Innovate 08
Well, let me say that Innovate 08 did not disappoint last week. Man what an awesome time. It was inspirational, educational, motivational and many, many other ationals.
These guys rocked the house:
- Tim Stevens great insight on leveraging pop culture in the church
- Rob Wegner always super energetic definitely keeps you awake and on your toes
- Mark Beeson a wonderful opening and tremendous recap and closing
- Shawn Wood great presentation. His book helped me sort through some things in my walk.
- Steven Furtick his message spoke volumes. He was totally off the hook!
The over-all theme “Stop Talking and Start Doing” something I think we need to apply more often in all aspects of our lives and especially in our churches. I sat in on a break out session with Kem Meyer. It was about using “social networking” to better relate and communicate with your friends, family, church, ministry team. As always she nailed it. I also met a new friend, Tim Schraeder I had been following his blog for a while and had taken some advice from his writings in the past. Thanks Tim.
All-in-all a wonderful experience. Thank you Granger Community Church for your always amazing hospitality and guidance.
The Excitement Builds!
I’m so excited!!! I am at Granger Community Church in northern Indiana for the next few days at Innovate 08. On one hand I’m excited to be here for the conference itself and what God has in store for us to learn but more importantly I’m super excited to be here with three of the best friends I have Brian Wright, Darrel Schick & Rollie Rench. These guys are three Godly men that always keep me challenged, in line and on my toes. They ROCK!!! I’ll keep you posted as the days unfold. Knowing the four of us I’m sure it will be fun and interesting. (yes dear, we’ll try and stay out of trouble)
What the heck was that?!?!
Well, any of you that live in the path of that windstorm/hurricane are probably still realing from the effects. Living in Ohio I never in a million years would have been worried about being struck or even adveresly affected by Ike or any other hurricane for that matter. Boy, was I wrong in that line of thinking. We are on day 3 at my house with no power. I have a well also, which means, you guessed it, no water either. The first night was no big deal really. I got the sleep I so much needed from a previous few busy days. I woke up Monday morning and fired up the ol’ gas grill and fixed breakfast. That was a little fun. But, last night it got old. I resorted to surfing the net a little on my phone just to feel in touch again. They are saying it could be days before everyone gets their power back. However, the blessing in disguise is that I have been in the word more than ussual the past few days and God has been revealing more and more to me. I am also getting a lesson in compassion. What we are going through is nothing compared to those actually on a coastline when one of these bad boys hits. I’m getting depressed after just a few days without my normal routine and all. I keep thinking, how in the world do they do it? I feel that God is really using this time to expand my heart (which some may say was needed) and feel more love and concern for those in crisis. Thank you Heavenly Father for this.
But seriously problems in Ohio?!?!
Welcome to the Blogosphere
I’d like to welcome Jeanne Roberts to the blogosphere. I asked Jeanne recently if she would be interested in writing for our “Digging Deeper” devotional blog. She accepted. Then she decided to start her own blog. Jeanne wrote this a while back and it’s awesome. I look forward to reading what she has to say. Check it out.
Wild Goose Chase
I must first start with a resounding WOW! Many thanks to Mark Batterson for the opportunity to review an advance copy of “Wild Goose Chase”. I found it difficult to read this book in the short amount of time I had. Even though I could barely put the book down I found myself re-reading much of it in order to truly absorb what Mark had written. I found it inspiring, challenging and convicting. Mark’s God given passion is evident in every chapter and is obviously God inspired.
In the book Mark speaks of Devine Appointments. “…God is setting up divine appointments all the time. And as long as our motives stay pure and our spirits stay sensitive, He will make sure we meet the right people at the right time.” Goose Chase was one of those appointments for me. The Lord has spoken to me personally through this book and has set in motion some things that I have been delaying and ignoring in my own life. Thank you Mark, for opening the door of the cage I have backed myself into. I pray for the courage to step out of it and continue the momentum set forth in these pages.
God created us in His image but in order to understand, control or tame Him we have attempted to re-create Him in our image. In the beginning pages we learn that “the Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit, An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’” “The name hints at the mysterious nature of the Holy Spirit. Much like a wild goose the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger and an air of unpredictability surround Him.”
