Who Moved

A married couple was driving down the road. The wife turned to the husband and said, "What's happened with us?" "What do you mean?" the husband asked. She said, "We're not like we used to be."

"How did we used to be?" the husband asked. "We were closer. More connected. We held hands all the time. In fact, here's a perfect example right now. Remember when we'd get in the car, and we'd sit right next to each other, with me there in the middle." The husband turned to her and said, "Who moved?"

This story illustrates an important Biblical principle: If you're not as close to God as you used to be, you're the one who moved. He didn't move. If you want to get back to where you used to be, you need to move in his direction. In fact, if you want to be closer to God than you've ever been before, if you want to reach a new level in your relationship with him, all you need to do is move in his direction.

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for a little while

During the early 1980s, Western Carolina University's football team struggled immensely. The 1980 and 1981 seasons managed to end the season 4-7 and 3-7-1. In 1982, the team barely squeezed out a winning season 6-5, but most people believed that the struggling team would go down the tubes with a losing season in 1983.

1983 started out badly, with losses to Clemson and Wake Forest. But things turned around after that. The team eventually ended with an 11-3-1 record and finished second to Southern Illinois in the Division II National Championship Game. They didn't win the outright championship, but clearly they had a great season.

Quite a turn around. And it didn't happen by accident. But the point I want to make is this: It happened. The worst football team in the Southern Conference played like the best team.

Personally and professionally we all will have losing seasons from time to time. A losing season may tell us that it's time to start over, but it doesn't tell us it's time to quit. If you've suffered some setbacks—and we all have or we all will—it doesn't mean that your best days are forever behind you. There's a big season right around the corner.

Peter said, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials." Trials and troubles run in cycles, but the promises of God are permanent. They're always true.

Remember Peter's words: "for a little while..." Just like the Western Carolina football team back in 1981, with a humiliating losing season, you may be struggling in certain areas now. But those struggles are temporary. Look where the same Western Carolina football team ended up in 1983. That can be you too. You'll experience a turn around, because God's promises are forever.
Obedience pays off. It pleases God, it benefits you, it blesses others. These are the rewards for obedience.

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The Word For You Today

I thought today's devotion from MVC's booklet "The Word For You Today" was very appropriate. So, for those of you that do not get this booklet, I have posted the devotion below....

“Serve…with gladness.” Ps 100:2 NKJV

Anything God gives you is first a gift to enjoy, then a seed to sow. Do you have a good education? Leadership ability? More money than you need? God has given you seeds —sow them. There are basically three kinds of people: those who can’t see, or refuse to see the problem; those who see the problem, but because they didn’t personally create it are content to leave it to others; those who see the problem and though they didn’t create it, are willing to assume responsibility for solving it. Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission, said: “I used to ask God to help me. Then I asked if I might help Him. Finally I ended up asking Him to do His work through me.” When you come to believe, really believe that service is God working through you, you’ll understand that serving others is the highest calling of all. Dr. William DeVries thought that way. He’s the surgeon who pioneered the artificial heart, and he’s the kind of doctor who shows up at the hospital on Sunday just to cheer up discouraged patients. He even changes dressings, and if a patient wants him to stick around and talk he always does. His friends say he’s “an old shoe” who fits in wherever he goes. He wears cowboy boots with his surgical scrubs and repairs hearts to the music of Vivaldi. “He’s always got a smile lurking,” says his friend Dr. Robert Goodin, “and he’s always looking for a way to let it out.” The truth is, “arriving” is not a place where others serve you but where you serve them “with gladness.”
Hope you have a blessed day,
kevin

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Persistence

If Columbus had turned back, no one would have blamed him. No one would have remembered him either. --Unknown

It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows achievement and who at the worst if he fails at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat. -- Theodore Roosevelt

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My Sabbatical Journey - Part Four

