Nothing reminds you that the clock is running, with or without your knowledge, like your oldest child having a milestone birthday. And while I'm incredible proud of how much progress has been made in the past year, part of me feels I should be equally proud for retaining some semblance of my sanity in the process.

Then I remember the coming years will go by even faster, which means they are all the more critical, both to the success of their live and what I need to do as father during that same time.

If almost hard to fathom that God waited until the days of Noah to say, forget it... I'm starting over with you people.
Even more amazing, is that He hasn't doesn't so again, given today's cultural mess that we've created.

Parents always look to larger families... "I can't hardly handle my two kids... how do you do it with 5? (or insert the numbers from your conversations). We've all been there and had those talks. Super parents. And there's the rest of us... lol

Yet the lessons we've learned by the example that God has set for us are invaluable, incredible, and some days, darn near impossible. And if we've learned anything from the days of Noah, it's that our days are numbered, when it comes to setting our kids on a trajectory that will establish them as world changers for the kingdom of God. And we are daily reminded, that we too, should be about changing our world, starting with our family unit and our local community.

Let's pray, this #youthPastorWednesday, that God would give wisdom, both to those raising kids and those ministering to our kids. Pray that the foundation of faith would be firmly established in their hearts. Pray that God would give us grace for every new morning and an attitude of long-suffering as direction is given and guidance is instilled. Pray that pastors and parents alike would set a Godly example of living, as God has given examples for us, that we might be conformed and transformed into the image of Christ.

May generational curses be broken
And generational faith established
To love God and serve people
For all of our days;
However numbered they may be
And however many remain.
For the glory of God.

- PNC

In case you haven't noticed, there's a reality that seems to exist with politicians, that we should pray never exists with pastors. The quickness with which they judge people.

I don't know where I'm going with this... it's a work in progress.

Just consider in your own life. Nobody appreciates early judgements and statements made about them based on low knowledge and understanding. But some have a seemingly profound knack for making quick statements, that on the appearance of things, sound as if they are based on feelings of frustration and bias. Yet they speak with the conviction, as if they had an inside scoop on the individual's personal life.

How could you have that depth of a connection with someone and yet dismiss them as though they were the worst?

It's a weird phenomena to watch and sadly, it does seem rampant in the political arena.

And yet, that same interaction is not only toxic, regardless of what environment it exists in; it is severely detrimental should it be found within the four walls of the church. Worse, if found in the life of church leadership or the pastorate.

Will politicians ever change? We can only hope they do.
Will pastors ever become? We can only pray they don't.

On this #associatePastorTuesday, pray that pastors would never possess an attitude whereby they rush to judgement regarding the lives of others. Pray they would be people of understanding and compassion; never forgetting that no matter how strong the disagreement over a matter, that we are all created by God and in His image. Pray that God would give them wisdom and discernment in their interaction with people. Whether they have known them for minutes or years, may their be a humble presence about their lives, yet still speak with the authority and perspective that God has granted them.

A passion for people
To know them.
To understand them.
To reach them.
To impact them.
For the glory of God
And the legacy of eternity.

- PNC

Once again, a few things rattled around regarding today's #seniorPastorMonday post.

Until I heard part of a message from Dr. David Jeremiah. He was talking about the humble beginnings of the church he and his wife started in the early days of their ministry. Humble days. As many, if not all, pastors have experienced. And like all, there were days he wanted to call it quits. The struggle is real. The battle is hard. The road is rough.

Yet, someone reminded him of a prayer that always stuck with him and when he said it, it resonated.

"Lord, use what's left."

It continues to amaze, the nature and character of God. He does not waste anything. He does not waste a life. He does not waste an experience. He does not waste an opportunity in which He could be glorified.

While that's a comforting sentiment, it's also one that is hard to swallow. Think of how many times someone has told you there's nothing left to give, and you keep pushing them for more. To challenge and grow; to press in and to press onward. Then God says, I'm not done...there's more.

And we fight it; as other's have done with us.

However, I can't help but ask how many miracles are being held in the power of such a simple prayer... use what's left, God.