“Wild Goose Chase” is more than a book it is a challenge to all Christ followers to “Reclaim the Adventure of Pursuing God”. Sadly enough I see many of us, myself included, drifting away from this adventure every day. As Mark says in the first few pages “Jesus’ disciples didn’t just live an exciting life post-Pentecost; they turned the world upside down.” We too can, and should, turn the world upside down. “Wild Goose Chase” can begin, or restart, the adventure for you as it has for me. To simply recommend this book seems weak considering its subject matter. Therefore, I DARE you to pick up this book. I’ll even skip ahead and triple dog dare you. But I must warn you, be prepared to Chase the Goose!
Friends
The Schick Family
Meet the Schick family. Darrel and Ruth (the parental units) and their children Grayson and Carter (in the back) Spencer (in between) and Madison (the adorable young lady). Darrel is our pastor. But for me he is also one of the best friends I have ever had. Last night I got a call from him. Maddie had fallen and broken her arm. Ruth had taken her to Childrens Hospital where she most likely would need surgery involving pins and things. Please be in prayer for her today. Darrel recently sold his car and is in the middle of finding a new one. He asked if I would drive him down to the hospital. I took him down there and went in to see how Maddie was doing (she’s going to be fine) and then I stuck around for a while. I was on my way home at about 1:00 am and I was praying for Maddie and the doctors and Darrel and Ruth. And I had this over whelming feeling come over me. It was joy and peace. Now this may sound strange but the thing is until I gave my life to Christ I probably wouldn’t have done this sort of thing for anyone. I didn’t have very close friends that would have even asked me to do this. Of course they thanked me and all but I would like to thank them for their trust in me to ask for my help in a time of need. I am honored and truly blessed to have friends like the Schicks and I am always and forever happy to serve them in any way. Thank you God for creating them and for putting them along my journey. And thank you Darrel, Ruth, Grayson, Carter, Maddie and Spencer. Get well soon Madigan.
<update: Maddie is doing well and should be home this evening>
Let’s Not Get All Crazy Here…
I saw this on Tim Schraeders Blog
Now first off, as followers of Christ, let’s not get all crazy about this. Bill Maher is simply a victim here. He is being used by satan. We need to pray for him and not condemn him. Am I sad about this movie? Yes. Am I disgusted by this movie? Yes. But Bill Maher is not to blame here. In fact from the looks of the previews some of or all of us may be to blame. I spent 35 years of my life not wanting to know Jesus Christ because of some the people and their actions. Is that their fault? Not always but it didn’t help me any. I don’t blame them just as I don’t blame Bill Maher for this movie. He is just like all of us. He questions what he doesn’t understand. Unfortunately he is seeking answers to those questions in the wrong places just as so many of us have in the past and present. Please join me in prayer for Bill Maher. That the Lord put people in his path that can direct him to the answers he so desperately seeks. Also that God use this movie to spark questions in others out there and start that spiritual journey for them. And that He equip, prepare and use us as followers of Christ to be ready for them. To guide them in the direction that God would have them go. Please join me in this prayer and in this mission.
The Path…
I took the day off today and headed for the woods for a little while. I was walking along and decided I would check out Proverbs 4. (Not because of any revelation or anything, it’s the 4th of August and I wasn’t feeling very inventive). Anyway I’m walking along and reading Proverbs chapter 4 and here’s what I see :
11 I guide you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
or walk in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
turn from it and go on your way.
and then:
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead,
fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Make level paths for your feet
and take only ways that are firm.
27 Do not swerve to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.
Now when I’m on these walks I like to explore. I sometimes stray from the path. So, I looked around and I’m walking along this path that is well cut, smooth, clearly marked, and firm. I look to the left and there are vines and poison ivy and holes to get hung up in. I look to the right and I see the creek and in it is all this tangled brush and pollution. It was really kind of gross.
Now on the good path, occasionally, I would run into some spider webs. (I don’t have a problem with spiders persae but I don’t welcome them to crawl all over me). It did cloud up, thunder some and threaten to rain. Also, the trails I walked cross paths with some horse trails so there were some obstacles I had to manuever. The point though is this. God never promised there wouldn’t be distractions or some crap to avoid along the way but if you follow the path He has cleared for you, you’ll get where He wants you to be.
Guest Blogging
I am sorry for the neglect here. I have been guest blogging here. Check it out. I’ll be back soon.
-Rick
You Know Who You Are… If Not, Forgive Me.
First off let me say thank you and… forgive me. Thank you for being great friend and caring so much about me and where I am and where I am going. I don’t express that nearly enough to anyone especially those closest to me. Thank you for being there and putting up with me or tolerating me or taming me at times. Thank you for convicting and/or humbling me when I need it. Thank you for overlooking where I’ve been and for pointing out where I should or shouldn’t be. Thank you from the deepest realms of my heart.
