Man, I’m not one to complain about this very often (because it’s just a part of being a pastor and a christian in general), but I feel like me and my family have been under attack – on a lot of levels – big time these last couple of weeks.

That being said, after the last 2 weeks at Iron City I can’t imagine devoting my life to anything else. We’ve had a couple dozen new people at ICC for our services and a pretty decent number at our vision meeting this afternoon.

I just know that God is working to “release” many of them (and a bunch of us regulars) from the junk that is holding them back. Addictions, destructive habits, and negative attitudes are all in play.

The last two weeks have been great – the music has been kicking, the energy level has been off the charts, our people have been over the top – but I have an intense feeling that we’re entering into one of those “only God” seasons of ministry.

Transforming the Pittsburgh metro area with the love of Jesus… Only God could do that!

“Whupped” is a good old southern word that not all yinz will understand, but it does a good job of describing how I feel right now.

All the excitement of (and preparation for) Easter, coupled with starting a new part-time job last week, has left me low on the energy gauge. Thankfully, its a good drained feeling.

I’m so excited about the coming days at ICC! We just revisited and set the message calendar for the upcoming months and its going to be a blast.

I’d love to tell you more, but…

so…

Tired…

Need sleepy…

My blogging has been sporadic (and will probably continue to be for a while), but I just have to share what an amazing day we had at Iron City Church today.

To begin with, we had an extra large group of folks on board planning and preparing for today.  Then this morning, setup went great and the place looked unbelievable.  We got together like we always do after setup and talked for a few minutes and prayed, then something crazy happened…

People started showing up.  And just kept coming.  When they stopped coming we had 27 first time guests and 76 total people in attendance!  That broke our high attendance by almost 50%!  The extra people in the house definitely added to the energy level.   I had a blast!

Brandon, Bob, and Ben (the Killer B’s) rocked the house, musically, and I got to kick off our new “Release” message series.  The message today was called “Power to Rise” and dealt with realizing those things that are holding us back (addictions, destructive habits, negative attitudes, etc.) and enlisting the same power that raised Jesus from the dead to help us gain our release.  It felt like the message really connected and people seemed to track with what I was talking about.

After today, I’m more encouraged than ever to keep pushing and charging forward towards our goal: to see the Pittsburgh metro area transformed by the love of Jesus.  Thank you Jesus for kicking death in the teeth and walking out of that tomb on the first Easter!  And thank you now for calling me and all the folks at ICC to be a part of your mission in the world!

I feel like God has turned on the firehose in the last few weeks (about a month) in showing me areas of my life that need some adjustment.  Rather than taking the time to explain everything, here are some of the nuggets:

• I have to be constantly growing as a leader, and a lot of times this means analyzing, predicting, and adjusting to the stages of life (personally and with the church)
• I have an amazing group of people around me who are willing (some are downright eager) to help – I have to become a better steward of the people God places around me (Matthew 25)
• I need to continue the process of shifting from a “crisis to crisis” mindset to more of a sustainable, long-term mindset as a leader
• I have to become more disciplined with my schedule, my eating habits, my health, and my personal growth plan
• I have to be honest with myself, with God, and with those around me when I’m struggling
• The rhythm of life = 6 and 1.  I suck at this and then wonder why I’m wiped out all the time.
  One final word: SABBATH. 

Today was awesome on so many levels, but especially because it was one of “those” church planting days (when a lot of key people are out and setup drags and you’re not completely sure that everything is getting done and . . .) AND we pressed through and had a great day!

Dad wrapped up the Heroes series today talking about Moses.  He focused on the fact that Moses — like most of us that God calls to serve him — was a reluctant leader who was full of excuses.  It was a good one.

I was extremely proud of all our people for stepping up and making it happen. I was even more excited because of all the people who have already told me about who they’ve invited or are inviting to Easter Sunday (this week).

I can’t imagine anything else in life besides starting a new church that would get me pumped like I am! Thank you God for letting me be a part of what you’re doing in the world!

Man I am overflowing with info and physically wiped out after the last few days. We left with a group of 9 on Wednesday headed for the booming metropolis of Anderson, SC.

Thursday we went to the Unleash Conference at NewSpring Church in Anderson. I’ll try to post some of my learnings from Perry Noble and the gang later.

Then last night I flew to NYC for my monthly coaching network meeting today. I think Nelson (who leads the group) has been having me followed based on what we talked about today. Again, I’ll share some of the specifics later.

