I took the entire day Tuesday and spent it with my dad and some of his staff on the campaign trail. Let me just say it was an “eye-opening” experience. I was in North Carolina during the last election and didn’t really get a taste of the political journey until election night. But this time, I decided I wanted to experience a small taste and I had the job of introducing dad at a Bible Conference in Blackshear, GA. Instead of just driving to Blackshear and back I decided to spend the whole day with the guys.

It was a great day but it was extremely busy. It’s funny for me to watch so many people waving signs for my dad, wanting to shake his hand and asking for his autograph. It’s cool but wierd. But, for me, I will say that this trip removed any political ambition at all that might be inside of me (none existed anyway but this cemented that feeling).

It was nuts! I’m not going to bore you with the travel details here but it was a crazy trip. Making stops and then hopping back on the RV, talking strategy with the staff and hopping off the bus again at another political rally. The cool thing is this…my dad thrives in this environment. He loves it! In other words, he loves his job, he loves what he does. And thankfully, I was given a new love for what I do and gratitude for what I don’t (and never will!).

I had lunch with a good friend whom I greatly respect the other day and the conversation turned to one topic that usually comes up when two pastors talk about anything: effectiveness in ministry. We talked for some time about the newest ideas, the latest fads and the coolest ways to do church. But then, something interesting happened. We both began to lament the loss of a deeply spiritual side to the books, conferences, websites, blogs, magazines and coaching networks.

I understand that pastors should be practitioners and that church work, at times, is very practical. But I also know that church work has a deeply spiritual side that, to me, has been widely ignored. Where are the prominent pastors crying out for holy living? Where are the conferences challenging churches to embrace concerted, fervent prayer? Where are the spiritual leaders who continually raise the banner for holy living?

I’m not saying that these type of leaders and conferences don’t exist (in fact, I can think of one or two). But what I am saying is that their voices have been muted by the clamoring throng that tells me the new “formula” to grow my church. All of this ranting to say one simple thing: in my life, ministry and family God is bringing me back to the basics. I need to rediscover the secrets to effective ministry: a passionate pursuit of God, the priority of fervent prayer and the anointing of Spirit-filled living.

I am MAD! George Mason has completely ruined my bracket. Say what you want about the wonder of a “Cinderella Story” being an awesome and incredible story, it stinks when a number eleven seed ends up in the Final Four. Now, take away the whole “bracket thing,” I think it’s way cool. For the first time in twenty-something years no number 1 seeds are in the Final Four. It makes for some exciting basketball. Which is somewhat of an anomaly for me…I’m usually not a huge basketball fan.

Our staff got together and did a bracket challenge. Judd won, I came in second and Patrick came in third (I’ll say third instead of last…last sounds worse.). It was a cool way to bond with they guys. We’ve got to figure out what Judd gets for coming in first.

So, now I just get to sit back and enjoy the basketball, and not worry about the bracket, the points, winning and losing. Personally, I’d like to see an all SEC championship: Florida vs. LSU. That’d be cool!

In case you were wondering, I had Duke and UConn in the championship and Duke winning. How disappointing.

“One word best characterizes the essence of obedience: Change!” Don’t we just LOVE change? You see it in churches, in government, in homes, in families, in businesses and in people; change is hard. Why? Because it means becoming something different than we are. It means stretching, growing, learning, reaching. It means pain, discomfort, battles, scars and time. Change is one of the many tools that God uses to chip off the rough edges, sand down the splinters and cover up the potholes in our lives. Change is part of growing to become a disciple of Christ.

I look at my life over the past three years since God called us, equipped us and moved us to start a church. I look at the dramatic change that has occurred in these few years. But I look at the growth in my life, the depth of my walk and the breadth of my passion for God and I’m thankful. The past three years have been painful at times. They have stretched me and moved me well beyond my comfort zone. But God has been faithful every step of the way.

I can see very clearly now that I don’t want to be the person I was three years ago. But looking ahead I couldn’t see what God had in store. So, if you were to ask me now, “do you want to spend the next three years going through more change?” I’d probably say “no.” But if you were to ask me, “do you want to grow as much, and learn as much, and depend on God as much over the next three years?” I’d say, absolutely “yes.” We don’t like the process, we want the result. But sometimes, a lot of times, in fact most of the time, God is interested in the process. Who we become after the process (as a result of obedience and change) is icing on the cake.

It’s easy to lose focus sometimes. I don’t mean lose focus on your job, your church or your goals. But I mean it’s easy to lose focus sometimes on the things that are most important in life. I spend a lot of my time thinking, planning, praying and worrying about my church. “Did I make the right decision here?” “Did I do the right thing?” “Did I preach the right sermon?” “Do I lead the right way?” The questions are endless.

But things happen in life sometimes that bring everything else into focus. I know that the Church is God’s agent to reach the world for Christ. There’s no doubting or questioning that. I also know that God says He will build His church! That’s a relief to me…I’m not the one doing the building here. So, I have to tell myself; “don’t worry,” “stay faithful,” “pursue God,” and “keep at it.” This is the goal. But do I always have this perspective?

Stephanie and I have just walked through the most tragic event of our lives. We found out just recently that we lost a baby. She was very early in her pregnancy but it was still a pretty traumatic event for her and me. No, I don’t know “why” and I haven’t asked. God is not obligated to give me answers. I know that sometimes God uses these things to teach us, to train us, to mold us and make us into what He wants us to be. Someone once said, “We are no more like Christ then when we suffer.” And I would not even pretend to act like I’ve suffered to the level of Christ…or even Paul for that matter! But I do know, that it’s things like this in life that help bring perspective. For now, I can see life a little more clearly. What’s important and what’s not…what’s significant and what’s not…what’s eternal and what’s not. I hope I can keep this perspective.