All Good Things...

As Loverboy sang 33 years ago, "It's over! It's over! It's over!"

My nine-week sabbatical ended yesterday and so this morning I made my way to the church office for the first official time since early June. It was almost like a "first day on the job" feeling with the mixed emotions of both excitement and anxiousness. However, soon after the day began, the staff and I had a great time sharing over doughnuts (which always seem to make any situation better) about our summer from both point of views, and we all agreed that it went by very fast!

From my perspective, that was certainly true. To those who told me I'd get bored - you know, that just didn't happen. Did I accomplish everything that I had hoped to? Not even close. I've still got lots of organizing to do (and throwing away, gasp!) of personal and professional papers and digital files, as well as some unfinished house projects and unread books.

But did I accomplish what I needed to? Or what God wanted me to? I really believe I did. At least I hope I did. Since I had never experienced this kind of break before, I really didn't know what to expect or think. I just know that I now feel less burdened by some things that used to overwhelm me, and more determined about others that I used to look right past.

I don't really want to steal my "thunder" from this coming Sunday as I plan to share about some lessons learned throughout the summer, but here's a quick snapshot of the last nine weeks by the numbers:

• 8,000 miles traveled with family and friends (8,019.4 to be exact, or at least as exact as I can get)
• 192 geocaches found (including the Original Stash Plaque, my first finds in British Columbia, Ontario, Washington, Oregon, and Michigan, and a whopping 80 finds on a single day with the 2McTwins as we completed the HI - Be Happy! Geo Art)
• 150 / 4 Psalms / Gospels read
• 21 varieties of hot dogs stomached from Sonic's "Dog Days of Summer"
• 14 verses in John 14 memorized (and I thought I could do all 91 in John 14-16 - ha! I will continue to add to this each week...)
• 11 church families worshiped with on Sunday mornings, including 7 local
• 10 trips to Lowe's Hardware (it was at least 10, or enough for them to call and offer me a business credit card!)
• 8 days in a car, train, ferry, and on an island with my family during our memorable vacation to Mackinac Island / Ontario Canada
• 7 books read (but I would probably only recommend 4)
• 5 days in Seattle/Bellingham with my friend Scott for sightseeing and phenomenal training on Logos Bible Software 
• 3 weddings performed, including my first 6 AM nuptials and first ceremony in which my son was the pianist
• ?? numerous hours spent with my wife and son watching British TV, playing games, and just hanging out!
• 1 grateful heart for the opportunity given to me by our church family, leadership, and staff! The words seem small on the screen, but they are very large in my heart. Thank you.

Go West (not so) Young Man!

When I first starting planning a sabbatical, I initially thought about traveling to the Four Corners section (where AZ, UT, CO & NM meet) for hiking and geocaching. However, as the plans began to progress, I found an opportunity to travel to northern WA for some much-need training on Logos Bible Software. Although Week 3 was a busy one (one of my two main travel weeks of the summer), it basically boiled down to three things - geocaching, sight-seeing, and Logos (four if you count cross-country travel round trip). Here's some of what Week 3 was about:

Geocaching: After arriving in Seattle late Sunday night, I drove south until midnight so that I would be within 75 minutes of Portland on Monday morning. Waking up early, I began driving south on what some refer to as the geocaching pilgrimage - to the site of the very first geocache. Although it's no longer there, there is a plaque commemorating the event and some nearby caches to find. Not only was I able to visit the "original stash plaque," but Tuesday was the day when I got to cache in Fremont, WA (northern suburb of Seattle) and visit Geocaching Headquarters! Finally, to add to my first caches in OR and WA, I crossed the border to White Rock, British Columbia for my first Canadian cache.

Sightseeing: This was a trip I did with my best friend, Scott Patterson. While he didn't travel to Portland with me on Monday, we planned to meet up later that day. On the way to meet Scott, I did my first non-geocaching sightseeing - Voodoo Doughnuts. Later that day we toured the Space Needle and went to the Red Sox-Mariners game. It's not often you get to see a team bat around in a game, but the Mariners did it twice - in the 4th and in the 7th. CF James Jones led off both innings and made the final out in both innings as well, going 1-4 in the two innings with a double to lead off the 7th. While in Seattle we also spent some time downtown at Pike Place Market and the original Starbucks.

