Random Thoughts

Alright, I’m just going to say it (write it). I’m not good at blogging. At least that’s the way I feel since I haven’t written anything in quite awhile. I know it’s the hip thing to do and that almost everyone does it, whether it’s Facebook or My Space or whatever, but I’m just not good at it. I read a few blogs from time to time, and it seems to me that they fall into one of two categories. First, there are the blogs that are updates on “what I did or what I thought today,” and then there are blogs that are personal commentaries on various current events. The truth is my days aren’t all that exciting, I don’t have that many profound thoughts, and I don’t keep up with current events as much as I should. I like to write, but I’m not always creative or witty or insightful. I want to be helpful and encouraging to the people who read my blog, but I don’t like just “grinding” something out. So what am I going to do?

Maybe I’ll take a stab at writing my random thoughts. I’m looking forward to doing a sermon series on Jesus’ seven statements from the cross. I’ve wanted to do that for a long time but never have been able to get the timing down (seven weeks leading up to Easter). What’s really crazy about that is that I have complete control over my preaching calendar. Go figure! I hate carrying 40 lb. bags of salt down to my basement to the water softener. The last time my son was home I went out and bought 10 bags and got him to carry them (I wish he came home more often). I’m so pleased with the direction of our worship and arts ministry under the leadership of Brian Tabor. I’ve never heard the church sing with more passion and enthusiasm. There’s a lot of pressure when your wife’s birthday is Valentine’s Day. Fortunately for me I’ve got the best wife ever (I hope you feel that way about your wife), and she doesn’t put any pressure on me. I’m working from my home while we re-model the church, and it’s very quiet. I love it. I think Jack Bauer is the greatest television character of all time. My younger brother just accepted a ministry position with the Savannah Christian Church in Savannah, Georgia. I hired my brother to work for me in my last church, and we were on staff together for about five years. He was one of the best staff members I ever had and played an integral role in the growth of the church. That was one of my favorite times in ministry. This was a good move by Savannah Christian, but when he leaves Tulsa, my older brother will be the only one left there to take care of my mom. My mom lives in a retirement community and has developed a lot of short-term memory problems. It seems to be getting worse, and I don’t know what the future holds for her. I’ll be traveling to Tulsa sometime in March to meet with my brothers and sisters and the woman that runs the retirement community. I hope you’ll keep that in your prayers.

I’m going to keep writing my blog. I’ll probably experiment from time to time with some different styles and options, but I’m going to keep writing. And I’m going to try and write more regularly. Despite my writing struggles, I’m so thankful to be in the position I’m in where I even have a blog. I love Mount Pleasant Christian Church and no matter how creative or insightful I was feeling, I could never find the right words to express how thankful I am for all of you. I believe the church is in the right place at the right time to live out the vision of changing the world one life, one family, and one opportunity at a time. I hope you feel the same.

Pastor Chris