Training Day

I had a great day with my Servant Core student leadership team today. Did some training and then some dreaming about the future of our youth group. God’s doing some great things and I want to see them continue.

Anyway, today is Saturday and weigh day. My current weight is 231.4. That’s a 1.4 pound loss from last week. I was really looking forward to breaking that 230 mark, but it looks like I have to wait. Actually, I’m quite glad for the loss that I had. Had a bad day during the week, but overall I was good this week. Unfortunately today was bad and Monday won’t be great since it’s Labor Day. Gotta keep hitting it though.

The Substitute

I’m sitting in an extremely hot classroom substitute teaching today. That’s about it.

Quest For Health

According to my stats I have some new readers. Thanks for stopping by. On Saturdays I usually post my weight. Wacky I know. I lost 30 pounds last summer and then stopped. Over the course of the year I crept back up 10 lbs. Looking at the scale finally got me fired up to do it again. I have a long way to go but at least I feel mentally ready again. So, a week ago I started up again on my diet. I post the weight here for two reasons. First, it’s accountability. Nothing’s more embarrassing than having to post a huge weight gain. There’s been several times in the past where the thought of posting my weight kept me from blowing it one day. It may sound crazy, but it helps. Second, I talked with my youth once about being open and honest before God and others. My desire and need to lose weight is simply reality. I don’t want to hide that. I want to run and have fun with my children without getting tired so easily. So, long explanation for why I do this.

So, the weight for this week is 232.8. The digital scale keeps me from interpreting the number like my old dial scale allowed me. That’s a loss of 2.8 pounds which is healthy weight loss. So, there we have it.

One final note. If there is a Saturday where I don’t post, feel free to leave a comment or email me asking me why. Even that thought gives me motivation to make sure I keep hitting it hard.

Too Much Politics

We were watching the Olympics tonight and during the commercials a Presidential advertisement came on. My 2 1/2 year old little girl proudly exclaimed “I approve this message.” Whoa! The power of television and the power of annoying repetition.

Opportunity Update

Found out from a friend that has been in the area much longer than I that what I discovered was used for demolition derbies. They took place Sunday mornings which provides an obvious reason why I probably didn’t know about them. As far as he knew they were still going on, but I think the overgrowth testifies that at least for this year there hasn’t been any. Still an interesting location though that could be used for something crazy.

Opportunity?

I was scouting out the local park to see what it provided for an upcoming outreach when I felt the Spirit prompt me to check out the local fire station. It’s a small volunteer station. I knew where it was at, had glanced its way once some time in the past, and that was about it. It sits hidden on the edge of town.

I made a pass by and noticed what looked like some bleachers sitting behind it. That was interesting. Maybe they use them at certain events or training exercises. I decided to investigate. As I drew near, I discovered that the bleachers were permanent, and that they faced a small arena situated down below. There’s even a press box with loudspeakers. I really have no clue what the place is. My best guess is horses and maybe rodeo. It’s all overgrown and hasn’t been used for some time, but it got my mind rolling and my spirit wondering. What could God use a location like that for?

I’ve been praying for Divine appointments and doing my best to “chase the goose,” Now I’m seriously asking “Lord do have something for that old arena in our small town? Did you lead me there for a reason?” No answers yet, bet the journey will hopefully prove interesting.

Enter the Bat

Youth group was almost over when the screams came (from some of my young men no less). Bat! With a door open for air flow a bat found its way into our room. The next fifteen minutes were some of the funniest I’ve witnessed as my youth attempted to direct the bat back out the door. Tablecloths, pvc pipe, poles, and even a flag were used in the endeavor.

The final culmination came when the bat flew into the tiny foyer leading outside. One of my young men practically dove into the foyer to face the beast while my wife shut the doors leading back into our room. Yeah, our main concern was to get rid of the bat.

Anyway, the bat flew away severely traumatized and my youth got a memory they’ll never forget.

Horse & Wagon

As I was finishing up my previous post, I heard the familiar clop clop of horses out my office window. My church is definitely in a rural area, but it’s not Amish country. Yet, as I looked out a large wagon with two horses pulling it marched down the road. I remember seeing them last week too. They weren’t Amish so I really don’t know what they were doing. Maybe they found a way around high gas prices.

The best part was the horses across the street. Yes, once again this is a rural church. Seven horses in the field realized that something strange was happening because they all gathered in a group and just stared at the horses pulling the wagon. After the wagon passed, the horses gave chase as far as the fence would allow them.

When following Christ, we should expect the unexpected. Just didn’t think it would be something like this.

Free Book Opportunity!

I am a really big fan of Mark’s book “In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day” and daily enjoy reading the thoughts he posts on his blog, so I jumped at the opportunity to review his new book here. Also, I received an extra copy that I can give away for free. More details after my review.

Most of us have no idea where we’re going most of the time. Perfect.

“Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit–An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’ The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what it’s like to follow the Spirit through life. I think the Celtic Christians were on to something….

Most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time. And I know that is unsettling. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: Adventure.” --from the introduction.

The premise for the book is that Christianity was always meant to be an adventure as we are led by the Holy Spirit. Every day is to hold the opportunity for the unexpected. Yet, often we try to tame the Holy Spirit. We seek to have Him approve our safe choices instead of allowing Him to lead us into the unknown. No wonder that many Christians are bored with their faith. I like the way Mark puts it. We are basically trying so hard to live safe lives that it makes our guardian angels yawn.

