I have a good friend who has recently gone through another disappointing ordeal with church leadership.  This person is amazing, because at a time when they could have given up on God they have continued to forge ahead despite the lack of integrity in those we are suppose to trust.  I realize the bible says that our ultimate trust should be in God, but come on, when is the leadership in the church going to quite taking advantage of sheep and start living with some integrity.  I as a friend personally got involved in this situation just to help guide them through the maze of confusion and abuse.  We actually had a phone conference set up the other night with an individual who was suppose to have been representing my friend and trying to work things out in a biblical manner, which I strongly believe in.  However, this leader couldn't even make the phone conference.  We ask people to settle disputes within the church and not to go to the world, but church leadership can't get there act together to even make that happen.  Maybe I am venting a little bit, and forgive me if I am, but I like to look at is as speaking the truth. I would like to say to all of us as church leaders, "Be the leaders that God has called us to be...men and women who have integrity and keep their word.  At least when you say your going to work on reconciliation and set up a phone conference, JUST DO IT."  I'm not saying that we as church leaders are perfect, but let's be willing to admit when we haven't kept our word.  I am proud of my friend, because they have kept a right heart.  In my opinion on this deal they have risen above leadership in there approach to dealing with an obvious offense and abuse.  They are certainly not perfect, and have owned up to their responsibility in the matter... something the leader has been unwilling to do, from my view.  I don't know maybe we just need a good kick in the butt... my word to all of us as church leaders,  "Let's walk the walk"...who knows the sheep may follow, they are anyway.   

IN-MOTION - I am excited about this new series we are beginning this weekend at Lifepoint.  I have spent the last few days hammering out three messages. I am pumped. Do you ever feel like you're just going through the motions?  Where is the fire, the passion? Does it feel like your life is no longer moved by the story?  Have you become one of the lukewarm, and if so has God already given up on you?  Every person has days when they just feel Blah!  I wish I could say that I always feel it; the passion, the compassion; you know the emotion and the longing for God.  The truth is I don't and if the other side of the story be told neither do you.  So what's up with all this?  Where is God? Has he moved or have we moved? If you ever feel motionless I want to encourage you to join us at Lifepoint over the next few weeks as we get it in full gear.  This weekend we are going to be talking about "the unchanging God".  I believe God wants us to redefine and rediscover our passion for Him.  GEAR UP FOR EASTER IT"S GOING TO BE AWESOME!!!!  Big announcement this Sunday.  Get ready to do something that's never been done at Lifepoint.

Why is it that we humans have this tremendous tendency to focus on the negative and fail to see the positive?  I consider myself for the most part to be an optimistic person, but I have to admit that as a leader, I sometimes feel the strong pull toward the negative.  In fact I have a confession to make, there are many Sunday afternoons and Mondays that I struggle with depression.  I feel like the psalmist David when he said, "If I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; yes I would wander far away... I would hurry to find a shelter form the raging wind and tempest."  One good thing in all of this, is that from what I read many leaders struggle with the same battles of depression.  I guess it's good not being alone.  So why is this?   I can't answer for everyone else, but for me, I over analyze myself, I ask to many questions in my own mind that I think I have the answers to, and most of them generally come from a twisted perspective particularly when you aren't feeling good about yourself.  When your down is usually not the best time for self-evaluation.  So instead of looking at all the people who can't get to church on a consistent bases, instead of asking what is wrong with what we are doing that keeps people away, instead of thinking people really don't care, instead of putting so much time and wasted energy into individuals whom I will never please, and trying to figure out why no unsaved people are coming to church....Enough already!  You see what I mean.  That's enough to drive anyone insane.  You're probably going nuts right now.  Stop the insanity Ronnie... Lifepoint is growing, peoples lives are being changed, we are having an influence in our community, new people are coming to the church, giving was up this month, we have a tremendous base of volunteers who week end and week out give their lives to serving.  These are the people that aren't looking for a reason not to be in church, but are eager to find another reason to show up and help.  WOW!!! You are the ones that stir my heart.  God is doing such an awesome work in people's lives.  It would take me to long in this writing to share some of the amazing testimonies of what God is doing in the lives of young men and women at Lifepoint.  I mean listen, the truth is we can always look at what isn't happening and get depressed really easy, or we can look at what God is doing and the tremendous change that is taking place around us.  I believe we have to be willing to answer the tuff questions in our lives, but we also have to lift our hearts and be aware of just how blessed we are and who it is that is blessing us.  God is just showing me more and more it's not about me, it's about HIM.  Keep building your church Jesus, you're doing an awesome job. And you know what, I'm Happy about it!!!!

I spoke with David yesterday.  David is a true friend.  He just called me out of the blue which he does quite often.  In a world that is chaotic and busy I am appreciative of true friends.  People that would do anything for you.  I always appreciate David's honesty when it comes to his walk with God.  There are know pretenses, no role-playing; he's just who he is trusting God to sort out all the questions. I love people like that.  God has blessed me with some really cool people that are always there.  I hope I am the same for them.  Hey David if you reading, you're on the right path and thanks for being a true friend.  Say hi to Fran for me.  Janet and I love hanging out with you guys.