Logos Bible Software: I have had this software on my computer for years (actually, since 2003 - thankfully as well, I wouldn't be able to afford it now!) and have even done a little training with it, but what I learned on Wednesday through Friday should prove to be invaluable when it comes to both personal study and sermon preparation! This program is amazing! We also got to take the tour of Logos' offices as well.

Coming home was a LONG day. I left the hotel in Seattle Saturday at 5 AM and landed in Charlotte at 10 PM. While I had planned to drive home to Reidsville, the spirit was willing but the flesh was definitely weak. I stopped just north of Charlotte (didn't get that far, did I?) and worshiped on Sunday at Lake Forest Church. I originally visited the campus a couple months ago for the Sticky Teams Conference and was curious what Sunday was like. It was what I imagined - great worship with a very laid-back atmosphere (complete with full coffee bar). I really liked how a child read the story of Noah from the Children's Bible to introduce the teaching.

All in all, it was a busy, fun, and productive week... but I'm glad to be back home. This week I'm praying for our student ministry MOVE trip, for the RCC family and their known needs, for our staff and elders and their leadership, and for God to be at work in each of our lives!

(So You Know) What I Did This Summer - Week 1

Wow, the first week of my sabbatical flew by! In trying to keep my promise about letting people know what I'm "up to" during my time off, here is a quick list of some things I accomplished during Week 1:

• Read the Gospel of John (three chapters each morning, focusing on the word believe)
• Am currently reading The Jesus Chronicles: John's Story
• Am currently reading Jack Bauer's Having a Bad Day and rewatching 24, Season 1 (which coincides with the book's chapters)
• Extended our backyard fence (by just a few feet) and started a patio project (If you heard me teach on June 8, you might remember that I said I planned to spend the first two weeks of the summer doing outdoor work. I have been reminded that one, I am very thankful I don't make a paycheck with a shovel in my hand, and two, it's been a long time since I've had a "good tired", but I experienced several of those this week!)
• Attended the Theatre Guild of Rockingham County's production of Peter Pan with Kerri & Wyatt (and no, I had no idea it was a musical until the singing started! Great job Gabe, Morgan, Rose, Marcy, Christopher, Braeden, Colton, Sophie, et al!) 
• Worshipped at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church (I really enjoyed walking to/from church as well as the focus of quietness and meditation during the early service. The sermon was on the Trinity and I loved the first point - "The challenging doctrine of the Trinity is just as challenging as our God." He simply cannot be figured out, nor would we want Him to be. Of course, I messed up communion, so I'll probably have to go back to make that right!)
• Worshipped with Kerri & Wyatt at Horsepasture Christian Church (the 11:15 contemporary service was in their new gym where tables were set up and filled with those who came early for the Father's Day breakfast - full house!)
• Ate Father's Day lunch at my in-laws'
• Napped several afternoons
• Prayed for the RCC staff and family daily
• Spent EVERY night of the week with Kerri and Wyatt!
• Avoided wearing khakis until Sunday church services necessitated

One week gone, eight to go, more to come...

Hot Dog - My Sabbatical is Here!

It's here.

My office shelves are a little lighter because of the books pulled that I hope to read. I've measured the backyard for a potential project and am ready to tackle Lowe's. Travel plans to Bellingham, WA in June and Mackinac Island, MI in August are finalized. One more quick trip back to the office to switch my phone message over to announce that I'm gone and then...

It's here.

I'm excited, nervous, optimistic, dreadful, joyful, anxious, appreciative and cautious, all at the same time. In short, I feel weird.

It's here.

The two month, nine-week sabbatical that our leaders gave me this summer for my twenty-five years of service to Reidsville Christian Church begins today. And while I've anticipated it and planned it for over a year, I still have no idea what's going to happen.

Which makes it pretty much just like every other day, right? Oh, I've got my strategies, and I think I have control of so many situations - what I plan to do, what I hope to accomplish - but the reality is, I have no idea how any day is going to turn out, and I'm not just talking about the next nine weeks. At the same time, there is nothing that takes place anywhere, at any time that catches God by surprise. And not only does He know - He controls.

