meeting with cake

tonight I met with a bunch of people from the worship teams. It was good to continue to talk through burning issues in the ministry. We also ate cake. I love cake!

It's important to keep lines of communication open. It's so easy to assume things are more open than they really are or to assume that someone doesn't really want to hear the problems or questions. But it's so important to keep the unity by loving truth-telling.

I think we took another good step together tonight.

on another note...I've been running pretty hard the past few weeks. Two very hard weeks, a more normal week, and then last week was tough. I'm excited to be working on the things I'm working on, but I also need to keep track of the cost to me and my family. I think we're doing ok these days...

Still processing my trip from last week. Much to learn from other campus pastors and loved being in that group. I think God is doing great things through the multi-site movement...I'm glad to be a part of it.

Good night...

m@

OKC

I'm spending a couple nights in Oklahoma City, OK!! Wahoo! I'm at a forum for Campus Pastors - this is the first time that I've met with people in the same role as me, but at different churches. It's fascinating to hear how they process things. We've only met a couple hours and I'm already learning things...

We meet all day tomorrow, get to experience an evening service at LifeChurch.tv...one of the churches on the leading edge of multi-site movement.

Just walking into one of their facilities, I am inspired by how well they "brand" themselves. From their web site to the physical plant, there is a common vibe.

One of the things we talked about tonight is the peer relationships among campus pastors at the same church. I truly love the guys I serve beside. I also like them...we've got a great chemistry and sense of brotherhood. That is a very unique thing, from what I'm hearing. I'm often thankful for the other guys...but tonight, I'm reminded of what a gift it is to share life and ministry leadership with them.

What did you learn today?

M@

in my humble opinion

Whenever a person begins with or ends with "In my humble opinion," it's usually more opinion than humble. I'm not sure I'm going to capture the correct balance here, either, but I'm going to just toss out a few thoughts and see where they lead...

- I'm glad the Democratic nomination process is over. I'm pleased for Obama. I think it's his election to lose in November.

- I don't like basketball all that much. Didn't watch one game during the NBA season and I'm not carrying much regret about that. However, I did enjoy the finals. I'm a Boston guy...so I love that the Celtics embarrassed the Lakers before sending Kobe home to cry on someone's shoulder like a freshly-spanked toddler (see, not much by way of humble on this one).

- I realize people tire of watching him win...but I love watching Tiger Woods golf. It's absolutely amazing. Was Jack incredible...sure thing. But that doesn't mean Tiger isn't also. He just won a major championship with a torn ACL and 2 stress fractures in his left leg. Amazing...

- Put Tiger's wound aside...the 2008 US Open may prove to be one of the most incredible and captivating championship I may ever see. The world's #1 against the world's #150ish battling it out over 91 holes. And we didn't know the winner until hole 91...until the final putts on hole 91. Incredible thing to see.

- trying out the Facebook thing. Seems sort of fun. We'll see...

- I'm sure glad that politicians can use the price of gas for their agenda. The left can use high prices to get rid of "gas-guzzling SUVs" and the right can use it to drill off-shore and in Alaska. Don't mind me...I'm just driving to work here...don't let me get in the way of your politics...

- Red Sox...love 'em!

Well...there we go...tossing a few things out. If you want to, leave a comment or your own thoughts on things...enjoy.

Peace,

M@

iron 2 iron

For the past 6 months, I've been meeting weekly with a group of men. We've met at 6am every Thursday. I don't like mornings, but this group has been so very worth it! As I prayed about the guys to invite into the group, I had a sense of God's leadership with each one. I love it when He pulls things together.

It's a very diverse group of men. You probably wouldn't find them in very many groups together. But God brought us together for a purpose.

We've walked through intense discussions on theology/doctrine, personal life stories, relational pain, great victories...we've opened our lives up together. And God has used our authenticity to grow each of us.

Next Thursday is our last offical meeting together. But in the course of the last 6 months, our lives have forever been connected by the power of God's Spirit.

I'm a little tired right now...4:15 wake-up is pretty un-natural for me. But when I feel tired, I think of the reason and give God thanks for these men.

Peace,

M@

falling behind...

I'm just not doing a good job on the blogging front these days. Sorry about that...

I've been putting a lot of mental and writing energy into several other fronts these days. I'm teaching this weekend, which I'm excited about. I've also been working on some strategic planning at the church.

Right now, I'm watching Hillary give her concession speech. This is her first lost campaign and only the second lost campaign for the Clinton family. Bill lost and then came back...hmmm...

Anyway...have a great weekend!

M@