Also, forgive me. Forgive me that you see me all too often “unfiltered”. Forgive me that I often only have time to dump the negative things on you rather than share the goodness that I see everyday through Christ’s eyes. Forgive me that all you may hear sometimes is my whining and moaning and complaining instead of the amazing things God is doing in my life and the amazing things I see through Him in you. For all this I ask your forgiveness and I thank you too. Without you I would not be who I am or where I am so for that thank you.
I consider it a true blessing to have you all in my life. Please know that I am usually all too aware of my negativity, misdirection, moods, and all my other crap. But, I thank you and ask you to continue to please point it out anyway (even if my reaction or response is less than favorable, for those times forgive me) I expect no less from you.
Please remember that my bark is mostly worse than my bite and what you hear from me is the “raw” version of what I ultimately think or say, for that, forgive me and thank you for listening. This also is my method of throwing it all out there so that I can really see what I am looking at and working with. Once this is done I, more often than not, then have to remove the log from my eye to proceed further. This is the way I do things. I’m sure it’s not the best or always healthy but so far it’s what I have.
For all this I have been and remain in prayer. I thank you in advance for praying for me as I know you do and will continue. I have often felt those prayers, please never stop and always know that I do and will pray for you as well. Thanks in large part to you, I am and will be (quite literally) “eternally” grateful. And for future reference forgive me, thank you and I love you.
Grace and Peace,
Rick Phillips
My friend, my brother…
This is Grayson. He’s one of my heroes. He doesn’t know it. He’s 18 and got his whole life in front of him. Today was one of the last times Grayson will be performing on a regular basis at the Ridge for a while. He is going off to college soon. Grayson has been performing in the praise band at the Ridge since he was a little guy. Before I became a believer I remember seeing him there, on the few occasions my family could drag me to church. Here was this goofy kid up there playing drums or guitar or singing. Doing things that were so awesome and such a reflection of the amazing gifts God had given him. I’ve had the pleasure of watching him grow up and also, to perform with him on occasion. He’s no longer a kid, although he’s still sometimes goofy but I love that about him.
I’m not sure what Grayson will be doing with his future. I’m not sure Grayson knows what he will be doing and neither one of us, of course, knows what God has in store for him yet. I hope it has to do with his musical talent because He has used Grayson to speak to me and help me to grow spiritually. Grayson was one of the people that helped me learn what it is to truly worship and I know He has used him in the lives of others too. Please join me in prayer for Grayson as he goes out into the world. I pray that he find whatever it is he is seeking, I pray that he doesn’t wind up with too many regrets in his life (I know how that feels and how the enemy can use that to eat away at you). I pray that Grayson always remembers the many people in his life that he can turn to anytime he needs especially the most important One. Good luck brother and thank you. You ROCK!!
Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment. -Ecclesiastes 11:9
Pop Goes The Church part 2
It’s Monday morning June 23rd 9am and I’m awake and excited. Yes, for those of you who know me, I said it is a Monday morning and I’m awake and excited. I’m at Granger Community Church (GCC) in Granger, IN. I’m attending Pop Goes the Church. I read the book about a month or so ago. The author, Tim Stevens, is also teaching the class. Now Tim has caught a lot of flack for some of the things he says in the book. I personally think he has ticked off Satan with some of these ideas and that is the reason behind the flack. The loudest being Christians. Yes, Christians! I’m not going to get into whether those people are really followers of Christ. I’m not going to slam them for being “old school” or close minded. I feel there is room for all levels, types, and styles of church as long as they are Christ centered. We all learn and grow differently.
A lot of the claims against pastors like Tim and churches like GCC are they are not Biblical, or they are embracing the culture. For GCC that couldn’t be further from the truth. I have attended services and other courses at GCC and they are very Biblically based. If it weren’t for this kind of church or pastor I’m pretty sure I would never have been introduced to Christ in a way that I felt open or comfortable with and eventually come to a saving knowledge of Him. I was met where I was and brought to where God wants me. I am still on that journey and will be for the rest of my life. I have made a covenant with the Lord to either constantly continue in my spiritual growth or if need be pick myself up get back on course with what He has in store for me. I pray the latter will never occur but I know if it does I have my Lord and my church family for the support I will need.