So, as I wrap up my blog about my Sabbatical Journey, you may be wondering, “Kevin, are you cured yet? Are you ready to come back and be our pastor? Are you okay?”
First of all, I am not cured. Short of a miracle, PTSD never goes away. You just have to learn how to cope with the disorder. I am stronger now than I was before the six week treatment, but I’m still anxious, a little fragile and hesitant, but I’m still ready to do what God has called me to do. Besides, it’s not in my power that His ministry is done – it’s in His power. And the Bible says that “I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me.”
Am I ready to come back and be your pastor? Yes! I believe that our best ministry comes from our weaknesses. I have no doubt that God called me to Mountain View as the Senior Pastor and I am ready! I am also humbled to be your pastor, and humbled by the disorder with which I have to deal with daily.
Am I okay? I certainly hope so. Like I said before, however, “I’m not cured.” But all in all, I see improvements that I believe will take me to levels I have not yet experienced. That being said, please keep me and Lynn in your prayers as we pray for you all regularly. In Christ, your loving pastor, Kevin.

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My Sabbatical Journey - Part Three

I know that the things I have experienced over the past years have not only impacted me negatively, but have also impacted others in the same way. One of the characteristics of PTSD is a shortened memory span. It’s similar to amnesia or a form of dementia. Sometimes I might ask Lynn the same question 3 or 4 times because I’ve forgotten that I asked her at all. At other times, the condition has caused me to withdraw from others and not want to be around anyone at all. This is a very common characteristic with PTSD. I also haven't handled stressful situations very well, and have a deep sense of insecurity. Suffice-it-to-say, this is a terrible disorder with which to live.
But on the more positive side – I have received help in many of these areas and have great hope that I am better prepared to deal with the issues when they arrive. At the VA center, I underwent training for stress management, anger management, family issues, relaxation techniques, cognitive process therapy, one on one counseling, group counseling with other veterans with PTSD, spiritual formation (Christian), sleep therapy, cognitive logic therapy (for memory), evaluation and confirmation of medicines, and a whole host of other things. All of these were very helpful and I firmly believe they will make a profound difference in my life. Thank you for allowing me to share so honestly with you all. I am blessed to serve in a body where I have liberty to do that. I love you all and look forward to what God is going to do in the future.

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My Sabbatical Journey - Part Two

The beginning of my struggle with PTSD began soon after the Gulf War in 1991. While serving as the commander of an airborne company, one of my officers died literally in my arms as I tried desperately to save him. Another of my soldiers was horrifically killed at the same place due to a mortal head wound. And at a different place and time, another officer committed suicide right in front of my command post. Statistics tell us that most soldiers who are exposed to any event that results in psychological trauma will experience PTSD in some form. But if the soldier still experiences trauma after 3 months or so, the disorder is considered chronic. I have experienced PTSD for twenty years, so my disorder is chronic. At times, my life has been a living hell. I couldn’t understand why God wouldn’t take this condition away. No one understood what I was going thru. I was hesitant to share with anyone about my struggles because I was fearful that I would be labeled as mentally challenged, mentally unstable, or any other number of undeserving names. I felt guilty and responsible for their deaths since I was their commander and gave them orders. So I stuffed it down, gritted my teeth and tried to tough it out like any good ole southern boy is supposed to do, right? Unfortunately, that doesn’t work. So that brings me to where I am now. I have tried everything I know to come to grips with PTSD, but I haven’t found the secret yet. However, I had been researching several programs that specialize in the treatment of the disorder. Imagine the surprise when an open slot “just happened” to fall in my lap. (Yeah right! I don’t believe in “just happened” things in the life of a believer.) So I sensed this was the provision of God and I volunteered to go. I felt that the therapy, counseling and treatment I would receive would not only benefit me, but also my family and my church. I’m glad I chose to go. I have learned a tremendous amount about my condition and thru teaching I now have several “tools” that are helping me cope with PTSD. I no longer feel like I’m going insane. I don’t want to hide this condition anymore. And I now know that PTSD is not some sort of label that disqualifies me from anything. Other people may think so, but it’s really just another medical condition like diabetes. I didn’t choose this disorder. I didn’t do anything to cause it. I didn’t ask for it. And it’s not my fault. By God’s grace, I feel I have led a productive life for 20 years with the disorder – twelve of those years have been in ministry. And I think I have many more productive years ahead of me.