We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.

Proverbs 16:33

While that may be a disturbing thought to some, it is becoming more and more of a solid foundation for me. I keep reminding myself, I don't have to know how... I just need to make sure I know Who.

What I do know is I am blessed. Throughout my ministry in Reidsville, God has continually given me me "more." The leader's gifts and church family's support culminated this afternoon in a hot dog luncheon. It seems my oft-told "Hot Dog Cooker Story" led to the meal's theme and even the crafting of a fancy double cooker! It was only later that I discovered the inscription on the bottom:

"In celebration of 25 years of dedication to God and Reidsville Christian Church"

I would guess there has probably never been another gift like it for such an occasion, which makes it all the more treasured! 

Thank you RCC for letting me serve with you, and for caring about me and my family in ways that I just can not put into words. I am eagerly anticipating what God has planned for us together when this sabbatical time is complete. Until then, you will be in my prayers this summer, and I ask that I be in yours, because...

It's here.

Eight More Weeks (but who's counting?)

By now most of the RCC family knows that I will be on sabbatical this summer from June 9 through August 11. This time represents a (almost) total break from work and ministry and will be an opportunity for me to recharge and reconnect with God, myself, my family, and my friends. It is also just one more outpouring of God's unmerited "more" on my life.

Words can not express my appreciation to both our elders (who view this time as a long-term investment in both the RCC family as well as my own) for initiating the break and to each of you from Reidsville Christian Church for your consistent support of Kerri, Wyatt, and me. While I believe this is a good and necessary thing, I know it will not be an easy thing. I love what I do and being away from it (especially the weekend teaching) is going to be a challenge.

One thing I am confident of is the amazing opportunity this provides for our elders, ministers, and staff. The prospect of each of them being able to lead you in new and different ways with the gifts God has given them is an exciting thing!

Some of you have asked what my plans are. My “unplanned” plans include:

• Spending the first couple weeks just trying to unwind and catching up on some things at the house that have long needed my attention.
• Participating in some in-depth training at Logos Bible Software in Bellingham, WA (and of course geocaching in OR, WA, and Canada) during the last week of June, then performing two wedding ceremonies locally during the July 4th weekend.
• I believe the final five weeks have the potential to be the most beneficial. The first four are completely unplanned (which again is extremely uncomfortable). I hope to do a lot of reading and scripture memorization, but I am intentionally not going to plan or prepare any future teaching or programs. Instead, I want to be open to what God has to say during this unique time rather than “plan” what I think should be next. I will begin the month of August performing a third wedding ceremony, followed by a week spent with my family on Mackinac Island as the nine weeks conclude.

Here are a few things you can pray for and with me:

• Pray that God would bless this time of rest. The word for “sabbatical” has the same root as “sabbath” – which means “rest.” As I explained at our congregational meeting, I do not do a good job with this and am hoping to discover some new habits that will help prepare me for the next season of ministry. Pray that I will truly be still and know that He is God. Pray for renewal spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
• Pray that God would bless this time of family. Because Kerri will continue to work during most of the summer, we hope to keep things at home just as “normal” as possible. However, because of your graciousness, we are planning to do some fun things together as a family as well. Throughout the summer and beyond, pray that I would love God by loving my family.
• Pray for our elders, ministers, and staff, that God would grow them in their gifts and wisdom, and in their love for God and His people.
• Pray for Frank Dodson, Harry Gill, Scott Patterson, and Clay Perkins as they lead you in the majority of the summer teaching. Support them with your attendance. Let God speak to you through new voices on Sunday and etch into each of your hearts a clearer grasp of this amazing mission we are all on to grow as Jesus’ disciples.

You can read about my summer - the books I’m reading, the places I’m going, the things God is revealing - here on my blog, but hey, there are no promises it will get updated with any regularity. I mean, look how long it's been since my last post!

Kerri and I are so thankful for this gift of time and space that we believe will allow our family to experience joy, rest, and connection together, as well as equip me personally to be a better pastor for God’s flock and the RCC family.

I simply can not wait to see what "more" God has in store for all of us!