the uncalling of God- obedience Part 2 of 2

I've recently really been wrestling with a few thoughts about pastors and what causes them to leave ministry. This all came about a few months ago when I heard again of another buddy of mine that I went to college with (Southwestern Bible College) and that he left full time vocational ministry, he told me that he was done, and that he wasn't going to do it ever again. And that was hard to hear, especially because I felt the same way before, however I was very fortunate to have someone who I really respect (now my Pastor) walk with me though that time and encourage me. My heart aches for my buddy, and it made me think of how many more have has some kind of bad experience as well. So I started contacting several of my old buddy's and was a little surprised to find out that 12 out of 20 of them are not currently in a full time vocational ministry an longer. Now please hear me when I say that I don't have a problem with someone leaving full time vocational ministry and making a career doing something else. What I am saying is I want to know what happened to this person along the way that caused them to go from believing that God had called them to full time ministry, then to walk away from that all together, I have a hard time with this. Is it that they where not called to begin with, or a lack of obedience, or did God uncall some of them? I really don't know, but I'm excited to find out some more info. I'm getting a group of the guys together that I graduated with and we are going to have a round table discussion about this very topic of why they pulled out of ministry. I'm convinced that something has to be done, because great leadership does not squash leadership potential, it develops it.

As I process all of this I came back to my thoughts on Obedience....and my question is this, and please let me know your thoughts I'd love to hear them....

If someone feels "Called" to full time ministry, can they be "Uncalled" or is it just a lack of obedience?

Obedience Part 1 of 2

I was recently talking with someone who had to make a very difficult decision. They sought advice from those they respect, they prayed about the situation, they had those that care about them pray about the situation and then something happened....God provided an option for this person to take. Now things at this point can go in 2 different directions. This person can either choose to acknowledge the opportunity and so then act on it, or choose not to acknowledge it and keep moving on and keep praying about it. I believe when we pray for things the Lord answers those prayers by providing options of how we can deepen our faith in Him. If we recognize these moments and seize them, I believe we are acting on FAITH, and when we act in faith we are walking in OBEDIENCE to how Christ wants us to live.

There's a BABY on the way!!!

Words can not express how excited I am to let everyone know that Violet and I recently found out that we are expecting our first child! I'm so stinkin-excited! I will be giving updates on how Violet and the baby are doing periodically, but for now that's all we know! But that in itself is amazing!

THE GOD'S AREN'T ANGRY....

Tonight I went to see Rob Bell, he was in town on his speaking tour and as expected, I walked away saying "wow". One thing that I love about listening to Rob is that he will talk about a story in the Bible, but he will tell that story from a different perspective, and it doesn't change the message of the story, just causes you to think about from a different angle.

Tonight I walked away with several different things I just wanted to list the few that hit me the hardest:
1. through out time, man kind has always had gods that they choose to worship, we can never give enough to these gods, and we can never appease these gods. But still we try. I was reminded tonight that there are still gods today, the names have just changed. They are now called "Job", and "acceptance", "money", and more. With any of these gods and more of them too, we can never give enough/sacrifice enough or get enough, it will still leave us trying for more.
However, Christ changed that, he is the one that actually made the sacrifice for us, so instead of me having to do something to earn my way to him, he already made it possible to go to him...HE made it possible! I love hearing that....HE made it possible. I don't have to do a thing...but TRUST.
2. REPENTANCE is not something that you have to do to be changed, REPENTANCE is the celebration of what Christ has already done, if we have excepted and trusted it.

Over all I was really challenged to remember daily that my GOD is a loving GOD and I want to celebrate HIM each and every day, by how I live my life.