Shaping Influences

Often as part of my quiet time, I take time to listen to sermons from pastors across the country.  This morning, my choice of preacher was one of my favorites of all time.  David Calhoun of Hope Springs Church in Lexington, KY.  Some of you know him well, many of you have never even heard of him.  Regardless, he ranks at the top of my list of people I love to listen to...for sooooo many reasons.

I know that most parents are fighting to get their children out of bed in time for school, but for two of our children...that is not a problem at all.  Our twins are EARLY risers, often up on their own at 6 a.m.  This morning was no different.  Cuddled up next to the fire, they embarked on the journey with me to hear from Pastor David as Landen looks up at me with the most serious look on his face when he says, "Daddy?  He sounds just like you!"

I laughed at his innocent little observation, but as I listened further, I realized he was right.  There are a lot of similarities in both he and I.  I don't know if David would agree or even be happy about that, but I could certainly see why my son made that statement.

There is good reason for his observation.  David Calhoun was my pastor when I was a teenager.  He introduced me to a more contemporary approach to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  He was (and is) an incredible friend, mentor, and shepherd.  In fact, we had the opportunity many years ago to be part of the launch team of Hope Springs Church as David led the charge in birthing that congregation in Lexington.

I owe a lot of who I am to this man.  I owe a lot of my ministry influence to this man.  God placed him on my journey to shape me and prepare me.  But he is not the only one.  I have spent a lot of time this morning thanking God for the pastoral influences in my life that helped me to be where I am today.  If you will grant me the privilege, I would like to pay homage to those Godly men that influenced me from the cradle to the present.

A.G. Smith, Donnie Smith, Buddy Hix:

My lineage in the pastorate so to speak, my grandfather and two of my uncles.  All three men were passionate preachers filled with fire.  All three men stood strong in the pulpit, sharing the Word of God with intensity.  All three men, serving their purpose in their generation.  All three loved and respected by anyone who ever sat under their direction.  All three I loved and respected.  All three now home with Jesus, fierce warriors that have come home to rest after their battles were over.  Thank you God for these men and the heritage of faith that I have.

Bobby Conner, Danny Bailey:


The first people I recognize as "pastor".  They served me as my shepherds in the earliest years of my life.  As a 9 year old boy, I gave my heart to Christ under the preaching of Bro. Bobby and a few years later under the guidance of Bro. Danny, my faith really started to grow.  As a young teenager, Danny was not just an influence in ministry and the Word, but also in my love for music.  Thank you God for these men and their influence in the early years of my life.

David Calhoun:


See the opening....I could say so much more, but I will just say he is not just a spiritual influence, but probably the biggest pastoral influence for me...not to mention one of the friendships in life I cherish most.  He also introduced me to church planting and creativity in ministry.  Thank you God for this man's guidance, example, and love.

David Davis:


I am sad when people struggle with their in-laws.  I however, do not struggle in the least.  I love, honor, and respect my father-in-law.  He is an amazing man.  He is respected in his profession.  He is adored in his ministry.  He is passionate about his calling.  He has been an incredible pastor.  He has shown me how to really love a flock.  He is wise and knows how to navigate through tension in a way that helps all involved to be better in the end.  Thank you God for this man's gene's (for my wife) and for his wisdom in both my life and ministry.

Terrell Somerville:


So much could be said about this man.  Under his direction, my eyes have been opened even further in creative ministry.  Probably, the greatest influence he had in my life has been in giving me an opportunity to hone the skills necessary to lead people, reach out to a community, and be intentional about how I communicate the Gospel of Christ.  In 4 short years serving on his staff, I grew more as a man, as a leader, as a pastor, and as a preacher.  Thank you God for the opportunities for growth you gave me through this man's influence in my life.


There are many other influences that have shaped me from a distance.  This list includes those through whom God worked the most to make me the servant I am today.  Whether you like who I am or despise who I am...you can either thank these men or blame them.  I however am eternally grateful to the Lord for placing each of them on my path.  I love them all.  I respect them all.  I am thankful for them all and I pray that each of them can look at my life as a man and as a pastor and be proud of what God did through them.

I look forward to being to someone else, what these men have been to me.

A Must Read For Every Skyliner

Over the last few days, I have been looking back over all that God did through Skyline Church in 2011.  To say the least, I am blown away.  We prayed for the beginning of Great Things and He delivered.  I would love to share all of those things in this little post, but then that would ruin the anticipation for this weekend at Skyline Church.

