Just to let anyone know who is reading….
I am in the midst of injury…for the second time. First it was a major ankle problem that turned out to be some pretty serious inflammation (as diagnosed by MRI). Now it’s shin splints like I’ve NEVER felt.
I’m stretching, icing, medicating and exercising all I can to try to fix this…I have 12 weeks until the mini. Keep me in your prayers, I am certainly claiming healing over my legs in order to achieve this goal.
The Gateway – Connecting people.
This is my website. That’s right, my website. I designed it approximately a month ago as a fledgling idea to attempt to create a social networking site for churches and church members. So far, so slow.
I feel really good about the appearance, functionality and availability of the site so far. Here’s the problem, getting people on it. Now don’t get me wrong, I am VERY excited that some of my very dedicated friends and family have joined, and honestly I’m surprised at a couple of people who have joined and I very much hope that they continue to use the site in the future. What bothers me is how to get people on it that I DON’T know or barely know.
I’m guessing this may take some pounding of the pavement.
Again, I’m hoping that this site becomes (eventually) a more technologically advanced way for pastors to create and house a ministry that becomes an integral part of their congregation and services.
Imagine this…Sunday morning service ends and the members go home to hope on facebook/myspace/twitter and also pull open The Gateway Network. They do this because they know that soon the chat on the site will be opened up because within a few hours the Sunday night Bible studies will begin. The pastor logs on later that evening after everyone has been discussing their plans for the week (by consulting the events Calendar available on the site), talking about their blogs (also available on the site), and maybe even arguing semantics or hermeneutics because of a few posts in the forum and starts the weekly Bible Study. This is done through a live, interactive medium that allows the members to see not only their pastor, but potentially each other. Suddenly, people involved in a small group don’t have to leave their couches. After the Bible study ends, someone still has questions…what do they do? They go do the forum and create a post about it where not only can THEIR church see it and comment, but members of OTHER local churches and pastors can do the same. The “closed off” or “isolation” feelings of some smaller churches no longer exists. Open communication occurs….
The other use? Someone who is lost comes to the site looking for advice or has questions….suddenly they are able to discuss issues with multiple churches/pastors their concerns and get hooked up with EXACTLY the right church for THEM. No more visiting churches, feeling awkward or unwelcome. Men and women who are shut-in at home or in nursing homes can keep up with their congregations and pastors. People who are in the hospital can attend a Bible study while they undergo dialysis or chemotherapy. The possibilities are endless.
I blogged about this because it’s important to me and I want to see it grow. Want to help? Join the site and use it to it’s fullest and let me know what needs to be improved or changed.
Thanks for reading,
-Terry
I don’t know that I’ve mentioned it on here before, but I am actually married with a wife and son. I tend to be pretty selfish, and apparently that has leaked over onto my blogs.
Sorry.
Anyway, I just wanted to share a bit about how my son finally “gets it” this year. For any parents out there you might know what I mean, and you might need a little bit of clarification. Hopefully you need clarification or you won’t read the rest of this blog…
At the age of 5 my son, Riley, has become aware of all the important things in life. He has finally grown able to show true affection to his parents, and has gotten over the “I’m gonna say things that aren’t nice to get a reaction” phase. Before I was a dad I had NO idea how unintentionally cruel children can be. That one day when you’re having a bad one and at random your son says things like, “I don’t want to tell daddy I love him…”, or ” daddy is mean”…just destroy you. Anyway, he’s finally gotten past this…I hope.
Secondly Riley is now able to get an understanding of our interactions with God. He is finally ok with praying before bed and not being crazy during it. He also has his own needs and things to talk to God about…I have stood outside his door before and listened to him pray for things like his sore throat, or for “daddy to not be afraid of spiders anymore”, or for mommy to get home safe. My very breath is taken away by my child’s ability to humbly and purely approach God with what he needs in his life. I am also impressed that he is able to do it boldly…something many of us as adults have never learned to do.
