When I was newly married, my youth minister directed my wife and I to attend a small church in Monticello, IL. Although we got lost trying to find the church (before the invention of GPS), we immediately fell in love with the people. We spent about 7 years in that church body and watched it grow in number and in spirituality. We made many life long friendships. However, what I learned most was that God had a great plan in my life for ministry. Believe me, working in a church was never on my radar. With the many days, weeks, months, and years on this campus, I remember the summer of 2000 the most.
The summer of 2000 was the year I embarked on my journey in ministry beyond the church walls of a church in Monticello. I remember asking 3 young boys if the they wanted to take a journey with me and be in a band. All eagerly said yes. Even though I was much older than these boys, none of us really knew what we were doing. From this moment forward, I have made it a priority to pray for opportunities to be used. "One Name Band" and One Name Ministries was born and so was a passion to pursue Christ with all of my heart. For 6 years, God blessed the four of us with opportunities to lead and play music to churches across our area. I sure do miss those days of loading up the trailer and calling the guys about a gig.
Many years have passed since I had this time with these boys. They are all men now and have families. I continue to reflect on my time with each of them and the molding of Christ into our lives through the opportunities that we prayed for.
Today, as I sit here and type, I can't even scratch the surface about these experiences. I sit here entering into my 15th year of this ministry with the anticipation of what is coming next. With all of these experiences, God has been working new opportunities through the same ministry with a different name, Daring to Soar Ministries.
For several years, I longed to travel with a group of students like these four young boys. I have to admit that now those with whom I travel are my own two children, my wife, and a couple of adopted students who have decided to join in the journey. We call ourselves, Captain Keith and the Blue Potatoes.
I often think about what the next steps will be when these kids grow up, and I am left to reinvent what God placed on my heart years ago. I am an aging guy that continues to seek the same thing I did in the summer of 2000.
The greatest thing about this ministry is that God still allows me to load that trailer. I pray that He will continue to provide new and amazing opportunities where I can unload it.
I am beyond blessed to travel in this ministry created just for me by God.
Friday, November 21, 2014
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
"God"phones
I like to think that I am always in "tune" with hearing a word from God. However, we all know that each of us gets sidetracked with wordly thoughts. One thing that I do know is that my God senses are more in tune when I am running or when I am at a chaotic event like a concert.
Recently I attended WinterJam '13 in Champaign, IL with a sellout crowd of over 14,000 people screaming and singing. During that time my thoughts strayed away from the noise in the room. I guess you could consider this a time of "spacing out." During this particular event I could feel God leaving an impression on my heart...so I listened. This is what God left on my heart this time...
"Keith...you have spent too long worrying about the judgement you think you will receive because who I made you to be. You are no longer going to hold yourself back because of someone not liking what you offer. You will accept whatever man will throw at you because you are no longer going to hold yourself back from the pursuit that you have for Me so that you can fulfill the calling on your life."
Wow! I truly needed that word because I do spend too much time trying to prevent myself from being judged by others. I then tend to play it safe (or try to not be as "radical") so that my life is free from conflict. I spend too much time draining myself about circumstance and someone else not accepting me for who I am.
God has made me to be a "Trailblazer." I accept that role and will continue to wait for God to tell me otherwise.
Friends...do you have a calling on your heart that is too heavy to carry alone? Make sure that you have your "God"phones on so that He can lead and direct you.
Recently I attended WinterJam '13 in Champaign, IL with a sellout crowd of over 14,000 people screaming and singing. During that time my thoughts strayed away from the noise in the room. I guess you could consider this a time of "spacing out." During this particular event I could feel God leaving an impression on my heart...so I listened. This is what God left on my heart this time...
"Keith...you have spent too long worrying about the judgement you think you will receive because who I made you to be. You are no longer going to hold yourself back because of someone not liking what you offer. You will accept whatever man will throw at you because you are no longer going to hold yourself back from the pursuit that you have for Me so that you can fulfill the calling on your life."
