Home Sweet Home

We made it home safely. Man, did I miss my kids! Now I can say it, "We aren't in Kansas anymore."

It will be a very busy weekend. I have several things to wrap up in the office before tomorrow. We have a party for some friends this evening and then a full day tomorrow. I am pumped about kicking off the two week series, Confessions of a Pastor. Being transparent won't be a new thing, but I will hit several topics that I haven't unpacked before.

BTW, I am absolutely loving my iPhone. WOW! What a device...

CMA Conference

It was a very rich week here in Kansas City. In the a.m. we'll pack our gear into the rental van and make the 9+ hour trip back to Ohio. I am sure we'll spend most of the drive time debriefing about the impact of our experience this week.

During the past few days, I have been amazed at the powerful way God has moved. It seemed like each session provided a holy moment. Every speaker opened the door to the possibility for some huge takeaways. I have a long list of my own. The most challenging part of an experience like this is to go back home and lived it out. I am determined to apply what has been learned.

Before I head off to bed, I have to share a great story about the drive out here on Monday. On the way, we received news that someone wanted to buy Luke and me iPhones. This news was so startling that we just had to make a pit stop in St. Louis to make the purchase. It has been fun this week learning the device and dreaming of ways it will make ministry easier and more productive. I have owned several Apple products. There is no question that this one tops the list!

The best part is, I do not have to shave my head or help Luke paint his body. If you are a Next Level Podcast listener you understand what I am talking about. I am sure you too are breathing a sigh of relief.

Olathe, Kansas

I am road on the this week at the CMA Conference. This is an annual trip for me and it is always a huge encouragement. I find it very refreshing to spend a few days with several other church planters who are in the trenches.

This year I was given the opportunity to share as a keynote speaker. My slot was this morning. I felt great about the moment.

I'll try to update more as the week progresses...

A Self Discovery

I realized something about myself during the past couple weeks. As much as I love a routine, I am better when I am creating something new. Let me explain...

I really do enjoy having a weekly, monthly, and yearly routine. I work best that way. There is a part of my personality that responds well to routine. However, I know that with routine comes the potential danger of leading one to a rut. What I am realizing with a new intensity is that I don't respond well in a rut. I know there is a fine line between two, but a rut means stale for me.

Recently, I have found myself enjoying a couple new ministry areas (read more about one here) that require a fresh level of creativity. I have found it invigorating!

The self discovery is simple: I am better when I am creating something new.

OMG!

Yesterday, I put my hands on one of these for the first time. I decided I had waited long enough. I simply lack words to describe the experience. It was and is more than I ever dreamed it would be. Everything I have seen and heard is absolutely true!

I think I'll make it a weekly day off routine to swing by my local AT & T store to simply "play" for a few moments until I can figure out a way to possess and use one of my own.

I have run the numbers and I am confident it would increase my ministry productivity by 37.56 percent. {smile}

Press Release

The Next Level Podcast is live! Read more here.