The Why

Like a hamster in an exercise wheel, life has lately felt like no matter how hard I worked, I wasn't getting anywhere. Work harder, faster, longer.... the list just kept getting bigger. I'm sure you know what I mean; we all feel that way at least once in a while. For me, the past couple of months have definitely seemed chaotic. I'll admit, there have been times when I have wondered if it was really worth it. Why was I doing all of it?

A simple phone call. One that I should have made way before today, but just "never had time". Today, I made time. Since I can't speak to what the past would have held, I can only say that in the here and now, I'm glad I made the call. Wish I could say it was about good news, but that's not the case. Found out that someone I really care about is having such a hard time that they want to kill themselves (yes, I can identify with those feelings having been there before). The good news is they went to someone for help. No, they were not miraculously made to feel better.

This is someone who I have been talking with about life, God, and getting things together. Talking with for a LONG time. Yes, they are dealing with some junk in their life. Guess what? They have been going to church! Now, going to church does not mean they are at a good place with God, religion, or much else for that matter. In fact, right now they are pretty angry at God. But to me, this is good news. Being angry, and knowing that they are angry, these are strides in the right direction. While I know that it is all because God is working within them, I also know that all of the prayers I have been praying for them have not gone unheard by God. HE is moving in them.

One phone call, and I am once again reminded that there are so many people out there that are hurting, struggling, in pain. And they are searching for a way to get out. Without God, that will never happen.

These past few months when I was thinking poor me -- who had so much to get done as we try to do God's work in starting a new church (www.axischurch.com), I am seeing it all from a different perspective.

One phone call ...... helped me to remember "the why."

Website

This has been another crazy, hectic, chaotic week. Finally in our new building at Endeavor Learning Center where we will be holding Sunday worship services, meetings, etc. Deep into search for office space; looking like we have found the ideal situation - in God's hands now.

Getting ready for our first major Outreach event. We will have a booth at the Warren County Fair in Lebanon, OH next week. This serves as our official "coming out" to the local community. So our team has been working hard to prepare for this. Will have a baby changing station available for families to use as part of our booth; trying to keep constantly in front of us the idea of serving others. We will have balloons for the kids & info about our upcoming Picnic in the Park events. Should be fun. Can't wait to report afterwards all the great tales that I am sure will come out of next week.

And then there is our website. It officially became live to the public late Wednesday night. So of course, that meant all kinds of last minute work, entry, then revisions of the sight as we finalized content. Our goal of keeping our church, and therefore our website, focused on those who are lost, hurting, & in search of answers requires constant prayer. I continue to pray that God works through us to put the right content on the site to help further His kingdom. And that people will be drawn to the site, as well as directed by others to the site as a source of information as well as being introduced to the grace that God has waiting for all.

I wish I had some profound statement or analogy tonight. Instead, what I have is a week to look back on that was chaotic, productive, and and most of all, out of my control & completely in His control.

This particular segment of my faith journey continues to bless, challenge, frustrate, & stretch me. Thank God for it all.

So Much

Wow! Have been at the North American Christian Concert in Louisville, KY since Tuesday. Lots going on, incredible information (almost overload, not quite, but almost), time spent meeting new people & chatting with friends. So many notes to process, I am sure the next couple of weeks will see some posts as I revisit all of this. Tonight was powerful... ending with Casting Crowns concert that blew us away. Great music, moving messages in the songs.

I'm spent. Time to get some rest. Have another session tomorrow; I am sure that it will be once again lots of notes and learning taking place.

For now, simply remember.... love God, love one another. Period. I pray the Lord will help me to do this a little better day by day.

Peace and Love to all.