddy
Sunday, June 05, 2005
off balance...
I read this today on SacredSpace.com...
"Lord, you have...thrown me out of kilter in a way that I found uncomfortable, embarrassing or infuriating: with an accident, an accusation, a change of job, a failure, being bad-mouthed, losing a friend. They are not moments I like to dwell on; but when I do think of them, I can see you there, calling me closer to you. "
Let it be so...
"Lord, you have...thrown me out of kilter in a way that I found uncomfortable, embarrassing or infuriating: with an accident, an accusation, a change of job, a failure, being bad-mouthed, losing a friend. They are not moments I like to dwell on; but when I do think of them, I can see you there, calling me closer to you. "
Let it be so...
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