I Do This Every Year

For years I have taken time in December to reflect on the previous year and write personal and professional goals for the upcoming year. It started when I was in college, while home on the winter break. I sat down in front of our stone fireplace and reviewed the year’s accomplishments and heartaches. There were things I was proud of and things I wish I could undo. It was during these times I learned to be grateful to God for His provision and receive his grace for my failures. It gives me perspective and prepares my heart to move forward.

This year, I used Tim Elmore’s questions to guide me. I liked it so much I sent it to family members,  friends and colleagues. His blog is growingleaders. Although Tim can do this in half a day, It takes me several hours for several days to complete.

Here are his questions and some of my comments:

1. What are my fondest memories of 20__? Take time to celebrate and be grateful. 
2. What were the “big projects” I completed during the year?
3. What were the defining moments during the last year?
4. What did I procrastinate on and fail to get done? This question helps me refocus on what is really important. 
5. What books and mentors had the greatest impact on me? Why? I added movies and podcasts to my list. 
6. Am I closer to my friends and family from my activities this year?
7. What will be my biggest goals as I move forward into 20__? Make sure they are specific, measurable, attainable, and time specific. 
8. Where did I neglect to live up to the standards I set for myself? This question teaches me more about God's grace. It also allows my to press the "reset" button.
9. What am I committed to do this next year, to fulfill my “Life Sentence”?

Tim concludes, “Answering these questions allows me to accomplish two objectives. First, it forces me to focus on the important things in my life and not get lost in the trivial. Second, it furnishes me a platform to set goals for the new year.”

Thanks Tim for the help this year.

- For more of Tim Elmore, go to http://growingleaders.com/blog

We Remember

This is a weekend of remembrance. We remember those who have paid the ultimate price to support and defend our freedom: freedom to worship, freedom to speak, freedom to come and go.

Since our nation’s founding, 1,321,612 American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen have paid the ultimate price. Another 1,531.036 have been wounded and another 38,159 missing.

We owe a great debt of gratitude to all those generations who have passed the Torch of Liberty to succeeding generations. And we owe a debt to the fallen that can never be repaid.

George S. Patton said, “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.”

On Wednesday, some of the staff went to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We had the unexpected honor to witness a sentinel’s last walk at the tomb. It was an incredible moment which reminded me of how proud I am to be an American.

Memorial day is a day to say, “We will not forget.” “We honor their lives.”

Soul Detox

In January, there are many Christians who are setting aside time to fast and pray. Some are doing Daniel fasts (fruits and vegetables for 21 days), some are fasting from any food for a set amount of time and some are doing some sort of self-defined fast, like abstaining from media or sweets or hot sauce. Whatever the fast is, or for however long, people are creating space in their lives for God to speak to them or intervene in some way.

Centerpointe Church takes the first full week to fast and pray. It always makes a difference in the spiritual temperature and atmosphere of the church. For me, I feel refreshed and re-invigorated. It gives me clearer vision and passion.

Fasting is also a time of humbling ourselves before God and asking him to cleanse us from sin. Like our physical bodies benefits from this time of detoxing, our spiritual life also needs a time of cleansing. 

I have already recommended people to get the book Second Chronicles Seven Fourteen Journey. It is a 28 day journey in prayer that will help guide you in your days of fasting. Others are reading Mark Batterson's book Draw the Circle. This is a 40 day prayer challenge. Hey, anything Mark writes I highly recommend. 

Here is another. My daughter got it for Christmas and I picked it up today. It is Craig Groeschel's Soul Detox, Clean Living in a Contaminated World. I have only read the first chapter, and I recommend it already. 

"The Bible consistently reminds us to check our spiritual diet for toxins. Proverbs 25:26 says, 'Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.' How muddy is your water right now? Is your well polluted by all the cultural toxins seeping in? Or does your spiritual well draw on Living Water as its pure, thirst-quenching source?" (pg 17)

During your time of creating space for God, allow Him to speak to you about the areas of your life that need correction. This is no laughing matter. As society intentionally pushes us toward dysfunction, let's go counter-cultural and draw near to God.