On this #seniorPastorMonday, pray that even if the midst of difficulty, frustration and burnout; may pastors retain the humble posture that would allow God to use what is left. May God strengthen and quicken them when the feel as though there is little left for God to use. May He work the miraculous, as with the loaves and fish. What is of little effect in our eyes, may we commit it to God's care and service to accomplish exponentially more than we could ever fathom.

Clay vessels are we,
Broken and spilled out
For God's plan
And His glory.

- PNC

Isn't funny how life works out sometimes?

There are proven plans and principles, that always work... regardless of who is doing the work or the numbers involved or whatever. There's a plan, there's instruction, there's an example that has been established as precedent. It's doable. It's workable. It's repeatable. And that has been the case for many.

And as such, over time, it has developed into something that is certainly effective, and by and large, efficient.

For the rest of it though... are the times where you aren't sure. And that's usually where God shows up. In the simple steps of prayer and obedience and trusting the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

The conversation that you think would offer the least help, ends up being exactly what someone needed to hear.
What seems to be the most broken and lousy-sounding prayer, ends up getting answered.
The act of kindness or generosity that hardly qualifies as sacrificial to the one who gives it and it means the world (and a changed one at that) to the recipient.

On this efficient and effective focus of a Sunday, I offer this reminder... God uses the foolish things to confound the wise.

And on that note, let's pray this #effectiveSunday, that while it's good to stick with proven plans and processes, may we not disregard or discredit that times, places and means by which God will use to accomplish His will and purposes. May we continually be people who trust that He is working all things out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Pray that we would neither get ahead of where He is moving and leading, nor we stop or step aside because we don't understand what He is working. Pray that the church would continue to walk in obedience to the Word and pray that even when we can't trace God, we continue to trust in Him.

For the glory of God
And the advancement of the Gospel of Christ.

- PNC

So, it turns out that there's a downside to all of today's technology.

While it is good that is has increased our awareness level of many issues and topics, it has also overwhelmed us to the point that it is quite a challenge to keep track of it all; let alone be involved in it all to any level of success. And it is in that level that I think perhaps we forget, neglect or miss the opportunity that lies right before each of our lives.

I was reflecting on this, as upon my leaving work Friday afternoon, learned that I had turned to walk out the door, he had turned in the opposite direction to tell the boss he was putting in his two-week notice. My job isn't one where I see my co-workers often enough to carry on conversations at length. They are few and far between and last a couple minutes at a time.

So, while there may have been a handful of conversations about life and faith, God or the church, I may never know if my life and interaction was enough of a witness for Christ. I know the workplace gets tricky. You are there to do a job. You can't spend the whole time talking about God; there's other things going on in the world, in their life and yours for that matter. But it got me to recall the important perspective... am I caring about really matters.

Our experience is what it is.
Which is just as true for everyone that we come in contact with on a daily basis.
There will also be something going on that will capture our attention, our awareness and understanding and will result in what dominates our speech and interaction.

And it's on that point, that we should pray, this #communitySaturday, that God would grace our engagement with those around us, with His heart and His presence. Pray that our communication would ever be soaked in love and truth. May our faith not position us that we never have opportunity to share it, but that the joy of the Lord would be dominate our perspective and presence that it would be attractive to those around us as well as contagious. Pray there would be a boldness about our lives that would prompt us to engage that others might share in the knowledge and grace of the love of God and the passion of our Savior.

For the cause of Jesus Christ.
And the sake of eternity.

- PNC

Someone was talking about the cost of the some of the national issues that we are currently facing, among them being hot topics such as illegal immigration, which led to the comparison being made between housing the kids involved to the hundreds of thousands of kids that are currently part of the foster care or social services system.

The numbers are incredible and the cost, astronomical.

And I thought to myself, just for the sake of analysis, how much time and money is given to animal rights and rescue causes. The pet industry is big business and I get it... we all love our pets.

Yet while people figure what to do here and there and pay for this and that.... as soon as a ministry steps up and says, we need help with resources and funding, people somehow find ways to hide the wallets and checkbooks. It seems as though "everybody" takes their negative experiences and the tragic stories they've heard and becomes a justifying critic to NOT do something to help, rather than a rational defender of why one's support should advance.

For all the causes whose message is advanced because of people's financial giving, what could possibly be more important than the Gospel of Christ whereby lives are at stake for all eternity?

