Guess I'm not a pastor.......

Starting a Saturday evening service has gotten me to think a lot about myself.  I have recently come to the conclusion though, that I am NOT a pastor.  I AM NOT A PASTOR!!! Some of you who know me might argue with my recent conclusion. To those who would argue, thank you, you are the ones who believe in me and keep me going (you know who you are).  Please hear me out though...

Someone once told me that a pastor wears suits and ties. I was told that a pastor should look "the part". Well in that respect, I AM NOT A PASTOR.  I preach with conviction in blue jeans, t-shirts and hoodies.  God has called me for who I am and not for what clothes I wear. God looks on the heart while man looks on the outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7) Forgive me Lord, for I wear not a suit!

I was once told that a pastor should not mention certain things from the pulpit.  in that respect, I AM NOT A PASTOR.  A couple of Saturdays ago, I decided to completely open up to my evening congregation and tell them that I struggle with a porn addiction.  If pastors cannot admit such things to the people they serve, then I am not a pastor.

According to a lot of churches, pastors should hold a masters degree.  Well then I definitely am not a pastor.  I hold a two year church leadership certificate from Vineyard Leadership Institute, a far cry from a masters degree. Would I love to get a masters degree?  You bet ya.  Is it reasonable at this time?  Nope. Guess I'm not a pastor.

I was once told that I should learn to love sports so that I had something to talk to people about.  It would help me with being a pastor.  Well in that respect, I AM NOT A PASTOR.  I don't mind the occasional sporting event,  I somewhat enjoy them. But I do not enjoy memorizing every little retarded fact about every sports team.  I do not enjoy standing around talking about sports.  Sorry, I guess I am not a pastor.

So what does that make me?  An undereducated, blue jeans preachin', non sports talkin', recovering  porn addict.......who loves the Lord with everything he is!  I will continue to preach the Gospel of Christ till the day I die with all the conviction that is within me.  And I will do it without a suit, without sports, admitting my faults, maybe someday with a masters degree, but ALWAYS within the power of the Holy Spirit.  I am called to be His messenger, as me, not as someone else.

Can I borrow a cup of peace that passes understanding?

It has been a long week, and it ain't over just yet!  I should be putting the finishing touches on my sermon right now, but I just really need to clear my mind.  So here I sit, at my laptop, Pandora set to the Lecrae station and a cold dr. pepper at my side.

Have you ever watched someone who never seems to be upset or down? No matter the circumstance, they always seem to be positive.  And you think, "if only I could borrow some of that." They just have a certain peace around them at all times.  It's kind of like watching a kid run around at top speed and you think "if only I could bottle that energy, I would make millions."

Well, as Christians, we do have that peace.  It may not feel like it at all times, but it is there. And while we can't bottle it and make millions, we can share it and save millions.

I'm not a huge fan of the message translation of the Bible, but they seem to nail some points right on the head.  In Philippians 4:6-7
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Are you tired, depressed or upset? Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers. Steven Furtick once said "look for a chance to practice spiritual jujitsu today. Use the attack of the enemy to propel you into victory." Take the bad and exhausting things of your life and use them to form a powerful prayer or praise to God.

Do you know someone who is tired, depressed or upset? Share a cup of peace that passes understanding with them.  Christ is waiting for you to be His ambassador of peace in this broken world.