Drawing Near,
Keith  
 

My Four Girls

Yesterday, I watched as Stephanie received her diploma from Evangel University. She graduated summa cum laude, meaning "the highest praise." Not long ago, she was a child - I blinked - now she is an adult. She is now off to tour the West Coast with the Evangel Orchestra. To say I am proud of her is an understatement.
All my girls have made me proud. They each have completely different personalities and keep Esther and I moving - ok, mostly Esther. Yesterday, we could not decide where to eat so we drove around Springfield, MO for 45 minutes until we wound up at McAlisters, which makes some incredible iced tea (I wanted to stop and ride go-carts, but only Melanie wanted to participate). We ended the evening at Braum's Ice Cream & Dairy, which finally won out over Andy's. It was a day spent in laughter and silliness.
I am humbled to have four girls that love Jesus and have a healthy and biblical view of life. I am also glad that my girls love being pastors kids. Our prayers have always been that the ministry would not turn them away from church or their faith.
It's going to be a wonderful summer with all four girls home. We will be packing up our house in Maryland and moving to Virginia, so I am sure there will be several family meals, a few tears and certainly there will be many times of laughter.
Loving Dadhood,
Keith

Where is My Hope?

Over the last seven days, our family has been through a tragedy. One of our family members died unexpectedly. Like many friends and family, I find myself speechless, and a flood of emotions still overwhelm me: anger, shock, grief, loss, confusion…

Where is God in the midst of this?

Where is God in the midst of disappointment and storms and sickness and unwelcomed circumstances?

When I got the news, I was working on a sermon about hope, but now struggle to find what it really means.

So I run to the only place I know that makes any sense during these times – the Bible.  I have to turn to scripture, because it offers hope, even in desperate times.It’s powerful in that it is honest about our feelings and our circumstances.Specifically, the book of Lamentations has a lot to say about pain and suffering. This is a book about pain as the author vividly addresses the extremes of human pain and suffering as few other authors have done in history. It expresses the hard questions that arise during our times of pain.

Lamentations gives no easy answers to the difficult questions, but it helps us meet God in the midst of our suffering and teaches us the language of prayer. Instead of offering a set of techniques, easy answers, or inspiring slogans for facing pain and grief. Lamentations supplies us with a voice for working through grief and instruction on how and what to pray. It also provides for us a focal point on the faithfulness of God and the affirmation that He alone is our portion.

Before reading it, I would encourage you to examine its context. Read why this book was written. Understand the historical setting. When you do, you will see that the writer clearly understands what we are going through as it pertains to pain.

Lamentations 3:21-26 says, “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” (NIV)

The Process of Restoring Hope:

Being a follower of Jesus, I have learned that no matter what we are going through, we are people of hope. Sin has robbed this world of hope, but Jesus has restored it.

Here are four things that I trust will help:

1. Remember:

“Yet this I call to mind.”  Literally says, “Make return to my heart.”

Even though everything around me lies in a heap, and countless lives have been lost … Even though everything I knew and loved has come crashing down, I have a hope.

Hebrew prayers had two consistent inclusions. The first is that they referred to God as the Creator of Heaven and Earth. The second consistent theme is a reminder that God delivered them from Egypt.

They were constantly reminded of who God is.

Fill in the blank, “God is my _______________”

2. Repent

Lamentations 3:39–42, “Why should any living man complain when punished for his sins? Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven, and say: “We have sinned and rebelled and you have not forgiven.”

To repent is to face your failure and allow God to cleanse you. This is the only path to forgiveness and freedom. The consequences of not repenting is continual struggle and guilt without the hope of healing.

3. Refocus

Psalms 42:5, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and My God.”

The battle is in the mind. You have to intentionally fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. Don’t play for second place. Fix your eyes on what is most important.

4. Rejoice

Philippians 4:4-7, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Psalms 30:5, “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”

There is no greater need than hope and no greater opportunity than now. Some men see only a hopeless end, but the Christian rejoices in an endless hope. Our hope is not built on frivolous sayings and shallow experiences. It is built on the fact that Jesus died and rose again.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NIV)

It’s Great to Be Loved

Sunday I introduced the message by talking about Esther’s and my first kiss together. What made that kiss so special was the three words that preceded it – “I love you.” You see, I fell in love with this blond hair, blue-eyed girl in the registration line at Valley Forge Christian College however we did not begin dating until six years later. So when I said those words to her at a beach in New Jersey, I was overwhelmed to hear them coming back to me. To be loved is an incredible thing.

