"Before church I was able to sit at the table with the kids. I am a blessed dad."
Today these words jumped out at me because the worst case scenario happened. There was an active shooter less than a mile from our church and fourteen people are dead with seventeen wounded. Thankfully they found the shooters and they are no longer a threat.
Our church opened its doors to the police and those who were working in the building where the shooting took place. It was an honor to serve these hurting people and encourage the brave men and women who were putting their lives on the line and running to the fight rather than away from it. One detective had a blood soaked shirt when he came in. Thankfully I had some shirt samples from past events and was able to bless him with a fresh shirt to wear. We also provided drinks and snacks for hundreds of people as they came on our campus.
One chaplain that came left after several hours and as he said goodbye he shared that he was going to hug his children and grandchildren. On a day like today when it is the worst case scenario remember what is important. Loving God means loving people. Make sure you say "I love you" to those closest to you as much as you can. Serve others and preach the gospel in word and deed.
Instead of asking any questions feel free to post your thoughts. Would you take a moment and pray for San Bernardino and for the families effected by this tragedy?
Showing posts with label Crisis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Crisis. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Day 308 - Crisis
"She was going through a personal crisis and wanted a divorce."
As a pastor I give spiritual guidance to a lot of people on a daily basis. Most of the appointments we make with people to meet and talk are in crisis. I have heard a lot and would venture to say that some of our more seasoned pastors have heard it all.
Crisis comes in a lot of ways. Death, accidents, divorce, family, drugs or addiction, and the list goes on. It could just be that someone learned a disturbing fact about someone close to them and it spun them into crisis. I have experienced this personally.
When you are in crisis you don't think like you normally would. There is an urgency that you cannot shake and every decision seems like it is life altering and has to be made quickly. The truth is quite different.
What I have learned from people who are in crisis is that there are some things we can do to help ourselves and the situation. First of all is give it time. I don't always have the luxury of meeting with people right when crisis hits. I have had people mad at me for making an appointment rather than dropping everything, and everyone, and running to the crisis. The weird thing is that most of the time when people accept an appointment they usually call or come in and say that the situation worked itself out. Give it some time and see if it takes care of itself.
Second is slow down and think. Are you catching a pattern here? Don't rush! you may only frustrate the situation with hasty decisions. Take the time to think through your words and actions in a crisis. The pressure to make fast decisions may push you in the wrong direction. Get wisdom from trusted people and listen to what they say. Someone who has experienced your same situation and made it through can tell you the pitfalls they encountered and how they would have avoided them.
Finally is pray. The best counselor you will ever have is the Holy Spirit. Jesus told us that the Holy Spirit would guide us. He will also comfort us. As you walk through a crisis remember that you aren't there alone. Your friends and counselors may not be there in the middle of the night when worry has replaced your sleep but God will never leave you nor forsake you. Talk to Him about it and listen to His counsel. I put this one last but really it should be our first response.
When crisis comes remember these simple things. Give it time, slow down and think and pray. You will make it through the crisis.
As a pastor I give spiritual guidance to a lot of people on a daily basis. Most of the appointments we make with people to meet and talk are in crisis. I have heard a lot and would venture to say that some of our more seasoned pastors have heard it all.
Crisis comes in a lot of ways. Death, accidents, divorce, family, drugs or addiction, and the list goes on. It could just be that someone learned a disturbing fact about someone close to them and it spun them into crisis. I have experienced this personally.
When you are in crisis you don't think like you normally would. There is an urgency that you cannot shake and every decision seems like it is life altering and has to be made quickly. The truth is quite different.
What I have learned from people who are in crisis is that there are some things we can do to help ourselves and the situation. First of all is give it time. I don't always have the luxury of meeting with people right when crisis hits. I have had people mad at me for making an appointment rather than dropping everything, and everyone, and running to the crisis. The weird thing is that most of the time when people accept an appointment they usually call or come in and say that the situation worked itself out. Give it some time and see if it takes care of itself.
Second is slow down and think. Are you catching a pattern here? Don't rush! you may only frustrate the situation with hasty decisions. Take the time to think through your words and actions in a crisis. The pressure to make fast decisions may push you in the wrong direction. Get wisdom from trusted people and listen to what they say. Someone who has experienced your same situation and made it through can tell you the pitfalls they encountered and how they would have avoided them.
Finally is pray. The best counselor you will ever have is the Holy Spirit. Jesus told us that the Holy Spirit would guide us. He will also comfort us. As you walk through a crisis remember that you aren't there alone. Your friends and counselors may not be there in the middle of the night when worry has replaced your sleep but God will never leave you nor forsake you. Talk to Him about it and listen to His counsel. I put this one last but really it should be our first response.
When crisis comes remember these simple things. Give it time, slow down and think and pray. You will make it through the crisis.
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Day 262 - Stepping Into the Void
"I enjoyed coaching the team."
I am a full time pastor employed by the church. My weekends are workdays. I work Wednesday night's for church services and in the fall I teach in our Bible College. I never thought I would be able to coach my son's soccer team. But that is exactly what happened last year.
The coach who was supposed to run the team was taken away from coaching by his work schedule and he commissioned all the dads to step up and help cover the bases. For the most part we did it all together. But as the season progressed and work schedules for the dads changed we all had to lead at some point. So in the void of leadership I found myself running practices and organizing the team.
It was different and I did enjoy the competitive aspect of the game. I lead for a living so some of the skills needed to coach came naturally to me. I wasn't able to be there one hundred percent of the time but when I was there it was a nice change of pace and most of all I got to be with my boy on the field.
Sometimes it is moments of crisis or in a void that we have to step out in faith. The neat thing about it is that no matter how scary it may seem or how insecure we can be God is with us. We can't lose when we step out in faith and He backs us. Stepping into the void can be scary. It can also be some of the best times of life.
Have you had to step out into an area you were uncomfortable with? Did you end up enjoying it?
I am a full time pastor employed by the church. My weekends are workdays. I work Wednesday night's for church services and in the fall I teach in our Bible College. I never thought I would be able to coach my son's soccer team. But that is exactly what happened last year.
The coach who was supposed to run the team was taken away from coaching by his work schedule and he commissioned all the dads to step up and help cover the bases. For the most part we did it all together. But as the season progressed and work schedules for the dads changed we all had to lead at some point. So in the void of leadership I found myself running practices and organizing the team.
It was different and I did enjoy the competitive aspect of the game. I lead for a living so some of the skills needed to coach came naturally to me. I wasn't able to be there one hundred percent of the time but when I was there it was a nice change of pace and most of all I got to be with my boy on the field.
Sometimes it is moments of crisis or in a void that we have to step out in faith. The neat thing about it is that no matter how scary it may seem or how insecure we can be God is with us. We can't lose when we step out in faith and He backs us. Stepping into the void can be scary. It can also be some of the best times of life.
Have you had to step out into an area you were uncomfortable with? Did you end up enjoying it?
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