God doesn't need the money to advance His message; but imagine what He could accomplish through the lives of those who were faithful givers, living in obedience to the life He has called us to live.

On this #missionsFriday, pray for missionaries who are struggling; especially with regards to resources and funding. Pray that God would sovereignly move on their behalf. Pray that the church and the people of God would be people who would be open and quick to give as needs are presented and opportunities are granted to give back to God by financing the advancement of the Gospel. May they not give up or quit, but grow in faith and prayer rather than in frustration and problems.

May God work the miraculous in every arena,
As we do better to love Him and love people
For the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC

I remember the day I started a new research job many years ago now. One of the first pieces of advice, I've never forgotten, even if I don't always put it into practice.

There are no stupid questions.

Some may disagree, but you can't live life not knowing what you don't know. And how will you find out if you don't ask?

Even in the smallest of matters and more in the things in which you've put off resolving. For whatever reason in doing so.

Such was my recent experience. A matter that I had been meaning to take care of months ago and it kept getting delayed... albeit it entirely within my control to get it sorted out. So, I finally made the call. And asked for some help from those on the other line who were able help make my case to those who could authorize the solution.

Needless to say, it was 20 minutes well spent. They met me half way. Which makes it that much easier for me to handle my part and responsibility in the matter. But were in not for the asking...

I keep getting reminded by a number of men in my life who have a few years on me; that we all have our moments of getting things wrong. We take care of problems and conflicts thinking we know what we are doing, what's the best way to handle it, manage it, solve it... and we make it worse as often as we make it right. At least if feels as if that is the case.

And those are the times that make me want to stop asking for help; to stop feeling like I don't know what I'm doing. Which is usually about the time that I prove to those around me that I don't have a clue. I'd been better off risking to ask the stupid question.

Even in our relationship with God, wisdom and clarification never hindered anyone, except for when it wasn't provided because it wasn't sought out.

So, on this #deaconThursday, pray that no matter the experience or expertise that church leaders would continue to be people who would ask and seek answers and solutions to that which confuses or confounds them. May they be people who seek the truth; both in God's Word and the circumstance in which they daily face. Pray that fear, shame, arrogance or pride would not keep them from growing in wisdom and knowledge. May they seek the face of God and draw from the life experience and understanding of those around them.

For if we are to live and move in unity
Then we must share in our knowledge
And trust in His grace.
For the glory of God.

- PNC

Well, it's Freedom Day!!  Independence Day, as celebrated in these, wonderful United States of America.

Don't listen to the naysayers.
Yes, we have problems, just like every other country.
Our communities have issues, just like all the rest.
There is no "perfect" school anywhere.
And companies are always looking for the next improvement.

Meanwhile, every family has it's battles.
Every marriage has it's moments of strife.
And every life has it's crisis of faith.

There's so much that factors in to the freedom that we enjoy.  And so often we focus on the external things. To go anywhere. To do anything (within the legal framework). To be anyone that we want desire to be. To create a life of our own.

And yet, we don't always experience "freedom" as such. We miss out on financial freedom, thanks to debt and the pressure or desire as the case may be, to keep up with the neighbors, across the street or across the country. People struggle with addictions and substance abuse. We don't experience freedom because of clutter, both physically around our homes as well as that which resides mentally in the one square foot of real estate that is the head. We overthink matters. We overwork the process. We invest our time and energy into everything except that which matters most; relationship.

With God. With family. With friends. With those with whom we share this great land; for which many have lived, fought and died to ensure it's existence.

On this #youthPastorWednesday, let us first thank for freedom. While we celebrate what has been granted to us as a nation, may we remember the true freedom that exists through Jesus Christ. Pray for pastors living an experience that is more stress and struggle than freedom and joy. For whatever challenges they are facing, pray that God would grant them clarity and wisdom. Pray that chains would be broken and states of bondage loosened. Pray for the young people to whom they minister, that are facing similar struggles. May God help them to effective share the truth that God has a plan, purpose and destiny for their lives. May we never forget that freedom always comes at a price... whether by those who serve our country, or Christ who served for all humanity.

For the glory of God
We celebrate true freedom.