If you think that human love is great, then you have not even begun to scratch the surface of God’s incredible love. You see, I was not pursuing God when he displayed his love for me. He pursued me. In fact, while I was an enemy with God, He loved me (Romans 5:6-11).

I invite you to read Ephesians 3:14-19 and meditate once again on God’s love. As you do, here are some thoughts from the message: 

My Last Day At Trinity

Sunday, March 13th, I said goodbye to some great friends and family. I know that many people leave churches for many reasons...ministers also leave – some for good reasons and some for not-so-good reasons. I happened to be blessed in that my reason for leaving Trinity was to become the lead pastor at Centerpointe Church at Fair Oaks in Fairfax, VA. I am doubly blessed because I had the opportunity to work with Pastor George Raduano and the incredible staff of Trinity for 4 ½ years. The leadership lessons I learned will be applied to the rest of life, personally and in ministry.

If there ever was a prescribed way of honoring someone when they leave, Trinity could write the manual. I feel very humbled by the church's love and encouragement. I was sent off with a gift certificate for a two-day retreat at the Antrim House for Esther and myself (Esther says we need to wait for six months when I am completely exhausted). I also received a cappuccino maker, which I am enjoying immensely. It was the perfect gift for me. I guess Pastor George did not want to see me drive 65 miles to get a cup of coffee from his office. Esther received a gift certificate to the Coach store where she, for sure, will purchase a new purse. The service ended in prayer for our family and a time of fellowship – many hugs, handshakes and encouragement. Many wrote cards with expressions of love, which Esther and I read together – with a few tears falling.

It was a great day. 

To Trinity – Although I was the discipleship and teaching pastor, I received more from you than you can ever imagine. You laughed with me when I made some blunders, and you let me lead and try new things. I will miss you. You have imbedded yourself into my heart. Centerpointe Church is going to look a lot like you over the next several years – worshipping…growing…serving.

To the Pastoral Staff – Thanks for receiving me as a team member quickly and helping me excel in my giftings as well as challenging my growth areas. You are all very gifted in your role and serve the church well.

To the Support Staff Q3 (you know who you are) – I can’t imagine what life would have been like at Trinity without your help. I will never forget our 8:30 breakfast times at Stone Mill, the missions weeks, and all the events and ministries we worked on. You are a great team. Thanks, Pam, for your leadership and passion for excellence.

To Pastor George – I came as a good friend and left with a best friend. Thanks for sharing your life and heart with me. You are truly a generous man of God. Your consistent leadership at Trinity has led the way to health and vibrancy.

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you. May He give you strength for today and hope for tomorrow.

With Love,

Keith

The Incredible Team I Work With

This is the incredible pastoral team I had the privilege to serve with at Trinity Assembly of God. I'm a lucky guy!

Gramaw's House - Just Stopping By

One of my favorite places in memory is on York Road, Sparks, Maryland - Gramaw’s house. I lived there for several years growing up. It was ground zero for my extended family. Every day someone stopped by to check up on Gramaw. When my family moved out of her house, we also stopped by at least once a week.

As I grew, I continued to stop by Gramaw’s. When I was able to drive, I drove by her house almost daily. Even when I did not stop in, I wanted to just see it again. It was a secure, safe, and warm place. Her house was always open (If it wasn’t, I knew where she hid the key. Of course, everyone else did too.). I would go in and she would fill me in on the rest of the family. By the time I left I knew which one of my uncles had stopped by and for how long. I knew where the other grandchildren were, and I would also catch up on the latest church news. She never talked negative about the church although she would occasionally throw in, “I don’t know what these young people are thinking nowadays.” (Boy, even writing this I can hear her voice saying it.)

25 Year Reunion

Last week Esther and I attended our 25th reunion of Valley Forge Christian College. We connected with people we haven't seen since then and reminisced of days gone by. It was a wonderful time with people that changed our lives so many years ago.

Listening to the journeys of each life was fascinating. God's grace, mercy and goodness was evident in each life. Each of us at one time or another went through some kind of crucible: a time where we needed God's sustaining grace to hold us. And guess what... He was found faithful! He wrote His story on each of our hearts.

