The Weekend

God's timing is amazing. Last Thursday I had a break down. I knew I was approaching a burn out / spiritually dry period. Friday -Sunday we had a Worship Conference with Jason Upton and Jack Deere.

I am pretty knew to Jason Upton. Up until 8 months ago I had never heard of him. I don't normally listen to christian music. I have some old favorites on CD that I listen to. My buddy David Berryhill introduced me to Jason Upton. WOW. I love Keith Green and Rich Mullins. Upton was like them. Some of his music really just blew me away. The more I heard the more I liked.

Upton, like Keith Green and Rich Mullins can be pretty abrasive. But that is OK. Prophets were not the most like, PC people. They had a message and they were sent by God to give that message. They are modest and humble in their life. They mean what they say. They believe what they are saying. They also live it. Who they were "on stage" is who they were in "life." They are sincere. I don't like Diva's, entertainers or people who are only after money. that really just flies all over me. Upton's ministry this weekend really helped me out.

I also got to here Jack Deere speak and get my book signed by him. Jack has been a major help to me. He to came from the cessasionist movement. Then God showed up in his life. I used to be totally happy with my little theological boxes in their appropriate places. Then here comes God and messes with my boxes. But it was the best thing that ever happened to me. Jack wrote about his experience in his books "Surprised by the Power of the Spirit and the Voice of God." Both are GREAT books that I highly recommend.

We had mixed feelings about the weekend around the church. But God showed up and helped me. Next week I am taking a "prayer break" to sit alone in the woods and pray and listen to God. Maybe I will write about it.

Good Book

I recently finished a book called "Caring for those in Crisis - Facing Ethical Dilemmas with Patients and Families." the book is written by Kenneth P. Mottram. It has a forward by Eugene H. Peterson.

The book is written by a hospital chaplain who has walked with many families through just about every ethical dilemma one might face. He looks at different ones and examines each of them in a case study format to look at options that were available and what was chosen and follows up on them.

When i did my chaplain report for the month I recommended to others that they look into this book and maybe even do an advance training on the material in the book. I think every pastor needs to read this. It is a great guide for them in doing hospital ministry. Every case is different. But a good foundation is always essential in helping.

It also helps you look at the perspective of everyone involved in a case. The doctor, the nurse, the insurance billing people, various family members, the organ donation group.....Until you deal intimately with someone in these cases you would not know all the dynamics involved.

Any who, it is a very informative book.

Engage 21

I just finished listening to Dennis McGuire speak at the Engage 21 conference. What a great message. I love the way he reached into his pocket and pulled out keys and tossed them in the audience as symbol of empowering those who were listening to the message. I love listening to Bro. McGuire. He seems to be a no nonsense, straight talking guy.