I will be blogging this week on this topic and what I get from this class but for now back to the session…
I Just Had To Share This…
What an amazing, awesome, forgiving, loving God we have…
zzzz… Oh sorry
Well, we had pretty good time in Gatlinburg. I can’t say I’m a huge fan but all-in-all it was a good time. On the return trip I got a call from Darrel my good friend and pastor. He was headed to Ichthus (big Christian woodstock kinda thing) He asked me if I wanted to go, after thinking about it I thought “sure why not”. So my wife and family left me at a Denny’s in Lexington, KY and Darrel and crew picked me up. So after a somewhat sleep deprived vacation and a drowsy drive from G-burg to Lexington I went to an outdoor concert heard a great message heard Family Force 5 David Crowder Band and Casting Crowns. We got home about 3 am and then had three services to deal with starting at about 8 am. The bands were awesome, the worship was amazing and the message God gave me through it all is very affirming and in a way settling but scares the daylights out of me. (more on that as it transpires) Thank you Darrel, Carter, Paul, Maddie and Amy for a good time.
Some People Just Ain’t Right
Now, these may be nice people and all but they still ain’t right. Here are a few individuals we encountered today in Gatlinburg.
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- Well That’s my wife & daughter but Jenni ain’t been right since she married me
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- WOW hope it’s not windy today
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- These people have 3 wiener dogs in there
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- A doggie lifejacket. Bet those people own some.
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- An actual stroller made for dogs
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- And of course my poor daughter never stood a chance to be normal
Don’t get me wrong. I love my dogs but they’re at home when I’m on vacation. Been a good time so far though.
VACATION…
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- Off the deck.
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- Over the roof of the chalet
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- My niece Chloe & me
Ok, I Can Take A Hint…
…Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day. – Deuteronomy 5:15
Well, my laptop took a nose dive on Sunday. It appears that no information will be lost and it will be repaired soon and covered under warranty, all good news.
My mental state at the beginning was not so good. At first I was panicked about the potential loss of so much material (personal, work, church). Then I started having withdrawal symptoms. I felt as if someone had removed my right arm. I didn’t know what to do… How to react… Then I realized I was functioning without it quite well. I relaxed and watched a movie with my family. I went shopping and bought a suit (my first ever… another story) and generally have gotten by without being plugged in to the web at a moments notice 24/7. Of course I do still have my PC at work and my PC at home but I have stayed away from them, for the most part, after working hours. I feel relaxed, calm, slightly uninformed but I’m kinda ok with that. Was I overworking and using my ministry duties as an excuse??? No, that doesn’t happen does it?? Well, needless to say whether it was just a faulty part in my computer or Divine Intervention, I get the hint. All work and no play make Rick a dull boy (and kinda hacks off the wife a bit too).
…so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. – Genesis 2:2
Can You Imagine?
A very amazing woman I know sent this to me recently for a project at church and I asked her if I could share it. We certainly do serve an awesome God, I read this and just lost it. Thank you Jeanne and thank you God for Jeanne.
“Can you Imagine?”
In 2004, I lived in Kettering with my 2 daughters. My 9 year old, Megan was a faithful Christ follower already. Every Sunday she would get up early and go to church with her friend’s family while my 11 year old, Faith, and I would sleep in. Faith and I had no interest in church, but that didn’t stop Megan from going regularly since the age of 6.
One day in November of 04, I was eating lunch in my car, scanning the radio stations. A song had just begun on a country station. Who knows why I stopped on that station, I’m no country music fan. The lyrics began, “I can only imagine, what it will be like, when I walk by your side”. I thought “Oh jeez, another cry-in-your-beer song!” It didn’t take long to realize to Whom the song was being sung. “Will I dance for you Jesus, or in awe of You, be still?”
The name of Jesus sent an electric jolt down my spine, an actual physical pain. I hated that song! But I didn’t change the station. I kept listening. The more I listened, the more I hated it, but I couldn’t change the station! By the end of the song, I was in tears and had no idea why.
A couple days later, fully recovered and that song fully forgotten, I heard it again! This time on one of those “we play everything” stations. Same reaction, I hated it, the name of Jesus put my nerve endings on fire, but I listened to the whole thing, crying every minute.
Soon it seemed like that song was being played every time I got in the car. It was like a fly, buzzing around my head… You know the ones, they always seem to be fascinated by your ear when you’re trying to sleep in…
Megan, my faithful church-goer, signed up to be in the Christmas Pageant of her friend’s church. She didn’t tell me anything about it, she said all the kids were keeping it quiet so the parents would be surprised. So, wanting to help her keep the big secret, I didn’t ask anything more.
