Well, it's been almost 2 months since my last post and things are not slowing down yet! We are having one the busiest summers yet this year, we have had a fire works stand that lasted 10 hot days, went to youth camp and then left for Branson to have a week of vacation. We got back last Satuday afternoon and leave tomorrow to go to District Conference for the next 4 days. I think we figured it up and we will spend 7 days at home in July. It's time for school to start so that I can slow down and get back to normal (whatever that is).
For those that have not heard we didn't get the bid on the new building so we will keep seeking God's direction and let him lead us where he wants us to go.
We start VBS in 2 weeks and have our carnival the end of August so pray for our workers that they are able to get everything done.
Got to go to a meeting so I'll talk to you all soon
PD
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Busy doesn't begin to ...
...explain what my life seems to be these days, I am trying to do too much but can't seem to let any of it go. The kids are finally out of school for the summer, but, Mads has cheer practice 3 days a week and the other two have summer school for the month of June. July is full of youth camp, vacation, and Family reunion - so when do we all get to rest? We don't, the pursuit of being great will keep us all busy doing whatever God has in store.
By the way, if you haven't heard our church is trying to buy a new location;
By the way, if you haven't heard our church is trying to buy a new location;
We really think that God has shown us a great place, it is in the Southeast part of town that is growing and one of the keys to this location is that it sets on 10 acres, right off one of the main streets in this part of Topeka. Pray for us as we make an offer, that God's will, will be done and we can grow the kingdom at this new location.
Yes, the summer is busy, but remember - God is closer than you think - I have been reading Ortberg's book this week and have been reminded that God whats to share in our everyday ordinary lives. We all need to just make sure to include him in our plans, we will never be great without him by our sides.
PD
Friday, May 2, 2008
Just Like Old times
Well we started practicing softball last night and it was great to get on the field again and play the game, As is pretty normal for me I jammed my finger and brought back all the reasons that I may have quit. But all in all it is great to be playing again and I can see the difference playing with a heart that is working the way it should. And by the way, Nell made me call the Doctor and get permission to play this year.
Things are going well this spring, god is providing for the Church and our family, I can really see that God wants to do some great things this year. Let me share 2 things real quick; if you are a leader of any type I have been shown a couple of things that will help us in our pursuit of going from good to great.
First; know what your mission is and make sure that everyone you are trying to lead knows your mission also. Write it down and get it front of their faces so that they know what the goal is and they will be encouraged as we see the mission fulfilled.
Second; Take a look at this acronym for the word "FOLLOW"
F - failure - a great leader will be willing to risk failure and grow from it.
O - originality - look for every chance to do things in a new way.
L - listen - no one has ever learned anything from talking.
L - lean - become dependent on the guidance of the Holy Spirit and seek the counsel of friends and family.
O - obedience - it's never a sign of weakness to say "yes" to God.
W - willingness - the hardest thing about following God is making yourself do whatever needs to be done.
Have a great week, be a great leader & keep following the Savior,
PD
Things are going well this spring, god is providing for the Church and our family, I can really see that God wants to do some great things this year. Let me share 2 things real quick; if you are a leader of any type I have been shown a couple of things that will help us in our pursuit of going from good to great.
First; know what your mission is and make sure that everyone you are trying to lead knows your mission also. Write it down and get it front of their faces so that they know what the goal is and they will be encouraged as we see the mission fulfilled.
Second; Take a look at this acronym for the word "FOLLOW"
F - failure - a great leader will be willing to risk failure and grow from it.
O - originality - look for every chance to do things in a new way.
L - listen - no one has ever learned anything from talking.
L - lean - become dependent on the guidance of the Holy Spirit and seek the counsel of friends and family.
O - obedience - it's never a sign of weakness to say "yes" to God.
W - willingness - the hardest thing about following God is making yourself do whatever needs to be done.
Have a great week, be a great leader & keep following the Savior,
PD
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Pretty good week
Hey - just thought I'd write a quick note to let all of you know I am having a pretty good week! The Hawks won the National championship game Monday night! I signed up to play softball this summer (haven't played since we were in Colo. Springs 4 years ago), God is helping get a little side business going and all in all, things are going really well. I figured out this week that I'm letting too many little things get me off my game and I have new resolve to work hard for my God and know that "I'm a workman that needeth not to be ashamed", when I do my best for him.
Talk at ya later
PD
Talk at ya later
PD
Monday, April 7, 2008
Let's Go Hawks!!
Well this post is going to be selfish! It's about 7:00 and I'm waiting to watch the Jayhawks finish a great season. I can't believe the year KU sports has had, what an accomplishment to have two teams so close to the top of their sport. I can remember exactly where I was in 1988 when we won the last one. I am now sitting in our church waiting for the party to start, and I'm sure that when they win tonight I will always remember this one too.
But, I'm a preacher and I can't help but go to something eternal, the KU team has been on a mission this year to start a season and finish well, so too are we. The call to be great! It's a mission we have to start and commit to if we plan to finish well, I am many years away from finishing, unless Jesus comes back, and that gives me a real challange to do great things for HIM and see Him do great things through me.
We had a great service yesterday and God has been sending new people to our church lately - we had 7 visitors on Palm Sunday, 16 on Easter, 6 more came the week after that and this week we had 9 return and they are starting to act like they belong. PTL!! I heard a comment this week that word must be getting out there that this "little" church might be worth checking out, this is one of our chances to make an impact, I want to do a great job and see HIS kingdom enlarged and lives truly transformed.
Well - KU better win, it's important to us, but to know that I play on a team guaranteed to win in the end is even better. in our quest to be great ask yourself one serious question...
Do you care as much about being great for God as you do about the game tonight, I know it's not fair but it should at least make us think.
PD
But, I'm a preacher and I can't help but go to something eternal, the KU team has been on a mission this year to start a season and finish well, so too are we. The call to be great! It's a mission we have to start and commit to if we plan to finish well, I am many years away from finishing, unless Jesus comes back, and that gives me a real challange to do great things for HIM and see Him do great things through me.
We had a great service yesterday and God has been sending new people to our church lately - we had 7 visitors on Palm Sunday, 16 on Easter, 6 more came the week after that and this week we had 9 return and they are starting to act like they belong. PTL!! I heard a comment this week that word must be getting out there that this "little" church might be worth checking out, this is one of our chances to make an impact, I want to do a great job and see HIS kingdom enlarged and lives truly transformed.
Well - KU better win, it's important to us, but to know that I play on a team guaranteed to win in the end is even better. in our quest to be great ask yourself one serious question...
Do you care as much about being great for God as you do about the game tonight, I know it's not fair but it should at least make us think.
PD
Sunday, March 30, 2008
It's Been A Year
One year ago today!
Yes today is the birthday of my wife and she is excited to be one year older, but today holds a different relevance to our family and to me especially. This is the one year anniversary of me having open heart surgery to replace a bad aortic valve, those of you who know me know the battles that I faced and how God supplied the strength and support for us to come out of such a trying time having been shown how much God and his family loves and cares for each other.
As I look forward to the years that I have left, I see the need to put forth an efforrt that will please my heavenly father and result in many lives being changed as I fulfill the call on my life.
One of the things that I have learned this last year is that I had somewhat put my life on cruise control and was just doing what it took to survive, now I have come face to face with my mortality and know that I need to focus on thriving as I work till he comes or calls me home. God has called me to be great; there is no such thing as "good enough" as we serve the Lord of all creation. As we begin the season of spring and celebrate how God awakens nature out of its slumber, let us too wake up and see that God has much to accomplish and we are needed to see his plans completed.
Have a great day! To the one who commented, you have no idea of your timing and how much you mean to us!
PD
Yes today is the birthday of my wife and she is excited to be one year older, but today holds a different relevance to our family and to me especially. This is the one year anniversary of me having open heart surgery to replace a bad aortic valve, those of you who know me know the battles that I faced and how God supplied the strength and support for us to come out of such a trying time having been shown how much God and his family loves and cares for each other.
As I look forward to the years that I have left, I see the need to put forth an efforrt that will please my heavenly father and result in many lives being changed as I fulfill the call on my life.
One of the things that I have learned this last year is that I had somewhat put my life on cruise control and was just doing what it took to survive, now I have come face to face with my mortality and know that I need to focus on thriving as I work till he comes or calls me home. God has called me to be great; there is no such thing as "good enough" as we serve the Lord of all creation. As we begin the season of spring and celebrate how God awakens nature out of its slumber, let us too wake up and see that God has much to accomplish and we are needed to see his plans completed.
Have a great day! To the one who commented, you have no idea of your timing and how much you mean to us!
PD
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Frustrations
As I sit a type this blog entry tonight, I am once again having COMPUTER issues! I hate it when they don't work properly. This one is the result of my antivirus having a glitch and between the time I realized it and made the corrections - I got a good one!
So as I have been sitting here waiting it got me thinking, as any pastor with any time on his will, I came up with a spiritual lesson to share. God is our anti-sin protection and when we leave him out of the loop for any amount of time we put ourselves at risk, going from good to great will require us to keep our relationship "updated' daily. Make sure it's automatic and done every day so that we can celebrate the victories and keep the "colds" at a minimum.
Have a great day
PD
So as I have been sitting here waiting it got me thinking, as any pastor with any time on his will, I came up with a spiritual lesson to share. God is our anti-sin protection and when we leave him out of the loop for any amount of time we put ourselves at risk, going from good to great will require us to keep our relationship "updated' daily. Make sure it's automatic and done every day so that we can celebrate the victories and keep the "colds" at a minimum.
Have a great day
PD
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