Now I’m about to get on an airplane and head home for a deep, slobber-inducing night’s sleep in my own bed. Can’t wait for that!

I think a lot of the joy and richness of life lies in the tensions.  You know, the old “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times” concept.

That’s what this last week or so has been for me.  The tension of having a whole lot of stuff to get done AND an astounding amount of excitement about what’s upcoming.  I like to say that one aspect of the “abundant life” (John 10:10) that Jesus promises is that there’s never a dull moment!

Here’s some of what’s got me excited:

• Jeff preached on Sunday and did an awesome job talking about Naomi in our Heroes series (click here for the .mp3)
• We are getting all prepped and ready for an off the hook Easter Sunday service and the series that we’re kicking off that day
  
• I spent some time today with my father (and catalytic pastor) making plans for some of the crazy stuff we’re doing this summer (like the baddest baseball camp western Pennsylvania has ever seen – more on this later!)”
• We’re taking a team of ICC folks tomorrow down to upstate South Carolina for Thursday’s UNLEASH Conference at NewSpring Church - I am so looking forward to this!
• Dad is preaching on (Palm) Sunday about Moses to wrap up our Heroes series
• Easter is a week and a half away!!!

I don’t know what it was completely, but today was an amazing day at ICC.  The energy level was sky high, the band knocked it out of the park, and I felt really good kicking off our “Heroes” series with a message about Caleb.  Attendance was up (highest yet at ICC) and it just really seemed like things clicked all day.

In the Heroes series I’m excited because we’re looking back at some of the Old Testament “heroes of the faith” and examining the character attributes that God brought out in them to make an impact on the world.  The tagline is “Ordinary People.  Extraordinary Impact.”  I believe that’s what God wants to do in and through each of us if we’ll allow it.

Today I talked about how Caleb was a man who exhibited “Uncommon Courage” to have faith in God’s promises, to face down giants, to stand in the face of opposition, and to remain faithful through unjust suffering.  I love preaching through the stories of the Bible.  There is something about the narrative that just really connects with me and, in turn, with the people I’m sharing with.

Praise God for an awesome day @ ICC!

I know, I know… I’ve been gone from the blog for a while again.  I got sick all over again last Sunday morning.  This time it was a nasty stomach bug.  Wiped me out for a week.  But I’m back now.  And feeling better.

I have had a great day — spent a couple of hours this morning with my friend Bob catching up.  I ran some errands an worked on some of our advertising for Easter Sunday after lunch.  Then I had what can only be called an “uber-productive” meeting with Jeff.

We’ve been working together for about 6 months now and it’s amazing how much we’re still learning each other and working on how to be most productive together.  I think we made some great strides today towards being more efficient AND effective. 

I hate it when someone on my team has to lay the smack down on me, but Jeff was right on today.  He ripped me a new one for my stubbornness in not going to the doctor with this mess either time.  He shared with my how my illness affected everything at ICC and how my pride in not taking care of myself has now resulted in getting half our church sick and hurting the energy dynamic within the church.  It pissed me off a little bit…. because he’s right.

Thank God for honest partners in ministry.  I’m praying that I have learned my lesson.

The message I shared on Sunday at ICC was all about God’s plan for singles.  During the message I mentioned a book that I had been reading that dealt with some of the same issues. 

I have to be honest and share that I haven’t yet completed this book.  Here’s why: every time I get into it I run into someone who is going through a life situation where they need it.  And at that point I feel compelled to give it away. 

One of the best explanations that I have already swiped from Craig Groeschel in “Going All the Way” is that singles need to stop spending all their time and energy looking for “the one” — the one person of the opposite sex that will complete their lives and make everything better, and start focusing on “the One” — Jesus Christ, who can complete them and then enable them to move forward as a whole, healthy person.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Matthew 6:33

This book is chock full of good insights and solid biblical teaching about singleness, relationships, and marriage.  I definitely recommend it (click the pic for the Amazon link) as a resource for yourself and/or if you have the opportunity to counsel or encourage people in these areas.  I would call it a very helpful resource for college ministries, singles groups, or premarital counseling. 

The author, Craig Groeschel is the pastor of LifeChurch.tv and is – in my opinion – one of the most refreshing, kingdom-focused large church pastors in America today.  Now I have to go buy a new copy for myself . . .