As Esther and I made our way through old hallways, we were also reminded of God's direction in our lives and His guidance. We were young, immature and insecure, but God chose us anyway. For the four years we attended VFCC, God changed us. We learned that confidence is not found within ourselves, but in God. We also learned what it meant to live in community. The good and the bad are quickly exposed when you live in close proximity for an extended amount of time. Furthermore, we learned what it meant to pray, study God's Word, and communicate it to others. Those years were the beginning of a devotional time with God where I learned to hear His voice. That voice continues to guide us.

Thank you friends for sharing your stories with us. More than that, thank you for sharing four great years together. Two of my daughters are now walking hallways of different schools - growing in God and friendships. I pray that they experience God in even greater ways than we did.

Serving the King,
Keith

Hallowed Ground

I spent some time on hallowed ground this past weekend at a men's retreat I was speaking at. It’s a place where God has and still is speaking to people. Sitting not a quarter of a mile from the Potomac River is this place called the Potomac District Camp and Retreat Center. It is one of the campgrounds owned by Assemblies of God churches.

Established seventy-five years ago, this campground was a place for churches to come together for “revival” services, youth, kids and family camps. As a young boy, my family and I traveled to this camp every summer. It was usually extremely hot in the summer and eastern humidity did not give you a break, unless you call violent thunderstorms a break. The air conditioning consisted of metal walls around the tabernacle, which were lifted up during services and closed when it rained. Small cabins with no bathrooms were the hotels for guests. The doors creaked loudly when you opened them and slammed behind you as they shut. You always knew when someone entered or exited their summer residence.

There was no pool at the time, no gym to work out in, no video game room - just one building with a ping-pong table for entertainment. I could go on, but I think you get the picture.

It may not have been a premiere vacation spot, but there is one thing that drew hundreds of people there every year to this place: it was a place where people met with God.

People who did not have a relationship with God met Jesus there. Children, youth, and adults were filled with the Spirit of God and many were called to be in occupational ministry. Missionaries were called to other countries on that property as they spent time at an old wooden altar behind the tabernacle. If you needed prayer, encouragement, or a conversation about life, there were retired pastors and missionaries living there who would take you in their home, give you a glass of tea or lemonade, and make you feel like you were the most important part of their day (in many ways, you were).

As an adult, I became a pastor in West Virginia, which was only fifteen minutes from these hallowed grounds. Every year I would reserve one of the hotel rooms for a couple of days just to get away, pray and listen to God’s voice. I would walk the well-worn paths and ask God questions: “What are you doing in my life?” “What is your dream for your church?” “What areas of my life are you wanting to change?” It was during these occasions where God brought clarity and direction. On other occasions I would stop by and walk the grounds. Trust me, there was not much to look at, but there was a lot to listen to.

My daughter was healed on those grounds. It’s a long story, but she, like many others discovered that God hears and answers prayer.

Yes, those grounds hold a special place in my life. It’s a place of remembrance, a cornerstone of faith for me.

We should all have places where we look back and say, “God met me.”

I Caught a Glimpse of You

I Caught a Glimpse of You

I caught a glimpse of you the other day – You were wearing a fireman’s hat and were running into the darkness to give life and you gave up yours.

I’m sure it was you I saw – you were wearing a police badge and carrying a child as you ran from a falling building.

It sounded like your voice as I turned to hear your words spoken to a child, “I love you, I’m here, I care.” You were holding her so close.

I looked and I believe it was you again, this time wearing a mask and mending a broken arm and a damaged lung.

You offered your oxygen mask to someone you didn’t know.

It must have been you who cheered from the crowd to encourage rescuers.

You drove an ambulance,

You operated a crane,

You handed out water,

You opened your wallet and gave more than you had.

I’m not sure if others spotted you in the crowd but I know you were there – doing what you have always done:

Bringing hope to the hopeless,

Holding the hands of our leaders,

Giving strength to the weary,

Calling people to help,

Unifying our hearts.

Through the dark cloud of smoke came a light – your light.

You have reminded us once again of who you are and because of your good deeds, we give praise to our Father in Heaven.

Keep shining through us.

Shine for the world to see.

Truly you are the light of the world.

I pray that others will see you in me like I have seen you in others.

Thank you Jesus.