- PNC

So, tomorrow is the 4th of July. Another great time of year. Another great time for a church event or outreach. It should be exciting. But do you ever wonder if for a moment, church staff dreads the preparation of such? Perhaps dread is a strong word.

We all have those events that we enjoy being a part of, with activities and fellowship and building various types of community. But what's involved to get to that event... it's not dismay or disgust, well maybe a little bit. I'm not really sure what to call it at the moment.

It's just one of those, wow... it's that time of year already?

You know it's going to be worthwhile.
You know it's going to be great; that everyone including yourself will have a grand, old time.

But the prospect of it all, perhaps doesn't create the excitement and passion that it once did. In which case, perhaps it's time to change things up.

On this #associatePastorTuesday, as we enter another moment of celebration, pray that it would be a day of great impact as we connect with neighbors, family and friends. Pray that God would give wisdom as churches plan and prepare, not only for this day, bur for every event throughout the year. May God help to decide what events need to advance and what is perhaps ready for change. Pray that wisdom and discernment would abound, as they plan and prepare. Pray for a renewed excitement and passion, not to simply be a Christian presence in the community, but to be a point of introduction of the community to the presence of God and the person of Jesus Christ.

For the glory of God
And the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC

Former front-man for the band SonicFlood, posted a picture of Scripture, the end of chapter 24 in Exodus. An incredible description of the presence of the Lord high atop the mountain. To this day, it is hard to comprehend a "devouring fire" as an analogy for the "awesome glory" of the Lord. No wonder Moses upon reappearing to the people looked like a changed man. For indeed, He had been in the presence of Almighty God.

But not for five minutes, or an hour.
Not for five hours or a day.
Neither even a full week.
No... how about five and half weeks!

I'm not sure what God's fascination is with numbers: I know there's incredibly profound meaning behind them, but here again... 40 days and 40 nights, in which Moses got lost in the secret place of God. Away from every distraction; away from every detractor. Away from every supporter, beloved neighbor, closest friend and annoying relative. (Smile, would you?)

I keep thinking about how much more time I need to be spending in the presence of God. Followed by, if I have distractions as well as responsibilities calling for my attention constantly, and I'm of relative, little importance, how much more for the senior pastors of our churches; whose sermons and entire ministries are directly affected by the quality of their relationship with God and the time spent in His presence?

It is a game changer.
For the casting of vision
For the effectiveness of ministry
For the impact upon eternity.

On this #seniorPastorMonday, pray for those pastors, struggling to not only find adequate time in the presence of God, but mission-critical time. Pray for those struggling with time-management, and delegation of tasks and responsibilities. May God help them steward their time wisely and raise people up who will be more effective and efficient at handling matters that, while important, are distractions to the study of the Word. Pray that people would sense, with every encounter with the pastor, that they have just come down from the mountain of God. Pray for a sense of clarity that only comes from the throne of a sovereign, omniscient Father.

For what good is it to invest into people
If we don't take time to allow God to invest into us
Through His Word
In His Presence,
That others would see His glory.

- PNC

Yes, it's late in the day, this #effectiveSunday. And today is the start of the 37th consecutive month, of daily prayers. This is the Sunday that we pray that the efforts of our words, deeds and planted seeds would achieve what God would desire of us. Indeed, His Word will not return void.

So what is on my heart?

We've forgotten how to live in the moment. We're so quick to make sure we capture the moment that we forget to simply enjoy and create the memory of that moment. And it's that framework and mindset that allows to not be consumed with being effective, but to do what we can to make an impact. In the conversation. In the situation. In the moment of the life who needs feel the love of God and the truth of His Word.

But we don't enjoy the moment. We simply grab our phones to record the moment... as if our memory is worthless. The distraction takes away from the power of the impact that is made in that moment. Live it. Share it. Cherish it in your heart and soul.

And that's my prayer, this #effectiveSunday. Pray that as we go about the coming days and hours, that we would live in the moment and share and speak that which God lays upon our heart and engage as the opportunity presents itself. May we trust that God will accomplish His will and purpose as we are faithful to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Pray that we would look back upon our days, including this one, knowing that the hand of God was at work; not only in our lives, but through our lives.

For the glory of God
And the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC