Personal

The content is finished!

There is still much to be done before I’m ready to print but today I finished writing the content and put the technical pages in place.

It was fun putting the technical pages in because it actually looks like a book and helps with the vision.

When it’s all done it will be roughly 50 pages and 4 chapters about spiritual leadership. I start by looking at the first century church and what they were able to accomplish with very few resources. Then taking a look at how Jesus trained leaders and attempting to answer the question, Why was the known world evangelized in the first century and only 2000 years later the church is regarded as out of touch and irrelevant.

The goal is to have it ready for print and download by the end of April. It will be available on the website to download for free.

Even though it’s a mini book it’s pretty exciting to see the thoughts I’ve been rolling around in my head begin to take shape.

I’ll keep you posted.

Who would have thought when I was slogging my way through high school one day I would be writing a book?

Not me…

Today I decided it was time to start and sat down around mid morning and when I got up to do car pool duty I had written nearly 3000 words. It was easier than I thought it would be. now the real work begins. The ideas I put down have come over a long period of time and I know the scripture is there I need to match up the word with what I put down on paper. I still need about 200 more words and illustrations but I know the foundation is there.

I’m excited about seeing the finished product so be sure to ask me about where it’s at and when it will be finished so I’ll be under pressure to finish. I hear we all work better under pressure.

Stay tuned, more to come.

The final piece has come into place today so I can finally tell you what is going on.

Many of you have been asking “what’s up with your status updates?” I didn’t intend to be cryptic or give hints. It was really just what was in my heart or in my head at the time.

Let’s begin at the beginning so as to catch up those of you who are new to the blog or the mailing list.

In the fall of 1982 I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Immediately I knew I was called to ministry and have spent the ensuing years working out the call.

Since the very beginning I have immersed myself in church life and through serving the house have discovered what things I am passionate about and what things I don’t have the grace for. Two things have stood out to me and others. I was a pastor before I was a Christian and will be a pastor until I die regardless of title or job and I am a worshipper.

In 2001 Kim and I agreed it was time for me to take a step toward the call and soon after found ourselves in Sydney Australia attending HIllsong College. After two years of being fed, built up, and equipped. God spoke to me very clearly to lay down my dreams and serve “the man of God”. After much prayer we moved our family to Colorado Springs and planted at New Life Church. In the process I found out who “the man of God” was and began serving John Bevere. After an amazing 4 years of watching ministry work from the inside it is time for me to finally step out and pursue what God put in my heart so many years ago.

I have always loved the church and have no desire to be the next (insert favorite Christian artist here). My hearts desire is to see the body of Christ walking in the fullness of its calling. Jesus came to save the world through His death and resurrection not through His ministry. He trusted the communication of the means of salvation to 12 faithful men. We must begin again to ask God to send us faithful people so together we can build the church and serve the world. 1 Timothy 2:2, Ephesians 4:11-12.

When I left Messenger International at the end of January I didn’t really know what the next step was until one afternoon as I was riding my bicycle I decided to put myself in a position for God to move. Later that day I told Kim what was in my heart. When she agreed I felt real peace for the first time in a long time. 20 minutes later my phone rang. A church plant about an hour from my house asked me to come and help build their worship team. Why am I always amazed at the faithfulness of God? I am in contact with another church an hour in a different direction for the same reason.

It would be a huge blessing to have you partner with us in prayer as we put this whole thing together. Here are some prayer points:

1. God has put us on good footing financially so I only have to replace a portion of my income. I’m looking for a place to serve like a coffee shop or night stocking at a store; something to bring in a bit of income and get me back in front of the unchurched.
2. Pray for direction as I prepare the path of teaching. My first message will be on living a repentant lifestyle. I have ideas of where to go next but want the ideas of Heaven for building His church.
3. Pray that God will send us faithful people with the gifting each of these churches need.
4. Pray for resource at these two churches. Instruments, sound systems, projectors etc. etc. etc.
5. Pray for the pastors and staff to catch the vision of recognizing, calling out, equipping, and releasing people into their gifting.

There will be more but that’s a good start.

Thank you for staying with me. It means more than I can express.

Blessings

Gary

What a wonderful word

I’m sitting in a great little coffee shop in Ainsworth NE. Just had a large, no foam, latte and a wheat cinnamon scone right out of the oven. I know I said I was going to unplug for 10 days but I had to send a file to the office and decided to clean up some email and look at facebook. I can’t help myself. Besides cleaning out the inbox halfway through makes me worry less about the volume of mail when I get back in the office in a week.

I’ve been in Ainsworth with nothing to do for 3 full days and have caught up on sleep but I can’t seem to shut off my brain. There is always something to think about and when I try to get quiet they my mind gets noisy.

I really love being back up here and hanging with old friends and catching up with my brother and his kids. They are so tall! We played music until about midnight last Friday and were going to play again tonight in preparation for New Years eve. I’m going to lead 4 or 5 songs. It should be a lot of fun.

I’m going to try to unplug agian and finish “The Appeal”. I used to love Grisham but the last few have been week. This one is ok but nowhere near the early ones and he has injected politics, I hate that. Just tell the story without taking shots.

Ok done ranting :-), I’ll be back on the 5th. I forgot my power chord so this will probably be the last entry until then.

Bless you all.

It’s been quite a year. I know I should be doing something like Rush does and leave you with something profound. The truth is I’m beat. I’m ready for 2008 to go away and ready for a new season.

I will be unplugging for about the next 10 days. Going to Nebraska to hang out with family and rest up. Hopefully find a few pheasants, play some music with friends and family, and watch a lot of football. O yes and help my mother in law get rid of all the Christmas candy, cake, cookies etc. etc. etc. She loves me, what can I say?

Thank you for reading and commenting. It makes it a lot more fun.

See you the week of the 5th.

Blessings, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.

My friend Chuck over at Big God Adventures has articulated what is in my heart. I need a challenge something to fight for. I think a big reason for the funk I’ve been battling is because I need something to fight for.

Yearning for the Wild

I’ve been thinking about how tame i am. i work in a cool office. live in a great, comfortable house. have heat and ac in house, car and work.

But something in me wants a fight. i want to run with scissors or climb up on the roof or drive in a blinding snowstorm or play tackle football in a mudpit. i need something untamed.

I’ve read Wild at Heart and know that as a man, i need a battle. I’m reading a book on the wild Jesus from the book of Mark. but there’s something deeper than just reading books.

there is a true craving to roar like a man. Any woman reading this probably won’t understand, hopefully the men will. there is something primal that needs to come out. Playing music helps to release that. As a bass player/singer, there is definitely something wild about that rumble of the bass and a good yell or scream.

I think i need some man-time. some camping and hiking, growing a neck beard, finding and cooking your food over a flame. anyone have an empty cabin i could hide away for a few days in? anyone up for some gut-level living? strength, passion, honesty – that’s what i’m looking for.

Big God Adventures: Yearning for the Wild

I just found out one of my best friends on earth lost their oldest son to suicide.

Please pray for the family.

Tonight Kim will be hosting the citizenlink webcast.

You should watch tonight. I promise it will be more fun the watching CNN or FOX.

You might even see me walking around acting like I know what I’m doing.

Now go and vote and then come home and watch.

CitizenLink.com