Wow! I truly needed that word because I do spend too much time trying to prevent myself from being judged by others. I then tend to play it safe (or try to not be as "radical") so that my life is free from conflict. I spend too much time draining myself about circumstance and someone else not accepting me for who I am.
God has made me to be a "Trailblazer." I accept that role and will continue to wait for God to tell me otherwise.
Friends...do you have a calling on your heart that is too heavy to carry alone? Make sure that you have your "God"phones on so that He can lead and direct you.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Serve before kings....
I have reached the age in life in which my oldest daughter is reaching her age to drive. She is continually asking questions about driving. One thing about my oldest daughter is the fact that she will get her license going into her junior year of high school instead of her sophomore year like 95% of her classmates. So there is a little jealousy in her heart. She has made me aware what PRNDL means and which is the gas and brakes. I do agree that those are important aspects of driving a car, but I am not so sure that these questions are the most important ones. As we continue to have conversations about driving and giving her "What would you do if...?" questions, I asked her how important is it to get a perfect score.
At this stage in the game she is focused on the anxiety that comes along with driving. I immediately go into "parent" mode. We continue to talk about the importance of knowing the rules of the road and not just about being able to drive. If I recall...I remember just wanting to get my license and passing the required amount of questions in order to pass. I then begin to ask..."what if you miss a question that is important enough to know? Aren't all of the questions important enough to know in order to be a good driver?"
At this stage in the game, she agrees that it is important to know everything. However, I think as she gets closer to earning her license, she will be more focused on just getting by in order to get it.
My major question is this..."Are we all living our lives as people who just know enough to pass, or are we striving to get perfect scores?" God intends for us all to strive to be more like Him. However, I have met to many people that just want to know enough to pass the test. Become skilled at what your passion is about. Because if you strive for mediocrity it will only hold you back from becoming
EVERYTHING God intends for you. Serve before kings!
Proverbs 22:29
At this stage in the game she is focused on the anxiety that comes along with driving. I immediately go into "parent" mode. We continue to talk about the importance of knowing the rules of the road and not just about being able to drive. If I recall...I remember just wanting to get my license and passing the required amount of questions in order to pass. I then begin to ask..."what if you miss a question that is important enough to know? Aren't all of the questions important enough to know in order to be a good driver?"
At this stage in the game, she agrees that it is important to know everything. However, I think as she gets closer to earning her license, she will be more focused on just getting by in order to get it.
My major question is this..."Are we all living our lives as people who just know enough to pass, or are we striving to get perfect scores?" God intends for us all to strive to be more like Him. However, I have met to many people that just want to know enough to pass the test. Become skilled at what your passion is about. Because if you strive for mediocrity it will only hold you back from becoming
EVERYTHING God intends for you. Serve before kings!
Proverbs 22:29
Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Not a Local Automotive Station
Inspired by the book, Emerging Worship p. 3
I few years ago I picked up a book titled Emerging Worship. Peaking my curiosity I bought the book and began reading it. In a "nutshell" the book is about changing our focus on having a "worship service" to creating a "worship gathering." We too often times come to church expecting what we are going to get out of the service rather than what we are going to give. I read across the excerpt and wanted to share it with you. I will let the excerpt and Scripture speak for itself.
"I admit that I'm being somewhat sarcastic with the service station analogy. But I'm not joking when I say we need to recognize that going to a worship service is not about us, the worshipers. It is not about God's service to us. It is purely our offering of service and worship to God--offering our lives, prayers, praise, confessions, finances, and services to others in the church body.
The description of a church gathering in 1 Corinthians 14:26-27 says, 'What shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for strengthening the church.'
This was not 'come together to sit and receive' like at a gas station. This was everyone gathering to offer service to God and others in worship. The gathering was not primarily about meeting the needs of the individual, but centered on the worship of God and strengthening the whole church.