The remedy for this incorrect way of living life? Identifying the cages that we allow ourselves to be imprisoned in and stepping out of them. These six cages are the cage of responsibility, the cage of routine, the cage of assumptions, the cage of guilt, the cage of failure, and the cage of fear. Mark tackles each one by diving into the lives of some well known individuals from the Bible.

I thought the book was an incredible read. The highest praise that I can give it is that it challenged me. Challenged me to examine if I’m playing it safe, or chasing the Holy Spirit. Challenged me to step out into the adventure. Challenged me to change.

It is a book that I’m planning on slowing down and prayerfully rereading. I really encourage everyone to pick up a copy and read it.

If you want, you can visit the website for the book to read a sample chapter or learn more about Mark. While you’re there you can download “10 Steps to Setting Life Goals” which is not only a good read but something to pray about. The site is www.chasethegoose.com.

If you go to the above website there’s a link to order the book. However, I usually use www.amazon.com for buying books and it’s available there starting August 19th.

As I said in the opening, I have a free copy of the book to give away. Here’s how it works. Post a comment to this blog entry. On Monday August 18th, I will randomly select one of the commenters to receive the book. If you are reading this post in Facebook, make sure to go to www.focusedjourney.com and post your comment there.

The Power of Unplanning

Going into youth last we already knew that it would a smaller group. I had a message prepared, worship music prepared, and a new game ready to go. As we sitting around the welcome table talking before youth, I went ahead and decided just to unplan the evening. We got in a circle and just began talking Bible. Some crazy questions at times, but genuine interest in what God’s Word had to say. An hour flew by before I even realized it.

Planning is good. I live by calendars and to do lists. However, sometimes we need to be willing to unplan and just allow spiritual life to happen.

My Life

Spent some time today trying to dream up a new and stupid game for youth group. I had success. Yes, that’s the life of a youth pastor.

Ode to Taco Bell

Our local taco bell has a Sunday special. Crunchy tacos are only 49¢. It makes for an extremely cheap meal for our entire family and a great family tradition. On Sundays we eat lunch late and then wait until after the evening service to go to Taco Bell. We’ve been doing it for years now. It sounds crazy, but it’s becoming something that our family shares together. Usually I drop my wife off so she can get our little boy ready for bed, and then my daughter and I drive on to the Bell. We talk and laugh together while I constantly reassure her that we’ll buy her a burrito since she doesn’t like tacos (we always buy her a soft taco but she doesn’t know). Then, we return home and share a few minutes together eating before bed.

Sometimes even the simple things of life can be something that binds a family together. Why not look for something crazy to do with your family this week. Then do it next week. And the week after. Keep doing it until it’s something your family looks forward to, laughs about, but ultimately enjoys.

Let The Dam Break

Had another powerful service this morning. Pastor spoke on Zechariah 4:6.

“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.”

More and more it seems a lot of people I know are feeling that God is really getting ready to do something powerful. Not just in our church, but in a lot of churches. The limiting factor really seems to be us. We are the dam that is holding back that power. It’s time to humble our hearts and allow God to have his rightful place. No longer should we make God a part of our lives. God must become our lives.

Not always easy in a culture that provides us with a million and one things to take our attention off the Father.

I'm Home

I’m still unpacking, but my blog has arrived home. This really does look a lot better than the www.homepage.mac.com/mpaulwright that I had before. It’s late, but make sure to keep checking back in the days ahead for the free book giveway that I mentioned on the closing blog at the old site. The book is going to Mark Batterson’s “Wild Goose Chase.”

Also, if you’re feeling kind, drop me a comment welcoming to the neighborhood. Yeah, more shameless plugs.

The Voice of CJM

I’m fairly confident that many of my readers know who Cornell Jordan is. If you don’t, a one sentence introduction is in order. Cornell is an incredible youth evangelist that blows it away every time he speaks. Go to my links page for more info. Anyway, I consider it a privilege to call him one of my friends.

By next week, Cornell will be selling an audio version of the devotional he has written. If you listen real close, you might hear two voices that are just a little familiar to me. Crazy as it sounds, Cornell asked my wife and I to do the audio. It was a one week turnaround that was needed and we pulled it off. Not the highest quality for sure, but it actually sounds pretty good for being completely recorded and edited on my Mac. For the next round (there will be more) we’ll be upgrading to a better mic than the one built into my laptop.

It’s crazy what God will sometimes bring into your life.

In a Heartbeat

I was sitting outside with a bunch of my youth tonight waiting for my wife to return from dropping off my kids. The phone rang. My little boy had twisted out of his car seat and fallen onto the concrete driveway. The driveway won, but my little champion is tough. He’s doing really well and was laughing up a storm with his sister on the drive back to the church.

This small accident though confirmed in my mind just how fragile life really is and how everything can change in a moment’s notice. Knowing this, it is so vital that we live our lives in the light of eternity. In the financial realm we’re advised to diversify. In the spiritual realm, I’m putting everything I have into one basket. I’m clinging to Jesus. That way, no matter what happens in this world, I know the future is secure.

Motives

Prov. 16:2 All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord.

I came across this verse a couple of weeks ago in my devotions and it has just been hammering me ever since. I sadly realize how much stock I put in my own opinion. How easily I paint over my faults and failures with a stroke of “I know I’m doing what’s right.” How often do we loudly proclaim our actions are of the purest intent, when deep down inside they really might be suspect?

I love my Lord and I know he loves me. Yet, I will still give an account of my life before him. Will things like my works which I consider pure and holy, be burned up because my motives were wrong? Do I want to reach my neighbor out of love or so I can have a good illustration and something to blog about?

Just something to pray about.