So, the big night of the Pageant arrives. Faith and I dress up and go to the church to watch. It was the first time I’d been inside a church in over 15 years. I felt like the whole building was speaking to me, telling me that I didn’t belong there. The name of the play was “Three Wise Men and a Baby”, with one of the Wise Men bearing a strong resemblance to Elvis Presley… His robes had rhinestones, and he had “pork-chop” sideburns glued onto his little face. Very cute!
Then, the Big Finale, all the kids gather around and sing… You guessed it, “I Can Only Imagine”. I have goosebumps just writing this.
Finally, it dawned on me that maybe – mayyyybe – Someone was trying to get my attention.
Nahhhh… It’s just a coincidence! It’s a popular song, probably every kids’ pageant has that song stuffed in somewhere…
October 05, we started coming to the Ridge. Not happily, mind you, but my new stepson was friends with Carter, and Faith’s friend Lauren would not rest until we agreed to come. In December, Faith came to know Christ. Her life was changed at a Dare to Share Conference. She shared her new life with me, and I was happy for her, but wasn’t quite sure that I was God’s type. The following February I told her, “OK, you think God is interested in me? If He really is, I’ll listen for a song.” She had no idea what I was talking about.
Then, on the “Grand Opening” service in the new building, the guitar player pulled the microphone close and began to sing. “I can only imagine, what it will be like, when I walk by your side.” For the first time since attending, I stood up to sing with everyone. I couldn’t sing because I was too busy crying. But I was filled with happiness that I never knew, and the name of Jesus being sung made my heart so warm, I thought I was going to faint.
For the next week I was overwhelmed between feeling wonderful to feeling awful, like a fraud, someone who shouldn’t feel that wonderful. The next Sunday, when Darrel invited people to come to the stage and pray, I think I was on my knees before he finished his invitation. I let all of my shame, my hate, my sins, my fear flow out of me and let the Holy Spirit flow in.
I’m so glad that God is a persistant God!
Dewey’s Rocks!!!
Dewey’s Pizza. The pizza was pretty good as pizza goes but what really sets them apart is the AWESOME customer service. The wait staff does not stick to only their table they cover whatever needs covered and they do it with excellence. Our glasses never got below a quarter full. The manager actually took our order, did not write it down, and still got it right and this place was very busy to top it all off. I left there feeling as if they really cared about us. I think we forget sometimes that people matter. Whether it’s business or church others count and we need to show them we care about them AND we need to actually care not fake our way through it. If you want to show your team how they should be then find the Dewey’s nearest you, sit back, enjoy the food and just observe.
I Got out of the Boat…
Well, I spoke about getting out of the boat earlier. Here is what I was talking about. I don’t have any problem being on camera as long as I’m acting (foolish or otherwise) but being me on camera a bit uncomfortable.
Get Out Of The Boat
29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.
- Matthew 14:29-30 NIV
Well, this week I’ve been called to get out of the boat. My boat this week is my comfort zone where my past personal life is involved. I feel called to expose parts of my past life, that led me to my salvation, to help others in their next steps. This is very difficult for me. I’ll write more after it’s all over and maybe I’ll share it here. Please be in prayer for me over it. Thank you.
A New Home…
Well, I just moved from Blogger to WordPress. I like it here. It seems kind of roomy and hip. I think I’ll put the couch right over there next to the 5 foot lava lamp…
DAY OFF YAY!!!
Day off yay me!! On the list:
- Sleep in
- Do a little nothing
- Eat lunch
- Do a little more nothing
- Replace brakes on Jen’s car
- Do a little more nothing
- Maybe a nap (takes a lot of energy to do nothing)
- Look at Marissa’s car ( not really do anything just stand there and look at it)
- A little more nothing
- Church leadership meeting
- Bedtime (wow I’m worn out)
Creation Museum
WOW! This is the second time I have been to the Creation Museum and once again I am in awe of what God has accomplished there. The passion, dedication and faith of all those involved is truly evident. Ken Ham has been given a vision and mission from God. Praise God and thank you Ken for your commitment, obedience and sacrifices to get this project going. From the top to the bottom it is a sight to see. I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone. If you can get them there, it is an awesome way to show “unbelievers” or “fence sitters” Gods word in a different form. I would suggest having the entire day set aside to explore. There is a lot of reading and video. The “Men in White” movie is very entertaining and educational. I can’t imagine many people that would walk away disappointed in the experience.