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My Sabbatical Journey Jan-Feb 2011

As you all know I have just returned from a 6 week sabbatical. Each year during the month of January as well as several days in February, I take a sabbatical to plan, fast, write and pray for guidance in the year to come for MVC. This year, things were a little different.
For several years, I have experienced what is known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This condition was caused by traumatic events that occurred during my time in the US Army – and specifically during the Gulf War. I have nightmares that wake me up at all hours. My reaction when I awake is so violent at times that I have punched and kicked Lynn. She has been afraid of being around me when I have these dreams. As a result, we can no longer sleep in the same bed together. I scream and wake up with night sweats and my heart pounding. The dreams then lead to struggles with bouts of major depression as well as anxiety. All in all, PTSD has greatly affected my life in a negative way.
During this past year, my struggles with PTSD were so great that I have had recurring thoughts about dying and even suicide, although I don’t believe I would have killed myself. I have withdrawn from close friends and developed a deeply ingrained distrust of anyone and everyone. During the month of November, I came to the end of my rope, so to speak. I knew that I needed help. Fortunately, at the same time my sabbatical, a spot became available at the Memphis VA for an enhanced treatment program – PTSD Residential Treatment Program. I quickly volunteered for the vacant spot. The total cost of the 6 week program (minus transportation) was paid by the VA and I felt as if this opportunity was prearranged and ordained by God.
The first of January 2011, I flew out of Asheville to Memphis, Tennessee. This began a journey of 6 weeks that has led to healing, better understanding of PTSD, better understanding of myself as well as tools that hopefully will help me cope with this condition. I have also been humbled and now realize just how badly I have been affected by this disease. To be honest, I am nervous about sharing this on my blog, but I want you to know what has been going on with me. I will try to let you know a few things about my stay in Memphis and my current state of mind in upcoming posts.
I also want you to know that I am back. I have no plans to leave. And I am still excited about what God is doing at MVC!!! I love you all!!!

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Renewal

It was wonderful to be back in worship with you all yesterday. I am so hopeful and excited about what God is getting ready to do at Mountain View. I sensed it as I walked into the worship center. The music was rolling and hundreds of you were worshiping our God with abandonment. It was like a refreshing, renewing wind had blown into the building.

As many of you know, I have just experienced 6 weeks of renewal and refreshment in the Holy Spirit. Renewal is a vital part of our lives.
A term that Brasilian Christians often use is the equivalent to our word "renovate." It's used to describe the renewal a person experiences when being filled with the Holy Spirit. I've heard pastors and believers refer to how their ministry changed, or how their lives changed, after they were "renovated." It's similar to how we use the word "renewal", but I like their word better, because it implies a remaking, a restructuring of the heart, which is what we all need. It's a makeover, and every person is desperate for one. I'm more convinced than ever that we cannot be effective in ministry without this constant and never-ending, continuously ongoing renovative work of the Holy Spirit. We need to be made new, and we need to be made over; that can only be accomplished through the power of God's Spirit.

Paul said, "Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:16 NAS)

That renewal is in reality a renovation; it's the process of transformation that God works in us until we become like Jesus. How does it happen? In 2 Corinthians 4:18 Paul indicates that we have to look beyond what is seen, beyond the struggles and limitations of our earthen vessels, and set our eyes are the things that are not seen, the things that are eternal.

Everything we deal with day in and day out tempts us to focus on the temporary: money problems, health problems, relationship problems, and so on. But if we can look beyond these things, and focus instead on the presence of God, we can experience the renovating work of his Spirit.

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