"What's Your Purpose?"

It is a question that we all ask sometime in our lifetime. It is a question that haunts us and causes us to rethink what we are doing or not doing in our lives. One way to start working on answering that question is to start asking God for help...for it is God who gives our lives purpose?

Scripture tells us without God we are nothing and without God we can lose our way and purpose. I believe that every one's purpose in life is to help others. That means to give positive comments and support to persons who are struggling. When you do that you demonstrate the love and embrace of God in their lives.

In Galatians we read that the fruit of the spirit is peace, joy and love. The greatest gift for us in our quest for purpose is to connect with God. Take time out and spend it with God, ask for direction, but more important take time out to listen for the answer.

"Win Every Day!"

It was just a phrase to motivate a high school football team, but it has become more than a phrase it has become a way of life. I took the idea for the phrase from a successful Iowa high school head football coach who was shot and killed by a former football player. That phrase became what we said as a team before, during and after each practice and every game.

In August I became the head coach of the Silver Creek High School football team. This team is in its second year of playing football. One of the things I have learned coaching football for 17 years is that to be an effective coach you have to care for your players on and off the field. I felt that the phrase was one that did exactly that and it has proven to be an accurate statement.

Of course there is another reason I use the phrase...it directly ties into Jesus Christ. With Christ, no matter what the situation or circumstance we "Win Every Day!" When that concept becomes part of your thinking and actions it truly becomes a way of life. I was pleased to learn from some of the players' parents that their sons had put that phrase up in their rooms. One parent said it was to remind her son when he didn't want to take time to do his homework...if he was to "Win Every Day!" he would have to do it.

So my question to you is are you living a life where you can say "Win Every Day!" and if you are not what is stopping you from having that sort of life? If you are struggling with the concept of that phrase, then its time you ask Christ to help you out. When you do that you will discover the freedom and reward of living your life by starting everyday out with "WIN EVERY DAY!"

"Sight For Sore Eyes!"

My attendance at the conference of the International Council of Community Churches was not only a good one, it was in some aspects a life changing event. It reconfirmed my stance on being ecumenical and my desire to have others understand the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

I am excited about being on the committee to plan the annual conference in 2010 in Indianapolis, IN. I hope that several of the members of Speed Memorial Church will be able to attend that conference. It should be a very interesting conference since we are celebrating the 60th year of the ICCC and we will be celebrating our collective heritages.

Thursday morning I woke up at 5 am (6 pm Sellersburg time) and decided instead of just laying there I would start back. The drive was very easy...no traffic that early in the morning and to be honest very restful. For me driving is a "God time" for me and I am able to feel His presence when I drive and also a time of discovery with God.

I can tell you the thing that made me become overwhelmed with joy was seeing Speed Memorial Church (my view of the church when I drove up is pictured with this blog). It gave me such a sense of joy and wanting to praise God for calling me to be senior pastor. It also reminded me of how much my family fits in this community and how much of a blessing it has been for Kari, Mitchell, and Tyler.

It was great to go to the conference, but it was definitely a "sight for sore eyes" to see my home...
Speed Memorial Church.