In the New Testamente English word 'service' is used to speak of an act of giving, not receiving. Paul spoke of his ministry saying, 'Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God' (Romans 15:17). Paul talked quite frequently about his 'service' to the saints, which meant Paul was serving them.
Nevertheless, the 'worship service,' where the focus is supposed to be us bringing our services to God by worshiping Him, has subtly changed to focus more n us getting served by going to the meeting."
I few years ago I picked up a book titled Emerging Worship. Peaking my curiosity I bought the book and began reading it. In a "nutshell" the book is about changing our focus on having a "worship service" to creating a "worship gathering." We too often times come to church expecting what we are going to get out of the service rather than what we are going to give. I read across the excerpt and wanted to share it with you. I will let the excerpt and Scripture speak for itself.
"I admit that I'm being somewhat sarcastic with the service station analogy. But I'm not joking when I say we need to recognize that going to a worship service is not about us, the worshipers. It is not about God's service to us. It is purely our offering of service and worship to God--offering our lives, prayers, praise, confessions, finances, and services to others in the church body.
The description of a church gathering in 1 Corinthians 14:26-27 says, 'What shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for strengthening the church.'
This was not 'come together to sit and receive' like at a gas station. This was everyone gathering to offer service to God and others in worship. The gathering was not primarily about meeting the needs of the individual, but centered on the worship of God and strengthening the whole church.
In the New Testamente English word 'service' is used to speak of an act of giving, not receiving. Paul spoke of his ministry saying, 'Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God' (Romans 15:17). Paul talked quite frequently about his 'service' to the saints, which meant Paul was serving them.
Nevertheless, the 'worship service,' where the focus is supposed to be us bringing our services to God by worshiping Him, has subtly changed to focus more n us getting served by going to the meeting."
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
"Holy Ambition"
"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. The history of mankind will probably show that no people have ever risen above its religion, and man's spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God. Worship is pure or base. The worshiper attains a high or low thought of God. For this reason, the gravest question before the church is always, God Himself. The portentous fact about anyone is not what he is doing at a given time, what he may say or do, but what in his deep heart he conceives God to be like." A.W. Tozier
"What is your view of God? Are your prayers God-centered prayers? A broken spirit begins in the presence of God. When you see God for who He is, it gets very easy to have a broken spirit. So, how is your prayer life? What comes to mind when you bow your head to pray? Do you have a high or lofty view of God, or has He unconsciously become your self-help genie, your good buddy, your back-up plan when all else fails? We will never have a broken spirit unless we have a high and lofty view of God." Chip Ingram: Holy Ambition
I know we all come to church with different perspectives of God. Each of our experiences lead us in different facets of service and places different desires on our heart. However, when it comes to your true view of God, are you taking Him as serious as you should? Since the author focuses on prayer, I want to ask the simple question: How is your prayer life? Are your prayers only raised during times if need? Or are your prayers lifted up because your relationship with Him allows you to have a broken spirit?
Read through the text a couple times and let God speak to you as you reflect on your view of Him.
"What is your view of God? Are your prayers God-centered prayers? A broken spirit begins in the presence of God. When you see God for who He is, it gets very easy to have a broken spirit. So, how is your prayer life? What comes to mind when you bow your head to pray? Do you have a high or lofty view of God, or has He unconsciously become your self-help genie, your good buddy, your back-up plan when all else fails? We will never have a broken spirit unless we have a high and lofty view of God." Chip Ingram: Holy Ambition
I know we all come to church with different perspectives of God. Each of our experiences lead us in different facets of service and places different desires on our heart. However, when it comes to your true view of God, are you taking Him as serious as you should? Since the author focuses on prayer, I want to ask the simple question: How is your prayer life? Are your prayers only raised during times if need? Or are your prayers lifted up because your relationship with Him allows you to have a broken spirit?
Read through the text a couple times and let God speak to you as you reflect on your view of Him.
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