Old Ideas

This morning I got the chance to pray with a bunch of pastors. I really enjoyed it, and there was one thing that stood out to me. One of the pastors that was leading said, "Sometimes God doesn't give you new ideas. Sometimes he gives you a fresh perspective on old ideas that he is starting to give His blessing to."

He was right. As we prayed God stirred up an idea that I had a couple years ago, only he gave me even more direction for it.

What idea does God want to bring back in your mind. You may already have the key to the lock that seems to be holding you back.

--Ben

Hallowed Ground

Yesterday I spent most of the day in Annapolis on a prayer retreat. I found my way to the WWII memorial on the Severn River. It is absolutely beautiful, and the architect did a fantastic job of making the site a hallowed place of sober reflection for the sacrifice of Maryland in the war effort. It also happens to make a fantastic altar of prayer. In the last couple months I have really found a close relationship with God and enjoyed a special personal connection with Him. My personal devotional life has been stronger and more vibrant than any time I can remember. So yesterday's prayer meeting was special. Special because of what I heard and learned, because of what He showed me.

I want to encourage you that if you're in a place where you need to hear from God, then find some time to be quiet and alone with Him. Obviously I have an advantage because of the nature of my job to have time to pray, but even in your home in the morning or evening find some time to get away and pray. God is speaking.

--Ben

About the photos:
Top Right -- Picture of part of the rt. 450 fishing pier with Rt. 50 bridge in the background
Middle --Picture from the top of the monument overlooking the river and US Naval Academy, and State Capital.
Bottom -- top of the monument, a great turret with beautiful views of Annapolis
Sorry the pictures are so poor quality, I took them with my 1st gen iphone.

What You Feed Grows, What You Starve Dies

Today I caught this rolling around in my head, "What you feed grows, and what you starve dies." This truism is reflected in so many parts of life. And the question I have been wrestling with is this: am I feeding the right things?

Paul wrote about it in Philippians 4:7, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things."

Whatever is true -- be careful to find the truth, and not settle for lies.
Whatever is noble -- those things that are higher than the common.
Whatever is right -- don't confuse this with what is popular, there is a difference.
Whatever is pure -- good things that are contaminated, are still contaminated.
Whatever is lovely -- things worthy of love, worth sacrificing, esteeming, and providing for.
Whatever is admirable -- because it shows us the ideal, and compels us toward it.

This are the things we should feed.

What you feed grows, and what you starve dies.

--Ben

The Beatitudes From The Message Version

Matthew 5

1 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down2 and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.5 “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.6 “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.7 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘carefull,’ you find yourselves cared for.8 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.9 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.11 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable.

12 You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Hear The Voice Of God

Something strange happens to me when I lay down and rest -- my ears tune into the smallest sounds. Has this ever happened to you? When I was a boy I used to listen to the radio when I went to sleep. In fact I remember the night that President George H. W. Bush declared war in Operation Desert Storm. I listened to it. But I discovered that when I got in bed I would turn the radio down as quiet as I could, but still be able to hear it. The longer I laid there the louder it got, and I would turn it down and turn it down. The next morning I wouldn't even hear it when I got out of bed.

The same thing happens now. When my family heads to bed and I'm watching Monday Night Football, I turn the volume down so that it won't disturb them. Usually I turn it down to a 7 or 8, and can hear it perfectly well. In the morning when the girls get up and turn on the TV to watch cartoons they can't hear it till the get it up to a 14 or 15.

This principle holds true with God. If we want to hear him we have to settle down, rest, and pull away from other voices. The noise of our life that is constantly swirling around us. The quieter we can become and longer we can rest the more his voice becomes discernable. Are you hearing from God? Maybe it's time to cut the clatter.

--Ben

SRC Tailgater

Football has always had an interesting side role in our church. Many SRCers are fans of teams in the NFL, and one of my favorite things about the church is our fantasy football league. We wanted to coordinate an event that coupled our love for God with our love for football and the fall, and the SRC tailgater was formed. Here's what we did:

• We picked the first week of October, because it put us in the fall without being too cold.
  
• We launched a new series called Teaming Up on parenting.
• We told everyone to bring lawn chairs and food for themselves and some to share if they wanted. A grill was provided.
• We parked our cars, setup in the parking lot and hung out.
• We stripped down all the responsibilities that people usually carry on Sunday mornings: No sound system, no band, no hospitality table, no kids church. Everyone could just come and relax.
  
• We played a battle of the sexes crowd game, sang a couple songs, and I shared a short message on parent's choices of Attitude, Affirmation, Approach and Associates. Mainly though it was people catching up and getting to know each other.
  

It was a great day. I measured that by the number of people that said they hoped we do it again soon. I got text messages from people telling me what they loved about it. And probably one person summed up the vibe pretty well. She said, "You know sometimes I just get caught up in stuff, and it's nice to have days like this where we just eat together and remember why we loved these people in the first place."

I also gauged its success by the way people just hung around till 12:30. Some people came and said their goodbyes to me three different times because they would get caught up in another conversation. The SRC Tailgater was awesome, now if we could figure out how to do it every week of football season...

--Ben

Catching Up

This morning is typical of the first day back to the office after taking some time off: Catch Up. It's sorting through emails, and filing paperwork (mostly into the trash). My family and I went to Ocean City for a few days last week, and my kids had a great time. I'm learning at this season of my life vacation is less about me having a good time and more about them having a good time. My favorite part was playing air hockey on the boardwalk. I challenged Corie to a game, and next thing I know Sydney and Ellie joined in. They loved it, and it was fun to do something that was just us. Ellie cheered no matter which goal the puck went in, and she cheered with gusto.

Planning a Sunday for the weekend after a week away is pretty difficult, especially when everyone that normally plans them were away on the trip, too. But we put it together and had a great day. I'll explain more in an upcoming post called: SRC Tailgater.

The bottom line for me I guess is that I'm glad to be back, and am excited for the things we have coming up.

--Ben