Lastly, and this is why I’m posting this on Christmas Eve, Riley finally gets the “Christmas spirit”. He’s all KINDS of pumped about Christmas, and has been extremely caring, sweet and overall a great little boy throughout all the hectic parties and get-togethers. He has an understanding of Santa without a dependence on him. He understands (and answers when quizzed by others) that the birth of Jesus is why WE celebrate Christmas. He also is learning to be thankful and happy with what he has…not always wanting more.
Overall, of everything that happened in 2009 I am so glad to have been part of this awareness that has come over my child, I’m so proud to be his dad.
Merry Christmas everyone, may your holiday be blessed.
This blog is to explain to my loyal readers what it is I want for Christmas if any of you were wondering.
I want to complete the Kentucky Derby Festival Mini-Marathon in April. That’s what I want for Christmas. An odd request for someone in December? Not for me.
There is something that most of you who read this blog will already know, but for anyone who doesn’t know me as well this may be quite eye-opening for you. I am a serial stopper. Not necessarily a quitter, a stopper. Let me explain…I tend to get this new “thing”, over the years it’s been things like the guitar, working out, diet changes, reading novels, comic books, etc…honestly, a whole myriad of things. I get into them and “obsess” and read about them for quite some time (usually a couple of months) and interact with them. MOST of these things, I tend to have a decent initial knack for and then just….stop. I don’t mean like casually lose interest, I mean stop. Cold. Rarely do I go back to them. I sorely do NOT want this to happen with running, so I set a goal. The Mini.
There are two reasons that I don’t want to stop this time.
First, for years I’ve watched people who have accomplished amazing things on TV say, “I never knew I was capable of something like this, but I decided that I wanted to do it and set my mind to it.”, they usually finish with, “I just want everyone to know that if you set your mind to something, you can do it”. I realized a while back that I want that. I want to be able to say that. I’ve spent far too much of my life sitting on my butt LISTENING to people say that and never done it. Time for that to change.
Secondly, I am about embark in some potential changes in my life. My life as a minister is about to expand. I’m not 100% sure how yet, but it’s going to. I know it…I feel it. I want to make sure just because any changes that might come up, or times when things get hard that I don’t “stop”. I want to know that just because I don’t start able to do something that I can do it if I work hard. I need to know that just because it is difficult doesn’t mean it isn’t possible. I need to know I can do more than I think I can. I need to know I’m stronger than I think I am. I need to taste victory.
I am reminded of Jesus when he was talking about the one thing that man can’t do on his own….save himself. He said,
“With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
I’ll take His word for it. Jesus didn’t just limit it to salvation. He said ALL things. ALL. When Jesus says it, it’s good enough for me. Wish me luck.
May you get what you really want for Christmas, Happy Holidays!!
Believe it or not, I do still post on this blog. As I start a new week my body is still battling the flu, although most of the major symptoms have gone, and I’m still overall exhausted. I’ve never had a time in my life where I wake up after > 8hrs sleep and feel like I need 8hrs more. What’s worse is that everyone I see at work tells me, “Yeah, you look tired/bad/sick/etc”. Great guys…, thanks.
Anyhoo, the point of this blog is basically to say that I have come to a crossroads in my life. As I stand here (or sit in my cubicle) I am confronted with two or more possible paths for my life. I’m not sure why but December always seems to be a time of year when big changes happen to me. The last two, no THREE job changes have occurred in/around December for me and honestly it is always a time when I begin to look around and determine if I’m satisfied with the year behind me and look forward to the next and wonder if I want to spend the next year in the same fashion. I’m sure I’m not the only one who does this considering the amount of people who make “New Year’s Resolutions” to make changes. The difference with me? They actually happen…just in December instead of January. Sweet….I’m ahead of the curve I guess.
When you take a look at your life and attempt to determine a direction I feel that it is imperative to look to God for guidance….any decision that has been purely my doing has pretty much been a muck-up. I’m reminded of Matthew 6 and 7….Jesus tells us essentially not to worry. He says in 6:25-34,
25“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
In all honesty, if you’ve been in church at all, you’re probably familiar with this scripture. I find myself constantly coming back to it.
I am the type who not only worries, but I obsess. When confronted with decisions/paths I tend to think of every possible angle I can and find a solution to EACH ONE. Thereby warding off any surprises that come my way. This is a terrible and depressing way to do things. Why? Because as humans we only focus, or maybe I should say PRIMARILY we focus on the negative aspects. Rarely do we see the way that this could work out positively for us. Maybe the way that God sees it to begin with…
As December continues expect changes in my life. I do. I truly believe that God does too. I pray that if you are a reader of this blog, and God has called you to something that maybe frightens you….maybe something you’ve felt for a long time….maybe something you never thought you COULD do…I pray that God give you strength and direction. Clear direction.
God bless.
My (few) readers will have to forgive me, I’ve been a bit busy since my lazy blog on Thanksgiving. Since then I picked up a new laptop (on it now) so I’ve been spending most of my time transferring files, data, etc instead of blogging. Sorry.
A couple of blogs ago I mentioned that I had begun running, something that I was quite a bit nervous about. I figured I would be absolutely terrible at it since as far back as I can remember I have always been pretty slow, and honestly I’ve always had issues with my knees/ankles/shins…not to mention the fact that for YEARS I’ve been very out of shape. This blog is just a quick little update as to my progress so far.
Today would normally be my “off” day. I have been running Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays/Saturdays depending on distance covered. I say normally because for the last 48-72 hours I have had what I can only describe as the flu..or close to it. I didnt run yesterday and I honestly missed it.
Since the last blog I have achieved the following:
1.3 miles with Jon X 3
3.2 miles with Jon X 1 (a 5k!!)
1.3 miles by myself X1
Let me just say this, if you are running with a partner or, like me, started running with a partner and find yourself without one it becomes much, MUCH harder. It seems that without the conversation, comparison, or maybe even a small amount of competition it is much more difficult to not get “in your own head”. That is when running gets hard, when you have no distractions. Honestly, running is painful and overall is very hard. Without something/someone to distract you find that you simply want to stop.
Isn’t that how it is with a lot of things though…?
Wish me luck as I continue…I believe I have decided to start training for the mini-marathon that is held here in Louisville for the Kentucky Derby Festival. I’ll keep you posted.
Just thought I’d use this medium to make sure that everyone who reads this blog knows how thankful I am for their attention. You could be reading anyones useless thoughts and ramblings, but sometimes for whatever reason you choose mine. Thanks!
Things I am thankful for:
God, Family, Friends….that pretty much sums it up. What can I say? I’m a simple guy.
More thoughtful, potentially insightful posts to come after the holiday. Be safe and have fun everyone!
So far this blog had just been some random, albeit important, thoughts I’ve had about God. Oh, and that one about my running, WHICH by the way I’m doing again tonight. I’m shooting for that 1.3 mile distance again. Why don’t I increase it? I don’t feel like it. I am also planning to hike 13 miles tomorrow…until YOU are doing that I dont’ wanna hear it…so there.
Anyway, as I was saying. This blog has been pretty much all about me…and it is most likely gonna stay that way. Often though, especially recently, when I think of “me” it also has to do with God. Why? Glad you asked…
The friends I have. Why do I have THEM?…and why do they have ME?
Let me explain something upfront so that there is no confusion. I am very capable of being a BAD FRIEND. I rarely return phone calls if I answer the phone at all. I usually think of how someone else’s plans are going to effect me and make decisions about my friends based on that. I like to surround myself with other “intelligent” people because stupid people annoy me (another topic for another blog). Finally, I choose people who have the same interests I do. While this last one may not seem like a bad thing, it often limits the ability I have to think “outside my box”.
Based on all that…why do my friends put up with me?
I have friends currently that I’ve been close to and have maintained weekly (if not multiple times weekly) contact with for over 15 years. I’m 28. I can name at least 5 of these. These are guys that I would willingly step in front of a bus for. They all seem to have these important lives and incredible character traits that I don’t possess. Essentially, I am extremely thankful for my friends, and wouldn’t trade them for the world. I could name them, but that’s useless. You know who you are.
Why did these people choose me as a friend? Do I bring something into their lives they need, or am I just “that guy that has always been a friend”…I have to believe that God had something to do with this. No, wait…he DID have something to do with this, I’m sure of it. As I said at the beginning of this blog, when I think of the things that are going on with me, I’m looking at those things and looking for God. I wonder if anyone else does this…
As I live my life I’m learning that friends with this amount of involvement and caring are few and far between for most people. It has made me take pause and think about what I’ve sown into these people’s lives, and is it really WORTH anything? Am I taking the time to make sure I give the best advice for what they are going through, or is it just my hip-shot opinion? Am I taking the time to make sure that they know how much I care?
I don’t know.
So here’s my resolution…to be a better friend. I’m making this before the New Year because I think those are stupid and empty. This one I want to be started because I see a true need for it.
I’ll let you know how good a friend I feel like being after I spend some hours in the woods with some of them tomorrow. Should be fun!
Anyone know how to do it?
Seriously. I have watched many different ministries come and go over the years. The one thing that I’ve never understood? How they got started. This is something that has plagued me about ministry ever since I decided that I wanted to go into it. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve been wishy-washy over the years with my walk with God, and only within the last three have I decided that I would maybe like to go into full-time ministry. Here within the last two it’s gotten a bit out of hand. When I was at Bible college the biggest fear (and the biggest one now) is saying, “Ok, I want to plant/start/build a church” and going out with that being a goal and never being able to figure it out. I’m afraid of rejection and failure. Seriously. I am sort of a “sure thing” type. Unfortunately, things with God aren’t always sure things, in fact they rarely are.
Since the decision was made for the last time (this time) I have been given some awesome opportunities in ministry. One of which is the one I am in now with our singles ministry. By no means let this post say that I don’t appreciate that, because I value it more than I can write in this blog. This is simply to say that eventually I would like to grow into the calling that I feel that God has for me. I LOVE studying about God. If I had all day every day, I would study his Word…looking for those things that He wants us to really see. To really get. Unfortunately the things of life get in the way more often than not, and as desperate as I am for God, I feel a bit like the seed cast among thorns. Slowly being choked. Maybe at least being conscious of it will help…
One point I want to make clear is that even when I was not living for God…I still knew. It would keep me up at night. The overwhelming feeling that I was missing out on my calling and using every minimal skill that I had in the wrong areas. I think that this “calling” is why every job I’ve had, all of them, have never satisfied me. I also feel like that’s why I always tend to be the counselor at any job I’m at…the one who takes the extra time for people to confide in and talk to. I DO care about people, and I feel like God made me a good communicator for a reason.
So I have a question for God. Heck, I’ll even throw it to anyone who reads my blog (though you are few and far between). If you are in ministry, or know anyone who is and has started their own. Any idea how they did it?
Part of me thinks that if I can’t get past this fear that is holding me back that I won’t reach the things God has for me…in fact, often I wonder what could have been if I had gotten it right the first time. Maybe by now I’d have something that He could be proud of me for…
God, help me. Help me be who YOU want me to be. Terry is dead. I choose to be your slave. Put me where you want. when you want, how you want. I don’t know how else to say it.
So tonight I try running for the first time. Again. I’ve honestly never done it with any meaning other than during a game or something. This time it’s for fitness…and I have an army sargeant helping me. This could end one of two ways…
Either I successfully drag myself to the end of this feeling motivated, like I have a goal, and surely very sore.
OR
I end up passing out and dying in the street amidst the rain. Again, surely very sore.
Wish me luck!!
Oh, the starting distance? 1.2 miles. This should be good…