All I am going to say is that He moved in ways that I am certain many people never noticed and in ways that everybody noticed.  2011 was indeed an Epic year, but it is only the beginning.

This weekend, I am going to share and celebrate 2011 with you.  More importantly, we are going to look ahead into 2012 and beyond.  If I may quote God Of This City, "Greater things have yet to come.  And greater things are yet to be done..."

I want to challenge every single person who calls Skyline their home to be there this weekend ready to celebrate and to be filled with anticipation.  Get your friends, your family, your gas station attendant....go out into the highways and hedges and bid them to come.  You/They DO NOT want to miss this service.  I can guarantee your mind will be racing as much as mine is right now...filled with God Sized Dreams.

Resolute

January 2nd, 2012...the old year is gone and the new year is upon us.  It's time to turn over a new leaf.  Ok, so I am beginning the year off with a cliche.  I am indeed the master of cliche's because for the most part cliche's are what they are because there is a lot of truth lying within them.  

This is the time of year that most of us become resolute, firmly resolved, determined, or set in purpose to accomplish something in our life.  For all of us that means something different.  Maybe it is to lose weight, quit a habit, be more positive, get back into church...what ever resolution that may exist in your heart right now.  The sad truth is that most of these resolutions fall short, which leaves us feeling defeated and weak, not empowered or enthusiastic.  

You very well may find yourself with the mindset of one Facebook poster who said, "It is a proven face that most every New Year's resolution will be broken within three weeks so I say, "Screw It and Pass the Cheesecake".  Why bother, right?  What's the point?

The point is that we all have a burning desire inside of us that begs us to be better than we were.  We all have a yearning to move forward in life and to make a difference in this world.  After all, that is the essence of what God calls us to everyday.  I quote the Apostle Paul when he said in Philippians 3:12-13, "I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection.  But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.  No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing:  Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead..."

That perfection is what we are in pursuit of.  Though unattainable by human means, our pursuit of that perfection is what causes us to become resolute this time of year.  My heart for all of us is that our pursuit would not be a stumbling block for us or an event that causes us to take a step backward, but something that helps us move forward.  The truth is that our pursuit of perfection is not attainable by living in the past...only in moving forward.  Certainly learn from your past as not to repeat the mistakes therein, but your life is in front of you.

Just a few quick pointers for making resolutions that really do count:

1.)  Make them realistic!  In 2012 is your resolution to lose 150 pounds....that's tough.  What about 40 pounds or even 15 pounds?  Rejoice in the little things because a lot of little things add up to HUGE things.

2.)  Choose resolutions that make a difference!  Does it make a difference in your character?  Does it make a difference in someone else's life?  Or does it simply feed your ego and greed?  Do you really need to make more money or do you need to make a difference?  Do you really need that promotion or do your kids need their daddy?  

3.)  Make a resolution that makes an eternal difference!  Don't just make a resolution to go to church.  Make a resolution to become the hands and feet of Christ.  Jesus didn't call us to go to church.  He called us to become like Him.  What step of faith is He calling you to?  Is there a ministry opportunity you need to be part of?  Is there someone you need to invest in?

4.)  Keep the list short!  Don't bite off more than you can chew.  If you have a list of 100 things you want to accomplish in 2012, you will be lucky to get 10 percent of them done.  If you have a list of 4 or 5 things to accomplish, there is a good chance you may be able to do them all.  If you burn through the list, there is no law that says you can't make a list of mid-year resolutions.

5.)  Share your list with someone!  Accountability is a great tool whether it is in your walk with Christ or your New Year's resolution list.  Give that person or persons the freedom and responsibility to ask you about your progress and even your struggles.

Your resolution(s) could include one or all of this little pointers, but in any case make your resolution fruitful for your life and the lives of others.  

To keep in line with number 5, I thought I might share with you my resolutions for 2012.

1.)  Spend more "fun" time with my wife and kids.

2.)  Read a minimum of 1 book per month

3.)  Read the Bible completely

4.)  Lose 30 pounds

5.)  Lead at least 3 people to Christ personally (not counting Sunday Mornings)

There are so many other things I would like to do in the course of this year, but these 5 things I believe will help me more than anything else to be all that I can be for God, my family, and my Church.  Granted, just because this list is my resolution list doesn't mean I won't be working on a few other things along the way, they just happen to be at the top of my priority list of things I want to be better at. Feel free to keep me accountable in these things.